If you want to build muscle faster and put on some serious size, you have to train smarter. That means choosing the right methods to use in the gym. And when it comes to packing on slabs of muscle quickly, tempo training is at the top of the list.
In the gym, it’s often not what you do, but how you do it that is most important.
What is Tempo Training?
Tempo training refers to the way that you perform repetitions. There are various ways we can manipulate repetitions on almost any exercise to get a different desired effect from it (hypertrophy, strength, power, etc..)
In general, performing tempo reps means slowing down each repetition on the eccentric (way down), concentric, or both parts of the movement at a specific rate (i.e, 3 seconds up and down, 5 seconds down and quickly back up, etc.)
In this article I’m going to:
Explain the benefits of Tempo Training
Explain how it builds muscle better than other methods
Give 3 specific methods you can use to implement tempo training into your workouts
Give you a sample workout using tempo training and the methods discussed.
Benefits of Using Tempo Reps
Using Tempo reps in your training can have several benefits leading to increased muscle mass as well as reduced joint stress and nervous system fatigue.
When incorporating Tempo into my training sessions, I would do so for a specific reason, such as:
To add volume in without stressing out the nervous system. Too much max effort lifting can be counterproductive, and tempo training can be a solid compliment to heavy work if you’re looking to put on some size. Using tempo is also self-limiting: You will not be able to lift as much weight when you slow down the tempo.
To increase time under tension: Slowing down the tempo will dramatically increase the length of each set. A set of tempo reps can easily extend beyond one minute.
To get a massive “pump:” Slowing down reps will create an “occlusion” effect in the muscle, delaying blood from exiting the working muscle. This results in a huge pump and increased metabolic fatigue, both solid stimuli for muscle growth.
To get in some training without over-stressing the body: Tempo training isn’t as hard on the body as heavy/max effort lifting. I’d throw temp reps in on a lower intensity/recovery type day to get some volume in without crushing myself.
How Does Tempo Training Increase Muscle Mass?
Performing reps with a slower tempo can cause hypertrophy via several different mechanisms. Most importantly:
Increased time under tension
Increased metabolic fatigue/stress
Occlusion effect
Increased Time Under Tension
Time under tension is self explanatory: The length of time the target muscle(s) are under tension from the exercise being performed during a set.
This is a classic way that bodybuilders have trained for decades to maximize hypertrophy… slowing down repetitions and taking sets to failure.
This isn’t to say that tempo training is the only way to maximize hypertrophy. Heavy reps are equally impactful and necessary for most lifters. Tempo training is simply complimentary to an overall approach to building size and strength.
Increased Metabolic Stress
Rather than giving a lengthy explanation of metabolic stress, I’ll just give you an example:
Take a heavy set of 5-6 reps on barbell biceps curls. Now, contrast that with a set of 15 reps, done at a slow tempo.. say, 4 seconds up and down with lighter weight.
The second set will be brutal, and your arms (and whole upper body probably) will be screaming and on fire. This is metabolic fatigue, caused by accumulation of various by-products of energy production and other factors beyond the scope of this article.
The important point is that metabolic stress is a key marker for muscle growth, causing a spike in anabolic hormones and increased protein synthesis.
Occlusion Effect
Slowing down repetitions without giving the working muscle any rest will lead to an “occlusion” effect on the muscle. This means that blood will be delayed from exiting the muscle as it is forced to remain contracted.
Bodybuilders (and others more recently) have worn occlusion bands to create this same effect, restricting blood flow in the working muscle. Research (such as this study) has shown occlusion training to be effective at stimulating additional muscle growth using lighter weight/higher reps.
The result of the occlusion effect is a lack of oxygen in the muscle, which causes the slow twitch muscle fibers to fatigue quickly, forcing the higher threshold fast twitch muscle fibers to take over.
You’re basically tricking the body into sensing a more challenging stimulus, as if you were lifting much heavier weight. This results in a greater endocrine response (release of anabolic hormones) and increased protein synthesis.
3 Methods to Build Muscle Faster Using Tempo Training
I want to give you 3 methods you can use to implement tempo training into your workouts to help you build muscle faster. I’ll include a video demo for each one.
1 – Regular Tempo Reps
The first way to implement tempo training is to simply use traditional tempo reps on one of your lifts during your session.
For this method, simply choose a tempo (3 seconds, 4 seconds, etc..) and perform all repetitions at that tempo, moving both up and down at the desired tempo.
Tempo Incline DB Press
3-4 sets of 8-12 reps should be sufficient. If you want to be a little more hardcore, try taking the last set to failure.
Tempo/Contrast Method
The tempo contrast method is one of my favorites to implement. It combines tempo reps with regular reps within the same set, allowing you to reap the benefits of both tempo and more aggressive lifting.
To perform the Tempo/Contrast method, you’ll choose an exercise, then hit 2 reps at tempo followed by 2 normal repetitions. Then repeat, 2 tempo, 2 regular, until all reps are completed.
Below are 2 examples using the Tempo/Contrast method. Back squat and DB press.
Tempo/Contrast Incline DB Press
You can use the same set/rep scheme as for regular tempo reps, potentially taking the last set to failure. I use these all the time and have gotten solid results from including this method in my training.
Extended Contrast
The third and final example is what I call “Extended Contrast.” In this method, we’ll combine multiple methods within a single set, ending with an isometric contraction that will really test your metal.
To perform an extended contrast set:
Choose a weight where you’d probably reach failure in 8-12 reps.
Perform 4-6 reps with a 5 second eccentric (way down).
When you feel like you’ve only got a few reps left in the tank, begin pressing regular, aggressive reps.
When you’re close to failure, take one final rep down very slowly (10 seconds or so).
Hold the bottom position isometric contraction for 15-30 seconds.
Extended Contrast Set
These are pretty intense, and I wouldn’t recommend performing more than 1-2 of these in a session.
You can hit 2-3 normal sets or regular tempo sets, and hit one of these as a finisher.
I also prefer to use this method with either DB presses, curls or pulldowns. Some movements would be difficult to perform with an extended isometric contraction at the end.
Sample Session (Chest/Biceps)
Below is a workout sample from the SWOLE TOWN program. I frequently like to mix in these methods in my programming, and if you’re looking for solid programming I highly recommend checking it out.
The last 2 movements (deficit push up/hammer curls) are to be performed as a superset, resting 60-90 seconds after completing both. Videos are below if you don’t know how to perform these.
SETS
REPS
REST
Barbell Bench Press
4
6
2-3 min
DB Tempo Hex Press *4 seconds up/down **Low incline bench
3
10-8-Max
2 min
Barbell Biceps Curl
4
8-8-6-6
2 min
*Deficit Push ups
3
Max
90 sec
*DB Hammer Curl
3
12-15
Sample Full Workout (Swole Town)
Conclusion
Here’s a full video on this article if you’re interested:
Adding tempo training into your workouts can have a big impact on muscle growth, and can also serve as way to limit joint stress and over reliance on heavy training.
Remember.. it’s not always about what you do, but how you do it that will have the biggest impact on your results.
With tempo training, we’ve seen that we can increase time under tension, increase metabolic stress and create an occlusion effect, all of which are precursors to muscle growth.
Try adding in some of these methods to your current training split. If it’s new for you, you’ll likely find it quite challenging. But remember, the body does not respond to easy.
I hope you found this article useful. Let me know in the comments below.
Come follow Swole Town over on Instagram (@Swole_Town) and definitely check out the Swole Town programming, delivered through the world’s best training app (TrainHeroic).
Swole Town is here, and if you’re searching for workouts to build muscle, get stronger and/or just to be a beast in the gym.. you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a full workout from the program and a link to try a free week to see if you want to join the community.
What is Swole Town?
Swole Town is a lifting/training program designed to pack on muscle and strength. It is delivered through the TrainHeroic App and costs $12/month, 97% cheaper than hiring a trainer with all the benefits. Workouts fully mapped out, with video demos and explanation of every movement, plus access to a coach and a community of people with the same goals as you.
What’s Different About This Program?
Swole Town is born out of years of trial and error in the gym. Many different training philosophies are built into a system that is built around 4 week training blocks. This keeps your body in a constant state of adaptation, and makes your workouts more enjoyable and challenging.
Training through TrainHeroic is the optimal way to workout. Trainers are expensive, and going it alone is sub-optimal at best. Letting an expert program your workouts will lead to bigger gains all around. You’d spend more on a Starbucks trip than you would for a month of badass training…
Full Workout From The Swole Town Program
Here’s a full training day from the program. This is an upper body training session from a 4 week cycle called “RAGE.” RAGE is a high volume cycle full of supersets and metabolic stress-inducing training blocks. This 4 week block alone could pack muscle on your body.
So here is the full workout. This training session is focused on chest and back.. specifically horizontal pressing and vertical pulling. Try it out, and come take a closer look if you had fun with this one. If you were in the program, I’d be telling you to go crush this one. So for now, GO CRUSH IT!
Coaches Notes: (Directly From Program Session)
Another day on the grind. We’re hitting explosive depth push ups straight into heavy floor presses today. We’re going to keep hammering your pressing power, and by the end of a 12 week stay in Swole Town, I’m banking on many of you hitting PR’s on your pressing movements. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Trust the process and train hard.
Keep in mind that this is a volume cycle.. we have higher intensity cycles coming up where you’ll get to push your strength up and get in some heavier reps and more explosive movements. Everything in its right time. For now, we’re crushing volume.
We’re in week 3 of RAGE. One more week of this high volume cycle, and we’ll begin transitioning into some higher intensity cycles. That is when I usually notice big gains. When the body has started getting used to one training style, and you suddenly transition into heavier loads and more intense methods. Arnold called it the “shock principle.” Stay the course.
Prep Work (Warm Up)
All blocks with the same letter should be performed as a superset, one after the other. For Prep work, don’t aim heavy. We’re prepping the body for the full workout.
A1 – Single Arm DB Bench Press: 3 x 8
8 right, 8 left. Add weight each set, being mindful that this is prep work.
A2 – Inchworm to Extended Plank: 3 x 3
Walk your hands out as far as you can while maintaining the integrity of your posture. Then, walk them back in and back to standing. 3 sets of 3 reps.
B1 – Dumbbell Pullover
Go heavy, and I want a good, deep stretch of the ribcage and Lats. 3 sets of 8.
C1 – Depth Push up: 4 x 3
3 depth push ups, then straight to the floor press. This is a superset. Rest 2 minutes after completing both movements.
C2 – Barbell Floor Press: 4 x 6
Take a few warm up sets to find the right weight to hit for 4 sets of 6 reps. Want these to be heavy, but we’re looking to hit all the reps at the same weight. I want a 1 second pause when your triceps hit the floor without releasing any tension in the triceps/chest/shoulders. Drive the weight up with aggression.
D – Chin Ups: 4 x Max Reps
Looking for strict chin ups. Come all the way down. 90 seconds of rest between sets. 4 sets of as many chin ups as you can get. Rest 90 seconds between sets.
E – Dumbbell Incline Bench Press: 4 sets x 12, 10, 8, 6
Use a low incline setting.. somewhere around 30 degrees. Rest 90 seconds between sets. Add weight each set as the rep range moves down, ending with a heavy set of 6 reps.
Finisher:
Complete the finisher as quickly as possible, resting only when you have to.
F1 – Barbell Push Ups x 75 Reps
75 Reps of barbell push ups and band pull-aparts. Break the reps up however you need to. Just get them all in. 75 barbell push ups and 75 band pull-aparts. End the day with a pump and some solid burning.
F2 – Band Pull Aparts: 1 Set x 75 Reps
Watch the video for these. Lot of people doing these wrong out there. This is an amazing movement when done properly. I like pulling the band down and back to better mimic vertical pulling and really challenge the Rear Delts. Squeeze every rep and let this one burn.
Keep in mind this is just one training session in the larger context of a 4 week training block, and even further, in the larger context of the programming. This is not a copy and paste program. It’s unique programming, and you will get bigger and stronger if you stick around.
SupaStrong (Mike Richardson)
Bioforce Certified Conditioning Coach, Trainer. Coach/Creator of Swole Town and Supastrong.net. Currently a federal agent, formerly 11b Infantry in the US Army Reserves. Training and coaching are my passions.
The gyms will be open soon, and you better believe that first day is going to be national chest day. But that’s okay. You’ll be prepared. This chest and arm workout will mark your glorious return to the gym, and you’ll walk out with a massive pump. Let the hypertrophy begin.
Note: This training is taken from my Swole Town program, available through TrainHeroic; the world’s best training app. If you like this workout, come train with the team and get swole af.
Chest and Arms Go Together Like…
Peas and carrots, coffee and cream, alcohol and bad decisions.. You get the idea.
Chest and arms are a natural combination. All pressing movements, like the bench press, dumbell bench press and push ups already work the triceps pretty hard. So, it’s both efficient and productive to work the triceps alongside your chest exercises.
We’re going to work the biceps as well for this workout. And no, it won’t screw up tomorrow’s back day. I’ll show you how, just stay with me.
Chest and Tricep Anatomy
A little anatomy never hurt anyone. If your goal is to build muscle, then your chest and arm workout (and all your workouts) would benefit from having a deeper understanding of how to target specific muscles to get the most out of your training.
Chest Muscles
The Chest is actually made up of 4 separate muscles. The Pectoralis Major and Pectoralis Minor make up the vast majority of your chest muscle.
To work the Pectoralis minor, we can use dips and decline presses. Any movement where the body is leaning forward with the arms pressing at a downward angle.
Incline bench presses work the Pectoralis major, focusing on the Clavicular head of the muscle (the upper chest).
The pectoralis major is by far the largest and most dominant muscle in the chest. It spans across your chest from your shoulder to your sternum. It is responsible for moving the humerus (arm), and is worked during just about every chest exercise you’ll do.
With just a little variety we can easily hit all the muscles of the chest.
The Triceps
The triceps muscle is a little more interesting. It’s made up of 3 separate muscles. The lateral head, medial head and the long head.
To get the “horseshoe,” we need to specifically focus on the long head of the triceps. The long head can be isolated using movements like skull crushers, lying dumbell extensions, overhead triceps extensions and my favorite.. dips.
Well hit them all in our chest and arm workout, so don’t worry.
BFR Bands and Resistance Bands for Explosive Hypertrophy
For this workout, we’re going to use Blood Flow Restriction Bands (BFR) and Resistance Bands. These tools can take your workouts to the next level. You can take it from me, or read the research for yourself.
Blood flow restriction training, also known as “occlusion training” has been around for a long time. Bodybuilders have used it for years.
BFR bands are kind of like a tourniquet placed on your arms. Blood flow is restricted, limiting oxygen and blood to the working muscle.
They are meant to be used for high reps (15-30) with lighter loads (50% of your max or less). Normally, the slow twitch muscle fibers would be handling that type of work.
However, with restricted blood and oxygen, the slow twitch fibers cannot keep up. As a result, the fast twitch muscle fibers have to take over.
Finishing your workout with 10 minutes of fast paced BFR lifting will give you the biggest pump you’ve ever had in your arms. That pump is caused by cellular swelling, and is a precursor to increased testosterone and growth hormone release, and increased hypertrophy.
You can get a set of BFR Bands for around $30 on Amazon. I use these, and they’ve lasted me almost two years already. You’ll thank me later.
I like to use them primarily because I can get a ton of volume in with them without the joint stress I’d get from using dumbells, barbells or cables.
Resistance bands offer ascending resistance, meaning the resistance increases as the band stretches, towards the end of the movement.
Since people tend to be weak at the end range of motion, this can be very beneficial. (Think about that last few inches of the bench press when you can’t lock out your arms.)
With bands, we can safely throw in a ton of volume for arm training that we otherwise probably wouldn’t have been able to get in.
School’s over, and it’s time to get down to business. This chest and arm workout is probably different from what you’ve done before.
I don’t like copy and paste workouts or workout programs. There have been a lot of advancements in our understanding of how to build muscle and get stronger. This workout uses concepts that might be new to you, but if you want to grow, you’ve got to…. grow!
Here’s the workout. Scroll down for videos and explanations for each exercise and for specifics.
Exercise
Sets
Reps
Rest
A1 – Floor Flyes
3
10-12
A2 – Single Arm Bench Press
3
10
90 sec
B1 – Depth Push ups
4-5
3
B2 – Close Grip Bench Press
4-5
5
2 mins
C – Dips
4
10-12
90 sec
D – Incline Dmbl Bench Press
3
8-10
90 sec
E – BFR CIRCUIT
10 mins
30-15
minimal
E1 – Dmbl Hex Press
/
/
/
E2 – Plate Curls
/
/
/
E3 – Banded Triceps Ext
/
/
/
E4 – Reverse Curls
/
/
/
A and B performed as Supersets
1. Warm Up: Floor Flyes/Single Arm Press
Get a good warm up in by doing 3 sets of 10 reps for each. Perform these as a superset, resting 90 seconds between sets. Go light, it’s a warm up.
2. Depth Push ups to Close Grip Bench Press
Research shows that barbell work hits the triceps much harder than dumbells or cables. So I want to make the most of that.
Studies also show that performing explosive push-ups before a heavy bench press can improve your performance. I want to fully activate and stimulate the explosive fast twitch muscle fibers.
Perform 3 explosive depth push ups, then go immediately to the bench and hit 5 reps of close grip bench presses. Work up to the heaviest set of 5 you can get. Try to get there within 5 sets.
3. Dips
Dips are one of my favorite upper body exercises. I’d argue you can build more muscle with dips than with the bench press.
You’re looking for 10-12 reps. If you can get more than that, add weight with a Dip Belt or a dumbell between your legs. . Hit 3-4 sets of 10-12 reps.
To protect your shoulders, you can come down until your arms form a 90 degree angle, then push back up.
4. Incline Dumbell Bench Press
Nothing fancy here. We want to hit the upper portion of the chest. 3-4 sets of 8 reps. Be explosive when you press the weight up.
Peform the circuit for 10 minutes. Rest as little as possible. Get in as many reps as you can. Go from one exercise to the next.
On the first set, aim for 20-30 reps. Each set after that, your goal is 15 reps. Remember, with BFR Bands, you want to use lighter weight and get in a ton of reps.
All that volume will lead to big gains, and a massive pump. Crush it.
1. Hex Press:
Squeeze the dumbells together the whole set.
2. Plate Curls:
Grab a plate and curl it until your arms feel like they’re going to fall off. Get a good squeeze at the top.
3. Banded Triceps Extensions:
Keep tension on the triceps by trying not to pause or allow the band to come up too high. Constant movement. If you don’t have them, Invest in some Strength bands!
4. Reverse Curls
Grab an empty barbell, palms facing down and bang out some reverse curls. These really make for an insane forearm pump.
Remove the BFR Bands and marvel at the pump.
Maximize Your Gains
If you’re going to be putting in this kind of work, you might as well reap as much benefit from it as possible. Here’s a few things you should definitely be doing to make sure you maximize hypertrophy and recovery.
You don’t need to go crazy on the supplements. There are a few that can give you an edge that I’d recommend.
Creatine – increased power output, strength, recovery
L-Citrulline – Found in many pre-workouts, it is converted to nitric oxide in the body and improves blood flow. i.e, gives you a massive pump. Which of course, leads to more hypertrophy
Protein – If you aren’t getting at least 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight from food, then use a supplement.
L-Carnitine – Improved fat burning and increased androgen receptors (better use of testosterone = more muscle).
I recommend getting supplements from Bulk Supplements. It’s cheaper, you get way more, and it’s high quality, pure ingredients vs. the mixtures you get in pre-made supplement formulas. Your results will be better when you know exactly what you’re taking and how much.
Eating before your workout has been shown by research to have just as much impact on muscle building and protein synthesis as eating after.
During a workout like this chest and arm workout, you want to make sure you’ve got plenty of amino acids and carbohydrate in your body. This tells your body not to burn up muscle, and sends a stronger signal for muscle growth.
It also leads to better recovery after your workout. So, try to get in 20-30 grams of protein and some complex carbs 1-2 hours before your workout.
3. Take Rest Days Seriously
More is not always better. 4-5 workouts a week like this chest and arm workout is more than enough to stimulate massive hypertrophy. If you’re new to working out, 3 days might even be enough.
Prioritize rest and recovery. That’s when you actually build muscle, when you’re resting. Watch a movie, take a nap. Relax. You’ll come back feeling stronger and will build muscle faster.
4. Eat Enough to Build Muscle
You have to eat a surplus of calories to build muscle. There’s no way around it, unless you’re pumping yourself full of anabolic steroids.
Eat more. Get enough protein. Studies show 0.7 grams per pound of body weight of protein is adequate for most people.
Don’t lift like a beast then eat like a squirrel. Your body won’t build muscle that way, and you’ll be wasting a lot of effort.
Conclusion
I hope you actually put this workout to the test. I’d be excited to hear how it went. Let me know in the comments, or by email at Contact@supastrong.net
Here are a couple other articles you might find helpful:
As always, I hope this article helped you get a little closer to that best version of YOU!
Mike (Supastrong)
Bioforce Certified Conditioning Coach and personal trainer. I’ve run boot camps and served as the wellness coordinator for a fortune 500 company. Currently a Federal Agent in San Diego, CA, and an Infantryman in the Army Reserve.
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