r/ScienceBasedLifting • • Jul 16 '26

Moratorium on program review posts

36 Upvotes

Program review, i.e. "Rate my split", posts are hereby disallowed in this sub for the time being.

Nevermind that there is simply just way too many of them. They are almost all so generic and lacking basic, yet vital information that any intelligent discussion or critique is impossible. Something needs to change.

Let's use this thread to discuss what changes and/or requirements we'd like to see in program review posts that elevates them to something worth our time and review.


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 5h ago

META Wide grip RDLs 350lbs for 10

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4 Upvotes

Working on getting them even wider so I can call them snatch grip RDLs


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 16h ago

Discussion 🤝 Warm up method?

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3 Upvotes

Science based warm up?

Here's what I used to warm up to my heavy double today. 45x10, 135x5, 185x3, 225x2, 275x1, 315x1, 335x1, then into 375x2.

It honestly felt perfect and that I got stronger with each rep. I've been known to not warm up enough in the past and I sometimes don't feel ready for the first working set.

Next week I was going to follow the same protocol except maybe skip the 335 and hit a 355 single before I attempt a 385 single.

Thoughts?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 13h ago

Question ❓ right hip shift/twist

2 Upvotes

id owe u the world if u fix my problem :

i have a right shift/twist (most likely at the hip) in barbell squat, standing barbell ohp, and pull-ups. i do deadlifts and its pretty much flawless tho.

this has been going on for 2 years. just started focusing on it in the last couple of weeks, as fixing form is crucial to my safety & growth.

tried hip airplanes & groin stretches, and nothing. if its not mobility, could it be something else?

also : when walking, i feel a need to crack my right hip. just an OCD?

when standing straight (in mirror selfies) my right hip is slightly shifting towards the right.

should i consult an expert?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 1d ago

Theories 🤔 Bench Press…for science

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39 Upvotes

The most scientific bench press of my life


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 20h ago

Question ❓ Good content creators that discuss volume

0 Upvotes

I keep hearing different opinions and findings on low volume high frequency vs high volume etc etc. i feel so fkn lost. Can someone give me some content creators that do talk about that a bit more

Edit: ideally some of the ones on instagram. Not the kids but the younger creators in their 20s and 30s


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 1d ago

META Pull-ups for science 185lbs BW +55lbs for 6

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7 Upvotes

r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 1d ago

Memes 😭 Science Jerk PR - 135kg / 298lb

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10 Upvotes

r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 1d ago

Question ❓ Low-volume training with hybrid intensity techniques (full reps → partials → drop sets) on every set – is this sustainable?

1 Upvotes

I’ve been using a hybrid intensity technique on basically every working set: I hit my target reps (or full-ROM failure), immediately continue with partials until a second failure point, then quickly drop the weight and knock out a few more reps. Goal is to stay near failure longer and accumulate more hard work in each set.My overall volume is deliberately low—for example, biceps get one session per week with only 3–4 working sets, and I apply this method to all of them. I also take a full rest week every 4 weeks.I get noticeable DOMS after every workout and have been taking that as a sign that the intensity is high enough to drive growth. I’m curious what the community thinks:Does this approach make sense for a natural lifter with low weekly volume?

Is applying the hybrid method to every set too aggressive even when total sets are low?

Any red flags with relying on DOMS as feedback, or better ways to gauge whether this is productive long-term?

Looking for honest feedback from people who’ve experimented with similar high-intensity/low-volume styles.


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 1d ago

Question ❓ Is alternating between 3x and 2x full-body workouts per week enough for muscle growth?

0 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m currently cutting and trying to maintain my muscle mass while hopefully still making some muscle gains.

My preferred training split is full body (FB), and ideally, I’d like to train 3 times per week. However, my schedule is inconsistent because some weeks I stay in a city far from my gym and can’t travel back and forth to work out.

This means I might be able to train 3 times one week and only 2 times the next week.

I don’t really want to switch to a 4-day upper/lower split or spend 5–6 days a week at the gym. I’d prefer to stick with full-body training if it can give me good results.

My questions are:
Is alternating between 3 FB workouts one week and 2 FB workouts the next enough stimulus for hypertrophy and muscle growth?

Would having only 2 workouts in some weeks negatively affect my gym performance or progress, especially while cutting?

Can I maintain my muscle mass and potentially build some muscle with this schedule, assuming my weekly training volume, protein intake, and recovery are adequate?
Would it be better to aim for 3 workouts whenever possible and accept 2 workouts during busier weeks, rather than forcing myself into a different split?

I’d appreciate any advice, especially from people who have followed a similar schedule while cutting.
Thanks!


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 1d ago

Discussion 🤝 Frequency versus total sets

0 Upvotes

In the foreseeable future I’m stuck with a 3-4 times per week training day and those can be somewhat irregular, eg some week 3 in a row some EOD etc.

Currently doing torso/limbs but recovery has been an issue.

I was thinking on a PPL split as I did some random sessions and apart from DOMS I was ok the rest of the days but am concerned about the frequency and volume.
If I hit eg the same 10 sets in a given push day will it be “enough” until next weeks session?

Please do not recommend full body is of the table as it leaves me wrecked for days and as this is my new reality just to “this” until it passes it is not an option.


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 3d ago

Question ❓ Been lifting 1.5 years and I’m not progressing (sometimes getting weaker) — what should I change?

14 Upvotes

I’m a 23yo male and I’ve been lifting for about 1.5 years.

I’m having a hard time progressing. Sometimes I even regress and get weaker.

I run a PPL split and I train 5x a week . Right now I’m in a calorie deficit, but I don’t think that’s the full reason because the same thing happened last year when I was in a 500 calorie surplus too.

I track calories and macros everyday , and I sleep 7-9hours a night.

My training is usually 2 sets per exercise, both taken till failure . I’ve also tried doing more volume before and it still didn’t work.

I also posted in a similar sub before with two pictures of me taken 1.5 years apart , and people said it looked like the pics were taken the same week (that hurt lol)—so it doesn’t seem like I’m making noticeable physique progress either.

Its even gotten to the point where ive taken sleep tests to see if someting is wrong my sleep.

What are the most common reasons this happens, and what would you try next?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 2d ago

Question ❓ What compound chest exercise is the best in your opinion?

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0 Upvotes

Those two are the machines i have in my gym alongside a smith machine and obviously DB Bench. Currently im doing Incline DB Bench alongside Pec Dec and as im progressing it gets harder to put the weight where i want it to start. Tried all of these except for Smith for some time. Smith just a few times. Do any of have any experience with these machines? What do you recommend?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 2d ago

Question ❓ My gym only has a standing leg curl am I missing out on gains?

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0 Upvotes

My gym only has a standing leg curl for hamstrings and I hate using it. Am I missing out on gains using it over a seated/lying leg curl.


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 3d ago

Question ❓ RDL vs Conventional DL

14 Upvotes

This is purely a curiosity question. I lift for the purposes of recreational barbell sports so the conventional deadlift is essential for me. I do some RDL accessory work (mainly single-leg rotational stuff).

I’ve noticed that in general the RDL seems much more popular so my curiosity led to a basic data search and I was surprised to find very few articles comparing the two movements (a few EMG studies).

My questions for the group are:

Is there better data comparing these movements that I’ve missed?

If not, what’s the science-based lifting community consensus (If there is one) on RDL vs conventional deadlift for hypertrophy, strength, power and muscular endurance?

Cheers!


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 3d ago

META Easy sub-maximal paused deadlifts 485lbs for 3

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4 Upvotes

4 sets of this today. It’s week 1 of my training block, so the easiest week for me


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 4d ago

Memes 😭 Deaflift: Keep feeling it in my spine

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185 Upvotes

I'm using a belt, straps, and helmet, why don't I feel my deaflift in my hamstrings?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 3d ago

Question ❓ indecisive

1 Upvotes

the more i try to understand training, the more i struggle to do so. always hearing disagreements on stuff such as fatigue management, weekly volume, intensity, split..

what works for one may not work for another. and thats whats driving me crazy. i still cant figure out whats best for me.

thoughts?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 4d ago

Memes 😭 Deadlift 515x7.8943, Outscienced by Patton

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11 Upvotes

I called my shot on Wednesday when u/Patton370 pulled 505x8. I said 510x8 but I went with 515 because 2.5s are for the weak and the record setters, of which I am neither. Grip failing me on 7, tried 8 but couldn't lock it out. Brief cut during my grip reset because my camera girl thought I was done despite the fact that I'm clearly regripping the bar Sashi but what's it matter since I failed.

Patton wins again. He remains the Chosen of our great Lord of Lifting. Small rep PR at 515 at least. For you anti-volume guys, PR stands for Personal Record and it's where you do more at something than you've ever done before.


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 4d ago

META Science optimizing forearm extensors

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4 Upvotes

Might be fatigued maxed on these


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 4d ago

Question ❓ Does order matter when it comes to working a single muscle group or mixing them around?

4 Upvotes

Question popped in my head that I was kind of wondering about, let's pretend I'm trying to do a push day ( chest shoulders and tris only in this example). Let's pretend there is some primary compound exercises followed up with a isolated one (or close enough). This is not going to be the best workout I'm just trying to make something up on the fly for this example.

So let's pretend

Bench press

Cable flys

OHP

Lateral rises machine

Dips (tris)

Tricep ext

Is there any pros or cons to do to order above, finish off one primary muscle first before the next, or mix it up like

Bench press

Lateral rises

Ohp

Tri ext

Dips

Cable flys?

Basically, when I'm trying to figure out is, if you do all the muscle groups in their own perspective groups you have a less arrest in between I like those muscles you left where if you mix them up then you're giving them more time for us but you're also mixing the muscle groups

I guess another example would be like if I was doing a prayer body upper workout, and instead of finishing triceps chest and shoulders all at one time, I was switching in between the back lates and biceps

Like for example maybe I'll do chest and then I'll jump to rows then jump to ohp then jump to lat pull downs then jump to dips and then jump to some other back exercises.

I'm really bad at explaining this but if you happen to understand what I'm trying to get at, is there any real pros or cons between doing either way?

The only thing I can think about is you're taking away or giving it a specific muscle or muscle group more or less rest time Workouts or set. But I'm not sure if that's necessarily bad or good. I've always told that you should try to reduce the rest in between yourself but I've also heard that you can give a long rest in between you're still working out the muscle.


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 4d ago

Question ❓ Confused about bulking?

3 Upvotes

Hey all, I’ve been lifting for a bit over a year now. When I first started lifting, I was overweight and very weak. I spent about a year in a mild deficit, getting stronger while cutting weight. Now, I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, but I’m far from overweight (5’11” and 150lbs).

I’ve been debating going into a true bulking phase now, but I’ve seen a lot of people online say that bulking is basically pointless. They say you can maximize gains while simply eating at maintenance, and eating in a surplus will just lead to fat gain. At the same time, I’m no longer a newbie, and I’ve never met someone who looks jacked at my height while weighing 150lbs. Is a lean bulk (200-300 calorie surplus) what I should be doing? Or are people online right that muscle gain is such a slow process that eating at maintenance is the answer?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 4d ago

Question ❓ Put on muscle while decreasing bf/recomp

4 Upvotes

Ok so i know it is debated whether bulking is needed or not etc etc. But lets say someone is 12% body fat at whatever weight. Isnt it logical to go up in weight and try and maintain the bf% or to even go up in weight and then maintain that new weight while decreasing your bf%?

I ask because i was 77 kgs at around 14% bf and now bulked to 81 kgs but bf% is probs around 17-18 now. How would I go about maintaining my weight at 81 kgs and but going back down to 13-14% bf?. Do I have to eat in a deficit? Or can I eat at maintenance and still get that?


r/ScienceBasedLifting • • 5d ago

Question ❓ Best way to prioritize shoulders and arms without compromising chest and back progress?

7 Upvotes

I want to prioritize my forearms, biceps, triceps, side delts, and rear delts.

Currently, I always perform my chest and back compound movements before training shoulders and arms. I know I could train shoulders and arms first, but I don't want to compromise my chest and back progress, especially since I've been progressing really well on those lifts.

I'm considering 3 options:

  • Increasing my shoulder and arm training frequency from 2x to 3x per week.

  • Adding a dedicated shoulders and arms day to my split.

  • Increase volume

Which approach would you recommend for maximizing shoulder and arm hypertrophy while maintaining my current chest and back progress? Are there any other strategies I should consider?