Train less and grow more

[crazyfmike]

We all love to train. Nothing like going to failure on a set and resting 90 seconds and doing another . . . . but is this doing anything for muscle size?

I've been in this game since I was 12 and now at 48 I realize I've over trained 95% of my time in the gym.

Those muscle rags are full of shit with their 20 sets on one muscle group. Sure you'll make gains but want to really GROW??

Train less sets, do train hard after a good warm up but leave the gym "hungry" for more and you'll see something pop'n soon, real soon.

"The hardest set you may ever do is one you walk away from" Now go home and grow

 

[jon emberlin]

We all love to train. Nothing like going to failure on a set and resting 90 seconds and doing another . . . . but is this doing anything for muscle size?

I've been in this game since I was 12 and now at 48 I realize I've over trained 95% of my time in the gym.

Those muscle rags are full of shit with their 20 sets on one muscle group. Sure you'll make gains but want to really GROW??

Train less sets, do train hard after a good warm up but leave the gym "hungry" for more and you'll see something pop'n soon, real soon.

"The hardest set you may ever do is one you walk away from" Now go home and grow

So very true mike, i see chaps at the gym that look the very same after 10 years.Overtraining!!!

 

[Flexx1]

^ Same here brother....thanks for advise mike..

 

[rayjaychillin]

Yer al good but how do you know when your goin to much?

you can be lifting heavier but not getting bigger in size so how do you know?

 

[bigherm2121]

Ya man I see people who will lift for two hours. I'm there for an hour tops.

 

[crazyfmike]

Ya man I see people who will lift for two hours. I'm there for an hour tops.

Yes Bro......one hour on legs or back day on a good day. I can knock out a pec or delt routine in 25 minutes TOPS!

I just did a push last night. Two incline, two cables and two triceps. I am full as ever today.

 

[crazyfmike]

Yer al good but how do you know when your goin to much?

you can be lifting heavier but not getting bigger in size so how do you know?

I am 48 Bro. I gave up the "strong and power" thing a few years back. I benched 405 drug free and used to full free squat 455 8-10 reps for sets of 4-5.

Those days are behind me but I still look like I can, it's all that matters to me now.

Pull way back for a month, see what happens doing two sets instead of 4-5.

After a good warm up I might do one set per body part (of course that one set may be a stripset and ALWAYS to failure but just one set)

Experiement!

Don't get stuck in "I have to out do last week".

 

[DavidJ21]

It's no secret, i've been doin it for years off and on. I like mixing it up though.

Mike Mentzer has been saying this since the 80s. Mike Mentzer Heavy Duty

 

[Mr P]

We all love to train. Nothing like going to failure on a set and resting 90 seconds and doing another . . . . but is this doing anything for muscle size?

I've been in this game since I was 12 and now at 48 I realize I've over trained 95% of my time in the gym.

Those muscle rags are full of shit with their 20 sets on one muscle group. Sure you'll make gains but want to really GROW??

Train less sets, do train hard after a good warm up but leave the gym "hungry" for more and you'll see something pop'n soon, real soon.

"The hardest set you may ever do is one you walk away from" Now go home and grow

I disagree with this^^
The way u grow is by eating, have u ever seen a 150 lb lean man with 22 inch amrs ? and he lifts heavy with lower sets.

I haven't... seen one yet, cause it can't happen, unless they are using synthol.

What works is going extremely high reps & doing higher sets with moderate weight.

 

[kz7883]

IMHO Crazy mike is right on the money!im 5'7 220lb 13% and 33yo.ive been in the gym since i was 21 and also was a "heavy,more,more,more" thinking kinda guy.about 5 years ago,my son was born and i left the gym for a few years.my arms were something i trained at least 2 times a week,they just didnt grow as fast as my chest.when i quit working out..my arms GREW a inch.that is not a exageration.these days,i hit the gym 3 times a week for no more than 30min sessions.the results are outstanding,my arm have grown another half inch and look fantastic.


my pop always used to tell me.......work smarter.......not harder.good advice mike!

 

[MeatHead96]

This is an old ass thread that was bumped but I do agree with this. I used to do high volume high reps with minimal results. I get much better results with heavy weight for 4-6 rep range on compound movements and not too much accessory work. I don't recover well from high volume.

 

[Diced]

just my 2 bob ere, rest is everything in this gaME . Rest provides ur muscles with time to recover after being broken down if u dont allow this process to occur 1 u will not grow 2 ur heading for an injury . My body responds best to 2 days in 1 one out 2 days in 1 out unless im ON .

 

[Diced]

the only thing that doesnt seem to respond is my god dam legs . n i put that down to overtraining aswell seeing as thier constantly working from day to day they really get no rest .

 

[bigmike33]

Bro ive taken two weeks off which i believe in. And today my wife come up to me at the gym and says u look huge... recovery is the key

 

[max_payne]

all people react different.I always belived in high volume.U would go nuts if you know my routine.I do like 30 sets for back,20 for chest,16+ for arms,insane at legs 25 for quads and 16 for hams...and here is what i look like at almost 25yo 240lbs 6'tall.Now u tell me this is overtraining...

 

[kz7883]

all people react different.I always belived in high volume.U would go nuts if you know my routine.I do like 30 sets for back,20 for chest,16+ for arms,insane at legs 25 for quads and 16 for hams...and here is what i look like at almost 25yo 240lbs 6'tall.Now u tell me this is overtraining...

bro you look insane!i do however wonder....what would you look like if you "slowed down" a bit and had more recovery time? everyone is different for sure. Just kick the thought around. you look damn respectable bro! but we are never to good to learn more.

 

[pirovoliko]

CM,

Great post and thread. So true and so easily forgotten especially when motivated. Difficult and it sucks but Have to remember to stop yourself.

 

[jon emberlin]

Yer al good but how do you know when your goin to much?

you can be lifting heavier but not getting bigger in size so how do you know?

Seamstress tape will always tell ya.

 

[CuriousNewb]

Everyone is different. If you're getting good results, those being whatever you, personally are happy with, then keep rolling with what you're doing. If you're stalling, not progressing, going in to the gym and not feeling psyched or motivated, check out a few low volume routines and try one for a month or two. Worst case scenario, its not for you, but you give your body a break from the training you were doing and come back to it fresh as hell. Plus its hard not to see some progress with a totally different routine.

 

[max_payne]

bro you look insane!i do however wonder....what would you look like if you "slowed down" a bit and had more recovery time? everyone is different for sure. Just kick the thought around. you look damn respectable bro! but we are never to good to learn more.

thnx man!Nobody ever will be pleased with the way they look...lol.Men's can never get enough.I forget to mention that i hit almost every set to failure."To failure"is my philosophy when i hit the gym at 6 days/week.And i eat alot like every 2 hours.