Training for Maximal Size

[Bulking Up]

I am ready to start Training for Maximal Size next week. Joel Marion says that you can do up to 6 workouts each week. In your opinions, does this sound like too much? THanks.
BU

[Rev]

No. Look at the volume man. Average 10 sets per workout where as 20 sets per workout are considered in the optimal range for natural strength training athletes on a four day a week routine. Six times ten, sixty. Twenty times four, 80. Granted he throws in an occasional calf exercise every so often making it 15 sets for a session, so it all evens itself out. Six times a week is nothing out of the norm when your volume is that low, infact the total volume is extremely common and for a reason, it's optimal for results. Have fun.

[Canadian_Bacon]

None of the workouts by themselves are terribly high volume and if you keep your CNS is good shape(not training to failure, etc) you can for sure do it.

Just make sure you get enough cals and sleep and you should be a'ok.

[austintwo]

I think Marion's advice is pretty flexible - he sort of stresses to do what you feel capable of handling in terms of days per week. If you're in your teens or early twenties for example, your recovery time will probably be such that volume of that type would be ideal.

I have to disagree somewhat with Rev's logic, but not necessarily his conclusion - In Phase 1, doing each workout once totals 40 sets, so each workout twice (6 workouts) would be 80 total sets. The other phases require much higher volume of sets per workout. For example, doing each workout on Phase 2 once in a week would be 96 sets - I seriously question doing more than that. It's a huge amount of volume, no doubt about it.

So, just see what works for you - again, Marion's advice is to work out if you feel like it, and don't let any artificial constraints keep you out of the gym - but he stresses that you shouldn't force yourself to the gym if you don't feel like it.

[Chris D]

Bulk,

I have to agree with what Austin said. Take it how you feel. The first 4 weeks that I did this program I did what he prescribed and wasn't able to get in the isolation workouts, just to being to weak. When you get to the 2nd 4(5-8) weeks your really going to feel it. 12 sets of 2 or is that 4...I don't remember, but I'm really glad to be done with it. Starting week 12 today and I've put on about 14 pounds of muscle...but probably some fat as well. Can now do a chin up unassisted, but not as many as prescribed!

If I can help drop me a message or an e-mail and I'll help out where I can. Looking forward to seeing how your results turn out.

After this week I'm taking 1 week off to do some maxes and then I'm going to do a cut and use RR&D, which is another Marion program.

Chris

[ten_miler]

Does anyone have a spreadsheet worked up for Marion's Maximal Size program?

thanks

[Chris Mason]

Sounds like too much work to me.

Maximal size and strength is what I am all about, so this is right up my alley. PM me if you like and I will give you access to a guide I wrote on the topic.

Chris

[ten_miler]

Originally Posted by Chris Mason

Sounds like too much work to me.

Maximal size and strength is what I am all about, so this is right up my alley. PM me if you like and I will give you access to a guide I wrote on the topic.

Chris

Thanks, Chris. I was just wondering if anyone had put together an excel spreadsheet - similar to those done for Chad Waterbury plans. I'll shoot you an email. Thanks