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Darkhorse · 09-13-2005, 05:46 PM

So you're saying that after the total 4 weeks of 5's you don't want to decondition before another HST cycle, right? Well, HST mentality is that you won't loose any muscle mass during the deconditioning, only the actual conditioning of your muscles from those heavy loads. That's the catch-22 with HST. Personally, I don't think you should decondition either. What you need to do is something other than HST, keeping those strength and muscle gains at their max. I recommend using the HST principles and coming up with something on your own. I think maybe switching gears totally and trying some 10 sets of 5, 10 sets of 4, 10 sets of 3 would be a great way to continue your progress. I've got some great workouts besides the already explained AGVT that's right up your alley. AGVT is an excellent choice as well. I wouldn't recommend the 5x5 since HST has that already covered. Here's a great writeup of 10x3 by Chad Waterbury...T-Nation.com:

Quote:

Mighty 10 x 3
If I could only use one set/rep parameter for the rest of my training days, I'd choose the 10 x 3 method. I’ve yet to utilize another set of training parameters that lead to as much hypertrophy. Half of my ABBH program is based on this method and I must say that more than half of the results are from this method alone. The benefits of 10 x 3 include:
1. Sufficient Load Selection: The 10 x 3 method allows you to use a larger load than its mirror image, 3 x 10. With 10 x 3, a load equating to approximately 80% of your 1RM (one rep max) leads to greater improvements of intramuscular coordination along with increased recruitment of high-threshold motor units.
2. Fast Muscle Actions: Since the sets are extremely short (<6 seconds) and muscular failure isn’t achieved, maximum speed can be maintained throughout the sets. This is important because greater speeds of muscle actions lead to greater recruitment of Type IIB and Type IIA muscle fibers that fall within the fast-fatigable motor units and fast fatigue-resistant motor units, respectively.
3. Manageable Fatigue: Oftentimes, trainees feel invigorated after finishing all ten sets of three reps with 80% of their 1RM. This is a very important aspect that leads to high levels of motivation. Ten sets of squats to screaming failure sucks motivation levels out of your body quicker than a porn star hopped up on Columbian crops. But 10 x 3 training allows you to leave the gym with minimal fatigue and maximum motivation.

Powerful 4 x 6
For maximum hypertrophy, I prefer a set/rep volume of 24 to 50. With total-body training, I stay on the lower end of that spectrum. While 10 x 3 is magical, I can’t speak highly enough of 5 x 5 training with 85% of your 1RM, but the total number of sets in a single session must be minimized to avoid excess fatigue. Therefore, I slightly alter the 5 x 5 set/rep scheme to 4 x 6.
I’ve found that 4 x 6 training will lead to as much hypertrophy, but with one less set per muscle grouping. The lack of this extra set makes an appreciable difference once total-body programs are undertaken.
The benefits of 4 x 6 training are very similar to 10 x 3, if proper loads are utilized. Once again, I prefer to use 80% of 1RM for best results. This load selection allows for proper motor unit recruitment, fast muscle actions, minimal fatigue and adequate volume.

Putting It All Together
Now we’ve made it to the Waterbury Method training parameters. You might be thinking, "Since you extol the benefits of 10 x 3 training, why don’t you just use those parameters for all exercises?" Simple: ten sets for every muscle group in a single session is too damn much! Such a technique would equate to 180 sets utilizing 80% of 1RM in a single week. Not good, unless you’re at the super-elite level. Even then, it’s pretty questionable.
Therefore, my newest system consists of 10 x 3 training for a single muscle grouping within each session. The rest of the workout is composed of 4 x 6 training in order to keep the volume levels manageable while still inducing strength and hypertrophy.
The sneaky part of this program is the continuous switching of 10 x 3 training with different body parts. For instance, one workout will utilize a lower-body movement with 10 x 3; another workout consists of upper-body pressing; the last workout consists of upper-body pulling. This breakdown works wonders for offsetting fatigue and nervous system boredom.