What's better consistent reps or fallin off?

[NateDogg]

Originally posted by Maxima
Building muscle is actually very easy once you realize how it works. It comes down to this, if you ask your body to do 75 pounds for 4 reps and you do it and put the weights down, even though it hurt you were able to do it. You have just asked your body to do somthing that it can, why should it adapt.

It will adapt if it has never been asked to do that before. I am looking for research on this. I believe there is some at www.thinkmuscle.com.

[NateDogg]

Here is a little...not really research, but it speaks to my point...

http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/...t=ST;f=13;t=20

The basic idea is that if a muscle is presented with more resistance than it has been, then it will adapt. Yes, those who have been training to failure forever would need to apply something like strategic deconditioning (find it on the HST site). However, newbies would be just fine doing this without SD as their muscles will not have experienced the resistance level they do when lifting.

[TheBigness]

i liked that article cursor, but Fux and most of the others pros are on steroids, the way the train will only work for someone training properly, eating a good diet, AND taking gear. us mere mortals cannot train like the pro's and see gains for long it is simply too intense for most of us

[Gohan]

Originally posted by Maxima
Did you go all out on each of those routines? Do you limit yourself, example the first day did you say that I am going to do 4 and then put them down? Or did you say I am going to bust a gut to get 6 but are only able to get 4?

Same question with your routine with your friend? Second question is on the second set did it feel like the muscles were going numb, if so you should have stopped there is that why you went down weight on the last set? You should never have to go down weight, if your muscle is done it is done.

Also muscle soreness is only microfibular tears in the muscle. This can be from doing a new exercise that stretches your muscles in a new way. You should be a little tight but you want to avoid being really sore, this builds scare tissue which is inactive and does not grow. Extreme muscle soreness is also a sign of over training, as in doing 6 sets of chest press's. Just go all out and never limit yourself with reps. If you do 75's for 4 reps usually tell yourself your going to do them for 8 and fight like a wild dog to maintain good form and get those 8 reps out (hopefully you won't be able to.) If you are able to get six then go for seven and so on. I would say go up weight once you get to 12 and repeat this process. If the muscle is feeling numb do not go down weight to finish out your sets.

Building muscle is actually very easy once you realize how it works. It comes down to this, if you ask your body to do 75 pounds for 4 reps and you do it and put the weights down, even though it hurt you were able to do it. You have just asked your body to do somthing that it can, why should it adapt.

If you try to 75 pounds for 8 reps and can only get five then you have just told your body that it needs to grow so that it can do what you ask it to. You don't have to a ton of sets, just keep the pace going until the muscle is exhuasted and numb. If this happens on the second set fine, just make sure your body gets the picture and it will grow.

I have been working out for about 5 years now, and the past 6 months seem to be the only ones that were realy good. Before i started my heavy weight low reps and high sets worlouts i could never go up in strenght. But now in less than 6 monthss i have past all my old strength records. It took me 4++ years to find something that works for me so i think i'm going to stick to my workout.

Thanks for the advice though.

[cursor]

The author of the article is definitely not a steroid user (and never has been). His physical condition is indicative of his quality nutrition plan AND the same single-set workout philosophy.

Clarence at 65

[Gohan]

Damn i only wish i could be that ripped by the age of 25.

[NateDogg]

Originally posted by cursor
The author of the article is definitely not a steroid user (and never has been).

I have to ask, how you can make such a definitive statement? I'm not saying you are incorrect, but unless you ARE Mr. Bass, you cannot with 100% certainty make such a statement.

[cursor]

All I can say is that I have read Clarence's books (8 total), and am quite familiar with his fitness philosophies (and his career milestones). Additionally, we periodically exchange emails regarding fitness concepts. From what I know of the way that he personally approaches fitness, I think it's fair to say that steroid use is far outside the scope of his wellness perspective.

That reminds me ... I've been meaning to post information about an article that I was reading in the Christian Science Monitor entitled, "Ageless Athletes." It highlights a group of older athletes who continue to compete in track and field in their later years. One of the competitors is a 101 year old shot putter! Since I had just sent the newspaper clipping to Clarence on Tuesday (via snail-mail), it was (semi)fresh on my mind.