I really really enjoy “look like a bodybuilder, lift like an athlete”. I’m gaining weight (and slightly leaning out) at the fastest rate I have had in a long time (but have also upped calories after a long time of maintenance/holding a low bf).
I enjoy it because it’s not a long laundry list of exercises, it’s not very taxing on the cns/body - but imo gives the best results out of the bunch. I’ve been doing a lot of CT’s programs/approaches over the years - and this is the setup I like the most AND have the best results from.
I also like the change of pace with more focus on explosive lifts and olympic lifts. All that pulling is putting mass on my legs and back pretty fast. I have had a bit of a maintenance/less training period though. I also decided to learn the snatch properly while doing this, so that’s an added benefit.
Honestly I have seen better results from this approach than the Layer system - which gave me some visually quite impressive body changes. The “look like…train like…” doesn’t run you down - and I really think that is why I am growing so much faster again.
I think this gives you a different look. My back is getting some nice depth again (and width). My legs are growing nicely too. I plan to keep up this approach for the next 3-4 months at least, until a change in pace.
CT said he wanted to provide a platform for people that was very simple, and then people can build (or not) from there. It seems as you can add isolation work here and there for weak points (with the caveat of never coming anywhere near failure) and also for back/biceps - if you want to. I add some rows etc. intermittently (as advised) in between sets or at the tail end - but very light, focusing on contraction and probably like 10reps of a 15-18 RM. As such you can also add zombie-style conditioning to it, but be careful of overdoing. That has been my achilles heal all throughout my training “career” - overdoing it.
You might find the weights are “low” - but they are not, and they are just right considering the way you perform the reps (explosive/intent of explosiveness).
Look - they are all great programs really and centres around the same sort of approach- and I also loved doing the 6 weeks to superhero, but those shorter “blitz” cycles are really taxing - and I find that the best results I have gotten is always with the less blitzy approaches. I also did the old “HP mass - train like and athlete look like a bodybuilder” program (it’s not on the site more -they updated the new one on request) and found that this approach is the most effective(for me).
Especially if you are a work-horse mentally but can’t keep up with recovery or if you’re natural.
Just some thoughts…
Edit: I might add that my extra-work I have been putting in is the rows I mentioned/slight work on clean technique, some front squats instead of back squats, some very light zercher squats and then some supportive work for snatch such as the snatch balance. All of it not taxing, but light and brief etc.
Also another add is my main goal is size with strength. (and find I get that best with less grinding work, high frequency, more explosive movements etc.)