Heavy lifting vs lighter weights... which works for you?

daisyduke · 11-12-17, 05:52 PM

So every weight lifter says you need to lift heavy weights and eat tons of protein. No cardio or little cardio necessary.

Ive been doing body beast since April and giving this method a try. Ive got some amazing muscle definition but I am not losing weight (scale is high - probably water weight from the muscle).

Anyway, I need a break from heavy lifting. . . maybe just a week or so. I'm thinking about doing Firm so I get a little strength and cardio.

Which method seems to work best for you?

marki64 · 11-12-17, 06:07 PM

I don't enjoy heavy weight work. I don't mind a little, but not consistently. I like lighter weights, quicker reps. Always have. I don't know if I could have benefitted through the years from heavy weight workouts, but slow and heavy type weight workouts just don't motivate me. I'm not real strong, but I guess fun beats boring for me.

yogapam · 11-12-17, 06:21 PM

I prefer low weight/high rep hands down, never have enjoyed lifting heavy. I have arthritis in my thumbs & wrists so holding heavy weights is painful for me.

Usia · 11-12-17, 06:42 PM

I go through phases. In July/Aug/Sept I was on Gilad and CLX kick and I did heavier weights. I loved it and it made me feel strong, but I think I've neglected to stretch adequately and I hurt my back so I backed off. Now I'm back to lighter weights/higher reps for UB and pilates with some cardio thrown in. In January, I plan to do a rotation with Jessica's new set (yet to be released) and will try to use heavier weights again. Variety is what works for me. Steady diet of one or the other - doesn't.

Pepper · 11-12-17, 07:28 PM

I'm doing Chalene Extreme right now - I'm going into into the 2nd month and the really heavy short reps is REALLY working for me when little else seems to anymore!

Garrie A. · 11-12-17, 07:56 PM

I do both! Alternating heavy and light weight workouts work best for me.

LoveVA · 11-12-17, 08:00 PM

I also do both. I'll do strength training 3 times a week, so I might do 1 heavy and 2 lighter or vice versa. I like to mix it up.

Lucky Star · 11-12-17, 08:14 PM

I guess it's how we define heavy. I've never really gone higher than 15-20 lbs per dumbbell which I consider medium (but is heavy for me). But in recent years my joints are much happier using 5-12 lbs, with more reps.

Usia · 11-12-17, 09:08 PM

..

Tugger31 · 11-12-17, 09:22 PM

Depends on my goals. Heavy weights for upper body definitely makes me stronger, but aesthetically makes me feel large and lumpy. Heavy weight for lower body (for me) made my lower body feel tight and sore. I can't go too heavy b/c it always stresses my knee joints even with proper form.

Lighter weight/higher rep for upper body "debulks" my upper body, but over time my strength suffers and with even more time my muscles though deflated and look better in clothes, feel softer and I don't like that. Right now I'm embarking on a low weight/high rep rotation for upper body for 3 weeks with a one week heavy weight week and then repeating that.

For lower body I'm switching to floor work, stretching and more cardio, mostly steady state with a HiiT workout once a week or once every other week. My joints can't take the impact too often.

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11-12-17, 05:52 PM
daisyduke Join Date: Jun 2004	Heavy lifting vs lighter weights... which works for you? So every weight lifter says you need to lift heavy weights and eat tons of protein. No cardio or little cardio necessary. Ive been doing body beast since April and giving this method a try. Ive got some amazing muscle definition but I am not losing weight (scale is high - probably water weight from the muscle). Anyway, I need a break from heavy lifting. . . maybe just a week or so. I'm thinking about doing Firm so I get a little strength and cardio. Which method seems to work best for you?

11-12-17, 06:07 PM
marki64 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Wisconsin	I don't enjoy heavy weight work. I don't mind a little, but not consistently. I like lighter weights, quicker reps. Always have. I don't know if I could have benefitted through the years from heavy weight workouts, but slow and heavy type weight workouts just don't motivate me. I'm not real strong, but I guess fun beats boring for me.

11-12-17, 06:21 PM
yogapam VF Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: West coast of Canada, eh. ;)	I prefer low weight/high rep hands down, never have enjoyed lifting heavy. I have arthritis in my thumbs & wrists so holding heavy weights is painful for me. __________________ **~Pam~** Certified Level 4 Essentrics Instructor - March 2021 Hatha YTT - 2011 Your body keeps an accurate journal regardless of what you write down..... "Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." Jim Rohn "It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently.” - Tony Robbins Check out my Instagram account, @fitness.ficti0n.inspirati0n

11-12-17, 06:42 PM
Usia VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008	I go through phases. In July/Aug/Sept I was on Gilad and CLX kick and I did heavier weights. I loved it and it made me feel strong, but I think I've neglected to stretch adequately and I hurt my back so I backed off. Now I'm back to lighter weights/higher reps for UB and pilates with some cardio thrown in. In January, I plan to do a rotation with Jessica's new set (yet to be released) and will try to use heavier weights again. Variety is what works for me. Steady diet of one or the other - doesn't. __________________ Dana Avatar: Oliver!

11-12-17, 07:28 PM
Pepper Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Illinois	I'm doing Chalene Extreme right now - I'm going into into the 2nd month and the really heavy short reps is REALLY working for me when little else seems to anymore!

11-12-17, 07:56 PM
Garrie A. Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Virginia	I do both! Alternating heavy and light weight workouts work best for me. __________________ Garrie -AFAA certified GFI -Licensed Barre Above instructor -------------------------------------------------------- CLX 6/19-9/19 STS Grad 11/19-2/20, 9/20-12/20 Current Focus: Cathe STS 2.0 Check out my blog by clicking on the "Home Page" link under my profile name.

11-12-17, 08:00 PM
LoveVA Join Date: Jan 2013	I also do both. I'll do strength training 3 times a week, so I might do 1 heavy and 2 lighter or vice versa. I like to mix it up.

11-12-17, 08:14 PM
Lucky Star VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: A helluva town	I guess it's how we define heavy. I've never really gone higher than 15-20 lbs per dumbbell which I consider medium (but is heavy for me). But in recent years my joints are much happier using 5-12 lbs, with more reps. __________________ ~ Gina ~ "Remain cheerful, for nothing destructive can pierce through the solid wall of cheerfulness." ~Sri Chinmoy "We are so fortunate that we get to exercise!" ~Erin O'Brien

11-12-17, 09:08 PM
Usia VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008	.. __________________ Dana Avatar: Oliver!

11-12-17, 09:22 PM
Tugger31 Join Date: Feb 2002	Depends on my goals. Heavy weights for upper body definitely makes me stronger, but aesthetically makes me feel large and lumpy. Heavy weight for lower body (for me) made my lower body feel tight and sore. I can't go too heavy b/c it always stresses my knee joints even with proper form. Lighter weight/higher rep for upper body "debulks" my upper body, but over time my strength suffers and with even more time my muscles though deflated and look better in clothes, feel softer and I don't like that. Right now I'm embarking on a low weight/high rep rotation for upper body for 3 weeks with a one week heavy weight week and then repeating that. For lower body I'm switching to floor work, stretching and more cardio, mostly steady state with a HiiT workout once a week or once every other week. My joints can't take the impact too often.