The Secret Number of Reps to Gain Mass

By Klint Newton

How Many Reps Should I Do? Many people ask this question, and there are as many answers to this question as there are people asking it. One expert will tell you one rep scheme will produce mass gains, and that no other scheme will work. The next expert will tell you that you need to do a completely different amount of reps to gain mass, and that any other amount of reps will not produce favorable results.

So who is right? Many are right, and many are wrong. I will lay out the scientific facts, and you can decide for yourself.

Basically, different programs target different muscle types as well as different parts of the muscle. Just to keep it simple, let's say there are two types of muscle fibers, fast and slow twitch. Let's also say there are three types of rep schemes.

1. Low reps (3-5), very heavy weight (88-93% of 1RM)

2. Medium reps (6-8), moderate weight (84-88% of 1RM)

3. Many Reps (15-25), light weight (60-70% of 1RM)

The first scheme is designed to gain power. These reps should be done one after the other and explosively through the complete range of motion, without losing your form. This rep scheme will increase power with the heavy weight, low reps, and explosiveness of the lift. It's likely that you will gain strength, but not size with this rep scheme. A muscle needs a minimum of 36 seconds of continuous tension to signal the need for muscle growth. The 3-5 explosive rep scheme does not meet this requirement. This is why you can have a smaller person being able to lift much more, for only a few reps, than someone who is 50 lbs heavier. This type of lift recruits the maximum amount of fast twitch fibers.

The second reps scheme from above, 6-8 at 84-88% of 1RM, is the best rep scheme to build mass while also making gains in strength. You would lift the weight a little slower than with the low rep scheme. You would lower the weight in 4 seconds, and lift it in 2 seconds. This scheme of performing a rep in six seconds would pass the 36 second test and if you are using enough weight, which 84-88% of your 1 rep max would be, you will be stimulating muscle growth and strength. This rep scheme mostly recruits fast twitch fibers.

The high reps scheme of 15-25 at 60-70% of 1RM will recruit slow twitch muscle fiber almost exclusively. This type of rep scheme will increase endurance and increase overall aerobic fitness. This rep scheme is also much easier to recover from. One reason this type of rep scheme increases aerobic activity is because your body has produced so much lactic acid that you will fail at the end of a set because of cardiovascular fatigue and not muscular fatigue.

Now the question would be, What's best? Well, they are all beneficial. The truth is that muscle groups are comprised of Type I and Type II, Slow and Fast twitch muscle. So just as you need to vary your diet, you need to vary your training. When thinking about training, just keep in mind that your fast twitch muscles have the more capability for growth than slow twitch, but your body adapts to heavy, fast twitch fiber stimulating exercise. When your body adapts to your training, it's called a plateau. If you hit a plateau, you need to change your rep scheme and even your exercises for three to four weeks. Also, always strive to use proper form when you lift. Whenever you are unable to lift the weight one more time, with correct form, the set is over.

One of the fundamentals for muscle building success is to have a plan from the start with different rep schemes so that you will be targeting fast and slow twitch muscles how and when you should be. - 17273

About the Author:

Need a little more advice on how to gain muscle fast? Then stop by Klint Newton's site where you can get your free copy of his 7 Part Muscle Building Guide so you can start to build some serious muscle.