Stupid Physical experiment I did.

**Emevas** · Posted On: 10/02/2008 4:45pm

Also, why did you keep the resistance AND the rep total the same for 3 weeks? How were you hoping to progress at all?

**odorblocker** · Posted On: 10/02/2008 9:17pm

1. I was not hoping for anything. Just wanted to see what would happen.

2. 3 weeks is only 9 workouts. How much resistance can you add in 9 workouts?

**Emevas** · Posted On: 10/02/2008 9:26pm

I always add either reps or weight everytime I train. In 9 workouts I'd have added either at least 9 reps or increased the weight somewhat.

How long do you go training the exact same rep and weight scheme?

**odorblocker** · Posted On: 10/04/2008 8:36am

It depends. I always got injured by pushing things. Me and my friend used to bench and add 5 lbs every week. We did heavy bench 2 time a week. At first it worked. 220,225,230, et. We wanted to do at least 3 reps. At 265 it did not go anywhere. So instead of working to achieve three reps at 256, we kept pushing it. Guess what? An injured shoulder and an injured elbow.
I learned from that. I rather not progress in resistance or reps and be in training shape with all my muscles and joints in good standing.

**Emevas** · Posted On: 10/04/2008 8:53am

You learned nothing from that, as the lesson is that proper periodization and a good training plan is essential, which again was the flaw in this experiment as well. Why did you keep pushing it when you could have increased the weight minimally (microloading) or increased the reps, or began training supplemental work to work past your sticking point, or begin speed training, or switch movements, etc etc.

Again I ask, how often DO you progress in your training? If I did 9 training sessions of the exact same resistance and rep total, I'd be looking for a new routine, as my current one is not working.

Edit: Or hell, what about a deload?

**TheRuss** · Posted On: 10/04/2008 10:52am

Originally Posted by odorblocker

I learned from that.

"A cat that sits on a hot stove will never sit on a hot stove again, true, but it will never sit on a cold one either."
-Mark Twain (apocryphal)

I think that if you actually did want to learn, rather than establishing resistance-training superstition, you'd spend less time justifying and more time thinking about Emevas' posts.