Comments on: Targeted Hypertrophy Training (THT)

By: mikey

mikey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:17:55 +0000

Hey Mark, whats your take on pro hormones.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 22:44:57 +0000

Here is my issue. During the HIT phase, I hit chest three times a week for a total of exactly three sets. During volume training I hit chest only once per week, but I hit the upper, mid and lower chest for a cumulative total of 10 or 12 sets. Both phases are to failure, but with slightly different weight ranges (due to differing rep ranges). During HIT, moving from one body part to another, even going to failure didn’t seem to “push” me. Granted, I did increase weights lifted over the 10 weeks, which would suggest gains.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:51:23 +0000

Oh I did work out to true failure. I meant in comparison to the volume training it felt like a vacation; not a vacation from working out. It’s likely a mental thing. The workouts are shorter and I’m very used to moving to another set or two of the same exercise. I have read (for what it’s worth) that longer limbed, (naturally) leaner bodies don’t respond as well to HIT training compared with volume.

By: Zac

Zac — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:09:46 +0000

THANKS to Mark for producing this and I have now completed all your routines. I always enjoy the workouts variety and knowing what my goals are. I recommend them to anyone starting out or looking to make real visible gains. I’ve used all your THT routines exclusively and learnt so much from you and reading your articles. I don’t have heroes but if I did, Mark, you would be it!! Not only for helping me build muscle but also the side effects it brings : confidence, self esteem, health, happiness and a great looking future. Priceless gifts. I owe you a lot.

PS. can’t believe what I’m reading about the HIT routine. It is the hardest workout I have done and by about halfway through each workout my body feels totally blasted and wrecked (in a good way). If it feels like a vacation you are certainly not doing it right.

By: jason

jason — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:32:12 +0000

also sammy, if the HIT feels like a vacation to you then you simply just arent training hard enough, when you think you have reached failure that would be your mind giving in first, not your muscles. the real resistance is not moving the weights its the resistance of your mind. when you think you cant do anymore thats when you should atleast be 3 quarters of the way through your set.
like mark always says, train hard!!

By: jason

jason — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:24:51 +0000

you dont have to feel any kind of stiffness the next day, just train to failure and beat the last workouts, if you are gaining in reps/’weights then you are getting stronger, you will feel more stiff with the volume exercise hence there is more volume to do and that builds abit more lactic acid, the HIT is one set each, just push extra hard each time.

By: Mike Huber

Mike Huber — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:32:39 +0000

I have 2 weeks left on H.I.T. then onto T.H.T. 4.0!!! Cannot Wait!! Thank You Mark!!!

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:01:13 +0000

Great article Mark. It really got into the details of THT. I only started 4 weeks ago and the gains I’ve seen have been fantastic. I’m doing the TSPA diet and despite it being a cutting diet I’m still making gains and getting stronger while cutting away the fat. Sincere thanks.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:02:49 +0000

Hi Mark,
I think your work awesome. No doubt the best bodybuilding advice on the internet today, keep it up. Unfortunately, I did not receive the email for the THT 4.0 could you send me a link? I also second what Sammy posted.
-Dustin

By: Sammy

Sammy — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:39:25 +0000

I started THT 21 weeks ago. After 10 weeks of the volume training I switched to H.I.T. During H.I.T. I went to failure, followed the program as instructed, but never felt “spent” or any muscle soreness. It felt almost like a vacation. When I restarted the volume training (8-12 rep range) last week, I could barely move after each day’s workout. I’m wondering if high intensity, one set to failure is conducive to my body type (long limbs, historically lean). Or, is muscle soreness an over-rated indicator of a “good” workout. Gains so far are hard to judge given the short test period so far.