Break-In/Beginner Questions

[wonderboy12687]

I just started the Break-In program last week and am about to start my 2nd week tomorrow. My butt is still sore from the squats/lunges haha. Anyways, I have a couple questions that I would love to know before I start a new week. I'm sure at least one of these has been answered in a previous thread but I havn't had the time to look thru everything yet so excuse me if I sound repetitive.

1) I know that for pretty much every workout (excluding abs) in the Break-In program tells you to do 2 sets of 15 reps.. is it vital that I follow that exactly, for every workout? or am I supposed to switch up the number of repetitions?

2) I'm pretty sure this won't matter as much for the Break-In program as it will for upcoming programs, but I have a friend who also wants to join me in following Alwyn's programs and I'm wondering if working out with a partner will negatively affect my own workout or screw up the timing/supersets and whatnot?

[feralBoy]

I would stick with the number of repetitions in the break-in. You are going to have a LOT of changing rep schemes in the coming routines. Enjoy the monotony while it lasts.

I prefer to work out with a partner. It actually helps sometimes when you have to work with two different stations. for instance, bench, and cable row. This way, you can kinda switch on and off between stations, and there isn't much time when the station is alone and people don't steal it as often. The only time it's a detriment is with the 30 sec rests, on a single exercise (Hypertrophy 1B, squats, and deadlifts). Because 30 seconds might not be enough time to finish the set. But when the exercises alternate, there is plenty of time, and your set timing doesn't really mess up.

Plus, I think working with a partner is more fun, and I feel like I am less likely to give up when someone watching me.

[wonderboy12687]

Thanks for the reply.

One other quick question I just thought of: would it make much of a difference if I decided to throw in an extra workout, say dips or pull-ups, to the end of my workout?

[BJones]

I'm no expert, but ... I just finished the Break-in and I don't think a partner would be a problem. I'm doing a lot of my workouts at home and sometimes get interrupted - and I don't think it hurt too much. I'm definitely stronger now than when I started (which admittedly is not saying a whole lot). The good/bad news is that I'm in such bad shape I can improve every workout.

When I felt the desire/need to throw in another exercise or two, I did. And I also revisited which of the planned exercises should have affected the muscles I wanted to work - and tried to plan an appropriate increase in weight for the next time.

The rest week (which I'm in now) sucks. I can't wait to get started again. So I'm killing time looking at nutrition.