Increasing training volume is not a form of progression in and of itself.
Anyone can just add a few extra sets to their workout, but this does not tell you that any positive muscle building adaptation has actually taken place.
In fact, adding volume could even be *counterproductive* if you're already within a sufficient range to maximize growth, since at that point you'd just be increasing the demand on recovery for no additional gain, which then reduces the amount of frequency you can apply.
The key thing to keep in mind here is that muscle size and strength are directly connected. The physiological purpose of hypertrophy is to make the muscle stronger.
Meaning that the way to tell if a positive adaptation has taken place is if you adjust a certain variable in your program and that adjustment then increases your ability to add weight/reps to your lifts.
So, increasing training volume *could* be beneficial IF as a result of doing so you begin progressing in strength at a faster rate compared to your previous volume.
But simply increasing training volume on its own means nothing without that corresponding feedback.
That said, it's almost never the case that people aren't performing enough total sets.
Usually they just aren't training with a very high level of effort in the first place which then requires them to perform more sets in order to compensate.
In addition, even if increasing volume was a direct form of progression, you could only implement it up to a very limited point before it would no longer be practical.
In any case, the bottom line is that more volume does not necessarily mean more gains, and increasing the number of sets you perform is not "progressive overload" on its own.
If you're doing 8 sets per week for chest right now and bump that up to 12, it does not mean you "progressed".
Adjusting a given variable in your program is only a driver of progression if it directly improves your ability to add weight/reps to your exercises, since that is what actually indicates an increase in muscle growth.
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SeanNalewanyjShorts
People with 35 sets per muscle group: "Ah yes. It's all coming together."
pandamilkshake
I cut mine down, I used to do like 5 exercises for one muscle group with 1 warm up and 5-6 sets. Now I just do 3 exercises per group, 1 warm up and 4-5 sets. Saved time in the gym, less injuries and still seeing good progression.
hoviksmail
He's slowly but surely becoming a high intensity guy
JGD
"Stimulate, don't annihilate"
rickycohen
Pretty sure Dr Mike wouldn't agree...
dating
Mike isratel fell to his knees watching this
loovlehcuppatea
Seans Mentzer transformation is in full progress
Mchl
Adding more volume is a form of progressive overload, adding weight sets or reps is progressive and all work just fine
Midknight-wy
Depends on the context. Typically if the goal is hypertrophy, increasing volume (as long as reps in each set go as close to failure consistently) can be a form of progression and can achieve more gains.
Sean may not be referring to this particular scenario though and I am happy to be corrected.
nanenriquez-dziw
Smaller weights and range of motion got me jacked
Freedomhybridgaming
For me no need to overthink. Just push to failure every last sets, you will progressive overload automatically.
nandarizkiee
Working the muscle to failure is the goal. Can be done with light or heavy weights, couple of sets or many sets. JUST GET TO FAILURE.
(Im a former competitive powerlifter).
frankiefernandez
By definition, it most definitely is a form of progressive overload. And there's a pretty strong body of evidence supporting higher volumes leading to greater hypertrophy.
I think some of your points are valid, but the central thesis is inaccurate
characterstrength
Why is everyone so worried… just go and lift
thesweetistthing
You can always add a set if you rest long enough or reduce the weight. It doesn’t represent an increase in actual performance because it’s not something that is the result of adaptation. It’s just something you do because you want to
roachofdoom
I disagree, it can come in more weight, more reps or sets
loeynil
What? Then why does it work to progress? Adding more sets is what helps me add more weight. This is bs.
nickolasperske
Going from struggling with 3x5 to struggling with 5x5 will give you gains
Smoshylife
Using this advice, I've cut down my sets to zero sets. Maximum recovery, maximum gains!
