Low # of Sets Workouts

[d'Anconia]

Guys I've been reading through the archives and all and several people have brought up the prospect that perhaps doing very few sets can still yield good results. I've heard this idea over and over again and have ignored it but I think I'm going to drastically reduce the amount of sets that I do and see how the progress is.

Has anyone else ever tried this? I'm talking about a definite low # of sets like...

6 for legs
3 for chest/tri
6 for back
4 for shoulders
and maybe
2 for abs (another 2 for obliques if you're going to work them.

Again, just wondering if anyone else has tried it...

[BG5150]

Max OT is based on only three working sets of 4-6 reps. There are some 3x5 routines out there too.

[Doobs]

I did something very similar to this for a while and it didn't really work for me. I was doing each bodypart once a week though, which might have been the problem.

[Anthony]

I've used legs/push/pull with 9-12 sets per workout (not including warmups) and saw great results.

[smalls]

I do each bodypart twice per week and only do 3-4 sets for large bodyparts. Probably one of the best routines I've ever done.

[SW]

Lift heavy and if everything is in order, things should be alright.

[Gabrielle]

I've worked out like that for 5 years..its works just not for everyone

[d'Anconia]

Well thanks guys, I'm pretty set on the idea. Yeah technically I won't see 100% the results I normally would but I'll take 90% of the results with less work (yeah I'm lazy but at least I get myself to the gym and lift heavy) any day.

[HILL]

I changed earlier this year to something very similay only working 1 bodypart a week and doing about 9 sets for legs/back/shoulders and 8 for chets and 5 for bi's then 6 for tri's. However i have just trained again to what BCC did in his precontest training which is in his journal. It works on only 2 working sets per bodypart on that given day but superseted. I started this week but it seems to be going well i will see

[bubba booey]

Try it and see if it works for you. I have been using a variation of a Pavel Tsatsouline routine, and I have been increasing weights every week. His 3-5 program involves, performing 3-5 exercises, 3-5 sets each, 3-5 reps each set, 3-5 days per week.

What I'm doing is lifting five days per week - typically 2 working sets of deads, 1 full squats, 1 front or overhead squats, 1 flat or incline bench, 1 set of dips or close-grips, 2 sets of rows, 2 sets of chins (I have a slight imbalance in favor of pecs vs. back). The working part of the workout is only approx 25 minutes.

[harv]

I've recently switched from 1x / week HIGH volume to 2x/week LOW volume and have seen about 105% results. Seriously...lift weights have gone up all around.
My # of (working) sets per muscle group is as follows:
chest: 4-5
back: 6
Bi's: 3
Tri's: 3
Abs: Zero lol
Shoulders: 4 (1x / week though)
Legs: 4-5

You'll like it!

[d'Anconia]

Gotta say I like the feedback here.

[obsessivegrowth]

in my opinion you could possibly cut that even further is you are happy with 90%. Let us know how you find it works for you. im just starting back after a 3 month layoff, but after a few months intend to get to a point where im only doing 3 half hour workouts a week, being chest, back and legs.i want to trial it and see how it goes.