Drop sets on the Tonal machine let you finish your workout faster because you don’t rest as long between sets — so you get more muscle growth for every minute you spend lifting.

Scientific Claim

The Tonal 1 drop-set protocol reduces total training time per session compared to traditional resistance training, contributing to its higher hypertrophy-per-minute efficiency.

Original Statement

“Elbow flexor hypertrophy per unit of training time was significantly greater in the DROP condition ...”

From study:Investigating the Effect of the Tonal Drop Set Mode On Elbow Flexor Hypertrophy

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The study measures hypertrophy per unit time, not total time, so the claim infers reduced time. Given the design supports causation and the metric is directly measured, probability language is appropriate.

More Accurate Statement

“The Tonal 1 drop-set protocol likely reduces total training time per session compared to traditional resistance training, contributing to its higher hypertrophy-per-minute efficiency.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Investigating the Effect of the Tonal Drop Set Mode On Elbow Flexor Hypertrophy

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

The study found that using the Tonal 1 drop-set method grew muscle just as well as regular workouts—but in less time, making it more efficient.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Investigating the Effect of the Tonal Drop Set Mode On Elbow Flexor Hypertrophy

Score: 66

DOI: 10.51224/SRXIV.659

Similar Assertions

Even with fancy machine tech that automatically lowers weights, drop sets don’t make your arms grow more than regular lifting — the machine doesn’t give you an edge.

86%

Even though drop sets don’t build much more muscle overall, they do it faster — you get the same tiny muscle gain in less time, which is great if you’re short on workouts.

84%

If you’re short on time, using drop sets on a smart machine can build your arm muscles just as well as traditional lifting — you just need to spend less time doing it.

82%

It doesn’t matter if you use a fancy machine or dumbbells — what matters more is whether you do regular sets or drop sets.

78%

Drop set training produces equivalent muscle hypertrophy in significantly less training time compared to traditional resistance training, resulting in greater hypertrophy per unit of time.

74%