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Getbig Bodybuilding Boards => Training Q&A => Topic started by: oldtimer1 on July 20, 2010, 07:15:59 AM

Title: Instinctive training
Post by: oldtimer1 on July 20, 2010, 07:15:59 AM

Have any of you guys made good gains using instinctive training?  What I mean by instinctive training is that you go to the gym with no plan.  Maybe it's chest and back day.  You just pick an exercise, poundage and wing it.  One day you might feel like doing barbell bench, dumbbell inclines and flys.  The next time you might do dumbbell flat benches, bar inclines and weighted dips.  The weight you use in each exercise is what you feel you can use that day.

I think it was Yates who said instinctive training doesn't work because if you truly followed your instinct you would take a nap or something to that effect.  I know many top bodybuilders use this method.  Old time stars like Draper and new ones like Lee Priest seem to have no solid pre workout plan.  They just hit the gym knowing they are going to do a certain body part and get to work.

I have been lifting for over 30 years and I'm always with the pre planned script (work out log book).  I always carefully plan everywork out.  The very few times I have hit the gym with no pre plan I had a great hard workout but it had no structure.  

Title: Re: Instinctive training
Post by: Montague on July 20, 2010, 05:27:53 PM

I understand the logic of what you’re saying.
I tried a similar approach for a while, but I feel I tend to do better when I have a plan.
Maybe the mental preparation gets me better focused - I don’t know.
But, I seem to get better workouts when I start thinking about the specifics well in advance.

Sometimes, I may slightly deviate from that plan.
For instance, if I feel remarkably well and still “fired up” after my last set of bent-over rows, I may choose to do another one or two sets before moving on.

Or, if my SI has been bothering me all day, I may skip or swap out movements that I know agitate it.

Things like that.

As far as the pros…
I never try drawing comparisons between myself & Draper, Lee, or anyone else who has superior genetics and superior response/access to “supplements.”

Title: Re: Instinctive training
Post by: dyslexic on July 23, 2010, 11:34:46 PM

Animals operate on instinct, which in turn leads to "0" thought processing...


I could use it during an "active" layoff, but not for something where I was gauging my progress.

Title: Re: Instinctive training
Post by: benchmstr on July 26, 2010, 02:30:59 PM

i havent went to the gym with a plan in 10 years......all i know is what muscles i will be working...

bench