How many reps is too many? Here's what the answer depends on.How many reps is too many? It’s the kind of question that fills gym changing rooms and Reddit threads alike. And like most things in fitness, the real answer isn’t found in a one-size-fits-all number, but in what you're actually trying to achieve.
In other words, are you aiming for size, strength, endurance, or just trying not to fall apart while lifting your suitcase?
Here’s the breakdown: fewer reps, heavier weights if you want to build raw strength. Somewhere in the middle - think 8 to 12 reps - is the sweet spot for muscle growth. And if you’re going for endurance or general tone, you can push it into the high teens or beyond, as long as the weight’s manageable. The point is, the reps only mean something when you know what you're working towards.
So, how many is too many? It’s too many when your form breaks down, your focus slips, or you’re just clocking up numbers without purpose.
Your body keeps the score, not your training app. Lift with intent, not just habit, and stop when your effort, not the rep count, tells you so.
