Don’t try to max out

Lifting weights is a very macho thing–it’s natural to try to show you can do the heaviest and biggest weights. But according to Arnold, that’s not the best way to build muscle and size. Do 8-12 reps instead because you’ll be using more muscle fibers. “No matter how many fibers the weightlifter involves in one maximal lift, he still uses fewer than he would if he used less weight and did more repetitions.”