There was/is a trend of "science gyms" that do 20 minute per week personal training.
The meticulous PT format and exercise selection allows them to achieve more muscle gain in 20 minutes per week than median trainees achieve in 2-3 hours. The short sessions make personal training economically viable.
That said... optimizing that heavily tends to eliminate all unmeasured benefits. The habit forming. Mentality/personality changes that would occur from more typical exercise approaches. Cardio. Etc.
But... it does demonstrate the principle.
Minimum effective doses are powerful. But, they require precision.
Also... you need to consider the candidate. If your body is adapted to almost no exercise... it is also highly sensitive to seemingly small doses of it.
What is or is not "exercise" is mostly determined by proximity to your day to day.
If you never exercise, never speak to other people, or never eat any fresh food... a little goes a very long way.
> The meticulous PT format and exercise selection allows them to achieve more muscle gain in 20 minutes per week than median trainees achieve in 2-3 hours.
This is a strong statement that is presented without evidence, and which conflicts with scientific consensus.
Studies show again and again that the most important factors are consistency and training volume.
If the program is more effective, which is questionable in itself, then the reasons are likely 1. reduction of burnout and/or 2. much more intense training. Not PT format or exercise selection.
> Minimum effective doses are powerful. But, they require precision.
And it's also important to think about the fact that an MED doesn't get you the biggest effect size. It's the minimum to get a desired effect, but that doesn't mean you get the most of that effect.
You may get more fit in 20 minutes per week than if you did zero, but you certainly can't match someone who works out 5 times a week.
An MED is great for something necessary you want to get out of the way. But this kind of thinking takes the joy out of doing things you thoroughly enjoy and perfecting minute details nobody else will ever care about, just because you care so much about the craft.
The meticulous PT format and exercise selection allows them to achieve more muscle gain in 20 minutes per week than median trainees achieve in 2-3 hours. The short sessions make personal training economically viable.
That said... optimizing that heavily tends to eliminate all unmeasured benefits. The habit forming. Mentality/personality changes that would occur from more typical exercise approaches. Cardio. Etc.
But... it does demonstrate the principle.
Minimum effective doses are powerful. But, they require precision.
Also... you need to consider the candidate. If your body is adapted to almost no exercise... it is also highly sensitive to seemingly small doses of it.
What is or is not "exercise" is mostly determined by proximity to your day to day.
If you never exercise, never speak to other people, or never eat any fresh food... a little goes a very long way.