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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Bodybuilding > Weightlifting & Exercise > sets vs. # days per week
Expert: Richard Edmondson - 10/26/2009
Question
Dear Mr. Edmondson,
I'm a 29-year-old male in decent physical shape, who's been doing cardio and weight training for about a year now. My current routine is to do 30 min cardio, then lift weights, 5 more min cardio to cool down, then stretch. I do this 6 days a week, alternating my weight lifting during the week between upper- and lower-body workouts. I'm currently only doing 1 set of 8-15 reps per exercise, for the sake of time.
My priority is a Men's Health-cover type of look over pure strength or size (I know that's a little unrealistic unless I commit more time, but thought appearance vs. size vs. strength goal-type might be relevant). If I were to increase my time in the gym, though, which would be better: A) 3 sets per exercise and hitting each muscle group twice per week, or B) 2 sets per exercise and hitting each muscle group three times per week?
Also, suppose I can't that extra time after all. Am I better off sticking to C) what I do now (1 set per exercise, hitting each muscle group three days a week), or would it be more effective to do D) 2 sets per exercise, hitting each muscle group only twice per week?
Thanks for your help and for sharing your expertise!
Sincerely,
Eric
Answer
Hello
For what you want 3 sets per excercuse and hitting each muscle group 2-3 times a week is the best option:
Doing it like this gives your body a good workout and keeps the muscles working and keeps testing them.
If u struggle to find time then switch to 1 set per exercise hitting the muscle group 3 days a week.
Hope that helps
Richard
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