Glossary
Mechanical tension
Mechanical tension is the force a muscle generates against resistance during a lift.
Considered the primary driver of muscle growth — heavy or near-failure work produces high mechanical tension.
Related terms
Hypertrophy
Hypertrophy is the technical name for muscle growth at the cellular level.
Working set
A working set is a set taken close to failure — usually within 1 to 3 reps of stopping.
Metabolic stress
Metabolic stress is the buildup of metabolic byproducts like lactate in a muscle during high-rep work.