The Claim

In resistance-trained men, performing bench press training with low (48 total reps), moderate (180 total reps), or high (312 total reps) volumes over eight weeks results in similar significant improvements in 1RM strength, despite differences in total workload, indicating that volume within this range does not differentially drive strength gains when fatigue is matched.

Source: Effects of Training Volume in the Bench-Press Exercise Performed With Interrepetition Rest Periods on Strength Gains and Neuromuscular Adaptations.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
55score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

Among men trained in resistance exercise, three different volumes of bench press training over eight weeks produced the same significant increase in maximum strength, even though the total number of repetitions differed greatly.

See the scientific wording

In resistance-trained men, performing bench press training with interrepetition rest periods at low (48 total reps), moderate (180 total reps), or high (312 total reps) volumes over eight weeks results in similar significant improvements in 1RM strength, despite large differences in total workload, suggesting that volume within this range may not be a primary driver of strength gains when fatigue is matched.

Why this might work

When people lift weights with controlled rest between reps, their muscles and nerves adapt to the effort they put in each set, not how many total reps they do. The body adjusts how hard the brain signals the muscles to contract, so even with fewer or more reps, the final strength gain ends up the same as long as each lift is pushed to near maximum effort.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Effects of Training Volume in the Bench-Press Exercise Performed With Interrepetition Rest Periods on Strength Gains and Neuromuscular Adaptations.

    Even when guys did very few, medium, or a lot of bench press reps over eight weeks—pausing between each rep to control tiredness—they all got about equally stronger. This suggests that how many reps you do isn’t the most important thing for getting stronger, as long as you’re pushing hard each time.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.