C.S. Sloan's Integral Strength

       In my previous article, I presented a basic program, for building both mass and strength, that demonstrated how you can best utilize load cycling.  The premise is simple, but it’s the key to making consistent gains.  You start with a lighter load and do workouts where you are not taking any of your sets to failure, or approaching failure, really.  Then, you increase the load from week to week until you reach the point that you are approaching failure.  When you reach that point in the program, you back off again and repeat.  This method has been used by various strength athletes—powerlifters, Olympic lifters, and the like—for decades in order to produce consistent gains.      In this essay, I want to look at some varied ways to make this principle work.  We’ll also look at some different programs.      This principle is more important than most lifters realize.  It’...