weight lifting

[Dr. Greenthumb]

i was just wondering about opinions you guys might have...at least those that go to the gymn

is it better to do more weight and less reps or vice versa?

is it better to work out arms together or do back with biceps and chest with triceps?

[tweedle]

I recently bought some dumbells and a bar and wouldnt mind knowing how many reps I should do and at what weight.

[Dr. Greenthumb]

i usually do 3 sets of 10 reps for as much weight as i can but ive heard that more weight is better and to do 4 sets and with less reps.

[WidespreadDead]

i work out pretty much every day and it really depends what your going for. from what ive learned more weight=more stregnth more reps=more ripped looking. depends what your going for

[canadianbud]

this is how i know it

more reps less weight = fat burning, muscle toning

less reps more weight = muscle building

[Dr. Greenthumb]

same as ehat i have heard but what about grouping arms together?and back with chest together?
...that is my real question

[WidespreadDead]

my suggestion is bench as much as you can for 3 sets of 8. do 3-4 sets of bicep curls. and do some ab exercises. that should cover your whole upper body

[tweedle]

What can I use in my house as a bench? I got the bar and everything, just nowhere to lay and do it

[Dr. Greenthumb]

only think i can think of other than a bench is a yoga ball.

WSD-i can cover my back and chest im just not sure wethe i should do back and biceps then chest and triceps or if i should do arms together and back and chest together

[canadianbud]

try doing full upper body work some days, and full lower body work others. I sometimes do abs with my lower body, thats how i do it.

[GAZ]

What can I use in my house as a bench? I got the bar and everything, just nowhere to lay and do it

I've got the same problem dude, really need a makeshift bench but i have no clue what to use as one.

[Dr. Greenthumb]

yoga balls work well and you use a more full range of motion

[cutthecashflow]

This is a little off topic, but what really drives me crazy is people that only work their upper body. You know what I mean when you see some body that is just all uporportional their built in there chest and arms. Their rest of the body is either all lanky or their fat. There was a kid in highschool like this he looked like a turtle. We used to call him Mamma Ass cause he had a can the size of his mothers which was not small bye all means.

Guess I'm just saying you have to have an equal balance of upper body to lower body workouts.

[DeezNutz]

I do all upper one day...all lower n back next...if u do abs u should prolly let em rest for about 48 hours if you've done a lot
and if ur going for muscle building u prolly only wanna do about 4 reps on a bench...just a lot of sets n resting, or just do 10,8,6,4,2 ect so u dont get a buncha loose muscle...i dunno thats just the kinda shit that seems to work for me

[cutthecashflow]

only think i can think of other than a bench is a yoga ball.

WSD-i can cover my back and chest im just not sure wethe i should do back and biceps then chest and triceps or if i should do arms together and back and chest together

Biceps with Triceps Alternating sets in between
Lower Back with Abs-Alternating sets in between
Upper Back with Chest-Alternating sets in between
Deltoid with Trapezius-Alternating sets in between

Overview

-The force exerted by a contracting muscle on an object is called muscle tension and the opposing force exerted on the muscle by the weight of the object to be moved is called the load

-If muscle tension develops but the laod is not moved the contraction is called isometric (Think of pushing all your force against a brick wall it is not going to go anywhere) If the muscle tension developed overcomes the load and the muscle shortening occurs, the contraction isisotonic

isotonic contractions-muscle length changes and moes the load
Concentric contractions-In wich the muscle shortens and does the work (picking up a book or kicking a ball)
eccentric contractions-in which the muscle contracts as it lengthens(occur in your gastrocnemius which is your calf when you are walking up a hill)

-The reason your muscles become sore is because of a buil of lactic acid

-Muscle fatigueis a state of physiological inability to contract even though the muscle still may be receiving stimuli. This is quite different from Psychological fatigue, in which the flesh is still able to perform but we feel tired. It is the will to win in the face of psychological fatigue that sets the athletes apart from the rest of us. (It is mostly in an individuals head)

-A muscle that provides the major force for producing a specific moement is a prime mover or agonist

-Muscles that oppoose or reverse a particular movement are called antagonists

So when an agonist is working the antagonist is opposing. (Biceps and Triceps) This is why it is good to lift alternating sets with these different types of muscles.

If there is anything else you would like to know about the anatomy and physiology of the human body feel free to ask I have a large supply of books and researched material at my disposal. I will try and answer any questions to the best of my aquired knowledge.