# Resistance training- diminishing returns? **URL:** \ **Category:** Training Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [July 12, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689 "2023-07-12T21:00:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mosh87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mosh87](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Mosh87)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/1 "2023-07-12T21:00:28Z")
A number of studies including large systematic reviews and meta analyses have now found a j-shaped relationship between resistance training and overall mortality. One of the more recent articles (which cites similar findings in the intro and discussion) is linked to below. Granted these are based on observational studies with all the limitations they entail, but they all consistently show reduced benefit, and even possible harm, of resistance training on overall mortality and CVD past a certain amount (usually around ~150 minutes/ week). My question is this- based on these studies, is there a particular amount of resistance training that you would recommend not exceeding per week? ​ [https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-abstract/46/1/138/147954/Long-term-Weight-Training-and-Mortality-in-U-S?redirectedFrom=fulltext](https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-abstract/46/1/138/147954/Long-term-Weight-Training-and-Mortality-in-U-S?redirectedFrom=fulltext) ---
**Author:** ![Austin\_Baraki](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/austin_baraki/32/1095_2.png) [@Austin\_Baraki](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Austin_Baraki)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/2 "2023-07-12T21:29:33Z")
I recommend meeting or exceeding current physical activity guidelines. If an individual is doing this, I do not have concerns about a safe upper limit of resistance exercise, provided the person can tolerate it from a musculoskeletal standpoint, and they are not using unsafe methods to do so (e.g., anabolic steroid use, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Mosh87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mosh87](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Mosh87)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/3 "2023-07-12T22:02:42Z")
Thanks, doc. Can you clarify whether resistance training counts towards the recommended 150 minutes/ week of physical activity? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 10:47pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/4 "2023-07-12T22:47:46Z")
> [@Mosh87](#): > > Thanks, doc. Can you clarify whether resistance training counts towards the recommended 150 minutes/ week of physical activity? It does not, as this recommendation is for moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic activity. That refers to cardiorespiratory (“cardio”) exercise and not resistance training. ---
**Author:** ![Mosh87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mosh87](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Mosh87)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 11:30pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/5 "2023-07-12T23:30:49Z")
Thanks so much for clarifying. Does that mean that if I’m not meeting the recommended 150 minutes/ week of aerobic exercise there may be more of a risk in overdoing it with resistance training, or am I misinterpreting your response? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/6 "2023-07-13T16:09:20Z")
> [@Mosh87](#): > > Thanks so much for clarifying. Does that mean that if I’m not meeting the recommended 150 minutes/ week of aerobic exercise there may be more of a risk in overdoing it with resistance training, or am I misinterpreting your response? Nope. It means you’re not meeting the conditioning guidelines and would likely see health and performance benefits by doing so. It’s not an either resistance training or cardio thing with exercise. We should be doing both. ---
**Author:** ![Mosh87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@Mosh87](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Mosh87)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/resistance-training-diminishing-returns/13689/7 "2023-07-14T20:10:35Z")
Thank you both!