Does lifting heavy weights a few times or lifting lighter weights a lot help you tone up faster?

Question

I want to tone up my muscles within the next month and I was wondering would increasing muscle strength make me look better or increasing muscle endurance by doing a lot of reps with light weight work better???

Answer 1

I always learned it's more effective to lift heavier weights a few times than to life lighter weights a lot of times. If you pick a light weight and lift it like 20 or 30 times, you're not getting anywhere. But if you pick a heavy weight and lift it only a few times, then you're helping yourself build some muscles.

My suggestion is that if you're doing arm curls, for example, pick a weight that you can lift up like, 8 times. After you do eight reps, increase the weight so that you can only do 4-6 reps. Then, increase the weight again so that you can only do 1 or 2 reps or until you can hit failure (which is when you can't lift up anything at all). And if you can, get someone to spot you when you hit failure.

Remember to give your muscles a few days of rest for each body part you work on. Like if you're doing back and triceps today, don't do exercises using those same muscles for like another few days. Instead, work on another area like chest and biceps. Don't be afraid to struggle a little to lift up a heavier weight, but at the same time, make sure you don't hurt yourself in the process. It'll feel crummy when you get sore after a workout, but just remember that every time your muscles get sore, that means they'll just be stronger by tomorrow.

Answer 2

When you say "tone" are you looking for muscle definition or bigger bulk? If you are looking for definition, where muscles are distinguishable even when relaxed, you need to lift lighter weights with high reps more often. If you are looking for bulk (aka strength), then the heavier weights will be the way to go.

Answer 3

if you want bulk muscle, you want to do few reps with as much weight as you can handle. if you want to tone your muscles, do a lot of reps with a lighter set of reps. to get in the best shape and have the best quality muscles, you want to do both of these. sometimes bulk muscle isn't even as strong as lean, toned muscle.

also, be careful to maintain a muscle mass that is appropriate for your frame. everyone has seen the little guy who's just totally ripped. having that much weight and pressure on your skeleton is not healthy.

good luck on your weight training, remember to create a regimen and stick to it!!

Answer 4

Using heavier weights with less reps will make your muscles bigger, but if you want to be stronger you really need the endurance training. I suggest both, endurance first and then strength.

Answer 5

Cut=Light weight A lot of Reps
Bulky=Heavy weight little Reps

Both cut and built=medium weight-=average reps (at least 15)

check out my 360 profile, this (Both) is the technique I use!

Answer 6

Lifting heavier weights will build bulk and lighter weights will elongate the muscles. Possibly mix if you want fast results

Answer 7

lifting heavy will put mass on your body. it will make you bigger. lfting lighter weight will tone you up faster. it will give you that "cut" look. lifting lighter is the way to go for what you want in the amount of time.