IA, your thoughts on Mentzer's Consolidation Routine

[npcnj8]

IA, I have been reading a lot of your training articles and have decided to give the 2 day a week routine a shot. Would you recommend using Mentzers consolidation workout as a starting point? I was thinking of doing Workout A on Tuesday, and Workout B on Saturday doing 1 all out set per exercise. Thanks

Workout A
Squats (alternated periodically with Leg Presses).
Close-Grip, Palms-Up Pulldowns
Dips

Workout B
Regular Deadlifts (alternated periodically with Shrugs)
Press Behind Neck
Standing Calf Raises

[Sand Blaster]

Not IA, but here's my 2 cents.

I used to do a very similar program from Mentzer. I liked it for one main reason. It kept me in shape without a lot of time in the gym. It also taught me how to train hard and concetrate on one set. But, I think you need to be an astute trainee and recognize when it is no longer working for you. Usually that comes much more quickly than many recognize but they stay with it due to their belief in Mentzerism.

SB

[iron addict]

If you are an extreme hardgainer it will be exactly what you need. And of course anyone can and will benefit from it on a sometimes basis. Like any training modality a large percentage of the loading parameters will have to be changed on a regular basis to keep gains coming. But I think SB just mentioned that :wink:

Iron Addict

[Madhatter10-6]

Silverback said: "But, I think you need to be an astute trainee and recognize when it is no longer working for you. Usually that comes much more quickly than many recognize but they stay with it due to their belief in Mentzerism. "

My question is what would you do after that point? You couldn't reduce volume much more...? so would you just switch to a less intense routine? or other?

Mentzerism :D good stuff. I know some people hate on old Mentzer but I always really respected his work and the fact he didn't candy coat anything.


Thanks,

Madhatter10-6

[Sand Blaster]

I respect Mentzer, but I don't think he should be treated as a 'quasi' religious figure....

What you do is start incorporating more sets and use different forms of intensity like shorter rest periods, and not train to failure. Work in a 90% range for while. You have to vary intensity and volume.

SB

[Madhatter10-6]

Agreed...mentzer is treated by many as a religious figure....I figure hell hes more deserving than most that are :D

Anyway...back to pushing the weight

will you elaborate more on "You have to vary intensity and volume" thats a topic that I have a basic grasp of but don't fully understand.

Would you recomend still staying on the abbreviated routine and changing volume and frequency or switching routine all together.

thanks for the help Silverback !


Madhatter10-6

[Sand Blaster]

I would start by adding sets and decreasing intensity as far as failure goes. From there, I would use minimal rest periods between exercises. Lastly, I would increase rest periods and up weight once the former didn't work. And then rotate back.

With my clients I do something just like this but I don't have any set times that they are on any phase. As long as something works, do it. Don't screw it up if it is working. Don't get greedy.

SB