Am I training wrong for my goals?

[musclestack]

Okay, so my physique is the most important to me.....buuuut, I also want to be as strong as possible. I've read that bodybuilders tend to train in the higher rep range (6-15 reps), while powerlifters train in the lower rep range. First off, will the different rep ranges make a big difference in physique/strength? My problem is, when I go to the gym, I focus mainly on pushing more weight/reps than I did the week prior. So, I guess I'm training more like a power lifter???

Here is an example of how I train: If I'm on chest, I will do x amount of weight (my heavy set) for, say, 3 reps one week. The next week, I will try it for 4 reps. The week after, 5 reps. Once I can successfully do that weight for 6 reps, the following week, I will increase the weight and start over with trying that weight for roughly 3 reps and work my way back up. Am I training like a bodybuilder by doing this?? Which, by the way, is my intention.

BTW- I am getting bigger by doing this (bulking right now), but do you think that I could maximize my growth by switching to higher reps? I've gained about 20 pounds in the past 4 months of bulking (not all of it is muscle), and I've also put on about 65 pounds on all my main lifts (flat bench, squat, military).

If my goals are mainly to grow in size, should I keep my reps where they are or increase them? Also, please keep in mind that I want to be as strong as possible too; however, bodybuilding is more important to me than power lifting.

[musclestack]

I should also reiterate that the example I gave of my workout is my HEAVY SET. All other sets are in the 6-8 rep range. I rarely go over 8 reps (only when doing cable flys, laterals, or some other 'auxilary' lift will I do up to 10 reps).

[lifter65]

first do you train with bodypart splits or upper/lower or max effort/ dynamic effort, please specify, also how much do you weigh, whats your height, and what are your lifts at, try to be accurate

[musclestack]

first do you train with bodypart splits or upper/lower or max effort/ dynamic effort, please specify, also how much do you weigh, whats your height, and what are your lifts at, try to be accurate

I may not be entirely sure what you're asking with some of the terms you used, but I'll try my best to answer you questions:

5'9"
27 years old
185 lbs. (from 165 4 months ago)
roughly 15% bf
Flat bench: 285lbs @ 4 reps
Squat: 315lbs @ 4 reps
Military press (bar): 190lbs @ 4 reps

Example of a typical chest day:

Flat barbell bench
Inlcine barbell bench
cable flys

Legs:

Squat
leg press
SLDL

Shoulders:

military press-bar
front raises
side laterals
shrugs

Back:

bent over barbell rows
pulldowns
seated rows


All 'main' lifts are done heavy as mentioned in my first post. Many of the other lifts, such as shrugs, seated rows, flys, etc., I will do up to 10 reps.

I am gaining size, so I'm happy about that, and obiously getting stronger. I am just wondering if there is something I could change in my number of reps to emphasize more on the anabolic rather than the androgenic ???

[musclestack]

I also switch between barbell and dumbell every other week for chest and shoulders.

[musclestack]

anyone?

[terraj]

If it's working, I would not change anything.

Keep aiming to add weight to the bar and increase cals as body weight goes up...it's that easy.

[musclestack]

If it's working, I would not change anything.

Keep aiming to add weight to the bar and increase cals as body weight goes up...it's that easy.

Thanks, terraj. Makes sense, but I'm wondering if I could add on more size if I increased my reps?? Does my workout approach look like that of a bodybuilder?

[lifter65]

agree with terraj, you have good strength and your program looks decent, if its working just keep doing it, when you reach a plateau for a while then thats when you may want to bridge off into powerlifting or bodybuilding

[FireGuy]

Why not do a one set of 3-5 reps, another set of 6-10 reps and a third set of 12-15 reps? Best of both worlds.

[musclestack]

Why not do a one set of 3-5 reps, another set of 6-10 reps and a third set of 12-15 reps? Best of both worlds.

Do you feel that one way is better than the other for bodybuilding, Fireguy? What rep range do you work in?