Research

Mixed

When training volume is NOT equated, higher training frequencies (3+ days/week) may lead to greater hypertrophy than lower frequencies (1-2 days/week), but the effect size is modest.

If you are not carefully tracking and matching your weekly sets, training a muscle group more frequently might naturally lead to higher total volume and thus more growth. However, this benefit is modest and likely just a byproduct of doing more work, not the frequency itself.

GoodQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Meta-regression analysis of non-volume-equated studies showed a significant effect favoring higher frequencies, although the overall difference in magnitude of effect between frequencies of 1 and 3+ days per week was modest.
Brad J. Schöenfeld et al. · Journal of Sports Sciences · 2018

Why this rating

Meta-regression of non-volume-equated studies; heterogeneity and confounding by volume exist.

Source

How many times per week should a muscle be trained to maximize muscle hypertrophy? A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the effects of resistance training frequency

Brad J. Schöenfeld et al. · Journal of Sports Sciences · 2018

DOI 10.1080/02640414.2018.1555906

Meta-analysis · 25 studiesCited 185×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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