[wookie429]

has anyone one here ever seriously attempted a classic bodybuilding routine like those of bill pearl or arnold?
they seem to have a ridiculous amount of volume, both advocating training up to six days a week for 2 or 3 hours a day.

i greatly admire the looks of these types (classic bodybuilder) and am wondering if such routines would contribute to creating these builds.


any opinions?

[DieTrying]

Theres so many things to consider as to why a physique comes out the way that it does. You can't do exactly what Arnold did and expect to look like him..even with the same drugs. Chances are that it will be an excessive amount of volume for you (and I'm a fan of high volume programs).

[glenihan]

i have tried exactly the routines arnold claims to have done as found in his encyclopedia of bodybuilding when i first started lifting when i was 16 .. i gained a lot of weight BUT i was in the heart of puberty and it was my first time really lifting

i later tried it when i was 19-20 .. did NOT gain weight .. was most CERTAINLY overtrained .. i was natural however

the VAST majority of people do not have the genetics to handle that kind of volume .. its absurd 20-25 sets per body part

[ryano]

I have read Arnolds encyclopedia as well. Pretty cool little
read. But I agree the volume is pretty crazy.

I would imagine besides just physique type and trainning you
would have to get your hands on some of the steroid cycles
they were on.

[Beelzebub]

while AAS played a part, those guys had incredible genetics. even the bb'ers today don't follow arnold's psycho outline. he figured out what worked for him early on and stuck to it.

[sage]

workouts back in the 70's were volume focused and to say it was overtraining, probably a good arguement. These guys were heavily on cycle, gifted genetics, on-point dieting and for the average guy to try the volume high training consistantly throughout the year, is not wise. Doesn't Dexter have an amazing 'classic' physique (minus height?). The guy doesnt hit volume much but hits intensity. I think a workout should be focuesed mainly on intensity, rather than the amounts of set.
Sage

[glenihan]

Originally Posted by sage

I think a workout should be focuesed mainly on intensity, rather than the amounts of set.
Sage

BOO YA!! sage right on the money ... (while keeping TUT in mind )

[wookie429]

yeah, thats what i pretty much figured. stick to my training, which works out pretty decent.

i was just curious to see if anyone had any experience with such drastic volume routines. it seems thats what the majority of bodybuilders of that time did.

i'm mighty tempted to try it, but it just seems ridiculous and i dont feel like wasting a month overtraining and going backwards. thanks for the input.

[Rictor33]

Some respond to high volume, the majority I would say don't because genetics really come into play when you workout with that much volume. I believe by slowing down your reps and perfecting your form you can get more than enough TUT to make great gains without busting your ass for 1 1/2 hours in the gym doing 20 sets per bodypart and ultimatley injuring or overtraining yourself....

[bigjoe15]

I have tried increasing my intensity and working with low volume, as well as working with less intensity and more volume. Both have worked very well, I prefer the latter during my 'bulking' phase and I decrease volume whilst cutting to minimise time in the gym, thus preventing my muscle burning up. Higher volume does not work for everyone, I am natural with good genetics, I can train for hours, eat a mediocre diet and still grow (did this for about a year). However I find that the smart approach to volume training can be very benificial i.e. not following Arnolds program. Arnolds stuff is ok for a gifted, drug enhanced monster and anyone who reads his book can learn good things from it. However, the key seems to be going by how your own body responds and handles increased volume, intensity, different splits etc.
I know my body can handle alot of training, especially when I am taking in surplus calories and I have my nutrition dialed in. Therefore I spend more time in the gym breaking down my muscles by training with more sets and frequency. However when I am taking in less calories, I know my body is only getting enough fuel to sustain my muscle and allow my body to burn up its fat and use it for energy, plus I do a decent amount of cardio, therefore anything over 1 hour in the gym is a bad idea to me at that time (may not be for everyone, I know a guy who spends longer in the gym when cutting). Also I find using a program like max-ot when cutting allows me to keep strength, thickness and muscle.
If I am not mistaken, Lee Preist is one bodybuilder who trains in an Arnold like fashon?
Blah...Just my 2 cents anyway.

BigJoe

[wookie429]

i was just curious to see if anyone went on this extreme of programs and if they could work. to me it seems like overkill, but i wanted input from those who attmpted these or similar programs.

the other factor is that in bill pearls book he also reccomends eating around 5500 kcals a day when a 200lb bodybuilder is trying to bulk up. but i doubt this will prevent overtraining still unless the trainee is especially genetically gifted and/or on a lot of steroids.

[kwyckemynd00]

You want a classic physique?

Don't get too big, and don't focus on yoru legs Oh, and do your vacuums.....

[BodyWizard]

Steve Reeves' "Building the Classic Physique" is an interesting book, as he clearly had the classic look. Of course, exercise physiology was poorly understood back then, but it' a fascinating look at how he built that body with so little solid information.

For someone with an up-to-date understanding of nutrition, musculoskeletal and neuroendocrine systems, & training methods and principles, Reeves' book has a lot to chew on.

For ex, one of the big messages I got from it is DON'T OVERTRAIN. I'm prone to overtraining, and that means I'm prone to injury, so learning at what point to throttle back & gear down is important to me - as much so as when and how to push. I find his cheery attitude on this inspiring.

[natedogg]

I'm about trying new things so yes I once tried some of the routines you would see in Arnold's "The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding." I think I felt the sysmtoms of overtraining within the first week or two. Some good info and I used it mainly for an exercise reference. I typically stay away from any high volume training. Besides, I don't have the attention span to be in the gym for 2 hours straight.