what does 4x5-8 mean for you

what does 4x5-8 mean for you? I found a routine and there is for example 4Ã?5-8 bench press What does it mean? How should my workout look like and when should i add weight. Im not a beginner but there are some very different interpretations.

I assume that i should do 4 sets with same weight and when i can complete all 8 reps in all sets i should add weight next workout Right?

fqqs

I assume that i should do 4 sets with same weight and when i can complete all 8 reps in all sets i should add weight next workout Right?

that how i would play it and if your failing to hit 5 then the weights too heavy

and if any, i should go to failure(very close to failure) only on last set, yeah?
 
because if i go to failure on 1st set doing 8 reps i wont be abel to do as many reps during next sets.
 
and also when it comes to adding weight:
 
I assume that i should do  8 8 8 8 reps and then add weight next workout? even though i possibly could have done sth like 10-11 reps doing first set if I decided to go all out on 1st set.

i guess if you can do 8 reps up the weight & build yourself up again from 5 reps

or maybe i can do following:
 
just stay in 5-8 rep range and after 1-2 warmup sets do sth like this:
 
8 reps x 100
8 reps x 110
7 reps x 120
5 reps x 135
 
so basically I stay in 5-8 rep range all the time

fqqs


or maybe i can do following:

just stay in 5-8 rep range and after 1-2 warmup sets do sth like this:

8 reps x 100
8 reps x 110
7 reps x 120
5 reps x 135

so basically I stay in 5-8 rep range all the time

No because if you are actually training anywhere near failure on any of those sets then you will not be able to complete the subsequent sets to a level anywhere near the weight you've proposed. You think you can do 100x8 close to failure, and then bash on 10kg and do the exact same again!?
 
4 x 5-8, as I understand it, would suggest that you aim to do 4 sets of 8 reps with a weight that you probably won't be able to quite get 4 sets of 8 with. A weight that will maybe have you doing:
 
weight x 8
weight x 8
weight x 7
weight x 6
 
Stay using that same weight until you can complete 4 sets of 8. Then add weight next week and start over.

but when you do 8, 8, 8, 8 same wieght it is probable that you could have done 2-3 more reps in 1st set and sth like 1-2 more in 2nd set. is that okay as long as im pushing last set very hard, even to failure?

fqqs


but when you do 8, 8, 8, 8 same wieght it is probable that you could have done 2-3 more reps in 1st set and sth like 1-2 more in 2nd set. is that okay as long as im pushing last set very hard, even to failure?

 
It may be possible to push out an extra rep or to in the early sets but that's not the point.
The point is you do 8,8,8,8. If you make it then you up the weight next time.
If you do 10,9,8,8 then there possibly wasn't enough weight on in the first place.
If you do 10,9,8,7 then you've failed, probably because you did the extra reps in the first couple of sets.
 
That's how it's meant to work, I think your question has been answered clearly more than once but of course it's entirely up to you what you do.

fqqs


but when you do 8, 8, 8, 8 same wieght it is probable that you could have done 2-3 more reps in 1st set and sth like 1-2 more in 2nd set. is that okay as long as im pushing last set very hard, even to failure?

If your gonna stick to 4x8 then do all sets with same weight.much easier to log,and make progresion in my opinion.its progressive overload.no nead to do extra reps early on.
when you fail to hit your target weight 4x8, 3 workouts in a row,deload 10% and start over.its better for recovery,and helps get you past plateaus.
 

does it really matter?
 
why all this worrying about a few reps?  just put some weight on the bar, and lift it! if you can do a few more reps, do a few more reps! if you have to drop the weight a little to keep reps up, then drop the weight a little!
 
dont stress about exact numbers, just train hard and enjoy it!

yeah i know, probably overthinking it
 
so dazc - you recommend going to failure on every set?

LOL.yeah your right no point stressing over it.
i must admit though i enjoy logging it all down.but thats just me.a weight lifting Nerd...

fqqs


yeah i know, probably overthinking it

so dazc - you recommend going to failure on every set?

 
i would stop on the rep before you know you cant do another one.  so dont attempt a rept if you know you wont get it, or form will have to be sacrificed.
 
if your doing a set, and you get to 8 reps with a few more in the tank, then IMO your better off carrying on and doing them!
 
if you stop on 3 out of your 4 sets with some in the tank, then IMO its providing your body with less stimulation to grow or get stronger!

It means do 4 working sets of reps between 5 and 8. Thats all. Unless your told otherwise do how you like. If a rep range is given it pretty much means this is the ballpark reps your looking for no more no less.
 
I disagree with Dazc on needing to train to faliure on every set (if I read that right). However it won't harm you if your into gaining muscle and doing a BB split.