[dirdybirdy]

Okay, right now on pretty much all the weights I do I go for 3-4 sets at 20-25 reps each. I'm fairly muscular, and I just want to maintain it while I burn fat with the cardio. Does this sound about right? I get conflicting opinions, like yes, 20-25 reps, or no, 12-15 reps with more weight is fine. I don't want to try and add more muscle (and I know its generally difficult for women to do this anyway, but I swear I pack it on pretty easy). Tell me what you girls think....

[Effie_drine]

Deciding on the amount of repetitions that you do depends upon what you are trying to accomplish. Everyone one is different, my best advice is to find out what work's best for you. Here is a general outline I have taking from one of my training book's.

If you want to gain muscle mass you should be doing 6-10 repetitions at 70-80% of your maximum weight. Find out what your maximum weight is by doing a given exercise at your one repetition maximum. Your one rep maximum weight can be determined by doing an exercise with the maximum weight that you can handle safely for one repetition. Take this one rep maximum weight and multiply the amount by 70-80% to get your workout weight. If you are just beginning a weight training program start out with light weights and work yourself up to heavier weights. You don't want to get really sore by lifting more than you are safely able to. Take 60-90 seconds between exercises in each set. This would be low rep high weight

If you are lifting weights for general health, muscle tone and endurance you should be doing 8 to 15 reps with a low to moderate weight for an exercise. This increases the ability of the muscle to perform longer while still burning fat.

Hope this help's a little .........Effie

[TinaMaddox]

I think you should stick with 3 to 4 sets but you could lower your reps to 12 -15 if you are just trying to maintain your musle. 20 to 25 reps (except for legs) may be a little over-kill.

[dirdybirdy]

That was kinda what I thought too, but my bf insisted that if I just wanted to maintain my muscle then I needed to keep my reps way up. I think I'll drop back to 15-20 and just see if I can push the weight up a little bit. I don't mind changing things up to see if I can get some different results....

Thanks girls, good advice as usual!