Workload as an Important Factor in the Quest for Size and Strength What follows is nothing more than some of the thoughts that have been rattling around in my training-filled brain since writing my last couple essays, the first on the “ Old School Way ” and my most recent one entitled “ Train Through the Soreness ,” both of which were also precipitated by my series on “ Tailoring Your Workout Program .” I think it’s fair to say, or write in this instance, that modern gym-goers believe gains in muscle or strength (or both) comes down to “hard” training coupled with rest, recovery, and eating enough calories and protein. I think that is true but only partially so. Since it’s not the entire truth, however, it can hold you back from achieving (potentially) even better results in the gym. The “whole truth” of muscle growth contains several factors. If you want to prioritize muscle gr...
Some Thoughts and Insights to Help You Adapt to High-Frequency Training I extoll—more often than not—the benefits of high-frequency training (HFT) over other “systems” of training. I put “system” in quotes because it’s not a system per se but more of an approach or a way of training. Within HFT, you are capable of finding numerous, actual systems of training. What qualifies as HFT? When I use the term, it refers to any program where you train a muscle group (or a movement) at least 3 days per week. Most modern workout programs are either low (once every 5 to 7 days) or moderate (twice per week) frequency regimens. Please understand that I am not “opposed” to programs that use either low or moderate frequency. If you scour this blog, you will find that I have written numerous programs that use both low and moderate frequency. There are times when such programs can be very beneficia...