Well, I've been following HST (Hypertrophy Specific Training) for a while to add some size, and kind of get me more prepared for Westside, which I plan to start in about a month. But there are some questions I would like to get out of the way first, and it would be greatly appreciated for anybody to answer them. I've read all of Dave Tate's 8 keys a few times, but there's still things I don't understand. Some of the things in his articles kind of contradict the sample program he gives. So here's a few questions:
1) Can you use 1 exercise as an accessory movement, but then when you change exercises, change it to a ME movement. For example, when I start, I'll use board press as my ME movement, and floor press as an accessory exercise, but after 3 weeks, I'll change my ME exercise to floor press, then do something like tricep extensions for accessory. Is this ok?
2) What muscles should be combined on what days, this was one of the things in the article. He says to do rows on the bench day, but then puts them on the squat day in the routine. Here's how I have it:
Squat day - Quads, Hamstrings, Torso
Bench day - Chest, Triceps, Lats, Shoulders
Is this right?
3) For the DE work, I'll use bench for example, it says to use 8 x 3 with 50%...50% of what? 50% of your max regular bench when you start? Because you slowly increase percentages over the program, but you'll also get stronger, so your max will increase.
4) I just ordered a power rack, instead of using 2 boards, can I just use the spotting pins if they measure out to ~4"?
5) Is it fine to keep the same accessory movements for both the ME and DE day? In the sample routine, Dave changed the accessory exercises a lot.
<span style='color:red'>*Note: I am a beginner to powerlifting*</span>
With those few questions aside, here's the routine I made for the first 3 weeks, make some comments on it, and maybe help me finish the rest of the routine (I plan on using it for 9 weeks).
<span style='color:blue'>Weeks 1-3</span>
*Monday - ME Squat*
Low box squat - work up to a 1RM
Stiff legged deadlift (no access to GHR or reverse hypers) - 2 x 5
Ab wheel - 2 x 15
Leg Raises - 2x15
*Wednesday - ME Bench*
Two board press - work up to a 1RM
Lying tricep extensions - 2 x 6
Bent rows - 2 x 8
Side lat raises - 2 x 12
*Friday - DE Squat*
Parrallel box squats - 8 x 2 w/ 50%, 60 seconds rest
Leg curls (or SLDL if the same exercises can be used) - 4 x 10-15
Ab wheel - 2 x 15
Barbell shrugs - 3 x 15
*Sunday - DE Bench*
Speed bench - 8 x 3 w/ 55%, 60 sec rest, alternate grips
Tricep extensions - 4 x 12
Bent Rows - 4 x 12
Side lat raises - 2 x 12
I'm keeping the whole routine kind of abbreviated, since I think that I overtrainin a little easier than normal.
Thank you very very much to anybody who can help me with this.
1) Can you use 1 exercise as an accessory movement, but then when you change exercises, change it to a ME movement. For example, when I start, I'll use board press as my ME movement, and floor press as an accessory exercise, but after 3 weeks, I'll change my ME exercise to floor press, then do something like tricep extensions for accessory. Is this ok?
2) What muscles should be combined on what days, this was one of the things in the article. He says to do rows on the bench day, but then puts them on the squat day in the routine. Here's how I have it:
Squat day - Quads, Hamstrings, Torso
Bench day - Chest, Triceps, Lats, Shoulders
Is this right?
3) For the DE work, I'll use bench for example, it says to use 8 x 3 with 50%...50% of what? 50% of your max regular bench when you start? Because you slowly increase percentages over the program, but you'll also get stronger, so your max will increase.
4) I just ordered a power rack, instead of using 2 boards, can I just use the spotting pins if they measure out to ~4"?
5) Is it fine to keep the same accessory movements for both the ME and DE day? In the sample routine, Dave changed the accessory exercises a lot.
<span style='color:red'>*Note: I am a beginner to powerlifting*</span>
With those few questions aside, here's the routine I made for the first 3 weeks, make some comments on it, and maybe help me finish the rest of the routine (I plan on using it for 9 weeks).
<span style='color:blue'>Weeks 1-3</span>
*Monday - ME Squat*
Low box squat - work up to a 1RM
Stiff legged deadlift (no access to GHR or reverse hypers) - 2 x 5
Ab wheel - 2 x 15
Leg Raises - 2x15
*Wednesday - ME Bench*
Two board press - work up to a 1RM
Lying tricep extensions - 2 x 6
Bent rows - 2 x 8
Side lat raises - 2 x 12
*Friday - DE Squat*
Parrallel box squats - 8 x 2 w/ 50%, 60 seconds rest
Leg curls (or SLDL if the same exercises can be used) - 4 x 10-15
Ab wheel - 2 x 15
Barbell shrugs - 3 x 15
*Sunday - DE Bench*
Speed bench - 8 x 3 w/ 55%, 60 sec rest, alternate grips
Tricep extensions - 4 x 12
Bent Rows - 4 x 12
Side lat raises - 2 x 12
I'm keeping the whole routine kind of abbreviated, since I think that I overtrainin a little easier than normal.
Thank you very very much to anybody who can help me with this.