Intensity, Volume, and Frequency

Home > Human physical performance and recreation > Strength training > Intensity, Volume, and Frequency

Understanding the principles behind training intensity, volume, and frequency, and their impact on muscle growth and strength development is essential for designing effective strength training programs.

Exercise Selection: The process of selecting specific exercises for a strength training program that target the desired muscle groups and movements.
Progressive Overload: The gradual increase of weight, sets, or reps over time to progress strength and muscle growth.
Repetition (Rep): The number of times an exercise is repeated.
Set: A group of repetitions performed without rest.
Rest Intervals: The time between sets and exercises, which is based on training goals and personal physical readiness.
Training Split: The division of muscle groups trained on different days or sessions throughout the week.
Exercise Order: The sequence of exercises performed during a training session, which impacts fatigue and strength gains.
Intensity: The level of effort or weight used for an exercise, which can be expressed as a percentage of the maximum weight.
Volume: The total amount of work performed in a training session or over a period of days or weeks.
Frequency: The number of training sessions performed per week or month.
Training Load: The total amount of weight lifted in a training session or over a period of days or weeks.
One Repetition Maximum (1RM): The maximum weight that can be lifted for one repetition of an exercise.
Deload: A period of decreased training volume or intensity designed to allow for recovery and prevent injury.
Recovery: The process of rest and recuperation necessary to adapt to strength training and promote muscle growth.
Periodization: A planned approach to strength training that includes specific phases focused on building strength, power, endurance, and recovery.
Recovery Time: The amount of time needed for a muscle group to recover and grow after a training session.
Muscle Fiber Types: The different types of muscle fibers in the body that respond differently to exercise stimuli.
Genetic Variability: Individual differences in genetics that influence strength training outcomes.
Nutrition: The role of proper nutrition in strength gains and muscle growth.
Injury Prevention: Techniques and strategies to prevent injury during strength training.
Maximal Effort: Lifting the heaviest weights possible for 1-3 repetitions with 100% effort.
Submaximal Effort: Lifting weights between 70: Of the 1RM for 4-6 repetitions.
Dynamic Effort: Lifting moderate weights across multiple sets with maximal force and speed.
Repetition Effort: Lifting weights 70: Of the 1RM for 6-12 reps to fatigue.
High Volume: Performing multiple exercises for many sets and reps in one workout.
Medium Volume: Performing a moderate number of sets and reps in one workout.
Low Volume: Performing a few sets and reps of only a few exercises in one workout.
Density Volume: Completing as many reps as possible within a set time frame or for a certain number of sets.
High Frequency: Working out multiple times per day or per week.
Medium Frequency: Working out a few times a week.
Low Frequency: Working out once or twice a week.
- "Strength training or resistance training involves the performance of physical exercises that are designed to improve strength and endurance."
- "It is often associated with the lifting of weights."
- "It can also incorporate a variety of training techniques such as bodyweight exercises, isometrics, and plyometrics."
- "Training works by progressively increasing the force output of the muscles and uses a variety of exercises and types of equipment."
- "Strength training is primarily an anaerobic activity, although circuit training also is a form of aerobic exercise."
- "Strength training can increase muscle, tendon, and ligament strength as well as bone density, metabolism, and the lactate threshold; improve joint and cardiac function; and reduce the risk of injury in athletes and the elderly."
- "It can reduce the risk of injury in athletes and the elderly."
- "Strength training can increase... bone density."
- "Strength training can increase... metabolism."
- "Strength training can increase... the lactate threshold."
- "Strength training can improve joint... function."
- "Strength training can improve... cardiac function."
- "Strength training is central or is used as part of their training regimen."
- "It can also incorporate a variety of training techniques such as bodyweight exercises."
- "Strength training... reduce[s] the risk of injury in athletes and the elderly."
- "Strength training... reduce[s] the risk of injury in athletes and the elderly."
- "Training works by progressively increasing the force output of the muscles."
- "Strength training... exercises that are designed to improve strength and endurance."
- "Strength training can increase muscle, tendon, and ligament strength."
- "Training works by progressively increasing the force output of the muscles and uses a variety of exercises and types of equipment."