As a personal fitness and bodybuilding coach for more than a decade, I have seen only a few people switch to high-volume training with maximum reps.
And while it’s not the generally accepted approach, I was intrigued when I saw a colleague of mine implement a century workout routine.
The results were impressive, but it all came down to picking the right exercises and balancing different body parts in the routine.
So, our team of fitness coaches got together to design such a routine, and we tested it with seven clients over two months.
Here’s what’s involved.
Quick Summary
- The Century Workout involves performing 100 reps of exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, and squats with minimal equipment, focusing on high-volume training.
- It recommends starting with lower weights and balancing upper and lower body exercises for a well-rounded physique.
- Begin by selecting exercises and weights that align with your current strength and fitness levels, starting at 30% of your usual load and progressively increasing from there.
- Personally, I find the Century Workout to be an effective way to break through fitness plateaus and improve muscular endurance, though it may not significantly increase muscle size like traditional strength training.
Sample Century Workout Routine
One thing I would suggest is to start conservatively.
If movements involve weights, then take a lower-weight approach to get started, as most people we tested this with ended up struggling with the number of reps.
Also, make sure you choose an equal number of lower and upper body exercises to maintain a balanced physique.
Bodyweight Squats
Start off with your shoulders wide apart and focus on maintaining a neutral spine.
The trick to this movement is to do it slowly and ensure that your thighs are at least parallel to the floor at the low point.
But the further down you can go, the more effective the workout will be.
If you get to a stage where you can complete 100 squats in one set, then you can advance to using a small weight.
Also Read: 7 Squat Variations That Skyrocket Leg Gains
Wide-Grip Pull-Ups
When it comes to doing 100 pull-ups, most people won’t be able to do these in just a few sets. In that case, use a chair to support your weight.
Once you get to a stage where you can complete this exercise in about three sets, start reducing how much you support yourself and even add a weighted vest.
Also, mix things up by alternating between an overhand and an underhand grip.
Military Push-Ups
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), these push-ups are a great way to do a compound exercise for your chest, triceps, and shoulder muscles [1].
The trick with push-ups is to not do them as fast as possible.
Slow down the movement, and you’ll add more strain.
Deadlifts
We’re back to working with free weights, and the deadlift is a great way to strengthen your back and core.
NIH recommends that before you start loading up a heavier weight, try to introduce a slower movement for an increased time under tension [2].
Another thing you can consider is slightly lifting the bar above waist height, which will exercise your shoulders and arms as well.
Bench Press
This is another one of my favorite workouts, and I would suggest starting with about 30% of your normal load to achieve eight reps.
The first 20 to 30 reps of the workout might seem a bit easy, but you’ll probably start feeling the burn after 60 to 70 reps.
What Are The Benefits Of Century Sets?
From my experience as a trainer, I've found that century sets with minimal rest periods significantly increase time under tension, leading to enhanced hypertrophy.
Although high-rep workouts might delay the onset of muscle burn, they extend the duration of this sensation.
This prolonged burn not only increases energy expenditure but also stimulates greater muscle-building responses in the body.
“Time under tension is the time your muscle spends under load during a set. This includes the time spent in the concentric (shortening) phase, peak contraction phase, and eccentric (lengthening) phase.”
- Hunter Labrada, Bodybuilder & Labrada Nutrition Athlete
Choosing Weights And Sets
My recommendation here is to pick two upper and two lower body exercises to do the century workout.
Four different movements might not seem like much, but doing them with proper form will be more beneficial.
I would also say that you should pick movements and weights according to your strength and fitness levels.
Start with 30% of your regular loads and then gradually build up from there.
This is not the time to try to be a hero, only to wear yourself out after the first workout.
Comparison with Traditional Strength Training
The 100-Rep Century Set Workout differs significantly from traditional strength training.
- In Century Sets, you perform 100 consecutive reps of an exercise, which primarily enhances muscular endurance and stamina.
- Traditional strength training, typically involving fewer reps (6–12) with heavier weights, primarily builds muscle size and strength. This method is more effective for increasing raw power and muscle hypertrophy. However, it may not improve endurance as effectively as Century Sets.
- While Century Sets can offer a refreshing change and challenge, they might not provide the significant strength gains associated with traditional lifting.
- Conversely, traditional strength training, while excellent for building muscle and strength, might not significantly boost muscular endurance as Century Sets do.
Each method has its place depending on individual fitness goals.
FAQs
Does Doing 100 Reps Build Muscle?
Yes, doing 100 reps will build muscle, as long as those reps bring you to failure and exhaustion. Even if you need to spread them over a couple of sets, pushing yourself that far can have excellent results for bulking.
What Happens If You Do 100 Bicep Curls Every Day?
If you do 100 biceps curls every day, you should notice consistent muscle growth. And because it’s a smaller muscle group, you should be able to recover faster and continue with the process.
What Happens if I Do Too Much Reps?
Doing too many reps can lead to muscle fatigue, increased risk of injury, and overtraining. It may hinder muscle growth and recovery, shifting exercise benefits to negative impacts, including reduced strength gains and prolonged muscle soreness.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4592763/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3285070/
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