First time poster, long time lurker…
In CT’s Game Plan (Strength Training, Bodybuilding & Online Supplement Store - T NATION), he recommends doing 80 to 120 reps per week per body part depending on fiber-type dominance. Are these number based upon the muscle group or personal basis. I note that he indicates that some genetic hyooge freaks are gifted with more fast-twitch fibers. So, I am assuming that there are person to person variations in fiber-type dominance. However, I also recall Poliquin indicated that the calve muscles are high in slow-twitch fibers and should be worked with high reps.
So, I’m a little confused then. There are person to person variations of fiber-type dominance and muscle group variations in fiber-type dominance. CT is recommending that we should adhere more to the personal differences in muscle type dominance and train accordingly however this is in slight contrast to what Poliquin is saying. What is more important - person to person variations in fiber dominance or muscle group variations?
CT also seems to be contradicting himself in his first “Ab Training for Athletes and Babe Hounds” as he stateds
"Optimally you want to be able to do one additional circuit every 1 or 2 weeks. Of course, this won’t always be possible. However, it’s good to set high goals for yourself. Once you’re able to complete 15 - 20 circuits, you’ll have a trunk of steel (at the start few will do more than 4-5 good circuits).
You must use challenging resistance, though! Use a load that makes doing 8-12 reps very hard!"
I have followed CT’s first ab training program (and gotten a hell of a lot stronger) but I’m doing 5-6 different movements at 10 reps for 4 or 5 rounds. On good days thats over 300 reps! But, according to CT’s Game Plan, I should be doing more that 120 reps per week. And at times, I’ve done CT ab program twice per week, if I feel that I recovered.
CT seems to be saying two different things. Anyone care to clear this up for me? Should I cut down my ab training?
And, just on a final note. I admire the hell out of CT, I don’t want to be accused of CT bashing. I have OVTed myself to pain many times in the past and have incorporated a large array of olympic lifts into my program because of him. I just need some clarification.
Thanks.
cDOG
P.S. Are abs dominated by fast or slow-twitch fibers? And, is there a good online guide that indicates what muscles are dominated by what fibers? Thanks.