Working a theory, need your input!

[Sandpig]

When I first started I grew like everyone does.

Then I basically stayed the same for twenty plus years.

Now in my late forties I'm making the best gains of my life.

In all these years I've tried everything. Arnolds, Mentzer's, DC etc.

What am I doing now? Well I was doing typical volume up untill a couple month's ago and now I'm doing Phil Hernon's low volume, high frequency.

Both have worked.

What do I think is the difference? FOOD! I have learned that I need so much more food than I always believed was necessary.

Not only am I getting in more calories but I make damn sure I go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time every morning. More or less.

I know this may not help with the original question but I think the #1 requirement is to make sure everything is done right not just the training.

Again this is my opinion on what has worked for me.

 

[The Grim Repper]

^ Totally agree on that man. You have to support the training stimulus with adequate nutrition and recovery.

 

[chicken_hawk]

Lot's of good input gents and it looks like we are on the same page. In regards to recovery I realize there are different rates for each us based on specific situations and individual situations. However I am glad the point was raised as it brings me to one of my other pet peeves and that is COOKIE CUTTER PROGRAMS, if we are all different then how can one say that 5-3-1 works for everyone or JAY CUTLERS routine is the best? For some HIT works best, for others German Volume.

Back on point, it's true I have not defined Volume of Intensity, but I can not as high volume is different for each individual also as a PLer there are programs that call for many sets well below failure which can not be compared with sets to failure. However, I do agree with you can either train long or hard and not only should those periods be cycled, but they are different for each of us.

That bring me to myself and the reason I asked this in the first place was in regards to myself. Having made the switch to PLing two years ago and having tried most popular cookie cutter routines, I have come to conclusion that most of them have too much volume or volume at a high intensity for me. I even had a pretty smart coach prescribe me a mild routine and it was more than I could recover from.

Now, what do I mean? I would go two or three weeks and start losing strength and had to struggle more and more to hit my numbers. Could I be a pussy? I suppose it's possible, but I think that it is several factors, one my age, things change after 40. Two, my job, I work with my hands in the hot sun each day before going in to the gym. And third, individual differences, combing one and two then adding to the fact I believe I am prone to lower volume.

All that to say, each one of us needs to find his own road, but as well change things using a planned approach based on those individual differences.

Hawk

 

[VanillaMandingo]

You actually make a few valid points, 1. The Noob effect 2. the body will adapt to whatever stress we submit it to. However, some people will respond better to a certain stressors better then others.

I suspect at this point that each person needs to find their own road like Magnus did. I also think that naturally heavier guys like myself who was made to be a linebacker or lineman respond to lower volume higher intensity....while the wide receiver body type will be better off to more volume...and they may actually be able to go bat out of hell for many sets and still recover. However, that is a broad stereotype.

Hawk

This reminds me of a topic that I brought up on PM several years back. I asked if anybody felt that there was a relationship between the optimal training style somebody should do and their body type. I was surprised to not get much feedback as I recall.

 

[chicken_hawk]

This reminds me of a topic that I brought up on PM several years back. I asked if anybody felt that there was a relationship between the optimal training style somebody should do and their body type. I was surprised to not get much feedback as I recall.

Well, unfortunately 9,877 members of a 10,000 member forum only want to know what dbol will make them huge and ripped while sitting on the couch. I and you on the other hand as well as the others in this thread have come to realize that AAS are just a piece of a larger puzzle.

Back to your point, I think stocky aka guys who are prone to be heavier are built for power and lower reps and therefore can't handle a ton of volume. While lean guys respond better to higher reps and more volume.

Hawk

 

[VanillaMandingo]

Sorry, I have not been on in a while. I am very interested to see some research on this topic.

 

[chicken_hawk]

Sorry, I have not been on in a while. I am very interested to see some research on this topic.

I think you will have to take that battle on yourself unfortunately bro. As I stated only about the 2 dozen who replied here actually think enough to be concerned with the topic. The others don't train hard enough to know the difference.

I see it in the gym ED. Guys on gear who have hardly changed in a year. On the other hand some of the bigger dudes at the gym take minimal gear but train and eat like animals.

On a note actually related to the topic. Just yesterday, I talked to two different PLer's who along with me were discovering that less is more. One guy cut down to training 3X week from 4 and the other cut down his sets. I actually added a day, but cut down to just two exercises per session from four.

Hawk

 

[Phoe2006]

I think you will have to take that battle on yourself unfortunately bro. As I stated only about the 2 dozen who replied here actually think enough to be concerned with the topic. The others don't train hard enough to know the difference.

I see it in the gym ED. Guys on gear who have hardly changed in a year. On the other hand some of the bigger dudes at the gym take minimal gear but train and eat like animals.

On a note actually related to the topic. Just yesterday, I talked to two different PLer's who along with me were discovering that less is more. One guy cut down to training 3X week from 4 and the other cut down his sets. I actually added a day, but cut down to just two exercises per session from four.

Hawk

Who doesn't work out hard enough? Lol

 

[Phoe2006]

On a side note currently only on a trt dose of prop and 5 ius split up in the day and keep getting good that I look better than I ever have

That being said I've never eaten this clean and healthy, can't wait to run a normal dose for me to see where it takes me