will you gain size doing 5 reps?

**asoe209** · 08-12-2011 03:50 PM

This is a silly question really.

Can you gain size by doing 5 reps?

I ask because they say 4 to 6 reps for strength and 8-12 for Hypertrophy, so if your training in a strength range will you still gain mass while eating the right foods to do so. Or are you better off just going in to the 8-12 range for some size?

Told you silly question...

**James** · 08-12-2011 03:58 PM

You can, and will... strength equals mass, obviously not always optimal size, but anyone who is super strong has good mass regardless.

**asoe209** · 08-12-2011 04:19 PM

Cool thanks for he conformation. I was going to ask you but I thought I would save ur thread from another one of my randoms lol.

**muskle** · 08-12-2011 04:20 PM

yeah. what he said. also, it's easier to count to five.

no such thing as a dumb question, only dumb answers.

**ben 21** · 14-12-2011 02:54 AM

muscles cant count! they dont know any different. as long as they are being trained to there maximum, rest assured you will gain both mass and strength. theres no right or wrong awnser in this sport its all trial and error.

**stronglikewood** · 16-12-2011 03:38 PM

I'd go slightly higher most of the time. Nothing wrong with low rep ranges here and there though. They'll make your 8+ reps sets feel a lot lighter.

**asoe209** · 19-12-2011 05:10 PM

is that 8+ sets with lighter weight than you 5-6 ones?

so is it worth mixing it up every so often say 2 weeks each of 3 weeks heavy 1 week lighter?

**James** · 19-12-2011 05:24 PM

It's worth not over thinking things man, train both 4-6 and 6-10 at varying times throughout the week if you must.

**asoe209** · 19-12-2011 05:33 PM

Not over thinking as things are going well with what you have suggested, just reply really and seeing what people though to that. HOw you doing any ways? how is the back feeling today?

**stronglikewood** · 20-12-2011 10:11 AM

Quote

Originally Posted by asoe209

is that 8+ sets with lighter weight than you 5-6 ones?

so is it worth mixing it up every so often say 2 weeks each of 3 weeks heavy 1 week lighter?

I basically self regulate it. If I'm not feeling up for heavy weights then I will stick to 12-15. The next week I could do the same or if I'm feeling stronger, go for 8-10. I might be able to eek out a couple of weeks more of 8-10s and get PBs before feeling a bit tired so upping it back up to 12-15 for a week or two. Then there are weeks where I feel really good so I drop below 8 reps to handle relatively heavy weights from time to time. This then makes all of the 8+ reps feel lighter in subsequent weeks.

BUT what James said- don't overthink this. Just get stronger and eat enough, which is usually required to get stronger in my experience.