Quick question about weightlifting

[Drumstick]

What is the difference between using high weight with few reps and low weight with many reps? I've heard that it has a different effect on your body and muscles, but I'm not sure exactly what.

For example, does one gain more muscle, while the other is better for weightloss?

 

[The Bat]

High weight, few reps = mass/strength
Low weigth, many reps = endurance/strength

Remember, nutrition is the final factor that's going to determine whether you gain/lose weight. Without proper nutrition, no weightlifting workout is beneficial.

 

[Drum&Bass]

Actually...

HEAVY weight + Few Reps + Long Recovery = Strength (you won't necesarily enlarge muscle fibres training for strength, Think of 5'6 168lb female power lifters that squat over 600lbs)

Moderate Weight + More than a few reps + Moderate Recovery = Mass

Light Weight + Lots of reps + Little Recovery = Aerobic (Endurance)

 

[Quagmire911]

Females aren't a good example though, lack of test etc.

Doing your compounds in the 3-5 rep range coupled with assistance in the 8-15 rep range will do a great job for most people in getting a mix of strength and size.

Although legs blow up on 20 rep sets.

 

[shaunuk]

This is all too general...Muscles will grow with both high and low reps. Think 20rep squats and 3RM squats, both will make your legs grow over time.

Basically, gaining muscle just boils down to getting progressively stronger over time. Get stronger on the important lifts and train with enough volume, eat properly, and you'll add muscle

edit: good response from quagmire as usual

 

[shaunuk]

Quagmire, I'm doing 35-40rep leg presses at the moment as well, which EFFORT seems to approve of

 

[Quagmire911]

Quagmire, I'm doing 35-40rep leg presses at the moment as well, which EFFORT seems to approve of

Yeh I've heard of 50 rep leg press too, sounds nuts