Someone asked specifically about training so here’s a brief description of what I’ve done and what the plan is going forward:
I have been using a PPL, based progressive overload, train to failure in a recoverable weekly volume approach for several years. What this ends up looking like is 2 failure sets per exercise with 4-7 exercises per day depending on the muscle group, recovery, food intake, supps, etc. I drive progress on the same movements week after week until there’s a pause at which I swap movements and start again. Intensity techniques were rare because I reach true failure most of the time and kept moving nicely.
Now, I am going to combine that with a volume approach. Over the course of my split completed twice I will have one day of each training group (legs, push, pull, arms, or however I break it up) be the absolute highest intensity possible. Think 2 working sets per movement max, likely just one, with an intensity modifier on each. 4 week rest pause, drop sets, cluster sets, forced reps (when I have a training partner), partials and or 1-1/2 reps, etc. rest will be several minutes to recover breathing and strength for the next set.
The second split will be a volume approach. I’ll use a working weight that allows me to complete a set with reps in the tank short of failure and do 3-4 sets with shorter rest.
The two types of days maybe mixed in with each other or in their own linear splits.
I got VERY strong over the last 2 years, logic says it can’t continue and I’m already strapping plates to pin loaded machines. Time to mix it up and vary the stimulus heavily.