What amount of reps is best?

[Stevo1024]

Is it better to do sets of 5, or 10 reps? I used to do sets of 10 reps, but i switched to sets of five once i started doing sets of 200lbs. im finding my progress is slower now. Should i drop the weight a little and do sets of 10 again?

[Maxgain]

What is your aim, 3-5 for strength gaining 8-10 for weight gain can always be good to alternate every so often

[maverick]

Its best to use all rep ranges for bodybuilding. Proper periodization will yield the best results.

What are your goals, Stevo?

[Vas85]

I dont think the rep count is as important, as the muscle feel while performing the reps.

and one word of advice is, if your going to lower the weight, that might be a good idea, as you should let your msucles control the weight, not the weight control your muscles.

[sharaabi]

pyramids followed by a superset touches all aspects of balance ; that way you get your heavy weight, light weight, resting time between sets under 30 seconds AND from set to set, different angles of using muscles, compound exercises.....that should be the whole 9.

[rookie]

I say go heavy 3 weeks outa a month and light on the last week of the month to get ready for the next month. heavy in my book is 3-8 reps.

[iffy]

I train with 8 reps and use a weight where i can complete 3 sets of the excersize and make sure form is good. Then move the weight up as the sets get easier.

Also for mass building, Ladder Sets are great. Basically, you grab a weight of about 80% of your maximum lift for any particular excersize. Lift once, then rest for 10 seconds, after 10 seconds lift twice, after another 10 seconds lift 3, then after a final 10 seconds lift 2 again. Thats one set. Do this 3 times with about a 60 second rest in between sets and your body will feel like its going to explode!!

I'm a personal fan of the Arnold Press Ladder Set *rubs hands*.

[threenorns]

as you can tell, there's no real right or wrong answer - go with what suits you best.