Thoughts on volume. More or Less?

[WallyTheWarhawk]

What's something you guys have noticed about the amount of volume you do in your training sessions as you've progressed?

For me personally when I look back on when I first started lifting (Around 16), I did tons and tons of volume. Usually 4x12 per movement. I did around 4 or 5 movements per muscle group. Now at 21, I do 2 working sets till failure per movement. Doing roughly around 3 to 4 movements per muscle group (depending on weaknesses in my physique). My longer days are usually push days. Just because I'm training chest, shoulders, and triceps. Time has really never been a big concern of mine when in the gym. I know that there are a good amount of people that like to get it and get out. But personally I don't mind being in the gym for 2 to 2 1/2 hours for a session.

Just wanted to see y'alls opinions. Thank you.

 

[FatBluDragon]

 

[FatBluDragon]

 

[CJ]

I prefer quality over quantity.

Recovery ability/progression and your training frequency will dictate YOUR appropriate volume.

I personally prefer less volume per session, but more frequency. I'll hit chest 3x per week, 3 sets each time, vs once per week doing 9 sets. Much better quality.

 

[buck]

When i started and a big bench press was 150 pounds for reps i did a huge amount of volume. And grew. When i was BP 400 pounds the volume was about 1/2 as much and grew. But a slower rate. But that is to be expected as time goes by. The huge gains are in the early years i found. Volume can be dictated by the amount of stress the body has to recover from i find.

 

[WallyTheWarhawk]

I prefer quality over quantity.

Recovery ability/progression and your training frequency will dictate YOUR appropriate volume.

I personally prefer less volume per session, but more frequency. I'll hit chest 3x per week, 3 sets each time, vs once per week doing 9 sets. Much better quality.

Definitely agree with you. I hit chest twice a week. For me personally, it leaves more in the tank for other movements in the session.

 

[WallyTheWarhawk]

When i started and a big bench press was 150 pounds for reps i did a huge amount of volume. And grew. When i was BP 400 pounds the volume was about 1/2 as much and grew. But a slower rate. But that is to be expected as time goes by. The huge gains are in the early years i found. Volume can be dictated by the amount of stress the body has to recover from i find.

I've definitely grown at a slower rate for sure, but I feel what I am putting on is really dense tissue. I really don't know how I used to do all that volume and be able to lift the next day.

 

[eazy]

what was the answer?

Spoiler: my guess

it depends

 

[FatBluDragon]

what was the answer?

Spoiler: my guess

it depends

In classic Dr. Mike style, the answer is "It depends"

 

[Yano]

My thoughts on volume

 

[buck]

I've definitely grown at a slower rate for sure, but I feel what I am putting on is really dense tissue. I really don't know how I used to do all that volume and be able to lift the next day.

As i wrote i found the poundage makes a big difference. And the intensity that i could deliver after years of lifting was more even though i thought i was intense in the early days. So that just makes for longer recovery as well even with less sets. At least for me. I find untrained muscle need more volume to really hit it hard as all the other tools have really not been developed yet. But that is just my opinion after 40 years of lifting but give me a few more years and that may change!

 

[snake]

You with grow and get stronger with either one, especially in the early years. I'd recommend more volume and less weight to the AARP club just to avoid injury.