Low Reps Vs High Reps: How To Find The Most Optimal Combination (Essay Sample)

Name Instructor Course Date Low reps vs. high reps Robertson defines high reps as dawdling in the rep range of eight to twelve reps but sometimes might be as low as six reps per set. The exercising with high reps help one to strengthen their muscles. Also referred to as structural hypertrophy, high reps allow one to focus on muscles and lend less total sets per exercise. To induce hypertrophy, the body builder should consider increasing time exposed to tension as well as the reps done in a set. Although focusing on strength might be necessary for aerobics, increasing muscular growth would outdo the former. Low reps, on the other hand, are geared towards powerlifting and encourage lifting of heavier weights. They range from one to five reps per set. In addition, one has to lift considerable weight to make high-threshold motor units function. Notably, low reps facilitate efficient functioning of the nervous system. However, utmost care must be taken when switching between high reps to low reps to avoid exposing the muscles to dreadful stressors. Since low reps emphasis on heavy weightlifting, every movement requires intense focus, more motor units, and engaging in muscle fibres. An optimal combination of both high reps and low reps should involve spending dedicated time in both sets of ranges. High reps help in enhancing connective tissue strength and muscles, which provide the body lull after the low rep sets tedium. Such combination improves efficiency and allows one to lift more weight. Switching between the ranges also helps coerce the body to adapt and improve. However, the shifting should be done with utmost care to avoid injuring the body. Traditional cardio vs. metabolic resistance training Traditional cardio focus on enhancement of one’s endurance or the ability to spend time on rigorous exercise. They are typically done over a long duration of time but not on high intensity. Metabolic resistance training (MRT) encompass strengthening exercises that help speed up metabolism. These workouts help in reducing body fat while enhancing muscle strength. Unlike traditional cardio, MRT programs require high intensity while engaging the whole body in repetitive exercise. Moreover, traditional cardio, or simply cardio, can be described as any exercise that increases oxygen demand to the body muscles over a long period. Such exercise takes approximately one hour and utilizes muscle groups and enhances demand on the cardiovascular system (Douglas). In contrast, MRT speeds up metabolism by putting enhancing muscles accelerate transportation of nutrients and fats across the body, and they take less time than the traditional cardio. Remarkably, MRT does not...