Evidence Based
Mosy around any gym, and you’ll see some dudes lifting heavyweights they can’t even lift.
And a few questions come to mind.
Is he really getting anything out of those reps?
Is he just doing that to stroke his ego?
Should I train like that?
Some say yes, that partial reps, or repetitions where you only complete part of the movement, lead to superior gains in strength and size.
Others say that unless you take every single rep in your training through the full range of motion, you’re cheating. This pretty much sums up their view: “Your reps are partial and you should feel bad.”
The truth?
They’re both wrong, and you’re going to learn why in this podcast.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know the pros and cons of a partial and full range of motion reps, how each affects muscle growth, and when you should and shouldn’t use both in your training.
Oh and if you like this episode and want to get notified when a new one goes live, head on over to Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, Soundcloud, Podbean, or Google Play and subscribe.
Lastly, if you want to support the show, please drop a quick review of it over on iTunes. It really helps!
Timestamps:
3:12 – What is a partial rep?
6:02 – Why do people do partial reps?
7:20 – Do partial reps make sense?
18:01 – How do you program in partial reps?
Mentioned on the show:
What did you think of this episode? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!
+ Scientific References
- Hernández-Preciado, J. A., Baz, E., Balsalobre-Fernández, C., Marchante, D., & Santos-Concejero, J. (2018). Potentiation effects of the French contrast method on vertical jumping ability. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(7), 1909–1914. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002437
- Massey, C. D., Vincent, J., Maneval, M., & Johnson, J. T. (2005). Influence of range of motion in resistance training in women: Early phase adaptations. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19(2), 409–411. https://doi.org/10.1519/R-14643.1
- Pinto, R. S., Gomes, N., Radaelli, R., Botton, C. E., Brown, L. E., & Bottaro, M. (2012). Effect of range of motion on muscle strength and thickness. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(8), 2140–2145. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823a3b15
- Graves, J. E., Pollock, M. L., Jones, A. E., Colvin, A. B., & Leggett, S. H. (1989). Specificity of limited range of motion variable resistance training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 21(1), 84–89. https://doi.org/10.1249/00005768-198902000-00015
- Pinto, R. S., Gomes, N., Radaelli, R., Botton, C. E., Brown, L. E., & Bottaro, M. (2012). Effect of range of motion on muscle strength and thickness. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(8), 2140–2145. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823a3b15
- Hartmann, H., Wirth, K., Klusemann, M., Dalic, J., Matuschek, C., & Schmidtbleicher, D. (2012). Influence of squatting depth on jumping performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(12), 3243–3261. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31824ede62
- Vianna, J. M., Lima, J. P., Saavedra, F. J., & Reis, V. M. (2011). Aerobic and Anaerobic Energy During Resistance Exercise at 80{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} 1RM. Journal of Human Kinetics, 29A(Special Issue), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10078-011-0061-6
- McMahon, G. E., Morse, C. I., Burden, A., Winwood, K., & Onambélé, G. L. (2014). Impact of range of motion during ecologically valid resistance training protocols on muscle size, subcutaneous fat, and strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28(1), 245–255. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318297143a
- Pinto, R. S., Gomes, N., Radaelli, R., Botton, C. E., Brown, L. E., & Bottaro, M. (2012). Effect of range of motion on muscle strength and thickness. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(8), 2140–2145. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31823a3b15
- Helms E. R., Fitschen P. J., Aragon A. A., Cronin J., & Schoenfeld B. J. (n.d.). Recommendations for natural bodybuilding contest preparation: resistance and cardiovascular training – The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2015 March;55(3):164-78 – Minerva Medica – Journals. Retrieved November 4, 2020, from https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/sports-med-physical-fitness/article.php?cod=R40Y2015N03A0164&acquista=1
- Schoenfeld, B. J. (2010). The mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy and their application to resistance training. In Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (Vol. 24, Issue 10, pp. 2857–2872). J Strength Cond Res. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e840f3
If you enjoyed this podcast, get weekly updates. It’s free.
Sending…
Great! You’re subscribed.
100{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} Privacy. We don’t rent or share our email lists.
You May Also Like
Our Most Popular Evidence-Based Articles
Our 100{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} “It’s-On-Us” Money-Back Guarantee
No matter what you decide to buy, you’re always protected by our ironclad, 100{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} money-back guarantee that works like this:
If you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, you get a prompt and courteous refund. No forms to fill out or hoops to jump through.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits so our shipping is 100{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} free!
Okay, we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters.
So, if you live in the United States, your order ships free regardless of order size, and if you live anywhere else, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money.
That said, as most international customers spend about $200 with us each time they shop, this setup is a win-win.
And no matter what you decide to buy, you’re always protected by our ironclad, 100{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} money-back guarantee that works like this:
If you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, you get a prompt and courteous refund. No forms to fill out or hoops to jump through.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Made in USA
Where your supplements are made matters, because rules and regulations regarding quality and purity differ from country to country.
And if you want to ensure the supplements you’re swallowing every day are safe and effective, you want products produced in the USA.
That’s why all of our supplements are made in America in NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facilities that operate in accordance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations.
We pay a premium to work with the best manufacturers in the country, but it’s the only way we can also produce the best all-natural sports supplements.
Lab Tested
Did you know that studies have shown that many supplements contain dangerously high levels of toxins like lead, arsenic, and cadmium?
Not ours.
Every ingredient of every supplement we produce is tested for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants to ensure they meet the strict purity standards set by the FDA.
Naturally Sweetened & Flavored
While artificial sweeteners may not be as dangerous as some people claim, studies suggest that regular consumption of these chemicals may indeed be harmful to our health and that more research is needed.
That’s why all of our supplements are naturally sweetened and flavored and contain no artificial food dyes, fillers, or other unnecessary junk.
Science-Backed Ingredients & Doses
Every ingredient in every supplement we offer is backed by peer-reviewed scientific research, and every dose is included at clinically effective levels.
That means everything in our products is based on published scientific studies demonstrating real benefits, not the restrictions of razor-thin production budgets and gluttonous profit margins.
So, while everyone claims to have the best supplements on the market, we can back it up with real science and real numbers.
Split your entire online purchase into 4 interest-free payments, over 6 weeks with no impact to your credit.
25{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62}
today
25{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62}
2 weeks
25{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62}
4 weeks
25{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62}
6 weeks
Shop and add items to your cart as normal!
Choose Sezzle at Checkout! You’ll be redirected to Sezzle to Sign Up or Log In
to complete your order.
Your order will be shipped out right away* and your payments will be split up
over 6 weeks.
*shipping times subject to merchant shipping policy
Shop directory. Reschedule payments. Plus more!
Meal Plan Waiver
In consideration of being allowed to participate in the activities and programs offered by
M4L, Inc. and to use its nutrition programs and supplement and training advice, in addition to the payment of any fee or charge, I do hereby waive, release and forever discharge and hold harmless M4L, Inc. and its consultants, officers, agents, and employees from any and all responsibility, liability, cost and expenses, including injuries or damages, resulting from my participation in any activities, or my use of any programs designed by M4L, Inc. I do also hereby release M4L, Inc. its consultants, officers, agents and employees from any responsibility or liability for any injury, damage or disorder (physical, metabolic, or otherwise) to myself, or in any way arising out of or connected with my participation in any activities with M4L, Inc.
I understand that M4L, Inc. and its consultants, officers, agents, and employees are not healthcare professionals. The services I have received from ML4, Inc do not provide or offer and are not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis, or treatment (“medical advice”). While ML4, Inc. believes that the information provided through our services and the site is current and reliable, ML4, Inc. cannot and does not make any such guarantee or warranty.
I hereby agree that before using our services, you will consult your physician or other health care provider for medical advice, particularly if you are at risk for problems arising from changes in your diet or lifestyle. The services provided by ML4, Inc. are not intended to be used by minors or individuals with health conditions that makes the kind of changes to diet or lifestyle suggested by our services unsafe or inappropriate. Furthermore, I hereby understand that ML4, Inc. shall have no obligation or responsibility to monitor my health status or health condition or to contact or alert any medical or emergency professional.
I understand and am aware that strength, flexibility, and aerobic exercise, including the use of
equipment are a potentially hazardous activity. I also understand that fitness activities involve a
risk of injury and even death, and that I am voluntarily participating in these activities and using
equipment and machinery with knowledge of the dangers involved. I hereby agree to expressly
assume and accept any and all risks of injury or death related to said fitness activities. In
addition, I certify that I am 18 years of age or older.
I do hereby further declare myself to be physically sound and suffering from no condition,
impairment, disease, infirmity or other illness that would affect nutrient metabolism or prevent
my participation or use of equipment or machinery except as hereinafter stated. I do hereby
acknowledge that M4L, Inc. has recommended to me that I obtain a physician’s approval for my participation in an exercise/fitness activity or in the use of exercise equipment and machinery. I also acknowledge that M4L, Inc. has recommended that I have a yearly or more frequent physical examination and consultation with my physician as to physical activity, exercise and use of exercise and training equipment so that I might have his/her recommendations concerning these fitness activities and equipment use. I acknowledge that I have either had a physical examination and been given my physician’s permission to participate, or that I have decided to participate in activity and use of equipment, machinery, and programs designed by M4L, Inc. without the approval of my physician and do hereby assume all responsibility for my participation and activities, and utilization of equipment and machinery in my activities.
I understand that all diet and training programs, nutrition and supplementation advice, and any and all other forms of information obtained from ML4, Inc. are not meant to treat or manage any health condition. I understand the need to consult with a healthcare provider prior to adjusting current lifestyle or eating habits or beginning any new diet and/or training plan.
In addition, I hereby represent and warrant that I am currently covered by an accident and
health insurance policy. With my purchase of products or services from ML4, Inc., I understand that results of any sort are not guaranteed and agree not to hold M4L, Inc. staff liable for any outcomes or a lack thereof. With my purchase of any ML4, Inc. products or services, I understand that they are only guaranteed to work in software designed for a PC computer such as Microsoft Excel. I understand that I am purchasing having known that beforehand and understand that using any other application besides Microsoft Excel might result in the products not working with 100{740fcf70e3ac1f1193a1b542e1c9e953922ad085105f0bf8299e70261e238f62} functionality.
OUT OF STOCK
Fact Checked
Our scientific review board of nutritionists, dietitians, molecular biologists, doctors, and other accredited experts is responsible for reviewing every article, podcast, and video we produce to ensure they’re evidence based, accurate, trustworthy, and current.
Thanks to their connections, credentials, and academic experience, this team of MDs, PhDs, and other professionals has access to a wealth of research published in the largest and most prestigious journals in the world.
This allows them to not only review individual studies but also analyze the overall weight of the evidence on any and all topics related to diet, exercise, supplementation, and more.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
Evidence Based
We follow a detailed, rigorous, multi-step process to create content that meets the highest standards of clarity, practicality, and scientific integrity.
First, our research associates provide our editorial team with accurate, up-to-date, proven scientific evidence.
Then, our editorial team uses this research to draft articles and outlines for podcasts and videos.
Finally, our scientific review board reviews the content to ensure all key information and claims are backed by high-quality scientific research and explained simply and precisely.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
