If you are like nearly every other average guy out there who has picked up some weights in order to get some muscles, odds are you think the same way. As it applies to the basics, the average guy chasing muscles focusing on the following in order of how most guys view the importance of each: 1) Weight: Guys can't get past thinking that the heavier the weight they can move, the better. It satisfies our most primitive need to be Hercules, plus it is easily tracked and relentlessly obvious to us and all around. So it can't easily be ignored--and rarely, if ever, is. 2) Repetitions: When guys load up on excessive weight, they generally don't care if their reps are low and embrace the low-rep approach in order to preserve strength. Yet more reps with the same weight mean you are stronger. Despite this fact, reps usually take a back seat to the seduction of pushing heavier weight. 3) Rest: Coming in third on the priority list is rest between reps and reps between sets. The less rest between reps, the better. But between sets is a bit more complex. Too little and you lose strength. Too much and you lose intensity. 4) Number of Sets: For most guys, this represents the next stop the mind makes. How many sets of an exercise should you do? Instinctive or pre-planned, deciding on the number of sets of a particular exercise is the next logical progression of thought. 5) Number of Exercises: Finally, as the mind winds down, there is the consideration of how many more exercises. This is traditionally about as far as myth goes for the beginner or intermediate bodybuilder. NEXT