When weightlifting, how do you know when to start training with heavier weights?

Answer 1

when you can complete a working set with ease while maintaining proper form. technically you should be doing either more reps or more weight each subsequent training session.

if you did squats today with 150 lbs x 10 reps as your working set. then the next leg day you should be either doing 150x11-12 reps or 150+ lbs for <10 reps

Answer 2

The number of reps you do will depend on what your trying to achieve. Heavier weight and fewer reps for strength, lighter weight and more reps for stamina. When strenght training, if you want the most out of your workout, always lift until failure. This is why you need a spot or should use machine weights if alone. This means, you keep lifting the weights until you can no longer achieve a full (and correct) repetition. Set a number of reps as your goal, I prefer 12-15, then find the weight that you fail at somewhere inside those numbers. For example, with my goal of 12-15 reps, If I do 14 reps and then cant lift anymore with all my strength,then I'm still using the correct weight. After doing this long enough, eventually I will be able to do 16 reps and fail on # 17. Then I know it's time to add weight, and should be able to lift the added weight at least 12 full times before failing. NOTE: Most average people in the typical fitness club do not lift to failure, generally because it takes all your energy and dedication. Also because I think there is the mental idea that they dont want people around to see them not being able to lift a weight. Sounds silly but it's true. That doesnt mean they're not getting results from working out, they're just not maximizing their workout and will take longer to see results.

Answer 3

It's very much a case of personal perception. At the very least, to achieve any noticeable results, you should be doing enough work to break a sweat and increase your heart rate and breathing.

If you want to build mass, aim for about 60-70% of your maximum weight (the most you can lift with that muscle group), and do lots of repetitions. I'd recommend at least 15 and maybe 20 per set. Use different exercises for the same muscle groups. For instance, do bench press, incline press, decline press, and a flat bench dumbell press for chest. Then do push-ups to exhaustion (ie, you can't do any more). That would all be in a single workout. Day one, you can do perhaps chest, shoulders, biceps, and the day two you could do back, biceps, and legs, etc.

To build strength, do maybe 6-10 reps of much heavier weight. Aim for 80-90% of your maximum possible weight. Try for 3-4 sets.

Either way, every couple of weeks, you should notice that the sets are becoming easier. Increase your weight.

Ideally, but the end of your last set in each exercise, you should be close to muscle exhaustion. When it gets easier, increase the weight!

Answer 4

When the weights u are using get really light. If you are trying to gain mass and can do more than 15 reps, then you need to increase the weight.. when gaining mass I pyramid from 6 to 10 reps.. Gaining weight is 90% diet so remember to eat a crapload of protien... Visit musclechemistry.com... tell em winneevee sent ya!

Answer 5

When it gets easier.

No pain no gain.

Results are achieved through increasing intensity.

I work out with a woman who has noticed no results, because I've observed her next to me. She quits when it gets a little bit harder so that she doesn't have to sweat. I sweat and I went from a size 10 to a size 8 in two months.

Answer 6

obviously when wot your lifting now gets a lot easy er for you to lift good luck