turbo1973

can some one explain this to me im just away to start going to the gym

Rs1

iTrader: (1)

Reps = how many times you do the action
Sets = a number of actions

Say your doing bench press, you lie on the bench, lift the bar of the stays lower to chest then raise till arms are straight....thats one rep.
You do 10 reps one after the other then stop and lay the bar back on the stay...thats one set.
How many reps and how many sets is determined by what you goal is really. Less reps usually coincide with heavy weights and less sets, this is a very rough get get big routine. More reps, lighter weight and more sets will cater towards endurance/strength endurance and wont get you as big first routin mentioned.
Thats a very general description, you will probaby find what your confortable doing once youve spent a bit of time getting into the swing of things

Modder_J

This is more of a personal opinion, but I don't usually count the first rep ... come to think of it I don't count any ... but I (usually) get into a comfortable position after doing the first lift/push/pull etc, which would kind of mean the motion wouldn't be slow and controlled which is what I do when 'actually' doing any reps.

... only a personal thing though