Training for Bodybuilding

[pwr_machine]

Last night, I spent some time reading about DFHT. This morning, I was reading about HST. I have to admit that DFHT appears to be the wiser choice if I were going to choose one. Unfortunately, neither style of training really grasped me like I wanted it to.

As I lay in bed thinking, here's what my wife and I came up with last night. In training for bodybuilding, I know I want to stimulate my body to grow. So we asked...what will force my body to do such? The answer...change something. My body wants to be "shocked". It wants change.

With that said, this is our first idea and a possibility for future training (I might need a "name" for this one ):

I want to vary the reps from workout to workout/bodypart to bodypart. The rep range of 5, 8, and 12 seemed very appropriate. Now, every workout would be different. My body would get the change it wants and be "shocked" into growth.

For example:
Week 1
Sunday - Legs - 5 reps
Wednesday - Chest - 8 reps
Thursday - Back - 12 reps, and Biceps - 5 reps
Friday - Shoulders - 8 reps, and Traps - 12 reps
Saturday - Triceps - 5 reps

Week 2
Sunday - Legs - 8 reps
...and so on. See the pattern? 5, 8, and 12. The reps change from 5 - 8 - 12 over the course of all my workouts. Right now, I think that's the sort of change that I'm looking for.

Keep throwing some ideas at me. I'm learning something new everyday. Thanks to each of you whom are truely concerned.

 

[pwr_machine]

(I might need a "name" for this one ):

Now called the "Phelps Mass Method".

 

[Debaser]

As I lay in bed thinking, here's what my wife and I came up with last night. In training for bodybuilding, I know I want to stimulate my body to grow. So we asked...what will force my body to do such? The answer...change something. My body wants to be "shocked". It wants change.

Argh...this is the thinking that gets people in trouble. "Shocking the muscle" is not what causes it to grow. Progressive load is what causes it to grow. Let me give you an example:

Trainee 1 changes leg exercises, sets and reps every couple weeks in an effort to shock the muscles. He starts at a 100 lbs squat. In 4 years, he finally decides to start squatting again. He finds he can do 200 lbs.

Trainee 2 sticks with squats for the entire 4 years. He slowly adds weight to the bar, but does it consistantly with focus and effort. 4 years later he squats 600 lbs.

Who do you think is going to have better leg development? If you can increase the load more frequently, with HST or DC or something of the like, you will grow more frequently (i.e. faster).

 

[spatts]

Yeah...the pump never grew anyone, anything. Your powerlifting theories are closer to the truth of bodybuilding.

 

[Debaser]

powerlifting theories are closer to the truth of bodybuilding.

Damn the fact that you're married

 

[pwr_machine]

Argh...this is the thinking that gets people in trouble. "Shocking the muscle" is not what causes it to grow. Progressive load is what causes it to grow.

That's why the word "shock" was in quotes. I'm looking for change, hence the word shock. Believe me, I understand progressive overload. I've done the progressive overload trick for the last 7 years. I wouldn't have the strength or body mass I have now if I didn't.

The "shock" comes from tricking my body from workout to workout. With varied reps, I don't think I'll adapt like I have with periodization training. As for as progressive overload, I'm not going to use the same weights each workout; I'll get stronger and the weights increase....progressive overload again.

 

[pwr_machine]

If you can increase the load more frequently, with HST or DC or something of the like, you will grow more frequently (i.e. faster).

Over lunch, I revised my thinking a tad. I will be performing workouts more frequently. Two days per week with less sets.

 

[pwr_machine]

Yeah...the pump never grew anyone, anything. Your powerlifting theories are closer to the truth of bodybuilding.

I know exactly what you're saying, but it's that feeling I like. I just don't get it with the low reps in powerlifting. But now, with my new thoughts, I think I'll get a mixture of both...hypertrophy and strength training phases all mixed together in one.

 

[coolcolj]

I don't see why people need to follow cookie cutter programs

use the principles and make a program that suits yourself.

 

[pwr_machine]

It's the smartest thing you could do.

Can you tell I'm thinking outside the box? It's not powerlifting! Aaaaaahhhhhh! I'm lost! But most importantly, I'm learning.