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Old 06-16-2009, 12:02 AM   #2 (permalink)
Trusylver
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Pyramid sets are a good way of building strength but are not needed if you are a beginner, 12 reps puts you in the zone for building muscle size rather than max strength.

I use pyramids for biceps at the moment but not for my other muscles.

my bicep curl pyramid looks like this

10 @ 12.5 kg
8 @ 15 kg
6 @ 17.5 kg
4 @ 20 kg or failure whichever comes first

if i fail on the 4s i will repeat the following week if not i will start with 15 for 10s and again pyramid up.

I also cycle the intensity of some exercises with intensity rising each week for a few weeks then dropping back down so the cycle can start again but at more intensity then at the same stage of the last cycle.
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