Quality over Quantity: Why You Get More Workout Benefits From Slower Quality Reps than Fast 1/2 Reps

Want the most out of your workout regardless of your goal or purpose? Stop 1/2 repping and focus on quality reps over quantity!
By
Robert Schwartz
March 14, 2023
Quality over Quantity: Why You Get More Workout Benefits From Slower Quality Reps than Fast 1/2 Reps

Quality over Quantity: Why You Get More Workout Benefits From Slower Quality Reps than Fast 1/2 Reps

I see it every day! You're in the gym, working hard on your lifts. But are you getting the most out of your workout? Whether you are looking for strength (Lower reps, more weight) or Endurance (Higher reps lower weight) The quality of your rep and achieving the proper stimulus is ALWAYS important. All too often I see athletes in the gym trying to maximize intensity with 1/2 reps just to say they did 100 or finish with a faster time. I get it-but if you can't complete the full reps-drop the weight. Here's why quality over quantity is important when it comes to your workout benefits.

The difference between quality reps and quantity reps

When it comes to getting fit, there's something to be said for quality versus quantity of reps. Instead of knocking out a million subpar reps, focused concentration and mindful technique can help you get better results in fewer reps. Quality rep instruction from a knowledgeable fitness professional is the surest way to make sure you're doing things correctly and get the most out of every movement. Properties like range of motion, balance and coordination are all important factors in producing quality reps. So if you want to reach your fitness goals faster and more efficiently, remember: focus on form and quality over quantity.

Why quality reps are more beneficial than quantity reps

Quality reps are more beneficial than quantity reps when it comes to lifting weights. The goal with lifting is to activate the right muscles and if you're fatigued, that's not going to happen. Quality reps ensure that, while pumping out a ton of reps with bad form will only leave you open to injury. That's why elite strength and conditioning coaches preach focusing on quality over quantity. Doing fewer reps with perfect form is always better than doing more brutal ones overall — it'll give your body a chance to tighten up and get the most gains possible out of each set. Quality reps won't just lead to better results, but also a much safer journey for your athleticism in the end!

How to perform quality reps

When it comes to performing quality reps, you have to be your own biggest critic. Identify when you're cheating yourself out of the best form possible, and resolutely focus on the purpose of each movement. Pay attention to why you're lifting that weight and use proper lifting techniques – like using explosive movements to increase power or really focusing on the eccentric (contraction) portion of the lift for muscle building purposes. Train with intention, quality over quantity, practice consistency, and above all don't be afraid to fail as long as you finished strong!

The benefits of quality over quantity reps

When it comes to working out, I always advise people to base their workouts around quality over quantity reps. Doing your exercises with extra focus and intensity are of vital importance for getting the most out of them and reaching your potential. Quality reps are also more important when it comes to recovering from injury or pushing past a plateau in order to maximize your progress. This especially rings true as you age, because maintaining a certain level of skill requires consistent maintenance; rush through something too quickly and you’re looking at more bad than good. So whenever you’re in the gym or wherever training, just remember that it’s all about quality over quantity for achieving peak performance and staying healthy.


If you're looking to build quality muscle, then you need to start doing quality reps. Quality reps are more beneficial than quantity reps because they help improve your form and technique, which leads to better results in the long run. Plus, performing quality reps will help prevent injuries down the road. To perform a quality rep, focus on using proper form and really squeezing your muscles at the top of the lift. Remember, it's not about how many reps you can do—it's about how well you can do them. When it comes to building muscle, quality over quantity always wins!

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