All @Buff:

Quote Originally Posted by Archangel View Post
I don't know man, i've read studies both pro and against those ideas.

That's why i say, stick to the basics and just eat less overall. Whatever helpful tactics there may be they probably wouldn't do that much of a difference either way and you'd just be wrecking your head around all the possibilities for nothing.

One thing i hear really helps though is counting calories. Try one of those online calculators.
Yeah, this is all true. Even then don't go nuts counting calories. Spend a little more time in the beginning figuring out what to eat and how it affects you, and then just play it by feel afterwards. Do what works. Do whatever has a measurable effect.

I didn't start gaining weight until I ate 7 meals a day and keeping track of my weekly weight change. But that was me. It might not work the same way for you.

Is there any guidelines on the number of rep/sets that one should aim for?
Pick a reputable program and stick with it. Like I told you before.

Edit: MADCOW seems very similar to 5x5, which I did for over a year straight in the past. I like it but I'd rather be doing squats one day a week rather than every day.