Was Mike Mentzer right about one set?

Author: Emmalee Christiansen  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Scientific research clearly shows that: Working to muscle failure on one set for each exercise elicits higher strength and muscle mass gains then not going to failure. Increasing the number of sets per exercise provides no more benefit more than doing just one set to failure.

Was Mike Mentzers' theory correct?

However, recent research provides compelling evidence that Mentzer was more right than wrong. Mentzer's training volume recommendation will vary based on population. He recommends volumes as low as two sets per muscle group each week for beginners in some transcripts.

Can you build muscle with just one set?

Yes, you can build muscle by focusing on one muscle group at a time, a method often referred to as ``isolation training.'' This approach allows you to target specific muscles more intensely, which can lead to hypertrophy (muscle growth) in that area. Here are some key points to consider:

How much did Mike Mentzer bench at 15?

He attended the first Mr. Olympia and later said: “The 1965 Mr. Olympia contest was almost a religious experience for me." By age 15, his body weight had reached 165 lb (75 kg), at which Mike could bench press 370 lb (170 kg).

How many hours a day did Mike Mentzer train?

In an interview with Cable Sports, in 1991, Mike breaks down the unconventional training routine that led him to win Mr. Olympia: “Contrary to what most bodybuilders do, which is train 2–4 hours a day, 7 days a week, to obtain that condition, I trained literally for 30 minutes, 4 times a week.”

O SEGREDO DE MIKE MENTZER! A maneira MAIS RÁPIDA de ganhar músculos! 💪🔥

How many hours did Arnold Schwarzenegger train a day?

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 74, Works Out for 1.5 Hours Every Day - Business Insider.

Did Mike Mentzer only train once a week?

To maximize recovery, Mentzer advocated for significantly spacing out one's workouts. In the most extreme version of Heavy Duty, he prescribed doing 1 to 2 sets for a muscle group just once a week. The other six days would be used for recovery.

How much was Arnold's bench?

Arnold Schwarzenegger Just Shared His Heaviest Lift PRs

"My best bench press was 525, my best deadlift was 710, and my best squat was 610," he said.

Why did Mike Mentzer quit bodybuilding?

Mike soon learned of backroom deals and underhanded tactics employed by influential individuals within the sport. It seemed that the contest was no longer based solely on an athlete's hard work and talent, but rather on bribes, favoritism, and personal connections.

How much could Ric Flair bench press?

Ric Flair's Max: Bench = 510, Squat = 530, Deadlift = 600.

Is 1 set till failure enough?

If you're tight on time, single-set training working close to failure could be an effective method for achieving strength and muscular gains.

How much weight should I lift to increase bone density?

Scientists in the United Kingdom, using accelerometers, did a cross sectional study in teens and determined that the amount of loading required to stimulate the bone building process equals 4.2 times body weight.

How intense should you do flexibility?

Breathe normally and hold each stretch for about 30 seconds; in problem areas, you may need to hold for around 60 seconds. Don't aim for pain. Expect to feel tension while you're stretching, not pain. If it hurts, you've pushed too far.

Is the Mike Mentzer method effective?

Scientific Conclusion. Mentzer's HIT principles align with research showing that low-volume, high-intensity training can be effective for hypertrophy and strength. However, absolute failure training is not essential, and heavier loads are superior for strength gains.

Was Einstein's theory correct?

Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity has been proven right on the largest scale yet. An analysis of millions of galaxies shows that the way they have evolved and clustered over billions of years is consistent with his predictions.

How many calories did Mike Mentzer eat?

His logic was simple: to gain 10 pounds of muscle in a year, 6000 extra calories were necessary, as a pound of muscle requires 600 calories. That averages to just 16 more calories per day, with only four from protein, since muscle is about 22% protein. He didn't advocate the typical high-carb strategy.

What did Arnold Schwarzenegger think of Mike Mentzer?

Schwarzenegger: The Art of Bodybuilding

He saw Mentzer's approach as overly simplistic, lac, embraced a different mindset. He saw bodybuilding as an art form, a symphony of motion where every repetition was a brushstroke on the canvas of his physique.

How many rest days did Mike Mentzer take?

Rest Between Workouts

Mentzer believed that recovery was just as important as the workouts themselves, which is why he recommended taking 4-to-7 days of rest between sessions. He didn't prescribe a rigid schedule (e.g., train every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).

Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger stop bodybuilding?

In an interview with Extra TV, the Terminator actor revealed why he gave up heavy weights. He explained, “There is no reason to work out as if I am going for the Mr. Olympia or Mr. Universe competition”.

How much does Brad Pitt bench press?

Bench press — 25, 15 and eight reps at 165, 195, 225 lbs. Nautilus press — 15 reps at 80, 100, 130 lbs. Incline press — 15 reps at 80, 100, 130 lbs.

What was Sylvester Stallone's max bench?

Stallone claims to have been able to bench press 385-400 lbs (174.6-181.4 kg) and squat 500 lbs (226.8 kg) in his prime. While in a bench pressing contest with former Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu, he severely tore his pectoral muscle and needed over 160 stitches on it.

Did Mike Tyson do calisthenics everyday?

Mike Tyson did an incredible amount of calisthenics training, clocking up thousands of reps in a workout – and he'd do this six days a week. History has it that Mike Tyson's calisthenics workouts went like this: 2000 bodyweight squats, 2500 sit ups, 500 push ups, and 500 bench dips.

How many hours did Arnold train a day?

He puts in an hour and a half daily, cycling for 45 to 60 minutes and lifting weights for another 30. That's a hell of a daily workout, especially for a 75-year-old, though it's down considerably from his peak bodybuilding days. When he was competing, he would lift weights for five hours a day.

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