I would just like to start off by saying that I am not here to put anyone’s training system down, or to even try to shove my ideas down people’s throats. I just wanted to share my success with Mentzer’s Program…
I have been training for almost 8 years, doing all kinds of variations in workouts; from GVT, to POF, Max-Ot to some of Poliquin’s programs. But, after looking back in my training logs, I haven’t really lifted much more in the last 2-3 years when I incorporated old exercises I used to do when following different programs. It wasn’t until I really understood how Heavy Duty training should be used to be effective that I started gaining again. It is hard to tell yourself to not go to the gym, when all your buddies and all those magazines tell you different.
I now only train once every 5 days, and my strength is finally going up again.
In only 3 workouts, my deadlifts have gone from 335lbsx7 reps to 355lbsx6 reps. I had been stuck at a 1RM of 410lbs, and thought I was the shit! I couldn’t even do 6 reps with 315lbs… Anyways, this has been a rude awakening, and the logic behind the recovery issue has made me a big believer. This is intense and very productive!
Glad that HD is working for you now. However, at some point your body will adapt and your progress will stall. I live in Santa Monica and have spoken to many trainees and trainers that new Mentzer personally. They all stated that people would make gains on his program for a few weeks to a month and then their progress would stall. Mike would always tell them to take two weeks off and come back. It did not work for most and few people came back stronger. As long as you are making progress on HD, stick with it. But dont have the illusion that it will work forever.
Mike,
Thanks for the reply. You know, as an advanced trainer myself, I see no point in going back to the old ways of training since all those programs have always become stagnant after 2-3 weeks also. With HD, I have time for life, friends and I never feel “crappy” before a workout. I know, as a CPT, with a degree in human aging, that his principles are a little out there compared to what is traditional. But, if you really take the time to read Mike’s books, and learn about his educational background, you’ll understand that he’s researched enough to be an authority on bodybuilding. When you look at our body, and apply the biological theories of adaptation, survival and human metabolism and how they are affected by intensity, time and duration of a stimuli, it makes sense to incorporate less training as strength climbs and muscles grow. The past month has been a real eye-opener. Everything, I mean, every single exercise is going up. At a bodyweight of 200, I am doing pulldowns with 270lbs for 8 reps. Up from 255x3-4 for quite few months previously (I went up 15lbs and 4 reps in only 3 workouts or 3weeks). So, by the time next week comes around, hopefully I’ll be handling 290 for reps.
My legs, from 24.5" to 26" within the last month. I am happy with this measurement and I don’t want to go out and spend $ on pants, so I now put my focus on the rest of my body, and train my legs with less intensity (not to failure).
I don’t want to sound like one of those know-it-all, dogmatic idiots who crap on everyone else that doesn’t believe in his ideas. I just want people to know that there is alot of merrit to Heavy Duty training.
[quote]Mike Mahler wrote:
Glad that HD is working for you now. However, at some point your body will adapt and your progress will stall. I live in Santa Monica and have spoken to many trainees and trainers that new Mentzer personally. They all stated that people would make gains on his program for a few weeks to a month and then their progress would stall. Mike would always tell them to take two weeks off and come back. It did not work for most and few people came back stronger. As long as you are making progress on HD, stick with it. But dont have the illusion that it will work forever.
[quote]Danabolism wrote:
Mike,
Thanks for the reply. You know, as an advanced trainer myself, I see no point in going back to the old ways of training since all those programs have always become stagnant after 2-3 weeks also.[/quote]
Sometimes going back is the only way to move ahead.
Don’t dismiss the methods of the past, instead learn from them.
Sometimes going back is the only way to move ahead. Don’t dismiss the methods of the past, instead learn from them.
[/quote]
I agree to some extent, however, why go back if the routines didn’t provide the best results. I think that the routines I have tried in the past were quite solid in terms of their construction, but it would be kinda nutty to go back to something that failed to deliver optimal results. I think this is the best method so far for myself.
What kind of training are you currently following?
Mike, It really doesn’t matter to me what Mentzer did with his spare time. The fact that he has put forth a very productive training system is all that really matters to me. You see, many guys will do the routine that their idols perform, but this is really not the case here.
Sorry, I’m just trying to understand the relevance of that statement about “the other side” of Mentzer’s life.
I did not mean for you to re use your workouts in the above post, I meant for you to go over them and find out what worked and what didn?t then use what you learned to improve your existing program.