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Frequently
Asked Questions
Troubleshooting
| Question: |
I work
out in a crowded gym and can't do Fat Loss Circuit Training
and some of the other techniques that I want to use
machines with as well as the Compound Exercise Overload
technique. There are people waiting for me to get off
the machines as soon as I'm done. What are my options? |
| Answer:
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While it can be challenging
following this program when working out in a crowded
gym, I've tried to include options that allow you
to follow the program as effectively as possible.
For instance, if Fat Loss Circuit Training (where
you move between weights and cardio constantly) isn't
feasible in your gym, I've included an option to do
just straight sets for your weights then follow it
with some cardio training immediately after (use 30
seconds rest in between weight sets, rather than the
40 seconds cardio).
But what about when
program calls for using different equipment and different
exercises like in Stretch-Pause Training? If it's
simply not practical to go back and forth between
different pieces of equipment (people waiting for
you to finish a set, etc.), the best option is to
use free weight whenever possible.
Doing dumbell flyes
for chest then barbell bench press for chest allows
you to use the same bench. For back, deadlifts and
barbell rows are a possibility. Basically, the idea
is stay away from the machines that people are lined
up for and use primarily free weights instead. There's
very rarely a line to use the dumbells and this should
solve the problem.
With the Compound Exercise
Overload technique (where you're using just one exercise
the entire workout), you'll definitely need to do
a free-weight based exercise that allows you to use
equipment that isn't as "in demand". The
squat rack, luckily, is pretty often neglected, so
you can do your squats and your bench pressing in
there. For deadlifts, you just need a barbell and
some floorspace. If you can't use the rack for long
enough to finish all your sets, you may have to think
about working with a different exercise, e.g. instead
of barbell bench, use dumbell presses. Instead of
squats, use dumbell split squats.
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| Question: |
Should
I do another workout when I'm still sore from the previous
one? I've heard that you shouldn't work the muscle again
if it's still sore. |
| Answer:
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This has always been
a hotly debated topic. What I'm about to tell you
here may fly in the face of what you're read or heard
but this advice relates to the very specific schedule
and nature of this program.
My thought in training
with soreness (provided it's not so sore that you
just can't train and have so much pain that it really
affects your lifting form) is that it causes even
more of an emergency response in the body, further
stimulating the body to accelerate the repair processes
and metabolism. I will explain this further.
While it is technically
true that if you're still sore, the muscle hasn't
yet completely recovered from the stress of the previous
workout, think of it this way... our goal with this
program is to accelerate your metabolism. If we wait
until your muscles are completely recovered and not
sore at all, that metabolic drive in your body to
accelerate your recovery will fizzle out. Training
with some soreness actually sends your body the message
that it needs to speed up it's recovery processes
to cope with the demands your putting on it.
If you do find you're
so sore that you can't train that day, don't get worried.
Simply take a day off, insert a blank day to whatever
cycle you're on (keep up with the same nutrient strategy
of that cycle, e.g. low carb if you're on that - it's
easier on the muscle-building phase) and see how you
feel the next day.
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| Question: |
I
did the first day of the Five Day Structural Attack
yesterday and I'm VERY trashed today. I don't think
I can do a good workout. Should I still train today
and try and gut it out or should I do the 3 day variation
instead? |
| Answer:
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The Five Structural
Attack is a BRUTAL training technique. It's going
to really push you HARD. But here's the deal...if
you're so trashed after the first day that you try
and do the second day right away, you may not get
much out of it at all because you'll have to reduce
weights too quickly.
See how you feel on
that second day. If you feel okay, try it and see
how you do. If you feel trashed, immediately set yourself
on the 3 day variation, taking the second day off
then doing a 25 minute session the next day.
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| Question: |
I've
finished the entire 28 days of the program. What do
I do now? |
| Answer:
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What you do now will
depend entirely on your goals! My recommendation would
be to immediately go through and do it again, using
a different exercise for the Five Day Structural Attack.
When you've gone TWICE
through the program, TAKE A WEEK OFF TRAINING. Trust
me, you'll need it. You can do this program two months
straight but then your body needs that break to recuperate.
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| Question: |
I'm a highly active athlete. I'm a 17 year old high
school wrestler, and unfortunately I purchased your
system as my season has began. We practice daily, and
train with very high intensity all the time. I think
my wrestling practices will interfere with your system
quite a bit, especially in the cardio department. So
if you wouldn't mind, any ideas on how to integrate
the two, or should I just choose one and wait until
the appropriate time? |
| Answer:
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Honestly, with what
you're doing with wrestling right now, I would probably
hold off on starting the program. You're absolutely
right in that they probably will not mesh well. When
you're training for muscle and strength increases,
extra cardio and extra activity will compete for resources
- muscle growth takes a back seat when the body has
to recover from immediate training.
You'll get much better
results with both by focusing on one then the other.
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