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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: myseone on December 23, 2006, 08:19:04 PM

Title: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 23, 2006, 08:19:04 PM
Here are the more famous people who have used H.I.T. methodology, add to this thousands of others that have found great success with brief and brutal training methods.

the proof is in the pudding...
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 23, 2006, 08:20:37 PM
theyre nowhere. maybe they got injured along the way.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 23, 2006, 08:21:36 PM
more
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 23, 2006, 08:23:06 PM
more
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 23, 2006, 08:24:24 PM
more
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 23, 2006, 08:28:37 PM
and more, the point is that HIT has been used successfully by many bodybuilders with out injury (except Yates)...and should be considered a legitimate method of training.

It's important to note that Mike Mentzer developed his own form of HIT called Heavy Duty.


Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Dan-O on December 24, 2006, 12:11:02 AM
Lee Labrada was another HIT proponent.

(http://pesas.org/imagenes/lee-labrada.jpg)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Figo on December 24, 2006, 12:20:31 AM
Lee Labrada was another HIT proponent.

(http://pesas.org/imagenes/lee-labrada.jpg)

Not HIT as advocated by Jones, Mentzer, Yates and Darden, but a form of abbreviated training, that seemed a blend of volume and heavy-duty.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: king on December 24, 2006, 12:20:57 AM
myseone do you use hit?

i've browed through you website a bit but still dont know
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 24, 2006, 12:26:08 AM
lets see their actual lifting schedules first. yates was supposedly HIT but in blood and guts he was doing a 2-on 2-off schedule (too high frequency for HIT), and he pyramided everything up to a heaviest set. hell that's how ronnie lifts if you ignore the few pump-out sets he'll do on a few lifts.

and most of those guys didn't turn to HIT until way late in their careers. on mentzer's end he was evolving his theory of how it should work as he went. it wasn't until he was almost finished that he was down to 2-3 workouts a week that were so short.

if you loosen the definition of HIT to be "any training that involves working up to a max effort set" then if you pyramid you do HIT, and then lots of people do. but i'd bet most anything that IF any of those guys actually did the 2-3 workouts a week that never go over 45 minutes, they built themselves on volume and later switched.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: what: on December 24, 2006, 12:32:07 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 08:19:29 AM
I was going to put Labrada up, but did'nt because he's some where in the middle of HIT and volume methods; he's still closer to HIT.




Not HIT as advocated by Jones, Mentzer, Yates and Darden, but a form of abbreviated training, that seemed a blend of volume and heavy-duty.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 08:32:06 AM
I hear you,

There is a lot of confusion regarding what HIT is, many people confuse what Mentzer was doing later on for HIT taught by Art Jones. Jones tended to advocate higher sets for muscle groups, particualry when a muscle group was being specialized on, up to 5-6 sets. HIT means...brief, brutal, intense, to failure training done infrequently.

If you read Yates original book "Blood and Guts" you'll see that he was heavily influenced by Arthur Jones, Ellington Darden and Mentzer, as he committed a whole month to the study of their material before he started working out.

His first training program was a whole body three time a week program, 1 exercise per muscle group, 3 sets per exercise, definitely HIT training (compare to Art Jones Nautillus Bulletins).

Yates then used a split program alternating legs and arms with torso muscles, 3 times a week alternating, he used this program to build most of his mass, real basic, about 5 sets for big muscles and about 2-3 for smaller muscle groups, to failure; still definitely HIT.

Yates then went to a 3 way split, then eventually a 4 way split, to specialize on more muscle groups and perfect his form. The bulk of his muscle was built with the infrequent training methods, aka. HIT; similiar to what Mentzer was orignially doing.

Despite his hybrid training style Yates can still be regarded as more HIT than not. His training is not the same as Colemans.


lets see their actual lifting schedules first. yates was supposedly HIT but in blood and guts he was doing a 2-on 2-off schedule (too high frequency for HIT), and he pyramided everything up to a heaviest set. hell that's how ronnie lifts if you ignore the few pump-out sets he'll do on a few lifts.

and most of those guys didn't turn to HIT until way late in their careers. on mentzer's end he was evolving his theory of how it should work as he went. it wasn't until he was almost finished that he was down to 2-3 workouts a week that were so short.

if you loosen the definition of HIT to be "any training that involves working up to a max effort set" then if you pyramid you do HIT, and then lots of people do. but i'd bet most anything that IF any of those guys actually did the 2-3 workouts a week that never go over 45 minutes, they built themselves on volume and later switched.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 08:47:33 AM
I personally believe that there is much to learn from both HIT and HVT camps, and some one like Labrada or Yates modified the technique in the best way. I use a hybrid form myself currently but I have trained with pure HIT style at various points in my lifting career.

Right now I train about three times a week on non-consecutive days. Each workout takes about 30-35 minutes in length (this is not counting the stretching, 5 minutes of bike that I do before training)

I'll do a couple of warm up sets for my first exercise of a muscle group, to aclimate my body to the heavy work. I'll then set up three exercises for a muscle group. I'll perform the first one with drop sets, negatives, forced reps, etc.. then move to my next exercise immediately do the same there minus the warm up, then move to the next one and do the same thing minus the warm up. So it usually takes only 10-15 minutes to bust up a muscle group. I'll then rest 2 minutes warm up the next muscle group for a set or 2 then hit that.

I don't do many sets, for chest 2-3 warm up sets, then 3 work sets with drops total. For biceps 1 warm up set, 2 work sets total.

For the typical drug free advanced trainee this will work well, for the beginner and intermediate (those with less than 3 years of foundation training) I suggest a straight sets, 2 basic exercises for large muscles and 1 exercise for smaller muscle groups, 1-2 warm ups for each movement, then 1-2 work sets per exercise; training primarily to build strength in the squat, deadlift, chin, dip, chest press, row, and overhead press. Married with rest days, lots of nutritous food, intensity this will make anyone bigger....of course how big you eventually get depends upon your genetics and discipline.


Lawrence


myseone do you use hit?

i've browed through you website a bit but still dont know
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 08:57:04 AM
All those "champs" where built on volume training after they started hit it worked for a little while because it allowed them to recover.

Nowadays the people that do hit are just lazy and want a shortcut but they will not get optimum results training that way.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:13:09 AM
You don't know your history, read and ask those men you'll learn. It would be good to put you through an HIT work out I think that you'd change your opinion.


All those "champs" where built on volume training after they started hit it worked for a little while because it allowed them to recover.

Nowadays the people that do hit are just lazy and want a shortcut but they will not get optimum results training that way.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 24, 2006, 09:14:38 AM
All those "champs" where built on volume training after they started hit it worked for a little while because it allowed them to recover.

Nowadays the people that do hit are just lazy and want a shortcut but they will not get optimum results training that way.
you better watch out Alexxx, "myesone" squats 900 for 10 on the Smith Machine. ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:16:38 AM
chuckle

you better watch out Alexxx, "myesone" squats 900 for 10 on the Smith Machine. ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:16:55 AM
you better watch out Alexxx, "myesone" squats 900 for 10 on the Smith Machine. ::)

LMAO!! You're not serious are you?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:17:49 AM
You don't know your history, read and ask those men you'll learn. It would be good to put you through an HIT work out I think that you'd change your opinion.



Sure I would do your hit workout and then do it 10 more times so that I could get some decent stimulation.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 24, 2006, 09:17:54 AM
LMAO!! You're not serious are you?
hahahaha, that's what he claims, he also claims to shoulder press 405 for 10 on the Smith as well, looks like we've got another Matt Duvall on board. ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:21:57 AM
What state do you live in? If you were close to NYC I'd put you through a leg work out.


Sure I would do your hit workout and then do it 10 more times so that I could get some decent stimulation.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:26:23 AM
hahahaha, that's what he claims, he also claims to shoulder press 405 for 10 on the Smith as well, looks like we've got another Matt Duvall on board. ::)

Oh man you gotta love those guys that use the smith machine! haha funniest thing! I was training with another guy when I was 16 years old and he would get me to do 225 pound closegrip benches on the smith. Thing is I could probably barely get that with 135 pounds free weight!

What state do you live in? If you were close to NYC I'd put you through a leg work out.

I am in montreal my little friend. If I ever pass by there I will make sure to pm me and own you in the gym.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 24, 2006, 09:28:51 AM
Oh man you gotta love those guys that use the smith machine! haha funniest thing! I was training with another guy when I was 16 years old and he would get me to do 225 pound closegrip benches on the smith. Thing is I could probably barely get that with 135 pounds free weight!

I am in montreal my little friend. If I ever pass by there I will make sure to pm me and own you in the gym.
hahahaha, exactly, the funny thing is that he never challenges it when i call him on his claims, he's either full of shit or he's way stronger than Ronnie Coleman. ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:30:04 AM
hahahaha, exactly, the funny thing is that he never challenges it when i call him on his claims, he's either full of shit or he's way stronger than Ronnie Coleman. ::)

hmmm maybe he does it kamali style??
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:30:14 AM
Yeah we can end legs with your favorite machine


Oh man you gotta love those guys that use the smith machine! haha funniest thing! I was training with another guy when I was 16 years old and he would get me to do 225 pound closegrip benches on the smith. Thing is I could probably barely get that with 135 pounds free weight!

I am in montreal my little friend. If I ever pass by there I will make sure to pm me and own you in the gym.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:31:58 AM
A lot of energy went into that thread about a year ago, I'm not going there again.

Your the winner Squad


hahahaha, exactly, the funny thing is that he never challenges it when i call him on his claims, he's either full of shit or he's way stronger than Ronnie Coleman. ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 24, 2006, 09:32:12 AM
Yeah we can end legs with your favorite machine


i'm calling you a liar "myesone", what do you say to that?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:33:31 AM
Yeah we can end legs with your favorite machine



haha your insecurities are showing. I own you on legs. ;)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:33:55 AM
Thats okay, I can live with that.


i'm calling you a liar "myesone", what do you say to that?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:35:07 AM
You have good quad shape, but I would destroy you in leg training.


haha your insecurities are showing. I own you on legs. ;)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:36:05 AM
You have good quad shape, but I would destroy you in leg training.



I gotta admit I have never tried 900 pound machine squats but if its anything like the leg press then consider yourself owned.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:37:49 AM
Nothing like it, leg presses are far easier by comparison, the compressive forces of having that much weight on your back changes the equation.


I gotta admit I have never tried 900 pound machine squats but if its anything like the leg press then consider yourself owned.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:41:56 AM
Answer me this myseone.. when you gained the most size was it throught hit or volume?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:42:56 AM
HIT definitely. I can't say I ever used HVT for very long.


Answer me this myseone.. when you gained the most size was it throught hit or volume?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:47:35 AM
HIT definitely. I can't say I ever used HVT for very long.



With hit training your muscles seem one dimensional. With volume you can give that dramatic effect. Example: Arnold vs Franco

Franco's muscles are always there there is no big surprise when he flexes.

Arnold on the other hand is has a showman's body. His muscles would exploded and freak out the crowd. His arms went from 19" unflexed to 22 inches flexed!

I think that is the main difference between hit and volume.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:49:46 AM
I have to clarify that I wasn't saying that HVT doesn't work, it definitely works hence the physiques built by many trainees on the system. I was stating that there are many trainees that use HIT techniques with great success.

I think the bottom line is progressive resistance.


HIT definitely. I can't say I ever used HVT for very long.


Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: getfast81 on December 24, 2006, 09:53:01 AM
High Intensity is the way to go. 4 years in and workouts dont get any easier.  Dugdale is another HIT trainer.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:54:54 AM
I don't agree fully,
When Sergio, Casey and Mentzer were using these techniques their muscles looked totally 3D.

I think gentically some peoples muscles come alive when posed, others not much, I'm not sure if training has much to do with that.

I will say that higher volume training will increase glycogen stores when married with higher carbs, hence giving the muscle a fuller look. For building hard granite muscle (aka. Yates and Casey [include drugs and genetics) then to failure and beyond training with heavy weight is neccessary.




With hit training your muscles seem one dimensional. With volume you can give that dramatic effect. Example: Arnold vs Franco

Franco's muscles are always there there is no big surprise when he flexes.

Arnold on the other hand is has a showman's body. His muscles would exploded and freak out the crowd. His arms went from 19" unflexed to 22 inches flexed!

I think that is the main difference between hit and volume.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:59:02 AM
I forgot about Dugdale, another great example. The stuff works.

Even though all these bodybuilders juice, I think that HIT type training is more suited for drug free trainees, because of the recovery factor. I think people freak out when they read Mentzers protocol due to the huge amounts of rest included. mentzers method is only one interpretation of HIT training, just like in the HVT camp Cutler trains differently, than Wheeler or Coleman.




High Intensity is the way to go. 4 years in and workouts dont get any easier.  Dugdale is another HIT trainer.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 10:00:23 AM
I don't agree fully,
When Sergio, Casey and Mentzer were using these techniques their muscles looked totally 3D.

I think gentically some peoples muscles come alive when posed, others not much, I'm not sure if training has much to do with that.

I will say that higher volume training will increase glycogen stores when married with higher carbs, hence giving the muscle a fuller look. For building hard granite muscle (aka. Yates and Casey [include drugs and genetics) then to failure and beyond training with heavy weight is neccessary.

Sergio used the techniques for a short period of time. Casey never improved after turning to hit. Mentzer has some good arms but they are always there if he flexes them they are the same size. Nothing surprising happens.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: getfast81 on December 24, 2006, 10:05:06 AM
I forgot about Dugdale, another great example. The stuff works.

Even though all these bodybuilders juice, I think that HIT type training is more suited for drug free trainees, because of the recovery factor. I think people freak out when they read Mentzers protocol due to the huge amounts of rest included. mentzers method is only one interpretation of HIT training, just like in the HVT camp Cutler trains differently, than Wheeler or Coleman.




Everyone is truly different as trainers.  Yates was a lot different than Mentzer.  Dugdale is a whole world different than Yates b/c he supersets and so on.  Labradas style of HIT is what I lean more towards.  8-10 reps, 2-3 all out sets with forced reps, rest pause, beyond failure, etc.  Thats the great thing about training theories. They all work.  Doggcrapp, HIT, HVT.  Everyone can benefit from trying them all or incorporating them into their training every so often. (When gains start to disappear)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 10:05:30 AM
When Sergio used the technique he grew, after he left Nautillus as an employee he trained HVT style. The most impressive picture that I have seen of Sergio was when he was employed at Nautillus (the earlier pics are an example).

Casey made his best gains using HIT training, after his employ at Nautillus he went to HVT and he got smaller.

Mentzers arms, genetics again, still impressive though.

I don't use drugs, have made good gains using HIT type techniques, and don't consider my muscles 2D.



Sergio used the techniques for a short period of time. Casey never improved after turning to hit. Mentzer has some good arms but they are always there if he flexes them they are the same size. Nothing surprising happens.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 10:07:32 AM
I agree. I would like to see the results if all bodybuilders were drug free (ain't gonna happen any time soon probably), if specific styles work better in most of the cases.


Everyone is truly different as trainers.  Yates was a lot different than Mentzer.  Dugdale is a whole world different than Yates b/c he supersets and so on.  Labradas style of HIT is what I lean more towards.  8-10 reps, 2-3 all out sets with forced reps, rest pause, beyond failure, etc.  Thats the great thing about training theories. They all work.  Doggcrapp, HIT, HVT.  Everyone can benefit from trying them all or incorporating them into their training every so often. (When gains start to disappear)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 10:22:45 AM
How long have you been doing HIT/HVT and what where your results?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 24, 2006, 10:57:05 AM
there are no other athletes on the planet who think that training for an hour a day five days a week is too much. olympic lifters outlift your favorite bodybuilders and they'll train 2-3 hours a day every day. powerlifters have marathon sessions with nonstop heavy lifting.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Miss Demeanor on December 24, 2006, 11:41:07 AM
there are no other athletes on the planet who think that training for an hour a day five days a week is too much. olympic lifters outlift your favorite bodybuilders and they'll train 2-3 hours a day every day. powerlifters have marathon sessions with nonstop heavy lifting.

Curiously, however, those Olympic lifters don't have the muscle BBers do.  For every O lifter you could show me with great trap development, erectors or quads, I could show you many more that look like average, fairly thin men.  Far more often than not, BBers will be much more muscular than O lifters of similar height and weight.  Slowly getting ever-more proficient at a handful of lifts and training for hypertrophy would seem counterindicated.  When the pursuit's size, overtraining is a very real concern.

And it's quite a stretch to say all, or even most, powerlifters all employ "marathon" sessions.  Some do.  Many don't. 
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Sir William Idol on December 24, 2006, 11:51:48 AM
Curiously, however, those Olympic lifters don't have the muscle BBers do.  For every O lifter you could show me with great trap development, erectors or quads, I could show you many more that look like average, fairly thin men.  Far more often than not, BBers will be much more muscular than O lifters of similar height and weight.  Slowly getting ever-more proficient at a handful of lifts and training for hypertrophy would seem counterindicated.  When the pursuit's size, overtraining is a very real concern.

And it's quite a stretch to say all, or even most, powerlifters all employ "marathon" sessions.  Some do.  Many don't. 

think that has anything to do with the fact olympic lifters are rigorously tested for compounds ranging from steroids down to ingredients found in cold medicines?  and bodybuilders are constantly on mega doses of every drug known to man?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Sir William Idol on December 24, 2006, 11:54:37 AM
(http://www.hosannahdiesel.com/images/forsale/enlarged/enlarged9.jpg)

(http://images.albertdershman.com/d/327-2/you_gonna_get_raped.jpg)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 24, 2006, 11:55:08 AM
Curiously, however, those Olympic lifters don't have the muscle BBers do.  For every O lifter you could show me with great trap development, erectors or quads, I could show you many more that look like average, fairly thin men.  Far more often than not, BBers will be much more muscular than O lifters of similar height and weight.  Slowly getting ever-more proficient at a handful of lifts and training for hypertrophy would seem counterindicated.  When the pursuit's size, overtraining is a very real concern.

And it's quite a stretch to say all, or even most, powerlifters all employ "marathon" sessions.  Some do.  Many don't. 

that's probably because the oly lifters are training for a sport, and as said above they are tested year round. my point is that they aren't overtraining despite lifting for hours a day with much heavier weights than bb'ers use. if you listen to the HIT acolytes if you workout for more than 45 minutes and are stupid enough to lift two days in a row you'll fall apart.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Miss Demeanor on December 24, 2006, 11:57:08 AM
think that has anything to do with the fact olympic lifters are rigorously tested for compounds ranging from steroids down to ingredients found in cold medicines?  and bodybuilders are constantly on mega doses of every drug known to man?

Nope, because I'm not talking about juiced-up bodybuilders. 

But Mr. Magoo:  I understand what you mean about the HIT people.  Some of them do take the "you'll overtrain, woooooo!" stuff to a silly extreme.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: natural al on December 24, 2006, 12:29:07 PM
Nope, because I'm not talking about juiced-up bodybuilders. 

But Mr. Magoo:  I understand what you mean about the HIT people.  Some of them do take the "you'll overtrain, woooooo!" stuff to a silly extreme.

I'm more convinced right now than any other time in my life that the majority of guys in the gym today are doing 2 things that are totally stopping them from progressing as they could:

1-overtraining, in this I mean half the guys out there could cut down from training 5 times a week to 3, cut thier sets in half up the intesity and take the rest of the week to recover and they would probably get better results, they're not really "overtrained" in the classical sense but they are running along the lines of overtraining.

2-doing useless movements.  c'mon, I see dudes who weigh 160lbs soaking wet and they're doing cable side laterals and dumbbell kickbacks......suck it up pile the plates on a bar and start doing some close grip bench presses as heavy as you can and you'll get alot more out of your workouts, everytime I do cardio I can watch guys train and it's like "why in the hell are you doing that?" I just don't get it.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: natural al on December 24, 2006, 12:37:05 PM
Lee Labrada was another HIT proponent.

(http://pesas.org/imagenes/lee-labrada.jpg)

it don't get much better than that, no flaws anywhere.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 24, 2006, 12:49:48 PM
i always liked this analogy with HIT training: if you want a tan, do you sit out in the sun with lotion on for an hour or so a day, or do you lay in a fire for 30 seconds once a week?

i powerlift now, and here's the most interesting part. i don't do any forced reps, no negatives, no supersets, no drop sets. if i need any help on a rep the set is over. i do more sets than i ever did before. the end result was all of my lifts shooting up. i used to internalize the "intensity" mantra and did massive amounts of drop sets, burnouts, anything i could to make it hurt. i stagnated like crazy.

these days i leave the gym pretty clear-headed. after a squat workout i can walk around just fine and the next day i'm not screaming in pain. while it may strike some that i'm not "intense" enough any more and i know some people are going to think my workouts are too long (usually the main lift of the day takes me over a half hour all by itself), i'm stronger than i've ever been.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 24, 2006, 01:15:51 PM
sounds good. intensity is  WAY overrated.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 01:36:53 PM
So many people train high volume, 5 days a week, yet so few build really impressive physiques drug free. How many people at your gym look exactly the same that they did last year, or the year before despite working out with HVT, most of those that make progress are using drugs.

Another point, prior to HEAVY drug use among trainees, most bodybuilders worked out no longer than 3 days a week full body (1940-50).

My point is that the AVERAGE trainee will respond better to infrequent training with low to moderate volume, and higher intensity, something along the line of what Stuart Mc Roberts teaches.

Steriod and other growth drugs changes the body's physiology, thus the rules change.

My stance is: Progressive resistance on basic exercises done 2-4 times a week will produce the best result for MOST DRUG FREE TRAINEES.

Law


that's probably because the oly lifters are training for a sport, and as said above they are tested year round. my point is that they aren't overtraining despite lifting for hours a day with much heavier weights than bb'ers use. if you listen to the HIT acolytes if you workout for more than 45 minutes and are stupid enough to lift two days in a row you'll fall apart.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 01:38:16 PM
I agree. Most people focus on putting in doors, painting walls, brining in furniture way before they build the house.


I'm more convinced right now than any other time in my life that the majority of guys in the gym today are doing 2 things that are totally stopping them from progressing as they could:

1-overtraining, in this I mean half the guys out there could cut down from training 5 times a week to 3, cut thier sets in half up the intesity and take the rest of the week to recover and they would probably get better results, they're not really "overtrained" in the classical sense but they are running along the lines of overtraining.

2-doing useless movements.  c'mon, I see dudes who weigh 160lbs soaking wet and they're doing cable side laterals and dumbbell kickbacks......suck it up pile the plates on a bar and start doing some close grip bench presses as heavy as you can and you'll get alot more out of your workouts, everytime I do cardio I can watch guys train and it's like "why in the hell are you doing that?" I just don't get it.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 01:42:08 PM
I agree intensity can be abused, something that many HIT advocates don't understand. If you sit in front of the sun at 12 noon, on a clear day, at the equator, with oil on and put a large magnifying glass in front of you that would be very intense, and it would'nt take long to hurt yourself. The higher the intensity of effort the less volume is neccessary, but it does'nt prove that training to failure or beyond is neccessary, I don't think it is all the time.

The bottom line is progression.

Law


i always liked this analogy with HIT training: if you want a tan, do you sit out in the sun with lotion on for an hour or so a day, or do you lay in a fire for 30 seconds once a week?

i powerlift now, and here's the most interesting part. i don't do any forced reps, no negatives, no supersets, no drop sets. if i need any help on a rep the set is over. i do more sets than i ever did before. the end result was all of my lifts shooting up. i used to internalize the "intensity" mantra and did massive amounts of drop sets, burnouts, anything i could to make it hurt. i stagnated like crazy.

these days i leave the gym pretty clear-headed. after a squat workout i can walk around just fine and the next day i'm not screaming in pain. while it may strike some that i'm not "intense" enough any more and i know some people are going to think my workouts are too long (usually the main lift of the day takes me over a half hour all by itself), i'm stronger than i've ever been.


Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 24, 2006, 01:43:07 PM
stuart mcroberts books and articles makes good toilet paper.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 01:46:09 PM
How do you currently train?


stuart mcroberts books and articles makes good toilet paper.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 24, 2006, 01:55:56 PM
I agree intensity can be abused, something that many HIT advocates don't understand. If you sit in front of the sun at 12 noon, on a clear day, at the equator, with oil on and put a large magnifying glass in front of you that would be very intense, and it would'nt take long to hurt yourself. The higher the intensity of effort the less volume is neccessary, but it does'nt prove that training to failure or beyond is neccessary, I don't think it is all the time.

The bottom line is progression.

Law

you're right, but growth isn't simple addition. it's not like for intensity x and volume y, x + y = growth, where dropping the intensity means upping the volume and vice versa. otherwise you could drop the volume to near zero and go retardedly high intensity or drop the intensity to nothing and lift for 10 hours.

intensity is good, but everything i've read about the HIT principles is just taking it too far. the principles would never work for another sport, i have no idea why people think bodybuilding is so unique. imagine a shotputter going out onto the field and doing three throws with a 40 pound medicine ball then going home.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 02:00:38 PM
I agree, never said it was, nothing exists in absolute form. In a gym context I do think that most people waste volume and don't train hard enough, my point being most. In your case I think you have found something that works well.

In my own training I don't max out all the time, and do bring my volume up to the moderate range every now and then.




you're right, but growth isn't simple addition. it's not like for intensity x and volume y, x + y = growth, where dropping the intensity means upping the volume and vice versa. otherwise you could drop the volume to near zero and go retardedly high intensity or drop the intensity to nothing and lift for 10 hours.

intensity is good, but everything i've read about the HIT principles is just taking it too far. the principles would never work for another sport, i have no idea why people think bodybuilding is so unique. imagine a shotputter going out onto the field and doing three throws with a 40 pound medicine ball then going home.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 24, 2006, 02:07:11 PM
I agree, never said it was, nothing exists in absolute form. In a gym context I do think that most people waste volume and don't train hard enough, my point being most. In your case I think you have found something that works well.

In my own training I don't max out all the time, and do bring my volume up to the moderate range every now and then.

i think one thing that needs to go away is calling it HIT. progression is good, lifting hard is also good. so is knowing how long to stick around in the gym. but let's be honest here. if you're in the gym for around an hour and you're putting your all into it, there aren't really enough factors going on for any one training method to be so vastly different from another. we're basically talking the difference between doing one balls-out set of 8 or two sets of 5 or 6.

do the one you like, chances are you'll get nearly identical results. the thing that kills me with HIT acolytes is their dogmatic clinging to "intensity" and the evils of overtraining.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 02:16:00 PM
Well it's like religion, they all profess to beleive in the true god, but they have diverse beliefs, and they believe everyone else is wrong.

I do think that the HIT advocates can be dogmatic, which turns a lot of people off, at the same time they make some valid points, points that work for many. That being said an hour of truly hard work done progresively is where its at. I think that we are saying the same, thing with minor differences.

As I stated in the first part of this thread; There are competitive bodybuilders that have used HIT with great success, and as a result this method should at least be studied by all intelligent bodybuilders.

Law


i think one thing that needs to go away is calling it HIT. progression is good, lifting hard is also good. so is knowing how long to stick around in the gym. but let's be honest here. if you're in the gym for around an hour and you're putting your all into it, there aren't really enough factors going on for any one training method to be so vastly different from another. we're basically talking the difference between doing one balls-out set of 8 or two sets of 5 or 6.

do the one you like, chances are you'll get nearly identical results. the thing that kills me with HIT acolytes is their dogmatic clinging to "intensity" and the evils of overtraining.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 24, 2006, 02:16:58 PM
How do you currently train?



plenty of volume but rarely going to failure
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 02:20:34 PM
cool, you will use what ever method you feel works best.


plenty of volume but rarely going to failure
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 24, 2006, 03:00:00 PM
that's probably because the oly lifters are training for a sport, and as said above they are tested year round. my point is that they aren't overtraining despite lifting for hours a day with much heavier weights than bb'ers use. if you listen to the HIT acolytes if you workout for more than 45 minutes and are stupid enough to lift two days in a row you'll fall apart.
The reason they aren't overtraining lies in the nature of olympic lifts. They aren't grinding lifts and there is no negative portion. Compare a snatch to a deadlift. A deadlift is comparatively a very slow grinding movement that is a hell of a lot more taxing. Even a maximal olympic lift is a very quick movement with no negative portion.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 03:06:43 PM



Very good point, the negative portion of a rep is definitely more taxing on the body, and will require more rest days to recover from.

Also just because someone has been successful using a certain method does'nt mean that they couldn't have been better had they trained better, genetics and drugs have strong impact of results.




The reason they aren't overtraining lies in the nature of olympic lifts. They aren't grinding lifts and there is no negative portion. Compare a snatch to a deadlift. A deadlift is comparatively a very slow grinding movement that is a hell of a lot more taxing. Even a maximal olympic lift is a very quick movement with no negative portion.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 24, 2006, 08:28:52 PM
In my opinion this thread is intellectually dishonest. Sergio is not an example of HIT. Stuart McRobert's theories are false. There is so much crap re training that it is disgraceful. HIT is false as a theory. Jones is highly intelligent but his influence has not been a good one for training. He is responsible for encouraging brief workouts when in fact the major requirement of large muscles is endurance with heavy resistance. One might be able to build some muscle using various methods but HIT and HST are not ones that will generate much in the way of maximum size. Drugs have just confused everyone completely. What is the test of the truth of these theories? Well, do they work? Answer: for most people they don't work. If people knew how to keep muscles growing they would be growing rapidly. The truth is most of you guys have stopped growing a long time ago.  
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 08:39:16 PM
i always liked this analogy with HIT training: if you want a tan, do you sit out in the sun with lotion on for an hour or so a day, or do you lay in a fire for 30 seconds once a week?


Who came up with that lame analogy? Pathetic and incorrect.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 08:40:01 PM
sounds good. intensity is  WAY overrated.
Let's see some pics of those guns to back up this wisdom!  ::)



IMO there are various programs including HIT that if done as prescribed will work for a while. No reason to assume HIT wouldn't work. The biggest difference between good programs is psychological appeal IMO; what someone likes better and thus will continue to use plays a big part in long-term efficacy. Really HIT requires a rigour that most can't stomach-nothing to do with results just the turn-off of the training itself.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 08:49:21 PM
Sergio used both HIT and HVT training to build his body from what I've read. In fact he has stated in interviews that he found HIT effective. Of course his HVT was effective as well, leading me to beleive that his genetic capacity and drug use made a huge difference.

You say that HVT is the way to go, if this were so Serge Nubret would be one of the hugest guys because his use of volume was legendary (3-5 hours a day of working out). I recently read your thread concerning training, and you seem to advocate training for hours on end, most people will not be able to do this, so it is'nt pratical.

The proof is always in the pudding, there are many HV successes but there a lot of failures, and the same thing can be said about the HIT camp.

What do you suggest?






In my opinion this thread is intellectually dishonest. Sergio is not an example of HIT. Stuart McRobert's theories are false. There is so much crap re training that it is disgraceful. HIT is false as a theory. Jones is highly intelligent but his influence has not been a good one for training. He is responsible for encouraging brief workouts when in fact the major requirement of large muscles is endurance with heavy resistance. One might be able to build some muscle using various methods but HIT and HST are not ones that will generate much in the way of maximum size. Drugs have just confused everyone completely. What is the test of the truth of these theories? Well, do they work? Answer: for most people they don't work. If people knew how to keep muscles growing they would be growing rapidly. The truth is most of you guys have stopped growing a long time ago.  
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 08:52:10 PM
Sergio used both HIT and HVT training to build his body from what I've read. In fact he has stated in interviews that he found HIT effective. Of course his HVT was effective as well, leading me to beleive that his genetic capacity and drug use made a huge difference.

You say that HVT is the way to go, if this were so Serge Nubret would be one of the hugest guys because his use of volume was legendary (3-5 hours a day of working out). I recently read your thread concerning training, and you seem to advocate training for hours on end, most people will not be able to do this, so it is'nt pratical.

The proof is always in the pudding, there are many HV successes but there a lot of failures, and the same thing can be said about the HIT camp.

What do you suggest?







With volume you need weight. Serge trained too light. Arnold knew it took heavy weights to build a championship physique.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 08:55:27 PM
With volume you need weight. Serge trained too light. Arnold knew it took heavy weights to build a championship physique.
I'd like to think "Alexx" is kidding but each time i realize he's dead serious. Oliva used to be an Olympic weight lifter.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 08:56:22 PM
Funny stuff...


With volume you need weight. Serge trained too light. Arnold knew it took heavy weights to build a championship physique.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 08:56:56 PM
I'd like to think "Alexx" is kidding but each time i realize he's dead serious. Oliva used to be an Olympic weight lifter.

Ladies and gentlemen with have a bright one here! Who ever mentioned Sergio??????
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 24, 2006, 08:58:24 PM
Anybody ever have a weirder physique than Boyer Coe? I bet he is still looking for his missing abs.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 08:58:45 PM
Funny stuff...




What's funny is how he compares in flexed shots.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 08:59:00 PM
Ladies and gentlemen with have a bright one here! Who ever mentioned Sergio??????
I should post the pic of Serge benching 400 lb. for this genius.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:00:16 PM
I should post the pic of Serge benching 400 lb. for this genius.

He did that 3 times a year. Now tell me how many times a year did he do heavy deads or weighted chins?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 24, 2006, 09:00:38 PM
;D

HIT as in hit with an ugly stick.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 24, 2006, 09:02:56 PM
Sure I would do your hit workout and then do it 10 more times so that I could get some decent stimulation.


Not if you do your sets to TRUE exhaustion. Not unless you are superman.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 09:03:13 PM
He did that 3 times a year. Now tell me how many times a year did he do heavy deads or weighted chins?
More importantly what's the point in considering the views of "Alexxx" with 17" guns? :-\
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:04:00 PM
More importantly what's the point in considering the views of "Alexxx" with 17" guns? :-\

How is your bowflex working for you?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 24, 2006, 09:05:18 PM
With hit training your muscles seem one dimensional. With volume you can give that dramatic effect. Example: Arnold vs Franco

Franco's muscles are always there there is no big surprise when he flexes.

Arnold on the other hand is has a showman's body. His muscles would exploded and freak out the crowd. His arms went from 19" unflexed to 22 inches flexed!

I think that is the main difference between hit and volume.

You have been reading Education of a Bodybuilder too much. Look at the way todays guys look. Nothing at all happens when Jay Cutler flexes.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:05:36 PM
Serge is an excellent bodybuilder, but I agree that he did'nt have that errector and overall thickness that comes from heavy, heavy lifting. The type that Columbo had for example.


He did that 3 times a year. Now tell me how many times a year did he do heavy deads or weighted chins?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 09:05:47 PM
How is your bowflex working for you?
Given the obsession, it's obvious he wants one for xmas. :-*
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 24, 2006, 09:07:00 PM
Sergio used the techniques for a short period of time. Casey never improved after turning to hit. Mentzer has some good arms but they are always there if he flexes them they are the same size. Nothing surprising happens.

Alexxx, you forget that both Casey and Sergio were by far at their personal bests training under Arthur Jones.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 09:11:16 PM
Alexxx, you forget that both Casey and Sergio were by far at their personal bests training under Arthur Jones.

Endless argument that is very hard to gauge without controlling the long-term environment. There are various good programs that if properly followed will produce results, IMO. Main question is the emotional viability, if the program appeals it's far more likely to produce results, if it's considered unpleasant as HIT is to many, it likely won't be done long or seriously enough to work.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 24, 2006, 09:13:44 PM
In my opinion this thread is intellectually dishonest. Sergio is not an example of HIT. 

Vince, shut the fuck up old man. So you are saying the Sergio didn't get into his best shape for the Olympia in Essen, Germany when he prepared in Deland, Florida training under Jones guidance? How can you say this when you copied Jones Nautilus designs in your own gym equipment.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:18:44 PM
I think that this is the major flaw of HIT, that it is down right uncomfortable to perform. It definitely a certain psychological outlook to do it on a ongoing basis. With that said, mental and physical toughness are attributes for building good physiques particularly when training drug free.



 


Endless argument that is very hard to gauge without controlling the long-term environment. There are various good programs that if properly followed will produce results, IMO. Main question is the emotional viability, if the program appeals it's far more likely to produce results, if it's considered unpleasant as HIT is to many, it likely won't be done long or seriously enough to work.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:19:40 PM
You have been reading Education of a Bodybuilder too much. Look at the way todays guys look. Nothing at all happens when Jay Cutler flexes.

Cutler is like Franco. He is big all over but nothing impressive happens when he flexes. Drugs and lack of volume training.

Look at Ronnie Coleman on the other hand. Phil Heath also has the ability to showcase his muscles that way.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:20:19 PM
Given the obsession, it's obvious he wants one for xmas. :-*

Sergio?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 24, 2006, 09:23:14 PM
In my opinion this thread is intellectually dishonest. Sergio is not an example of HIT. Stuart McRobert's theories are false. There is so much crap re training that it is disgraceful. HIT is false as a theory. Jones is highly intelligent but his influence has not been a good one for training. He is responsible for encouraging brief workouts when in fact the major requirement of large muscles is endurance with heavy resistance. One might be able to build some muscle using various methods but HIT and HST are not ones that will generate much in the way of maximum size. Drugs have just confused everyone completely. What is the test of the truth of these theories? Well, do they work? Answer: for most people they don't work. If people knew how to keep muscles growing they would be growing rapidly. The truth is most of you guys have stopped growing a long time ago.  
WTF, are you EVER going to state what YOU think is the correct way to train instead of dancing around the issue?

The fact of the matter is that HIT and especially Stuart McRoberts' theories work. Whatever program lets you get strong on moderate rep ranges is going to add muscle. Very low volume may not be ideal but it will work as long as you get stronger and feed your body. It ain't that complicated. You act like there is some secret mathematical formula that once uncovered will let everyone grow every workout until they reach their potential. Face the facts: EVERYTHING has been done, nothing new will be revealed. Go to the gym, bust some heavy poundage, go home and eat and shut the fuck up! This mental masturbation leads nowhere.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:23:26 PM
Franco trained with Arnold on the same program.


Cutler is like Franco. He is big all over but nothing impressive happens when he flexes. Drugs and lack of volume training.

Look at Ronnie Coleman on the other hand. Phil Heath also has the ability to showcase his muscles that way.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 09:23:59 PM
Cutler is like Franco. He is big all over but nothing impressive happens when he flexes. Drugs and lack of volume training.

Look at Ronnie Coleman on the other hand. Phil Heath also has the ability to showcase his muscles that way.
This is a poor argument; you have no basis for assuming that either guy would look different if they'd used different programs.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:25:26 PM
Franco trained with Arnold on the same program.



That's what you think. Arnold himself mentioned that Franco was doing more powerlifting in his program in "the education of a bodybuilder".
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:26:48 PM
This is a poor argument; you have no basis for assuming that either guy would look different if they'd used different programs.

Quite the contrary. A program has everything to do with your physical appearance.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 09:27:28 PM
WTF, are you EVER going to state what YOU think is the correct way to train instead of dancing around the issue?


He's mentioned it elsewhere. Heavy weight using moderate reps, and fairly high volume.

Unclear why he's against HIT though, given that some of the fundamentals don't change-subject the muscle to ever-increasing loads. I think it's got something to do with Insufficient sets coupled with the stresses involved.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:27:37 PM
I have the book Alexxx I'll have to recheck. I still think what you describe is a genetic factor not a training one.

Law


That's what you think. Arnold himself mentioned that Franco was doing more powerlifting in his program in "the education of a bodybuilder".
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 24, 2006, 09:32:50 PM
He's mentioned it elsewhere. Heavy weight using moderate reps. Sets I can't remember, either high or moderate volume.

I don't know why he's against HIT though; the fundamentals don't change-subject the muscle to ever-increasing loads.
Exactly, add weight when you can. Adjust volume according to recovery capacity, performance. Volume is really secondary IMO as long as you get stronger. I know you can grow on really low volume from personal experience. Increasing the volume of sarcoplasm is where "pump" training and volume comes in.

I never got a clear picture of what Vince advocates. He mentions DOMS a lot. He suspects it has SOMETHING to do with growth LOL.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MCWAY on December 24, 2006, 09:40:03 PM
more

Apparently it wasn't so "evident" to the judges, as Pearl beat Oliva at the 1971 NABBA Universe.

It seems that for every one HIT success story, there appears to be several more burnouts and more who use such briefly, before returning to more traditional training methods.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 24, 2006, 09:41:17 PM
I agree with the importance of DOMS, if for no other reason than the anecdotal evidence it provides of effectively stimulating tissue. However I don't agree with the premise of working the muscle again before all previous DOMs is gone, since recovery seems essential to growth.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 24, 2006, 09:43:58 PM
I have been around gyms so long I look like a dumbbell. Now I hang around wannabe experts online. Nothing has changed in over 47 years. Still a bunch of nonsense that most believe and hardly anyone is growing. Don't give me that stuff about McRobert. HIT is false, end of story. Believing something doesn't make it true.

I suspect that part of the reason there is so much confusion is because growth occurs sporadically for most trainees and most systems generate some growth. The trick is to keep finding something that keeps one growing. To everyone here that solution is drugs. The pursuit of a theory of hypertrophy ended about 1970. I haven't read anything worthwhile since. If you truly know how to generate hypertrophy you should be able to put two inches on your already big arms (17 1/2") in 2 months, and do it drug and supplement free.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:44:04 PM
I have the book Alexxx I'll have to recheck. I still think what you describe is a gentic fator not a training one.

Law



Arnold: The education of a bodybuilder
Page 70-71

"One point in my favor was that my body has always been dramatic and spectacular, more than the average bodybuilder's. The main reason for this is a trait I share with Reg Park. I look very symmetrical when I stand relaxed, without the too-wide, squared shoulders and the arms that appear propped away from the ribs by a surplus of muscle that characterize most bodybuilders. I've never minded that my body doesn't look massive when I'm standing relaxed. It has always had a nice muscular look, but nothing freaky or unusual. I never tried to tense it up, to get musclebound. However, when I posed my whole physique would change radically. My body would open up like an accordion and my muscles would appear. Even in terms of measurements the difference was phenomenal. Hanging, my arm would measure 19 inches; when I flexed, it would balloon to 22 inches. The same thing was true of my chest. I could make my chest expand so dramatically it shocked people; tthey didn't know where it came from. My thighs always looked thin, too, but when I flexed they exploded. It was a direct result of working with more repetitions and less weights. Because if you always train with heavy weights you get to look like Franco Colombo; your muscles are always there. Then when you pose there's no real surprise. I don't want to knock that look. For myself, I prefer the more dramatic body, the showman's body."

Make your own judgement. To me there is no shortcut. Champions are built with volume, sweat and blood!
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:47:02 PM
And we all know that no IFBB competition was ever fixed..

There are plenty of people who have burned out from HVT as well, a lot of shoulder, knee, lower back issues as well. I'll mention Yates as someone who got injured on HIT.

Heavy training is risky, volume training is risky, it's all stressful, but high levels of achievement has its risks.




Apparently it wasn't so "evident" to the judges, as Pearl beat Oliva at the 1971 NABBA Universe.

It seems that for every one HIT success story, there appears to be several more burnouts and more who use such briefly, before returning to more traditional training methods.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:50:38 PM
Thanks, Arnolds educated opinion, but a respected one. What about a bodybuilder such as Dorian Yates whos muscles were huge, but popped out more when posed, particularly his back, calves, hamstrings.

Law


Arnold: The education of a bodybuilder
Page 70-71

"One point in my favor was that my body has always been dramatic and spectacular, more than the average bodybuilder's. The main reason for this is a trait I share with Reg Park. I look very symmetrical when I stand relaxed, without the too-wide, squared shoulders and the arms that appear propped away from the ribs by a surplus of muscle that characterize most bodybuilders. I've never minded that my body doesn't look massive when I'm standing relaxed. It has always had a nice muscular look, but nothing freaky or unusual. I never tried to tense it up, to get musclebound. However, when I posed my whole physique would change radically. My body would open up like an accordion and my muscles would appear. Even in terms of measurements the difference was phenomenal. Hanging, my arm would measure 19 inches; when I flexed, it would balloon to 22 inches. The same thing was true of my chest. I could make my chest expand so dramatically it shocked people; tthey didn't know where it came from. My thighs always looked thin, too, but when I flexed they exploded. It was a direct result of working with more repetitions and less weights. Because if you always train with heavy weights you get to look like Franco Colombo; your muscles are always there. Then when you pose there's no real surprise. I don't want to knock that look. For myself, I prefer the more dramatic body, the showman's body."

Make your own judgement. To me there is no shortcut. Champions are built with volume, sweat and blood!
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 09:52:42 PM
Has the training method that you propose been able to produce superior results and physiques?



I have been around gyms so long I look like a dumbbell. Now I hang around wannabe experts online. Nothing has changed in over 47 years. Still a bunch of nonsense that most believe and hardly anyone is growing. Don't give me that stuff about McRobert. HIT is false, end of story. Believing something doesn't make it true.

I suspect that part of the reason there is so much confusion is because growth occurs sporadically for most trainees and most systems generate some growth. The trick is to keep finding something that keeps one growing. To everyone here that solution is drugs. The pursuit of a theory of hypertrophy ended about 1970. I haven't read anything worthwhile since. If you truly know how to generate hypertrophy you should be able to put two inches on your already big arms (17 1/2") in 2 months, and do it drug and supplement free.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 24, 2006, 09:53:31 PM
Thanks, Arnolds educated opinion, but a respected one. What about a bodybuilder such as Dorian Yates whos muscles were huge, but popped out more when posed, particularly his back, calves, hamstrings.

Law



Calves and hams are always there. Back you have to move to expand. It is imposible for it to remain the same size throughout the different ranges of motion.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 24, 2006, 09:54:56 PM
You have to feel for Oliva. Gajda beat him in the Mr America back in 1966. That upset Sergio no end and he left the AAU and signed up with Joe Weider and did win a Mr America but upset all the other guys who felt Sergio was too good. Sergio won the IFBB Mr Universe that night, too. Then Sergio started losing to many of the top guys. Arnold in the 1970 Mr Olympia. That was a close one. It wasn't close in 1971 and one judge favoured Pearl because he said Sergio's head was too small for his arms. Pearl has never had much in the way of cuts on his thighs. 1972 saw Sergio prepare with Arthur Jones and he enterred the Olympia but lost to Arnold. Ah, what a career. Arnold was a political animal in those days and he befriended most of the judges who were Weider men. When I talked to Arnold at my place in 1974 he admitted Sergio was superior. "If I had Sergio's body I would have won!"  
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 24, 2006, 09:57:53 PM
I argued my theory here before and don't care to rehash that stuff. Lots of people here know stuff about getting results. However, few know how to sustain rapid growth. That is what I was talking about. I wasn't talking about being practical or sensible like Stuart McRobert.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 10:01:52 PM
I'll have to read your past material to get a clear view on you stance then.



I argued my theory here before and don't care to rehash that stuff. Lots of people here know stuff about getting results. However, few know how to sustain rapid growth. That is what I was talking about. I wasn't talking about being practical or sensible like Stuart McRobert.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 10:03:47 PM
Have you been able to produce sustained grow in yourself or people you have trained?



I argued my theory here before and don't care to rehash that stuff. Lots of people here know stuff about getting results. However, few know how to sustain rapid growth. That is what I was talking about. I wasn't talking about being practical or sensible like Stuart McRobert.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 10:06:51 PM
Calves must be contracted as well as hams so their not always there.

Do you currently train with Arnolds system, if so have you noticed your muscles coming alive when you contract them?

Law



Calves and hams are always there. Back you have to move to expand. It is imposible for it to remain the same size throughout the different ranges of motion.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 24, 2006, 10:17:07 PM
Come to Sydney to train in my gym under my supervision and let's see how big I can make your arms grow in 30 days.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 24, 2006, 10:22:08 PM
Thank you for the invite, unfortunately I can't go at this time.

This is not an attack; but I still would like to know if you have been successful in producing ongoing results in your trainees?



Come to Sydney to train in my gym under my supervision and let's see how big I can make your arms grow in 30 days.


Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 24, 2006, 10:48:24 PM
Have you been able to produce sustained grow in yourself or people you have trained?



No he has not, by his own admission. He is still searching for the elusive formula LOL. He just does not get it, never will. You can teach an old guy, he is set in his ways.

There is no formula, there are so many bodily systems that have to be considered, everyone has different recovery abilities etc etc. How anyone would think you can discover a formula that will produce continuous results in each and every individual is beyond me. He has taken this stuff from Mentzer though, Mentzer said "if we can put the man on the moon we can discover the one proper method of training" or something like that LOL.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 24, 2006, 10:55:47 PM
I agree with the importance of DOMS, if for no other reason than the anecdotal evidence it provides of effectively stimulating tissue. However I don't agree with the premise of working the muscle again before all previous DOMs is gone, since recovery seems essential to growth.
DOMS means nothing in itself. Some people NEVER get DOMS and grow amazingly well. Case in point: Mentzer himself. Personally I can easily get DOMS training with light weights but I will not grow unless I increase the loads over time. It's the same for everyone; if there is no progression in the loads and/or volume there is no growth - DOMS or not. Focusing on it is a blind alley.

Regarding DOMS, you can train before it has dissipated. The body will adapt and you'll get less DOMS when you adjust to the routine. There are different aspects to recovery as well which is a longer discussion but basically DOMS doesn't always mean you're not ready to train and benefit from it again. There is nothing that says DOMS doesn't allow you to stimulate protein synthesis again. Again, if your program allows you to get stronger it will work.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: figgs on December 25, 2006, 12:29:05 AM
I have been around gyms so long I look like a dumbbell. Now I hang around wannabe experts online. Nothing has changed in over 47 years. Still a bunch of nonsense that most believe and hardly anyone is growing. Don't give me that stuff about McRobert. HIT is false, end of story. Believing something doesn't make it true.

I suspect that part of the reason there is so much confusion is because growth occurs sporadically for most trainees and most systems generate some growth. The trick is to keep finding something that keeps one growing. To everyone here that solution is drugs. The pursuit of a theory of hypertrophy ended about 1970. I haven't read anything worthwhile since. If you truly know how to generate hypertrophy you should be able to put two inches on your already big arms (17 1/2") in 2 months, and do it drug and supplement free.

I'm convinced you both have never tried HIT and have never taken the time to learn anything about it. It works and there's proof of that all over this thread.

After experimenting with all kind of workout programs, I found HIT to work better than all the others. Read my HIT log if you decide to open your mind a little.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: figgs on December 25, 2006, 12:32:58 AM
I think that this is the major flaw of HIT, that it is down right uncomfortable to perform. It definitely a certain psychological outlook to do it on a ongoing basis. With that said, mental and physical toughness are attributes for building good physiques particularly when training drug free.



 



Yes, HIT is crazy. The work involved could really stress some guys out. This type of training is not for everyone.

I've always wondered what it is required of a person's personality to be able to train this way. hmm
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: figgs on December 25, 2006, 12:37:29 AM
I agree intensity can be abused, something that many HIT advocates don't understand. If you sit in front of the sun at 12 noon, on a clear day, at the equator, with oil on and put a large magnifying glass in front of you that would be very intense, and it would'nt take long to hurt yourself. The higher the intensity of effort the less volume is neccessary, but it does'nt prove that training to failure or beyond is neccessary, I don't think it is all the time.

The bottom line is progression.

Law



That's really interesting because I've started to suspect that my level of intensity has become too high! I started going to ABSOLUTE muscular failure, in which I continue a set until I can no longer complete a positive rep, static hold or a negative. I think I'm just testing the limits here, because I've learned that, according to Mentzer, going to failure means to carry a set until a positive rep can no longer be completed on your own, despite your greatest efforts.

These workouts are crazy, but now I'm finishing a workout, even 1 set workouts, with numb muscles. No more burn, no more pump. It nearly goes numb, with only some tingles.

Too much?  :-\
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: figgs on December 25, 2006, 12:40:28 AM
Myseone, I live in Queens, NY. Shall I challenge you to a leg workout?  ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 25, 2006, 12:54:20 AM
The endless authorities arrive to speak their minds. Congratulations. If if it so easy why are we debating it endlessly on the internet? Surely old men who have been around should have gotten it by now? I never mentioned formulae. It may be that the complete method might involve several strategies.

Let us do a thought experiment. It must be possible to grow maximally each and every training day. If that is so then let us suppose one can measure the daily growth when training upper arms. Suppose that growth is 1/8" per training day. Well, if one does not grow that 1/8 inch then he is doing something wrong and must change something so that he is always growing maximally. It is possible to write all this down but I prefer a theory from which one can derive what to do at any time.

Alexxx suggested that volume is important. Yes, but how much is necessary and how much sufficient? Also, I would bet it makes all the difference in the world which exercises are used. Some exercises are useless beyond a certain size. I see countless sheep in gyms blasting away to no effect. I can talk to these guys but they refuse to listen. That is the way it has always been in bodybuilding. We have had a fatal invasion of knuckleheads and they are here to stay. Every single one of them believes he knows how to get big. It really is an amazing activity when so many know so much about rather unproductive workouts.

I doubt I have the drive to show you all that my ideas have some value. The idea that I blast away day after day just to appease some muscleheads online just doesn't do it for me. I will stand by and watch while the rest of you deafen in the din of your own ignorance.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 03:55:43 AM
DOMS means nothing in itself. Some people NEVER get DOMS and grow amazingly well. Case in point: Mentzer himself. Personally I can easily get DOMS training with light weights but I will not grow unless I increase the loads over time. It's the same for everyone; if there is no progression in the loads and/or volume there is no growth - DOMS or not. Focusing on it is a blind alley.

Regarding DOMS, you can train before it has dissipated. The body will adapt and you'll get less DOMS when you adjust to the routine. There are different aspects to recovery as well which is a longer discussion but basically DOMS doesn't always mean you're not ready to train and benefit from it again. There is nothing that says DOMS doesn't allow you to stimulate protein synthesis again. Again, if your program allows you to get stronger it will work.
Again just opinions. I believe that DOMS gained in the context of substantial weight & moderate reps is important.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 03:58:10 AM
Yes, HIT is crazy. The work involved could really stress some guys out. This type of training is not for everyone.

I've always wondered what it is required of a person's personality to be able to train this way. hmm
The motivation required of HIT appeals to certain personas; different personality types will be drawn to every form of training. Part of it's conditioning: those who grow up with volume training consider this the norm, have trouble getting their minds around a different format.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:01:03 AM
The endless authorities arrive to speak their minds. Congratulations. If if it so easy why are we debating it endlessly on the internet? Surely old men who have been around should have gotten it by now? I never mentioned formulae. It may be that the complete method might involve several strategies.

Let us do a thought experiment. It must be possible to grow maximally each and every training day. If that is so then let us suppose one can measure the daily growth when training upper arms. Suppose that growth is 1/8" per training day. Well, if one does not grow that 1/8 inch then he is doing something wrong and must change something so that he is always growing maximally. It is possible to write all this down but I prefer a theory from which one can derive what to do at any time.

Alexxx suggested that volume is important. Yes, but how much is necessary and how much sufficient? Also, I would bet it makes all the difference in the world which exercises are used. Some exercises are useless beyond a certain size. I see countless sheep in gyms blasting away to no effect. I can talk to these guys but they refuse to listen. That is the way it has always been in bodybuilding. We have had a fatal invasion of knuckleheads and they are here to stay. Every single one of them believes he knows how to get big. It really is an amazing activity when so many know so much about rather unproductive workouts.

I doubt I have the drive to show you all that my ideas have some value. The idea that I blast away day after day just to appease some muscleheads online just doesn't do it for me. I will stand by and watch while the rest of you deafen in the din of your own ignorance.

who the fuck do you think you are, some kind of training god? if your methods are so great show us some results then and please specify what your methods consist of? otherwise shut the fuck up.

as for HIT vs high volume the debate is silly as there exists no magic workout plan, the human body adapts and thus the training stimulus has to be changed every so often. in general doing more volume is better tho, as the east german scientists back in the 60s already showed that for an experienced trainer you need a certain volume to induce further hypertrophy. the problem is tho that most fuckheads dont understand that training to failure isnt necessary..of course no one with normal genetics is gonna be able to do 20 sets to failure per workout...they key is raising volume as you get more experienced and the muscle needs more stimulus..but avoid failure most of the time. thats why mentzer and the HIT proponents came up with the system because no one could do 20 life and death sets per workout without burning out so they started to rag on arnold and make into somekind of battle between training styles. the thing is they were all wrong the ultimate system is high volume but without going to failure, but even that isnt magic. between periods of higher volume training you have to add in higher intensity training (can be to failure but doesnt have to be, as it can consist of just lifting closer to your one rep max, but it can also be lifting in the 3-4 rep range with forced reps etc). but this should only be done for limited periods of time then its back to higher volume training. but remember to avoid failure 90% of the time, as this will spare you cns and allow you do more total reps in the workout (=high enough volume).
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:05:11 AM
Good example of the variation in beliefs.

-Uncertain whether volume really is necessary, very hard to say. Because  the majority of BBs follow conventional approaches, it's easy to assume that it must be part of the equation when in fact it's only one of the variables. How much each variable matters is where it gets confusing. IMO overload is the key; overload that can be achieved in any number of programs.

-Overload is brought about by pushing the envelope in any format = going to failure, the more the better. Stopping short of failure is preventing the realization of some potential IMO, but if some gains are gotten anyway this fact is overlooked.


Just opinions, but the idea of avoiding overload by stopping short of failure's ludicrous to me.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:08:07 AM
Good example of the variation in beliefs.

-Uncertain whether volume really is necessary - it's overload that is key IMO.

-Overload is brought about by pushing the envelope in any format = going to failure, the more the better.


Just opinions, but the idea of avoiding overload by stopping short of failure's ludicrous to me.

failure training isnt necessary, and it stops people from doing  enough volume.   "high" (relative term of course) volume is  necessary for (further) growth (most of the time, as training has to be varied to some degree)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:09:36 AM
failure training isnt necessary, and it stops people from doing  enough volume.   "high" (relative term of course) volume is the best for growth (most of the time, as training has to be varied to some degree)

Your opinions only; i completely disagree no matter what the protocol, and have done both high-volume and now moderate volume training. In both cases, the muscle reach the same point, with resulting DOMS. This can be done with less sets if the training is more efficient = better exercises + intensity.

As i said, most BBs are very conventional in their thinking, therefore volume will be part of the winning formula, which doesn't mean it's necessarily an essential ingredient. Not the same thing.

Overload, baby. That means intensity, either exaggerated intensity as in HIT because there are very few sets to spread it out over, or intensity spread over more sets, within volume. It's a continuum, based on numbers of sets.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:13:31 AM
Your opinions only; i completely disagree no matter what the protocol.

what you say is as much just opinions as what I say . also there is real life proof that volume works ( i wont say high volume as the volume has to be changed as training progresses and its a relative term).
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:14:58 AM
what you say is as much just opinions as what I say . also there is real life proof that volume works ( i wont say high volume as the volume has to be changed as training progresses and its a relative term).

There is "proof" that all protocols work, which effectively renders all of it moot.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:15:06 AM
Let's see some pics of those guns to back up this wisdom!  ::)



IMO there are various programs including HIT that if done as prescribed will work for a while. No reason to assume HIT wouldn't work. The biggest difference between good programs is psychological appeal IMO; what someone likes better and thus will continue to use plays a big part in long-term efficacy. Really HIT requires a rigour that most can't stomach-nothing to do with results just the turn-off of the training itself.

I find HIT easier than volume training. Too bad I don't believe it's optimal for building mass.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:17:09 AM
WTF, are you EVER going to state what YOU think is the correct way to train instead of dancing around the issue?

The fact of the matter is that HIT and especially Stuart McRoberts' theories work. Whatever program lets you get strong on moderate rep ranges is going to add muscle. Very low volume may not be ideal but it will work as long as you get stronger and feed your body. It ain't that complicated. You act like there is some secret mathematical formula that once uncovered will let everyone grow every workout until they reach their potential. Face the facts: EVERYTHING has been done, nothing new will be revealed. Go to the gym, bust some heavy poundage, go home and eat and shut the f**k up! This mental masturbation leads nowhere.

actually stuart mcrobert is pretty clueless and has changed his theories during the years.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:18:56 AM
I find HIT easier than volume training. Too bad I don't believe it's optimal for building mass.
What were your experiences with HIT?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:21:52 AM
also overload can be achieved in different ways, i believe its better in the long run to do lift short of failure for more sets than doing 1-2 sets to total failure (failure will reduce the volume you can do).

but all being said in the long run, if you have a program A that is 15% better than program B and you work out for several years the differences of effectivness in workout routines wont matter that much (for non pro athletec), as everyone has a genetic max (natural). for the non pro athelete it doesnt matter that much if you reach it in 11 years or 9 and a half. the message is to enjoy the journey (workouts) and make sure your moving in the right direction, not necessarily at "max speed", just enough speed.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:24:20 AM
also overload can be achieved in different ways, i believe its better in the long run to do lift short of failure for more sets than doing 1-2 sets to total failure (failure will reduce the volume you can do).


The way i see it, one sure things is that lifting short of failure there's no way of knowing what potential's been left unrealized. You'll never know, even if gains are made. Volume training without failure can fool one into thinking that going short of failure makes sense, because some gains might be made despite training incorrectly. As i said it's all part of a continuum-the greater the intensity per set, the less sets are needed to batter the muscles into submission.

Oliva gained both size and conditioning on HIT why? Because of overload; in the case of HIT extreme overload over low numbers of sets. He could've achieved same using more sets with lesser but still high intensity.

One thing's sure: only by going to at least positive failure is it certain that full potential's realized, without which it's viable that some potential's been left on the table.


The problem is that with all the variables mixed together it's easy to draw the wrong conclusions.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:33:56 AM
Your opinions only; i completely disagree no matter what the protocol, and have done both high-volume and now moderate volume training. In both cases, the muscle reach the same point, with resulting DOMS. This can be done with less sets if the training is more efficient = better exercises + intensity.

As i said, most BBs are very conventional in their thinking, therefore volume will be part of the winning formula, which doesn't mean it's necessarily an essential ingredient. Not the same thing.

Overload, baby. That means intensity, either exaggerated intensity as in HIT because there are very few sets to spread it out over, or intensity spread over more sets, within volume. It's a continuum, based on numbers of sets.

your twisting what i was saying: your making it sound like its and either or situation. also instensity can be defined in different ways..for example try doing 5 sets of squats stoping before failure (maybe 1-2 reps before) with 80% of max and compare it to 1 set to failure..i have tried both and let me telll you doing more sets close to failure instead of 1-2 max sets is harder.

also saying high vs moderate volume is being to general..as it varies between people and their experience level..a guy who has trained for many years has built up to a certain volume. problem if you use too high intensity is that your gonna burn out (intensity in this case failure training +forced reps) pretty quick unless you lower the volume to the exreme (maybe just doing 2-3 sets for a body part per week). thats why extreme intensity should only be used for brief periods of time. could be used for example to push weights up and then use the new strenghth doing a higher volume program with reps between 6 (8)-12 reps per set.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:34:07 AM
What were your experiences with HIT?

My opinion on HIT and other styles like that is that it would build more strength than mass. And that there is a difference between the two. Mentally I find HIT easier because I don't mind training hard, in fact that itself can be very rewarding, and also I prefer both lower reps and fewer sets compared to being in the gym for 1-1,5 hours.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:35:48 AM
One could say that going to failure is what would cheat you out of gains since that would means you would have to rest more and because of that the total number of training days per year would be less.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:37:34 AM
your twisting what i was saying: your making it sound like its and either or situation. also instensity can be defined in different ways..for example try doing 5 sets of squats stoping before failure (maybe 1-2 reps before) with 80% of max and compare it to 1 set to failure..i have tried both and let me telll you doing more sets close to failure instead of 1-2 max sets is harder.

also saying high vs moderate volume is being to general..as it varies between people and their experience level..a guy who has trained for many years has built up to a certain volume. problem if you use too high intensity is that your gonna burn out (intensity in this case failure training +forced reps) pretty quick unless you lower the volume to the exreme (maybe just doing 2-3 sets for a body part per week). thats why extreme intensity should only be used for brief periods of time. could be used for example to push weights up and then use the new strenghth doing a higher volume program with reps between 6 (8)-12 reps per set.
Wrong right out of the box-i've said it's a continuum, with a sliding scale, the opposite of either/or. Volume and intensity are polar opposites that work in inverse proportion, all in the name of overload using those two. Simple.

If you don't train to failure, you're (1) potentially leaving gains unrealized, which you'll never know for sure because the envelope hasn't been pushed, and (2) using the sliding continuum between volume and intensity, it's less efficient to waste time with more sets to arrive at the same point.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:38:13 AM
My opinion on HIT and other styles like that is that it would build more strength than mass. And that there is a difference between the two. Mentally I find HIT easier because I don't mind training hard, in fact that itself can be very rewarding, and also I prefer both lower reps and fewer sets compared to being in the gym for 1-1,5 hours.
im the same way HIT is easier for me  actually, but i dont believe in mindlessly going to fauilure.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:38:16 AM
My opinion on HIT and other styles like that is that it would build more strength than mass. And that there is a difference between the two. Mentally I find HIT easier because I don't mind training hard, in fact that itself can be very rewarding, and also I prefer both lower reps and fewer sets compared to being in the gym for 1-1,5 hours.

Ya but what was your actual experience?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:42:06 AM
Ya but what was your actual experience?

I've done 1-2 sets per musclegroup going to failure type training, short training times (30 minuts max) once a week, focusing on the big exercises (chins, bench, squats etc)
And in my opinion it works better for strength, than size. And no, it's not just about eating more calories.

Stuart McRobert USED to have the opinion that "well when you bench so and so much weight your chest WILL be 'big enough'" but in later years he started preaching about adding MORE sets and PUMP sets in Ironman articles that went totally against his previous preachings that he had for year and years in his artciles and books.

Apparantely after 20+ years Stuart McRobert realized there's some truth in more sets, more variation of exercises and even getting pump. At least if you wanna build mass.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:43:16 AM
im the same way HIT is easier for me  actually, but i dont believe in mindlessly going to fauilure.

me neither.  :)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:44:55 AM
Wrong right out of the box-i've said it's a continuum, with a sliding scale, the opposite of either/or. Volume and intensity are polar opposites that work in inverse proportion, all in the name of overload using those two. Simple.

volume and intensity arent total opposits but.. that wasnt what i was talking about..i was talking about that you need a certain volume to keep adding muscle and too high intensity all the time will stop you from using high enough volume. also im not sugessting to lift like a pussy with weights 50% of max...im talking about weights over 70% of one rep max weights being used for multiple sets taken to 1-2 reps before failure. spare the cns to lift higher total kg loads per time unit.


as for your oliva example: i think he made good gains because the change from higher volume to lower volume with more intensity..exactly the same thing i was talking about before (use lower volume higher intensity for limited time periods). the thing is that oliva had done higher volume..then he did lower volume more intense workouts and what happened? his body had to adapt to the new stress on his body, but if he would have done that for longer periods of time..adaptation would have stopped and he would have burned out..intensity and volume have to be varied. the human body is about adaptation. the magic is in change not in one training protocol or an another. (but still failure traininig isnt necessary at all)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:47:33 AM
volume and intensity arent total opposits but.. that wasnt what i was talking about..i was talking about that you need a certain volume to keep adding muscle and too high intensity all the time will stop you from using high enough volume. also im not sugessting to lift like a pussy with weights 50% of max...im talking about weights over 70% of one rep max weights being used for multiple sets taken to 1-2 reps before failure. spare the cns to lift higher total kg loads per time unit.
Personally i think you've got it ass-backwards, in fact i'm sure of it having used high volume extensively. Bottom line for me is frying the muscle, that is what achieves results. I've done that with higher volume and moderate volume, and i know it can also be done on low volume.

Volume is a means to an end, not the end in itself, which is to fatigue the muscle. You've convinced yourself that one avenue to that, volume, is the answer when in fact it's only one route. Something like believing that the sun revolves around the earth when it's the opposite.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:49:30 AM
volume and intensity arent total opposits but.. that wasnt what i was talking about..i was talking about that you need a certain volume to keep adding muscle and too high intensity all the time will stop you from using high enough volume. also im not sugessting to lift like a pussy with weights 50% of max...im talking about weights over 70% of one rep max weights being used for multiple sets taken to 1-2 reps before failure. spare the cns to lift higher total kg loads per time unit.

yes and too high intensity will also interfer and f**k with your frequency as it would add more rest days = days on which you otherwise would be able to train. thats why mike mentzer had to recommend 7, 10 or even 14 days between each musclegroup trained because his clients needed all that time to rest.

so if you compare a client from mike mentzer and that kind of training to a volume trainer it would look like this:

mike mentzer client training legs = once every 2 weeks = 26 times a year.
volume training client = 2 times a week = 104 times a year.

does anyone believe that mike mentzer and his training is so superior that it would bring more muscle growth on just 26 times a year, compared to 104 times a year training?

i dont.

you could possibly train your leg 3 times a week on a full body, or half body program and then it would be a total number of leg training a year = 156 times.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:52:06 AM
yes and too high intensity will also interfer and f**k with your frequency as it would add more rest days = days on which you otherwise would be able to train. thats why mike mentzer had to recommend 7, 10 or even 14 weeks between each musclegroup trained because his clients needed all that time to rest.


This idea of CNS probs is a nice theory only. Others believe as i do that 2-3 days rest is sufficient in most cases, it's that simple.

Long marathon volume sessions are wearing as well, and wearing only in terms of endurance, which is not about muscle building it's more like long-distance running.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:53:27 AM
Personally i think you've got it ass-backwards, in fact i'm sure of it having used high volume extensively. Bottom line for me is frying the muscle, that is what achieves results. I've done that with higher volume and moderate volume, and i know it can also be done on low volume.

Volume is a means to an end, not the end in itself, which is to fatigue the muscle. You've convinced yourself that one avenue to that, volume, is the answer when in fact it's only one route. Something like believing that the sun revolves around the earth when it's the opposite.


i dont agree but hey its all about exchanging ideas and learning ;)..also  have you tried higher volume without going to failure on every set? i did high volume failure training didnt work well..i did low volume very intense ..worked for short period of time (adaptation)..i found the key is to do higher (again a relative term..im not so fond of the term high..i prefer "enough" volume") volume training but no failure.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:56:14 AM
This idea of CNS probs is a nice theory only. Others believe as i do that 2-3 days rest is sufficient in most cases, it's that simple.

Long marathon volume sessions are wearing as well, and wearing only in terms of endurance, which is not about muscle building it's more like long-distance running.

so basically you think that mike mentzers clients, who he had resting up to 14 days, could have rested only 2-3 days, so the question is why didnt mike came to the same conclusion? considering he preached that for year and year and years and had probably hundreds of clients?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 04:56:49 AM
Personally i think you've got it ass-backwards, in fact i'm sure of it having used high volume extensively. Bottom line for me is frying the muscle, that is what achieves results. I've done that with higher volume and moderate volume, and i know it can also be done on low volume.

Volume is a means to an end, not the end in itself, which is to fatigue the muscle. You've convinced yourself that one avenue to that, volume, is the answer when in fact it's only one route. Something like believing that the sun revolves around the earth when it's the opposite.

your changing what i been saying again..im not saying that volume is everything..as intensity is imporant..(if yuo lift like a pussy nothing will happen) im just saying that mindless pursuit of failure is counter productive as it takes the number of sets you can do to a very low level.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:57:50 AM

i dont agree but hey its all about exchanging ideas and learning ;)..also  have you tried higher volume without going to failure on every set? i did high volume failure training didnt work well..i did low volume very intense ..worked for short period of time (adaptation)..i found the key is to do higher (again a relative term..im not so fond of the term high..i prefer "enough" volume") volume training but no failure.
I would never volume training without failure, because (1) it's just beating around the bush, which is to exhaust the muscles, and (2) it's balless. Sorry but it's true. ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 04:59:48 AM
mindless pursuit of failure is counter productive as it takes the number of sets you can do to a very low level.
No, because you're thinking in blacks & whites, as if all levels of failure are the same, which is completely untrue.

As i said, it's a continuum-train to extreme HIT failure, minimal nos. of sets can be done/are needed. Train to failure but less so than HIT standards, more sets can be done.

Hard to believe this is difficult to comprehend. ???

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:00:18 AM
I would never volume training without failure, because (1) it's just beating around the bush, which is to exhaust the muscles, and (2) it's balless. Sorry but it's true. ;D

i bet even if there was proof everywhere that going to failure was not necessary to stimulate growth you would still hang on to it because of your macho-mentality. its obvious thats you're not interested in results, you're interested in some kind of lame macho persona that "yeah i showed that bar didnt i, i huffed and i puffed and i brought it down and caused myself a nosebleed in the progress!"

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:00:33 AM
I would never volume training without failure, because (1) it's just beating around the bush, which is to exhaust the muscles, and (2) it's balless. Sorry but it's true. ;D
[/quote

we will just have to agree that we disagree i think.  ;)
 
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:00:51 AM
so basically you think that mike mentzers clients, who he had resting up to 14 days, could have rested only 2-3 days, so the question is why didnt mike came to the same conclusion? considering he preached that for year and year and years and had probably hundreds of clients?


Because Mike and others are not the last word, just more sources for info; exactly why Yates took his own path from it. A big problem with HIT is that guys like Mentzer & Jones always acted like they were the final word due to arrogance.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:02:30 AM
No, because you're thinking in blacks & whites, as if all levels of failure are the same, which is completely untrue.

As i said, it's a continuum-train to extreme HIT failure, minimal nos. of sets can be done/are needed. Train to failure but less so than HIT standards, more sets can be done.

Hard to believe this is difficult to comprehend. ???



actually your thinking in black in white as it was you who said intensity is polar opposite of volume..and it is you who who said you would never try higer volume without going to failure.

and i comprehend exactly what you mean.

and when i talk about failure im talking about positive failure which should be avoided most of the time..but its ok from time to time. as for other intenisty techniques they should be used even more infrequently such as forced reps, rest pause, drop sets etc.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:03:05 AM
Because Mike and others are not the last word, just more sources for info; exactly why Yates took his own path from it.

but still i would say he got WAY more experience than you and he came to that conclusion. how do you figure? that mike mentzer just said "well i've observed that my hundreds of traininers, dont need a lot of rest... but i'll have them rest 14 days anyway" ?

if 2-3 days was all that was necessary then mike mentzer along with all his clients could've worked the muscles a hundred times more in a year resulting in far great result in a very short time. why wouldt he do that?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:04:49 AM
going to failure makes you a failure. so hear up all losers! we know you're a failure in life, but now you can be a failure at the gym too! let the failures lead you and show them how to fail miserably! because they are the experts of failure!
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:06:07 AM
actually your thinking in black in white as it was you who said intensity is polar opposite of volume..and it is you who who said you would never try higer volume without going to failure.

and i comprehend exactly what you mean.

You're hopeless man.  ;D  I've trained with more volume and less, and have achieved the same effect on the muscles based on what i've explained.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:07:56 AM
going to failure makes you a failure. so hear up all losers! we know you're a failure in life, but now you can be a failure at the gym too! let the failures lead you and show them how to fail miserably! because they are the experts of failure!

the solution to the HIT (going to failure) vs high volume (going to failure) debate, is: avoid going to failure.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:08:06 AM
but still i would say he got WAY more experience than you and he came to that conclusion. how do you figure? that mike mentzer just said "well i've observed that my hundreds of traininers, dont need a lot of rest... but i'll have them rest 14 days anyway" ?

if 2-3 days was all that was necessary then mike mentzer along with all his clients could've worked the muscles a hundred times more in a year resulting in far great result in a very short time. why wouldt he do that?


First of all, Mike didn't have way more experience than me, this is an assumption. If you don't know by know, Mentzer and Jones arrogantly walked around spouting ideas as if they were proven fact, which is not so smart. Once they did that, it's easy to realize that some of their ideas might make sense but they're not the last word. Why you wouldn't realize this is the real question.

Still waiting for your actual experiences with HIT..
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:09:08 AM
the solution to the HIT (going to failure) vs high volume (going to failure) debate, is: avoid going to failure.

Following that logic, i'd say don't even lift weights, rest more..
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:10:58 AM
You're hopeless man.  ;D  I've trained with more volume and less, and have achieved the same effect on the muscles based on what i've explained.


sorry i dont mean to be an ass but...your thinking like volume is static..volume has to be changed as you become more advanced. of course there is no reason to do more sets than necessary, but failure training fries your cns (in the long run) thus preventing you from stimulating the muscles as much as possible. the failure training is acting like a bottle neck.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:11:32 AM
First of all, Mike didn't have way more experience than me, this is an assumption. If you don't know by know, Mentzer and Jones walked around spouting this ideas as if they were proven fact, which is not so smart. Once they did that, it's easy to realize that some of their ideas might make sense but they're not the last word.

Still waiting for your actual experiences with HIT..

so you've got more experience than mike? thats interesting. please tell us a little about all your success as a competitive bodybuilder, personal trainer, coach, writer of hundreds of articles, books, research etc.

 ::)

all i know is that you're working out with a bowflex and have zero ideas on your own. what exactly are you preaching, if anything?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:12:51 AM

sorry i dont mean to be an ass but...your thinking like volume is static..volume has to be changed as you become more advanced. of course there is no reason to do more sets than necessary, but failure training fries your cns (in the long run) thus preventing you from stimulating the muscles as much as possible. the failure training is acting like a bottle neck.

Again you make these unproven assumptions about frying the CNS. Nice theory, which is used to justify other rationalizations.

Besides which, if frying the CNS was really an issue, marathon volume could easily do the same thing, even without going to failure.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:13:04 AM
Following that logic, i'd say don't even lift weights, rest more..

no following this logic it means: you can do more volume and with higher frequency without frying your cns and making faster muscular gains.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:13:09 AM

sorry i dont mean to be an ass but...your thinking like volume is static..volume has to be changed as you become more advanced. of course there is no reason to do more sets than necessary, but failure training fries your cns (in the long run) thus preventing you from stimulating the muscles as much as possible. the failure training is acting like a bottle neck.

well he doesnt believe in the cns. he thinks 2-3 days rest is all that is necessary. how he came to this conclusion is a mystery. maybe he just dreamed up that number. he also is WAY more experienced than mike mentzer. im trying to search the records for this competitive lifelong bodybuilder, writer and coach to hundreds, if not thousands, but i cant find any records of "pumpster" anywhere...
 :(
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:14:47 AM
so you've got more experience than mike? thats interesting. please tell us a little about all your success as a competitive bodybuilder, personal trainer, coach, writer of hundreds of articles, books, research etc.

 ::)

all i know is that you're working out with a bowflex and have zero ideas on your own. what exactly are you preaching, if anything?

Classic trolling:

1/ Refuses to actually supply detailed info on his supposed HIT training despite repeated requests.

2/ Tries to bend what is said, after making a false assumption about my experience. Nice try ahole.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:14:52 AM
Again you make these unproven assumptions about frying the CNS. Nice theory, which is used to justify other rationalizations.

Besides which, if frying the CNS was really an issue, marathon volume could easily do the same thing, even without going to failure.

no because it wouldnt hit the cns as bad.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:15:15 AM
Again you make these unproven assumptions about frying the CNS. Nice theory, which is used to justify other rationalizations.

Besides which, if frying the CNS was really an issue, marathon volume could easily do the same thing, even without going to failure.

unproven? lol so why do people get "overtrained" by using too much intensity (failure training)?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:15:21 AM
no because it wouldnt hit the cns as bad.

Based on what-this is crap.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:17:35 AM
Again you make these unproven assumptions about frying the CNS. Nice theory, which is used to justify other rationalizations.

Besides which, if frying the CNS was really an issue, marathon volume could easily do the same thing, even without going to failure.

dont twist what i was saying:
 i never said use marathon volume ...again yuor arguing a point that wasnt on the table and that i didnt say...of course doing to much volume is not good either but if you avoid failure yuo will be able to do more volume.(more growth).but that doesnt mean 120 sets.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:17:44 AM
Classic trolling:

1/ Refuses to actually supply detailed info on his supposed HIT training despite repeated requests.

2/ Tries to bend what is said, after making a false assumption about my experience. Nice try ahole.

1 - ive told you my experience with hit. wether it qualitifes as hit in your opinion i dont know. this is for you to explain.

2. you're saying you got more experience than mentzer, one of the more experienced in bodybuilding history. that makes me an asshole? how the hell can you claim to have more experience than him? how can you claim him, his brother and a lot more people supporting his ideas and using them, for year and years, we're talking hundreds, if not thousands of people, would rest 7, 10 or even 14 days when they could've stuck with 2-3 days? to this question you have no answer.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Moen on December 25, 2006, 05:17:49 AM
The first serious discussion I've read on here (lol)

I myself have combined elements from all schools, being a high frequency of bodypart training, intensity and volume
I do a push-pull split 2 on-1 off, 1 compound movement per musclegroup per session, 3 sets to failure of which one for each fiber type (6-10, 3-5 and 10-15 reps)

Reason for this combination: I needed intensity to grow but not too much (so no negative failure etc, too taxing), I still needed SOME volume (this comes out to 9 sets per musclegroup every 8 days as you see) and I needed rest too ofcourse so 2 on 1 off was the way to go
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:19:02 AM

2. you're saying you got more experience than mentzer, one of the more experienced in bodybuilding history. that makes me an asshole? how the hell can you claim to have more experience than him? how can you claim him, his brother and a lot more people supporting his ideas and using them, for year and years, we're talking hundreds, if not thousands of people, would rest 7, 10 or even 14 days when they could've stuck with 2-3 days? to this question you have no answer.

I never said that, you are trying desperately to create this impression because you get off on being a troll.

Expand in great detail on your HIT training..
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:21:21 AM
I never said that, you are trying desperately to say this in lieu of content, because you get off on being a troll.

Expand in great detail on your HIT training..

"First of all, Mike didn't have way more experience than me,"

This is an actual quote.

Not only do you say that Mike doesn't have way more experience, you also claim that he was wrong in ordering his clients to more rest as the intensity went up, you claim that that extra rest was totally unecessary.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:22:29 AM
"First of all, Mike didn't have way more experience than me,"

This is an actual quote.

Not only do you say that Mike doesn't have way more experience, you also claim that he was wrong in ordering his clients to more rest as the intensity went up, you claim that that extra rest was totally unecessary.




You're boring and have nothing of substance to contribute.


Still waiting for your detailed account of HIT training since you know so much about it..
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:23:32 AM
As for my experience of HIT I've told you. I've also told you why I don't think it's optimal. You on the other hand told NOONE about your training, your experience etc. all we know is this:

1. Pumpster is as experienced, or at least not far behind, Mike Mentzer. Possibly MORE experienced.
2. Pumpster works out with a Boxflex.

That's it.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:24:37 AM

I want details of "Bluto's" HIT training..not "i don't think it's optimal" which by itself is as empty as all of his other posts.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:25:03 AM
The first serious discussion I've read on here (lol)

I myself have combined elements from all schools, being a high frequency of bodypart training, intensity and volume
I do a push-pull split 2 on-1 off, 1 compound movement per musclegroup per session, 3 sets to failure of which one for each fiber type (6-10, 3-5 and 10-15 reps)

Reason for this combination: I needed intensity to grow but not too much (so no negative failure etc, too taxing), I still needed SOME volume (this comes out to 9 sets per musclegroup every 8 days as you see) and I needed rest too ofcourse so 2 on 1 off was the way to go


lol well im a slut but sometimes cock inflamed and you have to use the other head instead:

as for freqeuncy..frequency cant be taken to the absurd. also (same as intensity).i know some people say workout a muscle 3 times a week with low volume and avoid failure. sure im against failure training most of the time too..but..if you try to use too high freqeuncy you will have to lower the volume per training session too much which isnt good either so i think you have to find a happy medium: high enough volume to break down muscle fibers and do it often enough..i personally think once a week training isnt optimal but i dont think one set of bench press per day mon to friday is good eitehr. hope you understand what i mean.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:25:13 AM

You're boring and have nothing of substance to contribute.


You were caught lying since I got an actual quote. your comeback - im boring?

that's too bad, i thought we had a pretty interesting discussion going here for a number of pages, it's just too bad you cant give credit and have to resort to namecalling, troll-calling etc whenever you feel your losing an argument.



Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:26:51 AM
I want details of "Bluto's" HIT training..not "i don't think it's optimal" which by itself is as empty as all of his other posts.

no problem, what is it you wanna know? unlike you i have no problem sharing my experience. or answering questions.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:27:38 AM
Go into detail..for how long, how many sets, results..
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:29:01 AM
Go into detail..no need for me to spell it out.
guys come on drop the prestige shit..lets go back to discussing training theory. its not about winning the argument its about bringing opinions to the table.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 05:29:58 AM
guys come on drop the prestige shit..lets go back to discussing training theory. its not about winning the argument its about bringing opinions to the table.
What planet are you from? I'm asking him for training specifics. DUH!
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:32:39 AM
What planet are you from? I'm asking him for training specifics. DUH!

well you havent explained your personal experience more than he has..he has tried high intensity and told you what he thought and you told us about you training to failure using both high and medium and low volume. (but not non failure)  ;D


Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:33:50 AM
What planet are you from? I'm asking him for training specifics. DUH!

and why do you do that? ive explained why volume would work better. both in theory and my personal experience, and by monitoring others. at the end of the day 99% doesnt train HIT. so it's really the hit-fans that need to show support for their methods, not the other way around.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:45:02 AM
to summarize:

dont go to failure.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 05:49:18 AM
http://www.drweitz.com/scientific/hit.htm

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 05:53:53 AM
bluto: what do you think about freqeuncy...i think that once a week is probably not optimal but some guys are taking high frequency too far and wanan do 2 sets of bench press per week 4 days aweek. in my opinion that is taking it to far if your a bodybuilder yuo should have enough volume per training session but not so much that you gotta wait 10 days before training it again. id say working a muscle 2 times aweek with some volume would be good advice to most people. (no failure)

if you wanna keep it simple you can do once a week (per muscle group) but you gotta increase the volume then and really pump the muscle
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 25, 2006, 06:10:22 AM
Slaveboy is quite something. He admonishes me about being a know it all and then pontificates about training like he is a bona fide expert.

The debate between Slaveboy and Pumpster is going nowhere because the terms used are not defined or they might have different meanings. If we reduce this discussion to time under tension then we might be able to come to some agreement about how much tension is required. Intensity is a word that should be discarded when discussing training. It is almost meaningless in most gyms. How much resistance is needed and for how long and then when is it optimal to retrain that muscle? The basics are quite simple yet look at the heated discussions that occur on these boards.

What exactly does training to failure mean? I rather doubt that Jones was right about this requirement but it seemed logical. It appears that just because a theory seems to make sense is no guarantee that it is true.

Let me demonstrate something. Some guys train so 'hard' that they recruit spotters to assist them lift a weight. If this was a requirement of getting huge then no one would be able to get really big without a spotter. That is plainly absurd so it follows that spotters are not necessary. I think this business of training to failure is also probably mistaken. What is required is that the target muscles be stimulated to grow. Whatever is sufficient to stimulate the muscles is adequate. I doubt absolute failure is necessary but it could well be sufficient. Experience suggests that one set will not keep a muscle growing ever bigger. That is a pipedream and a mighty dangerous one, too.

We also have to consider safety when choosing training methods. Some extreme methods are too dangerous because they can lead to muscle tears, etc. I suspect that HIT is probably dangerous for advanced trainees and that is probably why most have discarded such a method.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 25, 2006, 06:16:01 AM
Slaveboy is quite something. He admonishes me about being a know it all and then pontificates about training like he is a bona fide expert.

The debate between Slaveboy and Pumpster is going nowhere because the terms used are not defined or they might have different meanings. If we reduce this discussion to time under tension then we might be able to come to some agreement about how much tension is required. Intensity is a word that should be discarded when discussing training. It is almost meaningless in most gyms. How much resistance is needed and for how long and then when is it optimal to retrain that muscle? The basics are quite simple yet look at the heated discussions that occur on these boards.

What exactly does training to failure mean? I rather doubt that Jones was right about this requirement but it seemed logical. It appears that just because a theory seems to make sense is no guarantee that it is true.

Let me demonstrate something. Some guys train so 'hard' that they recruit spotters to assist them lift a weight. If this was a requirement of getting huge then no one would be able to get really big without a spotter. That is plainly absurd so it follows that spotters are not necessary. I think this business of training to failure is also probably mistaken. What is required is that the target muscles be stimulated to grow. Whatever is sufficient to stimulate the muscles is adequate. I doubt absolute failure is necessary but it could well be sufficient. Experience suggests that one set will not keep a muscle growing ever bigger. That is a pipedream and a mighty dangerous one, too.

We also have to consider safety when choosing training methods. Some extreme methods are too dangerous because they can lead to muscle tears, etc. I suspect that HIT is probably dangerous for advanced trainees and that is probably why most have discarded such a method.

bla bla bla..write something that we dont know already. we had some tangible ideas atleast.you just write alot of crap that doesnt mean anything i think you would love kafka. and i never claimed i know everything as you can always learn new things. but you just go on and on..give us some practical advice. and please try not to write an essay.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 06:52:43 AM
bluto: what do you think about freqeuncy...i think that once a week is probably not optimal but some guys are taking high frequency too far and wanan do 2 sets of bench press per week 4 days aweek. in my opinion that is taking it to far if your a bodybuilder yuo should have enough volume per training session but not so much that you gotta wait 10 days before training it again. id say working a muscle 2 times aweek with some volume would be good advice to most people. (no failure)

if you wanna keep it simple you can do once a week (per muscle group) but you gotta increase the volume then and really pump the muscle

yup you could also do variations, like if you do benchpresses twice a week you could do once with low reps, more sets. and once with fewer sets and higher reps.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Moen on December 25, 2006, 07:18:07 AM

lol well im a slut but sometimes cock inflamed and you have to use the other head instead:

as for freqeuncy..frequency cant be taken to the absurd. also (same as intensity).i know some people say workout a muscle 3 times a week with low volume and avoid failure. sure im against failure training most of the time too..but..if you try to use too high freqeuncy you will have to lower the volume per training session too much which isnt good either so i think you have to find a happy medium: high enough volume to break down muscle fibers and do it often enough..i personally think once a week training isnt optimal but i dont think one set of bench press per day mon to friday is good eitehr. hope you understand what i mean.

Ofcourse, that's exactly what I'm trying to accomplish too  ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 07:26:46 AM
ive touched on the subject before that going to failure means the risk of injury increases:

"In a recent review Stone et al. (1998) noted that training to failure produces considerable fatigue. Fatigue increases the risk of injury, probably through changes in movement patterns. Additionally, the work of Nimmons et al. (1995) suggests that training to failure and beyond (e.g., forced reps) on a consistent basis can lead to overtraining."
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 25, 2006, 07:55:47 AM
Calves must be contracted as well as hams so their not always there.

Do you currently train with Arnolds system, if so have you noticed your muscles coming alive when you contract them?

Law




My muscles always come alive when I train them. Even if it is one set. I have that mind muscle connection that most people do not. I also built my base training Arnold style and am getting back into his system as we speak.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: natural al on December 25, 2006, 08:03:43 AM
ive touched on the subject before that going to failure means the risk of injury increases:

"In a recent review Stone et al. (1998) noted that training to failure produces considerable fatigue. Fatigue increases the risk of injury, probably through changes in movement patterns. Additionally, the work of Nimmons et al. (1995) suggests that training to failure and beyond (e.g., forced reps) on a consistent basis can lead to overtraining."

ummm.....that's why you rest more if you're doing any type of HIT training, higher intesity=lower volume, more rest, more time to recover.  If anyone is stupid enough to train using any of the accepted HIT protocols, like max-ot, BFT, DC or even pure HIT as perscribed by Arthur Jones and don't be mindfull of recovery then of course you're gong to overtrain and get hurt.

There are tons of studies that support HIT and tons of studies that denounce it, depends where you look and who did the studies.  If we're talking practical experience than that's one thing but if we turn this into who can post more studies to back our side than this thread will become a train wreck.  Not saying that's what you did I'd just hate to see it turn into that.

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 25, 2006, 08:18:31 AM
Yes, HIT is crazy. The work involved could really stress some guys out. This type of training is not for everyone.

I've always wondered what it is required of a person's personality to be able to train this way. hmm

Figgs, I have been a fan of Mentzer and his ideas about training since I started lifting in my friend Gaetano's basement in his house in Brooklyn in 1978.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 25, 2006, 08:20:54 AM
Figgs, I have been a fan of Mentzer and his ideas about training since I started lifting in my friend Gaetano's basement in his house in Brooklyn in 1978.
did you ever train at that gym that Ferrigno trained at in Pumping Iron, bmacys?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 25, 2006, 08:26:53 AM
did you ever train at that gym that Ferrigno trained at in Pumping Iron, bmacys?

He was the guy in the background curling the 10 pounders! 8)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 08:28:55 AM
Figgs, I have been a fan of Mentzer and his ideas about training since I started lifting in my friend Gaetano's basement in his house in Brooklyn in 1978.

that should give you nearly 30 years of experience training mentzer-style, hows that been working out for you? and how many days of rest between training different musclegroups are you up to know?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 25, 2006, 08:29:24 AM
He was the guy in the background curling the 10 pounders! 8)
i don't think so, Bmacys seems like a fairly strong guy.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 25, 2006, 08:32:07 AM
i don't think so, Bmacys seems like a fairly strong guy.

Do tell..
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 08:41:57 AM
if he's been working out for 30 years he should be.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 25, 2006, 08:43:03 AM
that should give you nearly 30 years of experience training mentzer-style, hows that been working out for you? and how many days of rest between training different musclegroups are you up to know?


I think I am like most guys who have trained a long time. I have taken extended layoffs. Gotten burnt out and quit. Joined the USMC. Got married and had kids. But I always start lifting again because after a while it gets in your blood. I have trained volume and HIT style but never like Mentzer advocated. I just basically cut my volume by 60% and was just as big and strong as when I did 20 sets per body part. I think most guys could get big and strong doing less volume than they are doing. We all have noticed the guy who spends hours in the gym but does a set every ten minutes. My thing is you have to lift heavy and push yourself. If you are doing 20 sets per body part and are natural I think you have to be coasting for a few sets. These are sets you could eliminate.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 25, 2006, 08:48:04 AM
that should give you nearly 30 years of experience training mentzer-style, hows that been working out for you? and how many days of rest between training different musclegroups are you up to know?

I workout every other day. Doing a hybrid routine. I also ride the bike for a half hour at a pretty good clip.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on December 25, 2006, 08:57:40 AM
did you ever train at that gym that Ferrigno trained at in Pumping Iron, bmacys?

No but I knew a guy who worked at the sheetmetal place Louie worked at. He said Louie wasn't all there mentally.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 25, 2006, 09:01:56 AM
If you are doing 20 sets per body part and are natural I think you have to be coasting for a few sets. These are sets you could eliminate.

depends on what you count by "sets". i usually do around 10 sets of my main lift, but at least seven of them could be called warmups. and if you add up what i do during the week you'd probably tell me i'm overtraining my triceps but you'd be wrong. wednesday i'll do those sets of bench, then incline or some dumbells, then some kind of shoulder pressing. saturday it's close-grip bench, rack lockouts or board presses, sometimes some shirt work, usually standing shoulder presses if i did seated on wednesday, then pressdowns to finish up.

yet, so far i haven't overtrained. amazing.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 09:02:55 AM
did you ever train at that gym that Ferrigno trained at in Pumping Iron, bmacys?
R&J Health Club was just a hole in the wall-Ferrigno only returned there from Gold's to train at the request of George Butler.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: SteelePegasus on December 25, 2006, 09:08:46 AM
depends on what you count by "sets". i usually do around 10 sets of my main lift, but at least seven of them could be called warmups. and if you add up what i do during the week you'd probably tell me i'm overtraining my triceps but you'd be wrong. wednesday i'll do those sets of bench, then incline or some dumbells, then some kind of shoulder pressing. saturday it's close-grip bench, rack lockouts or board presses, sometimes some shirt work, usually standing shoulder presses if i did seated on wednesday, then pressdowns to finish up.

yet, so far i haven't overtrained. amazing.

It is always interesting that guys who look like they don't workout are concerned about over training.  They should more concerned with under training.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 09:12:48 AM
It is always interesting that guys who look like they don't workout are concerned about over training.  They should more concerned with under training.
That would possibly mean admitting that it's really about laziness, not "resting the CNS". ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 25, 2006, 09:13:15 AM
It is always interesting that guys who look like they don't workout are concerned about over training.  They should more concerned with under training.

when i talked with a few drug-free powerlifters who did workouts that sounded like two combined in one, i realized i needed to really re-think my definition of "overtraining".
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: getfast81 on December 25, 2006, 09:16:56 AM
Lee Labradas training routine is/was the best example of HIT training, then of course BIG DIESEL Yates!!!   8)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 12:05:16 PM
Here's the fucking secret motherfuckers: PROGRESSION!!! There is research that shows clearly that the load is the prime factor in hypertrophy. PRIME factor! Not the only factor but the most important factor.

Forget about failure, DOMS, and everything else... do a routine that allows you to increase loads over time using a reasonable volume.

If you have been training with the same loads for the past 3 years you most likely haven't grown, unless you added a bunch drugs.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 12:21:06 PM
Here's the fucking secret motherfuckers: PROGRESSION!!! There is research that shows clearly that the load is the prime factor in hypertrophy. PRIME factor! Not the only factor but the most important factor.

Forget about failure, DOMS, and everything else... do a routine that allows you to increase loads over time using a reasonable volume.

You've tried to separate out symbiotic relationships that aren't divisible. Optimal progression & overload require & are enhanced by intensity and failure. They're not separate, which is exactly why the classic term is progressive overload (both words, not one or the other)..

It ain't happening by going through the motions taking it easy, it requires that the muscles be forced to do more work than they're used to, after which adaptation occurs, ie. growth.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 12:32:39 PM
You've got part of it while neglecting other keys. Like the fact that progression & overload require & are enhanced by intensity and failure. They're not separate and divisible, exactly why the classic term is progressive overload (both words, not one or the other)..

It ain't happening by going through the motions taking it easy, it requires that the muscles be forced to do more work they're not used to, after which adaptation occurs, called growth.
I go to failure frequently. I do not think something magical happens when you hit that point though. If you get good progression hitting failure frequently then keep doing that. Some may not need to or even start to regress by training too "hard". That's the point.

If you deadlift 500 x 5 and progress to 700 x 5, even if you never hit failure during that period you'll grow just fine.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 12:34:00 PM
I go to failure frequently. I do not think something magical happens when you hit that point though. If you get good progression hitting failure frequently then keep doing that. Some may not need to or even start to regress by training too "hard". That's the point.

If you deadlift 500 x 5 and progress to 700 x 5, even if you never hit failure during that period you'll grow just fine.
Disagree, because the whole point is to subject the muscles to increasing stress to create adaptation, which isn't happening by going through the motions. Failure is in fact the existing point the muscles can already handle, which must be exceeded to force adaptation. Something like the 20 minute threshold point of cardio, after which time the body starts serious fat-burning.

Besides which, it's only through maximal effort that you're absolutely sure that full potential's being realized. Without max. effort, there's no assurance of max. gains, is there? ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 12:38:17 PM
That point can be argued, though i wouldn't, for the simple fact that it's only through maximal effort that you're absolutely sure that full potential's being realized.
Well I can be sure if I start to regress every time I hit absolute failure. If a maximal set always leaves me drained and makes my poundages go down next workout I know it's not a system that allows me to grow the fastest way possible. And don't give me that Mentzer crap about having to lengthen the rest period between workouts if progress slows.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 12:39:24 PM
If you're really that drained by maxing out take up golf. Others with balls don't have this problem & actually embrace the pain, seriously. Going through the motions with minimal-effort with pumping sets is LAME as well as unathletic. Wasn't it Schwarzenegger saying in PI "a willingness to take the pain, no matter what". ;)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 12:42:10 PM
Besides which, it's only through maximal effort that you're absolutely sure that full potential's being realized. Without max. effort, there's no assurance of max. gains, is there? ;D
No you are making an error in thinking here. More efforts doesn't always mean more results.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 25, 2006, 12:43:41 PM
Well I can be sure if I start to regress every time I hit absolute failure. If a maximal set always leaves me drained and makes my poundages go down next workout I know it's not a system that allows me to grow the fastest way possible. And don't give me that Mentzer crap about having to lengthen the rest period between workouts if progress slows.

i agree. positive failure is my thing. if i miss a lift, that's when the set ends. trying to grind out partials, forced reps, or drop setting had always destroyed me. i can do heavy singles and triples all week long, but it's the whole "absolute failure" thing that's hurt me.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 12:44:12 PM
If you're really that drained by maxing out take up golf. Others with balls don't have this problem & actually embrace the pain, seriously. Going through the motions with minimal-effort with pumping sets is LAME as well as unathletic.
Dude I bet I'm WAY stronger than you and train much harder. I KNOW what hard training is. I'll give an example my deadlift has progressed from 600 x 5 to 660 x 5 the last few months and I only hit failure once, by mistake, during this period. That set where I hit failure was too draining and it set me back 2 weeks.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 12:44:20 PM
More efforts DO make a difference when applied intelligently, as i've explained. Wrong again.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 25, 2006, 12:44:51 PM
Dude I bet I'm WAY stronger than you and train much harder. I KNOW what hard training is. I'll give an example my deadlift has progressed from 600 x 5 to 660 x 5 the last few months and I only hit failure once, by mistake, during this period. That set where I hit failure was too draining and it set me back 2 weeks.
oh brother, another internet strength god. ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 12:45:10 PM
i agree. positive failure is my thing. if i miss a lift, that's when the set ends. trying to grind out partials, forced reps, or drop setting had always destroyed me. i can do heavy singles and triples all week long, but it's the whole "absolute failure" thing that's hurt me.
Thank you; THIS IS HOW YOU PROGRESS. Otherwise take up golf.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 12:47:26 PM
oh brother, another internet strength god. ::)
It's true though in my case.  ;D If I could trust you I'd even send pics.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 25, 2006, 12:48:16 PM
It's true though in my case.  ;D If I could trust you I'd even send pics.
just post them in this thread, block out your face if you need to.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 25, 2006, 12:49:21 PM
seconded. what could we do that's so terrible with a picture with the face blocked out?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 01:00:50 PM
seconded. what could we do that's so terrible with a picture with the face blocked out?
Well I had this, which is dark enough to conceal my face. Doing some deficit deads with roughly 600, september 21. The starting point when I was doing 600 x 5 off the floor.
http://i16.tinypic.com/47aoc3n.jpg
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 25, 2006, 01:20:42 PM
what are those plates? the inner four are all the same and the last one on the end is a 45. so unless those are all goofy weights it isn't 600. still, definitely awesome work pulling 5 plates with that kind of a deficit.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Fury on December 25, 2006, 01:21:46 PM
Well I had this, which is dark enough to conceal my face. Doing some deficit deads with roughly 600, september 21. The starting point when I was doing 600 x 5 off the floor.
http://i16.tinypic.com/47aoc3n.jpg

That girl on the treadmill is eye fucking you.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 01:33:17 PM
what are those plates? the inner four are all the same and the last one on the end is a 45. so unless those are all goofy weights it isn't 600. still, definitely awesome work pulling 5 plates with that kind of a deficit.
They are all 25kg plates (red=25kg, standard color for 25kg, you can see the 25kg marking if you look closely), the outer ones are of a different make. Some no name brand, this is not a hardcore gym so we don't have Eleiko plates etc. So it's 270kg total.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: The Squadfather on December 25, 2006, 01:37:01 PM
They are all 25kg plates (red=25kg, standard color for 25kg, you can see the 25kg marking if you look closely), the outer ones are of a different make. Some no name brand, this is not a hardcore gym so we don't have Eleiko plates etc. So it's 270kg total.
270kg.=595lbs.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 01:40:39 PM
270kg.=595lbs.
Yes, right. This is a deficit dead though standing on a thick 50kg + 25kg plate, a bit harder than floor pulls.  :D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 02:50:58 PM
we have the same 25kg weights at my gym. theyre the real thing.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 02:52:11 PM
this is a good thread. pumpster getting attacked from all angles. and all he can come up with is that he trains with a bowflex  ;D

and then we have squadfather using up his 'show a picture'-card and getting owned.

good stuff.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 03:31:49 PM
this is a good thread. pumpster getting attacked from all angles. and all he can come up with is that he trains with a bowflex  ;D

and then we have squadfather using up his 'show a picture'-card and getting owned.

good stuff.
Hard to believe that a troll with no life would post more nothingness.

Bluto celebrating xmas earlier today, after another rough "no-going-to-failure" workout:
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 03:44:35 PM
you know i bet that guy on in the photo has more muscle than you  :D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: haider on December 25, 2006, 03:45:58 PM
Very nice pull bilderass!

Agreed completely abt stopping short of failure also. If increasing the amt of weight lifted is the biggest factor in the long run(or the only thing that matters in a powerlifters case), then I don't see how going after that last rep affects anything except drain out the CNS more. And in your case the opposing argument fails simply because u were able to progress very well on your deadlift without training to failure. IMO, sparing yourself of failure played a part in your incredible progress.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: SteelePegasus on December 25, 2006, 04:23:03 PM
oh brother, another internet strength god. ::)

lol, aren't we all?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on December 25, 2006, 04:41:37 PM
Whats up Figgs, pandoras box opened with this thread huh. What part of Queens do you live?




Myseone, I live in Queens, NY. Shall I challenge you to a leg workout?  ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 25, 2006, 04:44:34 PM
I think Pumpster is claiming that unless the muscles have to do something extraordinary then they won't grow. I remember reading what Arthur Jones wrote in the early 1970s. He discussed which rep actually made a difference. It seemed to make sense that the rep you failed on was the one that benefitted you the most. However, what if you stopped on the rep just before the failed rep? Would that be just as good? I can tell most of the time when I can't do another rep so I stop there. I then continue to do more sets with the maximum resistance. That is the key to hypertrophy as far as I am concerned. Lots of sets with the maximum resistance. No drop sets or forced sets. What you will find is that the reps will drop by about the 3rd maximum set. So I warm up by adding resistance and stop when I can do about 12 to 15 good reps. Then by the 3rd set with this maximum resistance the reps drop to about 8 to 10 which is still good. If you drop to about 5 reps you tend to try to cheat too much to finish the reps. When you start doing that you recruit other muscles to help you finish the set. I superset most exercises so the rest between sets is about 2 to 3 minutes. I find that about 6 maximum sets stimulates growth but I sometimes do a few more sets. I haven't tried this strategy for legs yet but it works great for calves and arms. It remains to be seen what would happen if you kept doing maximum sets for hours on end. I suspect you would grow rapidly, indeed.  
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 25, 2006, 04:46:54 PM
Very nice pull bilderass!

Agreed completely abt stopping short of failure also. If increasing the amt of weight lifted is the biggest factor in the long run(or the only thing that matters in a powerlifters case), then I don't see how going after that last rep affects anything except drain out the CNS more. And in your case the opposing argument fails simply because u were able to progress very well on your deadlift without training to failure. IMO, sparing yourself of failure played a part in your incredible progress.

But pumpster doesn't believe in draining out the CNS, he thinks it only takes a couple of days to recover, regardless of how hard you trained or what you did at the gym.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: oldtimer1 on December 25, 2006, 04:54:44 PM
I train with my form of HIT for many years.  I even have many of Darden's books.  The problem I have is the argument that volume isn't effective and that it's easy.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  That's like sprinter saying distance runners have it easy because they run sub maximal miles.  
 
Another point that is problematic in the HIT community is how is has turned into so many different groups all claiming they have the ultimate path to bodybuilding nirvana.  
 
Lastly is the problem of who achieved success from HIT.  This is where the BS flies.  In so many HIT books the pictures are of volume trainers.  It confuses the young guys who just assume they are HIT trainers.  I'm talking about HIT in it's conventional form of three work outs a week of 12 exercises for one set per exercise.  Take Joe Means.  He won the most muscular man at I believe the 75 AAU Mr. America contest. To this day I don't think there has been a more cut bodybuilder.  He was interviewed by Bill Reynolds about his training for that contest.  He used volume and plenty of it.  A two way split and tri sets for many bodyparts.  He did have many Nautilus machines in the private gym he worked out in but he clearly outlined a volume routine.  I had plenty of correspondence with Reynolds and I trust his integrity. Darden came out with a really good book on Nautilus and Means was on the cover and inside as the primary model.  If a successful volume trained bodybuilder trained on HIT for awhile does it make him a HIT success story?

Does a HIT book using pictures of volume trainers like Haney, Dickerson, Fox, and others prove the point of the superiority of HIT?  If a famous bodybuilder trains with Nautilus for a few weeks or a few months and has his picture taken on a Nautilus machine does that make them a HIT guy.  Oliva trained with volume and conventional sets prior to going to Florida and returned to that when he returned.  Is he the poster boy for HIT?  Anyone who has seen him train knows he did many sets and a three day split.  

The biggest poster boy of all for HIT is Viator. He has been seen during his best condition in the 80's using around 16 sets per body part by David Young. I have no problem believing that Viator used real HIT successfully for many years.  Coe usually used multiple sets but now he's used by HIT guys rewriting history as a guy who achieved his success using one set per exercise?  

The point I'm trying to get at is that the HIT community is hurting themself with their own actions.   Instead of embracing HIT guys like Dorian Yates they put him down as not being a HIT purist.  Imagine calling Lee Labrada or Dugdale anything but a HIT trainer because they don't use single set exercises?  Another error of their ways is calling everyone dumb that doesn't believe in their individual form of HIT.  Arrogance and rude manners seem to dominate the HIT culture.

I believe in high intensity training.  I have been using a form of HIT for 30 plus years.  I also know enough that volume does work.  It isn't easy.  To para phrase Darden, every thing has a price and if training for many hours a day is the price for a muscular body the price isn't worth it.  Train hard and get on with the rest of your life.

On a side note.  Darden lastest book that is only available on his web site is his best work ever.  It is a must have book.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 25, 2006, 06:22:24 PM
But pumpster doesn't believe in draining out the CNS, he thinks it only takes a couple of days to recover, regardless of how hard you trained or what you did at the gym.

I don't know what kind of shape "Bluto's" in but i've never felt drained from it. If i'm lucky there's some DOMS the next day, a good thing, but that's about it. I'll bet Figgs would say same.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: CC3 on December 25, 2006, 06:53:40 PM
Well I had this, which is dark enough to conceal my face. Doing some deficit deads with roughly 600, september 21. The starting point when I was doing 600 x 5 off the floor.
http://i16.tinypic.com/47aoc3n.jpg

Funny how quiet it gets after that pic is posted...
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: brianX on December 25, 2006, 06:57:16 PM
The funny thing about "HIT" trainees is that they all look like they've never touched a weight in their life. The only HIT-ers that have any muscle are the hardcore drug users. Sad but true.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: TheAnimal on December 25, 2006, 07:06:05 PM
The funny thing about "HIT" trainees is that they all look like they've never touched a weight in their life. The only HIT-ers that have any muscle are the hardcore drug users. Sad but true.
wow true ownage... so true yet so harsh  ;)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: alexxx on December 25, 2006, 07:07:28 PM
The funny thing about "HIT" trainees is that they all look like they've never touched a weight in their life. The only HIT-ers that have any muscle are the hardcore drug users. Sad but true.

Well then that is something you have in common.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Vince B on December 25, 2006, 07:30:45 PM
I am amazed they let a guy do a heavy deadlift over a wooden floor without thick rubber mats underneath! Good effort for a low deadlift even with straps. Smart to keep both hands without palms foreward. Safer that way.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Van_Bilderass on December 25, 2006, 07:58:25 PM
I am amazed they let a guy do a heavy deadlift over a wooden floor without thick rubber mats underneath! Good effort for a low deadlift even with straps. Smart to keep both hands without palms foreward. Safer that way.
I max a bit more without straps actually. Everyone always says that Ronnie's deads aren't that impressive since he uses straps but grip is not a limiting factor for everyone. I have injured both biceps already so I don't dare use a mixed grip anymore. I hate crouching over setting the straps, would rather "grip and rip".  :D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: WillRiker on December 26, 2006, 02:30:40 AM
I forgot about Dugdale, another great example. The stuff works.

Even though all these bodybuilders juice, I think that HIT type training is more suited for drug free trainees, because of the recovery factor. I think people freak out when they read Mentzers protocol due to the huge amounts of rest included. mentzers method is only one interpretation of HIT training, just like in the HVT camp Cutler trains differently, than Wheeler or Coleman.





HIT training is not suited for drug free trainees, the stress HIT generates (especially on the nervous system) is too much for a natural. Volume training (where one does not go to failure) is much more suited to naturals.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 05:07:34 AM
Thank you; THIS IS HOW YOU PROGRESS. Otherwise take up golf.


lol guys are telling you they progressed well without going to failure and all you do is saying take up golf. lame.
it sounds like a guy who doesnt go to failure isnt a man..even if he makes progress, that proves that your taking this shit to serious ::)

remember people, dont go to failure..it will allow you to workout more often with more volume and thus grow more.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:20:47 AM
I don't know what kind of shape "Bluto's" in but i've never felt drained from it. If i'm lucky there's some DOMS the next day, a good thing, but that's about it. I'll bet Figgs would say same.

whats makes you think you gonna feel it? you dont wake up the next day and say "ouch! i really hurt my central nervous system last night, i can feel it fo' sure!" "hey! dont touch there, it hurts, ma cns!"

you need to read more about the cns and how it works. you obivously are clueless.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:22:46 AM
The funny thing about "HIT" trainees is that they all look like they've never touched a weight in their life. The only HIT-ers that have any muscle are the hardcore drug users. Sad but true.

well they got a sobbing explanation for that, they're "hardgainers" and i dont there's ever been a photo of their gurus like stuart mcrobert.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:23:36 AM
Funny how quiet it gets after that pic is posted...

well the people questioning his lifts got owned. squadfather went away with his tail between his legs.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 05:25:46 AM
yeah pumpster thinks that when i mention cns  it means like im suggesting you gotta train like a pussy, actually its the other way around..because your stopping before failure and not using intensity techniques such as forced reps or rest pause reps it will allow you to train more often with more sets thus stimulating the muscles more.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:25:49 AM

lol guys are telling you they progressed well without going to failure and all you do is saying take up golf. lame.
it sounds like a guy who doesnt go to failure isnt a man..even if he makes progress, that proves that your taking this shit to serious ::)

remember people, dont go to failure..it will allow you to workout more often with more volume and thus grow more.

that's all pumpster got. he believes he's macho for training to failure. can you believe that shit? you think any greco-roman wrestler, boxer, mma-guy, powerlifter, strongman etc would give a SHIT because he lifts to failure? they laugh him off as the pussy he is. because it's no fucking big deal.
a 12 year old girl can lift to failure. so can an 80 year old.
doesnt mean shit.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 05:26:25 AM
I think Pumpster is claiming that unless the muscles have to do something extraordinary then they won't grow. I remember reading what Arthur Jones wrote in the early 1970s. He discussed which rep actually made a difference. It seemed to make sense that the rep you failed on was the one that benefitted you the most. However, what if you stopped on the rep just before the failed rep? Would that be just as good? I can tell most of the time when I can't do another rep so I stop there. I then continue to do more sets with the maximum resistance. That is the key to hypertrophy as far as I am concerned. Lots of sets with the maximum resistance. No drop sets or forced sets. What you will find is that the reps will drop by about the 3rd maximum set. So I warm up by adding resistance and stop when I can do about 12 to 15 good reps. Then by the 3rd set with this maximum resistance the reps drop to about 8 to 10 which is still good. If you drop to about 5 reps you tend to try to cheat too much to finish the reps. When you start doing that you recruit other muscles to help you finish the set. I superset most exercises so the rest between sets is about 2 to 3 minutes. I find that about 6 maximum sets stimulates growth but I sometimes do a few more sets. I haven't tried this strategy for legs yet but it works great for calves and arms. It remains to be seen what would happen if you kept doing maximum sets for hours on end. I suspect you would grow rapidly, indeed.  

Ya the belief, which i agree with (as do some volume trainers, including Schwarzenegger in PI "if you can't go through the pain..") is that the muscle will only adapt if forced to by extraordinary stress. Who can refute this-how will staying well within current abilities force the muscle to adapt? And how does progressive resistance occur while remaining firmly within the status quo?

Secondly, how can you be sure that you've trained to full potential if you consistently stop short of failure? You don't know, and can well be limiting potential growth. The only sure thing is that training intensely to failure is maximizing potential.

Third, to stop short of failure is basically being a pumper, which is one of the disparagements aimed at BBs in general over the years. It's unimpressive as well as unathletic.


 
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: natural al on December 26, 2006, 05:27:45 AM
HIT training is not suited for drug free trainees, the stress HIT generates (especially on the nervous system) is too much for a natural. Volume training (where one does not go to failure) is much more suited to naturals.

that' why you rest more.....
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 05:31:12 AM


Third, to stop short of failure is basically being a pumper, which is one of the disparagements aimed at BBs in general over the years. It's unimpressive as well as unathletic.


 


going to failure is unathletic...as no other professional athletes go to failure (while training that is..and if they do its scheduled...for example the russians call it planned overreaching) as the human body is ment to adapt to an overload yes but its not meant to be totally crushed. if you know anything about how elite athletes train in all other sport you would know that its going to failure that is unathletic. you owned yourself.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:34:47 AM
Quote
Secondly, how can you be sure that you've trained to full potential if you consistently stop short of failure? You don't know, and can well be limiting potential growth. The only sure thing is that training intensely to failure is maximizing potential.

there's a shitloads of things that may limit potential growth. maybe you need more variation. more exercises. other angles. cycling. higher reps. lower reps. 1 rep max. more protein. more rest. less rest. more rest between sets. less rest between sets. more volume. less volume. and so on and so on.
training to failure means you get less work done in a year. which if anything limits growth. it also increases the chances of injury and fucking with your cns, which could cause your immunesystem to crash making you sick.

Quote
Third, to stop short of failure is basically being a pumper, which is one of the disparagements aimed at BBs in general over the years. It's unimpressive as well as unathletic.

i bet a lot of powerlifters etc would call your training program unathletic compared to what they do. why dont you try 100 reps in the legpress, milos sarcev style, and stop at 98 reps and we'll see how unathletic it is. you obviously dont care about results. you dont care about strength. you only care about going to failure at the gym at any weight whatsoever. which means you are as athletic as a 12 year old girl with pink dumbbells - you both go to failure.
so you both athletes.

congratulations!
 ::)


 
[/quote]
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:40:54 AM
the discussion has changed from whats most effective to whats most "athletic"  ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:06:52 AM
the discussion has changed from whats most effective to whats most "athletic"  ::)
Clueless to the reality that training athletically does in fact impart a more athletic look.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:08:26 AM

going to failure is unathletic...as no other professional athletes go to failure (while training that is..and if they do its scheduled...for example the russians call it planned overreaching) as the human body is ment to adapt to an overload yes but its not meant to be totally crushed. if you know anything about how elite athletes train in all other sport you would know that its going to failure that is unathletic. you owned yourself.
Utter, made-up nonsense. Look at sprinter's training, which is one ofj the closest analogies. The heart of sprint training is sprints, each one analogous to a set, done at 100% effort. Could not be clearer.

OWNED
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:09:38 AM
there's a shitloads of things that may limit potential growth. maybe you need more variation. more exercises. other angles. cycling. higher reps. lower reps. 1 rep max. more protein. more rest. less rest. more rest between sets. less rest between sets. more volume. less volume. and so on and so on.
training to failure means you get less work done in a year. which if anything limits growth. it also increases the chances of injury and fucking with your cns, which could cause your immunesystem to crash making you sick.

i bet a lot of powerlifters etc would call your training program unathletic compared to what they do. why dont you try 100 reps in the legpress, milos sarcev style, and stop at 98 reps and we'll see how unathletic it is. you obviously dont care about results. you dont care about strength. you only care about going to failure at the gym at any weight whatsoever. which means you are as athletic as a 12 year old girl with pink dumbbells - you both go to failure.
so you both athletes.

congratulations!
 ::)


 

There are a shitload of things, exactly-and the smart ones (not Bluto, obviously) address all of them to 100% potential. Training until the muscle submits is part of that; doing otherwise falls short of 100% and is lazy.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:13:09 AM
Neither of these guys has been able to directly refute my points, have only gone into tangents in efforts to deflect. ;)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 06:13:20 AM
BS. Look at sprinter's training, which is the closest analogy. The heart of the training is sprints, analogous to sets, done at 100%..

OWNED
not even close...high intensity sure as running marathons would not do anything for sprinters. but that has nothing to do with training to failure. you can mail and ask charlie francis yourself.that he would never take anyone to failure...and how do you do that with sprints anyway lol?. ;D i been to 2-3 seminars where has spoken.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 06:16:43 AM
Neither of these guys has been able to directly refute my points, have only gone into tangents in efforts to deflect. ;)


lol na your describing what you have done  ;)  also its been proven already almost 50 years ago that failure training isnt necessary. and its being proved day after day...but please keep doing 3 sets to failure and call yourself athletic...
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:16:56 AM
not even close...high intensity sure as running marathons would not do anything for sprinters. but that has nothing to do with training to failure. you can mail and ask charlie francis yourself.that he would never take anyone to failure...and how do you do that with sprints anyway lol?. ;D i been to 2-3 seminars where has spoken.
I've got his book. hahaahahah OWNED Sprinters and other athletes have to go at 100% some of the time to push the envelope and improve. Improvement's not happening at 60% or 80% effort. This is common sense-to some. ::)

Next slave will inform us that racecar drivers never go 100% because it will "tax the engines". hahaahahahahaah
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 06:20:07 AM
I've got his book. hahaahahah OWNED

Next slave will inform us that racecar drivers never go 100% because it will "tax the engines". hahaahahahahaah

good and yuo will see that he says nowhere that you need to go to  failure..besided sprinting isnt a correct analogy..as i never said you dont need intensity all i said is you dont need to go to failure.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:20:10 AM

lol na your describing what you have done  ;)  also its been proven already almost 50 years ago that failure training isnt necessary. and its being proved day after day...but please keep doing 3 sets to failure and call yourself athletic...
Saying it isn't so with no direct proof or details just reinforces my points, which are commonsense (to some). Nothing has been irrefutably proven, especially not 50 years ago you dumbass. hahahaahahahah
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:33:08 AM
good and yuo will see that he says nowhere that you need to go to  failure..besided sprinting isnt a correct analogy..as i never said you dont need intensity all i said is you dont need to go to failure.
Backpeddle. An yes sprinting is an excellent analogy, you've done absolutely nothing to disprove that it is in fact a very good analogy.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 06:43:37 AM
not backpeddling..im not sure even what your discussing now. sprinters run..they dont run to failure. they run fast and?? i think everyone understand if a sprinter wants to run fast he has to do the same in training and not run marathons. but still going to failure isnt necessary for muscle building. simple as that.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 06:48:19 AM
not backpeddling..im not sure even what your discussing now. sprinters run..they dont run to failure. they run fast and?? i think everyone understand if a sprinter wants to run fast he has to do the same in training and not run marathons. but still going to failure isnt necessary for muscle building. simple as that.
No, you're missing it. The core part of sprint training after warmup is 100% effort sprints-they're not stopping before maximum effort is expended, in fact they're doing everything possible to go beyond 100%.

Before and after those sprints, there will be other sprints at a percentage of full effort, almost like pyramid sets in weight training.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 06:59:57 AM
ok we are getting side tracked here...they arent training to failure or total exhaustion or they would be spent fairly quickly and wouldnt be able to train several hours per day (which they do). to get back to bodybuilding lifting to failure isnt necessary to induce growth. not saying that failure training doenst induce growth as it does just saying it smarter no to train to failure as it keeps the cns fresh and allows you to train more often and with more volume. its like widening the opening of a bottle..you can get more water in if you have a wider opening. if you crush the cns with prolonged failure training you will have a real small bottle opening and thus slow the muscle building process. but yes going to failure during planned periods can be good..to push strenght up and "shock" (dont like that expression so much) muscles..but majority of training should be non failure training.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 10:09:47 AM
Clueless to the reality that training athletically does in fact impart a more athletic look.

youre looking for an athletic look? so people can think you actually participate in sports, when in reality all you do is work to failure like any other gym member  ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 10:12:01 AM
There are a shitload of things, exactly-and the smart ones (not Bluto, obviously) address all of them to 100% potential. Training until the muscle submits is part of that; doing otherwise falls short of 100% and is lazy.

training until muscle submits is not as productive.
so all you're left with is your washed out 'well it's athletic- bullshit substitute you need because you dont participate in any real sports and dont compete.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 10:16:22 AM
pumpster is going to failure on and all out balls to the wall set for 8 reps 3 times per week on his bowflex!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

all bow down to the ATHLETE pumpster!!!!!!!

i bet pumpster psyche himself up to the rocky 3 soundtrack eye of the tiger and grunts and growls to show what a MAN he is!!!!!!!!!

GRRRRR!!

what an ANIMAL!!!!!!!!!
 
he dont stop anywhere near failure! no way! he goes THROUGH THE PAIN BARRIER!!!!!!!

pain is just weakness leaving the body !!!!!!!!!

ghahahahah
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: slaveboy1980 on December 26, 2006, 10:19:07 AM
i think he changed his goals when he realized working to failure doesnt work so he settled for trying to achieve an "athletic" look instead of adding mass (avoiding failure.). i believe pumpster prefers the famous macho train to failure athletic look. as you can see his results are stunning:

(http://members.surfeu.fi/aatu.karri/bodybuilding.jpg)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: SteelePegasus on December 26, 2006, 04:08:18 PM
youre looking for an athletic look? so people can think you actually participate in sports, when in reality all you do is work to failure like any other gym member  ::)

lol, he spends all day in the gym lifting weights to look like he doesn't spend all day in the gym lifting weights

classic
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: MisterMagoo on December 26, 2006, 05:00:13 PM
lol, he spends all day in the gym lifting weights to look like he doesn't spend all day in the gym lifting weights

classic

he spends no time in the gym, haven't heard? his 410 pound bench presses on the bowflex give him that athletic look!  ::)
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:04:02 PM
pumpster is a freakin' weirdo
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 05:12:54 PM
pumpster is a freakin' weirdo

This from a nerd who doesn't like Venice, the place all the greats hung out and loved. haahahahahaahahah

I'm seeing a pattern in these post-lots of the guys here really have nothing of value to say, resort to lame posts about nothing. BORING. ;D
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 05:14:24 PM
i think he changed his goals when he realized working to failure doesnt work so he settled for trying to achieve an "athletic" look instead of adding mass (avoiding failure.). i believe pumpster prefers the famous macho train to failure athletic look. as you can see his results are stunning:



This is slave's way of admitting that he has nothing of value to share, desperately resorts to kid's stuff. hahaahahahahah
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: pumpster on December 26, 2006, 05:15:30 PM
ok we are getting side tracked here...they arent training to failure or total exhaustion or they would be spent fairly quickly and wouldnt be able to train several hours per day (which they do). to get back to bodybuilding lifting to failure isnt necessary to induce growth. not saying that failure training doenst induce growth as it does just saying it smarter no to train to failure as it keeps the cns fresh and allows you to train more often and with more volume. its like widening the opening of a bottle..you can get more water in if you have a wider opening. if you crush the cns with prolonged failure training you will have a real small bottle opening and thus slow the muscle building process. but yes going to failure during planned periods can be good..to push strenght up and "shock" (dont like that expression so much) muscles..but majority of training should be non failure training.

"Slave" proving that his grammatical construction's as weak as his poor logic. I smell GED with this boring, long-winded run-on sentence from our HS grad here!
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Bluto on December 26, 2006, 05:21:33 PM
This from a nerd who doesn't like Venice, the place all the greats hung out and loved. haahahahahaahahah

I'm seeing a pattern in these post-lots of the guys here really have nothing of value to say, resort to lame posts about nothing. BORING. ;D

as we know from the thread about venice, turned out you were about the ONLY one who liked it.
you fit the scene perfectly there. you're one of the bums. i bet you found your precious bowflex in a garbage can
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: oldtimer1 on July 02, 2007, 01:40:18 PM
Joe Means and Sergio Oliva are examples of HIT?  Anyone who has seen Sergio train prior and after his very brief involvement with Nautilus has seen him train with volume and plenty of it.  Joe Means was interviewed at his peak by Bill Reynolds stating his volume tri set routine.  Just because he posed for pictures in a Darden book and trained for awhile with pure Nautilus dosn't mean he's is the poster boy for HIT.  That was the pattern back in the day for you guys that weren't born back then.  Find an established champ who uses volume.  Have him train on machines with HIT. Then claim responsibility for the champ's success.  Viator looked his best in the late 80's when he was using volume.  He was ripped and big.  I know of one guy who trained in the same gym as Mentzer in his prime say he saw him using a lot more sets than what he wrote about in the magazines.  Maybe they were warm ups sets and not working sets?  I don't know.

Now Yates, Dugdale, and Labrada are true HIT type trainers. 

For the record I train with low sets and to failure.  I have no agenda to knock HIT.  I use it.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Hedgehog on July 02, 2007, 02:05:10 PM
I personally believe that there is much to learn from both HIT and HVT camps, and some one like Labrada or Yates modified the technique in the best way. I use a hybrid form myself currently but I have trained with pure HIT style at various points in my lifting career.

Right now I train about three times a week on non-consecutive days. Each workout takes about 30-35 minutes in length (this is not counting the stretching, 5 minutes of bike that I do before training)

I'll do a couple of warm up sets for my first exercise of a muscle group, to aclimate my body to the heavy work. I'll then set up three exercises for a muscle group. I'll perform the first one with drop sets, negatives, forced reps, etc.. then move to my next exercise immediately do the same there minus the warm up, then move to the next one and do the same thing minus the warm up. So it usually takes only 10-15 minutes to bust up a muscle group. I'll then rest 2 minutes warm up the next muscle group for a set or 2 then hit that.

I don't do many sets, for chest 2-3 warm up sets, then 3 work sets with drops total. For biceps 1 warm up set, 2 work sets total.

For the typical drug free advanced trainee this will work well, for the beginner and intermediate (those with less than 3 years of foundation training) I suggest a straight sets, 2 basic exercises for large muscles and 1 exercise for smaller muscle groups, 1-2 warm ups for each movement, then 1-2 work sets per exercise; training primarily to build strength in the squat, deadlift, chin, dip, chest press, row, and overhead press. Married with rest days, lots of nutritous food, intensity this will make anyone bigger....of course how big you eventually get depends upon your genetics and discipline.


Lawrence



I don't understand the limited rest between sets.

Why not rest until the whole muscle is able to perform again? IMO, that makes more sense than rushing between sets.

Few sets, long rests, that's what I like. ;D

-Hedge
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: IceCold on July 02, 2007, 02:23:12 PM
No, you're missing it. The core part of sprint training after warmup is 100% effort sprints-they're not stopping before maximum effort is expended, in fact they're doing everything possible to go beyond 100%.

Before and after those sprints, there will be other sprints at a percentage of full effort, almost like pyramid sets in weight training.

do you pyramid the sets for your monsterous bowflex workouts?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: TheDoctor on July 02, 2007, 03:09:08 PM
Dorian stated on one of his videos on youtube that he trained 3 and half to 4 hours a week.I think this was on a clip on youtube on Blood and Guts.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: bmacsys on July 03, 2007, 05:55:47 AM
I hear you,

There is a lot of confusion regarding what HIT is, many people confuse what Mentzer was doing later on for HIT taught by Art Jones. Jones tended to advocate higher sets for muscle groups, particualry when a muscle group was being specialized on, up to 5-6 sets. HIT means...brief, brutal, intense, to failure training done infrequently.



Wrong, if you read Arthur Jones Nautilus Bulletins he NEVER advocated more than two sets per exercize.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: natural al on July 03, 2007, 06:31:33 AM
Wrong, if you read Arthur Jones Nautilus Bulletins he NEVER advocated more than two sets per exercize.
is there a website with these bulletins?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: D_1000 on July 03, 2007, 06:44:31 AM
that' why you rest more.....

Exactly. Based on my own experience, HIT or modified HIT training is the better option for me. When I started back in the day, I went with the 12-16 sets for biceps etc. volume approach. However, I noticed my greatest growth spurts every time I dropped the volume and increased my rest.

Over the years I have modified the training as I've seen fit. At times, I have also incorporated the Lee Labrada-style slow cycling of rep ranges, but these days I go with 8-12 reps without any specific low/medium/high rep periods.

During this and the past week, my chest and back got maybe four sets to failure, legs (quads and hams) a total of six, triceps and biceps two each, and shoulders and calves get a few each. Always a good warm-up first pyramiding e.g. on the first chest exercise.

This is just my opinion and my approach, which has worked better for me.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: ARNIE1947 on January 19, 2010, 01:30:59 AM
yatews
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: ARNIE1947 on January 19, 2010, 01:32:49 AM
the guru
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: YngiweRhoads on January 19, 2010, 11:58:30 AM
the guru

Wow, Mower sure has aged.

Put on a bit o' muscle though.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on January 19, 2010, 05:27:38 PM
I don't understand the limited rest between sets.

Why not rest until the whole muscle is able to perform again? IMO, that makes more sense than rushing between sets.

Few sets, long rests, that's what I like. ;D

-Hedge

I was experimenting with minimal rest between sets, seeing what the result would be. It worked well in terms of increasing my anaerobic endurance, mental toughness, and was a fun way to train.

I should have shared that I rotate through a variety of HIT type training styles, along with a moderate volume style. The reason being that change can produce new results, it also helps counteract boredom.

My most effective schedule involves longer rest in between each high intensity set similar in style to what Yates and Mentzer [what he use to advocate in the 80's] used with a greater use of intensifying tech [forced reps, rest pause, drops, forced negatives, etc.]
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on January 19, 2010, 05:36:57 PM
Wrong, if you read Arthur Jones Nautilus Bulletins he NEVER advocated more than two sets per exercize.

I have read them, I read them every now and then. Jones training understanding changed over time, he actually started with higher volume per exercise [3-4 sets] and adjusted it over time eventually experimenting with lower volume. Over time he felt that less exercise was all that was needed, eventually coming to the conclusion that 1 set of 8 exercises done twice a week was what most people needed.

When Franco visited his gym in Deland, Florida he had Franco complete a supersetting giant set in which Franco alternated Nautilus curls with Nautilus extensions to failure for 5 sets per movement. Jones wasn't as rigid as many other HIT advocates and seemed to be open experimentation. 

Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: myseone on January 19, 2010, 06:02:59 PM
ok we are getting side tracked here...they arent training to failure or total exhaustion or they would be spent fairly quickly and wouldnt be able to train several hours per day (which they do). to get back to bodybuilding lifting to failure isnt necessary to induce growth. not saying that failure training doenst induce growth as it does just saying it smarter no to train to failure as it keeps the cns fresh and allows you to train more often and with more volume. its like widening the opening of a bottle..you can get more water in if you have a wider opening. if you crush the cns with prolonged failure training you will have a real small bottle opening and thus slow the muscle building process. but yes going to failure during planned periods can be good..to push strenght up and "shock" (dont like that expression so much) muscles..but majority of training should be non failure training.


Has it been proven, that the CNS sytem is overloaded by training to failure? not attacking, thats research i would like to see.

I think it comes down to the balance of variables, the main ones being volume, frequency and intensity [not heavy weight but how close a person gets to failure]. Other ones being nutrition, choice of exercise, lifestyle, supplementation other stressors. Of course genetics play a huge role on what you can tolerate.

There is an inverse ratio between volume frequency and intensity, when one goes up or down the others have to be adjusted to avoid overwhelming the bodys adaptability. I think people adjust for this instinctively, for example high volume and high frequency trainees tend to pull back on intensity. High intensity trainees tend to pull back on volume and frequency. Of course there are some who haved pushed in all directions such as Platz, Defendis and Mischlak [spelling?]. We know that growth drugs play a role on what can be tolerated regarding exercise and to some extent this has skewed what will work without drugs.

The argument is what type of training produces the best result? The answer is a group of questions such as What is the goal? What is a persons temperement? What about genetics? these questions and more all factor in to what is the best path to follow.

I would say the best program is the one that produces progression towards a goal, if it stops working then adjustments are called for. Results is what matters in terms of determining effectiveness. Every champion bodybuilder has adjusted his/her training as they have learnt about their body some much better than others. The building of the body is a science, and knowledge can be gained through the teaching of others, but a certain amount of trial and error is essential to mastering you own training. Experience and paying attention is key.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: ARNIE1947 on October 08, 2010, 09:15:24 PM
HIT CHAMPS NOW
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: ARNIE1947 on October 08, 2010, 09:19:24 PM
another torn biceps
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: ARNIE1947 on October 08, 2010, 09:22:53 PM
another gh gut ..?
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: dyslexic on October 08, 2010, 11:13:04 PM
HIT theory is applied by extreme logic. Lots of things in this life are based on extreme logic. Problem is, life isn't based on logic. It works of some things and not others.


None of these bastards built their solid muscle by starting off with a 100%, non-waivering, exclusive HIT program. They already had their base. At that point, with the right amount of "assistance" just showing up to the gym would work. I don't give a shit what rep scheme you worked out.


There are so many, and they all work to some extent. Ironically enough, nobody can prove anything objectively, hence, the un-ending, un-exhaustible subjects and books.

Get u dumbass to the gym. Do it consistently. Stop flappin your lips and faggin off. Eat, sleep and shit. It will all work out, eventually.


Mentzer and his Jones-like theories are great for reading entertainment. For everyone of his logical factoids, there is someone in direct opposition to him and his "theories" that is huge and ripped.


STFU on this conversation already. He's dead. He's not even here to change his fucking mind.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Smanjh on October 09, 2010, 07:13:05 AM
HIT theory is applied by extreme logic. Lots of things in this life are based on extreme logic. Problem is, life isn't based on logic. It works of some things and not others.


None of these bastards built their solid muscle by starting off with a 100%, non-waivering, exclusive HIT program. They already had their base. At that point, with the right amount of "assistance" just showing up to the gym would work. I don't give a shit what rep scheme you worked out.


There are so many, and they all work to some extent. Ironically enough, nobody can prove anything objectively, hence, the un-ending, un-exhaustible subjects and books.

Get u dumbass to the gym. Do it consistently. Stop flappin your lips and faggin off. Eat, sleep and shit. It will all work out, eventually.


Mentzer and his Jones-like theories are great for reading entertainment. For everyone of his logical factoids, there is someone in direct opposition to him and his "theories" that is huge and ripped.


STFU on this conversation already. He's dead. He's not even here to change his fucking mind.

Mentzer saw what a deload could do for people. For rank beginners, anything works since any workout will cause overload, thus the strength remarkably improves. Mentzer got it to where people were still getting this by his 1993 version, and by his 1996 version, he was tapering his clients again, but he thought he was finding out something enormous with constantly needing to reduce volume and frequency.

This is dead wrong. Like mentioned previously, he saw a tapering effect each time for the vast majority. He never supervised people training for long periods, and most guys that were success stories ended up coming on the net later talking about how they do more frequency now, something like DC training.

Now, the points are not all bad, you always want to do the minimum required for the best result at all times in just about everything in life. You would not tip someone 300 bucks for a 50 dollar meal would you?

Anyway, you would not do 100 sets if maybe 5 were getting you good results. It would be stupid in our case, because you would need to deload quicker than happening on the right volume for overload.

So, for our purposes, Mike was certainly right about doing what is minimally required and thinking about overtraining. Not OCDing about it, but at least understanding that diminishing returns will occur.

So, if you do, say, 12 sets for chest, why not 40 or 50? Thinking like this is applying HIT thinking, which lines up with just about every trainer in existence now, but it did not per the writings of the pre Jones era.

The biggest mistake I ever made with training was thinking that if a program was flawed, there was nothing else to get from it. Like, if Mentzer's split failed to work, I would go to Arnold's. If that did not work, I kept searching until I realized the objectives and what was happening with the body turned out to be exactly the same when any program worked. 
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: dyslexic on October 09, 2010, 04:32:52 PM
I would never be so bold (or ignorant) as to insinuate that Mike Mentzer did not have a huge and positive (no pun intended) impact on the bodybuilding world by way of an "exacting" science.

The question was: "How far would you take it?"

He eventually (as stated) had his (short-term) lab rats doing next to nothing and coming back for their next sessions almost a month later. He became to extreme, fanatical, and dogmatic in his approach.


I have never met a big and ripped up Pro BB who follows his advice as it was written. Most logical and realistic folks have pulled what wisdom they could from his theories (or "science" as he called it)- and they have added what they know works; which is basically: more volume.


Combined volume, consistency and intensity are a good combination. Add some emphasis on the eccentric portion of the rep, and I think you've got a recipe for success.

Regardless of all the reality; someone is still making a shitload of money off of his writings and philosophies.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Smanjh on October 09, 2010, 07:38:50 PM
I would never be so bold (or ignorant) as to insinuate that Mike Mentzer did not have a huge and positive (no pun intended) impact on the bodybuilding world by way of an "exacting" science.

The question was: "How far would you take it?"

He eventually (as stated) had his (short-term) lab rats doing next to nothing and coming back for their next sessions almost a month later. He became to extreme, fanatical, and dogmatic in his approach.


I have never met a big and ripped up Pro BB who follows his advice as it was written. Most logical and realistic folks have pulled what wisdom they could from his theories (or "science" as he called it)- and they have added what they know works; which is basically: more volume.


Combined volume, consistency and intensity are a good combination. Add some emphasis on the eccentric portion of the rep, and I think you've got a recipe for success.

Regardless of all the reality; someone is still making a shitload of money off of his writings and philosophies.

He was selling a product, just like MuscleTech (I am shocked they have not came out with an ErectTech for 500% harder erections). The thoughts were one thing, the routines and dogma were another. The main issue was with his health and him being unable to go through training for a long period himself with these methods.

After his 'drugged up 1980's', he was back to his default state or worse. He was seen buying steroids to get back into shape circa 94-95. Then he quit.

I honestly believe he would have arrived at a very similar program pattern as Dante did with DC training. Blast and cruise. We all do that whether we know it or not. Arnold did it too. Ever take it easy for a few workouts? etc.

What he did break was the thinking that, 'hey, I am shit tired after 8 sets, but I need to get my 20 in' type of thing that stops progress for most doing that and expecting straight line progress.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Rmj11 on February 12, 2023, 09:48:27 PM
50 years of hit and not one top champion uses it. No elite natural trainer uses it. No serious trainer uses it.

Dorian Yates used conventional methods to build 99% of his mass, not hit.

Mentzer did high volume most of the time. John Terilli trained with mentzer and saw him do 25 sets for the back alone.

The only guys who keep promoting this hit guff are those with financial interests in selling this fad. Here's a few of these charlatans who promote hit as the best way to train and yet they look unremarkable.

Drew Baye, chunky out of shape.
Doug McGuff, average where's the beef
Ellington Darden, skinny no muscle
Clarence Bass, looks like he trained in Auschwitz and he even took roids. Lol.
Title: Re: Where are the high intensity champions if HIT works?
Post by: Rmj11 on February 12, 2023, 09:50:35 PM
John Little (appropriate surname), mentzer's nut hugging no 1 fan that hilariously once claimed you can train once every 6 months and still get strong.

If hit is so great why hasn't it worked for these nitwits?