Weight Lifting?

Question

Is it possible to gain larger muscles or get stronger by lifting a lot of weight just a few times? Example instead of doing 8-10 reps of 25 pounds dumbell curls can you do just 2 and get the same results? Just looking to get bigger arms.

Answer 1

larger muscles come as the results of lifting progressively higher loads AND having a caloric excess in the diet. the loads that you lift do not determine the size of the muscles but the diet that you follow. resistance training only provides the neccessary stimulus to stimulate hypertrophy in the muscle cell

to stimulate hypertrophy you need to use a load that is close to 80% of the one repetition maximum in that exercise and use a time under tension (TUT) of 45-60 seconds. so if your maximum one arm dumbell curl is 35 lbs you would have to use close to 28 lbs and each set should take 45-60 seconds to complete which typically equates to 8-10 reps per set.

also you have to remember that a properly developed arm is 2/3 triceps. so if you want big arms you need to focus on the triceps not the biceps.

Answer 2

You can do lower rep higher weights and that is generally a way to get thicker instead of toned however it depends on your body makeup. Some people have a bigger frame and generally get big while thinner people usually dont get big, they get toned. 2 reps wont do much. Try in between like 8 reps of heavier weight and less sets. I could be wrong but that seems to work for me. I am a thicker build type though. Also make sure to work out the whole arm of course.

Answer 3

It's about intensity and forcing your body to adapt to a work load - that's why it makes your muscles bigger. If you can do ten quality reps with the 25's and only do two then you will NOT have the same good gains.
Also, being one dimensional in your training (just wanting bigger arms) isn't a wise choice. You should build your body symmetrically. But if you insist on only working your arms you need to work your forearms and triceps, not just the biceps, to have any kind of significant size gains.
The bottom line is there is no lazy way to make good gains.
Train hard!

Answer 4

Yes. I would look for 3-5 reps or 6-8 to build mass. This is close to powertlifting, but does build a large frame. Make sure you eat right to recover from hard weight work, also.

Answer 5

No, that's actually very dangerous. If you do weightlifting incorrectly you can literally tear your muscles. I'd say if you can't do at least 8 reps of something you're lifting too much. You need to give weightlifting 3 days a week for 2 months before you can expect to see a difference.

Don't ever max out (try to lift the max amount once). I did years ago and completely destroyed my shoulder permanently.

Answer 6

you won't neccesarily get the same results because you are working different muscle fibres in your body, basically the higher the reps with lower weight works your fast twich fibres in your muscles and produces more tone and conditioning but the lower the weight and rep youwork your slow twich fibre so you get bulkier and stronger, depending on why you are training depend on how you should train,but in answer to your question you can still lift higher weight less times and get just as strong but you won't be that fast, hope that helps, Dave

Answer 7

if u want to gain mass i suggest u do 4 sets of 4 for each thing and do like 45 pounds on curl instead of 25 and by the time of your third or fourth set if cant get it its alright just keep working at it

Answer 8

Yes it does work, but keep in mind, to get bigger arms you have to focus on the tricep. It's 2/3 of arm, so make that bigger and your arms will be bigger.

Answer 9

NOPE.
WHILE LIFTING YOU MAY START TO FEEL WHAT'S CALLED THE BURN YOUR CELL'S ARE BEING RIPPED AND THUS DOUBLING. YOU DONT HAVE TO PICK UP EXTREM WEIGHT JUST PICK IT UP ALOT...