Infrequent heavy duty workouts
After being slow in progress for a while, I was forced [by a move] to slow down my training frequency. I remembered Mike Mentzer and his heavy duty principles; there isn’t anything more controversial out there, but it seems to work for me. I also know you go for higher volume — even on heavy days there’s still more then a few sets per bodypart. So what is my problem? My problem is this: I don’t know what to believe. What is your take on recovery abilities and overtraining and do you think the widespread (magazine) advice gives young folks the right direction?
Sounds like you answered your question in your question. You applied both methodologies and realized progress in both.
Why not find a blend of both systems according to your experiences and daring and inventiveness? I don’t have the answer… maybe there isn’t a single simple answer.
I can only tell you that I would no more follow Mike and his low-set, puke-intensity routine performed infrequently than I would dig a hole though the center of the earth to get to the other side. Don’t make no sense to me, man.
What the muscle mags offer these days is a mystery to me also. The current crop of exhibiting champions and models are on juices from other planets and train according to appropriately celestial practices. The miracle powders and pills and hype is staggering and mostly annoying and disappointing.
Yeah, I sound like a cynic. We’ve all managed to muddy a once clean and clear and vigorous river… that’s life.
Stick to the basics, trust yourself, get out of the mags and excess web research, get your head and heart into your workout and beware of the short cuts and secrets and miracles and magic. Dig your workouts. Prayer works best, but that’s another story.
Train hard, eat right, be strong… Dave
Dave Draper - Dave Draper





