do you guys train on instinct?

[J Grey]

for example these bodyparts I feel to train really heavy, 4-6 reps 6-9 sets Max-OT style 2-3 minute rest
chest
shoulders
biceps
calves

I also do deadlifts in this rep range, heavy


these bodyparts I feel to train with more volume 20 sets small bodyparts 30 sets larger ones, 10-15 reps, short rest periods less than
45 seconds

triceps
back
quads
hams


I just feel like doing that, like my body talks to me, does anybody else listen to their body like this?

[wes]

Yes,no two workouts of mine are ever quite the same,but I do have a format/plan that I follow.

[JasonH]

My workout split never changes - back on Mondays, delts and tris on Tuesdays, chest and biceps on Thursdays, and legs on Fridays. It's been this way for a few months now - the exercises themselves never really change either unless I get exceptionally tired towards the end and I might change the odd exercise, but in the main it's pretty constant.

[Arnold Palmer]

Nothing against what you do to each his own. But if I listened to my body I would be home after 15min. My body is weak and doesn't like pain. It likes to sit on the couch guzzle steel reserves and take naps. My mind is the only way I can make it through a work out. I wish my body was such a pussy.

[CalvinH]

Always changing my workouts.

[Soundness]

No. Let the numbers guide you, not "instinct."

You should always record everything you can in a journal. Write down

1) the date,
2) bodypart(s) trained that day,
3) the movement(s) utilized that day,
4) weight used for each movement, and
5) the amount of successfully and perfectly completed reps for each movement with that weight.

Additionally, you can write additional notes, such as "Increase 10 pounds and aim for 8." It's good to have goals and give yourself expectations. Belief goes a long ways especially in weightlifting.  

Ensure progression. The one's that train "instinctively" are the ones that will look the same next year and looked the same last. The journal literally tells you what you need to do. If you're only able to complete less reps with a certain weight than you aim for, for instance, you'll know next time to either take it down, cut down on volume, or frequency. If you're losing strength, you'll know you need to either do less work during your workouts or allow more rest between your workouts. IF YOU'RE GAINING STRENGTH YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.  

[J Grey]

No. Let the numbers guide you, not "instinct."

You should always record everything you can in a journal. Write down

1) the date,
2) bodypart(s) trained that day,
3) the movement(s) utilized that day,
4) weight used for each movement, and
5) the amount of successfully and perfectly completed reps for each movement with that weight.

Additionally, you can write additional notes, such as "Increase 10 pounds and aim for 8." It's good to have goals and give yourself expectations. Belief goes a long ways especially in weightlifting.  

Ensure progression. The one's that train "instinctively" are the ones that will look the same next year and looked the same last. The journal literally tells you what you need to do. If you're only able to complete less reps with a certain weight than you aim for, for instance, you'll know next time to either take it down, cut down on volume, or frequency. If you're losing strength, you'll know you need to either do less work during your workouts or allow more rest between your workouts. IF YOU'RE GAINING STRENGTH YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.  

wow, thanks man, I'll do that.

[jpm101]

If I trained on instinct I would go surfing and have a beer and burrito after. Probably light one up later. Than check for parties along the many beach spots (every night out here something is going on). Being on the edge of a rational mind (almost) I have to check all these natural instincts of mine.

As Soundness suggest keep a training log, I do. Mine is weight used,reps, sets, pace of workouts and length of workout. And of course, mood. Trying for 40-45 minutes ,or less, of training. Training and what you plan to do in a workout, before that workout, is also important.

Actually listening to your body is so much BS  in you want the truth. Listen to your logical mind when working out, not just how the body might feel at any given moment. The mind controls the body. And again, take notes. Good Luck.

[tbombz]

yes i train on instinct. i think the majority of professional bodybuilders throughout history  have trained on instinct as well.

if i was a powerflifter i would have a logbook and know my workout before i got into the gym.

[Soundness]

yes i train on instinct. i think the majority of professional bodybuilders throughout history  have trained on instinct as well.

if i was a powerflifter i would have a logbook and know my workout before i got into the gym.

The one and only reason they got away with this is because they also trained on drugs. 

[tbombz]

The one and only reason they got away with this is because they also trained on drugs. 

the muscle doesnt know how much  its lifting, it only knows how much it feels like its lifting

regardless of drugs or not













qnd nobody will ever be pro bodybuilder without drugs...regardles of genetics or training style

[Soundness]

the muscle doesnt know how much  its lifting, it only knows how much it feels like its lifting

regardless of drugs or not

qnd nobody will ever be pro bodybuilder without drugs...regardles of genetics or training style

Well of course, you're just talking about making one weight more or less intense. For instance you could make a lighter weight feel heavier by lifting it more slowly. Sure, but what does that have to do with the fact that the only reason people can get away with making gains by "training on instinct" is the effectiveness of the drugs?

[tbombz]

the only reason people can get away with making gains by "training on instinct" is the effectiveness of the drugs? 

  this is simply not true..

[Soundness]

  this is simply not true..

OK, some of them here and there may get lucky every now and then. 

[tbombz]

OK, some of them here and there may get lucky every now and then. 

i have always trained on instinct , except for a few months of HIT last spring (which i lost size durig).my training theoryis always been toget the muscle as sore and pumped and burning as possible... and id this on instinct when i get in th gym... whatever i feel like my body is telling me iswhat i do..i dont even think abotu it i just let my instinct take control..works well 4 me..   built some decent arms shoulers back and legs as a natty doing this too....

[Soundness]

i have always trained on instinct , except for a few months of HIT last spring (which i lost size durig).my training theoryis always been toget the muscle as sore and pumped and burning as possible... and id this on instinct when i get in th gym... whatever i feel like my body is telling me iswhat i do..i dont even think abotu it i just let my instinct take control..works well 4 me..   built some decent arms shoulers back and legs as a natty doing this too....

You did it with drugs, too, candy, you admitted this!

[tbombz]

You did it with drugs, too, candy, you admitted this!

no, im saying, WHEN I WAS NATTY........ of course i use drugs now... but when i was natty i also traind on instinct with the above theory and i did build good delts arms back and legs... check it out

16 y.o.


17 y.o.

[Rimbaud]

I usually train on instinct. I go in to the gym with a basic plan but it usually changes based on how I'm feeling.

[Geo]

walking into the weightroom with a pencil and a notepad only proves you're really not there to actually lift anything heavy...

or at least that's the way it seems,if you're there documenting every set you're really not concentrating on really getting any real work done...

you're just there trying to give off the impression that you've got some sort of hi tech knowledge that nobody else there has !

[jpm101]

Of course if you have the ability to read and write you will logically use a training log.

If walking into a weight room, dragging your knuckles on the floor and relying on instinct, you will not keep a training log. Good Luck.

[The Apprentice]

most of my workouts look the same - snatches, clean and jerks, squats, or varieties thereof - the only thing that changes is the percentages you lift

[tbombz]

Of course if you have the ability to read and write you will logically use a training log.

If walking into a weight room, dragging your knuckles on the floor and relying on instinct, you will not keep a training log. Good Luck.

i have the feeling that the only thing you ever do in a gym is walk around giving "advices" 

[J Grey]

well is keeping a training log even necessary then?
this is what I do
go to the gym, lift the weight that I lifted last time (that I remember)
and if i feel I can do more, I add some weight, it works fine.
I have tried the training log in the past and it's a pain in the ass 

[Soundness]

well is keeping a training log even necessary then?
this is what I do
go to the gym, lift the weight that I lifted last time (that I remember)
and if i feel I can do more, I add some weight, it works fine.
I have tried the training log in the past and it's a pain in the ass 

YES.

Everybody will gain more by keeping track of things and making necessary adjustments as the numbers suggest. Don't trick yourself into thinking just because some people make some gains without logs doesn't mean you don't need them altogether. Those same people who made gains without logs would likely have made even more gains had they keep track of things, set goals for themselves, etc.... 

(tbombz, Looks like you're one of the lucky ones.  However, I still believe you would have gained even more with a log and strength goals at certain dates, etc.... Just because you gained one way, that does not mean you wouldn't have gained even more a different way. We both know the importance of considering different approaches.  The difference is the amount of gains, and logs and goals = more gains than no log.)

[jpm101]

Steady Can-Did, Steady.  It will all work out for you, if you just get serious about training some day. Glad to have you back even though left in a little kid hissy fit. But DR Feelgood has helped you in the past. And you might be still a little Natty round the edges yet.

The Apprentice is more concerned with total tonnage lifted in a given workout.  And the  increases each progressive training session. That can be transferred to percentages used. Quite a few Olympic and PL'er keep a journal of their workouts for a given day. But not always at their gym. Good Luck.