So... Whadya reckon? Sound like a pretty reasonable 3mo plan to you?
Posted by: vortrit
What kind of periodization are you going to be using? What are your goals?
I don't understand this (Chins - using row handle over bar) either. Chins are a vertical movement. Maybe you could do side laterals or something instead. Anyone else?
Posted by: Big G
Yeah. Agreed. I twisted it all around a little bit eventually. Chins (w/row handle) went to vertical day and pec-deck(rear-delts) went to horizontal day. CG cable pulldowns went away. Still debating what to exactly to add in their place, but I'll have it all ironed-out in my journal before the wekend's out, I'm sure.
Thx for feedback anyway. Appreciated.
G.
Posted by: P-funk
same exercises for the entire three months?
Posted by: Big G
Quote:
Originally Posted by P-funk
same exercises for the entire three months?
Was thinking so. 12 workouts. Bad idea?
Posted by: Big G
OK, OK. I get it already. 3mo = far too long. Done some additional reading on the subject since my post earlier. 4 weeks, much better, right? Constantly changing/rearranging.
Got it.
Sorry - gotta start somewhere, right? Doing my best to learn. Reading a lot (believe it or not!)
Posted by: vortrit
I'm pretty good about changing up my exercise selection. It's going to be a bit harder with vertical/horizontal. I generally make a template and work around it.
Posted by: vortrit
For example, you could do t-bar rows, but next time do cable row, and next time, bent over rows, and next time dumbbell rows.
Posted by: Big G
Whether you stick with a vertical-legs-horizontal split and change the exercises, or just change everything (e.g. to full-body) I gather it's best to make those kinds of changes every 4 weeks or so, not every 3mo, like I'd said originally.
I wonder where I got that 3mo time-frame from. Something I've read somewhere, that's for sure.
I'm happy to change it more often. In fact every time I learn something new it's always good news. From the time I was told if I wanted to lose weight I'd need to eat a lot eat more often until now, every time I learn something I'm happy with what I hear!
Posted by: Witchblade
I could make programs which have the same exercises for a year. Depends on your goals and the rest of your program.
Posted by: Big G
Quote:
Originally Posted by Witchblade
I could make programs which have the same exercises for a year. Depends on your goals and the rest of your program.
Goal = Bulk.
Program = Weight training, cardio, clean diet (& stretching... to come).
The rest?
Posted by: Witchblade
The forms of variation and periodization can be whatever you want, basically. You could switch exercises, but you could also change split, rep methods (eg. rest-pause), intensity, etc.
Powerlifters, for example, don't often, if ever, leave the big 3 out of their program. You can go a lóng way with just some basic compound exercises.
Mind, I'm not saying switching is a bad idea. Just saying there are a lot of options, of which switching exercises is generally speaking a good one.
Posted by: Big G
OK. Thanks.
I've heard that initially, with any new progtram, your body goes through usual neural adaptations to meet the new demands. With that said, is 4 weeks enough for a new split (for example), or should/could I give it longer?
I must've heard something from someone about 3mo being optimal, but after Cowpimps "same exercises throughout?" comment, I lost confidence in that and started thinking for myself.
How often do most experienced bodybuilders change their routine? Any idea?
w/thx,
G.
PS. I'm all about compound movements. Check my journal. I've been paying attention (you told me all that 4-6mo ago via PMs - Thx for that too!)
PPS. I'm 23lb up from March and I swear it's not body fat. My abs still look damned similar to how they looked like in March anyway. 23lb is way more than I could've ever hoped for. I'm left wondering if I was just a skinny mesomorph! My wife's freaked about the change. It's significant. It's been compound exercises all the way.