[jjjd]

imo, wimpy, that is a big problem with trainees in general. the idea that you have to lift heavy every workout, lift to failure, etc.

and that if one is lifting submaximally, one is wimping out. the purpose of training, for most people, is to improve results. submaximal lifting is an important part of ANY exercise program (uness one is a hit weenie).

people who think they need to go in every workout and improve on their last workout each successive time, don't understand how training works, how the body adapts, etc.

HST works, and is based on valid science. how a workout 'feels' is a poor proxy for the efficacy of a program

stick with it, and swallow your pride. if you are a bber, it doesn't matter how much you are lifting in the gym on a given day. it matters how well your development goes. if you are a strength athlete, it doesn't matter what you are lifting on a given day, it matter what you do on the platform.

either way, the purpose of training is to cause improvements, not to impress your fellow gymgoers (unless that IS your goal).

if the latter IS your goal, that's well and good, just understand that training to impress others in the gym is suboptimal training, if you want to improve physique, or platform results

[CDB]

Originally Posted by wimpy

i just started using HST. did my first of the 15s yesterday. felt like i was accomplishing nothing and i looked like an even bigger pussy than i really am. this is normal, right? i am going to have to start going at lunch when nobody is there till the wieght gets heavier. nothing like having the highschool girl next to you curling more weight than you :P

The program works, that's really all that should matter. Plus, once you get into it the fifteens aren't really necessary. They're purpose is to get your connective tissues ready for the heavy lifting that comes later in the cycle. You can technically skip them and start with the tens if you're used to lifting heavy. I usually only do a week of fifteens when I use HST.

Don't get caught up on the basic workout of 15s, 10s, 5s and negatives. Go through it once and modify it as you see fit. As long as the weight gets progressively heavier almost every workout, you workout every 48 hours and you take 9-14 days off at the end of each cycle, and as long as you eat to gain, you'll gain muscle.

[Manu20]

I have a feeling I am going to feel like a big pussy during the 15's but it doesn't really matter to me, seeing the results is all that matters to me.

[beamen28]

what about warm up sets? most of u guys are saying u do 1 to 2 sets per body part. don't u run the risk of hurting urself without a warm up set? even more so once u start getting to heavier weight. also for me cold muscles are never as strong as warm ones. just woundering because im thinking about doing HST too

[ajntorinj]

I have questions about using PHs with HST. If I decide to do use PH for 5 weeks, would I do best to follow the following schedule: 2 weeks of 15s, 2 weeks of 10s, and week of 8s followed by 4 weeks of 5s? Once I am on PCT, would I be able to decrease frequency to 2.5 per week [IE lift, 2 days off, lift, 2 days off, lift, 1 day off, repeat]? I ask because after training that long on a non-PH HST cycle, overtraining tends to rear its ugly head, and my lifts do not increase. When I do take an extra day off, I am able to progress to higher poundages. Thanks for your help.

[jweave23]

One of the key points in HST (and other weight training schemes) with anabolics is to NOT let the weight go down post cycle, so if you are doing a 9 week cycle (5 weeks ON, 4 weeks PCT) than that week of 8's is fine also. You can do it many ways really, like 12/12/10/10/8/8/5/5/5 or whatever suits you. As for frequency, just aim for training every 48 hrs or so and you'll be fine

[ajntorinj]

Cool, thanks for reply. Now I just gotta finish this cycle and head into SD.

[Manu20]

I'm gonna go ahead and take this week off...making that two weeks off...and start a week from Monday. I am looking forward to it and hopefully with the off time I will kick ass in the gym.

[Manu20]

Starting my first week of 15's on monday...looking forward to it!!

[Manu20]

Today was my first HST workout...it was the first day of 15's and OMG I didn't even fee like I worked out. But, after reading others experience with this program I know that this is normal and all part of the program. I enjoyed the workout and like the set up of it and am hoping for good results on this HST cycle.

[CDB]

Originally Posted by Manu20

Today was my first HST workout...it was the first day of 15's and OMG I didn't even fee like I worked out. But, after reading others experience with this program I know that this is normal and all part of the program. I enjoyed the workout and like the set up of it and am hoping for good results on this HST cycle.

Remember that the main purpose of the 15s is to prep your connective tissues for the heavier loads that come later in the cycle. Once you get into it and you're used to the heavy lifting you can ditch the 15s if you like.

[Manu20]

Originally Posted by CDB

Remember that the main purpose of the 15s is to prep your connective tissues for the heavier loads that come later in the cycle. Once you get into it and you're used to the heavy lifting you can ditch the 15s if you like.

Ya I know there is a reason why the 15's are there thats why I am going to stick with the program exactly as outlined. But, I might considering dropping hte 15's or maybe just doin one week of them for my second HST cycle.

[jweave23]

I started at 12's for this cycle. 15's almost feel like cardio at first. After your first cycle you can customize it anyway you want ( only 1 week of 15's, maybe only 12's, whatever. Just wait until the 5's

[Manu20]

Originally Posted by jweave23

I started at 12's for this cycle. 15's almost feel like cardio at first. After your first cycle you can customize it anyway you want ( only 1 week of 15's, maybe only 12's, whatever. Just wait until the 5's

I wrote out all my workouts and weights for the 6 weeks and those 5's look brutal.

[Manu20]

Well I finished my first week of HST and so far I like the program set up and the workouts. These first ones weren't too challenging but I know they will get harder and I'm looking forward to it.

[CDB]

Originally Posted by Manu20

I wrote out all my workouts and weights for the 6 weeks and those 5's look brutal.

They are. That's where I usually end up overtraining. Advice: Allow yourself to rest between sets, don't plow through like a maniac.

[Manu20]

I will definitely be allowing my self some extra rest during the 5's week. I myself prefer lower reps and higher weight workouts so hopefully the workouts will be somewhat enjoyable.