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

Scientific Claim

The use of a smart resistance device (Tonal 1) for drop-set training does not enhance muscle hypertrophy beyond traditional methods, indicating that the mode of resistance delivery may be less important than training structure.

Original Statement

“The study compared a novel drop set mode on a Tonal 1 device to traditional training ... hypertrophy was practically equivalent.”

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 claim is an inference from the data, not a direct measurement. Blinding uncertainty and lack of equipment control variables warrant probability language.

More Accurate Statement

“The use of a smart resistance device (Tonal 1) for drop-set training likely does not enhance muscle hypertrophy beyond traditional methods, indicating that the mode of resistance delivery may be less important than training structure.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

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

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

Both methods built muscle about the same amount, even though one used a high-tech machine and the other didn’t — so what matters more is how you train, not the gadget you use.

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.

89%

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.

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.

79%

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.

78%

When you train to near failure, doing drop sets doesn’t make your muscles grow bigger than doing regular sets — both methods build muscle about the same in young men.

75%