Your experiences with DC training

[JIMguy]

Just curious as to anyone's thoughts and experiences on DC training. I really dont agree with the ideas about using smith machines,etc but some of the other principles look pretty interesting. I had scheduled my second Bill Starr 5x5 program starting this week, but I might old off on that and start a DC program for a few months. If I ran it I would be using free weights for the most part no smith or anything like that, and maybe a hammer strength machine once in a while. Your thoughts, from the experienced training vets.......

 

[JIMguy]

bump

 

[Fury20]

Dont be afraid to use the smith. Look at the guys DC trains. The point is strength gains above all else.

As far as my experience, it was great. I gained strength and mass quicker than ever, 158-172 in 7 weeks, which for me is unheard of. I was training like a bull and eating like a madman. Its a great program. Do NOT TWEAK IT AT ALL. If you want to use primarily free weights, thats fine. Just make sure you know the rep ranges for the DB presses (15-30 RP).

 

[combat_action]

I would be using free weights for the most part no smith or anything like that

That's one of the reasons why DC took down all the sticky's on how to do DC. Too many people went against his 300+lb advice and tried to tweek it to what they wanted. When people said that the program didn't gain them a pound, they tried to spread the word that the program sucked. There's no way I could do a 330 lb negative on each of my final reps with free weights like I could with the smith. You also end on the negative, which is easier and safer on machines. Good luck, but it sounds like you're going to put his advice in a blender and come out with minimal gains. Luckily for me I saved all that knowledge on my computer for future benefit when I start back up again.

I made it through a blast and a cruise before my job started switching my hours around keeping me out of the gym. Gained alot of strength and mass fairly quick, by following the exact program.

 

[Fury20]

That's one of the reasons why DC took down all the sticky's on how to do DC. Too many people went against his 300+lb advice and tried to tweek it to what they wanted. When people said that the program didn't gain them a pound, they tried to spread the word that the program sucked. There's no way I could do a 330 lb negative on each of my final reps with free weights like I could with the smith. You also end on the negative, which is easier and safer on machines. Good luck, but it sounds like you're going to put his advice in a blender and come out with minimal gains. Luckily for me I saved all that knowledge on my computer for future benefit when I start back up again.

I made it through a blast and a cruise before my job started switching my hours around keeping me out of the gym. Gained alot of strength and mass fairly quick, by following the exact program.

you're exactly right. A lot of the good DC forums across the net are now gone now, because of that and certain trainees selling his knowledge and advice to them that was supposed to be strictly confidential. I think he is reformulating the main DC posts, but some things will be left out and they will be very different from the old ones. But yeah, dont tweak the program for god's sake. Just do what he said. There's a reason he wrote it like he did. Thats why you have these jackasses across the internet downing DC. The BB.COMers who "tweaked it fit my body and my style".

Its very unfortunate that valuable info was taken down. I have the info saved, but i dont distribute it to anyone out of respect for DC. Seriously tho, Smith Inclines, Hammer Presses, SMith Militaries, they are great mass builders that accommodate the program well. The program is open to any exercise you like granted its a major compound movement, but great gains have been seen off using machines. I used a/b a 50/50 ratio. Thats just how it worked out.

 

[combat_action]

Hell ya! I guard my 500 or so pages with lock and key. I also agree with BB.COM...Worst website I ever saw. 15-18 year old kids arguing with DC saying he doesn't know more than them. You see it a thousand times. Like I said, you put DC Training into the blender, it's no longer DC training. The only variables that you could change are either:
-how high/low you set your RP's.
-doing either RP's or straight sets
-add or exclude statics (DC said those are only 2% of the whole picture)
-which machines to use.
You could use free weights, but for some exercises like chest noone recommends them.

 

[JIMguy]

These are my thoughts on machines, and primarily the smith. It is general knowledge that the use of free weights recruits more neromuscular transmitters, and generally strengthens your whole body. The smith sets you into one plane of motion, which is not functional the real world. I'm not saying that you trip and fall down onto a freeweight bench while walking down the street, but that the use of freeweights has always led to mass and strength gains. In terms of the guys DC trains, there is very little room to argue with results, however, you have to take into account that the majority of guys posted up from wat I have seen were on drugs, and we would al be fools indeed to model our workouts on those of cutler, and other pro bbers, most of whom no shit about proper training. Now, I'm not bad mouthing dc training, b/c from wat I've read it seems very promising, but I plan on doing this progra natty, and I'm not going to necessarily base my plans on the results of individuals on AS (obviusly two different sets of cirumstances). I'm not going to argue about the use of smith machines, etc, but you would find it evident that after working out on a smith for an extended period of time, you would not expect anywhere near equal carry overs in strength once switching back to freew weights. Thats just the bottom line here. So in terms of strength increases, I really dont know if they would count as much if made with a smith. Let me repeat that is my opinion. Up until now I was under the impression that the program would work if i used a freeweight incline bench, military press etc. What are your thoughts? Thanks....

 

[combat_action]

I'm sure you could if it isn't very much weight. I'm natural at 250 lbs, and most of my friends who did the program are as well. As for strength, after the program I went back to free weights and didn't skip a beat so not much you can argue there. Now, if you are to incline press 245 lbs, there won't be too much of a problem with your spotter. However, if you are anywhere at all like me and doing 295-315 for incline reps, you'll undoubtedly have a problem. Failing on that 8th rep, then ending on an 8 second negative, you'll have spaghetti arms. If your spotter is strong enough to upright row 315 dead on your chest, power to ya. We all know free weights are superior to machines, obviously, but that's not the program. Either way, I don't care what you do, I'm not trying to argue. You have two people who have been through the program trying to help you. Don't get defensive and bash machines/smith. Now, if you are above 250 lbs and have experience already with the program, then delay my last. You must know more than I. Otherwise, go for it. Do the program the way you want to do it (like everyone else at BB.COM) and you'll see for yourself why everyone says to do what DC recommends. I was just trying to save you the trouble.

Matter of fact, go to intensemuscle.com and post that you want to do all free weights and change the program. This way you'll at least get 30 + responses that'll explain to you what I obviously can't.

 

[Fury20]

Some free weight movements are easily RPed, like standing military presses in a power rack, but most chest movements are difficult. the machines lend themselves to the RPing so much better than free weights. Now i did use incline BB presses as a movement, the other two were machines. COmbat Action is right tho.