also go high reps that build to a slow burn
beach muscles fatigue much quicker
True.
However, the best approach is to bulk first with low reps/heavy weights and appropriate diet, then cut and tone with high reps when you're happy with the mass.
But.........be careful. I hurt myself real bad 2 years ago doing shoulder flys with 45 lb. dumbells. Went just a little too high, and for months it hurt in any position. Still isn't quite right to this day, I just work through the pain.
That said, you also need to figure out your body type so you know what kind of diet and exercise it will or won't respond to. There are three basic types, and most people are a combination of the three with one having strong overtones:
Ectomorph-lean, smaller build, high energy, can eat anything and not gain weight, but bulking muscle is very difficult.
Mesomorph-usually medium build, very stabile metabolism, naturally fit, respond well to most training.
Endomorph-usually heavier build, slow metabolism, gain weight easily, have to train constantly to stay in good shape.
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/body-types-ectomorph-mesomorph-endomorph.html
Some of us are lucky, being mostly mesomorph. I don't diet carefully or train on a regimen, but am very physically active. With my activity level and body type, I have maintained the same weight since I was 18 years old (30 now) with good muscle tone and relatively low body fat (~13%). However, I have the larger bone structure usually associated with endomorph and the difficulty with bulking that ectomorphs have. My heaviest training regimen before my shoulder injury was a calculated diet and 4 days a week times 2.5 hours each at the gym, and in 3 months time, I only cut .6% body fat and gained 7 whole pounds of muscle. My body type is naturally fit, but does not like to change one way or the other without extreme measures.