When i'm not following a pure powerlifting protocol like westside i use a combination of Max-OT, HIT and DC training. i combined them all to my needs, as i don't like them all completely, i think some leave out important things. i love rest pause training from DC, it works wonders on flyes, pullovers and pulldowns.
i think the more intense you train and heavier you lift, the less sets you can do.
for example on chest day i do about 12 sets at the most! then i try to see how many pushups i can do. some days i can barely get 15 pushups but when i'm fresh i can crank out 50 without a problem. so i know i've fully used all the muscle fibers.
now, when i trained high volume YEARS ago i was doing 20 sets per bodypart and i still had energy in the tank at the end. when i do low volume heavy training i'm drained by 12-16 sets.
in my opinion, and remember i train for strength only(the size comes with it IMO), the heavier and more intense you train, the less sets you need. on the other hand if your a pumper and like to do high reps with light weight then i think you can do alot more sets, like Arnold and Jay cutler.
i never got a single thing from high volume training. every now and then i'll do 20 rep squats or benches but i usually stick to 12 reps or less. on power moves(bench, squat, deadlift) i NEVER go above 5 reps, even on my warmups.
Trab is right, for strength you need max effort day and speed day. heavy weight overload + speed = strength! any strong lifter will tell you this.
IMO Ronnie Coleman's style of training is PERFECT! heavy and basic!
