Proper Programs VS Training By Feel/Brosplit ???

[one5onecc]

Every big guy I have ever seen in my gym or on a log on a forum is insanely strong.

Repping 315 bench, 500lb+ deadlift, overhead pressing 200lb etc.

So should we all be following proven, structured, periodized training programs that have strength as the top priority? (531, texas method, sheiko, smolov jr etc)

I've seen small guys hit 225 on the bench for a triple or deadlift 405 for double. But pretty much every time I see someone rep out 315 for 5+reps, they are probably the biggest guy in the gym at that time.

Currently torn between following a proper program with percentages and just going in and doing push pull and progressing when I hit rep goals.

P.S None of this applies to those who blast 3g+ anabolics +hgh & slin. They seem to do very well on the phil heath fluff and pump style workouts lol.

 

[iGone]

I'm curious what exactly you're asking...

Are you asking opinions on going in and doing your own type of PPL with weights you make up as you go and progress at your own speed VS a linear progression program with everything spelled out for you?

 

[LeoTC]

Always better of having a plan when you go in. Then all you have to worry about is execution.

 

[Endure]

Agree it's better to have a plan going in. You don't have to follow a "program" though. You can put what works best for you as everyone is different or create hybrids of programs taking the best from several and tailoring to your goals.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Are you wanting to do bodybuilding or powerlifting? I can only speak for my experience with powerlifting, but following a proper program makes all the difference. I managed to stumble my way to a 315lb bench and 500lb deadlift going by feel, but a 405lb bench and 700lb deadlift took years of structured programming. Unless you have great genetics you probably won't get insanely strong without proper programming. It's a bit more complex than just adding weight or reps.

I also disagree about all big guys being insanely strong, but I guess that would depend on your definition of insanely strong.

 

[Test_Subject]

Without a structured program, how are you going to track your progress?

You obviously don't need to follow a premade program, but your results will be a lot better with some sort of periodization and some form of progressive overload or peaking goal.

 

[Pineapples4Puss]

I do a mix of both. I have set workouts that I do when I do each day, but if I go in and I’m not feeling a body part or im extra sore for whatever reason I just switch it around. I have a light / heavy compound day for everything except dead lift. Which I am going to be adding in progressively

 

[jaymaximus]

As someone that's done bodybuilding and pl'ing...plan, program, template...you need something. You have long term and short term goals, you need a plan to reach these goals...not just figuring it out as you go.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

One of my favorite sayings, "if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail."

 

[S317]

I’m ocd about the log book so I have everything planned. I record cadence, rest, warm ups, exercises, reps, and of course weights. I can go back and look at my workouts a couple of years ago.
Everytime I’ve ever tried going by feel or changed exercises to often I’ve regressed or spun my wheels. Everybody is different though.
I also wouldn’t say every big guy is insanely strong on elite levels but I’ve never met a big guy who didn’t push some decent weight to get to where he is. You mentioned Phil Heath but I don’t believe he built his size by pump n fluff workouts. I wouldn’t look so much as what guys are doing after they got to certain level but more so I’d look at what they did to get there.

 

[Demondosage]

Some of my best results and workouts were when I walked up in a gym with no planned workout and just started attacking shit. Solely by feel with zero rhyme or reason, said fuck all the rules! Did everything wrong, sets of biceps before back, triceps and then back to another chest exercise, rep schemes insanely high (sometimes 50+ per set) a total free for all just going from one exercise to the next, maybe back and forth between them.

But with strength and powerlifting I think a programmed workout with speed days, deloads, bands and chains, it all makes sense to me for that.

 

[Worf]

Are you wanting to do bodybuilding or powerlifting? I can only speak for my experience with powerlifting, but following a proper program makes all the difference. I managed to stumble my way to a 315lb bench and 500lb deadlift going by feel, but a 405lb bench and 700lb deadlift took years of structured programming. Unless you have great genetics you probably won't get insanely strong without proper programming. It's a bit more complex than just adding weight or reps.

I also disagree about all big guys being insanely strong, but I guess that would depend on your definition of insanely strong.

I’m all for a program, especially for the beginner type. Cookie cutter isn’t for everyone though. If your plan is to perform more reps or add weight and recover each week that’s half the battle. The other half would be frequency and exercise selection. If a guy has been at it for 10 years they should know when to back off or deload and when to put the hammer down. Training age is a large factor in this and I think lifter maturity is nearly as important as nutrition when it comes to consistency. Better Keep swinging that axe and cut the tree down Gradually than use a chain saw only to have the fucking tree bind up the saw halfway through and not ever get your saw out.

 

[Demondosage]

I’m all for a program, especially for the beginner type. Cookie cutter isn’t for everyone though. If your plan is to perform more reps or add weight and recover each week that’s half the battle. The other half would be frequency and exercise selection. If a guy has been at it for 10 years they should know when to back off or deload and when to put the hammer down. Training age is a large factor in this and I think lifter maturity is nearly as important as nutrition when it comes to consistency. Better Keep swinging that axe and cut the tree down than Gradually than use a chain saw only to have the fucking tree bind up the saw halfway through and not ever get your saw out.

That's me dude...give me a chainsaw and I'll find a way to fuck it up in 5 minutes. Unless it's a Stihl, then I'm good