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.
Scientific Claim
In resistance-trained individuals, the Tonal 1 drop-set protocol does not produce greater overall muscle hypertrophy than traditional training, despite using a novel automated resistance system.
Original Statement
“Elbow flexor hypertrophy was significantly greater in TRAD ... however, the contrast between conditions was considered practically equivalent ...”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
probability
Can suggest probability/likelihood
Assessment Explanation
The claim is supported by the data but must avoid definitive language due to blinding uncertainty. 'Does not produce greater' is appropriately cautious and aligns with the practical equivalence conclusion.
More Accurate Statement
“In resistance-trained individuals, the Tonal 1 drop-set protocol likely does not produce greater overall muscle hypertrophy than traditional training, despite using a novel automated resistance system.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Investigating the Effect of the Tonal Drop Set Mode On Elbow Flexor Hypertrophy
The study found that using the Tonal machine’s drop-set mode didn’t make muscles grow more than regular weight training, even though it was faster — so the claim that it doesn’t beat traditional training for muscle growth is correct.