A T-Nation Challenge

Training Bodybuilding
21

[quote]CaliforniaLaw wrote:
In a sense, the “contest” has been had. On the split side there are thousands of bodybuilders (pro and backyard types). On the other side there is…

…well, that pretty much ends that.[/quote]

professional athletes?

22

I think true experiments with athletes are the hardest experiments to get good samples for. Where can you find a large group of intermediate and advanced level athletes who are

  1. Experienced with weight training
  2. Willing to set aside their own training plan in order to be part of an experiment
  3. Can be paired with someone of equal lifestyle, diet, physique, and fitness level
23

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
I think true experiments with athletes are the hardest experiments to get good samples for. Where can you find a large group of intermediate and advanced level athletes who are

  1. Experienced with weight training
  2. Willing to set aside their own training plan in order to be part of an experiment
  3. Can be paired with someone of equal lifestyle, diet, physique, and fitness level [/quote]

Numbers 2 and 3 could also be said for professional bodybuilders.

24

Well I am up for it

who wants to do it as well?

25

[quote]SWR-1240 wrote:
FightingScott wrote:
I think true experiments with athletes are the hardest experiments to get good samples for. Where can you find a large group of intermediate and advanced level athletes who are

  1. Experienced with weight training
  2. Willing to set aside their own training plan in order to be part of an experiment
  3. Can be paired with someone of equal lifestyle, diet, physique, and fitness level

Numbers 2 and 3 could also be said for professional bodybuilders.[/quote]

I propose we kidnap some drug-free bodybuilders and force them to become lab rats.

26

[quote]Hawkson101 wrote:
Well I am up for it

who wants to do it as well?[/quote]

Shit im game.

27

[quote]FightingScott wrote:
I propose we kidnap some drug-free bodybuilders and force them to become lab rats. [/quote]

I’m all for that.

I’m surprised there aren’t more studies being done with exercise and nutrition on human “guinea pigs”.

I know I’d volunteer to go to a controlled camp where some top trainers experiment. I’d probably come away with a much better looking body.

28

If the sample sizes were large enough, the other variables and anomalies would cancel out for the most part. We could also just factor in the individual differences of Trainee X into the results of Trainee X.

For example, if Trainee X has only done machine circuit training, then his switch to a full-body routine that employed free-weights and heavy compound movements should elicit larger gains, whereas someone who has trained seriously on either routine for years would be less likely to experience such rapid gains.

I think such an experiment is very possible if we just get enough participants for the reasons stated above.

To get enough participants, we would probably have to recruit outside of the T-Nation community. We could even get fancy and employ statistical techniques and null hypotheses to make the results valid.

29

Thousands of bodybuilders have used splits with success, with fewer numbers who use whole body training. This was mentioned.

Isn’t it also true that the number of bodybuilders who have failed while using splits far exceeds the number of failures using whole body workouts?