#44 - Volume vs Intensity, Hard Training & Progressions ft. Dr. Eric Helms
Jan 18, 2021
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Dr. Eric Helms, a strength coach and hypertrophy expert, shares insights on training effectiveness. He tackles the debate of volume versus intensity, emphasizing their critical balance for muscle growth. Helms discusses the common misconceptions around RPE, urging trainees to better gauge their effort. He highlights the importance of training to failure, without exclusively relying on it. The conversation encourages a tailored approach to fitness, emphasizing recovery and individualized strategies for optimal results.
Finding the right balance between intensity and volume is crucial for achieving effective hypertrophy and overall fitness progress.
The use of Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) plays a significant role in gauging training efforts and adapting programs accordingly.
Training to failure should be assessed individually, as it influences recovery demands and overall progress in muscle growth.
Deep dives
Defining Training Intensity
Training hard is about finding the right intensity to achieve desired outcomes. Performance in fitness is often measured by the maximum intensity you can handle within specific volume limits. For example, whether it's running, powerlifting, or Olympic lifting, the key is to disrupt homeostasis sufficiently to induce adaptation. Training does not always need to reach the maximum effort level; even moderate activities at specific percentages of maximum exertion can lead to improvement.
Understanding RPE and Muscle Growth
The concept of Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) gauges how hard an individual's efforts feel during exercise. Effective hypertrophy typically requires a per-set RPE of around 6 or higher, indicating the need for significant effort in workouts. Research suggests that training close to failure, while managing fatigue, can yield effective muscle growth without the need for soreness or extreme exertion. A balance between external loads and personal limits is crucial for maximizing results.
Balancing Volume and Intensity in Training
A common debate in fitness is whether to emphasize training volume or intensity for hypertrophy. Applying strategies that involve both approaches can lead to optimal results. For example, high-frequency training with lower intensity might yield similar muscle gains while decreasing overall fatigue. This insight suggests that rather than adhering strictly to one method, a combination can often be more beneficial in the long term.
The Role of Failure in Training
Training to failure can yield different recovery demands compared to stopping at a lower RPE, influencing overall progress. While some theories suggest that pushing to failure is essential for hypertrophy, it's critical to assess individual capabilities and recovery rates. Research indicates that higher levels of muscle damage due to failure could impede a lifter's ability to train effectively shortly after. Therefore, a nuanced approach to taking some sets to failure while prioritizing recovery could enhance training efficiency.
Using Session RPE for Monitoring Progress
Session RPE involves rating the overall difficulty of a workout after its completion, providing insights into both the intensity perceived by the athlete and the structure of training sessions. This retrospective analysis can inform coaches whether the planned training volume corresponds with actual fatigue experienced by the athlete. A mismatch might indicate an adjustment is necessary in training programming. Thus, incorporating session RPE assessments can refine personal training methodologies and optimize long-term performance.