Bulking on Cycle?

[stocktires]

How does your routine differ from being on/off cycle? Right now I'm doing a 5 day split, each muscle once a week. I was thinking that this summer on an SD cycle, maybe I should switch to each muscle twice a week (except legs), two muscle groups a day basically?

[Mulletsoldier]

No, you should definitely not train every muscle 2x a week. SD is an anabolic, not magic juice.

[thedon3534]

Im going to disagree with Mullet and say that you can (or at least you probably should be able to). Just have to be observant obviously. People worry about overtraining all the time.... but you have to push it to make gains. Obviously if you feel like crap tone it down a little bit. And of course you should switch up your workouts every so often as in volume/intensity. Another thing is that you want to definitely work your way up to a capacity that will allow such a workload. I am going off of personal experience as well as many others. I have been lifting for the majority of my life and have found that this works. Just my 2 cents. Obviously it might work differently for Mullet... and you might find that as well. But dont knock it till you try it!

[myfathersboy]

No, you should definitely not train every muscle 2x a week. superdrol is an anabolic, not magic juice.

Good advice^^^^^^

[myfathersboy]

Im going to disagree with Mullet and say that you can (or at least you probably should be able to). Just have to be observant obviously. People worry about overtraining all the time.... but you have to push it to make gains. Obviously if you feel like crap tone it down a little bit. And of course you should switch up your workouts every so often as in volume/intensity. Another thing is that you want to definitely work your way up to a capacity that will allow such a workload. I am going off of personal experience as well as many others. I have been lifting for the majority of my life and have found that this works. Just my 2 cents. Obviously it might work differently for Mullet... and you might find that as well. But dont knock it till you try it!

Bad advice^^^^^

Edit: OK...Not really bad advice....just not really applicable to most people with average genetics.

[myfathersboy]

I'll explain....

thedon may have excellent genetics, but I assure you, if he is in fact being straight with us (and no, I'm not calling you a liar...please don't think that I am) He is the exception and not the rule....MOST people, regardless of the quality of their diet Can not train like that without quickly becoming counterproductive....Period.

[thedon3534]

ok... we can agree to disagree... But how can you say that you did biceps on monday and not again on thursday? I believe I have some exceptional genetics but being in athletics all of my life including NCAA (Now) I have observed that the majority of people would be able to train a body part twice a week.. Maybe really hard one day and lighter the next time. And I am not saying this would work for the older population but for guys in their prime with a little experience yes. If you have never done it... then how would you know? Most people will probably never reach their workload capacity because they have never worked their asses of physically and dont know where their potential lies.

[myfathersboy]

ok... we can agree to disagree... But how can you say that you did biceps on monday and not again on thursday? I believe I have some exceptional genetics but being in athletics all of my life including NCAA (Now) I have observed that the majority of people would be able to train a body part twice a week.. Maybe really hard one day and lighter the next time. And I am not saying this would work for the older population but for guys in their prime with a little experience yes. If you have never done it... then how would you know? Most people will probably never reach their workload capacity because they have never worked their asses of physically and dont know where their potential lies.

Actually, you just agreed to agree with me .....That is exactly the point I made was that you have "exceptional genetics"

Ex.cep.tion.al ADJ.

1. Being an exception; uncommon
2.Well above average; extraordinary
3. Deviating widely from the norm, as of physical or mental ability

If we are to take stock in the accepted definition of the word then you are suggesting to a person who, the odds tell us is likely: COMMON (see #1) or AVERAGE (see #2) or NORMAL (see #3), a routine that is only suitable for the EXCEPTIONAL or EXTRAORDINARY.....However, you are 22 years old...that is (as you hinted at earlier) a factor as well.

I don't entirely disagree with you and am certainly not actively trying to be argumentative

Hopefully I am mistaken, but that last post sounded a bit like you were suggesting that anyone that doesn't train like you do: "Most people will probably never reach their workload capacity because they have never worked their asses of physically and dont know where their potential lies."
is lacking in ability or commitment. If so, you are ignorant..Am I mistaken? If so I apologize.

At any rate, You're 22 years old you'll forgive me if "I have been working out most of my life" doesn't hold a lot of water with me...I have tried working out twice a week and it didn't work for me...alas, I was not blessed with "exceptional" genetics.

Oh, and I don't train biceps Monday or Thursday (not really sure where you were going with that??)......

Bottom line is that for 99% of the population: if you can work a muscle group more than once a week....you didn't do it right in the first place

[Mulletsoldier]

ok... we can agree to disagree... But how can you say that you did biceps on monday and not again on thursday? I believe I have some exceptional genetics but being in athletics all of my life including NCAA (Now) I have observed that the majority of people would be able to train a body part twice a week.. Maybe really hard one day and lighter the next time. And I am not saying this would work for the older population but for guys in their prime with a little experience yes. If you have never done it... then how would you know? Most people will probably never reach their workload capacity because they have never worked their asses of physically and dont know where their potential lies.

I think you are pretty off base here man, no offense. My current program works out that I hit every muscle thee times in 11 days. However, it is pretty low volume only one exercise, three sets per muscle group, per workout, hitting Mon/Wed/Fri..This guy is talking about a five day split, with every muscle group being hit twice, every week with (I'm guessing) mid/high volume..AAS or not that is overtraining for 99% of the individuals on the face of this planet. Not only, though more likely, in terms of muscle groups, but most definitely in terms of CNS..So I reiterate, unless you are a genetic jackpot, please DO NOT work each muscle group 2x a week unless you would like to make no progress

[Mulletsoldier]

And, I think it's more prevalent that people do not realize their potential because they over train, not under train

[myfathersboy]

And, I think it's more prevalent that people do not realize their potential because they over train, not under train

Agreed^^^^^^


You have a gift for brevity....You just said in one sentence what it took me 4 paragraphs to say....Maybe I should persue a career as a novelist.

[Mulletsoldier]

Agreed^^^^^^


You have a gift for brevity....You just said in one sentence what it took me 4 paragraphs to say....Maybe I should persue a career as a novelist.

What's weird is I am a journalism major..ha!

[mixedup]

I'll explain....

thedon may have excellent genetics, but I assure you, if he is in fact being straight with us (and no, I'm not calling you a liar...please don't think that I am) He is the exception and not the rule....MOST people, regardless of the quality of their diet Can not train like that without quickly becoming counterproductive....Period.

As you said MOST people can not train like that without quickly becoming counterproductive. IMO works for me but might not for others. It is ok to work two bodyparts a week while on s-drol since MOST s-drol cycles are 3 weeks and I think that is a short enough time to not become counterproductive. The s-drol not only aids in strength gains but recovery as well. He might not want to go heavy both days what I do while "on" is have one heavy day and one light day the light day focusing on more isolation exercises and body exercises flys, concentration curls dips pullups etc. Then when I am "off" i go back to my normal routine.

[thedon3534]

I guess I was trying to say what mixedup said... in that... it wouldnt hurt to do it for a short duration while "on". I just think some people sell themselves short... and have seen many people with not so good genetics benefit too. I am a little confused why this is in the nutrition category as well..... hah

[pecs=sexs]

I guess I was trying to say what mixedup said... in that... it wouldnt hurt to do it for a short duration while "on". I just think some people sell themselves short... and have seen many people with not so good genetics benefit too. I am a little confused why this is in the nutrition category as well..... hah

i agree... i do hit each muscles twice a week some times even on a "off" period. It seems to work great for me. i have done once a week for each muscle as well. i like them both, and both work. but dont not do it until you have tried it and find that it does not work for you. i do not have great genetics. i have average. i can put weight on very easy. BUT it is not always muscle. i can put fat like its my job even when eating pretty clean.
the original post i think 2 days each muscle except legs would be good. if one day is hard and the other is light. for example: monday heavy chest light sholulders and tri's. thursday light chest heavy shoulders and tri's. i have seen many people spilt it up that way and it work great for them jmo.

[peterson24]

I do a PL routine where my muscles are getting hit multiple times a week. It concentrates on a heavy light and medium day though. So volume and intensity varies. It worked really well for me on an SD cycle though. I can go hard on a program like this for about 8 weeks and then its time to take a week off. This has worked for me and I know I do not have exceptional genetics though I would say I am more athletically inclined than others. I guess you can take this for what its worth

[pecs=sexs]

I do a PL routine where my muscles are getting hit multiple times a week. It concentrates on a heavy light and medium day though. So volume and intensity varies. It worked really well for me on an superdrol cycle though. I can go hard on a program like this for about 8 weeks and then its time to take a week off. This has worked for me and I know I do not have exceptional genetics though I would say I am more athletically inclined than others. I guess you can take this for what its worth

i agree. when you feel like its time to switch then switch. and take it easier to let your body keep building.

[Beneath_the_Sea]

Training twice a week is more than ok..

It all comes down to the intensity of each session. You cannot annihilate your muscle hitting failure every set/forcing reps,etc. and expect to be able to hit it again later in the week with equal intensity.. The trick is to stop 1-2 reps shy of failure, keep strict form, and eat plenty of food.. Also, twice a week training is generally training with an upper/lower split, cutting the total volume in half for each body part and dispersing it equally into both upper/lower days.. Twice a week training is actually quite common, but proper periodization and deloading must be incorporated.

Check out these links for more info:

http://www.mindandmuscle.net/magmain...=17&pageID=198

http://www.mindandmuscle.net/magmain...=18&pageID=216

http://www.mindandmuscle.net/magmain...=19&pageID=243

The key is not hitting failure to ensure CNS burnout doesn't occur. This type of training works great for size, with strength coming in as secondary. IT has been proven that you don't need to demolish a muscle group during any one workout to trigger hypertrophy, so hitting it twice/week with reduced intensity (stopping shy of failure) will ensure that you gain optimally. This method has been working wonders for many (including myself) and can be used by anyone. Remember to start out low on the volume to gauge your personal recovery abilities and increase your workload as you deem fit (based on your recovery). LISTEN to your body as well, and when you start to feel fatigued and tired (i/e close to overreaching), deload for a week. Deloading is simply cutting your workload down drastically and allowing your body/CNS to catch up a bit and rest.

[thedon3534]

yeah I cant imagine not being able to do so ESPECIALLY with the short cycle.

[Mulletsoldier]

Kay, training with a heavy/light day is fine. But that IS NOT what the original post was implying. The original post was implying, same intensity, same volume, twice a week, which is completely ridiculous. A low volume system with two days, one being heavy, one being light is plausible, just not for me.