When I add weight, sometimes I can’t do as much volume in the same number of sets.
Example (easy math numbers):
Say I’m doing 3 sets of 10 reps with 100# (3000# volume), and I increase weight to 105# and can only do 10/9/8 reps (2835# volume).
Should I add another set to maintain volume?
I looked for an answer but didn’t see one, if I missed it my apologies.
Thanks!
Sounds like a progression question.
I’d say do what works for you, but since this is the beginner forum, that may not be very helpful.
If your program doesn’t give you any clues, then maybe over time try both and see which gives you better progress.
Math dont always work man. Total Lbs is great and all but you have to take into account the simple rise in intensity and the heightened demand and stimulus. Moving more wieght is harder will tap more muscle fibers with less total reps etc it doesnt mean the workout was any less intensive or fatigued your muscle and CNS ant less.
I mean say I do work up to 620 x 1 on DL one day, another day I do 500 x 10 Lbs are way damn off in total lbs moved but both were max effort, will cause adaptation, and progression.
Math equations etc there all good but in the end ALWAYS fall short Do what you can that day with that load workk HARD and you will progress.
Phill
[quote]Nick Danger wrote:
When I add weight, sometimes I can’t do as much volume in the same number of sets.
Example (easy math numbers):
Say I’m doing 3 sets of 10 reps with 100# (3000# volume), and I increase weight to 105# and can only do 10/9/8 reps (2835# volume).
Should I add another set to maintain volume?
I looked for an answer but didn’t see one, if I missed it my apologies.
Thanks![/quote]
I totally agree with Phil, but would would add this; In your hypothetical scenario I would say you are either going to failure on your first workout and/or you are not getting enough rest/recuperation before the second workout. Rather than add sets I think it would be best not to raise the weight as much, but to maintain the reps, such as 102.5# for 3 sets of 10. Or do 100# for 3 sets of 11. Either scenario would also increase your volume.
Who the fuck would be crazy enough to DL 500lbs for 10 reps? Oh wait, I already know the answer to that question. (sarcasm off)
[quote]Phill wrote:
Math dont always work man. Total Lbs is great and all but you have to take into account the simple rise in intensity and the heightened demand and stimulus. Moving more wieght is harder will tap more muscle fibers with less total reps etc it doesnt mean the workout was any less intensive or fatigued your muscle and CNS ant less.
I mean say I do work up to 620 x 1 on DL one day, another day I do 500 x 10 Lbs are way damn off in total lbs moved but both were max effort, will cause adaptation, and progression.
Math equations etc there all good but in the end ALWAYS fall short Do what you can that day with that load workk HARD and you will progress.
Phill [/quote]
[quote]superdad4 wrote:
Rather than add sets I think it would be best not to raise the weight as much, but to maintain the reps, such as 102.5# for 3 sets of 10. Or do 100# for 3 sets of 11. Either scenario would also increase your volume.[/quote]
I sort of see it as all the same.
If he does 3x11, then he’ll up the weight and only be able to do 3x10, for example. It’s like doing 3x10, upping the weight, and then only hitting 3x9 and working back up to a 3x10. Right?
To the OP, search on progression.
I’d still say, try exceeding the reps, then upping the weight, and at another time also try upping the weight and then returning to desired reps. If you like one more than the other, or one gives you better results than the other, thats fine.
There are lots of ideas on progression though.
If all else fails, do what Phill said… work hard.
[quote]vroom wrote:
superdad4 wrote:
Rather than add sets I think it would be best not to raise the weight as much, but to maintain the reps, such as 102.5# for 3 sets of 10. Or do 100# for 3 sets of 11. Either scenario would also increase your volume.
I sort of see it as all the same.
If he does 3x11, then he’ll up the weight and only be able to do 3x10, for example. It’s like doing 3x10, upping the weight, and then only hitting 3x9 and working back up to a 3x10. Right?
[/quote]
No, No. Maybe I wasn’t clear. I was advocating just increasing one parameter at a time. Do a 3x10, then a 3x11, then a 3x12. After that maybe increase the weight and do a 3x10. Or change exercises. I think it would be too difficult to measure progress if you change too many factors at the same time.
[quote]Dre Cappa wrote:
Who the fuck would be crazy enough to DL 500lbs for 10 reps? Oh wait, I already know the answer to that question. (sarcasm off)
[/quote]
Who me 
man thats my strongman cardio Kind like HIIT extreme just tears the fat off of ya
Phill
[quote]superdad4 wrote:
vroom wrote:
superdad4 wrote:
Rather than add sets I think it would be best not to raise the weight as much, but to maintain the reps, such as 102.5# for 3 sets of 10. Or do 100# for 3 sets of 11. Either scenario would also increase your volume.
I sort of see it as all the same.
If he does 3x11, then he’ll up the weight and only be able to do 3x10, for example. It’s like doing 3x10, upping the weight, and then only hitting 3x9 and working back up to a 3x10. Right?
No, No. Maybe I wasn’t clear. I was advocating just increasing one parameter at a time. Do a 3x10, then a 3x11, then a 3x12. After that maybe increase the weight and do a 3x12. Or change exercises. I think it would be too difficult to measure progress if you change too many factors at the same time.
[/quote]
YES!!! for damn sure asdie from just working hard you MUSWT do multifaceted progression no single progression scheme will last it just wotn add A rep, add A lb, add A set, take a FEW secs off rest etc.
Nice thread
Phill
You could deliberately drop the reps, increase the weight and do another set. Then repeat. As follows:
3x10 @ 100
4x8 @ 110
5x6 @ 120
6x5 @ 130
8x4 @ 140
10x3 @ 150
Something like that. You may have to experiment with the weights, although you should not expect every session to be equally difficult. In fact it is better if they are not. Notice that the total no of reps is about the same in each case, but the total weight increases steadily.
When you reach the end of this progression, start again at 3x10, but increase the weight to, say, 110 and increase the weights for subsequent days in line.
I think you will find this an excellent method for making steady progress.
[quote]superdad4 wrote:
No, No. Maybe I wasn’t clear. I was advocating just increasing one parameter at a time. Do a 3x10, then a 3x11, then a 3x12. After that maybe increase the weight and do a 3x10. Or change exercises. I think it would be too difficult to measure progress if you change too many factors at the same time.[/quote]
Oh, we’re on the same page, I’m just trying to squeeze too much into too few words.
Progression Path #1:
100 for 3x10
100 for 3x11
100 for 3x12
110 for 3x10
Progression Path #2:
100 for 3x10
110 for 3x8
110 for 3x9
110 for 3x10
I just meant that if either path worked for someone, then it wouldn’t matter too much which was picked by a beginner.
Thanks for all the great answers, it helps a lot. I will put the info to good use.
I’ve been trying to stick with the basics of what I’ve learned here on T-Nation:
-work hard, and don’t sweat the details so much it interferes with working hard (especially as a beginner)
-eat a lot, eat clean
-listen to my body
-don’t be stupid
-pay attention to those who have achieved what I’m trying to achieve
-there’s a lot to learn, but it’s a long journey, so there’s time to learn it