so on january 13th 2021, Fouad Abiad had Dr. Brad Schoenfeld on his bodybuilding podcast. Dr. Schoenfeld discussed the research on how muscles going to failure, regardless of rep range have been scientifically proven to yield the same levels of hypertrophy. In other words, if you can only do 50 pounds for 8 reps and that is your failure, or you could do 20 pounds for 30 reps and that is also a failure point. Both modalities of training will yield the same levels of hypertrophy.

So for example Flex Wheeler may have been able to do 700 for 10 or whatever but instead chose to stick with 405 and go to 50.

It is a very interesting concept for sure. Some believe that by working with a lighter load there is less likelihood of injury to occur. But on the counter side, doing sets of 20, 30, 40 set rep ranges adds a considerable amount of time in the gym.

while high rep has it's place, nothing will ever compare to how much harder you have to contract your muscles for heavier weight

more muscle fibers need to be recruited to move a heavier weight. Apparently according to the numerous studies that have been done in this area muscle failure is muscle failure regardless of weight or rep range.


Now in reading through some of the studies I see a few flaws or oversights such as often the individuals recruited are either untrained or at a sub par athletic physique. They are not investigating this information in highly trained athletes or individuals who are on steroids.

Also the studies are rather short in length ranging from 8 weeks to 16 week protocols. Which would only constitute possibly one phase of an annual training regime for an advanced athlete.

Mattdoesfitness (Matt Morsia)

Lex Fitness (Lex Griffin)


These 2 have been fitness inspirations for me over the years physique wise.