Dan Johns Easy Strength Results and Review Part 2: Thoughts On The Program
Does it work?
Having completed the program I think I’d have to say it accomplishes its namesake goal very well. I do believe that this program will increase ones strength even while the lifting seems “easy” - Maybe not universally but the high frequency, low intensity approach holds merit based on my experience (and previous experience with a similar idea)
Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For:
Pros - Taken as just the program, this is a very in-and-out kind of deal. Done as a circuit the main lifts are easily accomplished in about 20 minutes. It is also brain dead simple, and as I said above the goal is reached. So if you want to get stronger in a few of your lifts without thinking about it this program has your name on it.
Cons - Its not a “complete” program. Reading the source material can kind of make one think that (it certainly did for me) but there are hints all over that its moreso a single piece of an athletes training program (the strength portion), and the the athlete is to focus their efforts on their actual sport rather than farting around in the gym for hours worrying about strength.
For example I started the first week of the program just doing the program… Only the 4 lifts for the prescribed reps and that was it. It is a bit lackluster to say the least if you are wanting more fitness qualities than JUST strength. Luckily @T3hPwnisher 's log and commentary shown some light on me and I added in a bit of other lifting to round this out in a more fully fledged training system.
Aside from lacking in every area but strength, the biggest con is that its a high frequency approach. If you truly only have 3 days a week to train this is probably not a great program to pick.
Who is it for? Well I would say if you have some lifts you would like to bring up and can make it to the gym often this fits the bill. It is not a body building program, and not a complete program for all around fitness, So if you are looking for something like that look elsewhere.
Thoughts on the rep layout - I really enjoyed cycling the repsxsets that Dan has in the book. He made comments throughout that doing 3x3 every day is actually what he thinks he should recommend the most, but I rather enjoyed the 6x1 and 5/3/2 days as they give you a chance to “speed test” the heavier numbers and see how they feel. I say stick with the originally given template for both variety and utilities sake.
Loaded Carries: Mention of these is ALL OVER the book, and I have added them into my training as the 3rd section, and while I cant say they have been a “Game Changer” as DJ calls them time and time again, they are fun and certainly useful for improving a variety of qualities and I plan to keep them in my programming coming up.
Okay there it is, the Easy Strength review