How important is overall volume for hypertrophy?
Mike Robertson— I think overall volume is important to a degree, but I think it’s overused as well. When compared to bodybuilders, powerlifters typically use much less volume. Yet when you put them side-by-side, the powerlifter (while they may look “stocky” or less aesthetically balanced), generally has very similar levels of muscular development. In that same breath, Olympic lifters are much the same as well. I think power and Olympic lifters have a better understanding of what “quality” work really means. Rather than taking an entire day to work on “arms”, they are incorporating plenty of “arm” work in their programming via heavy chins, rows, pulls, etc. I think the most important concept here is understanding that “more” volume isn’t necessary, unless it’s “quality” volume. If you’re just filling up your routine with junk sets, then you’re probably not getting a whole hell of a lot out of them.
