I just started Meltdown this morning, and, I gotta tel you, it was awesome. Sort of. I had to take longer than prescribed rest inbetween circuits. A lot longer. Like 4-5 minutes. Anyone else have this problem? Will this make the workout less effecient? I mean I had to rest. I couldn’t friggin’ breathe. I still plan to train with this method for a full 6 weeks. By the end I plan to be up to par with everyone else! Please let me know if any of you have had this problem. I would also like to know if my workouts will suffer because of this. Thanks for the anticipated response. JoeM.
bump
Joe, if you’re having to wait that long between sets I’d say that you have one of two problems. Either (a) you’re using too much weight or (b) you’re just too far out of shape to be trying a program like Meltdown.
Probably it’s the first reason. To give you an idea (not that I’m the be-all-and-end-all of Meltdown training), I use about 50% of my 1RM for the leg exercises. Obviously, you can go for a heavier percentage on the first exercise, and progressively lighten up after that. I also lighten the weights from giant set to giant set when needed.
The rest intervals are critical to this program, and if you’re not observing them you won’t get as much out of it as you should. Without the fast turnaround, you don’t get the lactic acid build-up that’s the whole point of the program.
If, however, the reason is (b) above, then you should forget about Meltdown for the moment and invest some time in General Physical Preparedness (GPP). Once you’ve got a decent base to work from, go on back to it. Good luck!
I know exactly what you are talking about. Before my injury I could squat 300lbs with a 402 tempo for 12 reps, and I was panting like a dog and my heart raced like a crack addict’s. I had to rest 4-5 min between sets. However I have no advice on how to overcome this. Sorry.
i ran into this problem at time… usually before my last set, but i would only extend maybe a minute. huge problem was my forearms would be so pumped from the deadlifts still, and i could barley hold the chin bar, especially because the one i was using was very thick.
Lowered the wweights by ten pounds and hit it again. Much better this time out. Still wanted to puke, but made through without lengthening the rest intervals. I love this site!
ryan,
same thing happens to me. By the 3rd or 4th round my forearms are toasted. I have been forced to do pulldowns instead of chinups, because I only get 8 chinups on the first round. For 3. and 4. rounds I can do only a few reps with my whole bodyweight. Pulldowns are not as good, but at least I can still do 10 reps with 60-70% bodyweight.
JoeM: I have stuck to plan. 2 minute rests, and if it gets too heavy, I rather lower weights or cheat from the 3 second eccentrics (probably not wise) than make break periods longer. I understand that it is important to keep muscles fatigued and full of lactic acid, so you cannot have too long rest periods.
Program gets easier as you do it, so just hang in there 
For the first couple of times, my girlfriend commented about my zombie-like look as I staggered to locker rooms. Now it is a lot easier, and my overall fitness is considerably better. I can cycle a lot faster and longer and recover much faster.
So, I can’t do chinups right now. Are pulldowns a good substitute?