Im new to the forum and I am really enjoying all the information on your site Mike.
I am hoping that Santa will bring me your book for x-mas and if not then I will be getting myself.
I have my first competition on Jan 10th so I am in no rush to be changing my training until after that but your training has sparked my interest alot.
There isnt much information about it anywhere other than your book so its hard to even get a general idea of how and why things work. I cant say I blame you because the life of a powerlifting is not one of wealth by any means.
I did have a couple of questions in hopes of understanding the ideas that you are trying to put out there.
- I dont see much use of bands, boards, specialty bars. Unless I have missed something somewhere but why is that or can they be used and do you explain that in your book?
- I know your book is suppose to teach you how to teach yourself but is there a minimum or maximum amount of training sessions per week used? ( I am asking this because I work shift work and some days I dont want to go to the gym at all and I go anyways and I have a great training session regardless and others I want to go and I feel like I could be going 2 times a day making it really hard to judge when I should be in the gym and when I shouldnt)
- I see in your log that you still go for percentage training then you gadge your exersion level on each set but does your book teach which percentage at which time,and how many sets and the reason for them as well as how to set up a program based on percentages.
- also does the book explain when and where to place equipment in your training?
Sorry if this is alot of questions but thankyou for your time.
Sorry that things seem confusing. As lame as the answer is, things will become more clear once you start reading the book. The conversations on this website will begin to make sense after they're in the right context.
Bands, chains, etc, are perfectly acceptable if you ask me. They are also not required. This is about exercise selection, which your own individual differences and your own reasoning plays a big role. If you like 'em, there's nothing that says you can't use 'em.
With regard to template... as many smart trainers have said, there's optimal and then there's reality. You'll need to work out a template that's designed for you. Some days will be full on motivation, others won't, but it will be a custom fit for you and you'll have the belief in the system that is associated with that.
The book does not go into percentages. As we continue to learn and evolve training, things change. I'm at the point now where I need the precision of percentages (what I term Level 2 RTS), but I learned which percentages to use by going through the processes and steps in level 1 RTS. So, yes, in a way you will learn how to program percentages, but it will take a while because the way you should do it is different from the way I should do it. It does go into detail on how to set up a Macro Cycle. There is also a CD included with preformatted spreadsheets (and instructions) that will help you design your training.
It does go into equipment usage. Again, the reccomendations need to be tailored, but provided you are truly Level 1 RTS, you should be fine.
No problem! Ask as many questions as you like! Thanks for signing up!
I will begin reading the book when I get it then after my contest I will see and go from there. I am curently doing a modified sheiko and although I am following the percentages I have altered a couple of exercises to hit known weaknesses.
The thing I like the most about Sheiko is the percentages. That way when something isnt working I know better how to change it. I am finding a couple of things so far that I will prob alter.
I am new to powerlifting and have been training powerlifting for only about 6 months or so now but I have been lifting weights before seriously for about 6 years. I used to do DC training and was trained by In-Human for almost 1 year. When I started powerlifting I obviously started Westside to the best that I knew how and with the help of a couple national IPF lifters here in canada I am slowly evolving my training to something that is suited for me and that will make my stalled bench start moving again so that it can start catching up to my deadlift and squat.
I am looking forward to reading your book when I get it and thanks again for the reply
