"Seems like the benefits could go beyond aesthetics." They do. Volume, usually defined using tonnage (weight x reps x sets) at a certain intensity (% of your m

"Seems like the benefits could go beyond aesthetics." They do. Volume, usually defined using tonnage (weight x reps x sets) at a certain intensity (% of your maximal strength) is the main predictor not only of hypertrophy but also of strength gains in training. That is why all of the strongest powerlifters, who are only interested in moving as much weight as possible, train in that way (medium/heavy weights). Coach/powerlifter Greg Nuckols has written two books on the topic (The Art of Lifting and the Science of Lifting) which are sort of summarizing the literature on the subject, but you can find a lot of the content for free on his blog strengtheory (for example this post: http://www.strengtheory.com/more-is-more/ http://www.strengtheory.com/more-is-more/) Two other web pages offering meta analysis of the literature are http://www.strengthandconditioningresearch.com/strength/#3 http://www.strengthandconditioningresearch.com/strength/#3 (about strength) and http://www.strengthandconditioningresearch.com/hypertrophy/#3 http://www.strengthandconditioningresearch.com/hypertrophy/#... (about hypertrophy)