Keep on breaking PRs?

[Mattfers]

Hi guys I've kept on breaking rep PRs each and every workout for the last few months(5-10+ reps sets and even 15-20 reps sets) on big exercises which I perform in a way that redirects tension on the desired tissue (I.E. I don't bench press with the exact form that allows me to move the most weight but with the form that hits my chest hard, same goes for rows, pulls, squats, presses etc. And obviously Isos exercises)

Everything looks great so far... But
My goal is hypertrophy and the volume I am using is very low (each muscle gets 2-3 hard sets every 5th day) and I wonder if the routine itself is then good for hypertrophy (while many argue that progressing overload is the be all end all, actually as far as I known, research states that volume is the key driver of hypertrophy)

[Ghawk21]

If you want advice on your program then you should post the program, exercises, sets,reps , progression model. Including how your body weight has changed the last few months will help too.

[TAWS6]

All the research on volume works with progressive tension overload already built in. Adding weight to the bar in a moderate rep range with sufficient volume overtime is the main driver.

[WolfRose7]

Doing the right amount of hard ish work over time is all that matters really. Progressive overload is just a side effect.
As you get bigger you get stronger, as you get stronger the old weight is no longer challenging.
The idea that you have to add lbs weekly or even monthly for hypertrophy hasn't ever had any concrete support that I know of.

[Mattfers]

If you want advice on your program then you should post the program, exercises, sets,reps , progression model. Including how your body weight has changed the last few months will help too.

I train 3xweek M,W,F and alternate between A and B workout

Day A
Bench press 3x5+
Bent over row 3x5+
Back Squat 3x5+
Alternate curl 50% set
Lying extension 50% set
Weighted crunch 2x20

Day B
Seated press 3x5+
Chinup 3x5+
Stiff leg trap bar DL: 3x5+
Lateral raise 50% sets
Haney Shrugs 50% sets
Calf raise 2x20

- 3x5+ means: two sets of 5, the third one is an AMRAP. If I get (5-10) reps I add 2.5 lbs to that exercise the next workout if it is an upper body exercise, and 5 lbs to squats and pulls.

If I get 11+ reps I double that amount.

If I stall on 2 consecutive workouts (not happened yet) I deload 10% weight and climb back up

-50% sets is just: first set to failure (generally 12-17 reps), rest 60 seconds, go to failure again. Add the minimum amount of weight possible once I hit 20 total reps over the 2 sets.

Bodyweight has not changed significantly (-5 lbs on average) over last 8-12 weeks (didn't track the first month very accurately) BUT I came after a looooong 1 year off the gym and I'm defo recomping (visual assessment with photos in similar conditions and tape measures) , so at the moment that's ok to me, that's what I was planning since I put on quite some fat during last year. But as soon as I lose a bit more fat, I'll go over a slow bulk (like +0.5-1lbs/week on average)

[Ghawk21]

I train 3xweek M,W,F and alternate between A and B workout

Day A
Bench press 3x5+
Bent over row 3x5+
Back Squat 3x5+
Alternate curl 50% set
Lying extension 50% set
Weighted crunch 2x20

Day B
Seated press 3x5+
Chinup 3x5+
Stiff leg trap bar DL: 3x5+
Lateral raise 50% sets
Haney Shrugs 50% sets
Calf raise 2x20

- 3x5+ means: two sets of 5, the third one is an AMRAP. If I get (5-10) reps I add 2.5 lbs to that exercise the next workout if it is an upper body exercise, and 5 lbs to squats and pulls.

If I get 11+ reps I double that amount.

If I stall on 2 consecutive workouts (not happened yet) I deload 10% weight and climb back up

-50% sets is just: first set to failure (generally 12-17 reps), rest 60 seconds, go to failure again. Add the minimum amount of weight possible once I hit 20 total reps over the 2 sets.

Bodyweight has not changed significantly (-5 lbs on average) over last 8-12 weeks (didn't track the first month very accurately) BUT I came after a looooong 1 year off the gym and I'm defo recomping (visual assessment with photos in similar conditions and tape measures) , so at the moment that's ok to me, that's what I was planning since I put on quite some fat during last year. But as soon as I lose a bit more fat, I'll go over a slow bulk (like +0.5-1lbs/week on average)

I would stick with it if you're hitting PRs and dropping weight, that's about best case scenario. You'll see better growth when you switch over to bulking.

[Mattfers]

Doing the right amount of hard ish work over time is all that matters really. Progressive overload is just a side effect.
As you get bigger you get stronger, as you get stronger the old weight is no longer challenging.
The idea that you have to add lbs weekly or even monthly for hypertrophy hasn't ever had any concrete support that I know of.

I'm simply getting stronger workout-by-workout. Progressive overload model accommodates that

[Mattfers]

All the research on volume works with progressive tension overload already built in. Adding weight to the bar in a moderate rep range with sufficient volume overtime is the main driver.

Thanks

[Animal2692]

I'd say that actually each muscle is getting 2-3 hard sets ~every other day instead of every 5th day as far as your pressing and pulling movements are concerned.

Volume is the key driver of hypertrophy only if it's quality volume that's ensuring progressive overload over time. It's also very individualistic and depends on how close you take sets to failure.

[TAWS6]

If you guys have a study where they don't add weight at some point please send it to me.

[Mattfers]

I'd say that actually each muscle is getting 2-3 hard sets ~every other day instead of every 5th day as far as your pressing and pulling movements are concerned.

Volume is the key driver of hypertrophy only if it's quality volume that's ensuring progressive overload over time. It's also very individualistic and depends on how close you take sets to failure.

I mean, if you count one set as a "hard set" for a muscle even though it's not the prime mover then yes (let's say triceps/chest on seated press vs shoulders)

[sooby]

well, according to your OP it says you were breaking PRs for months

surely having run your own routine for a couple months you would know whether you have built some actual muscle?