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Does Your 1 Rep Max Really Matter?

Let me cut straight to the heart of this point, 1 rep maxes aren't a very efficient way of building muscle volume for the majority of people. They are also extremely limited as a fat loss tool which is why for anybody who wants to transform the aesthetics of their physique I feel they are a complete waste of time.

Limited Muscle Tension

1 rep maxes are more about power and speed, therefore, the muscle tension is very limited. To induce cell swelling within a muscle you need to accrue enough time under tension, with progressive resistance. This is why the majority of working sets in the Health Kik workout plans are all above 8 repetitions.

Generating progressive overload is also crucial for building muscle, which means covering significant amounts of training volume with enough repetitions is the smartest way to achieve this. For example, 5 sets of 1 rep maxes, with 200lbs on the bench press gives a total count of 1,000lbs lifted. However, if you did 5 sets of 10 reps with 120lbs, you will have accumulatively lifted 6,000lbs! Training with 6 times the amount of overload has a massive impact on your progression in terms of building size and burning fat.

Low Energy Output

Although 1 rep maxes are extremely demanding on the body they won't lead to as much calorie expenditure as doing higher rep ranges for many sets per workout. This is why they are a relatively ineffective tool for burning fat!

High-Risk Training

The programs in Health Kik are all about getting you into the best shape possible while preserving health and longevity. Using 1 rep maxes is an extremely risky way to train because your muscles, connective tissues, and skeleton are literally being pushed to their absolute limit - this is where injuries often occur!

Think smarter and follow a properly structured training program to induce fat loss and muscle growth - I recommend you follow the workout plans in Health Kik. START HERE!

Kris Gethin

15 Comments


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1783bronze
Jun 21, 2025

I agree with Kris! While impressive, focusing solely on your 1 rep max isn't the best path to a transformed physique. It's more about power than sustained muscle tension. Think of it like this: a single, intense Snow Rider 3D run is fun, but consistent practice builds skill. Volume and progressive overload are key for muscle growth and fat loss, making higher rep ranges and smart workout plans far more effective.

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KRIS GETHIN

Kris Gethin is the world's most recognized transformation expert. With over 150 MILLION users of his transformation programs, nobody can dispute Kris' unrivalled authority of helping people transform their body no matter their circumstances.

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