Comments on: The “Plafaux” Effect, “Resetting”, & New Muscle Gains

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:56:50 +0000

@beto. You can just stay in the same rep range or try one a little higher. The important thing is weight reduction.
@Graham. Where are you posting it?
@Mike. Thanks.
@John. Look forward to that article.

By: John A Davis

John A Davis — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:10:11 +0000

@Mike Huber
Mark set me up to post an article about this.
I made the first version, just protein, no fat, or carbs.
Amusing at best.

By: Mike Huber

Mike Huber — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:20:53 +0000

It’s great to reset. Like i just had to. You get a much better workout and it helped to ease my ego from having to drop weight on workouts. I mentally focus on the muscles moving the weight. when i get to max. rep on a certain workout, i add a little weight, 2.5 to 5 lbs. as not to loose form and keep full range of motion. A very good read and Thanks Mark!!
@John A Davis-How did the home made ice cream turn out? Just curious.

By: Graham

Graham — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:09:30 +0000

HI Mark,
Another great post!

I am currently writing an article that might compliment this one. If you want me to post it or you want to view it first, just get in touch.
I am away at the moment but will be back next week.

Keep ’em coming!

Kind regards, Graham.

By: graham

graham — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:56:36 +0000

Hi Mark,
Another gret post!

I am currently writing an article that would compliment this one. I am away at the moment but will be back next week. If you’re interested in my article and want me to post it, or want to view it first then just get in contact with me.

Keep ’em coming!

Kind regards, Graham.

By: John A Davis

John A Davis — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:26:24 +0000

Good stuff. I, too, am guilty of all the above.

By: beto

beto — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:07:45 +0000

when resetting mark what rep range to you recommend?
great article thanks mark!

By: jason

jason — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:34:58 +0000

Ive actually just started doing that this week as its my 1st week on the new 5 day-split. after the mass phase i did find that i was sacrificing form to beat my previous record. Funny how it creeps in without you knowing it.

thanks mark for the reset post.

By: Lourcey

Lourcey — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:31:34 +0000

This article came just in time for me.
For the past two weeks I’ve been loosing weight (on the bar). I’ve been doing the tht three day split for about 9 weeks, and gained about 30 pounds on bench press. Then last week I just couldn’t get the reps and was sore all the time, so I think it’s time for a week off.
And a major adjustment in diet!

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:13:57 +0000

Good man, Tbone.

By: Tbone

Tbone — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:48:43 +0000

This is a great article and timely. Just today I decided I
needed to reset but was feeling bruised about it. Mind you, I ended
up having the best workout in ages.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:48:04 +0000

@Joe. I bought Thesis for my site. I can’t code and Thesis allows me to make those changes with a couple of clicks behind the scenes. Well worth the invest of around $80.
@Shariq. You mean you’re not gaining weight as in body weight or adding weight to the bar? If body weight, don’t worry, please read my article on gaining 12lbs of muscle in a year and how little this comes to per week. You can’t expect to gains pounds every week unless you want to get fat.
https://musclehack.com/massive-muscle-gains-want-12lbs-of-muscle-this-year/

By: Shariq

Shariq — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:26:19 +0000

Hey Mark, Since long time I made you my virtual GURU in body-building,
I followed THT-book 4, but since last two months I got a shape n feels muscular day-by-day but my weight stuck 🙁 … I am not gaining weight, Is it the reason what you mentioned in the above article?

By: Andrew Mast

Andrew Mast — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:24:10 +0000

I can lift much heavier on a 5×5 program, like StrongLifts.com. BUT, if I’m going to focus on pure hypertrophy, which is the target of THT, I need to follow the THT guidelines…. and focus on the muscle contractions, not the weight being lifted. With strength training, in a few weeks, I can squat over 250 pounds for 5×5 reps. On THT, I’m doing more like 160 for 8-12. It’s just the nature of the type of muscle development. So, as long as my goal is to grow (not get tons stronger), then I focus on THT, it works.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:42:20 +0000

Hey Mark I really love your posts and insight into muscle building,but I would like to ask a question that is off topic.I really like the layout of your sight,how did you put those 2 columns on right side?I really like that and it looks so neat and professional. ok t/c and and keep pumping that iron

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:27:09 +0000

@Zac. @Shane. Thanks. Reset and you’ll start making TRUE gains again 😀

By: Shane

Shane — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:25:42 +0000

Me too zac! This made me rethink some of my lifts and it’s good to know I’m not the only one and it’s ok to reset!! Thanks for a great article Mark.

By: Zac

Zac — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:20:26 +0000

So relevant to me right now. I’m going to concentrate on my form again and not obsess about always making a gain every set. Think I’ve hit a plafaux on the chest press and bicep curl. Yep, my ego was hit hard dropping weight (feels like quitting) so thanks for saying that it is smart to take the ego hit and drop weight and do it right. Great article, thanks Mark.