Expert: Brian - 7/23/2006

Question
Hi, I'm a male 15 year old, and I just got done reading an article by tom venuto (as stated in the subject). Well I've been doing 3 sets of 10 reps on all my workouts, and tom's article says that the more reps you do the more size you get and less strength. Also, that if you do less reps but more weight, you will gain more strength but less size. I was wondering if you did one week of working out with 3 sets of 10, and then the next week of doing 3 sets of 5, would you get the best of size and strenth/power? I've been doing sets of 10 because I thought that would get me better endurance so I could keep my toned look, and I always though that if you do less weights, you just get really bulky and you lose endurance for sports (I play soccer), and I didn't want that, so now I'm confused. Thank you very much.
-Justin

Answer
Justin - I don't know who Tom Venuto is, but his idea, as you present it, just doesn't make any sense.

Strength and size are directly related, when you're talking about muscle. You can't get more strength from less size, or vice versa. The amount you are able to lift is directly related to the amount of muscle you have.

There are other factors, such as "coordination" (your brain's ability to work your muscles together) and, what I call "oomph" (your ability to keep pushing).

My advice to you is that 4 sets of 8 is optimal for most people. At your age, you're not going to get so bulky that it will slow you down, or anything like that. You will get stronger (and bigger), but not dramatically so, again, mostly because of your age.

--Brian