Which lifting program is the best for you?

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Replies

  • TylerShewbatski
    TylerShewbatski Posts: 265 Member
    edited November 2016
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.

    I did, it shows 290 lol? (Wilks calculator)
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.

    I did, it shows 290 lol? (Wilks calculator)[/quote]

    Not bad. So you should stick in an intermediate program like Wendler. I love the program and currently following it.
  • TylerShewbatski
    TylerShewbatski Posts: 265 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.

    I did, it shows 290 lol? (Wilks calculator)

    Not bad. So you should stick in an intermediate program like Wendler. I love the program and currently following it. [/quote]
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.

    I did, it shows 290 lol? (Wilks calculator)

    Not bad. So you should stick in an intermediate program like Wendler. I love the program and currently following it. [/quote]

    I was suppose to enter my weight and my best one rm right? lol jsut so i dont get confused and thats what I am planning on. Real thanks OP
  • DeadliftsandDonuts
    DeadliftsandDonuts Posts: 178 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.

    I did, it shows 290 lol? (Wilks calculator)

    Not bad. So you should stick in an intermediate program like Wendler. I love the program and currently following it.
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    psuLemon wrote: »
    I have been 2 years in lifting and not new to compounds lifts at all but I was trying to look for strength and power training programme rather than bodybuilding hypertrophy one, can anyone maybe help?

    What program where you following for those two years? How many days do you typically lift?


    In a general sense, I would first recommend reading the strength training guide to determine which category you will fall in, but I suspect a good intermediate program will be ideal. I would probably recommend looking at Wendler 5-3-1. It's a fairly solid program which focuses on the 4 big lifts (chest press, OHP, DL, Squat) with some accessory lifts (these are higher reps, but designed that way). The primary lifts are in the lower rep range with the except of of the max set. There is PH3 but before you do a program like that, Layne Norton recommends having a wilks score of 350 or higher.

    Hi,

    I ran a individual split for first 5 months than been running p/p/l ever since and it depends on week on how many days i lift. It varies from 5-6, push/pull/legs/rest/repeat and do you mean 350 score as in 350 pounds on every lift?

    Look at Wilks score calculator. Or you can go into the PH3 program --> program details, it has a calculator.

    I did, it shows 290 lol? (Wilks calculator)

    Not bad. So you should stick in an intermediate program like Wendler. I love the program and currently following it. [/quote]

    I was suppose to enter my weight and my best one rm right? lol jsut so i dont get confused and thats what I am planning on. Real thanks OP[/quote]

    Yes, enter your bodyweight and use the total of your 1RM squat, bench and deadlift for weight lifted.

    I started PH3 just over a year ago with a 385 lb squat, 225 bench and 500 dead. After 2 rounds of the program, my new tested 1RMs were 465 squat, 275 bench and 555 dead. My 3rd round had no progress since I got sick with strep throat and pneumonia. Now I'm in my 4th round and I'll be testing my 1RMs again in 3 weeks.

    It's a good program, but can be very taxing squatting and benching 3x a week. I have my first powerlifting meet in January and then I'm planning to take a break from PH3 and switch to 5/3/1 for the slightly lower frequency.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    Interested on hearing peoples thoughts on whether training a bodypart once per week is inferior to multiple times per weak, when hypertrophy is the main focus. For example doing a bro-split rather than PPL or similar?
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Interested on hearing peoples thoughts on whether training a bodypart once per week is inferior to multiple times per weak, when hypertrophy is the main focus. For example doing a bro-split rather than PPL or similar?

    I believe it's likely to be inferior.

    In theory, if you look at the duration of elevated muscle protein synthesis you could make the argument that higher frequency training allows you to upregulate MPS right around the time that it comes back down again, which ends up being 2-3 times/week.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Interested on hearing peoples thoughts on whether training a bodypart once per week is inferior to multiple times per weak, when hypertrophy is the main focus. For example doing a bro-split rather than PPL or similar?

    I believe it's likely to be inferior.

    In theory, if you look at the duration of elevated muscle protein synthesis you could make the argument that higher frequency training allows you to upregulate MPS right around the time that it comes back down again, which ends up being 2-3 times/week.

    I can see how this would be beneficial for beginners (un-trained) persons, however for experienced lifters who are at the upper limits of their FFMI is this likely to still be the best approach?

    Anecdotally; I feel that without a specific session for muscles/groups, I cannot get enough volume and variety of exercises for stimulate each portion of a muscle group.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Interested on hearing peoples thoughts on whether training a bodypart once per week is inferior to multiple times per weak, when hypertrophy is the main focus. For example doing a bro-split rather than PPL or similar?

    I believe it's likely to be inferior.

    In theory, if you look at the duration of elevated muscle protein synthesis you could make the argument that higher frequency training allows you to upregulate MPS right around the time that it comes back down again, which ends up being 2-3 times/week.

    I can see how this would be beneficial for beginners (un-trained) persons, however for experienced lifters who are at the upper limits of their FFMI is this likely to still be the best approach?

    Anecdotally; I feel that without a specific session for muscles/groups, I cannot get enough volume and variety of exercises for stimulate each portion of a muscle group.

    I'm not entirely sure but I would speculate that there's likely some balance of frequency and per-session volume that needs to be met, and I'd just take a guess that even for advanced athletes that frequency is going to be higher than 1/week.

    While this is just anecdote, I'd suggest checking out Jeff Nippard's youtube channel and specifically look for his more recent videos on bro-splits along with his interviews of Menno Henselmans on high frequency training. They discuss this exact topic, of trying to meet a certain per-session+per-bodypart volume threshold.

  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Interested on hearing peoples thoughts on whether training a bodypart once per week is inferior to multiple times per weak, when hypertrophy is the main focus. For example doing a bro-split rather than PPL or similar?

    I believe it's likely to be inferior.

    In theory, if you look at the duration of elevated muscle protein synthesis you could make the argument that higher frequency training allows you to upregulate MPS right around the time that it comes back down again, which ends up being 2-3 times/week.

    I can see how this would be beneficial for beginners (un-trained) persons, however for experienced lifters who are at the upper limits of their FFMI is this likely to still be the best approach?

    Anecdotally; I feel that without a specific session for muscles/groups, I cannot get enough volume and variety of exercises for stimulate each portion of a muscle group.

    I'm not entirely sure but I would speculate that there's likely some balance of frequency and per-session volume that needs to be met, and I'd just take a guess that even for advanced athletes that frequency is going to be higher than 1/week.

    While this is just anecdote, I'd suggest checking out Jeff Nippard's youtube channel and specifically look for his more recent videos on bro-splits along with his interviews of Menno Henselmans on high frequency training. They discuss this exact topic, of trying to meet a certain per-session+per-bodypart volume threshold.

    Given me some food for thought, thanks. As a further extension to my question; if someone is in a prolonged period of dieting, do you think that training a bodypart 2/3 times a week allows for adequate recovery? I would assume volume and frequency would only need to be lower when one is trying to maintain muscle mass.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Interested on hearing peoples thoughts on whether training a bodypart once per week is inferior to multiple times per weak, when hypertrophy is the main focus. For example doing a bro-split rather than PPL or similar?

    I believe it's likely to be inferior.

    In theory, if you look at the duration of elevated muscle protein synthesis you could make the argument that higher frequency training allows you to upregulate MPS right around the time that it comes back down again, which ends up being 2-3 times/week.

    I can see how this would be beneficial for beginners (un-trained) persons, however for experienced lifters who are at the upper limits of their FFMI is this likely to still be the best approach?

    Anecdotally; I feel that without a specific session for muscles/groups, I cannot get enough volume and variety of exercises for stimulate each portion of a muscle group.

    I'm not entirely sure but I would speculate that there's likely some balance of frequency and per-session volume that needs to be met, and I'd just take a guess that even for advanced athletes that frequency is going to be higher than 1/week.

    While this is just anecdote, I'd suggest checking out Jeff Nippard's youtube channel and specifically look for his more recent videos on bro-splits along with his interviews of Menno Henselmans on high frequency training. They discuss this exact topic, of trying to meet a certain per-session+per-bodypart volume threshold.

    Given me some food for thought, thanks. As a further extension to my question; if someone is in a prolonged period of dieting, do you think that training a bodypart 2/3 times a week allows for adequate recovery? I would assume volume and frequency would only need to be lower when one is trying to maintain muscle mass.

    Lyle has addressed this (article is here), as does Eric Helms in his Muscle and Strength Pyramids book. The recommendation is to maintain intensity (weight on the bar) while cutting volume/frequency up to 66%.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    Thoughts about Conjugate Method? Haven't seen that mentioned (probably because no one uses it...? ha....)
  • richln
    richln Posts: 809 Member
    Thoughts about Conjugate Method? Haven't seen that mentioned (probably because no one uses it...? ha....)

    It is described and critiqued under the "PowerLifting Programs" link.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    edited December 2016
    richln wrote: »
    Thoughts about Conjugate Method? Haven't seen that mentioned (probably because no one uses it...? ha....)

    It is described and critiqued under the "PowerLifting Programs" link.

    I looked at that before posting. Just curious if anyone had tried it as not everyone would agree.
    Also I'm not talking "Westside" specifically, there are a lot different ways to run a Conjugate based program that is very different than the way they run it at Westside. I guess that's in the description.. but anyway.. Curious if anyone here has tried it.
  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    Most of his issues with the "specificity" of Conjugate are totally opposite of how what I was taught, which is basically that every single rep/set/exercise you do is selected specifically to work on what you need to improve.
    You can do paused bench for everything if you want to, you don't HAVE to squat to a box ever, I deadlift 1-2x a week, bands/chains are optional for everything.
  • cajuntank
    cajuntank Posts: 924 Member
    edited December 2016
    Most of his issues with the "specificity" of Conjugate are totally opposite of how what I was taught, which is basically that every single rep/set/exercise you do is selected specifically to work on what you need to improve.
    You can do paused bench for everything if you want to, you don't HAVE to squat to a box ever, I deadlift 1-2x a week, bands/chains are optional for everything.



    Here is a good video with Matt Wenning talking to Chad on Conjugate. One thing that sticks out, is his talking about this method working really well for people who have a lot of time under the bar having mastered the main movements before utilizing this style of programming due to the variability of exercises.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdOfNhF43oQ


    Also, just for added viewing, another good one on WestSide by Chad Wesley Smith and Dr. Mike Israetel, but I think the information is still good info to have in their (West Side and Conjugate) comparison due to exercise selection between the two due to equipped lifting and the critique of that program style system as a whole.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXxwK7MYr30

  • not_a_runner
    not_a_runner Posts: 1,343 Member
    cajuntank wrote: »
    Most of his issues with the "specificity" of Conjugate are totally opposite of how what I was taught, which is basically that every single rep/set/exercise you do is selected specifically to work on what you need to improve.
    You can do paused bench for everything if you want to, you don't HAVE to squat to a box ever, I deadlift 1-2x a week, bands/chains are optional for everything.



    Here is a good video with Matt Wenning talking to Chad on Conjugate. One thing that sticks out, is his talking about this method working really well for people who have a lot of time under the bar having mastered the main movements before utilizing this style of programming due to the variability of exercises.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdOfNhF43oQ


    Also, just for added viewing, another good one on WestSide by Chad Wesley Smith and Dr. Mike Israetel, but I think the information is still good info to have in their (West Side and Conjugate) comparison due to exercise selection between the two due to equipped lifting and the critique of that program style system as a whole.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXxwK7MYr30

    Thanks for the response and links. Good videos, Matt's take on Conjugate actually reaffirmed a lot of ideas my training is based on. Nice to hear opinions from people who have actually trained that way.
    As Chad and Mike mentioned, making major changes to Westside makes it no longer Westside of course. I definitely do not train Westside, I would call it more of a Conjugate variation.
    Added 20 lbs to my deadlift from my first 4 week cycle, so I'm excited to continue with it and see what happens the next few months.
  • Steelpit202
    Steelpit202 Posts: 51 Member
    Hey, are there lifting programs you would recommend for someone mainly looking to improve forearms, abs, and legs? I think I am still a beginner. I've been working out at the gym for a few months but I think I could use a new routine.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Hey, are there lifting programs you would recommend for someone mainly looking to improve forearms, abs, and legs? I think I am still a beginner. I've been working out at the gym for a few months but I think I could use a new routine.

    Abs will improve with lower body fat levels. But all compound lifts would engage those muscles. Liftinf big things will improve your forearms. StrongCurves is the butt program essentially. And while all beginner programs use squat, SC has more focus.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    Does anyone have any opinions/thoughts on a 5 day PPL variation? My initial thoughts are to set it up as follows;

    Push
    Pull
    Legs
    Rest
    Upper
    Lower
    Rest

    The goal will be hypertrophy with a secondary focus on strength.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Does anyone have any opinions/thoughts on a 5 day PPL variation? My initial thoughts are to set it up as follows;

    Push
    Pull
    Legs
    Rest
    Upper
    Lower
    Rest

    The goal will be hypertrophy with a secondary focus on strength.

    While it's not P/P/L have you considered PHAT? It's a power and hypertrophy program.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    edited December 2016
    Does anyone have any opinions/thoughts on a 5 day PPL variation? My initial thoughts are to set it up as follows;

    Push
    Pull
    Legs
    Rest
    Upper
    Lower
    Rest

    The goal will be hypertrophy with a secondary focus on strength.

    Totally fine, but I think you can come up with a ton of possible ways to adjust frequency and make it successful. Since we can even do things like full body 6 days/week, you can absolutely do the above and be successful with it.

    I think what's more important here (and with most programs) is how you distribute volume across the week and how you progress throughout the mesocycle.

    What I'm getting at here (I totally don't mean to sound like a prick here either) is that all we see here is a list of days. It could literally say "full body" every day and I would still answer "yes this is possible to be very successful" depending on how the acute variables are managed across the week.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Does anyone have any opinions/thoughts on a 5 day PPL variation? My initial thoughts are to set it up as follows;

    Push
    Pull
    Legs
    Rest
    Upper
    Lower
    Rest

    The goal will be hypertrophy with a secondary focus on strength.

    Totally fine, but I think you can come up with a ton of possible ways to adjust frequency and make it successful. Since we can even do things like full body 6 days/week, you can absolutely do the above and be successful with it.

    I think what's more important here (and with most programs) is how you distribute volume across the week and how you progress throughout the mesocycle.


    What I'm getting at here (I totally don't mean to sound like a prick here either) is that all we see here is a list of days. It could literally say "full body" every day and I would still answer "yes this is possible to be very successful" depending on how the acute variables are managed across the week.

    Thanks for the response. I was going to post my full plan with exercises and reps but thought I'd get an initial response before posting up my thoughts.

    If you could expand on the bolded, it would be greatly appreciated. I get the general concept but have been a proponent of the bro-split for way too long now.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Does anyone have any opinions/thoughts on a 5 day PPL variation? My initial thoughts are to set it up as follows;

    Push
    Pull
    Legs
    Rest
    Upper
    Lower
    Rest

    The goal will be hypertrophy with a secondary focus on strength.

    Totally fine, but I think you can come up with a ton of possible ways to adjust frequency and make it successful. Since we can even do things like full body 6 days/week, you can absolutely do the above and be successful with it.

    I think what's more important here (and with most programs) is how you distribute volume across the week and how you progress throughout the mesocycle.


    What I'm getting at here (I totally don't mean to sound like a prick here either) is that all we see here is a list of days. It could literally say "full body" every day and I would still answer "yes this is possible to be very successful" depending on how the acute variables are managed across the week.

    Thanks for the response. I was going to post my full plan with exercises and reps but thought I'd get an initial response before posting up my thoughts.

    If you could expand on the bolded, it would be greatly appreciated. I get the general concept but have been a proponent of the bro-split for way too long now.

    Additional training days can be beneficial in that they allow you an opportunity to distribute volume. So for example if you train 2 days of full body per week you have 2 days to accumulate weekly volume. If you do 3 full body days per week, you have an additional day to take those 2 days of volume and divide it up, and you likely have an opportunity to increase total weekly volume because of this.

    The fewer rest days you have, I would argue that the more important it becomes to manage fatigue throughout the week (how does my training on day 1 interact with my training on day 2 and 3 etc) AND the more often you train the more volume you CAN accumulate -- this means you will LIKELY reach higher levels of fatigue and need to closely monitor that over the mesocycle.

    With what you're proposing above it should be pretty easy. You're looking at 2/week frequency for the most part. I would probably have your main lifts in multiple rep ranges on the lower days (ie squat heavier in sets of ~6 on one lower day and moderate in sets of 10-12 on the other lower day) and I'd probably follow a similar idea on the main lifts for upper sessions.
  • leajas1
    leajas1 Posts: 823 Member
    Hi all. I'll be finished with my first bulk in one month. Prior to that I had been cutting and recomping for approximately two years. I've always done progressive overload trying to get to the 8-10 rep range. My goals for coming out of this bulk are, obviously, to lose the fat I gained while keeping as much muscle as possible, and then just maintaining for the summer. For those goals, is it best to keep in that 8-10 rep range or do the whole lower weight high rep thing? I remember reading somewhere that high rep/low weight was good aesthetics, which is why I ask. TIA for your thoughts/suggestions/advice.
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Does anyone have any opinions/thoughts on a 5 day PPL variation? My initial thoughts are to set it up as follows;

    Push
    Pull
    Legs
    Rest
    Upper
    Lower
    Rest

    The goal will be hypertrophy with a secondary focus on strength.

    Totally fine, but I think you can come up with a ton of possible ways to adjust frequency and make it successful. Since we can even do things like full body 6 days/week, you can absolutely do the above and be successful with it.

    I think what's more important here (and with most programs) is how you distribute volume across the week and how you progress throughout the mesocycle.


    What I'm getting at here (I totally don't mean to sound like a prick here either) is that all we see here is a list of days. It could literally say "full body" every day and I would still answer "yes this is possible to be very successful" depending on how the acute variables are managed across the week.

    Thanks for the response. I was going to post my full plan with exercises and reps but thought I'd get an initial response before posting up my thoughts.

    If you could expand on the bolded, it would be greatly appreciated. I get the general concept but have been a proponent of the bro-split for way too long now.

    Additional training days can be beneficial in that they allow you an opportunity to distribute volume. So for example if you train 2 days of full body per week you have 2 days to accumulate weekly volume. If you do 3 full body days per week, you have an additional day to take those 2 days of volume and divide it up, and you likely have an opportunity to increase total weekly volume because of this.

    The fewer rest days you have, I would argue that the more important it becomes to manage fatigue throughout the week (how does my training on day 1 interact with my training on day 2 and 3 etc) AND the more often you train the more volume you CAN accumulate -- this means you will LIKELY reach higher levels of fatigue and need to closely monitor that over the mesocycle.

    With what you're proposing above it should be pretty easy. You're looking at 2/week frequency for the most part. I would probably have your main lifts in multiple rep ranges on the lower days (ie squat heavier in sets of ~6 on one lower day and moderate in sets of 10-12 on the other lower day) and I'd probably follow a similar idea on the main lifts for upper sessions.

    Your advice is much appreciated. That is exactly what I had programmed actually as I will get at least 2 days rest before training any bodypart again. The upper/lower days will be more conditioning focused with supersets and more athletic movements.

    Thanks again to you and @psuLemon
  • leajas1
    leajas1 Posts: 823 Member
    leajas1 wrote: »
    Hi all. I'll be finished with my first bulk in one month. Prior to that I had been cutting and recomping for approximately two years. I've always done progressive overload trying to get to the 8-10 rep range. My goals for coming out of this bulk are, obviously, to lose the fat I gained while keeping as much muscle as possible, and then just maintaining for the summer. For those goals, is it best to keep in that 8-10 rep range or do the whole lower weight high rep thing? I remember reading somewhere that high rep/low weight was good aesthetics, which is why I ask. TIA for your thoughts/suggestions/advice.

    This just popped up in my email. The 4-day upper/lower split looks fun and is pretty different from the 5-day split that I've always done.
    http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/the-muscle-building-workout-routine/
  • Z_I_L_L_A
    Z_I_L_L_A Posts: 2,399 Member
    So how much have you gained with all these programs that are some variation of what old school lifters have been doing all along. For someone who just trains heavy, changes it up from time to time, are you that much stronger following these programs. Fitness and lifting has become too technical and scientific. Eat this at this time of day, take this 29 min. before workout, drink this during, weigh your food etc. How much more would you get out of all this? I would truly like to know in power lifting there are technical scientific people and people who just eat right and lift. Seen both types win meets. Just curious, not trying to offend anyone although I feel it coming.
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Z_I_L_L_A wrote: »
    So how much have you gained with all these programs that are some variation of what old school lifters have been doing all along. For someone who just trains heavy, changes it up from time to time, are you that much stronger following these programs. Fitness and lifting has become too technical and scientific. Eat this at this time of day, take this 29 min. before workout, drink this during, weigh your food etc. How much more would you get out of all this? I would truly like to know in power lifting there are technical scientific people and people who just eat right and lift. Seen both types win meets. Just curious, not trying to offend anyone although I feel it coming.

    I understand where you're coming from with this.

    I don't necessarily agree with you but I don't think your opinion is offensive, and I also think that if you train hard and your program is not totally moronic you will still make good progress.





  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    Z_I_L_L_A wrote: »
    So how much have you gained with all these programs that are some variation of what old school lifters have been doing all along. For someone who just trains heavy, changes it up from time to time, are you that much stronger following these programs. Fitness and lifting has become too technical and scientific. Eat this at this time of day, take this 29 min. before workout, drink this during, weigh your food etc. How much more would you get out of all this? I would truly like to know in power lifting there are technical scientific people and people who just eat right and lift. Seen both types win meets. Just curious, not trying to offend anyone although I feel it coming.

    Unfortunately there is no way to compare the effectiveness of programmes as all the variables are so individual. You just have to do whatever works for you. I have always had a rough structure and just done what I can on the day whilst ensuring I hit enough volume and try to improve on certain lifts.

    Unless you are an elite professional athlete, it really doesn't matter though.
  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    SideSteel wrote: »
    Z_I_L_L_A wrote: »
    So how much have you gained with all these programs that are some variation of what old school lifters have been doing all along. For someone who just trains heavy, changes it up from time to time, are you that much stronger following these programs. Fitness and lifting has become too technical and scientific. Eat this at this time of day, take this 29 min. before workout, drink this during, weigh your food etc. How much more would you get out of all this? I would truly like to know in power lifting there are technical scientific people and people who just eat right and lift. Seen both types win meets. Just curious, not trying to offend anyone although I feel it coming.

    I understand where you're coming from with this.

    I don't necessarily agree with you but I don't think your opinion is offensive, and I also think that if you train hard and your program is not totally moronic you will still make good progress.







    This, and some people (including most new lifters) don't really know how to properly program their training. As such, they need someone/something to tell them what to do.

    Others just like having to not think too much about it. Sure, if you're going to compete, you're more likely to think about it and gain some idea of what needs tweaking. But for the genpop, that just wants to get stronger and/or bigger and/or maintain muscle on a cut? A program should take most, if not all, of the guesswork out of it, so (s)he can just focus on the lifting, as opposed to worrying about the minutia.

    But, sure - the more you know - the less you (in theory, should) need a prewritten program. Also, with more experience, you can see how certain lifts respond to different modes of training and adjust, as necessary.