Why 90% of People Workout Wrong | How to Train with HIT

Are you spending countless hours in the gym but not seeing the results you want? Most gym-goers may be training in a way that's holding them back from true progress. And that's where Mike Mentzer’s High-Intensity Training comes in. In today’s video, we’re breaking down Mentzer’s HIT method and why it exposes how 90% of people are training wrong. Stick around, because by the end of this video, you’ll see why less can truly be more when it comes to building muscle!
Let’s talk about the man behind it. A professional bodybuilder, best known for his legendary physique and intellectual approach to training. He was a fierce competitor in the 1970s, even taking home the Mr. Universe title in 1978 with a perfect score. But it wasn’t just his muscles that stood out--it was his revolutionary approach to training.
So, what is High-Intensity Training? Mentzer’s HIT philosophy is based on one key principle: Train harder, but train less frequently. Most people think more volume--more sets, more reps, more time in the gym--equals more muscle. But according to Mentzer, that’s a huge mistake.
The traditional approach involves long workouts, multiple sets, and hitting the gym five, even six days a week. But Mentzer believed this was inefficient and even counterproductive. HIT flips this on its head.
With HIT, instead of 4-5 sets, you might only do one or two. But that one set is pushed to absolute failure, meaning you give it everything you've got until you physically cannot do another rep. The goal is maximum intensity in a short amount of time. That’s the HIT difference.
Here’s the problem: Most people think training longer is better. They spend hours at the gym doing tons of sets and reps, but their results are mediocre at best. Why? Because they’re not training with enough intensity.
Traditional training often leads to a lack of true muscle stimulation. By doing multiple sets, the intensity gets spread thin, and the muscles aren’t pushed to their limits. Plus, spending so much time in the gym can lead to burnout, injury, and overtraining.
On the other hand, HIT forces you to train with laser focus and maximum effort. You’re doing fewer sets, but the quality of each set is much higher. Your muscles are being challenged in a way that promotes real growth. And here’s the kicker--you spend less time in the gym!
Let’s do a quick side-by-side comparison of Traditional Training versus Mike Mentzer’s HIT.
In traditional training, you’ll typically do 3 to 5 sets of each exercise, working out 5 to 6 days a week, for up to 2 hours per session. But are you really pushing yourself on every single set? The answer is usually no.
With HIT, you’re only doing 1 to 2 sets per exercise. But those sets are intense--pushed to failure. You only train 2 to 3 times per week, with each workout lasting 30 to 45 minutes. You work out less frequently, but the intensity and muscle stimulation are much greater.
So, why does HIT work so well? It’s all about maximizing muscle stimulation while allowing adequate recovery.
Muscle growth happens when you create enough stimulus to force the muscle to adapt. But just as important is the recovery process. When you train with maximum intensity, as Mentzer advocated, you actually need more time to recover. That’s why HIT has you working out fewer days per week, allowing your body to repair and grow stronger.
Traditional training often neglects this recovery aspect. People are training too often and not allowing their muscles to properly recover. That’s a recipe for stagnation.
Now, you might be thinking--doesn’t training less mean you’ll make less progress? Not at all! That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about HIT.
In fact, by training less frequently but with higher intensity, your muscles get the stimulus they need to grow, while also having ample time to recover and rebuild. You’re not sacrificing progress; you’re enhancing it.
So, how do you implement Mike Mentzer’s HIT method in your own training? It’s simple, but not easy.
Step 1:** Pick your exercises carefully. Compound movements like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses work best.
*Step 2:* Perform 1 to 2 all-out sets per exercise, pushing yourself to absolute failure. You should be unable to complete another rep with good form.
*Step 3:* Train just 2 to 3 times per week. Your body needs time to recover after such intense efforts.
*Step 4:* Track your progress. Since you’re working with fewer sets, it’s important to monitor your strength gains closely.
Remember, HIT is about quality, not quantity. It’s going to feel different--more intense, but also more rewarding.
Mike Mentzer’s HIT method might go against the grain of traditional bodybuilding, but that’s what made it so effective. By training smarter, not longer, you can break through plateaus and finally see the results you’ve been working so hard for. So, are you ready to try HIT and train like a pro?
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