When it comes to training, Mortal Kombat II star Ludi Lin isn’t advocating endless reps to feel the effects. In a podcast with Men’s Health’s Strong Talk, he talks about his preference for heavy lifting, focusing on muscle growth and strength. For Lin, it’s all about training smarter to build a physique that translates to performance in real life.

He talks openly about his experience at the gym when he used to opt for high reps. Not only does he find it “boring,” he thinks it looks excruciating. Lin quickly realized that his body responds better to higher weights and lower reps. Host Ebenezer Samuel chimes in, saying that although science backs up performing anywhere between five and thirty rep sets as productive, he often finds lower reps more “fun” and productive.

“For me, I always want to pile on as much as possible and get it over with,” reflects Lin. “Mentally, the higher reps wear me out, and it’s kind of boring,” he says with a smile.

Resident muscle scientist, Dr. Pat Davidson, also offers a penny for his thoughts on the topic. He explains how different exercises require different weights and reps, and there isn’t one singular magic number of reps to follow.

Moreover, he talks about how various body parts require different rep ranges. Squats, for example, can be better with higher weights and lower reps, but it would be the opposite for other workouts.

Science Behind why Ludi Lin Believes Less Reps can Deliver Better Results

For action roles like Mortal Kombat II, Lin decided to focus on building explosive power and a dense, athletic aesthetic. This, he believes, can be achieved better by not turning your focus on high reps.

According to Mayo Clinic, high weights and low reps can build strong muscles effectively. The focus, however, is training to failure.

Davidson also comments on how the strategy can be different for different individuals. At the end of the day, it is important to listen to your own body and see what works for you. “Each end of the spectrum has its cons,” he says.

While heavier weights can be tough on the joints in the long run, lighter weights can be annoying for some.

So, what is your opinion on Lin’s training philosophy? Do you prefer higher reps or heavier weights during your strength training sessions?

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Written by

Avantika Das

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil