How often should you workout to build muscle? The trend has been pointing ever downward. Back in the ’70s, Arnold Schwarzenegger (7 Mr. Olympia titles) and everyone following him worked most muscles three times per week—and the others (abs and calves) he trained every day but Sunday! Afterwards and throughout the ’80s, twice weekly became the standard split. There were variations. Three-on, one-off was popularized by Lee Haney (8 Mr. Olympia titles) and Cory Everson, thus hitting body parts twice every eight days. And then came Dorian Yates (6 Mr. Olympia titles), dominating through most of the ’90s while only working body parts once weekly in four workouts. Those who didn’t follow his high-intensity adopted his once-weekly formula but over six workouts.
And the six-days-per-week routine in which body parts are trained once weekly has been popular split ever since. Maximize focus (one body part per workout) and recovery to maximize growth, so the logic goes. But we’re skipping over the fact that, in Dorian’s wake, Ronnie Coleman (8 Mr. Olympia titles) reigned while, again, hitting body parts twice weekly—as if the revolution never was. Ronnie did a lot of growing while doubling up the workouts on the guys chasing him. Once, twice, somewhere in between, which is it? What’s the right workout frequency?
BEST WORKOUT FREQUENCY
Researchers published a systematic review of all relevant training frequency studies, 22 of them, looking at strength gains. They concluded: “[H]igher training frequencies are translated into greater muscular strength gains. However, these effects seem to be primarily driven by training volume because when the volume is equated, there was no significant effect of [resistance training] frequency on muscular strength gains.” In other words, if you do 16 sets for back in one weekly workout or 8 sets for back in two weekly workouts, the strength gains are virtually the same.
The researchers went on to state: “Thus, from a practical standpoint, greater training frequencies can be used for additional [resistance training] volume, which is then likely to result in greater muscular strength gains.” So, two weekly workouts of 16 sets for back would likely be more effective than one such workout, simply because the workload is doubled. The researchers ended with this caveat: “More evidence among resistance-trained individuals is needed as most of the current studies were performed in untrained participants.”
And, so, a new study investigated the effects of workout frequency on trained men. One group hit every bodypart once weekly for 16 sets, and the second group hit every body part twice weekly for 8 sets, so overall volume was the same. After eight weeks, no significant strength gain differences were noted between the two groups. However, there were some minor muscle size advantages in the second group. According to the researchers, this suggested “the potential of a slight benefit to the higher training frequency.”
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WORKOUT TO BUILD MUSCLE?
We still need a study with trained individuals comparing the same per-workout-workload done once or twice weekly (and, for good measure, thrice weekly, Arnold-style). But, for now, the science says there is slight advantage in muscle growth to hitting body parts more frequently than once weekly. Note that your split does not need to be spread over seven days. If you spread it over five days (four-on one-off) or six days (five-on one-off) you can increase workout frequency over once-weekly and serve up rotating off days. You can also spread it over seven days (six-on one-or-two off) but repeat one workout (at least some of the time), focusing more on the one body part you want to bring up the most.
Most importantly, make sure you thoroughly work all muscles at least once weekly. After that, adopt the routine that works best with your schedule.
Related: Does Exercise Order Matter?
