Study: More Time in the Gym Doesn't Mean Better Results

Are You Pressed For Time In The Gym?

Well then you'll find this study particularly interesting...

Dr. Chris Hass and colleagues from the University of Florida recently found that increasing training volume from one set to three really didn't make much of a difference on muscle size and strength in weight-training athletes.

The researchers had 40 well-trained guys train three times a week using one or three sets for eight to 12 reps to failure. Muscle strength and percent fat and percent lean body mass were measured before and after the 13-week training period.

"After 13 weeks of training, both groups had significantly improved their muscular strength and body composition," writes Dr. Hass. "However, there were no significant differences between groups in the improvement of muscular strength, and both groups experienced similar improvements in body composition."

The Bottom Line:

The data from this study shows that single-set programs are an effective alternative to high-volume training when time is of the essence.

Related articles

  • High-Rep Quad Carnage: Why Platz and Mentzer Ditched Ego-Heavy Loads to Sculpt Legs That Make Stages Tremble

    Discover why legendary bodybuilders Tom Platz and Mike Mentzer ditched low-rep, ego-heavy training for high-rep leg workouts that build massive, stage-dominating quads. This in-depth guide breaks down their proven methods — from Platz’s 20–50 rep squat marathons to Mentzer’s evolved HIT approach with 12–20 rep ranges — and explains the science behind high-rep hypertrophy for lower body growth. Learn how to program your own quad-shredding routine to maximize muscle size, vascularity, and definition while protecting your joints. Perfect for serious lifters who want to get shredded fast without losing muscle.
  • Keto OMAD for Elite Bodybuilders: Torch Fat Like a Furnace, Stay Jacked, and Crush the Weak-Willed Masses

    Keto OMAD for bodybuilders: Burn belly fat fast, preserve muscle, and build a lean, head-turning physique with one powerful daily meal.
  • Oolong Tea: The Fat-Burning Weapon Hiding in Plain Sight

    Discover why oolong tea is the ultimate fat-burning secret weapon for bodybuilders aiming for single-digit body fat. Backed by a Japanese study showing it outperforms green tea by nearly 3x in fat oxidation, this brutally honest guide breaks down oolong’s metabolic edge, thermogenic power, and its role in targeting stubborn abdominal fat. Learn how to use oolong tea to shred faster, train harder, and stay leaner — without the crash or bloat. If green tea is for amateurs, oolong is for killers. Make the switch.
  • The Brutal Truth About Building Freaky Arms — Mike Mentzer Style

    Discover Mike Mentzer’s brutal, no-compromise secrets to building massive arms. Learn why endless sets are worthless, which exercises Mentzer swore by, and how to train beyond failure for freak-level growth.
Go to full site