CONTENTS:
(1) Hardgainers
---------------
1.1 What is a "hardgainer"?
1.2 Am I a hardgainer?
1.3 What is overtraining / How do I know if I am
overtraining?
1.4 What kind of results/gains can a Hardgainer
expect?
(2) The Hardgainer
Method of training
-------------------------------------
2.1 What exercises should I do?
2.2.1 What are the basic movements?
2.2.2 What exercises can be ignored and/or are
dangerous?
2.3.1 How often should I work out?
2.3.2 How many sets and reps are required?
2.4 What equipment is required?
2.5 What does an example Hardgainer workout look
like?
2.6 What must hardgainers focus on and what can
they ignore?
(3) Intensity Cycling
---------------------
3.1 What is Intensity Cycling?
3.2.1 Why do athletes cycle intensity?
3.2 Why MUST hardgainers cycle intensity?
3.3 How do I put a cycle together?
3.4 What happens to a cycle when I get sick?
3.5 What are the keys to a cycle?
3.6 Will I lose muscle mass and strength if I cycle
my intensity?
3.7 Exercise X is gaining like a demon, but exercise
Y has stopped.Should I stop my cycle?
3.8 Specialization
(4) Squatting and
the Deadlift
------------------------------
4.0 A word of warning.
4.1 Why do I have to use the Squat and/or the Deadlift?
4.2 How do I Squat?
4.2.1 Squats and their impact on the Gluteals
4.2.2 Squats and compression of the spine
4.2.3 Squats and the lower back
4.2.4 Squats and the knees
4.2.5 Alternatives to the Squat?
4.3 How do I do the Classic Deadlift?
4.3.1 How do I do the Stiff Legged Deadlift?
4.4 Why are 15-20+ reps best for these exercises?
(5) Miscellaneous
-----------------
5.0 HIT vs. Hardgainer
5.1 What grips are best for the exercises?
5.2 How and when should I do aerobics?
5.3 What differences apply for Women?
5.3.1 Especially for Young Lifters
========================================================================
DISCLAIMER:
-----------
The authors of this FAQ have no qualifications in Sports Medicine,
only years of working out, and trying different formulas. This
is the general formula they advocate (low sets, high intensity).
It is NOT a magic formula but it does work. The advice given here
is based on, and to a degree excerpted from, that given in the
book "Brawn" and the bi-monthly magazine
HARDGAINER, both created by Stuart McRobert. The technique tips
are only that: TIPS. They are not to be interpreted as guides
to how to perform those exercises, just as reminders of what aspects
to focus on. Many books are available which cover exercise technique
much better."The Insider's Tell-All Handbook on Weight-Training
Technique" by Stuart
McRobert (see Section 5.5.3) is one such book. Naturally when
doing anything described here, _caveat_emptor_ (let the buyer
beware; i.e. be careful).
(1) Hardgainers
****************
1.1 What is a "hardgainer"?
-----------------------------
A Hardgainer is a genetically-typical person (if there is such
a thing). To be more specific he/she is born with no special genetic
'gifts' which enable them to pack on muscle mass quickly. Such
people cannot gain lots of strength using VOLUME training, but
a hardgainer can make impressive gains using less frequent workouts
with considerably less volume.
Estimates of the percentage of the population who are "hardgainers"
range from 60% (Steve Holman, in his book "The Home Gym Handbook"
from Ironman Publications) to 95% (Some writers in HARDGAINER
magazine). The authors of this FAQ believe this percentage to
be at least 85%. On this percentage, maybe we should call ourselves
NORMALgainers? :-)
We grant that some people (the lucky few?) can make great gains
training 4-6 days per week using split routines and lots of hours
in the gym as the pros do. However these people are in the minority,
and hardgainers who use these routines will only overtrain, _perhaps_
making decent gains at first, but quickly reaching a frustrating
plateau.
1.2 Am I a hardgainer?
-----------------------
This is a tough question. Some decisions on "hardgainer-ness"
depend on physical measurements such as wrist/ankle-size etc.
But if you find it impossible to add some poundage regularly to
each of your exercises every week or two using a "conventional/popular"
training program (one that has you training with the weights more
than three days a week), then it is highly likely that you are
overtraining. As a hard gainer, your tolerance to exercise is
much less than that of an easy gainer, so what the latter can
gain on will just wear you down and out. For sure you will be
much better off doing fewer exercises and
sets and training less often.
So the question of being a hardgainer is very much a side issue.
The core question is whether the "Hardgainer Method"
would work better than current "popular" methods. The
answer is an emphatic YES, in a large majority of cases; especially
if you follow the guidelines laid out below as much as you can.
1.3 What is overtraining
/ How do I know if I am overtraining?
---------------------------------------------------------------
Overtraining occurs when you train your body beyond its ability
to recover (its so-called recovery-ability). If your body cannot
recover from the last workout then it will be unable to adapt
and unable to grow.
Symptoms of overtraining include:
(i) A higher-than-normal resting pulse
(ii) Illnesses become more frequent and last longer than usual
(iii) Muscle spasms while resting e.g. eyelid twitch etc.
(iv) Shaky hands
(v) Loss of Sleep
(vi) Loss of appetite
(vii) Unexpected and unexplained fatigue
(viii) Unintended weight loss
and MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL --
(ix) very slow or non-existent gains in exercise poundages in
the gym; i.e. static poundages or poundages that are only a few
pounds more than you were using months ago. In extreme cases,
overtraining can lead to a loss of strength and the use of reduced
poundages.
Solution: If you are overtraining on your current routine, then
cut back on workout-days per week, and exercises and number of
sets used. Best of all give "The Hardgainer Method"
a shot for 6-8 weeks just to see what you are missing. In most
cases the person who tries this for the first time will experience
a rapid gain in strength and muscle mass, along with an increase
in energy. The method is outlined below in Section 2.
1.4 What kind of results/gains
can a Hardgainer expect?
---------------------------------------------------------
A common experience when an overtrained person switches to a hardgainer-
style workout, is for rapid gains initially (4-8 weeks). This
would mean being able to add 5-10 lbs on the 'big basic' exercises
(Squat, Deadlift, Rows, Bench Press etc.) each week, along with
2-5lb increases on the smaller exercises such as the Arm Curl
etc.
After this period the gains slow down to 1-2lbs poundage increase
each week for a further 4-8 weeks, after which the gains
stop. It is here where we apply 'intensity cycling' (see Section
3). Basically this involves working on lighter weights (80-95%
of
your best poundages) for 3-4 weeks without going to failure so
as to allow your body to recover. It also prepares your body for
further gains of 2-5lbs each week in the next cycle.
Writers for the magazine HARDGAINER (such as Stuart McRobert)
believe that an _advanced_ hardgainer can reach (and surpass)
300lbs in the bench, 400lbs in the Squat, and 500lbs in the classic
style deadlift a.k.a the bent-legged deadlift, at LEAST for single
reps. This is called the 300-400-500 level. Many of the writers
for HARDGAINER (commonly abbreviated to just HG) are much stronger
than this level, for example in 1992 Stuart McRobert deadlifted
400lbs for 20 reps!
However, these goals are NOT unconditional: they are based upon
an advanced hardgainer, who did not start too late in life and
who has no serious structural or injury limitation, who trains
diligently and very seriously for several years.
In other words, being a hardgainer does not mean being unable
to get extraordinarily strong; it just means having to work out
(2) The Hardgainer Method of training
**************************************
2.1 What exercises should
I do?
--------------------------------
The emphasis on "balance", "proportion", and
"symmetry" for the beginning bodybuilder or hardgainer
almost always results
in less than satisfactory gains being made. The goal ought to
be safely building some muscle mass; then when one is able to
move some impressive weight, one can work on the sculpting and
detailing that comes from doing isolation exercises. To
build some size and strength one should work hard over a period
of years on *basic compound exercises*.
Though the basic compound exercises are certainly the emphasis
of this program, there can be additions of small-muscle
exercises like barbell curls and calf raises. Injury-preventing
exercises for the rotator cuff as well as grip work can also be
valuable, even necessary as one surpasses 200 Lbs in the Bench
Press and 300 Lbs in the deadlift for more than 10-15 reps.
2.2.1 What are the basic
movements?
------------------------------------
The basic movements are:
Squats
Deadlifts
Bench Presses
Overhead Presses
Rows and Pull-Ups
Bar Dips
(Each exercise must be performed with good biomechanics and not
on an injured or otherwise structurally-limited body.)
Obviously, there are many variations on the above exercises; they
can and should be used for variety from cycle to cycle.
For example, one cycle could be centered on the back squat while
utilizing incline bench presses. The next cycle could be
based on the classic deadlift and use the regular bench press.
Weighted dips can substitute for close-grip bench presses, and
supinated pull-ups could substitute for biceps curls and pull-downs.
There is no rule to have to use barbells or machines: Use what
works; i.e. it adds muscle and helps you get stronger.
Other exercises to take beyond one's limits by progressive poundage
are: Weighted Abdominal work with an emphasis on
spinal flexion instead of hip flexion, Bent-over Rows, One Arm
Dumbbell Rows, Leg Presses and Standing Calf Raises, and Medium
or Parallel Grip Pull-Downs.
If you have a movement that you like, and get results from, do
it, but do it within the hardgainer philosophy of fewer sets,
fewer
exercises, and fewer workouts with intense effort and progressive
poundage.
2.2.2 What movements
can be ignored and why?
--------------------------------------------
The following movements can be ignored for the following reasons:
EXERCISE: The Good Morning Exercise
REASON:
Given the Deadlift, Stiff Legged Deadlift and hyperextension exercises,
which all hit the lower back very effectively when done safely,
this exercise can be left from your schedule because it is hard
to do and can be very strenuous on the lower back, in
a dangerous manner. With the DL and SLD, when failure is reached
it is easy to place the bar on the ground and stop the
set whereas in the 'good morning' a lot of harmful stress can
be placed on the neck and lumbar region.
EXERCISE: Rear deltoid
REASON: As Dr. Ken E. Leistner says: you can concentrate
on your rear delt when you are 220lbs of rock-hard muscle.
Before that you should concentrate on increasing your overall
deltoid size using presses, benches, and back exercises such
as the row which involve the rear deltoid in order to bring the
arm back.
EXERCISE: Pulldowns with palms facing away (as opposed
to the classic chinning grip with palms toward you).
REASON: In this grip, the biceps are placed in a weak position
where full flexion cannot be achieved; this will translate to
being able to use less weight and thus not being able to hit the
back as heavy and hard. The traditional grip provides a more efficient
and effective method.
EXERCISE: Upright Rows
REASON: With very heavy weights this exercise can easily
hurt your shoulders and/or elbows. The shrug is a much more effective
and safer way to hit the traps.
Other exercises which can be avoided since they are not the large
compound movements suggested by the Hardgainer method of training
include chest flyes, leg extensions, leg curls, lateral shoulder
raises etc.
2.3.1 How often should
I work out?
-----------------------------------
Training each lift in the all-out effort that comes at the end
of a cycle would very quickly result in overtraining for most
normalgainers if it were attempted three times a week. Training
each movement once a week while dividing all the exercises into
three separate workouts can be productive, but better still would
be to divide all movements into two separate workouts with several
days for recovery in-between. For the confirmed hardgainer, or
at the end of a heavy Deadlift or Squat cycle, working an exercise
twice in three weeks may be required for full recovery.
Muscles grow in-between workouts after being stimulated by a specific
exercise. What good does it do to perform an exercise
when not fully recovered from a previous session? Showing up in
the gym because one has become "habituated" to bodybuilding
has to be completely thrown out.
A good rule of thumb for the hardgainer is never to train while
still feeling systemically tired. Have one day completely free
of
systemic fatigue before training again. While it is still possible
to have some local soreness from, say, Monday's Squat workout,
you may be systemically fine and raring to go for Friday's deadlift
session.
"When in doubt do less,
not more."
2.3.2 How many sets and
reps are required?
----------------------------------------
The answer to this question can vary from person to person and
certainly changes within the span of a cycle. First, if you know
that you benefit from high reps, low reps, or medium reps, use
what works, but cut your total workload per session to no more
than 10 total work (heavy) sets if you use low to medium reps.
Do 8 or fewer work sets if you use high reps. All of this also
depends on how heavy (intense) the work is. The more intense the
workout, the fewer sets that can be done productively.
*When in doubt do less, not
more*
There are certain exercises that seem to work best when performed
with high reps; the Squat and the Deadlift fall in this category
with hardgainers getting excellent results with 15 to 20 reps.
Training these two "giant" movements with high reps
allows one safely to correct problems with form early in a cycle
that might occur, without risking life and limb under a super-heavy
bar. However, others prefer low-rep work, not only because it
can be easier to do, but because it can be darn effective in its
own right.
There is no rule on the exact number of sets and reps to use.
But try for low volume (10-30 work sets A WEEK) over a few (4-8
exercises).
2.4 What equipment is
required?
--------------------------------
With just a barbell, a bench, a safety stand for squatting and
an overhead bar for pull-ups, a hardgainer can get great results.
Other equipment, like a good leg press machine or even Nautilus
equipment, can be used for compound movements as long as
progressive poundage and abbreviated routines are adhered to.
At least one noted hardgainer trains the squat with no stand at
all; he cleans and presses the bar to start, then presses it again
after completing 15-20 slow reps!
2.5 What does an example
Hardgainer workout look like?
-------------------------------------------------------
The 'classic' hardgainer workout is a full-body workout done at
most twice a week, and in some cases once every 4-5 days.
The routine might look something like this:
10-20 minute whole body warmup used beforehand to get the body
thoroughly warmed-up (use stationary bike or calisthenics etc.).
Squat 2x20 (or Deadlift(DL) )
Stiff Leg DL 1x10 (don't do this if doing DL)
Bench Press 2x6 (or Dumbbell press / dips)
Dumbbell Rows 2x8 (or barbell rows/chins etc.)
Shoulder Press 1x6 (or Dumbbell Press etc.)
Calf Raises 1x15
Arm Curl 1x6
Only the WORK sets are shown. 1-3 warmup sets are used. Abs are
worked for 1-2 sets to absolute failure before & after the
workout. Doing a whole-body routine infrequently, yields the most
recovery time.
Another abbreviated routine might look like the following:
Mon |Wed |Fri
deadlift 5 x 6 |lat pull-downs 5 x 6 |leg press 1x8,2x12 incline
bench press 5 x 6 |barbell curls 3 x 6 |weighted dips 3x6
weighted ab work 3 x 12 |calf work 3 x 15 |shoulder press 5x6
|side bends 3 x 12 |calf 3x20 Here warmup sets are shown as the
first 2 sets of a 5 set exercise and the first set in a 3 set
exercise. As the weights increase through the cycle, two things
can be done to optimize the workload to prevent overtraining.
The first is to drop 1-3 sets from each exercise, and the second
is to eliminate the Wed workout and split its exercises between
the other days. Finally one might eliminate all but the main exercise
(deadlift in this case) and one or two others in order to squeeze
an extra 5-10 pound increase for the focus lift out of the cycle.
A very abbreviated routine might look like this:
(only work sets shown, 1-2 warmups done prior to these) Day 1:
Squat 1x15 (affects whole body, thighs) Weighted Pressups 1x6
(Triceps, Pecs, front-delts) Arm Curl 1x6 (isolation for biceps)
Day 2: Deadlift 1x15 (whole body, back) Pulldowns to Front 1x15
(upper back) Shoulder Press 1x6 (delts, triceps)
One or two more warmup sets might be added to each exercise above
especially near the end of a cycle as the weights are getting
very heavy. Though this may seem extreme, a cycle like this could
easily result in a 25-30 lb increase in the poundage of the two
focus lifts over the one's previous max by the end of a 12 week
cycle. This type of schedule is also appropriate for the ultra-hardgainer
who must limit total sets to the minimum.
There are many exercise routines in "Brawn", some with
as many as 7 exercises per workout. Some routines in "Brawn"
are based on doing ONE exercise in a workout! A maximum of 15
total sets early- to mid-cycle, and around 8 total sets at the
end of a cycle constitute the abbreviated routine. The fewer sets
you do, the more weight you'll be able to lift, and the better
you'll respond. If you get into an overtrained state, you are
not responding (growing) optimally and you may very well regress!
2.6 What must hardgainers
focus on and what can they ignore?
------------------------------------------------------------
The emphasis is progressive poundage in basic exercises, cycling
of intensity, good exercise form, and complete recovery from the
previous workout before lifting again.
Progressive poundage means adding an appropriate weight to the
bar each week. An appropriate weight may be less than the smallest
plate that your gym makes available. Craig's whole body can adapt
to 5lbs per week for most of the cycle, while his biceps can handle
2.5lbs per week only early in the cycle; later the appropriate
weight increment for curls is 1 lb or _less_ per week. The less
you add, the longer you'll keep adding, whilst maintaining good
form.
REP SPEED:
Rep-speed arguments are a waste of time. As long as the weight
is not bounced around, and is in full control, with very little
abuse of momentum, then use whatever rep speed feels comfortable
and then do reps until your eyes pop out. Basically the authors
believe that explosive training is not advisable, however super-slow
training may hold some benefits for some people (but not the majority).
BREATHING:
Make sure to breathe as often as you need to: breathe in on the
easy part, out on the part that requires most effort. You may
take several breaths between reps if required.
(3) Intensity Cycling
**********************
3.1 What is Intensity Cycling?
-------------------------------
Intensity cycling basically means 'going easy' on the weights
for a few weeks (3-5 weeks) so as to allow your body some time
to get ready for more growth in the future (for a period of 6-12+
weeks).
Normally what happens when a person starts weight training is
that there is an initial period of growth (can be rapid in some
cases) which gradually slows down to a point where you can't add
1-2lbs on your exercises each week. At this stage, your body (and
your mind) could use a short break from the brutal hard work.
This recovery period normally last 3 weeks or more. Of course,
you still use weights, but you use less weight and don't go to
failure. Gradually you build back up to your maximums from the
last cycle. And then you'll find (if you give yourself enough
recovery weeks) that you can now add a good bit of weight to the
bar each week (5lbs or more on the big basics, 2lbs or more on
the smaller ones) to reach new personal bests.
Of course this cycle too will eventually stop, when the gains
stop. Then it's time to begin another cycle by doing your 3+ weeks
recovery. Using this method you can make consistent gains bit
by bit, week by week, which will total up to big gains in a relatively
short period.
Bear in mind that 'intensity cycling' is different from 'periodization'
where you start a routine with relatively-high reps
(e.g. 12 reps) and after a period of weeks drop the reps by a
third, then another third over another few weeks: the idea being
to 'shock' the muscle by varying the reps and weight used. 'Intensity
cycling' stays with the same rep scheme throughout the cycle,
and also for repeated cycles.
The trouble with training flat-out all the time, is that it always
ends up in overtraining.
3.2.1 Why do athletes
cycle intensity?
---------------------------------------
Today, most professional athletes cycle their intensity. Over
the past few years, techniques have been found to better the athlete's
performance, however they take a much higher toll on the body.
The athlete must also reach PEAK fitness and strength at the right
time. For both of these reasons, athletes will cycle the intensity
of their exercise routine.
3.2 Why MUST hardgainers
cycle intensity?
-----------------------------------------
Hardgainers don't have the genetic gifts that easy gainers do.
Even if they did they should include cycling for spurring extra
gains when plateaus/stagnation set in. Remember, once you have
overtrained, you can't bully your way out of it. The only solution
is to drop your intensity temporarily. Cycling is a planned and
organized effort to arrange irregular progress into a regular
progression of 'ups' and 'downs', with each new 'up' or 'down'
being a little higher than the previous one. After a cycle (of
12-20 weeks) one should look at having gained 15-20 pounds on
the bench press, 20-30 pounds on the squat and Deadlift. Maintaining
this progress for 12-18 months will give you tremendous gains.
3.3 How do I put a cycle
together?
-----------------------------------
The easiest way to describe a cycle is to go through an example.
Say your recent best barbell curl was 100x6 and your best squat
280x20. Now you REALLY want to get to 110x6 on the curl and 300x20
in the Squat. You are feeling burned-out lately as the hard part
of your cycle has been going on for some time now, and the gains
have stopped. If you are foolish you might try adding a 'shock'
5lbs to the bar each week to get your goals. But being burned
out, and close to overtraining, all that will happen is that the
105lb curl will feel _way_ heavier than 100 and you won't get
5 reps -- never mind 6.
Don't expect to get to 110lbs in a month -- a few months is what
you need. The following cycle considers only the first work set
of the barbell curl and squat, each done ONE day a week. (There
are other exercises in the cycle, but they are left out for
clarity.) The one to two warmup sets are also omitted from the
description. One to two work sets are all you need, starting with
three in the early stage of the cycle and dropping to two and
then to one as the cycle reaches its hardest. You must NEVER train
more frequently than you can cope with as far as your energy level
and recovery-ability are concerned.
IF IN DOUBT TRAIN WITH LESS VOLUME
AND WITH LESS FREQUENCY.
So here we go, how does the cycle begin:
First thing is to get well-rested; this means 7-10 days off, no
weight training and no aerobics. This will give your body a good
deal of the time it takes to recover after burning out/overtraining.
Then drop your poundages to 75-85% of maximum and build up from
there slowly.
ARM CURL SQUAT
=================================================
Week 1: OFF OFF
Week 2: 85x6 235x20
Week 3: 90x6 245x20
Week 4: 95x6 255x20
Week 5: 100x6 265x20
Week 6: 102x6 270x20
Week 7: 104x6 275x20
Week 8: 106x6 280x20
Week 9: 107x6 285x20
Week 10: 108x6 292x20
Week 11: 109x6 294x20
Week 12: 110x6 296x20
Week 13: 110.5x6 298x20
Week 14: 111.0x6 300.0x20
Week 15: 111.5x6 301.5x20
Week 16: 112.0x6 303.0x20
Week 17: 112.5x6 304.5x20
Week 19: 112.5x6 306.0x20
In the first workout, we cut back to 85% poundages for the same
reps. Each week we add a little weight to the bar to get back
to our previous poundages, and then we add some more weight each
week which become personal bests. Note that the Squat takes a
lot longer to get back to 100% than the arm curl. This is because
the Squat is a very brutal exercise to do and in the recovery
phase adding 20lbs each week (which may only constitute 5-10%)
has too much of an impact on recovery. If the poundages in the
Squat are less, then a shorter build-up period of 4-6 weeks may
be allowed, but the bigger your poundages are, the more recovery
time your body needs.
- A Mini-Cycle
Cycles need not be very long. A short-but-successful mini-cycle
will last for 6-8 workouts. A sticking point is the stimulus for
a new cycle. Take an EXTRA 4-6 days rest between your workouts
before starting this new mini-cycle. Cut back all poundages
to 85%. The first two workouts (85% and 90%) will be comfortable,
as you stay with your usual reps but with less poundage. The next
workout at 95% will be more demanding. Then comes 97 1/2%, and
then the 100% workout that you ended your previous cycle on. This
cycle will be testing but, so long as you've eaten and rested
adequately between workouts, it will be successful. Next comes
a new personal best, by adding 2-5lbs to all your exercises. Now
you might want to add an extra rest day between workouts to allow
more recovery time. This continues until you are stuck at the
same poundage for the same reps
for two weeks in a row, then it's time to start another cycle.
3.4 What happens to a
cycle when I get sick?
---------------------------------------------
Most people get sick at some stage during the year and whether
it be a cold or flu, or worse, DO NOT work out while you are sick.
For your own sake (your illness will get worse if your body can't
pool its resources to fight it if it's trying to recover
from heavy squatting) and for others' (passing illnesses on in
the gym is a major NO-NO for obvious reasons).
But say you are only sick for 1-2 days, then what do you do? It's
a good idea to start with 5-7 days of complete rest to ensure
the illness is really gone. Then take 2 weeks to get back to your
before-illness poundages (one week at 90% and one at 95%).
If you are sick for longer, or you feel very drained or tired
after your illness, then take 7-10 days off, and start your
cycle over again. If you made any gains, then you have new 'easy'
percentages to calculate. If you were still in the 'recovery'
phase, then stay with the same percentages when you start over.
3.5 What are the keys
to a cycle?
----------------------------------
Be aware of the big misuses of cycling. First and foremost, don't
reduce the number of easy workouts so you can get back into the
hard sessions. This happens a lot because people are too greedy,
but it only brings the cycle to a sudden halt with no gains to
show for it. A 40:60 split between comfortable and hard workouts
is a sound place to start. Adding too much poundage or going for
too many reps (even with reduced poundage) will bring this cycle
to a halt too. At the start of a cycle you should plan your 'new-ground'
increases somewhat.
e.g., I'll add 5lbs a week to my squat for 4 weeks, keeping my
style good. Then what usually happens is the gains slow down,
so I'll drop to 2lb a week increases for 4-5 more weeks, and then
1lb increases for 2 more weeks; it's then I usually have to end
the cycle. That will give me almost 30 lbs on my squat in 10 weeks
(using a 14-16 week) cycle.
Obviously, you will have to chop and change this somewhat as you
can never foresee every eventuality. Try to stay with the program
as much as possible. But when you feel you can't add 5lbs next
workout, then DON'T. Always make sure you reach
your target reps! Don't be greedy by trying to add 5lbs when you
can really handle 2lbs. You'll only end up with poor style (as
the extra 5lbs will feel like a ton), giving you pseudo-strength
and worst of all you could possibly get an injury. Stay with increases
you can handle. 2lbs a week may not seem like much but with 26
such increases in the year (with 26 recovery weeks), you will
add 52lbs to an exercise!
Cycling of intensity isn't infallible, as it depends on many variables.
No cycling system works if you do too much work, do it too frequently,
and rep-out to your max too early in the cycle. You need to experiment.
You will make mistakes, but you must learn from them and not repeat
them. Remember: do whatever gives you the most muscle gains in
the least time.
** Experiment a bit to find what's best. **
The two biggest variables involved are rest and nutrition. In
the recovery phase, you can get by with two workouts every seven
days. But when you reach the growing phase your body will need
some more time to grow and adapt. In the first two to three weeks
you can stay at two whole-body workouts per week, but then as
you lose some momentum, you should add an extra day of recovery
time, working out twice every 8-9 days. Or you could divide up
the whole-body program whereby each exercise is trained only once
a week with half the exercises in one session and the other half
on the other training day. Also try to make sure that you get
enough sleep. In the growing phase simply getting an extra hour's
sleep every night can have a great impact on how long this growth
phase lasts.
Nutrition is also very important. You won't become really big
and really strong when you have cola and fries at every meal!
You must eat nutritious foods. By now most people know what these
are: Bread, potatoes, lean-meat (fish, chicken) non-fat
yoghurt etc. etc. Try to keep out as much junk-food as possible.
For drinks, MILK is the best. It has lots of vitamins in it, and
is probably the best 'supplement' available. It's cheap and should
be drunk in fair quantities. Hardgainers should think about drinking
a litre of milk every day. Full milk would be ideal, but as always
keep an eye on your waistline, and balance muscle gains against
some small 'acceptable' fat gains. Low-fat (1% or 2%) or non-fat
may be more acceptable to those highly-conscious of what they
consume. Note also, that milk is only good if it agrees with the
consumer. There are products on sale which can help if you have
trouble digesting milk (which is most easily handled if drank
by itself when the stomach is empty).
3.6 Will I lose muscle
mass and strength if I cycle my intensity?
------------------------------------------------------------------
The answer is NO. Many people will want to nay-say this, but one
author has used cycling for over two years and can honestly say
he has never lost any strength during the recovery phase of any
cycle as is shown by good, consistent gains in the corresponding
growing phase: in one cycle adding 85lbs to the stiff-legged deadlift
(to go from 108lbsx10 to 193lbs x10)
over a period of 12 weeks. The build-up phase of cycling is short
enough, but gives enough stimulation to keep your muscle from
'forgetting' what the 100% feels like.
3.7 Exercise X is gaining
like a demon, but exercise Y has stopped. Should I stop my cycle?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
No. If one exercise is gaining a lot, and another is not, then
stay with the cycle. Try to add 1lb to the 'sticking' exercise,
or even 0.5lbs each week (possibly do the 'sticking' exercise
once every two weeks to allow any other faster- gaining exercise
to keep on gaining). Pump every cycle for as much gain as you
can. In the end you may only be able to add 0.5-1.0 lbs a week
but keep it up and when these gains stop too THEN start over.
3.8 Specialization Routines
---------------------------
Many of us have a weak bodypart or set of muscles we would like
to improve upon. However, until one is 80% of the way to
becoming advanced (the 300-400-500 level), you should concentrate
on the Squat, Deadlift, and Bench/Dip poundages.
If, after that stage, you still want to specialize, the key is
to decrease work on other exercises -- still going to failure
but using fewer sets and reps. Make the weak area the first muscle
you hit in a workout and try 2-3 exercises instead of just 1 but
keep the volume low. Concentrate on increasing weight/reps, but
don't neglect the squat/deadlift.
(4) Squatting and the Deadlift
*******************************
4.0 A word of warning.
-----------------------
If you have had a serious back injury, get the clearance of a
sports-oriented chiropractor first before working these lifts.
Even if you have had any minor back injuries, get a chiropractor's
clearance.
NOTE: For many hardgainers, working the squat and the classic
deadlift may be too hard on the lower back. Try doing the Squat
and the Stiff-legged deadlift OR the classic Deadlift and use
the (horizontal) leg press. Beginners should not try the Stiff
legged Deadlift until they have done at least 6 months of weight-lifting
including the classic DL as the SLD can be dangerous for the newcomer
if not done right. The vertical leg-press is not recommended due
to shearing forces involved and the problems it sometimes causes
in the lower back.
4.1 Why do I have to use
the Squat and/or the Deadlift?
--------------------------------------------------------
Well you don't HAVE to use the Squat or Deadlift. That is unless
you want to get as big as possible as quickly as possible. These
exercises are the toughest to do, because you can really move
a lot of weight in them for a lot of reps. This is because they
use the strongest muscle complexes in the body: thighs, gluteals,
back structure where 70% of your muscle mass resides. Naturally
by inspiring gains here, a 'spill-over' will occur in the other
exercises such as the bench press, arm curl etc.
Without these exercises, gains will be possible but not near half
as quickly as they will be with them. Some people will shy away
from them because of the intensity of effort required (they will
also be some of the weaker members in the gym compared with those
who use the Squat and DL for a couple of intense work sets during
the week). Next time you are in the gym see who does the Squat
and the Deadlift(DL) and see who doesn't, then compare muscle
mass! :-)
4.2 How do I Squat?
--------------------
The key to Squatting is Form. If your form is great then this
movement will have only benefits. If your form is poor then you
will have serious injuries.
The key to getting good form in the squat relies on three things:
(i) Stretching. This will get you limber enough to get the correct
form during the movement. The stretching that needs to be done
is for
-Calves (so no heel support is needed)
-Hamstrings & Lower Back (to help keep back straight)
-Groin (to help keep a wide stance during squat)
NOTE: Support under the heels is often required by many people
for squatting, but this is actually very dangerous on your knees
IMHO. Flat-footed squatting is also more productive since you
aren't as shaky on your feet. This still means wearing shoes with
a regular heel.
(ii) Technique:
Taking the bar in a power rack, place the bar low on the traps.
Step out from the power rack.
Using no heel support, with a wideish stance, and head up; lower
yourself slowly until your thighs are parallel to the ground.
In this bottom position, pause momentarily as you DRIVE your feet
into the ground to get back up. In the bottom position your back
should be straight but will be slightly bent forward. The less
the bend forward, the less danger on the back.
During this ascent - Keep your head up and this will help keep
your back straight and near upright. Also make a major effort
to keep your knees from bending in.
Do this with high reps for best effect (15-20 reps).
Take 1-2 breaths between the early reps.
Later as the Squat gets hard try for 3 HUGE breaths (sucked through
teeth) between reps. Later you will need 10 or more breaths to
get to 20 reps, but this is the kind of effort that builds serious
muscle.
(iii) Slow Buildup.
Most people find it difficult to get correct squatting form with
their current weight as it involves too many factors to get form
right (head up, knees wide, watch your back etc. etc.). For these
reasons and for people who are new to squatting I would advise
learning the Squat from scratch while doing the Leg Press or whatever
to keep the Quads strong.
Start off with _just_ the bar. Practice the Squat twice a week,
for 4-5 sets since the weight is so light. Make a very serious
effort to get your form right and stretch as outlined above every
day to get your muscles limber enough. Add 5lbs at every workout
and keep your form 110% perfect. As the weeks pass, you will need
fewer sets (2-3 per workout). Then the effort to get to 20 reps
will become evident, but FORM must be the focus still.
Then drop to squatting once a week when you begin to squat to
failure. Use a few sets, since the squat can be very brutal if
done right for high reps and high weight. Add at most 2-5lbs a
week when squatting to failure (whatever you can
handle and still keep form perfect).
4.2.1 Squats and their
impact on the Gluteals
---------------------------------------------
Although the Squat has been criticised for its ability to give
some people oversized gluteals, this is the case in people who
do ONLY the squat. By doing the big basics and working the whole
body, the gluteals will look only a natural part of a muscular
body.
4.2.2 Squats and compression
of the spine
-----------------------------------------
When using very heavy weights (above double bodyweight) certain
people have reported effects resulting from compression of the
spine. This can be alleviated to some degree by having strong
shoulders, traps and and overall back muscles, and by
performing hanging from a bar by your hands to help alleviate
any stress. However before reaching double-bodyweight squats this
should not pose any problem.
4.2.3 Squats and the lower back
-------------------------------
The lower back is often the first place to be hurt by the Squat
when it is not done right. Done with perfect form, your lower
back will not get hurt. However, people with back trouble (OF
ANY KIND) should see a sports-knowledgeable doctor before trying
the Squat as it is very tough on the body.
4.2.4 Squats and the
knees
--------------------------
Some people say the Squat wrecks their knees but in my experience
these people did one of the following:
-Using support under the heels.
-They descended too fast and rebounded at the bottom.
In the first the knee is put in an awkward position it should
never be in, and in the second, the force of rebounding is way
too much for your knees to handle. Done slowly and correctly,
you can squat until you are 70,80,90 whatever.
There is some evidence to suggest that even with all these safety
precautions, squats can cause excessive soreness in this area
for a few people. Therefore the Deadlift (classic or stiff-legged)
should become the focus lift.
4.2.5 Alternatives to
the Squat?
--------------------------------
If you can squat you MUST squat! It is THE exercise to build muscle,
not just in the lower body but which promotes growth elsewhere
too. The Classic Deadlift is the nearest rival. Do BOTH and you
will already have the foundation for one heck of a program.
I would advise doing the bar-on-the-traps squat but there are
some good machines out there. However they only come close to
the free-weight version and cannot surpass its muscle-building
capabilities.
For home trainees you should invest in a power rack, or buy the
Squat harness that wraps around the waist and keeps the bar between
the legs called the hip belt. This is advertised in IronMan magazine
and elsewhere. Although not as good as the bar-on-the-traps version
it's better that not squatting at all, but only if it can be done
without a board under the heels to minimize the stress on the
knees.
4.3 How do I do the Classic
Deadlift (DL / BLDL)?
--------------------------------------------------
Some basic tips:
(a) Start Position
- Set yourself up with bent legs, feet close together, bar close
to the shins, and head up.
- In the start position, the back will be bent forward, but will
be STRAIGHT.
- Your arms hang in a straight and vertical line, no bending at
the elbow.
- Your arms will lie outside your legs.
(b) Lift
-"Squeeze" the bar off the floor. No Snatching. Simultaneously
push with the legs and pull with the back. Keep the pressure on
your feet well spread, and off the toes.
-At the top, straighten up, and shrug the weight back slightly.
But do not thrust your hips out.
-When lowering the weight, don't drop it rapidly, and don't bounce
it off the floor. Briefly set the weights down between reps.
Working the DL, and SLD once a week is enough in the hardest parts
of your cycle. If you are getting acclimated to these
exercises, and the weights are light, twice a week may be okay.
But don't train any of these lifts if your back is sore.
4.3.1 How do I do the
Stiff Legged Deadlift(SLD)?
-----------------------------------------------
Some Basic tips:
- If the back is not 100% avoid the full range SLD and just stick
with doing it to the floor with 45-pound plates on the bar to
prevent excessive extension.
- Don't do the full-range movement until you can touch your knuckles
to your toes whilst keeping your knees locked and together. Slowly
and progressively increase your flexibility.
- Use 45- or 35- pound plates whilst standing on the floor until
you are flexible enough.
- When you get sufficiently flexible, the bar should only go so
deep that it will touch your shoelaces. You might want to do
the exercise from a slightly raised platform to get the required
stretch.
The Lift:
-Initially lift the weight in a BENT-LEGGED DEADLIFT style.
-Stretch down to the lower position slowly! (ankle/shoelace depth
at MAX)
-From the bottom position, smoothly and steadily lift the bar.
Don't jerk, twist, bounce or accelerate rapidly. Smoothly up,
a short pause at the top, and lower smoothly.
-Don't try to keep your lower back flat or rigid. Keeping your
head up as you pull will avoid excessive rounding of the back.
-Keep your knees slightly unlocked until your style is good.
Don't work both exercises SLD & DL hard in the one cycle,
focus on one at a time.
*** The Stiff Legged Deadlift is very dangerous if done wrong.
If in doubt get a fully-qualified trainer to show you how or start
off light with just the bar, and progress slowly, 5lbs per week.
4.4 Why are 15-20+ reps
best for these exercises?
--------------------------------------------------
Simple:
Lots of weight + Lots of reps = Lots of muscle
This is only possible with the Deadlift and the Squat. There is
some evidence that the use of high reps in these promotes the
release of testosterone, possibly due to the huge effort involved
mentally and physically to take a large weight to 20 reps (squat/dl)
in good form.
4.5 What powerlifting
gear will help me in these lifts?
--------------------------------------------------------
Unless you are entering competitions, you should avoid knee wraps,
and the use of a weight-lifting belt which protects the back.
If your back is prone to injury, avoid these lifts as they are
very strenuous. But if you squat and you NEED a belt,
then you should try to improve your squatting technique and the
belt will become unnecessary. The belt will only impede the
deep 'abdominal' breathing required to get through a tough squatting
session. Wearing a belt in the DL may be more acceptable, especially
for reps less than 6, but if you can use the DL in good style
without it, drop the belt.
FIRST AND FOREMOST YOU MUST GET YOUR TECHNIQUE CORRECT.
Wrist straps are OK for the DL and SLD, but as with the belt,
if you can work without it, do so. If you are competing do the
DL without gloves to get used to the rigours of the lift, but
otherwise gloves are okay.
(5) Miscellaneous
*******************
5.0 HIT vs. Hardgainer
-----------------------
Hardgainer and HIT methods are very similar. HIT concentrates
somewhat more on INTENSITY, e.g. using drop sets etc.; whereas
Hardgainer concentrates more on CYCLING intensity and keeping
the volume even lower than traditional HIT methods.
The eclectic reader is advised to try both methods and choose
which one works the best. Sometimes a change between the
two can be effective also.
5.1 What grips/stances
are recommended for the exercises?
----------------------------------------------------------
(*S*) = Spotters highly recommended if you can get them. Or else
use a power rack.
Bench Press : The recommended grip is slightly wider
(*S*) than shoulder-width (by 1-3 inches on each side). Much wider
than this can be dangerous for the rotator cuff.
Squat : The stance is 40-60 degrees of leg separation.
(*S*) That is the angle between your thighs! (remember to keep
the head up and back straight)
Deadlift (Classic style/Bent-Legged):
Feet are close together (heels about 8-12 inches apart, toes a
bit wider). Arms fall straight down to bar (very wide, or
very narrow grips not recommended). As with the squat, keep the
head up ALWAYS, and keep your back straight. Drive with the legs.
Deadlift (Stiff-Legged):
Feet are very close together, and point forward, from 6 inches
apart to no separation. Grip is shoulder width. Ankle depth
is the maximum depth recommended.
Pulldowns/Chins:
Various grips are recommended. But very-wide grips are not, because
of possible problems these grips can cause with
the rotator cuff. Anything from 3-4 inches wider than shoulder-width
to almost-hands-together is fine.
Shoulder Press:
grip the bar just outside shoulder width. In the bottom position
the forearms should be nearly vertical as it places less stress
on the shoulder joint.
Arm Curl :
Grip the bar with arms parallel i.e. exactly shoulder width apart,
maybe altering grip +/- 1inch for variety.
Close-Grip Bench: Use a shoulder-width grip (or a little less).
(*S*) Be very watchful as balance is tough on this one.
5.2 How and when should
I do aerobics?
---------------------------------------
This will depend on each person, and what their goals are. Some
aerobic exercise will be beneficial, but too much WILL
interfere with muscle gains and recovery. Current opinion in HARDGAINER
recommends 30 minutes of medium-intensity aerobics done twice
a week, on top of two weights workouts. Naturally as we want maximum
muscle gains, aerobics should be kept to a minimum in the hardest
parts of a cycle to encourage maximum growth, so NOT doing aerobics
is acceptable late in a cycle.
However, as one gets older, aerobics becomes more important. After
35 years of age aerobic work should be included, increasing in
emphasis as one gets older, but NOT ignoring the weight-lifting
aspect and its myriad benefits too.
5.3 What differences apply
for Women?
--------------------------------------
All goals, exercises, sets and reps apply for women too. However,
the increments may be smaller and so the goals need not be attained
for a woman to become as 'advanced'. A 200lb bench press, 250-300lb
squat and 300-350lb Deadlift for singles would undeniably be very
strong for a woman.
5.3.1 Especially for
Young Lifters
----------------------------------
The key question here is when should teenagers begin to lift?
The authors have no medical qualifications, but from reading we
have uncovered the following general advice:
Before 12 years of age, general cardiovascular work is the most
kids should be asked to do e.g. running, playing, jumping etc.
Lifting weights should be avoided, but use of bodyweight resistance
in pushups (with feet/knees on ground), assisted chin-ups, and
no-weight squats can be useful in building some strength.
For 12-16 year olds, some weightlifting with dumbbells and light
barbells can increase strength and muscle mass. Emphasis should
NOT be on the weight being lifted, but on form, with high reps.
Working out to failure may NOT be a good idea. A 30:70 ratio of
weights and cardio work is advisable.
For 16-18 year olds, more weight can be added and built upon.
A 50-50 mix of weights and cardio is about right.
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