DC Super-secret handshake/high five/gangsign
Warmup, and then one heavy set, sometimes 2.
There is no one answer to this.
In a given training “week” (not necessarily 7 days) I will do anywhere from 1 to 10 or more sets for a given exercise, depending on the exercise and the situation. It is not because there is some number that is best but I choose to err on both the low and high sides – that’s not it. Rather, there is no one best answer.
For example, on another occasion I might do 5 sets of deadlifts for some mid-low or midrange number of reps each. On another, I might do 8 singles with near-1RM-weight (so that is technically 8 sets) and then two triples with backed down weight, so 10 sets. Or, today I did one set of deadlifts (not counting warmup.)
None of these were “wrong.”
Among the factors affecting the decision of what is appropriate at the time: how many exercises total are being done for the muscle or muscles in question. The fact that I also did snatch grip deadlift, snatch grip rack pull, Romanian DL to knee, Romanian DL deep as possible, squat (not in that order: squats were the first exercise), and hack squat made for example 10 sets per exercise not a correct choice in today’s instance.
[quote]esk221 wrote:
DC Super-secret handshake/high five/gangsign[/quote]
loll !
[quote]zraw wrote:
esk221 wrote:
DC Super-secret handshake/high five/gangsign
loll ! [/quote]
Mwahahahaha, we’re everywhere 
This varies so much depending on situation but in general.
Around 12 total “sets” for a large muscle group.
Around 9 total “sets” for a smaller muscle group.
Long answer below to explain why it varies for me. Dont bother to read.
All of this changes depending upon program as well. My strength training layout is very much different than what I use for hypertrophy work.
For big muscle groups I normally run through two or three warmup / acclimation “sets” on the first exercise. Then three sets per exercise after that. The three sets are split out as 80, 90, 100% effort so there is really only one maximum effort set. I do the same 80, 90, 100% on the second exercise without the warmup, most times. The third exercise if it is a large body part may be the same layout or I may choose to do a finishing / pumping movement with higher reps. For a finisher I dont normally mess with changing the weight unless I misjuded and couldnt get the reps I was wanting or the feel.
If I am on a three or four day split I will combine arm isolation work with chest or back day so there is no warmup for the arms. If I do a five day split I have an arm day normally so then I will do warmups for the arms. I normally do two exercises for triceps and biceps if they are combined with back and chest days but have went to three exercises if I feel I am lagging. I normally use three exercises if I am having a full arm day.
Sometimes you can put together a program that winds up not hitting the accessory muscles as well. I will play catch up on the next cycle and hit a smaller muscle with an extra exercise to compensate.
OP, what is your workout plan/goal?
If everyone weighed in on this; you MIGHT have two that were the same or similar.
It is highly individualized.
For my chest I do 18 sets total, bench, decline, rack bench, flye. But for my calves I just do 3 sets to failure.
It is highly individualized.