How many reps and set are ideal?

[wannebe91]

I have been lifting for only a short time. I want to know how many sets and reps of each exercise I should be doing to begin with. I do not want to do too many but yet I want to do enough to make a difference. I am a male who is 30 and I weigh 180 pounds.

[Soldier]

5x5, or 5 sets of 5 reps, is a good starting point. Just make sure you choose compound exercises like squats, dead lifts, dips, pull ups, rows, overhead press, and bench press. Honestly, you don't really need more exercises than that at first.