Research

Mixed

In elite bodybuilders, resistance training performed 4 times per week yields equivalent fat-free mass and strength gains to training 6 times per week when total weekly volume and muscle group frequency are equated.

If you are an advanced lifter, you do not need to train 6 days a week to maximize muscle growth. You can achieve the same results training 4 days a week, provided you perform the same total number of sets and exercises. Choose the schedule that allows you to recover best and stick to the program consistently.

ModerateRefutesMEDIUM confidence
We conclude that 4 and 6 weekly sessions frequencies of resistance training promote similar increases in fat-free mass and muscular strength in elite bodybuilders.
Alex S. Ribeiro et al. · International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism · 2015

Why this rating

Small sample size (n=10), short duration (4 weeks), and specific population (elite drug-free bodybuilders) limit generalizability.

Source

Effect of Two- Versus Three-Way Split Resistance Training Routines on Body Composition and Muscular Strength in Bodybuilders: A Pilot Study

Alex S. Ribeiro et al. · International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism · 2015

DOI 10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0077

rct · n=10Cited 22×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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