TAKE YOUR TIME

Maximise muscle gains by leveraging the concept of time under tension

Sadly, we can't halt the relentless march of time, but we can manipulate its tempo to our advantage, potentially unlocking the key to maximising muscle growth especially if you've hit a plateau.

Time is a critical factor in the realm of fitness, dictating everything from the duration of our workouts to the intervals between sets and the timing of our training sessions. But amidst these considerations, there's a lesser-known concept that holds even greater significance: time under tension (TUT).

What is it?

Time under tension refers to the duration for which a muscle is under strain during an exercise. It includes the time spent during the concentric (shortening) phase, eccentric (lengthening) phase, and any pauses or isometric holds within the movement.

Why try it?

Manipulating TUT by adjusting the speed of repetitions or incorporating pauses can influence the effectiveness of an exercise in terms of muscle endurance, strength, and hypertrophy (muscle growth). Increasing TUT can lead to greater muscle fatigue and stimulate more muscle fibers, potentially promoting greater gains in strength and size over time.

How does it work?