Power vs. Physique

[blueray4]

I try to lift each muscle group twice a week.

Monday Thursday- Chest and Back

Tuesday Friday- Arms

Wednesday Saturday- Legs

I have been trying to lift as much weight as possible in a effective manner.

However, I came across this question today. Is it possible to lift for both power and physique at the same time?

Say if I dedicate one half of the week to power, and the other half for more reps with less weight.

Or would this hinder my routine, and set me in a neutral deadlock between the two, rather than exceling?

 

[02gixxersix]

As long as your muscles are getting a workout and you are resting and eating right you should build muscle.

 

[ZGzaZ]

how many sets are you doing per bodypart each day? How many reps per set?

 

[fortunatesun]

Possible, but the solution isn't always easy.
As most people here will tell you a program structured around the basic compound lifts is the way to a) get strong and b) build the foundation for your physique. If you are still relatively inexperienced, it's best to stick with a basic strength program until you begin to fill out. Then you'll be able to see what you have to work with and what you need to spend time on in terms of your physique.
Next, you need to evaluate the importance of your goals in relation to each other. For example, if you wish to compete, then that area of your training would have overriding imperative over the other. You also need to evaluate your training needs- how you get stronger best and how you obtain hypertrophy best. Are they somewhat similar or widely divergent? How would you incorperate the necessary elements of both into your program?
Then, you'd have to construct a template- a basic training methodology that would allow you to acheive both goals. The way most of us do this, those that aren't training wizards, is to start with a sound program such as you'd find in the Training Information sticky, and then tailor it to your particular needs once you become proficient.
Obviously with two goals there's going to be some trading off. One will have both a limiting aspect as well as an amount of synergy on the other. To be successful at this takes both sound judgement and a little bit of luck.

 

[blueray4]

how many sets are you doing per bodypart each day? How many reps per set?

usually 10 sets

mostly 8,6,6 and some exercises of 2x6

 

[BiggT]

I try to lift each muscle group twice a week.

Monday Thursday- Chest and Back

Tuesday Friday- Arms

Wednesday Saturday- Legs

I have been trying to lift as much weight as possible in a effective manner.

However, I came across this question today. Is it possible to lift for both power and physique at the same time?
Say if I dedicate one half of the week to power, and the other half for more reps with less weight.

Or would this hinder my routine, and set me in a neutral deadlock between the two, rather than exceling?

That's how the old-timers like John Grimek did it. Honestly, the most efficient way to build muscle without the use of gallons upon gallons of AAS, GH, and ancillaries, implants, synthol is to get strong. Squat, pull, and press.

In an era of specialization, it has become sexy to say "this is for strength", "this is for power", "this is for hypertrophy".....while specialization to a degree is necessary, I think a lot of the "this many reps for this goal" stuff is absolute bullshit.

The way you lift has NOTHING to do with how you appear in terms of muscular definition and bodyfat, that is all about caloric surplus/deficit.

The problem a lot of people have with building muscle is they don't eat enough to foster growth because they don't want to put on excess bodyfat. You can't really grow muscle naturally at anything more than a snail's pace without carrying a little bit more bodyfat than you'd like. You don't need to turn into a 35% bodyfat slob, but you aren't going to grow any noticable muscle walking around at 8% year-round, unless you like a LONG, frustrating journey.

As far as relating more to your original question......in the gym (among either naturals or guys on modest doses of AAS), who sports more muscle??.....the guys getting strong on big lifts?? Or the Ambercrombie boys and pump dawgs??? You don't have to answer, lol.

 

[H_T_]

i haven't done an arm workout in ages. i train mostly heavy pulls and lots of squats. my upper body work consists of OHP, Dips & BP's. i think it's perfect for me and my goals, right now. and i actually love going to the gym now.

 

[silver_shadow]

i haven't done an arm workout in ages. i train mostly heavy pulls and lots of squats. my upper body work consists of OHP, Dips & BP's. i think it's perfect for me and my goals, right now. and i actually love going to the gym now.

yea, lol, all that shitty iso stuff for arms, flyes, pullovers, nut curls, etc are really boring and mostly useless. compound lifts are awesome.

 

[H_T_]

yea, lol, all that shitty iso stuff for arms, flyes, pullovers, nut curls, etc are really boring and mostly useless. compound lifts are awesome.

i always have to bite my tongue when i see the HS kids doing pec deck and preacher curls. when they ask, which is never, i tell them "put some weight on your back." i wish i would started doing that before i was 23-24...

 

[ChinkNasty]

Form Follows Function