I was just wonderign what everybody thought was the best program going around for an off season athlete trying to build mass, while ensuring it is still functional?
I would think that this has more to do with your diet/ lifestyle than anything. Try reading massive eating 1 and 2 and massive eating reloaded
good luck
Will42
Form follows function, mass (hypertrophy) might not be the best quality for you to develop. It depends on what sport you participate in and other info, so in order to help you we need that additional info such as what sport you play, weight, position , ext., ext.
Will42 made a good point before starting a serious hypertrophy faze make sure your diet is top notch. The diet you choose depends on your metabolism type, massive eating might be perfect for you if you have a fast metabolism, if it?s slower you?ll need to take it easy on the carbs.
Thanks guys, I know all the diet stuff etc. what I was getting at is I find I gain mass well with a slower tempo but it makes me weak as crap. Just wondering if anybody could recommend a routine that produces good functional gains.
Check out any of Chad Waterbury’s articles. Especially the Anti-Hypertrophy Building program.
Strength and Size…
James
If you are in your very, very, early off-season, or a period that could be considered post-season, it may not be that bad to incorporate a bodybuilding type workout. IF gaining mass is a big need for you in your sport. Obviously, you would still stick with OL’s (if you do them,) squats, etc.
Another option is to still stick with what works for you in your major lifts (as far as developing strength and power,) but use more more bodybuilding methods for accessory work. You should not be doing much conditioning right now, so you should be able to handle the volume pretty easily.
For a specific program, I would check out the original GVT, GVT detailed on this site, and maybe 20 reps squats.
[quote]Validus wrote:
Check out any of Chad Waterbury’s articles. Especially the Anti-Hypertrophy Building program.
Strength and Size…
James[/quote]
The way I see it, hes looking for hyperthrophy, not anti-hyperthropy 
Did you mean anti-bodybuilding hyperthropy?
It all depends on your stage in training and your age. At a young age, any program will make you stronger. The key is to perform the exercises with good form. The one problem I have with programs like BFS is that it’s mostly low reps and higher weight. This is ok for someone that has great form. I have found that my athletes, (especially) the younger ones, benefit from reps around ten, especially on “lite” days. Check out Joe’s Defranco’s article “Westside for Skinny Bastards”. WE have evolved to a similar program over the years and I have found it most beneficial for HS athletes. The only difference we use is that we don’t switch our max effort lift as much as Joe’s program. We rotate bench, board press, and close grip for upper body. For lower body we Squat, low box squat(not that crappy high box squat in BFS), front squat and trap Bar DL. Make sure you do alot of mobility exercises for the lower body (lunges, walking lunges, step ups, etc,…). We change up every 3 weeks and go between 4 day/week workouts and 3 day a week workouts. Good luck with your investigating and get strong (and mobile).