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CONTENTS:
(1) Hardgainers
---------------
1.1 What is a "hardgainer"?
1.2 Am I a
hardgainer?
1.3 What is
overtraining / How do I know if I am overtraining?
1.4 What kind of
results/gains can a Hardgainer expect?
(2) The Hardgainer Method of
training
-------------------------------------
2.1 What exercises
should I do?
2.2.1 What are the
basic movements?
2.2.2 What
exercises can be ignored and/or are dangerous?
2.3.1 How often
should I work out?
2.3.2 How many sets
and reps are required?
2.4 What equipment
is required?
2.5 What does an
example Hardgainer workout look like?
2.6 What must
hardgainers focus on and what can they ignore?
(3) Intensity Cycling
---------------------
3.1 What is
Intensity Cycling?
3.2.1 Why do
athletes cycle intensity?
3.2 Why MUST
hardgainers cycle intensity?
3.3 How do I put a
cycle together?
3.4 What happens to
a cycle when I get sick?
3.5 What are the
keys to a cycle?
3.6 Will I lose
muscle mass and strength if I cycle my intensity?
3.7 Exercise X is
gaining like a demon, but exercise Y has stopped.Should I stop my cycle?
3.8
Specialization
(4) Squatting and the
Deadlift
------------------------------
4.0 A word of
warning.
4.1 Why do I have to
use the Squat and/or the Deadlift?
4.2 How do I
Squat?
4.2.1 Squats and
their impact on the Gluteals
4.2.2 Squats and
compression of the spine
4.2.3 Squats and the
lower back
4.2.4 Squats and
the knees
4.2.5 Alternatives
to the Squat?
4.3 How do I do the
Classic Deadlift?
4.3.1 How do I do
the Stiff Legged Deadlift?
4.4 Why are 15-20+
reps best for these exercises?
(5) Miscellaneous
-----------------
5.0 HIT vs.
Hardgainer
5.1 What grips are
best for the exercises?
5.2 How and when
should I do aerobics?
5.3 What differences
apply for Women?
5.3.1 Especially
for Young Lifters
========================================================================
(1) Hardgainers
****************
1.1 What is a "hardgainer"?
-----------------------------
A Hardgainer is a
genetically-typical person (if there is such a thing). To be more specific
he/she is born with no special genetic 'gifts' which enable them to pack on
muscle mass quickly. Such people cannot gain lots of strength using VOLUME
training, but a hardgainer can make impressive gains using less frequent
workouts with considerably less volume.
Estimates of the percentage of the
population who are "hardgainers" range from 60% (Steve Holman, in his book "The
Home Gym Handbook" from Ironman Publications) to 95% (Some writers in HARDGAINER
magazine). The authors of this FAQ believe this percentage to be at least 85%.
On this percentage, maybe we should call ourselves NORMALgainers? :-)
We
grant that some people (the lucky few?) can make great gains training 4-6 days
per week using split routines and lots of hours in the gym as the pros do.
However these people are in the minority, and hardgainers who use these routines
will only overtrain, _perhaps_ making decent gains at first, but quickly
reaching a frustrating plateau.
1.2 Am I a hardgainer?
-----------------------
This is a tough question. Some
decisions on "hardgainer-ness" depend on physical measurements such as
wrist/ankle-size etc.
But if you find it impossible to add some poundage
regularly to each of your exercises every week or two using a
"conventional/popular" training program (one that has you training with the
weights more than three days a week), then it is highly likely that you are
overtraining. As a hard gainer, your tolerance to exercise is much less than
that of an easy gainer, so what the latter can gain on will just wear you down
and out. For sure you will be much better off doing fewer exercises and
sets
and training less often.
So the question of being a hardgainer is very much
a side issue. The core question is whether the "Hardgainer Method" would work
better than current "popular" methods. The answer is an emphatic YES, in a large
majority of cases; especially if you follow the guidelines laid out below as
much as you can.
1.3 What is overtraining / How do I know if
I am overtraining?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Overtraining occurs when you train your body beyond its ability to recover
(its so-called recovery-ability). If your body cannot recover from the last
workout then it will be unable to adapt and unable to grow.
Symptoms of
overtraining include:
(i) A higher-than-normal resting pulse
(ii)
Illnesses become more frequent and last longer than usual
(iii) Muscle
spasms while resting e.g. eyelid twitch etc.
(iv) Shaky hands
(v) Loss
of Sleep
(vi) Loss of appetite
(vii) Unexpected and unexplained fatigue
(viii) Unintended weight loss
and MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL --
(ix) very
slow or non-existent gains in exercise poundages in the gym; i.e. static
poundages or poundages that are only a few pounds more than you were using
months ago. In extreme cases, overtraining can lead to a loss of strength and
the use of reduced poundages.
Solution: If you are overtraining on your
current routine, then cut back on workout-days per week, and exercises and
number of sets used. Best of all give "The Hardgainer Method" a shot for 6-8
weeks just to see what you are missing. In most cases the person who tries this
for the first time will experience a rapid gain in strength and muscle mass,
along with an increase in energy. The method is outlined below in Section 2.
1.4 What kind of results/gains can a
Hardgainer expect?
---------------------------------------------------------
A
common experience when an overtrained person switches to a hardgainer- style
workout, is for rapid gains initially (4-8 weeks). This would mean being able to
add 5-10 lbs on the 'big basic' exercises (Squat, Deadlift, Rows, Bench Press
etc.) each week, along with 2-5lb increases on the smaller exercises such as the
Arm Curl etc.
After this period the gains slow down to 1-2lbs poundage
increase each week for a further 4-8 weeks, after which the gains
stop. It
is here where we apply 'intensity cycling' (see Section 3). Basically this
involves working on lighter weights (80-95% of
your best poundages) for 3-4
weeks without going to failure so as to allow your body to recover. It also
prepares your body for further gains of 2-5lbs each week in the next cycle.
Writers for the magazine HARDGAINER (such as Stuart McRobert) believe that
an _advanced_ hardgainer can reach (and surpass) 300lbs in the bench, 400lbs in
the Squat, and 500lbs in the classic style deadlift a.k.a the bent-legged
deadlift, at LEAST for single reps. This is called the 300-400-500 level. Many
of the writers for HARDGAINER (commonly abbreviated to just HG) are much
stronger than this level, for example in 1992 Stuart McRobert deadlifted 400lbs
for 20 reps!
However, these goals are NOT unconditional: they are based upon
an advanced hardgainer, who did not start too late in life and who has no
serious structural or injury limitation, who trains diligently and very
seriously for several years.
In other words, being a hardgainer does not
mean being unable to get extraordinarily strong; it just means having to work
out
(2) The Hardgainer Method of training
**************************************
2.1 What exercises should I do?
--------------------------------
The emphasis on "balance",
"proportion", and "symmetry" for the beginning bodybuilder or hardgainer almost
always results
in less than satisfactory gains being made. The goal ought to
be safely building some muscle mass; then when one is able to
move some
impressive weight, one can work on the sculpting and detailing that comes from
doing isolation exercises. To
build some size and strength one should work
hard over a period of years on *basic compound exercises*.
Though the basic
compound exercises are certainly the emphasis of this program, there can be
additions of small-muscle
exercises like barbell curls and calf raises.
Injury-preventing exercises for the rotator cuff as well as grip work can also
be
valuable, even necessary as one surpasses 200 Lbs in the Bench Press and
300 Lbs in the deadlift for more than 10-15 reps.
2.2.1 What are the basic movements?
------------------------------------
The basic
movements are:
Squats
Deadlifts
Bench Presses
Overhead
Presses
Rows and Pull-Ups
Bar Dips
(Each exercise must be performed
with good biomechanics and not on an injured or otherwise structurally-limited
body.)
Obviously, there are many variations on the above exercises; they can
and should be used for variety from cycle to cycle.
For example, one cycle
could be centered on the back squat while utilizing incline bench presses. The
next cycle could be
based on the classic deadlift and use the regular bench
press. Weighted dips can substitute for close-grip bench presses, and
supinated pull-ups could substitute for biceps curls and pull-downs.
There is no rule to have to use barbells or machines: Use what works; i.e.
it adds muscle and helps you get stronger.
Other exercises to take beyond
one's limits by progressive poundage are: Weighted Abdominal work with an
emphasis on
spinal flexion instead of hip flexion, Bent-over Rows, One Arm
Dumbbell Rows, Leg Presses and Standing Calf Raises, and Medium or Parallel Grip
Pull-Downs.
If you have a movement that you like, and get results from, do
it, but do it within the hardgainer philosophy of fewer sets, fewer
exercises, and fewer workouts with intense effort and progressive
poundage.
2.2.2 What movements can be ignored and
why?
--------------------------------------------
The
following movements can be ignored for the following reasons:
EXERCISE:
The Good Morning Exercise
REASON:
Given the Deadlift, Stiff
Legged Deadlift and hyperextension exercises, which all hit the lower back very
effectively when done safely, this exercise can be left from your schedule
because it is hard to do and can be very strenuous on the lower back, in
a
dangerous manner. With the DL and SLD, when failure is reached it is easy to
place the bar on the ground and stop the
set whereas in the 'good morning' a
lot of harmful stress can be placed on the neck and lumbar region.
EXERCISE: Rear deltoid
REASON: As Dr. Ken E. Leistner
says: you can concentrate on your rear delt when you are 220lbs of rock-hard
muscle.
Before that you should concentrate on increasing your overall
deltoid size using presses, benches, and back exercises such
as the row
which involve the rear deltoid in order to bring the arm back.
EXERCISE: Pulldowns with palms facing away (as opposed to the classic
chinning grip with palms toward you).
REASON: In this grip, the
biceps are placed in a weak position where full flexion cannot be achieved; this
will translate to being able to use less weight and thus not being able to hit
the back as heavy and hard. The traditional grip provides a more efficient and
effective method.
EXERCISE: Upright Rows
REASON: With very
heavy weights this exercise can easily hurt your shoulders and/or elbows. The
shrug is a much more effective and safer way to hit the traps.
Other
exercises which can be avoided since they are not the large compound movements
suggested by the Hardgainer method of training include chest flyes, leg
extensions, leg curls, lateral shoulder raises etc.
2.3.1 How often should I work
out?
-----------------------------------
Training each lift
in the all-out effort that comes at the end of a cycle would very quickly result
in overtraining for most
normalgainers if it were attempted three times a
week. Training each movement once a week while dividing all the exercises into
three separate workouts can be productive, but better still would be to
divide all movements into two separate workouts with several days for recovery
in-between. For the confirmed hardgainer, or at the end of a heavy Deadlift or
Squat cycle, working an exercise twice in three weeks may be required for full
recovery.
Muscles grow in-between workouts after being stimulated by a
specific exercise. What good does it do to perform an exercise
when not
fully recovered from a previous session? Showing up in the gym because one has
become "habituated" to bodybuilding has to be completely thrown out.
A good
rule of thumb for the hardgainer is never to train while still feeling
systemically tired. Have one day completely free of
systemic fatigue before
training again. While it is still possible to have some local soreness from,
say, Monday's Squat workout, you may be systemically fine and raring to go for
Friday's deadlift session.
"When in doubt do
less, not more."
2.3.2 How many sets and reps are required?
----------------------------------------
The answer to this
question can vary from person to person and certainly changes within the span of
a cycle. First, if you know
that you benefit from high reps, low reps, or
medium reps, use what works, but cut your total workload per session to no more
than 10 total work (heavy) sets if you use low to medium reps. Do 8 or fewer
work sets if you use high reps. All of this also depends on how heavy (intense)
the work is. The more intense the workout, the fewer sets that can be done
productively.
*When in doubt do less, not
more*
There are certain exercises that seem to work best when
performed with high reps; the Squat and the Deadlift fall in this category with
hardgainers getting excellent results with 15 to 20 reps. Training these two
"giant" movements with high reps allows one safely to correct problems with form
early in a cycle that might occur, without risking life and limb under a
super-heavy bar. However, others prefer low-rep work, not only because it can be
easier to do, but because it can be darn effective in its own right.
There
is no rule on the exact number of sets and reps to use. But try for low volume
(10-30 work sets A WEEK) over a few (4-8 exercises).
2.4 What equipment is required?
--------------------------------
With just a barbell, a
bench, a safety stand for squatting and an overhead bar for pull-ups, a
hardgainer can get great results.
Other equipment, like a good leg press
machine or even Nautilus equipment, can be used for compound movements as long
as
progressive poundage and abbreviated routines are adhered to. At least
one noted hardgainer trains the squat with no stand at all; he cleans and
presses the bar to start, then presses it again after completing 15-20 slow
reps!
2.5 What does an example Hardgainer workout
look like?
-------------------------------------------------------
The
'classic' hardgainer workout is a full-body workout done at most twice a week,
and in some cases once every 4-5 days.
The routine might look something like
this:
10-20 minute whole body warmup used beforehand to get the body
thoroughly warmed-up (use stationary bike or calisthenics etc.).
Squat 2x20
(or Deadlift(DL) )
Stiff Leg DL 1x10 (don't do this if doing DL)
Bench
Press 2x6 (or Dumbbell press / dips)
Dumbbell Rows 2x8 (or barbell
rows/chins etc.)
Shoulder Press 1x6 (or Dumbbell Press etc.)
Calf Raises
1x15
Arm Curl 1x6
Only the WORK sets are shown. 1-3 warmup sets are
used. Abs are worked for 1-2 sets to absolute failure before & after the
workout. Doing a whole-body routine infrequently, yields the most recovery time.
Another abbreviated routine might look like the following:
Mon |Wed |Fri
deadlift 5 x 6 |lat pull-downs 5 x 6 |leg press 1x8,2x12 incline bench press
5 x 6 |barbell curls 3 x 6 |weighted dips 3x6
weighted ab work 3 x 12 |calf
work 3 x 15 |shoulder press 5x6 |side bends 3 x 12 |calf 3x20 Here warmup sets
are shown as the first 2 sets of a 5 set exercise and the first set in a 3 set
exercise. As the weights increase through the cycle, two things can be done to
optimize the workload to prevent overtraining. The first is to drop 1-3 sets
from each exercise, and the second is to eliminate the Wed workout and split its
exercises between the other days. Finally one might eliminate all but the main
exercise (deadlift in this case) and one or two others in order to squeeze an
extra 5-10 pound increase for the focus lift out of the cycle.
A very
abbreviated routine might look like this:
(only work sets shown, 1-2 warmups
done prior to these) Day 1: Squat 1x15 (affects whole body, thighs) Weighted
Pressups 1x6 (Triceps, Pecs, front-delts) Arm Curl 1x6 (isolation for biceps)
Day 2: Deadlift 1x15 (whole body, back) Pulldowns to Front 1x15 (upper back)
Shoulder Press 1x6 (delts, triceps)
One or two more warmup sets might be
added to each exercise above especially near the end of a cycle as the weights
are getting very heavy. Though this may seem extreme, a cycle like this could
easily result in a 25-30 lb increase in the poundage of the two focus lifts over
the one's previous max by the end of a 12 week cycle. This type of schedule is
also appropriate for the ultra-hardgainer who must limit total sets to the
minimum.
There are many exercise routines in "Brawn", some with as many as 7
exercises per workout. Some routines in "Brawn" are based on doing ONE exercise
in a workout! A maximum of 15 total sets early- to mid-cycle, and around 8 total
sets at the end of a cycle constitute the abbreviated routine. The fewer sets
you do, the more weight you'll be able to lift, and the better you'll respond.
If you get into an overtrained state, you are not responding (growing) optimally
and you may very well regress!
2.6 What must hardgainers focus on and what
can they ignore?
------------------------------------------------------------
The emphasis is progressive poundage in basic exercises, cycling of
intensity, good exercise form, and complete recovery from the previous workout
before lifting again.
Progressive poundage means adding an appropriate
weight to the bar each week. An appropriate weight may be less than the smallest
plate that your gym makes available. Craig's whole body can adapt to 5lbs per
week for most of the cycle, while his biceps can handle 2.5lbs per week only
early in the cycle; later the appropriate weight increment for curls is 1 lb or
_less_ per week. The less you add, the longer you'll keep adding, whilst
maintaining good form.
REP SPEED:
Rep-speed arguments are
a waste of time. As long as the weight is not bounced around, and is in full
control, with very little abuse of momentum, then use whatever rep speed feels
comfortable and then do reps until your eyes pop out. Basically the authors
believe that explosive training is not advisable, however super-slow training
may hold some benefits for some people (but not the majority).
BREATHING:
Make sure to breathe as often as you need to:
breathe in on the easy part, out on the part that requires most effort. You may
take several breaths between reps if required.
(3) Intensity Cycling
**********************
3.1 What is Intensity Cycling?
-------------------------------
Intensity cycling basically
means 'going easy' on the weights for a few weeks (3-5 weeks) so as to allow
your body some time to get ready for more growth in the future (for a period of
6-12+ weeks).
Normally what happens when a person starts weight training is
that there is an initial period of growth (can be rapid in some
cases) which
gradually slows down to a point where you can't add 1-2lbs on your exercises
each week. At this stage, your body (and your mind) could use a short break from
the brutal hard work. This recovery period normally last 3 weeks or more. Of
course, you still use weights, but you use less weight and don't go to failure.
Gradually you build back up to your maximums from the last cycle. And then
you'll find (if you give yourself enough recovery weeks) that you can now add a
good bit of weight to the bar each week (5lbs or more on the big basics, 2lbs or
more on the smaller ones) to reach new personal bests.
Of course this cycle
too will eventually stop, when the gains stop. Then it's time to begin another
cycle by doing your 3+ weeks recovery. Using this method you can make consistent
gains bit by bit, week by week, which will total up to big gains in a relatively
short period.
Bear in mind that 'intensity cycling' is different from
'periodization' where you start a routine with relatively-high reps
(e.g. 12
reps) and after a period of weeks drop the reps by a third, then another third
over another few weeks: the idea being to 'shock' the muscle by varying the reps
and weight used. 'Intensity cycling' stays with the same rep scheme throughout
the cycle, and also for repeated cycles.
The trouble with training flat-out
all the time, is that it always ends up in overtraining.
3.2.1 Why do athletes cycle intensity?
---------------------------------------
Today, most
professional athletes cycle their intensity. Over the past few years, techniques
have been found to better the athlete's performance, however they take a much
higher toll on the body. The athlete must also reach PEAK fitness and strength
at the right time. For both of these reasons, athletes will cycle the intensity
of their exercise routine.
3.2 Why MUST hardgainers cycle intensity?
-----------------------------------------
Hardgainers don't
have the genetic gifts that easy gainers do. Even if they did they should
include cycling for spurring extra gains when plateaus/stagnation set in.
Remember, once you have overtrained, you can't bully your way out of it. The
only solution is to drop your intensity temporarily. Cycling is a planned and
organized effort to arrange irregular progress into a regular
progression of
'ups' and 'downs', with each new 'up' or 'down' being a little higher than the
previous one. After a cycle (of
12-20 weeks) one should look at having
gained 15-20 pounds on the bench press, 20-30 pounds on the squat and Deadlift.
Maintaining this progress for 12-18 months will give you tremendous gains.
3.3 How do I put a cycle together?
-----------------------------------
The easiest way to
describe a cycle is to go through an example. Say your recent best barbell curl
was 100x6 and your best squat 280x20. Now you REALLY want to get to 110x6 on the
curl and 300x20 in the Squat. You are feeling burned-out lately as the hard part
of your cycle has been going on for some time now, and the gains have stopped.
If you are foolish you might try adding a 'shock' 5lbs to the bar each week to
get your goals. But being burned out, and close to overtraining, all that will
happen is that the 105lb curl will feel _way_ heavier than 100 and you won't get
5 reps -- never mind 6.
Don't expect to get to 110lbs in a month -- a few
months is what you need. The following cycle considers only the first work set
of the barbell curl and squat, each done ONE day a week. (There are other
exercises in the cycle, but they are left out for
clarity.) The one to two
warmup sets are also omitted from the description. One to two work sets are all
you need, starting with
three in the early stage of the cycle and dropping
to two and then to one as the cycle reaches its hardest. You must NEVER train
more frequently than you can cope with as far as your energy level and
recovery-ability are concerned.
IF IN DOUBT TRAIN WITH LESS VOLUME AND WITH LESS
FREQUENCY.
So here we go, how does the cycle begin:
First
thing is to get well-rested; this means 7-10 days off, no weight training and no
aerobics. This will give your body a good
deal of the time it takes to
recover after burning out/overtraining. Then drop your poundages to 75-85% of
maximum and build up from there slowly.
ARM CURL SQUAT
=================================================
Week 1: OFF OFF
Week 2: 85x6 235x20
Week 3: 90x6 245x20
Week 4: 95x6 255x20
Week
5: 100x6 265x20
Week 6: 102x6 270x20
Week 7: 104x6 275x20
Week 8:
106x6 280x20
Week 9: 107x6 285x20
Week 10: 108x6 292x20
Week 11:
109x6 294x20
Week 12: 110x6 296x20
Week 13: 110.5x6 298x20
Week 14:
111.0x6 300.0x20
Week 15: 111.5x6 301.5x20
Week 16: 112.0x6 303.0x20
Week 17: 112.5x6 304.5x20
Week 19: 112.5x6 306.0x20
In the first
workout, we cut back to 85% poundages for the same reps. Each week we add a
little weight to the bar to get back to our previous poundages, and then we add
some more weight each week which become personal bests. Note that the Squat
takes a lot longer to get back to 100% than the arm curl. This is because the
Squat is a very brutal exercise to do and in the recovery phase adding 20lbs
each week (which may only constitute 5-10%) has too much of an impact on
recovery. If the poundages in the Squat are less, then a shorter build-up period
of 4-6 weeks may be allowed, but the bigger your poundages are, the more
recovery time your body needs.
- A Mini-Cycle
Cycles need not be very
long. A short-but-successful mini-cycle will last for 6-8 workouts. A sticking
point is the stimulus for a new cycle. Take an EXTRA 4-6 days rest between your
workouts before starting this new mini-cycle. Cut back all poundages
to 85%.
The first two workouts (85% and 90%) will be comfortable, as you stay with your
usual reps but with less poundage. The next workout at 95% will be more
demanding. Then comes 97 1/2%, and then the 100% workout that you ended your
previous cycle on. This cycle will be testing but, so long as you've eaten and
rested adequately between workouts, it will be successful. Next comes a new
personal best, by adding 2-5lbs to all your exercises. Now you might want to add
an extra rest day between workouts to allow more recovery time. This continues
until you are stuck at the same poundage for the same reps
for two weeks in
a row, then it's time to start another cycle.
3.4 What happens to a cycle when I get sick?
---------------------------------------------
Most people get
sick at some stage during the year and whether it be a cold or flu, or worse, DO
NOT work out while you are sick. For your own sake (your illness will get worse
if your body can't pool its resources to fight it if it's trying to recover
from heavy squatting) and for others' (passing illnesses on in the gym is a
major NO-NO for obvious reasons).
But say you are only sick for 1-2 days,
then what do you do? It's a good idea to start with 5-7 days of complete rest to
ensure the illness is really gone. Then take 2 weeks to get back to your
before-illness poundages (one week at 90% and one at 95%).
If you are sick
for longer, or you feel very drained or tired after your illness, then take 7-10
days off, and start your
cycle over again. If you made any gains, then you
have new 'easy' percentages to calculate. If you were still in the 'recovery'
phase, then stay with the same percentages when you start over.
3.5 What are the keys to a cycle?
----------------------------------
Be aware of the big
misuses of cycling. First and foremost, don't reduce the number of easy workouts
so you can get back into the hard sessions. This happens a lot because people
are too greedy, but it only brings the cycle to a sudden halt with no gains to
show for it. A 40:60 split between comfortable and hard workouts is a sound
place to start. Adding too much poundage or going for too many reps (even with
reduced poundage) will bring this cycle to a halt too. At the start of a cycle
you should plan your 'new-ground' increases somewhat.
e.g., I'll add 5lbs a
week to my squat for 4 weeks, keeping my style good. Then what usually happens
is the gains slow down, so I'll drop to 2lb a week increases for 4-5 more weeks,
and then 1lb increases for 2 more weeks; it's then I usually have to end the
cycle. That will give me almost 30 lbs on my squat in 10 weeks (using a 14-16
week) cycle.
Obviously, you will have to chop and change this somewhat as
you can never foresee every eventuality. Try to stay with the program as much as
possible. But when you feel you can't add 5lbs next workout, then DON'T. Always
make sure you reach
your target reps! Don't be greedy by trying to add 5lbs
when you can really handle 2lbs. You'll only end up with poor style (as the
extra 5lbs will feel like a ton), giving you pseudo-strength and worst of all
you could possibly get an injury. Stay with increases you can handle. 2lbs a
week may not seem like much but with 26 such increases in the year (with 26
recovery weeks), you will add 52lbs to an exercise!
Cycling of intensity
isn't infallible, as it depends on many variables. No cycling system works if
you do too much work, do it too frequently, and rep-out to your max too early in
the cycle. You need to experiment. You will make mistakes, but you must learn
from them and not repeat them. Remember: do whatever gives you the most muscle
gains in the least time.
** Experiment a bit to find what's best. **
The
two biggest variables involved are rest and nutrition. In the recovery phase,
you can get by with two workouts every seven days. But when you reach the
growing phase your body will need some more time to grow and adapt. In the first
two to three weeks you can stay at two whole-body workouts per week, but then as
you lose some momentum, you should add an extra day of recovery time, working
out twice every 8-9 days. Or you could divide up the whole-body program whereby
each exercise is trained only once a week with half the exercises in one session
and the other half on the other training day. Also try to make sure that you get
enough sleep. In the growing phase simply getting an extra hour's sleep every
night can have a great impact on how long this growth phase lasts.
Nutrition
is also very important. You won't become really big and really strong when you
have cola and fries at every meal! You must eat nutritious foods. By now most
people know what these are: Bread, potatoes, lean-meat (fish, chicken) non-fat
yoghurt etc. etc. Try to keep out as much junk-food as possible.
For
drinks, MILK is the best. It has lots of vitamins in it, and is probably the
best 'supplement' available. It's cheap and should be drunk in fair quantities.
Hardgainers should think about drinking a litre of milk every day. Full milk
would be ideal, but as always keep an eye on your waistline, and balance muscle
gains against some small 'acceptable' fat gains. Low-fat (1% or 2%) or non-fat
may be more acceptable to those highly-conscious of what they consume. Note
also, that milk is only good if it agrees with the consumer. There are products
on sale which can help if you have trouble digesting milk (which is most easily
handled if drank by itself when the stomach is empty).
3.6 Will I lose muscle mass and strength if
I cycle my intensity?
------------------------------------------------------------------
The answer is NO. Many people will want to nay-say this, but one author has
used cycling for over two years and can honestly say he has never lost any
strength during the recovery phase of any cycle as is shown by good, consistent
gains in the corresponding growing phase: in one cycle adding 85lbs to the
stiff-legged deadlift (to go from 108lbsx10 to 193lbs x10)
over a period of
12 weeks. The build-up phase of cycling is short enough, but gives enough
stimulation to keep your muscle from 'forgetting' what the 100% feels like.
3.7 Exercise X is gaining like a demon, but
exercise Y has stopped. Should I stop my cycle?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
No. If one exercise is gaining a lot, and another is not, then stay with the
cycle. Try to add 1lb to the 'sticking' exercise, or even 0.5lbs each week
(possibly do the 'sticking' exercise once every two weeks to allow any other
faster- gaining exercise to keep on gaining). Pump every cycle for as much gain
as you can. In the end you may only be able to add 0.5-1.0 lbs a week but keep
it up and when these gains stop too THEN start over.
3.8 Specialization Routines
---------------------------
Many of us have a weak bodypart
or set of muscles we would like to improve upon. However, until one is 80% of
the way to
becoming advanced (the 300-400-500 level), you should concentrate
on the Squat, Deadlift, and Bench/Dip poundages.
If, after that stage, you
still want to specialize, the key is to decrease work on other exercises --
still going to failure but using fewer sets and reps. Make the weak area the
first muscle you hit in a workout and try 2-3 exercises instead of just 1 but
keep the volume low. Concentrate on increasing weight/reps, but don't neglect
the squat/deadlift.
(4) Squatting and the Deadlift
*******************************
4.0 A word of warning.
-----------------------
If you
have had a serious back injury, get the clearance of a sports-oriented
chiropractor first before working these lifts. Even if you have had any minor
back injuries, get a chiropractor's clearance.
NOTE: For many hardgainers,
working the squat and the classic deadlift may be too hard on the lower back.
Try doing the Squat and the Stiff-legged deadlift OR the classic Deadlift and
use the (horizontal) leg press. Beginners should not try the Stiff legged
Deadlift until they have done at least 6 months of weight-lifting including the
classic DL as the SLD can be dangerous for the newcomer if not done right. The
vertical leg-press is not recommended due to shearing forces involved and the
problems it sometimes causes in the lower back.
4.1 Why do I have to use the Squat and/or
the Deadlift?
--------------------------------------------------------
Well
you don't HAVE to use the Squat or Deadlift. That is unless you want to get as
big as possible as quickly as possible. These exercises are the toughest to do,
because you can really move a lot of weight in them for a lot of reps. This is
because they use the strongest muscle complexes in the body: thighs, gluteals,
back structure where 70% of your muscle mass resides. Naturally by inspiring
gains here, a 'spill-over' will occur in the other exercises such as the bench
press, arm curl etc.
Without these exercises, gains will be possible but not
near half as quickly as they will be with them. Some people will shy away from
them because of the intensity of effort required (they will also be some of the
weaker members in the gym compared with those who use the Squat and DL for a
couple of intense work sets during the week). Next time you are in the gym see
who does the Squat and the Deadlift(DL) and see who doesn't, then compare muscle
mass! :-)
4.2 How do I Squat?
--------------------
The key to Squatting is Form. If your
form is great then this movement will have only benefits. If your form is poor
then you will have serious injuries.
The key to getting good form in the
squat relies on three things:
(i) Stretching. This will get you limber
enough to get the correct form during the movement. The stretching that needs to
be done is for
-Calves (so no heel support is needed)
-Hamstrings &
Lower Back (to help keep back straight)
-Groin (to help keep a wide stance
during squat)
NOTE: Support under the heels is often required by many people
for squatting, but this is actually very dangerous on your knees IMHO.
Flat-footed squatting is also more productive since you aren't as shaky on your
feet. This still means wearing shoes with a regular heel.
(ii) Technique:
Taking the bar in a power rack, place the bar low on the traps. Step out
from the power rack.
Using no heel support, with a wideish stance, and head
up; lower yourself slowly until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
In
this bottom position, pause momentarily as you DRIVE your feet into the ground
to get back up. In the bottom position your back should be straight but will be
slightly bent forward. The less the bend forward, the less danger on the back.
During this ascent - Keep your head up and this will help keep your back
straight and near upright. Also make a major effort to keep your knees from
bending in.
Do this with high reps for best effect (15-20 reps).
Take
1-2 breaths between the early reps.
Later as the Squat gets hard try for 3
HUGE breaths (sucked through teeth) between reps. Later you will need 10 or more
breaths to get to 20 reps, but this is the kind of effort that builds serious
muscle.
(iii) Slow Buildup.
Most people find it difficult to get correct
squatting form with their current weight as it involves too many factors to get
form right (head up, knees wide, watch your back etc. etc.). For these reasons
and for people who are new to squatting I would advise learning the Squat from
scratch while doing the Leg Press or whatever to keep the Quads strong.
Start off with _just_ the bar. Practice the Squat twice a week, for 4-5 sets
since the weight is so light. Make a very serious effort to get your form right
and stretch as outlined above every day to get your muscles limber enough. Add
5lbs at every workout and keep your form 110% perfect. As the weeks pass, you
will need fewer sets (2-3 per workout). Then the effort to get to 20 reps will
become evident, but FORM must be the focus still.
Then drop to squatting
once a week when you begin to squat to failure. Use a few sets, since the squat
can be very brutal if done right for high reps and high weight. Add at most
2-5lbs a week when squatting to failure (whatever you can
handle and still
keep form perfect).
4.2.1 Squats and their impact on the
Gluteals
---------------------------------------------
Although the Squat has been criticised for its ability to give some people
oversized gluteals, this is the case in people who do ONLY the squat. By doing
the big basics and working the whole body, the gluteals will look only a natural
part of a muscular body.
4.2.2 Squats and compression of the spine
-----------------------------------------
When using very
heavy weights (above double bodyweight) certain people have reported effects
resulting from compression of the spine. This can be alleviated to some degree
by having strong shoulders, traps and and overall back muscles, and by
performing hanging from a bar by your hands to help alleviate any stress.
However before reaching double-bodyweight squats this should not pose any
problem.
4.2.3 Squats
and the lower back
-------------------------------
The lower
back is often the first place to be hurt by the Squat when it is not done right.
Done with perfect form, your lower back will not get hurt. However, people with
back trouble (OF ANY KIND) should see a sports-knowledgeable doctor before
trying the Squat as it is very tough on the body.
4.2.4 Squats and the knees
--------------------------
Some people say the Squat wrecks
their knees but in my experience these people did one of the following:
-Using support under the heels.
-They descended too fast and rebounded
at the bottom.
In the first the knee is put in an awkward position it should
never be in, and in the second, the force of rebounding is way too much for your
knees to handle. Done slowly and correctly, you can squat until you are 70,80,90
whatever.
There is some evidence to suggest that even with all these safety
precautions, squats can cause excessive soreness in this area for a few people.
Therefore the Deadlift (classic or stiff-legged) should become the focus
lift.
4.2.5 Alternatives to the Squat?
--------------------------------
If you can squat you MUST
squat! It is THE exercise to build muscle, not just in the lower body but which
promotes growth elsewhere too. The Classic Deadlift is the nearest rival. Do
BOTH and you will already have the foundation for one heck of a program.
I
would advise doing the bar-on-the-traps squat but there are some good machines
out there. However they only come close to the free-weight version and cannot
surpass its muscle-building capabilities.
For home trainees you should
invest in a power rack, or buy the Squat harness that wraps around the waist and
keeps the bar between the legs called the hip belt. This is advertised in
IronMan magazine and elsewhere. Although not as good as the bar-on-the-traps
version it's better that not squatting at all, but only if it can be done
without a board under the heels to minimize the stress on the knees.
4.3 How do I do the Classic Deadlift (DL /
BLDL)?
--------------------------------------------------
Some basic tips:
(a) Start Position
- Set yourself up with bent
legs, feet close together, bar close to the shins, and head up.
- In the
start position, the back will be bent forward, but will be STRAIGHT.
- Your
arms hang in a straight and vertical line, no bending at the elbow.
- Your
arms will lie outside your legs.
(b) Lift
-"Squeeze" the bar off the
floor. No Snatching. Simultaneously push with the legs and pull with the back.
Keep the pressure on
your feet well spread, and off the toes.
-At the
top, straighten up, and shrug the weight back slightly. But do not thrust your
hips out.
-When lowering the weight, don't drop it rapidly, and don't bounce
it off the floor. Briefly set the weights down between reps.
Working the DL,
and SLD once a week is enough in the hardest parts of your cycle. If you are
getting acclimated to these
exercises, and the weights are light, twice a
week may be okay. But don't train any of these lifts if your back is sore.
4.3.1 How do I do the Stiff Legged
Deadlift(SLD)?
-----------------------------------------------
Some Basic tips:
- If the back is not 100% avoid the full range SLD and
just stick with doing it to the floor with 45-pound plates on the bar to prevent
excessive extension.
- Don't do the full-range movement until you can touch
your knuckles to your toes whilst keeping your knees locked and together. Slowly
and progressively increase your flexibility.
- Use 45- or 35- pound plates
whilst standing on the floor until you are flexible enough.
- When you get
sufficiently flexible, the bar should only go so deep that it will touch your
shoelaces. You might want to do
the exercise from a slightly raised platform
to get the required stretch.
The Lift:
-Initially lift the weight in a
BENT-LEGGED DEADLIFT style.
-Stretch down to the lower position slowly!
(ankle/shoelace depth at MAX)
-From the bottom position, smoothly and
steadily lift the bar. Don't jerk, twist, bounce or accelerate rapidly. Smoothly
up,
a short pause at the top, and lower smoothly.
-Don't try to keep
your lower back flat or rigid. Keeping your head up as you pull will avoid
excessive rounding of the back.
-Keep your knees slightly unlocked until
your style is good.
Don't work both exercises SLD & DL hard in the one
cycle, focus on one at a time.
*** The Stiff Legged Deadlift is very
dangerous if done wrong. If in doubt get a fully-qualified trainer to show you
how or start off light with just the bar, and progress slowly, 5lbs per
week.
4.4 Why are 15-20+ reps best for these
exercises?
--------------------------------------------------
Simple:
Lots of weight + Lots of reps = Lots of muscle
This is only
possible with the Deadlift and the Squat. There is some evidence that the use of
high reps in these promotes the release of testosterone, possibly due to the
huge effort involved mentally and physically to take a large weight to 20 reps
(squat/dl) in good form.
4.5 What powerlifting gear will help me in
these lifts?
--------------------------------------------------------
Unless you are entering competitions, you should avoid knee wraps, and the
use of a weight-lifting belt which protects the back. If your back is prone to
injury, avoid these lifts as they are very strenuous. But if you squat and you
NEED a belt,
then you should try to improve your squatting technique and the
belt will become unnecessary. The belt will only impede the
deep 'abdominal'
breathing required to get through a tough squatting session. Wearing a belt in
the DL may be more acceptable, especially for reps less than 6, but if you can
use the DL in good style without it, drop the belt.
FIRST AND FOREMOST YOU
MUST GET YOUR TECHNIQUE CORRECT.
Wrist straps are OK for the DL and SLD, but
as with the belt, if you can work without it, do so. If you are competing do the
DL without gloves to get used to the rigours of the lift, but otherwise gloves
are okay.
(5) Miscellaneous
*******************
5.0 HIT vs. Hardgainer
-----------------------
Hardgainer and HIT methods are very
similar. HIT concentrates somewhat more on INTENSITY, e.g. using drop sets etc.;
whereas Hardgainer concentrates more on CYCLING intensity and keeping the volume
even lower than traditional HIT methods.
The eclectic reader is advised to
try both methods and choose which one works the best. Sometimes a change between
the
two can be effective also.
5.1 What grips/stances are recommended for
the exercises?
----------------------------------------------------------
(*S*) = Spotters highly recommended if you can get them. Or else use a power
rack.
Bench Press : The recommended grip is slightly wider
(*S*) than
shoulder-width (by 1-3 inches on each side). Much wider than this can be
dangerous for the rotator cuff.
Squat : The stance is 40-60 degrees of leg
separation.
(*S*) That is the angle between your thighs! (remember to keep
the head up and back straight)
Deadlift (Classic style/Bent-Legged):
Feet are close together (heels about 8-12 inches apart, toes a bit wider).
Arms fall straight down to bar (very wide, or
very narrow grips not
recommended). As with the squat, keep the head up ALWAYS, and keep your back
straight. Drive with the legs.
Deadlift (Stiff-Legged):
Feet are very
close together, and point forward, from 6 inches apart to no separation. Grip is
shoulder width. Ankle depth
is the maximum depth recommended.
Pulldowns/Chins:
Various grips are recommended. But very-wide grips are
not, because of possible problems these grips can cause with
the rotator
cuff. Anything from 3-4 inches wider than shoulder-width to
almost-hands-together is fine.
Shoulder Press:
grip the bar just outside
shoulder width. In the bottom position the forearms should be nearly vertical as
it places less stress on the shoulder joint.
Arm Curl :
Grip the bar
with arms parallel i.e. exactly shoulder width apart, maybe altering grip +/-
1inch for variety.
Close-Grip Bench: Use a shoulder-width grip (or a little
less).
(*S*) Be very watchful as balance is tough on this one.
5.2 How and when should I do aerobics?
---------------------------------------
This will depend on
each person, and what their goals are. Some aerobic exercise will be beneficial,
but too much WILL
interfere with muscle gains and recovery. Current opinion
in HARDGAINER recommends 30 minutes of medium-intensity aerobics done twice a
week, on top of two weights workouts. Naturally as we want maximum muscle gains,
aerobics should be kept to a minimum in the hardest parts of a cycle to
encourage maximum growth, so NOT doing aerobics is acceptable late in a cycle.
However, as one gets older, aerobics becomes more important. After 35 years
of age aerobic work should be included, increasing in emphasis as one gets
older, but NOT ignoring the weight-lifting aspect and its myriad benefits
too.
5.3 What differences apply for Women?
--------------------------------------
All goals, exercises,
sets and reps apply for women too. However, the increments may be smaller and so
the goals need not be attained for a woman to become as 'advanced'. A 200lb
bench press, 250-300lb squat and 300-350lb Deadlift for singles would undeniably
be very strong for a woman.
5.3.1 Especially for Young Lifters
----------------------------------
The key question here is
when should teenagers begin to lift?
The authors have no medical
qualifications, but from reading we have uncovered the following general advice:
Before 12 years of age, general cardiovascular work is the most kids should
be asked to do e.g. running, playing, jumping etc.
Lifting weights should be
avoided, but use of bodyweight resistance in pushups (with feet/knees on
ground), assisted chin-ups, and no-weight squats can be useful in building some
strength.
For 12-16 year olds, some weightlifting with dumbbells and light
barbells can increase strength and muscle mass. Emphasis should NOT be on the
weight being lifted, but on form, with high reps. Working out to failure may NOT
be a good idea. A 30:70 ratio of weights and cardio work is advisable.
For
16-18 year olds, more weight can be added and built upon. A 50-50 mix of weights
and cardio is about right.
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