I have been at this BBing thing for a while now. Even though I started BBing late in my life (20) I think I have seen and heard it all as far as training techniques, supplement strategies, diets, vitamin and mineral regimens, ect. I have read all the major mags at one point or another and am constantly online trying to learn more. I think learning as much as you can about what you are doing is a great thing and you always have to be open to learning more. There is only one problem with that.
In the last couple weeks I have realized I am a product of the information age at its best. There is so much info at my finger tips I have become consumed with trying to add it all in. I realized that my training program has become similar to a cluttered closet with the important things tucked in the back where you can't see them. Okay, I'll explain.
When I started training back in the day, things were simple. Eat protein and carbs, lift weights from A to B and make sure you get some rest. Sounds pretty easy right?...it was. It was simple and without complexity and best of all it worked. The problem is over the years I have learned too much and I think this happens to a lot of BBers. I have done everything, I have done, low volume/heavy weight, high volume/moderate weight, rest pause, negatives, supersets, strip sets, drop sets, forced reps, giant sets, century sets, you name it I have tried it.
Of course we have to try new things to get ahead in the sport because that's the only way you'll know what works for yourself. Thing is I have forgotten where I started....until now. I forgot that squats and deads, very heavy, with lots of food was the key then and is still the key now. In the last couple weeks I have cut out all the crap and different things that make BBing complex and just decided to eat and train.
My training has been heavy and basic. Not a lot of sets, usually 9-12 for small body parts and 12-15 for large body parts. More rest between sets, lifting heavier and mostly all free weight. It has felt so much better than the 25 set workouts I was doing with minimal rest between sets. It feels like BBing, not aerobics and this heavy kind of training is what I am used to. 25sets a body part might work for guys like Cutler and Priest but its just not for me.
Bottom line is, its okay to try new things and its important to always keep learning but in saying that, always remember what got you to where you are. Keep it simple, don't try and reinvent the wheel. Train hard, train smart and always remember the foundation and building blocks that really build great physiques.
Sacrifice Without Regret,
Fouad Abiad
