Do you go through "phases" in your training?

[baofuhaibo]

Do you go through "phases" in your training? Do you have a "bulking" phase? A "shaping" phase? a "muscle building" phase? Do you take your workouts in weeks, 3 day cycles, or steroid cycles? Do you have a "cutting" phase?

I try to stay away from purely aesthetic excercises. But I haven't been training long. So far, I've had 1 muscle building phase, 1 cutting phase, and one "shaping" phase, if you could call it that.

I now am following a protocal of

1. Muscle Building or "Bulking" Phase, 6 to 12 weeks(It's kinda aesthetic, but it's my ugliest phase)

2. Correction Phase(to correct any muscular imbalances created by the muscle building phase), 4-6 weeks

3. Cutting Phase(to skim the excess weight off to make the functional phase easier and for more sex havings and photos and such), 3-6 weeks

4. Functional Phase(where after growing, correcting and cutting, my muscles are re-taught to work together to produce an athletic means to an end), 6-12 weeks

I'm about to end my correction phase here in about 2 weeks or so. Then I'll start a 3 weeks cutting program, then I'm going on to my functional phase, you know, the one with the sandbags I got this whole board fired up about(http://www.bullshido.net/forums/show...=28288&page=1).

[Tacitus]

When does the 'Fighting Phase' begin?

[PirateJon]

When does the 'Fighting Phase' begin?

All "Fighting" and MA instruction in general can only slow your mucsle growth and make your cutting phase more difficult so it's best avoided especially if you're training like a fighter.

[Wataru Akiyama]

Currently bulding muscle and improving my endurance by working out three times a week. An hour of lifting, half an hour of cardio.

[Ronin]

Don't forget the:
Chi Building phase
Bikini Wax phase ( very important)
Jalapeno poppers Phase
To be followed by the:
Flaming Assholio Phase.

[PEtrainer]

It sounds like you are doing a modified periodization proram. The way you are going about it sounds relatively smart and should eb effective.

I've trained periodization for over 10 years and have yet to see any other way that compares.

[KnuckleMeister]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to PirateJon again.

I was wondering why I wasn't bulking. Cool, I'm quitting training, and you know full contact sparring it's so hard...

[Wataru Akiyama]

I'm going for strength increase and toning.

I use the Ab machine and the Lower Back machine EVERY time I go to the gym.

[Ronin]

I'm going for strength increase and toning.

Wow, and how are you doing this ?

[Wataru Akiyama]

Wow, and how are you doing this ?

T3h Powerlifting coupled with a half hour of cardio. Here's my routine:

MONDAY
* Squat(use the strength cycle)
* Olympic Squats/Pause Squats 1x3(alternate)
* Leg Press 4x6(heavy)
* Leg Extensions 3x10(moderate)
* Leg Curls or Seated Leg Curls 3x8
* Seated or Standing Calf Raises 4x15
* **Squat Walkouts(1x1) and Rack Squats(3-4x2) can be done in place of squats

WEDNESDAY
* Bench Press(use the strength cycle)
* Incline Bench/Decline Bench 3x10
* Wide-Grip Bench Press 1x10
* Dumbbell Bench Press 3xfailure
* Behind-the-Neck or Front Shoulder Press or Seated Press 4x6
* Lateral Raises or Bent-Over Lateral Raises 3x10
* Barbell Curls 3x8
* Hammer Curls 3x8
* **Bench Press Lockouts(3-4x2) can be done in place of bench

FRIDAY
* Deadlift(use the strength cycle)
* Good Mornings 3x10
* Behind-the-Neck/Front Pulldowns 4x6(heavy)(alternate)
* Cable Rows, Dumbbell Rows, or Machine Rows 3x10(moderate)(alternate)
* Shrugs 3x10
* Close-Grip Bench Press 3x10
* Triceps Extensions or Dips 3xfailure
* Heavy Cheat Curls 2x6
* Hammer Curls 3x8
* **Rack Deadlifts(4x2) can be done in place of deadlifts