How To Train Like A Minimalist (More Gains In Less Time)

Jeff Nippard2 minutes read

Minimalist training with low volume and time commitment can be effective for strength gains, muscle hypertrophy, and overall health benefits, as demonstrated by elite natural bodybuilders and research studies. A new program at jeffnipper.com offers efficient workout options in under 45 minutes, catering to individuals with limited time for resistance training and emphasizing time efficiency.

Insights

  • Minimalist training, focusing on one push, pull, and leg exercise once a week for 20 minutes, can be highly effective for strength gains, with 81% of benefits achieved from one to four sets per exercise weekly, reducing mortality and disease risks with just 30 to 60 minutes of lifting per week.
  • Elite natural bodybuilders like Dorian Yates and Jeff Alberts have thrived on low volume protocols, demonstrating that muscle hypertrophy and maintenance can be achieved with minimal training volume, utilizing strategies like pushing to failure, drop sets, sensible supersets, reduced rest periods, and streamlined warm-ups.

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Recent questions

  • How can minimalist training be effective for fitness?

    The Summary highlights that minimalist training, focusing on one push, pull, and leg exercise done once a week for 20 minutes, can be effective. Elite natural bodybuilders like Dorian Yates and Jeff Alberts have thrived on low volume protocols, showcasing the effectiveness of minimalist training. Additionally, strategies such as pushing to failure, using drop sets, sensible supersets, and minimizing warm-up time can enhance the efficiency of minimalist workouts.

  • What are the benefits of strength training once a week?

    Strength gains can be achieved with just one heavy set done one to three times per week, with 81% of gains coming from one to four sets per exercise weekly. This minimalistic approach to strength training can be sufficient for individuals looking to improve their strength levels. By focusing on quality over quantity, individuals can still see significant improvements in strength with minimal time commitment.

  • How much lifting per week is needed for health benefits?

    Health benefits, such as reducing mortality and disease risks, can be achieved with just 30 to 60 minutes of lifting per week. This minimal amount of resistance training can have a positive impact on overall health and well-being. By incorporating a small amount of lifting into a weekly routine, individuals can reap the benefits of improved health outcomes.

  • What is the recommended training volume for muscle hypertrophy?

    Muscle hypertrophy typically requires around 10 sets per muscle per week for optimal growth. While higher volume can offer marginal benefits, surprisingly, doing just one to four sets per muscle per week can yield 64% of maximum gains. This suggests that individuals can still see significant muscle growth with a minimalist approach to training volume.

  • How can muscle mass be maintained with minimal volume?

    The Summary mentions a study where subjects were able to maintain muscle mass with just one-ninth of their baseline volume. This demonstrates that even minimal volume training can be sufficient for maintaining muscle mass. By incorporating strategies like pushing to failure, drop sets, sensible supersets, and minimizing warm-up time, individuals can effectively maintain muscle mass with minimal time commitment.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Efficient Minimalist Training for Maximum Results"

  • Fitness content often focuses on maximalist training, but minimalism may be more suitable for many individuals.
  • A minimalistic program can be effective, such as one push, pull, and leg exercise done once a week for 20 minutes.
  • For strength gains, one heavy set done one to three times per week is sufficient, with 81% of gains from one to four sets per exercise weekly.
  • Health benefits can be achieved with just 30 to 60 minutes of lifting per week, reducing mortality and disease risks.
  • Muscle hypertrophy requires more training volume, with around 10 sets per muscle per week being a common recommendation.
  • Surprisingly, doing just one to four sets per muscle per week can yield 64% of maximum gains, with higher volume offering marginal benefits.
  • Minimalist training can be effective, as seen with elite natural bodybuilders like Dorian Yates and Jeff Alberts who thrived on low volume protocols.
  • Maintenance of muscle mass can be achieved with minimal volume, as shown in a study where subjects maintained muscle mass with one-ninth of their baseline volume.
  • Strategies for effective minimalist training include pushing to failure, using drop sets, sensible supersets, gradually reducing rest periods, and minimizing warm-up time.
  • A new program designed for efficient workouts in under 45 minutes is available for pre-sale, catering to individuals with limited time for resistance training.

12:24

"Efficient program options at jeffnipper.com"

  • Visit jeffnipper.com to explore the program available in two, three, four, or five-day per week versions, suitable for all levels of advancement and emphasizing time efficiency. Pre-order by October 23rd to receive all four versions at a 30% discount; after the pre-sale, select the program that fits your schedule.
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