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Ever wondered how many reps are best for you? Well, that really depends on the result you’re going after. What is it that you want to achieve? Stronger muscles? Bigger muscles? Fatloss?

The following video does a good job at explaining the different rep ranges.

Main takeaways:

The most important thing is to train in whatever range you train in! So if you’re training in the lower rep range, make sure that you actually give it all you got in that lower rep range. That means the weights need to be so heavy that you literally can’t lift them more than 5 times. Let’s say you aim for a 3 rep range, and you do three reps and stop, but actually you could do 4 or 5 or even 6 reps, then that’s not really being in the lower rep range. If you’re doing 3 but you could do 5, then you’re not training effectively, and you won’t get the benefits of the lower rep range.

Lower rep range (1-5 reps):

Focused on strength, heavier lifts.

Mid rep range (6-10 reps):

You’re blending the benefits of lower rep range (strength) with the benefits of the higher rep range (hypertrophy).

Higher rep range (11-14 reps):

Great for building bigger muscles because time under tension is usually more than 45 seconds (if you assume you spend 2 seconds up and 2 seconds down per lift, 12 reps = 48 seconds).

Very high rep range (15 and more reps):

He doesn’t go much into the benefits of a very high rep range in the video.

 

Another great article on the same topic that I found is The Rep Range That Builds The Most Muscle. It takes a slightly different approach, breaking it down into 3 ranges:

Low reps (1-5)

Great for building strength. But time under tension is too short to maximize hypertrophy.

Moderate reps (8-12)

Best if you want bigger muscles. The ideal time under tension is 30-60 seconds, because that’s where your body starts create lactic acid, which is vital to new muscle-tissue production.

When lactic acid, or lactate, pools in large amounts, it induces a surge in anabolic hormone levels within the body, including the ultrapotent growth hormone and the big daddy of muscle-building, testosterone. These circulating hormones create a highly anabolic state within the body and if you’re after more muscle, that’s exactly the state you want to be in.

The increased time under tension also leads to more muscle damage, imperative if you plan on getting larger any time soon. Theoretically, the longer a muscle is contracted, the greater the potential for damage to the tissue.

The moderate-rep range, when coupled with a challenging weight, will also bring about a much-desired condition: the muscle pump. That tight, full feeling under the skin, caused by blood pooling in the muscle, has value beyond its ego-expanding qualities. Studies have demonstrated that the physiological conditions which lead to a pump activate protein synthesis and limit protein breakdown. Thus, more of the protein you eat goes toward muscle construction instead of being burned off for energy. In a scientific twist of good fortune, the fast-twitch fibers appear to be the biggest beneficiaries of this phenomenon.

High reps (15 or more)

Good for muscular endurance, but not so much for bigger muscles:

The amount of weight you can handle isn’t heavy enough to recruit fast-twitch type-2 muscle fibers. So what, you ask? Simply put, type-2 fibers are where the potential for growth resides, and they respond only to heavy weights at least 75 percent of your one-rep max.

So there are some slight differences in opionion between Jeff from Athlean X and Michael Berg, but there’s one thing they both agree on: you should exercise in all rep ranges!

To make sure your body doesn’t adapt to a particular regimen and stagnate, you need variety. Cycle periods of low-rep training and high-rep training into your overall program, while progressively trying to increase your strength and perfect your exercise form every time you lift.

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2018-06-01

Workout:

Reverse Lunges l,r, Split Squat 20
rest (<2m) x
Superman Push-Ups l,r, Clapping Plyo Push-Ups 8
rest (<2m) x
“21” Crunch ?
rest (<2m) x
Reverse Lunges l,r, Split Squat 14
rest (<2m) x
Superman Push-Ups l,r, Clapping Plyo Push-Ups 7
rest (<2m) x
“21” Crunch 20
rest (<2m) x
Reverse Lunges l,r, Split Squat 16
rest (<2m) x
Superman Push-Ups l,r, Clapping Plyo Push-Ups 7
rest (<2m) x
“21” Crunch 16
rest (<2m) x
Reverse Lunges l,r, Split Squat 20
rest (<2m) x
Superman Push-Ups l,r, Clapping Plyo Push-Ups 6
rest (<2m) x
“21” Crunch 15
rest (<2m) x
Reverse Lunges l,r, Split Squat 15
rest (<2m) x
Superman Push-Ups l,r, Clapping Plyo Push-Ups 6
rest (<2m) x
“21” Crunch 11
rest (<2m)

 

Foodlog:

  1. Shake
  2. Durian
  3. Sushi & sashimi
  4. Beer 500ml Paulaner Hefeweizen
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I’ve got a gym membership, but truth be told, there are days when I don’t have the time to go to the gym. So I’ve been wanting to have some basic equipment at home to do something for those times when I don’t just want to do a bodyweight workout.

In this video, Jeff Cavaliere from Athlean X shares his recommendations for building a home gym:

Here’s the summary:

A utility benchDoorway Pull-Up Bar

He says the cost anywhere between $10-$30.

Resistance Band / Tubing

He recommends getting something that you can step on with both feed and then pull it up all the way above your heads with a good amount of resistance. Get with handles if you find it easier to grab, but even without is fine (which is what I have, since that takes up almost zero space when I travel).

(Adjustable) Dumbbells

If your budget allows for that, get adjustable dumbbells so you can do your progressive overload. If not, just get whatever level you’re currently at.

 

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2018-05-30

Workout (video):

Today’s workout was interesting. I really tried to push it out and post-pone it, really didn’t feel like working out. But hey, I’m on track, can’t break my streak.

And then when I did the Jamb Hammer Rows and doorway Bicep Curls, I really got so fed up with that. It’s just a lot of reps, and it requires different parts of your body. It’s not just engaging the biceps and chest muscles, but I really felt it in my forearms and hands as well, and that always sucks. That’s funny though, because when I did Jamb Hammer Rows and Doorway Bicep Curls the first time, I really liked it. So there you go, things can change real fast.

I was surprised though that I could do the cyclone push-ups. They looked much harder, but I could do 20 at first try, and I actually like them, they’re cool.

Another first-time exercise today were Counter Top Triceps Dips. Much harder than I expected those to be. The first one that I tried, I could her and feel it clicking and clacking all through my arms, ellbow joints, shoulders, wrist. But even apart of the joint strain, it was really tough on the muscles, much more difficult than I anticipated.

The Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats were also interesting. They turned out to be challenging in an unexpected way. It was of course hard on the legs, but the most I actually felt the muscle in my back. It might be the external oblique abdominal muscles?

Cyclone Push-Ups 20
Push-Ups 10
Rest 1m
Cyclone Push-Ups 10
Push-Ups 5
Rest 1m
Cyclone Push-Ups 8
Push-Ups 5
Rest 1m
Jamb Hammer Rows l 40
Jamb Hammer Rows r 40
Doorway Bicep Curls l 30
Doorway Bicep Curls r 30
Rest 1m
Jamb Hammer Rows l 30
Jamb Hammer Rows r 30
Doorway Bicep Curls l 30
Doorway Bicep Curls r 30
Rest 1m
Jamb Hammer Rows l 30
Jamb Hammer Rows r 30
Doorway Bicep Curls l 30
Doorway Bicep Curls r 30
Rest 1m
Counter Top Triceps Dips 4
Hover Hold Push-Ups 10
Rest 1m
Counter Top Triceps Dips 5
Hover Hold Push-Ups 4
Rest 1m
Counter Top Triceps Dips 6
Hover Hold Push-Ups 2
Rest 1m
Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats l 30
Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats r 30
Lateral Frog Hops 30
Rest 1m
Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats l 30
Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats r 30
Lateral Frog Hops 20
Rest 1m
Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats l 20
Single Leg Bulgarian Wall Squats r 20
Lateral Frog Hops 23

 

Foodlog:

Interesting day as far as food is concerned. After having my best day ever yesterday in terms of food, today I ate A LOT. Good stuff, but a lot. Durian definitely had it’s role. Durian season is short, and we’re in prime durian season now, so I’m not holding back and eating away. 140 baht per kg for monthong durian. Then later I went to a hotpot place with a friend, so that added to it again. And then even my shake today was a badass-monstrocity. All good food, except for that peanut butter jelly sandwich, but even without that, just a lot of calories today.

  1. avocadotoast with eggs
  2. Durian
  3. badass shake
  4. peanutbutter jelly sandwich😣
  5. 35g peaproteinpowder in water post-workout
  6. fresh tumeric, water, pepper, honey, bit of milk
  7. badass shake part 2
  8. hotpot
  9. yogurt
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2018-05-29

Workout (video):

32 Push-Ups
48 Push-Ups

Foodlog:

Today was probably the best day in terms of eating behavior I’ve had since I started my food log. I had a good breakfast, and then a real heavy lunch with a plate of Japanese Katsu Curry, and then nothing afterwards. I was hungry in the evening, and I went to bed hungry, but the hunger made me sharp and alert. I think I should sleep hungry every night.

  1. guacamole toast with eggs
  2. shake: 7 lychees, water, 35g peaproteinpowder
  3. krill oil 500mg
  4. salad
  5. katsucurry
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2018-05-28

Workout (video here):

Wall spiderman push-ups to failure 20
rest 90s max
Wall spiderman push-ups to failure 20
rest 90s max
Wall spiderman push-ups to failure 12
rest 90s max
Jamb Hammer Rows l to failure 33
Jamb Hammer Rows r to failure 33
Jamb Hammer Rows l to failure 35
Jamb Hammer Rows r to failure 35
Jamb Hammer Rows l to failure 40
Jamb Hammer Rows r to failure 40
rest 90s max
Single Leg Hell Touch Squats l to failure 23
Single Leg Hell Touch Squats r to failure 23
Single Leg Hell Touch Squats l to failure 25
Single Leg Hell Touch Squats r to failure 25
Single Leg Hell Touch Squats l to failure 30
Single Leg Hell Touch Squats r to failure 30
rest 90s max
Standing Triceps Extensions to failure 12
rest 90s max
Standing Triceps Extensions to failure 12
rest 90s max
Standing Triceps Extensions to failure 12
rest 90s max
Long Leg Plank Marches to failure 40
rest 90s max
Long Leg Plank Marches to failure 50
rest 90s max
Long Leg Plank Marches to failure 60
rest 90s max
Pike Push-Ups to failure 17
rest 90s max
Pike Push-Ups to failure 12
rest 90s max
Pike Push-Ups to failure 12

 

 

Foodlog:

  1. Breakfastshake
  2. Reishi Mushroom extract
  3. Peaprotein powder in water
  4. 2 peanut butter sandwiches with butter (yeah…)
  5. Kimchi soup (about 1/3 of that bowl)
  6. Ox knee soup
  7. Ice cream (half of that)
  8. Yogurt
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2018-05-27

Workout:

30 minute stationary bike

Some strength training exercises for back muscles: Face pulls and overhead rope pulls

Foodlog:

  1. Shake (banana, peaproteinpowder, peanut butter, macadamiamilk, cinnamon)
  2. Chiapudding (shared)
  3. chickpeas, sweet potato and mushrooms (shared)
  4. stewed pork trotters with rice and veggies
  5. protein cookie
  6. chicken broth soup with chicken, egg, and a bit of rice
  7. probiotic yogurt
  8. boiled buffalo milk with tumeric, cinnamon and honey
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2018-05-23

Workout (video):

 

Mountain Climbers 60s x
Superman Planks right 60s x
had to put feet and hands on ground like 4 times
Mountain Climbers 60s x
Superman Planks left 60s x
had to put feet and hands on ground like 4 times
rest (<2m)
Rolling Planks 60s x
Side Scissor Planks Left 30s x
Rolling Planks 60s x
Side Scissor Planks Right 30s x
rest (<2m)
Alpine Mountain Climbers 60s x
Cliffhanger Planks 15s x
Alpine Mountain Climbers 60s x
these a climbers were killing me. shoulders. and how far out / wide apart mylegs, feet, hip?
Cliffhanger Planks 15s x
rest (<2m)
Mountain Climbers 60s x
Superman Planks right 60s x 1 setdown
Mountain Climbers 60s x
Superman Planks left 60s x 1 setdown
rest (<2m)
Rolling Planks 60s x
Side Scissor Planks Left 30s x
Rolling Planks 60s x
Side Scissor Planks Right 30s x
rest (<2m)
Alpine Mountain Climbers 60s x
Cliffhanger Planks 15s x
Alpine Mountain Climbers 60s x
Cliffhanger Planks 15s x
rest (<2m)

 

Foodlog:

  1. Avocadotoast
  2. lentils with olive oil, salt, and lime
  3. vegan burger
  4. soup
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