By: Jon Osumi

What is your goal when you are exercising?  The amount of weight you use and the number of repetitions you do have an inverse relationship.  If you are working on toning your muscles and building endurance the number of repetitions for each exercise should be at least 15.  Now you need to determine the amount of weight to use.  While the last two to three repetitions should be challenging, you want to make absolutely sure that you can maintain your perfect posture through those last repetitions.  You should be able to hold the same posture with the last repetition as with the first.  This will promote endurance and toning without injury.

Muscle growth can be promoted by using more weight and doing fewer repetitions, again working so that the last two to three repetitions are challenging while maintaining your perfect posture.

If you notice a pattern here, you are correct.  Maintaining your posture is critical to both working the muscle intended as well as to minimizing any chance of injury to yourself.

How many sets are you going to do?  One set of repetitions at a time, then work another muscle group and come back for another set, or do a circuit and come back to start.  The choice is yours.  As long as the last two to three repetitions are challenging while you maintain your posture, your body will continue to increase your fitness level to keep up with the demand you are placing on it.

Jon Osumi

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