027 Are 4 reps optimal?! New study: stimulating reps vs volume load
About this episode
In this episode of Hypertrophy: Past & Present, Jake and Chris use a 1967 Bill Pearl program to jump from the silver era into the early steroid era, showing how training volume exploded once anabolics entered the picture. They contrast Bill Pearl’s high-volume, six-day split and contrast it with his earlier natural-era programming, before diving into a new study comparing heavy versus light loads in trained lifters and what it really means for stimulating reps, volume load, and rep range choices.
Key topics include:
- Bill Pearl’s 1967 high-volume, six-day split and how it differs from his natural-era routines
- How anabolic steroids break the feedback loop and drive the shift toward extreme training volumes
- A new heavy vs light load study in trained lifters
- What this means for the stimulating reps model, volume load, and rep ranges for natural vs enhanced lifters
Get every episode summarized
Each time Hypertrophy Past and Present publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Hypertrophy Past and Present
051 The silver era perfected drop sets 75 years ago
Hypertrophy Past and Present
050 Are circuits for hypertrophy the next big thing?
Hypertrophy Past and Present
049 The data says you need more first sets
Hypertrophy Past and Present
048 How to do more exercises in a workout without fatigue holding you back
Hypertrophy Past and Present