For everyone that counts repetitions as a benchmark for their progress...

[Stonecold54]

Here is why for the most part it is not accurate. The reason this is important is that most people use it as a benchmark to record their progress. Here is an example that will show why it is inaccurate. We will assume that you as the person who works out will increase your weight when you reach 10 repetitions on the benchpress because you like to keep them around 8 normally. So lets say in workout number one you do a 200 pound benchpress for 8 repetitions and for arguements sake lets say in that workout you have a cadence of 3/1/2. that would be a total of 48 seconds of time under load (TUL-the time that the muscle is acutally being loaded by the weight). Now in the next work out you do that same 200 pounds but you get 10 repetitions done but they were at a cadence of 2/2 for an acutal TUL of 40 seconds. Now if you follow your standard pattern of increase then you would increase your weight because you have reached the magic number 10. You can obviously see from the separate times that your muscle was not ready to increase and in fact it was less powerful than the previous workout. In my own personal workouts I use a finger watch (from Sportcount.com for about 20 bucks) that I start and stop at the beginning and end of my sets and it gives me accurates time under load data to record in my book so that in my next workout I can actually see the difference and if I did really improve or not. I would suggest investing in one and making your logbooks that much more accurate because as you become an advanced trainer there is less and less of dramtic results in your training so sometimes a few seconds add here and there to exercises is very motivating. Good luck. :)

[ski]

Dude,no reason to overanalyze.Just keep it simple,progressive,and train as if your life depended on it.Not a flame, but when I read articles like that they act like it`s fucking rocket science.We are just lifting weights.Good advice but I don`t think it`s that important.Bottom line,break down build up.A lot more to it ,I know but that`s what training really amounts to ,and knowing what works for you as an individual, is imperative.

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by ski
Dude,no reason to overanalyze.Just keep it simple,progressive,and train as if your life depended on it.Not a flame, but when I read articles like that they act like it`s fucking rocket science.We are just lifting weights.Good advice but I don`t think it`s that important.Bottom line,break down build up.A lot more to it ,I know but that`s what training really amounts to ,and knowing what works for you as an individual, is imperative.

that is the exactly the attitude that makes every joe schmo think they have the answer to exercise science (yes it is a a science and should be treated as so). if you want to fool around in the gym that is fine but for the people who are serious about the gym and understand its nature the name of the game is precision. You are right it is a small part in the structure but for advanced trainers who need to eek out every bit of strength and muscle it is the next step towards gains. If you were to be a chemist would you just start mixing chemicals in your basement and to whoever came along that told you that something was dangerous, would you tell to just relax and that it wasn't that important? a science is a science, nothing more nothing less.

[GearTripper]

Originally posted by ski
We are just lifting weights.

that's kinda like saying "We are just eating." you see where i'm going with this? consume, digest, produce, blah blah blah... now lets get into the more "scientific aspects of eating. you are what you eat, you can't just eat twinkies all day long and be healthy can you?

[ski]

I`m a very serious bodybuilder who has won 46 trophies.The reasdon I said this is that it is too analytical.I also said it was good advice but I doubt if anyone counts the exact time under tension in their heads while training.All that`s needed is a controlled motion making the muscle in question do the majority of the workload.It`s not brain surgery.I use a lot of different intensity techniques but I don`t dissect it into microparts I just do it.Everyone shopuld trainheavy with good form but if you overanalyze your mind is usually not on the job at hand.By the way I don`t plan on becoming a chemist anytime too soon.That`s good for the scientific world that`s for sure!

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by ski
I`m a very serious bodybuilder who has won 46 trophies.The reasdon I said this is that it is too analytical.I also said it was good advice but I doubt if anyone counts the exact time under tension in their heads while training.All that`s needed is a controlled motion making the muscle in question do the majority of the workload.It`s not brain surgery.I use a lot of different intensity techniques but I don`t dissect it into microparts I just do it.Everyone shopuld trainheavy with good form but if you overanalyze your mind is usually not on the job at hand.By the way I don`t plan on becoming a chemist anytime too soon.That`s good for the scientific world that`s for sure!

trophies don't equate to proper technique or anything for that matter. trophies equate to genetics. obviously you sound like a guy that can do pretty much anything in the gym and grow, and for that I envy you. :) But for 85% of the population they need some type of method or some type of trainer that can treat them in a scientific method. people always say that you need to find out what is best for them, but how many of them actually know how to find that information out. I would say as little as 5% of the population knows actually how to train and how to find out how to train properly.

[ski]

Dude,I`m not an easy gainer and I have taken the time to learn my body like everyone should for best results.I in no way meant my post as derogatory or to discount your advice I was just trying to say to keep it simple.I agree with you that most people probably don`t train properly and in hindsight I must say your advice is sound .Sorry if I came off like an ass ,I didn`t mean to.Peace!

[redMachchick]

Re: For everyone that counts repetitions as a benchmark for their progress...

Originally posted by stonecold54
Here is why for the most part it is not accurate. The reason this is important is that most people use it as a benchmark to record their progress. Here is an example that will show why it is inaccurate. We will assume that you as the person who works out will increase your weight when you reach 10 repetitions on the benchpress because you like to keep them around 8 normally. So lets say in workout number one you do a 200 pound benchpress for 8 repetitions and for arguements sake lets say in that workout you have a cadence of 3/1/2. that would be a total of 48 seconds of time under load (TUL-the time that the muscle is acutally being loaded by the weight). Now in the next work out you do that same 200 pounds but you get 10 repetitions done but they were at a cadence of 2/2 for an acutal TUL of 40 seconds. Now if you follow your standard pattern of increase then you would increase your weight because you have reached the magic number 10. You can obviously see from the separate times that your muscle was not ready to increase and in fact it was less powerful than the previous workout. In my own personal workouts I use a finger watch (from Sportcount.com for about 20 bucks) that I start and stop at the beginning and end of my sets and it gives me accurates time under load data to record in my book so that in my next workout I can actually see the difference and if I did really improve or not. I would suggest investing in one and making your logbooks that much more accurate because as you become an advanced trainer there is less and less of dramtic results in your training so sometimes a few seconds add here and there to exercises is very motivating. Good luck. :)

I think that takes all the fun out of it!!!LOL

[Stonecold54]

Re: Re: For everyone that counts repetitions as a benchmark for their progress...

Originally posted by redMachchick
I think that takes all the fun out of it!!!LOL

I don't count the gym as fun. LOL having sex is fun. the gym is a job and I try to be the best at it. :D

[redMachchick]

Well, I think it is fun...pain is pleasure....:D

Going to the gym can be a powerful foreplay....:D

I very much enjoy going to the gym, makes me feel good to work and sweat, maybe I'm weird or something...

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by ski
Dude,I`m not an easy gainer and I have taken the time to learn my body like everyone should for best results.I in no way meant my post as derogatory or to discount your advice I was just trying to say to keep it simple.I agree with you that most people probably don`t train properly and in hindsight I must say your advice is sound .Sorry if I came off like an ass ,I didn`t mean to.Peace!

no problem, I don't hold anything against people, I just like to speak my piece and sometimes I get into it a bit. LOL

[ski]

Thanks bro,I really meant no disrespect.Train hard!!

[Racer814]

its all good info.....I rate my progress by those little 2 1/2's....