What REALLY Matters

**Peaked_18** · 11-16-2006, 12:18 AM

What really matters with your training is not doing the latest fad routine, taking the newest supplement, or using the latest equipment. What matters is being progressive with your lifts on a consistent basis. I see people arguing on the forums on a daily basis about various lifting systems. One would think they were talking about religion or politics by the passion and intensity generated. The truth is as long as your training is working for you, that’s all that counts. Doesn’t matter if it’s 5 x 5, 10 x 10, HST, Max-OT, DC, Westside, Hardgainer, Volume, or anything under the sun. But you MUST be progressive with your lifts over the long term—most lifters simply aren’t.

Having said that it doesn’t matter what training system you use, I will say I am opinionated. I don’t believe very low volume along the lines of Mike Mentzers last renditions are good. Nor is very high volume, high frequency training doable for most lifters. But…..if it works for you that’s all that matters. You should use as much frequency as you can recover from and make consistent strength gains OVER THE LONG TERM. And IMO as much volume as possible WHILE STILL MAKING SOLID STRENGTH GAINS. Go too high with volume and strength tends to suffer for many, go too low and size suffers—balance is what most lifters past the beginner stage needs until they are extremely advanced. And please keep in mind this is written from a BB’er perspective, not PL’ing where the goals are different.

You are also going to have some big problems unless your training is periodized or has planned deloading/cruise phases built in. Past the beginner stage you MUST have times of increased and decreased loading if you are to recover and grow on a long term basis. But this is not problematic if you use any intelligence when designing a program. ANY routine/training system can be periodized.

Having a long term plan and programming is very important too, but most lifters don’t think that far out. Hell most guys don’t think past next week—lol. In the end all that matters is that your training is working for YOU. Arguing endlessly about training systems is simply mental masturbation since all training systems work for at least some of the people at some of the time. Is your working?

Iron Addict

**Jayhawkk** · 11-16-2006, 03:24 AM

Quote:

The truth is as long as your training is working for you, that’s all that counts. Doesn’t matter if it’s 5 x 5, 10 x 10, HST, Max-OT, DC, Westside, Hardgainer, Volume, or anything under the sun. But you MUST be progressive with your lifts over the long term—most lifters simply aren’t.

Agree 200%

**DJSTARER** · 11-16-2006, 03:34 AM

**Peaked_18** · 11-16-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayhawkk

Agree 200%

I wanted to you to reply to this, and I am glad that you did.

**NYCmitch25** · 11-16-2006, 11:12 PM

god dam

i nominate as "Thread of the Year"

**Jayhawkk** · 11-17-2006, 12:14 AM

Wait...how was i a target?

**romanaz** · 11-17-2006, 12:19 AM

truth as it is, yo

navarone · 11-17-2006, 02:33 AM

Repped!

**skelooth** · 11-17-2006, 02:53 AM

I understand the concept of periodization, but have a hard time following through with it. The truth of the matter is that I go to the gym to lift in almost a therapeutic sense. It helps me keep my life in track, and I use it as a means of recreation. So... I normally do the lifts I like doing (incline db bench, squat, barbell row) and I like doing them on a 5x5 style routine. Everytime I try to change my routine or raise the reps I can never seem to mentally let it last more than a week (one workout each lol).

When you guys deload, do you lift lighter weights than normal and not go to failure? IE, almost like a maintenance kind of calisthenics with weights type of thing?

**DJSTARER** · 11-17-2006, 05:12 AM

it depends on the person. Personally, when i deload, i do exercises which imitate the normal ones, and do them with almost no weight. For instance, a lower body deload day would consist of knee high box jumps with BW (squat variation) and band resistance GMs (DL variation). Bodyweight exercises, in general, seem to go well with deloading.

11-16-2006, 12:18 AM	#1
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	What REALLY Matters What really matters with your training is not doing the latest fad routine, taking the newest supplement, or using the latest equipment. What matters is being progressive with your lifts on a consistent basis. I see people arguing on the forums on a daily basis about various lifting systems. One would think they were talking about religion or politics by the passion and intensity generated. The truth is as long as your training is working for you, that’s all that counts. Doesn’t matter if it’s 5 x 5, 10 x 10, HST, Max-OT, DC, Westside, Hardgainer, Volume, or anything under the sun. But you MUST be progressive with your lifts over the long term—most lifters simply aren’t. Having said that it doesn’t matter what training system you use, I will say I am opinionated. I don’t believe very low volume along the lines of Mike Mentzers last renditions are good. Nor is very high volume, high frequency training doable for most lifters. But…..if it works for you that’s all that matters. You should use as much frequency as you can recover from and make consistent strength gains OVER THE LONG TERM. And IMO as much volume as possible WHILE STILL MAKING SOLID STRENGTH GAINS. Go too high with volume and strength tends to suffer for many, go too low and size suffers—balance is what most lifters past the beginner stage needs until they are extremely advanced. And please keep in mind this is written from a BB’er perspective, not PL’ing where the goals are different. You are also going to have some big problems unless your training is periodized or has planned deloading/cruise phases built in. Past the beginner stage you MUST have times of increased and decreased loading if you are to recover and grow on a long term basis. But this is not problematic if you use any intelligence when designing a program. ANY routine/training system can be periodized. Having a long term plan and programming is very important too, but most lifters don’t think that far out. Hell most guys don’t think past next week—lol. In the end all that matters is that your training is working for YOU. Arguing endlessly about training systems is simply mental masturbation since all training systems work for at least some of the people at some of the time. Is your working? Iron Addict

11-16-2006, 03:34 AM	#3
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 3,983 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 113	yup __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

11-16-2006, 11:12 PM	#5
NYCmitch25 Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: New York Posts: 1,088 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 49	god dam i nominate as "Thread of the Year" __________________ "I have found the Iron to be my greatest friend. It never freaks out on me, never runs. Friends may come and go. But two hundred pounds is always two hundred pounds." - Rollins

11-17-2006, 12:14 AM	#6
Jayhawkk Nutraplanet Rep Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,113 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 44	Wait...how was i a target? __________________ Nutraplanet.com for all your supplement needs! ------------------------------ Hangin's too good for 'em! BURNIN'S too good for 'em! They should be ripped into itsy-bitsy little pieces and BURIED ALIVE!

11-17-2006, 02:33 AM	#8
navarone Pro Stature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 931 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 49	Repped! __________________ Obsessed is a word the lazy use to describe the dedicated Stats: Weight: Between 200-205 depending on the day Bench: 265X5 atm. Squat: 360X5 atm.. Higest Ever 435 Deadlift: 420X3 Waist: 34 Arms: 17.5 cold . Pics Finally! http://www.ironmass.com/f16/nav-s-1-...ulk-12947.html

11-17-2006, 02:53 AM	#9
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 8,042 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 162	I understand the concept of periodization, but have a hard time following through with it. The truth of the matter is that I go to the gym to lift in almost a therapeutic sense. It helps me keep my life in track, and I use it as a means of recreation. So... I normally do the lifts I like doing (incline db bench, squat, barbell row) and I like doing them on a 5x5 style routine. Everytime I try to change my routine or raise the reps I can never seem to mentally let it last more than a week (one workout each lol). When you guys deload, do you lift lighter weights than normal and not go to failure? IE, almost like a maintenance kind of calisthenics with weights type of thing? __________________

11-17-2006, 05:12 AM	#10
DJSTARER eating more folate... Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: State College, PA Posts: 3,983 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 113	it depends on the person. Personally, when i deload, i do exercises which imitate the normal ones, and do them with almost no weight. For instance, a lower body deload day would consist of knee high box jumps with BW (squat variation) and band resistance GMs (DL variation). Bodyweight exercises, in general, seem to go well with deloading. __________________ My philosophies on training: "Extreme training yields extreme results" "Just because you can, does not mean you should" "The best program is the one you are not doing" Penn State Powerlifting-181 lb weightclass PGA Professional of America Current Stats: 474 Squat 601 Deadlift 320 Bench Goals for next training cycle: 500lbs squat and a total over 1400 in competition

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