You Are Not Overtrained...YET!!!

Shanks at PTC Perth shared a great article by Mike Tuchscherer the premise being that building up volume over time is the key to progress in lifting. Similarly it also suggested that de-loads etc over after 3 weeks or so can be counter productive as it is then that you are just starting to build volume.

In some ways this article is similar to an interview with Glen Pendlay published in T-Nation (yes I do keep an eye on the great supplement floggers at T-Nation from time to time!) in which Glen suggested that increasing the number of sessions weekly and therefore the overall volume caused significant hypertrophy and strength gains in his athletes.

Now no doubt Mike Tuchscherer  has forgotten more than I will know in powerlifting but I agree to a point with him re training. Here's my issue: his hypothesis holds true for an elite level powerlifter who as all other modalities dialed in his/her program. It's all very well saying increase your volume over time but the first thing your average trainer does is significantly add volume over six weeks while still cheating on his diet and being haphazard about recovery (and I mean more than just foam rolling).

Now you can support the volume hypothesis by quoting Bulgarian and Russian studies (as Mike does). However you need to put a large fucking disclaimer in there because what works for the best genes in a huge eastern bloc gene pool of fulltime athletes in the 80's who are geared to all fuck needs some modification for a fulltime 42 year old professional pulling way more than 40 hours a week of fulltime work.

I am being pedantic but there is an awful lot of well meaning articles by really clever coaches that need a fair degree of dissection to understand how to apply the principles for the chronically average and overworked.

I agree with Mike re volume, my PB during Smolov jr benching was an recent an obvious example however it is clear that the volume equation has to be managed well as it ramps up the stress on all other aspects of your program i.e diet, recovery and not to mention time in the gym.

Therefore the first equation has to be what program provides the greatest utility in the time constraints you have. However if you are fortunate like big Mike or Shanks at PTC and are still in your twenties at Uni and able to manage 10 hours a night sleep ( yes Mike I am very envious) than by all means follow Mike Tuchscherer's routines.

That's one of the great things about the younger crew at PTC Perth. Guys like Shanks and big Mike are well read, already following great routines and lifting huge compared to so many guys their age.

Stay Strong
Thomo