Wondering if it's ok for me to start lifting for size increases yet.

[The Ninja]

I've been doing a Starting Strength-esque workout over the past few months. I haven't kept up with it religously, but I gained about ten pounds of muscle from it, with no fat increase that I can see.

I had been expecting to gain a lot more size, seeing as how it was the first time I'd ever began to work out. My legs did get bigger, but the only real change is that my other muscles are a lot harder, and of course I'm stronger too.

My lifts went up:
Bench:160==>205
Squat:165==>240
Deadlift:205==>295

I was wondering if I'd be okay for me to begin training for size, using higher reps. I want to start it off by picking a weight that I can only do three or four times, and do two or three sets of three reps. Then I think I'll take some of the weight off, and push out two more sets of eight to ten reps. I'd use the same weight for the first sets until I could push about eight reps per set, then move up. It'll probably only take me about two or three weeks to move up, if I keep my diet right and everything else I'll need.

I think I'll be able to build both mass and strength, but is there anything that I haven't foreseen doing it this way?

[#1 Stunna]

Those are really good gains, both in lifts & muscle (the 10 lbs).

[minor69ner]

Why train for strength if you don't have the genetics to be a power lifter? Once you can bench, deadlift twice, and squat 1.5 times your bodyweight just train for size.

[ayingerbrau]

Training for one or the other depends on genetics, just lift and see what happens. Very few people can get ridiculously strong without adding shitloads of size.

[ColdWinterNights]

More reps won't suddenly change your training to "training for size".

You want size? Wanna get big? Then eat more. A lot more. Keep lifting heavy shit and eventually you will notice that your clothes feel smaller.

You can do 100 rep squats, but if you don't eat enough you will not gain size.

edit: congrats on your gains so far by the way, you seem to be on the right track. Keep up the good work.

[Acroix70]

Originally Posted by The Ninja

I've been doing a Starting Strength-esque workout over the past few months. I haven't kept up with it religously, but I gained about ten pounds of muscle from it, with no fat increase that I can see.

I had been expecting to gain a lot more size, seeing as how it was the first time I'd ever began to work out. My legs did get bigger, but the only real change is that my other muscles are a lot harder, and of course I'm stronger too.

My lifts went up:
Bench:160==>205
Squat:165==>240
Deadlift:205==>295

I was wondering if I'd be okay for me to begin training for size, using higher reps. I want to start it off by picking a weight that I can only do three or four times, and do two or three sets of three reps. Then I think I'll take some of the weight off, and push out two more sets of eight to ten reps. I'd use the same weight for the first sets until I could push about eight reps per set, then move up. It'll probably only take me about two or three weeks to move up, if I keep my diet right and everything else I'll need.

I think I'll be able to build both mass and strength, but is there anything that I haven't foreseen doing it this way?

More more weight less reps will get you bigger. Eat your body weight in grams of protein.

Example - you weigh 200 you eat 200g of protein

Gaining pure muscle without a increase in body fat is going to be hard but doable. Doing bulks/cuts is faster