Thanks, you guys really do take the time to reply with plenty of information and you don't flame me for being a newb. That's why I like reading this forum.
I can see adding more sets in during the first week of a phase and then dropping down to 1 set the second week with my current conditioning. I usually just go with a full 2 second on the neg on most exercises when the weight is light to really feel the burn... but i could probably push myself a little at least on the compounds and take on another set at regular pace. I usually don't go into the next training day really sore, just somewhat sore in certain areas only.
I've been on and off, 2-3 years of lifting and on HST since July, where i made my biggest gains. My mom didn't see me since last Christmas and we recently visited. She thought i'd lost some weight but in reality, i gained about 20lbs since then(not all on HST, half was str routine in spring). I really like HST and plan on sticking with it until i can't lift no more.
Nav: What i meant with increasing the weight was that i increase my rep maxes for each phase, making the new phase have a higher volume, still keeping me sore. Sry for the confusion.
"to overcome years of RBE", as The Bryan states it in the FAQ: I must have missed that. I have read certain parts of the FAQ... okay, i'll be a good HST lifter and will re-read it this weekend
Faz: I don't know, i still can't see me doing my 5RM 3 times anytime in the near future and still coming back the next training day. I'm sure i'll have to though if i keep lifting and keep it serious. Thanks for the info.
Joe: Thanks! Yes, it does help to understand this all better. I should clarify one thing though. I do multiple sets per body part but they are different:
Mil. pull up
Chin up
DB row
DB bench
Machine fly's
Overhead DB press
Shrugs
ATF squats
Leg curls
This most of the routine (there is more though) just to show that i do multiple exercises, just one set each. I also throw in drop sets in 5's and post 5's.
Cool, this pretty much clears me up, thanks for the help.
-Shannon