more weight or less weight

[codefreaq]

when I started training about 2 months ago I was using less weight but I felt more pumped up in the end I mean I could feel my muscles strained and bigger at the end, even several people noticed the difference I had even in the first two weeks.

but gradually as I have increased the weight I am picking I dont get the same pumped up feeling anymore.instead my muscles are just tired in the end.should I go back to lesser weights or is it all in my head?

[Ross86]

has anything else changed aside from the weight? reps, volume, etc? there is a good chance that it's in your head. do you know what a "pump" is?

[iron_worker]

Were you doing higher reps with lower weight before? I find that the higher reps gives me more of a pump. The pump really has no direct connection to the effectiveness of the workout though so don't worry about it.

IronWorker

[codefreaq]

I was doing 3 sets of 20 or more reps each earlier , now I am doing 3 sets of 10 to 12 reps but with a lot more weight. other then that I don't think anything has changed. also I have gained weight from 173 now I am 180 pounds even though I start with 30 mins of hardcore biking and avoid fatty and junk food.

whats a pump?

[FlawedGRUNT]

definately do not go back to that high of reps... if you wanna build muscle stack that weight on the bar and pump out 6-8 reps for 3 sets... some prefer 5 sets of 5 reps

[Ross86]

So you start your workout with 30 minutes of hard cardio? What is your reasoning?

Pump: http://www.bodybuilding.net/training...pump-9642.html
pay special attention to 0311's & Eric's posts in this thread

[codefreaq]

thanks Ross that was v informative. the reason for doing all that cardio is because people in my family are having heart attacks left n right so I want to delay that as much as I can although bad genes will probably get me eventually, also it'd be nice if I could show off the abs by getting rid of the fat

[Cradler]

^^ He didn't quite mean "why are you doing cardio at all" so much as "why are you doing cardio in the beginning of a workout", I think. Most people either put cardio after their lift or on offdays. If you're doing hardcore biking it's gonna wear your legs out and you won't be as effective doing squats/deadlifts etc., most likely. It'll still have the same health benefits without getting in your own way. And losing fat does have to do with cardio but it also has a ton to do with diet.

Btw, nice picture... I'm a hardcore Tekken addict haha

[widdoes2504]

Cardio is a very good idea (especially with the family background), but from a muscle saving, fat-burning perspective doing the cardio after the weights is more beneficial. Just an idea. Good luck.

BTW, Ross nice avatar!