For anyone who has done GVT, what kind of gains did you make? I’m about to start it and am interested in hearing peoples experiences with it, both positive and negative.
It’s a good program, Dave, but keep in mind there are several factors involved in answering your question. How long has the person been training? A newbie will gain faster than someone with 10 years of experience or someone near or at their genetic limits. What kind of diet is he using? You will not gain anything off GVT or any other program without the right diet. When is the person using the program? If he’s using it after another exhaustive high rep program (and/or he’s overtrained) then his results won’t be as good if he were to do it after a low rep program and a week off. How long has the person been training? According to Ian King and others, the longer you’ve been training (in years) the lower your hypertrophy range becomes. What kinds of drugs and/or supplements is he using? What are his genetics like? What kind of non-training life stress is he going through?
That’s just a few factors to consider. So you see, “How much will I gain on this program” is kind of a silly question. It’s better to just try the program, pick a diet and supplement program that matches your goals, and see what happens. Good luck.
Thanx for responding Chris, I realize I shouldve included that info in my post. Anyway, I was just interested in hearing peoples experiences with it. In my case I’ve just finished a cutting cycle using bodyopus/t-dawg and in 8 weeks I went from 17%bf to 10.5. I’m planning on doing GVT as a mass program for 4 weeks before I go back to cutting. I’ll have my diet set at about 18x bodyweight, including atleast 1.5g protein/lb. So, anyone whose used this program with all the appropriate diet/training modifications, please respond with your results.
I forgot to add that I’ve been training seriously for about 3 years.
The squats/leg curl made me very sad!!!
By set number six of squats I was sitting on the bench waiting for my watch to beep, and had that just thrown up shiver going through my body, and that was just over half way.
But if it was supposed to be easy every one would be BIG.
it’s one tough program, but attack it like your life depends on it, rest, eat and grow.
Dave, it’s pretty easy to overtrain on GVT. I’ve had good luck with it as a bodypart specialization routine, but it would be pretty difficult to maintain good recovery if I did it for all bodyparts. I’m pretty sensitive in that regard, however, and a typical non-GVT workout would be 4-6 total sets per bodypart, once a week.
GVT is the worst program ever conceived. It amounts to nothing more than gross overtraining. Every person I know who has tried it has lost muscle mass and felt like crap the whole time they were doing it. Give HIT a try. Every one I know has responded great to HIT.
I can still remember the day. I did 10 sets of 6 with 250 on full squats supersetted with 10 sets of six on a David Seated Leg Curl. My legs were so pumped about 2/3 of the way through that the only way i could bend them was to squat. It was exhilirating. Later that day i cramped up at the mall. My both quads and both hams at the same time. it was funny as shit. And believe it or not i wasnt sore the next day. My upper body actually got smaller and weaker from it though. I have sense figured out that i have to lift below 8 reps to get any kind of training effect. Have fun.
i jus got done with six-weeks of GVT. it is an ass-kicker!! it really humbles a person…i normally squat strictly with 405…forget it!!!i had to use 225!! i have been working out for 11+ years and have tried a lot of programs and this one was awesome…i just stuck with the basic exercises; squat, chins, bench, miltary presses to the front, close-grip bench…i gained 4-5lbs in six weeks and used no AS…i am taking a week off (i need it)…the squats absolutely killed me!! at first it was hard to do the workout within an hour but after a while, i got it down by decreasing rest time…and yes, i DID experience the phenomenom of getting stronger after set#7-8… good luck!!
It is a sick sick, SICK program. I did the original GVT for 4 weeks just recently. The pump I got was CRAZY…after doing bi’s and tri’s…couldn’t wash my hair in the shower…but it is boring as hell…and you learn to DREAD the squat days. The first 2 weeks I did squats and deadlifts on the same day…and practically needed intensive care after…so plan it well bro!
GVT made me thicker and stronger, I liked it alot. I used it for my back which is a continuous problem for me, the results have been better than anything else I’ve tried. Good routine for problem areas.
Jesse, when done for a brief period of time with switching back to a lower volume program after you’re done with GVT, it’s as valid a program as any other. I believe, as do most others I’ve seen, that variety is the key to consistent gains, and GVT can be legitimately used as one part of your arsenal. Sure, if you used it exclusively, you’d be overtrained in no time, but, used sparingly, it’s been quite effective for many people. Just don’t close your mind to the possibilities because it didn’t work for you.
hey jesse, your an idiot. I tried GVT and didn’t overtrain on it. It worked great for me, i gained about 4 lbs total, and dropped my bodyfat percentage from 11 to 7 % using a 4 fold skin capiler test. fuck HIT.
I have seen great gains in myself and in others using GVT. Yes it’s easy to overtrain on, that’s why 3-6 weeks of it is plenty. I owuld also recommend raising the intensity (and therefore lowering the volume) after 3 weeks as Charles recommends. Also, with regards to Jesse’s assertion. If you don’t make gains, you’re probably eating like a 16 year old cheer leader. It’s a mass building program, EAT! It takes a lot of energy to perform it. Take some extra Vitamin C and Glutamine. I would imagine it would be great if you were on a cycle, or even Andrasol or Nandrasol. Also, I’ve found it beneficial to start it after a low volume cycle and perform a low volume cycle afteer it is finished. A 5x5 program designed (structurally) like the GVT program has always lead to strength and size gains for me after GVT. In other words don’t jump from GVT to GVT2000! Also, while it was originally recommended for a 5 day rolling cycle, guees what? There is no law that says you have to do it that often. I prefer a 6 day in order to optimize my own recovery. However, I have seen some make great gains using it M-W-F and taking the entire weekend off. Use the program, but realize that anything used intelligently can be beneficial, but anything used unitelligently, well…
Thanks to all who responded. After many internet searches and talking to a number of people, in addition to these replies, I’ve decided to give GVT a try. I’ll post accurate results in 4 weeks.