4 replies to this topic

[ajdos]

From the first day I joined my first forum, it was done with the sole intention of mastering the secrets and experiences of seasoned trainees from across the web.

I can remember coming to bodybuilding boards and finding a plethora of information, it was almost information overload. There were posts about anything and everything, from diet, training protocols to drugs and medications. It was an amazing experience. Up until that point Muscle and Fitness, Flex and a couple other muscle mags had been my primary learning tools. One of my co-workers directed me to a website for some info. I was just starting to use anabolics and was on my second cycle. I was a bit intimidated about posting, as some of the people on the web seemed like relentless assholes, and others seemed quite freindly, but I got out there and started like any noobie and found it addicting.
Nowadays forums are full of more info than they ever have had. But the thing I notice more and more about bodybuilding style forums is that they like to promote the trendy diet, training and drug protocols of the minute.
Its funny to see how far we have advanced in the use of all these tools we have at our disposal, but even funnier is to see some of the self proclaimed gurus out there. Its not that I dont think many of them have good sound training styles, its that they seem locked into some sort of mantra of the moment only thinking that this latest trend is the best and none are better.
The problem I have with that is that bodybuilding is a highly individualized sport, and each trainees path to success and failure are usually quite different.
But you run into these training nazis on each forum it seems, its there way or no way at all and they will aggressively stomp out anything that speaks to the contrary as nonsense from some noobie. The sad fact of the matter is that alot of different training programs and stimulus work great for some and not so good for others...but many people will follow these people because they are some forum leader or some of their clients are jacked mofos (amateur or pro) and they blindly think that these trendy trainers will lead them down the path of bodybuilding salvation and a pro-like physique can be theres, they need only bow to the dogma of the moment.
Well I have to say its complete bullshit...I dont want to take anything away from these people-no I give them credit- they have some clients who excel on their programs...but in many cases look at who they train. Haney Rhambod is a great example, his thing is the FST-7 training system, I can see fascial stretching can have its benefits from time to time as a change of pace...but not every single workout. But really look at his clients, the big 2 are Jay Cutler and Phil Heath. No offense to Haney but these guys would grow on any program- let me train them, and have some new program and Ill bet they would grow and move up in the ranks or repeat as MrO.
The point Im making is these systems ALL work, from time to time, and they all have applications within most trainees training at some point or another. Many of us use aspects of these systems without even realizing it. But the trends roll on and they have their followers who guard the system like rabid dogs. They attack anyone who questions is with utter sarcasm and arrogance, you must be a noobie for even questioning this protocol. I have news for all of them, if they have become set in a one style fits all mentality then they are ignorant.
No such training system exists. The problem is our Western society always looks for a one size fits all system thats fire and forget. Alot of trainees will put the time into the eating, training, sleeping, supplements and drugs...but thinking about how they can change up their program to stimulate or shock their bodies into another growth spurt...nope. Very few people I run into even examine their own training at all-alot of them have been doing it the same way for years with almost no change whatsoever. Thats just insane- you put that much effort into something, at least do it half way right and with some mental self evaluation. When I first speak to someone who I am going to train, alot of what I do is try to find out what they have used as a training system that yielded really good results, and the same with their diets. Every human being responds to stress to different degrees- those who have trained a few years have had some time to see what has worked or not enough to have a starting point, a baseline if you will.
From that established point- its about making changes-subtle changes that do not upset the system so much on the diet end and some dramatic ones with training to give the body a new stimulus to react to and grow. Its not a mTatter of having one master training system but yet a myriad of many to use like change ups. Our bodies will adapt to almost any given training program and diet given enough time and repetition. This is where the trendy systems fail, no matter how good they were from the onset, nothing good ever lasts. The bodies homeostatic mechanism is a strong one and staying one step ahead of it should be ALL trainees goals. Drawing upon many of todays training systems insures the body recieves new stimulus similar to the first weeks you lifted weights; remember how easy those gains came? Using different load patterns and rep ranges is a big part of keeping the mechanism off balance.
Look at many of the trainees from the Arnold era, they had no ground breaking supplements, no big time drugs, no fancy protocols. They would go to they gym and train til they bled, but many times they would do off the wall things, 50 sets of bench press or 100 rep sets, supersetting and trisetting til they dropped, often times they would have fun with it and compete with each other to see how one could outdo the other. They were way less scientific and much more about trying to go above and beyond but experimenting too...they would often times decide on what exercises to do as they were training unlike many now who have the whole pre-scripted training day locked and loaded.
Each of us has to keep track of our own hybrided style of training but also stay aware of when the current program has run its course, doing something crazy once in a while is good to- dont get locked into the rigidity of what you read as doctrine for every day, every year use.
Dont be afraid to try different things and make mistakes- thats where you will learn the most about what your specific training needs will and wont be. Dont attempt to try to fit on some glass slipper of trendy training, its just one style among many, another tool to be used from time to time but not the gospel of training systems.

[Realize]

Great post..

Some things work some of the time but nothing works all of the time.

You cant take the cookie cutter approach when it comes to training or dieting.

We are not robots and our bodies are constantly changing and adapting.

[deadweight]

great post aj....Thanks for spending the time it spent you to jot this down to understnading how certain rotuines will work and some dont....Its a matter of self experiance ...Learning your body system ...how it works and what works best for you...There are millions of workouts out there but its important to find the one that suites your needs...I could take u years before u figure it out....Its all a matter of learning once again......Just like useing steroids...Some might not work best for u and some do....Its left up to u to figure out the puzzle....dw

[OldPLer]

Thanks AJ, good info.
I have found it is difficult for me to have a workout partner, except when training for a meet, because I know what I need and what is a waste of time for me. It is different for every person.

[VIP GONE]

After all these years I have learned you have to train with what works for you. Case in point after not flat bench pressing for 2 years prior last year i flat benched with a new training partner, and guess wtf Happened? I tore my pec, and was out of the gym for close to a year, I am just not getting back to 95 % all these new systems etc may work but you have to find out what makes your body grow the best!