Ideal number of reps for weight lifting?

[IKO69]

I used to love running Vince Gironda's "Honest Man" workouts, his famous 8x8's. Did them exactly as he did...30 seconds or less between supersetting 2 exercises for 8 reps each, 8 sets total, then changed exercises and repeated. Did this with a total of 8 exercises, so 4 complete sets. Usually took about 45 minutes and would do the same workout once in the morning and again in the evening as he did.

Super intense training, tons of volume, definitely high intermediate-advanced level training but results were amazing. Would run this 6 weeks and usually did it every 6 months, followed by deload periods after.

Not enough people know about Vince Gironda and his methodologies but for my money he is one of the best resources out there for a natural person looking to build an aesthetic physique. He is known as the father of modern day bodybuilding for a reason.

I am unfamiliar with his 8x8 method, but I will for sure read about it later after I am done with work. I am familiar with the personality. Gironda dips are one of my favorite callisthenic exercises and I do a ton of them on chest day.

Anyways I've always kept the rep range between 6-8. In terms of sets I will do about 4 for each exercise. I do about 4 exercises per each body part. I've pretty much always done it this way except for a few years ago when I read a mens health mag that had Wladimir Klitschko's workout. He did high volume with lower weight - going for endurance I guess. I gave up on it after a few weeks and went back to what I always did. My back, shoulders and arms are kind of big - my chest could use a bit more work but training the chest is something i've never been really that crazy about (I know it is most guys favorite).

Experimentation is the answer for the OP. You have to experiment and eventually you'll find a system that works. Mainly whatever you do, you want it to be challenging. By the end you want to know you got a good work out in,

 

[BackInTheGame78]

Your limiting factor becomes cardio, not muscle strength.

Are you trying to lift weights faster, or are you trying to get bigger and stronger?

I had a big 3 of 1420 lbs at 188 lbs, I was in the elite category for all of them(squats, deadlifts, bench/decline) for my weight, I didn't need to get any stronger and in fact, my joints eventually let me know I reached the limit of what it was going to allow me to do.

 

[FlexpertHamilton]

I do 2-5 reps for squats and deadlifts, and 5-8 for OHP, rows, and bench.

Depends what your goals are.

 

[RazorRambo24]

6-12 Rep Range

20 Reps for warmup/pumps /getting blood into the muscle before I work it out. I'll do a 3 set of 20 rep kinda thing or sometimes more to accomplish this.

My workouts, every single one of them is usually 5 different excercises, 5 sets, 6-12 rep range, Pyramiding with weights

 

[larrydude]

Depends on if you're weightlifting, bodybuilding, strongman , supplementing a sport activity or fitness

 

[Obee1]

3-5 reps are optimal for strength gains. Size comes naturally with strength. Work on getting as strong as possible.

If you're squatting 225 for sets for 5 you probably look like a guy that squats 225. When you put the work in and eventually squat 500 for sets of 5, you'll look like a guy who squats 500+. Even the journey from 225 to 315 will show aesthetic improvement. The weight will never lie or deceive you like the mirror and ego.

 

[EyeBRollin]

If you're squatting 225 for sets for 5 you probably look like a guy that squats 225. When you put the work in and eventually squat 500 for sets of 5, you'll look like a guy who squats 500+. Even the journey from 225 to 315 will show aesthetic improvement. The weight will never lie or deceive you like the mirror and ego.

Facts. People want an easy alternative. A guy that can squat and deadlift 500 lbs looks like it. Everyone in the room can see it (and they usually move out of his way).

 

[Reincarnated]

I hit each muscle group twice a week. Once focusing on power/less reps & the other in a higher rep range, focusing on hypertrophy. I don't have any clinical data to back it up, but it makes sense and works for me.

(By lower reps I mean typically 3-8, and higher reps 9-15).

 

[Gamisch]

Fcking hurt my shoulder doing a...muscle up..smh..stupid ol' me thinking I'm still the 22 y.o pro boxer with endless flexibility and strength. Heard /felt (not sure) a pop . PT said its not a tear . Will have to take a step back unfortunately. I was just getting better with weight lifting and bodyweight training, kinda disappointing. All exercises seem to use the rotary cuff so I am royally fecked. Will take it easy next two weeks ,but i hate this shyte. Just found a great rythm for training 5/6 a week. Will fall back to cardio only until the PT "allows" me to lift heavy again. Pt said don't go passed the piont of level 2/10 when feeling discomfort/pain.

Depends on if you're weightlifting, bodybuilding, strongman , supplementing a sport activity or fitness

(Kick) boxing. But only recreational . I went from 94 kilos to 79 ! Last night I went under 80 kilos for the first time this year ( my fighting weight was alwas around 72/74).

I rather become a little bit bigger. Although I like my current frame. Much better looking than with the 12/14 kg overweight ofcourse.

Tbh I'm kinda reluctant to bulk. I am a sponge it seems. My body soaks up whatever I feed it. Shyte food? I'll blow up in weight and size. I touch a dumbbell? I get ripped within days. So I picked the latter and start looking more buff already. I just feel like with my height (6,1) at 75 kilo ,(165 lbs )I have this boy-ish look. Or I should say: it reminds me of my younger self while I am trying to become a bigger stronger version .

Facts. People want an easy alternative. A guy that can squat and deadlift 500 lbs looks like it. Everyone in the room can see it (and they usually move out of his way).

Yup. One of the harsh facts of life. Your body kinda shows what you're capable of or not. I've now reached 70 kilo (160 lbs?) with benching, and my arms have never been bigger.