[quote]Professor X wrote:
jpersinger wrote:
Also, Prof X you mentioned that you train calves everyday. While we are on the “ask Prof X” I wouldn’t mind hearing more about your particular routine. Thanks.
I just started making it the very first thing I do when I get in the gym. Some days I may only do either seated OR standing calf raises (usually alternating between them daily). Some days I do both with about 4 sets each going up to my heaviest weight. I’ve been doing this for over a year and a half now so it is just becoming what I do to get my mind ready for lifting weights. I don’t argue with what works. I never did have much prgress there in the past and had just given up on them. They didn’t start to progress until my overall body weight increased so I think simply carrying around heavier weight all day helped as well.[/quote]
I agree with this 100%. My stubborn little cows did not respond until I started working them every day.
I alternate seated and standing as well.
[quote]UtahLama wrote:
I agree with this 100%. My stubborn little cows did not respond until I started working them every day. [/quote]
But [insert favorite author] says that this will lead to overtraining. X’s calves grew only because a) he is a genetic freak or b) he is on buckets of steroids.
'Nuff said. Period. End of discussion.
[quote]CaliforniaLaw wrote:
UtahLama wrote:
I agree with this 100%. My stubborn little cows did not respond until I started working them every day.
But [insert favorite author] says that this will lead to overtraining. X’s calves grew only because a) he is a genetic freak or b) he is on buckets of steroids.
'Nuff said. Period. End of discussion.
[/quote]
This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Steroids do not come in buckets.
[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Steroids do not come in buckets.[/quote]
But if they did, especially in legal buckets, I would be a very happy man.
As far as the overtraining goes, I wish I could have a couple years of my earlier training back. I was so paranoid about overtraining, I wouldn’t dare do a lot of the things that are standard to me now.
[quote]CaliforniaLaw wrote:
UtahLama wrote:
I agree with this 100%. My stubborn little cows did not respond until I started working them every day.
But [insert favorite author] says that this will lead to overtraining. X’s calves grew only because a) he is a genetic freak or b) he is on buckets of steroids.
'Nuff said. Period. End of discussion.
[/quote]
LOL…
CL sometimes even YOU are funny.
Most of my body parts respond better to different levels of work.
Calves, traps, and legs tend to need more work than the rest.
[quote]UtahLama wrote:
CaliforniaLaw wrote:
UtahLama wrote:
I agree with this 100%. My stubborn little cows did not respond until I started working them every day.
But [insert favorite author] says that this will lead to overtraining. X’s calves grew only because a) he is a genetic freak or b) he is on buckets of steroids.
'Nuff said. Period. End of discussion.
LOL…
CL sometimes even YOU are funny.
Most of my body parts respond better to different levels of work.
Calves, traps, and legs tend to need more work than the rest.[/quote]
But buckets of steroids would make EVERYTHING grow.
[quote]TrainerinDC wrote:
As far as the overtraining goes, I wish I could have a couple years of my earlier training back. I was so paranoid about overtraining, I wouldn’t dare do a lot of the things that are standard to me now. [/quote]
Since everyone is asking for advice around here… what routine are you using now? just curious.
[quote]alocubano1110 wrote:
Since everyone is asking for advice around here… what routine are you using now? just curious.[/quote]
I’m flattered. Being asked for advice on the X thread…
Right now I am using a classic 6 day split bodybuilding routine. 20 sets or more per main muscle. It looks like this…
Monday: Shoulders, Traps, Tri + Abs
Tuesday: Back + Rear Delt
Wednesday: Calves, Abs + Whatever I feel I didn’t knock out hard enough on the previous days
Thursday: Chest, Triceps and abs
Friday: Legs, Lower Back
Saturday:Arms
Sunday: Off
Typically I use two compounds and three isolation exercises for four sets of 8 - 12 each. However if I’m feeling good, I may go heavier for less reps. If I go super heavy on a compound, an isolation exercise may be skipped. Also, if I hit, for example, 315 for 8 on bench no problem, I will push for a heavier fifth set just because I’m feeing it. It also depends on which one of my training partners I’m working with that day. When my brother makes it, or my best friend, we seem to push heavier or harder than when one of the other two is lifing with me. Due to a wierd schedule being a trainer, I never know which one of them will be available at the times I can lift.
I have used CT’s HSS-100 before, and really enjoyed it. I have also used a full body CW inspired but not written TBT and enjoyed it. However since we are on the topic, the T-Nation member who has helped and inspired me the most is without a doubt Amsterdam Animal. He has given me more advice and motivation than any member on this site.
[quote]mr popular wrote:
Prof.X, what kind of periodization setup would you advise for a newbie?
What training split worked well for you as a beginner?
What are your thoughts on progression, and intelligent ways of using it for someone who wants to gain muscle mass?
i’d really appreciate a response! I’ve learned things from this thread already =)
~Brian[/quote]
I went through much of that here:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=651079
As far as “progression”, I think much of that comes from your desire to keep pushing yourself. You can’t map out specifically how and when someone else should always move up in weight or reps or even how they put a program together. Much of this comes from learning your own body and simply being the type of person who keeps pushing the limits…simply because that’s who you are.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
As far as “progression”, I think much of that comes from your desire to keep pushing yourself. You can’t map out specifically how and when someone else should always move up in weight or reps or even how they put a program together. Much of this comes from learning your own body and simply being the type of person who keeps pushing the limits…simply because that’s who you are. [/quote]
This is the exact reason why, I have never and probably never will give very specific set/rep/frequency recommendations even if asked.
How the hell do do I know what some words on a computer screen, who may or may not be giving accurate information about themselves, even if they know, should do with any great degree of specificity.
Principles are one thing, but what if some clod makes the mistake of taking me serious enough to plan his next six months training around what I say and it turns out to be exactly wrong for him for whatever reason.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
As far as “progression”, I think much of that comes from your desire to keep pushing yourself. You can’t map out specifically how and when someone else should always move up in weight or reps or even how they put a program together. Much of this comes from learning your own body and simply being the type of person who keeps pushing the limits…simply because that’s who you are. [/quote]
Good post.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
<<<I went through much of that here:
http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=651079>>>
[/quote]
That’s a great thread man. And I thought I was unstructured. I don’t think I could loosen up to the degree that you have at this point, but you’re quite a ways further down the road too.
I now understand much better that exchange we had when I first got here about working out in a gym as opposed to at home. I can see where having progressed to that much working weight HS machines would be safer and just about as effective if utilized properly not to mention not needing a partner all the time.
I’m gonna make a pdf file out of some of the stuff in there to add to my collection.
I have a question for X,
Do you keep a detailed traning log or do you just go in and bust it out without recording your workout?
Was that the worst run-on sentence in this thread?
[quote]Dirty Tiger wrote:
I have a question for X,
Do you keep a detailed traning log or do you just go in and bust it out without recording your workout?
Was that the worst run-on sentence in this thread?
[/quote]
I have never recorded anything. The closest thing to a record of any sort is the fact that I do take pictures periodically so I can see where I was in relation to where I am now. That alone helps prevent stagnation…that and comments from others whose opinion I actually give any credit to at all.
Thank you for the link to that thread Prof.X, it answered all of my questions. =)
I always wondered why fullbody workouts never gave me any progress… haha
~Brian
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Hell, I’m still wearing shorts and its cold outside.[/quote]
LOL!..
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Dirty Tiger wrote:
I have a question for X,
Do you keep a detailed traning log or do you just go in and bust it out without recording your workout?
Was that the worst run-on sentence in this thread?
I have never recorded anything. The closest thing to a record of any sort is the fact that I do take pictures periodically so I can see where I was in relation to where I am now. That alone helps prevent stagnation…that and comments from others whose opinion I actually give any credit to at all.[/quote]
Thanx for the response.
I am wondering why I keep a training log, I am starting to think it holds me back in a sense.
[quote]Dirty Tiger wrote:
Professor X wrote:
Dirty Tiger wrote:
I have a question for X,
Do you keep a detailed traning log or do you just go in and bust it out without recording your workout?
Was that the worst run-on sentence in this thread?
I have never recorded anything. The closest thing to a record of any sort is the fact that I do take pictures periodically so I can see where I was in relation to where I am now. That alone helps prevent stagnation…that and comments from others whose opinion I actually give any credit to at all.
Thanx for the response.
I am wondering why I keep a training log, I am starting to think it holds me back in a sense. [/quote]
Ooh, ooh, my turn to jump into X’s thread. I think training logs are more important for powerlifters and strength athletes than they are for bodybuilders (or whatever you call someone who lifts only for aesthetic purposes).
I, for example, being a strength athlete, am much more concerned with the numbers I put up than how much I exhausted a muscle group. I need to make sure my poundages continue to go up.
With a bodybuilder, the more important thing is the working of a muscle. The actual weight used is secondary, as long as it is heavy enough to get results.
Of course there are also going to be people on both sides that will or won’t use a log book, simply because their personality warrants it.
I remember my maxes, and for the most part what I did last time. Personally, bodybuilding or strength, I wouldn’t need a log. I know my bench max is 350/2 and my squat is 405/3. When I hit it, to me, doesn’t really matter.
However I log all of my clients exercise performed.
[quote]TrainerinDC wrote:
I remember my maxes, and for the most part what I did last time. Personally, bodybuilding or strength, I wouldn’t need a log. I know my bench max is 350/2 and my squat is 405/3. When I hit it, to me, doesn’t really matter.
However I log all of my clients exercise performed. [/quote]
Same here. I do care about strength, however, I have no problem remembering what I did last or what my current “maximum weight” used is for my last set. Yes, my goal is to also increase in the weight I use, however, at this point, unless I am about to compete in a powerlifting meet, it isn’t like that needs to be my primary concern.
I personally think too many people are so caught in the minutia that they actually hold back their own progress. I have made huge leaps in strength suddenly that may be followed by prolonged lulls where all I see is the ability to use the same weight but for either more reps or with the same reps but better form.
Someone only focused on numbers wouldn’t count that as progress even though it clearly is. Also, someone expecting small incremental increases at every workout could hold back progress if their strength jumps suddenly and they don’t follow it to its limit.
Some people have a problem thinking outside of a box. Those types could decrease progress with an on going training log. Then, there are always those who simply don’t need one.