More sets with smaller weight vs. more reps with higher weight
I have read the old saying that one should focus on more weight and fewer reps for muscle gain and vice versa for endurance gain. I have also read about most exercises that a set should be between 8 and 12 reps and should be done with the weight that fatigues you on 12 reps. If you can do more reps using a particular weight, you should progress to a higher weight.
With that in mind, I decided to go with 5kg for my dumbbell curls because that's the weight that fatigues me after 12 reps, which is fine. The only problem is that I can only do one set of 12 and another of 5 with that weight. Is it okay to continue like this or should I reduce the weight to be able to do more sets? My aim is to gain muscle mass.
I face the same problem with other weight-related exercises (pecs fly, shoulder press, etc.) as well. I can do only one perfect set with the right weight that fatigues me in about 12 reps but unable to follow through with subsequent sets. If I reduce the weight, I can do more sets but then it allows me to do more than 12 reps in the first set. I fear it might be less efficient but not sure.
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Anything that allows you to put in more overall fatigue inducing volume will be good. If you can do the first set at 12 reps, you have a few options:
Do 3 sets at whatever you can get, and focus on building up even one more rep each time you do the exercise until you have the full set/reps
Reduce weight for each set and use the last set to get as many as possible
Instead of 12 reps, do 8 or 10 reps per set and focus on more sets.
(This answer is according to your goal, hypertrophy)
Reaching failure shouldn't be your goal. According to a few articles I read (a very good one can be found here), training constantly to failure may hinder your results. I have two main rules in this topic (both also appear in the article):
Set weight that lets you reach failure only on the last set of each exercise (or lets you finish all the reps as you get close to failure).
Use dropsets only as the finisher of the training session.
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