OK, is this guy for real?

[JIssues]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/strength-training/AN00893
take a look.

This guy suggests that a single set of many reps will do the same to your strength as low rep/more sets. What' I've read in this forum is that for strength u need less reps with weight near your RM.
So let's look at the possibilities
1)I'm a retard and I've got something wrong.
2)The guy at mayo clinic has it wrong.

Enlighten me plz

[compleks]

Bodybuilders and some athletes may benefit from multiset training. But for most people, a single set is all you need.

The key here is the word 'most'. Most people are overweight, fast food eating, TV watching, soda drinking, cigarette smoking, alcohol consuming... etc... etc...
Most of them don't even know what a weight room is, let alone how to exercise effectively. For these people, yes 1 set will probably be enough, and 12 reps will build strength (lifting anything will build strength).

Actually the 1 set theory has been around for a while now, and lots of studies have backed this up. The article you linked to was really about the 1 set V's multiple sets issue. Either way, you are correct in thinking that lower reps are superior for strength gains. But for these studies the vast majority of participants were untrained, and low reps have more risk to untrained individuals.

As a general guideline:
1-5 strength
6-12 hypertrophy
12+ endurance

There are exceptions to these guidelines, ofcourse.

[Xenocide]

Steve sucks

[acidhell1]

Áèçíá ôé ðåñéï÷ç ñå?

[JIssues]

Compleks, once again /bow to your informative, to-the-point posts. And my dear Xenocide, if u live in a country where trainers still urge u to perform ballistic stretching or give u a cookie cutter weight lifting program no matter if u're a 50year old lady or a 18year old MA athlete, I get my hands on every piece of info I can. And cross examine it. And it always leads me here. Is it bad to trust a bunch of ppl who've been there already? ;)

Acidhell, PM me for more,cheers!

[Xenocide]

I was just teasing. Too bad compleks beat me to posting. Just read all you can, and think logically about it. Stick with what works for you, remembering that everyone is different to a certain extent

[Lobo]

I can't be bothered to read the article but it sounds completely sound and non-controversial. Like compleks said the idea that one set is adequate for strength gains is nothing new and the guy makes allowances for exceptions like professional athletes anyway.

Also, shut up Xenocide.

[Tsumaru]

I agree completely with Xeno's first post.

[slip]

As a general guideline:
1-5 strength
6-12 hypertrophy
12+ endurance

There are exceptions to these guidelines, ofcourse.

hypertrophy is the enlargement of a muscle right?
so are you saying that i can only do one set of lets say 12 reps, and eventually my muscles will get more toned over a period of time?
i'm not trying to sound like a little bitch or whatever, but i'm actually curious. i need to start getting toned. . . and i want to know if low weight/high reps/more sets is better, or medium weight/12 reps/one set will be better.

thanks in advance =)

[Psychostick]

Stop using the word toned and you may start getting somewhere.

doing multiple sets of 12 reps in a workout, over a period of time will make your muscles grow yes, no they wont get "toned".

By toned im guessing you mean visible, so lose fat and your muscles will become more defined.