From what i know about DC, if you do ANYTHING to change it that is not suggested by Dante himself, then he does not consider that DC.
Remember that DC is also used for enhanced bodybuilders, and there are ways to increase the intensity of DC while sticking to the ‘rules’ of the program.
For example i assume you are doing 1 working set which have 3 rest/pause sets within, except for back thickness and squats which you do 2 sets and no rest/pause?
If so you can also add statics to the rest pause sets and you can even do 2 working sets on those exercises too. This (if done correctly which i will get to) should cause enough trauma to benefit from the extra time off.
On that subject, (frequency of training) i also know that the 3x/wk plan is just one option and there is also a 3 day split that is done over 4 sessions a week (IIRC at least) - this may be useful if you use the higher volume template.
Having spoken to a number of DC advocates, i think the general consensus is if you are training 6 days a week you aren’t training with enough intensity.
Even for someone assisted you should be training with an intensity that makes daily training unwarranted and undesired.
From MY experience of the regime, it is wholly possible to work very hard during a single DC set but STILL not be doing enough to stimulate growth - so put simply, it is VERY difficult to actually train to the sort of failure necessary to spark growth in just one working set. It IS possible (considering that you can have upwards of 3 sets IN that 1 work set) but this is why it is called an advanced program, because one needs a certain level of experience to push it like that.
For example, i can train to ‘failure’ 3 times in a set (for each rest pause set) and call it a day. i will have worked hard - and i will have strained… but this would not be the most work i could do and the plan requires you do more than that.
You must train to absolute momentary muscular failure on each ‘part’ of each set, failing at the bottom of the rep AT LEAST (for a regular lifter).
If using AAS i would not be shy to incorporate the rest pauses but 3 of them instead of 2, adding in a static hold (or 3), forced reps and even pulses - and if it wasn’t enough using the second set… I happen to know that two sets of the type of intensity i am talking about is not a walk in the park even for an assisted athlete.
The whole point of DC is to stimulate growth in as little volume as possible, saving calories and becoming efficient in your training - plus high protein, carb cut-offs etc.
If you are training every day, then you really are not following the protocol.
