Train To Gain: Fundamentals More to Score?

Q: If bodybuilders only need two or three sets of an exercise, how come so many advanced bodybuilders do more?

A: While it’s true that many advanced bodybuilders do more than two or three sets per exercise, that doesn’t prove that they’re training correctly. Remember, most people, bodybuilders included, tend to believe and do what they want’paying little attention to facts until they’re compelled by failure to change their ways.

Most of the physiques you see in the pages of IRONMAN are genetic naturals, fortunate people who gain no matter what they do. Their physiques shrug off excess training, and their heredity compensates for their less-than-proper methods’but that hardly proves that they know what the hell they’re doing.

Nevertheless, sometimes it’s correct to do four or more sets, such as when you’re following a lifting program of heavy singles, doubles and triples. Doing more than three sets of 10 to 15 reps of a single exercise is too much 80 to 90 percent of the time.

By emphasizing a limited but hard and properly done number of sets, you’ll build and keep a solid, quality physique and be in top condition. IM