Lifting weights until tired builds muscle no matter the weight
Resistance Exercise-induced Changes in Muscle Metabolism are Load-dependent.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Light weights to fatigue improved mitochondrial proteins, which is typically associated with endurance training, not resistance work.
Contradicts the common belief that resistance training only builds muscle, not cellular endurance.
Practical Takeaways
Push to fatigue in your workouts—whether using light or heavy weights—to maximize muscle gains.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Light weights to fatigue improved mitochondrial proteins, which is typically associated with endurance training, not resistance work.
Contradicts the common belief that resistance training only builds muscle, not cellular endurance.
Practical Takeaways
Push to fatigue in your workouts—whether using light or heavy weights—to maximize muscle gains.
Publication
Journal
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Year
2019
Authors
C. Lim, Hyo Jeong Kim, Robert W Morton, R. Harris, Stuart M Phillips, T. Jeong, C. K. Kim
Related Content
Claims (5)
Lifting weights until you're tired, whether with light or heavy weights, makes your muscles bigger and stronger in the same way for beginners.
When untrained young men lift lighter weights until they're tired for 10 weeks, it changes how their fast-twitch muscle cells organize themselves to better support muscle growth.
When untrained young men lift lighter weights until they get tired for 10 weeks, their cells get better at cleaning up and renewing their energy factories, which helps them handle lots of exercise.
When young guys who don't usually exercise lift weights until they're tired, it wakes up special muscle repair cells and helps build stronger muscles—no matter how heavy the weights are.
Lifting light weights without pushing to exhaustion doesn't make untrained young men stronger or grow their slow-twitch muscle fibers, showing that just doing more reps isn't enough if you don't get tired.