hey im just starting to go into the gym and i need advice on how to build muscle mass. I need help with how many reps and sets to do for each body part to gain muscle. I read that 3-6 sets of 8-12 reps is good? or is that too much? Also it says to work out every other day so if i work out monday around 6pm i can work out on tuesday at 6pm since its a day in between or i work out until wednesday. thanks I appreciate all the help.
Too many reps, in my opinion.
I'd stick with five sets, five reps, of five exercises. Squats, deadlifts, presses, bench presses, and cleans. That's it. Get adequate rest and recovery, and eat as many (clean) calories as you can stuff into your gullet. Basically, become human foie gras. You'll bulk up with muscle mass and fat. Don't worry about the fat. You can always trim down later.
Don't take my word for it, get a copy of "Starting Strength" by Mark Rippetoe.
You could follow the route of lots of reps of all different kinds of exercises, etc. It works for a lot of people. But if you want to build mass you need a mass building program.
Another program to try is one of Pavel Tsatsouline's programs. Find 80% of your max, and do 5 reps for 15-20 sets. Not stuff like curls, or lat pull downs. It's for squats, deadlifts, presses...