Is Training Heavy Going to Improve my Look?

By Christian Duque

Typically, there’s two schools of thought in the gym. Training with light-to-moderate weight for high reps, will generally result in a cut, defined, physique. Lifting heavy weight for low reps will generally result in a large, thick look where the body is able to sustain grueling workouts yet recuperate in sufficient time for more training for the next day’s session. Whereas a high volume lifer usually lifts for about 45-90 minutes per session, a heavy lifter’s workout could take hours, if not a whole day. There is a new, growing third school, known as Powerbuilders. These athletes strive to have aesthetic bodies, while still moving heavy poundages. To be totally honest, this fusion typically requires exogenous hormones, but could be accomplished by a seasoned, disciplined natural athlete as well.

Training heavy will always increase size, this is why bikini competitors are often limited in how much they lift & how much frequency they train certain body parts. Men’s Physique competitors must also be careful when squatting & pulling, as many of them are naturally very strong & may lift themselves into another division.

One actuality that few people really take into account is that every lift in the gym requires energy. While high volume training tests endurance, heavy training by its very nature requires enormous energy levels. When we’re speaking about energy in this context, we’re discussing energy as a result of nutrition, not stimulants. Those who lift heavy exert a great deal of force, which requires an abundance of nutrients. if the athlete lacks the calories he/she will be unable to move the weight and/or may be wind up injured in the process. Therefore lifting more, requires eating more, which will result in overall mass gain.

Typically, exogenous, synthetic hormones (like steroids) allow for an athlete to maximize far greater percentages of each calorie. This would allow for less caloric intake – giving the lifter the ability lift heavy, while not necessarily eating much more food. Without this ‘edge,’ the simple answer is that lifting heavy will not aid your efforts at building a defined, aesthetic look.