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.
