Getting back to weight-lifting at 59....

[Terri1222]

So some quick background first before my question - I used to be into bodybuilding when I was in my 20s and 30s, kind of morphed out of it and got more into cardio after that, and my 50s brought me into yoga. And I still love yoga.

But I'm 59 and newly divorced. And I went ahead and joined a gym the other day.

Soooo here's my question:

Back when I used to lift weights, it was fairly pretty standard to do like 3 sets of everything - 3 sets of bench presses, 3 sets of flies, etc. Does this idea still hold true or can I get by on 2 sets of everything instead? I mean, it's not like I'm looking to win a competition or anything, just looking to stay in shape.

Maybe it's just pure laziness on my end to want to only do two sets. Then again, sometimes I just find it hard to fit it all in (I'm still working FT) in a given day.

Just thinking out loud here....

Terri

[monterey vidiot]

I don't know what everybody does, but I recently did an 8-week program, LIIFT4, streaming on beachbody, and they did 3 sets of 10 for the weights.

[Pat58]

If two sets feels right to you now, then start out with two sets. Evaluate how you feel later on. You can always do two heavy sets, or two sets of high rep/low weight, or change your mind when you feel like it.

Have fun at the gym!

[susan p]

I've read that research is showing that three sets is not significantly better than two sets, especially if you are maximizing your two sets with a "just right" weight.

[Joni O]

I read something like Susan did a while back - that 3 sets doesn’t really make a significant difference. I prefer 2 sets.

[Annie S.]

There are all kinds of weightlifting methods you can try. I used to religiously do the three sets at the gym, but I got really bored and checked out a few books from the library to find myself some other program(s). There is a whole other world out there. You can try the library or maybe some online searches and find something that suits your time constraints/desires/desired results.

[cataddict]

I tend to not pay a whole lot of attention to the strict details of "conventional wisdom" and stick to what works and feels right to me. No two bodies are alike. If two sets is challenging to you and you see the progress that you want to see, then that's what you should do.

[Laura S.]

I don't have anything to add, Terri. I just wanted to say good for you. Good luck.

[Marie1120]

I work with a personal trainer once a week and she has me do 2 sets of 14. We go through all once and then repeat the exercises.