Forced Reps For Accelerated Muscle Growth And Strength!
Fitness Rx for Men|Spring 2017

Advanced weightlifting techniques manipulate specific training variables such as load, sets and repetition range, in order to more efficiently improve lean muscle size and strength.

Michael J. Rudolph, Ph.D.
Forced Reps For Accelerated Muscle Growth And Strength!

One of the more well known and widely used advanced training methods is the forced repetition 1 , which involves assistance from a spotter to perform additional repetitions during the concentric phase of the lift, after muscular failure has occurred from the previously performed repetitions within the set.

Despite the popularity of forced repetitions, there is a shortage of scientific evidence supporting the ability of forced repetitions to enhance strength. In fact, one of the few studies out there looking at the impact of forced repetitions on strength actually suggests that forced repetitions may not promote strength at all. Furthermore, there are only a few studies supporting the use of forced repetitions to trigger muscle growth.

So, why is this training method so popular when the science supporting its effectiveness is so weak? Well, that is probably because this training method does boost size and strength— but science just hasn’t done the right set of experiments yet, particularly when it comes to strength increases, to support the notion that forced repetitions can accelerate muscle growth and strength.

FORCED REPETITIONS AND STRENGTH GAINS

This story is from the Spring 2017 edition of Fitness Rx for Men.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the Spring 2017 edition of Fitness Rx for Men.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FITNESS RX FOR MENView All
The Basic Four For The Core Training Program
Fitness Rx for Men

The Basic Four For The Core Training Program

The traditional road to building strong, tight-looking abdominal muscles was simple: lose fat and do thousands of sit-ups and leg raises.

time-read
5 mins  |
Spring 2017
Fitness Rx for Men

Intermittent Fasting Is Good For Your Health

It’s been shown that intermittent fasting can help you lose weight— and because of this, it’s a method that’s being adopted by many fitness trainers and professionals.

time-read
3 mins  |
Spring 2017
Don't Find Influence in Others
Fitness Rx for Men

Don't Find Influence in Others

Joe, i love following you on instagram (@joedon- nellyfit). You seem like a person of intense and con- sistent motivation. My question to you is how do i prevent lulls in my levels of motivation? I find things to motivate me, it runs its course and then before i know it i feel completely unmotivated. How do i fix this? What should i focus on or stay away from when looking for consistent motivation? Thank you in advance. 

time-read
1 min  |
September 2016
Forced Reps For Accelerated Muscle Growth And Strength!
Fitness Rx for Men

Forced Reps For Accelerated Muscle Growth And Strength!

Advanced weightlifting techniques manipulate specific training variables such as load, sets and repetition range, in order to more efficiently improve lean muscle size and strength.

time-read
4 mins  |
Spring 2017
Is There a Best Rep Range for Muscle Growth?
Fitness Rx for Men

Is There a Best Rep Range for Muscle Growth?

The “strength-endurance continuum” is a widely accepted concept in the field of exercise science.

time-read
5 mins  |
Spring 2017
Ultimate in Nutrition
Fitness Rx for Men

Ultimate in Nutrition

New Sports Nutrition Strategies That Enhance Performance.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2016
Fitness Rx for Men

Cardio Research Review: Best of 2016

Many people have a love-hate relationship with cardio. But for most, cardio is essential for cardiovascular health and fat burning. But which kinds of cardio are best and how long do you really need to sweat to see results? We gathered our best reports and cutting-edge research from 2016— check out these effective methods and training techniques before your next sweat session.

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2017
Fitness Rx for Men

Muscle-Building Research Review: Best of 2016

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE WITH CREATINE AND REST-PAUSE TRAININGThe right combination of supplement and training techniques can vigorously boost muscle size and strength. One combination suggested in 2016 involved the joint use of creatine monohydrate with the rest pause training technique. Rest-pause training typically involves the use of a weight that you can lift for a specific amount of repetitions. Yet, instead of lifting the weight uninterrupted for a complete set of repetitions, you rest between repetitions. This approach will typically allow performance of additional repetitions, providing a substantial training effect that boosts muscle size and strength.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2017
Top 30 Hardcore Facts on Supplementation
Fitness Rx for Men

Top 30 Hardcore Facts on Supplementation

As you know, it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to training and eating right if you want to achieve a ripped physique. But more and more research is revealing the benefits of supplements for health, performance, fat loss, improved training, lean muscle building and more. So we put together 30 of the best researched-based tips on supplementation. Take your training and performance to a whole new level with these surefire tips for success.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2016
American War Hero Noah Galloway
Fitness Rx for Men

American War Hero Noah Galloway

On the Battleground and in the Gym.

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2016