First of all, my aim is to increase my strength of course but also to improve the physical tone of my muscles. I want something to show for all the hard work. I have a few questions regarding training with free-weights.

When I am weight-training, should I aim for fewer sets with more reps, or more sets with fewer reps? For example, if I am doing concentration curls with a 20 lbs. dumbbell, should I go for 4 sets of 10 reps, or 2 sets of 20, or what?

Also, is it better to lift more weight and do fewer sets/reps, or lift lighter weights but get more sets/repetitions done?

Yikes. Where's PizDoff?

First of all, if you want to improve the appearance of your muscles, you need to decrease your bodyfat. That's a function of diet, mostly.

Second of all, if you want to improve your strength, you're not going to get far doing concentration curls.

Third, google StrongLifts 5x5 and Starting Strength.

You asked the same question twice, and here's the answer to both: if you wanto to gain more strength go with more sets of fewer reps with heavier weight and the opposite if you want more mass. You get 'tone' be reducing your bodyfat so lay off the ice cream.

Right, thanks for your replies. So, to be a bit more specific about the number of sets/reps (I'm making myself a training routine and I need to get this stuff right, hehe), is 4 sets of 10 reps ideal for most dumbbell/barbell exercises, considering my primary aim is to increase muscle mass?

Right, thanks for your replies. So, to be a bit more specific about the number of sets/reps (I'm making myself a training routine and I need to get this stuff right, hehe), is 4 sets of 10 reps ideal for most dumbbell/barbell exercises, considering my primary aim is to increase muscle mass?

I thought you said your aim was to increase your strength. Training to improve strength and training to increase mass are two different things, but not mutually exclusive.

Before TEM says it, read the stickies. Go. Read the stickies. Do it now.

I will answer all of your questions with one website

http://www.defrancostraining.com/articles/archive/articles_westside.htm

His articles on WS4SB (West Side For Skinny Bastards) is great. It will answer alot of questions for you.

Not only that, but its easy to follow, easy to change but tells you exactly what to do and when to do it. Theres 3 parts to it. Try it out.

Thanks GIJoe.

Ka-Bar - sorry for the confusion, I should have made it clearer in my first post :/