Hi, I’m Skip La Cour—and I’m Here To Make Fitness Easier, Simpler, and More Effective For You
This is Day #13 of 30 in my 30 Lessons in 30 Days series, where I break down a sustainable, logical, simple, and effective approach to health and fitness that’s designed specifically for older men who live busy, productive lives. You’ve got goals. You’ve got willpower. But the last thing you want to do is waste your time, energy, and focus trying to figure everything out through painful trial and error.
I’m not here to show off how smart I am. I’m here to help you finally get clarity.
If you’re like many of the men I coach, you’re not new to life—you’ve crushed it in your business, raised a family, and handled responsibilities like a pro. But now you’re walking into a gym (or maybe it’s your home gym) and wondering…
“How many reps per set should I be doing?”
It seems like such a simple question—but the information out there is a confusing mess. Some online experts say 4–6 reps. Others say 8–10. Then 10–12. Maybe 12–15? Heck, some even tell you to do 100 reps before stopping.
No wonder you’re confused. Let’s fix that—right now.
Let’s End the Confusion About Rep Ranges—Forever
First, you need to understand what weight training is actually for.
Weight training is for one thing: Building muscle.
It’s not to lose fat. It’s not to “tone.” It’s not to magically burn fat off your chest or belly. I know that sounds counterintuitive, especially with all the noise on social media. But you burn fat through your diet, not through your rep range.
Yes, you may lose fat and build muscle at the same time if you’re new to training and dialing in your food. But make no mistake—lifting weights is for building muscle. Period.
Doing higher reps does NOT “target fat” in certain areas.
That’s a myth. Doing 20 reps of incline presses will not burn the fat off your chest. That’s not how the body works.
So if you’re asking “what’s the best rep range for fat loss?”—you’re asking the wrong question. And even a good answer to a bad question will still take you in the wrong direction.
Let’s Connect! At the end of this article, you’ll have the chance to connect with me directly, get your most pressing questions answered, and receive personalized help. Just text me your picture and fill out the questionnaire at the bottom.
So, How Many Reps Should You Do?
Here’s the truth: There is no magical rep range.
Whether you do 4–6 reps, 8–10, or 12–15—the purpose is the same: Overload the muscle.
It’s about intensity—not the number. The set is a test. A challenge. You are pushing your muscles, demanding more of them than they’re used to.
If you choose a lighter weight and go for 12–15 reps, by the end of that set, you should be struggling to finish. Same with 6–8 reps with a heavier weight. If you’re not challenged, you’re not growing.
So choose what fits your personality and comfort level—but push yourself within that range.
Is Lighter Weight and More Reps Safer For Older Men?
A lot of older men think so—and I understand that fear of injury is real.
But here’s a powerful insight I’ve learned over my 36 years of training and coaching older men:
It’s not necessarily the weight—it’s the repetition that wears down joints over time.
You could be lifting a 20-pound dumbbell for 20 reps over and over and over… and still have joint pain.
Meanwhile, someone else using a 50-pound dumbbell for fewer reps and sets, but with good form and intensity, might have no joint issues at all.
So don’t assume that going light and doing more reps is automatically “safe.”
The key is intensity with control—and not overdoing it with excessive volume.
So… What’s the Best Rep Range?
Here’s my simple formula for men like you:
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Pick a rep range that gives you a clear goal (like 8–10 reps).
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Choose a weight that gets you to the end of that range with serious effort—but safely.
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Stick with that range for 4–6 weeks and track your progress.
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Don’t switch it up just to “confuse the muscles.” Consistency builds muscle.
Whether it’s 6–8, 8–10, or 10–12… it works as long as you train with intensity, safely, and focus on progressive overload over time.
Let’s End the Guesswork—Together
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, confused by conflicting advice, or simply don’t want to spend the next 6 months trying to “figure it all out”—then let me coach you personally.
You don’t have to do this alone.
With one-on-one coaching, I’ll eliminate the trial and error. We’ll design a custom, proven, and sustainable plan tailored to your goals, schedule, and preferences. You’ll finally stop wondering, guessing, or getting distracted by gimmicks.
Let’s get your best years started—right now.
Reach out to me for one-on-one coaching.
I’ll take your goals, your lifestyle, and your body—and we’ll make a plan that works for YOU.
Thanks for being here with me.
Lesson #14 drops tomorrow—don’t miss it.
Skip La Cour
Workouts for Older Men
Text me at 925-352-4366
Take These Two Easy Steps
1. Text Me Your Picture and Introduce Yourself. Text me a picture at 925-352-4366 so I can see where your body is now. I’ll be able to help you even better. A picture does indeed tell me a “1,000 words” and we’ll be more efficient with our time when we speak on the phone. Whatever you feel comfortable with is fine. I can tell a lot even with your shirt one.
2. Fill Out The Questionnaire Below. This questionnaire will help me learn more about you. Not only will it help me learn more about you and better serve your needs, it will help you gain more clarity as to what you want and what may be stopping you from getting it.
Expect me to reach out to you very soon. I’ll contact you by text, phone call, or email.