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 Total Confusion - HELP!!!
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| Author | Topic: Total Confusion - HELP!!! |
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Temple Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 76) |
posted July 16, 2000 10:15 AM
  
I have read Lobo's workout plan for DLady, I read the info on the H.I.T program, I have read all the magazines, maybe I should just quit reading so damn much. I am totally confused about what I should be doing. My current plan is remarkably similar to that designed for DLady - fewer sets but the structure is basically the same although on the last set I lower the weight and do 12 reps or until I fail wichever comes first - if I can get the 12 then I increase the weight the next time is this something I should or should not do or does it matter? I read the H.I.T thing which is totally different from anything I have ever heard before (should you be adding weight or reps every time?) then I see in the magazines where alot of the fitness gals use low weight/high rep for their legs - is this something I should be working into the mix? I know there are 10,000 ways to skin a cat and you have to find the way that works best for you and you have to change the way that you do it occasionally to keep it working but how do you know if it is working and when to change it? Does all of this really matter as long as I am working hard, eating right and resting enough? IP: Logged |
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WarLobo Moderator (Total posts: 877) |
posted July 16, 2000 11:15 AM
Welcome to the next phase in your 'lifting life'. "You now understand that you don't understand." Don't you just love it.... NOT. Remember Temple, that many workout plans are 'geared" to different levels of BB maturity. Workouts are also developed to achieve a specific goal. I.E. the M.Fitness women already have the muscle density and do not want to increase size. They are going for something entirly different that a person who has only been lifting for say one year. Many top level BB need the size, so they are not going to be doing 50 reps per set. H.I.T. is something you can use. Maybe not right now, but later when you need something fresh and different. One of the reasons I put the "Dlady Workout Plan" up is that I think it is one of the best beginner, novice and advanced plans there is. It is easly taylored to many levels. I like the solid warm up of the lighter high rep sets and then moving up to the higher weights. As I said this is my prmary workout plan - not ONLY workout plan. I do change things. And so should you every so often. Maybe go with this one for eight weeks and then try th HIT program for eight weeks. Not one thing wrong with this. Just rememmber the bottom line, as long as you work hard and lift weights, you will see the benifits. Smile, it's all good Late Lobo IP: Logged |
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skydancer Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 377) |
posted July 16, 2000 11:48 AM
Temple its all about deciding what works best for your body type and fitness level...you WILL have to experiment...see what gives you results and have PATIENCE!! Just like the nutritional side of things, not one way of eating works for everyone. Reading and getting info is GREAT but I would suggest sticking to the same plan for a period of time before trying something new. For example, I'm trying using the same routine for 12 weeks and then changing it up. Now during that 12 weeks I do adjust weight as I get stronger but keep the basic exercises/split the same. So far I've really liked it...I've got a hankering to try Lobo's plan too and I'm sure I will down the road. Experiment, adjust and pay attention to what your body is telling you...thats all the info you need to get started. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Temple Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 76) |
posted July 16, 2000 12:07 PM
I feel better now!!! Okay, now a few more questions...(your patience with us beginners is appreciated  ) I have been doing a 12,10,8,6,12 rep pattern - would you do this differently for someone who is not "on" or is this okay? Should I be to a point where I can't do one more with proper form somewhere in this i.e. how intense should this be? I don't have access to a leg press machine - what can I sub? Thanks Temple IP: Logged |
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mightydog Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 442) |
posted July 16, 2000 01:21 PM
Sorry to confuse Temple. I would like to very much know how HIT worked for you. If its not the best approach, you will be the first I've known who hasn't been more than satisfied with HIT. IP: Logged |
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WonderWoman Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 105) |
posted July 16, 2000 06:21 PM
Don't worry Temple, we've all been there and yes it can be frustrating. As an ancient one once said, "take what you NEED, and leave the rest." The key here is what do you need? What are your goals? It takes me about 3-4 weeks to see results from a new program so for me patience is the crucial element. We have the rest of our lives to perfect our physiques, unless of course there is an upcoming show or high school reunion. I think many things can be accomplished within the 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps per exercise. Using 3-4 exercises for large muscle groups and 2-3 for small ones. I think that unless you are trying to be sport specific, those set and rep ranges work well for most folks who's goals are primarily asthetic. Throw in cardio 3-5 times per week at 30-60 mins per session and there's no reason that you couldn't achieve all your goals. P.S. don't forget your 1-2 gal of water per day and a clean, lean, food plan. Only my humble opinion. Good luck and most of all have F-U-N!!! WW IP: Logged |
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Iron God Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 215) |
posted July 17, 2000 11:43 AM
The problem with HIT is you have to be able to attain a certain mindset going beyond normal mental and physical failure and to TRUE failure ,not an easy thing for a novice ------------------ IP: Logged |
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mightydog Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 442) |
posted July 17, 2000 11:55 AM
Very true Iron God. Nothing worth while in this game is easy. IP: Logged |
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MS Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 565) |
posted July 17, 2000 03:00 PM
Ah yes. The ONLY sport where the ultimate achievement is total failure...... IP: Logged |
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WarLobo Moderator (Total posts: 877) |
posted July 17, 2000 05:38 PM
Oh, that was a good one MS. And I.G. the HIT is very hard to do for advanced folks. This is just one more reason I like the pyramid with a "Zen" set at the end - to help condition the mind while still staying relatively safe with the lighter weights. OBTW, I.G., didn't mean to take so long on your question on the German volume training style. Here is my thoughts. It was developed for the most elite of the elite genetic freaks the world has ever seen. Then they dump 5 grams of test per week, GH, insulin, and what ever else them mad docs over there concocted in to their blood and feed them like Japans Kobe beef cattle! Have you really ever tried to follow it for more than a few weeks?!?!?! Well, of course I did it way back when and all I got was very sore joints�. Late Lobo IP: Logged |
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Temple Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 76) |
posted July 17, 2000 08:26 PM
Is true failure when it is as if the connection between the mind and the muscle has been severed? I experienced that last week in my left bicep while doing curls and if that is what you are talking about - where the mind says contract and the muscle just sits there like jello then I don't think I will be ready for anything like H.I.T for awile. Is that type of failure something that you should achieve regularly with any program or someplace you go only occasionally? IP: Logged |
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MS Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 565) |
posted July 17, 2000 08:37 PM
I like to go to eccentric failure once every 4 weeks. This usually requires a training partner to 'force' the negative weight or help you return the weight to the rack. NB, I only go to this kind of failure on one body part each week, and usually only on one or two exercises for that bodypart. I love the feeling of not even being able to lower the weight under control. Using the bicep example, when you get to the stage that you can no longer lower (under control) the weight down to your waist, much less lift the darned thing back up again, you know you have reached absolute failure. IP: Logged |
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mightydog Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 442) |
posted July 18, 2000 08:31 AM
Ironicly, many who first try HIT feel like they have not done enough. Why? Because they are conditioned to overtrain. You lift for a set or two on one exercise. Continue pushing or pulling the weight until you can't do it any longer. Its that simple. The emphasis with HIT is recovery, something many who luv exercise don't get much of. The challenging part about HIT is to seek seditary activities that were other wise used for overtraining. It would be hell for someone who like to train like they are training for a triathalon. IP: Logged |
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