Getting stronger seems to be a popular topic today, and although I agree it’s not rocket surgery, there is some complexity and things to consider!
So here are my two cents on getting stronger... a thread!
So here are my two cents on getting stronger... a thread!
All loads can theoretically get you stronger if they are lifted to a sufficient intensity for a sufficient frequency over a sufficient period of time...
And yes lighter loads can achieve similar strength gains as heavier loads... BUT and this is KEY... only if taken to momentary muscular failure or very close of no more than 1 or 2 reps away!
And there is a trend in the literature that heavier loads do achieve greater increases in strength than lighter loads! https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25530577/
This is I believe is due to a number complex neurological, metabolic,
and other physiological factors that I don’t fully understand!
But I also think its due to some other more simple factors well...
and other physiological factors that I don’t fully understand!
But I also think its due to some other more simple factors well...
If you have tried to go to failure with lighter loads of say 30-40% or even 50% of 1RM... you will soon find that it’s both boring and exhausting!
Therefore using heavier loads and ergo less reps leaves much less room for error when judging how l close to momentary muscular failure you are than light loads!
Not to mention less boredom...
Not to mention less boredom...
I believe therefore its much easier to under perform and not reach the required thresholds needed for adaption with lighter load than it is with heavier loads, and so lighter loads do not get people stronger ‘easier’!
So I recommend that where and when ever possible try to use heavier loads of approx 70% or more if you want to get stronger!
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