Comments on: THT 4.1 Coming Soon! I Want Your Feedback…

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:18:35 +0000

@Shannon @Richard. I already have a 3-day Volume routine on this site here…
https://musclehack.com/best-3-day-workout-routine/
@Everyone Else. All suggestions taken on board, guys. Thank you!!

By: Aanand

Aanand — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 05:38:42 +0000

I agree with Richard (No.70) and Nick (No.74).
In my gym too it’s difficult to move from one machine to another without a break.
Someone else, invariably, begins using the other machine – and then, one has got to wait.

By: John A Davis

John A Davis — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:27:23 +0000

bulleted summary at the beginning, telling what you are going to present, and maybe the workout log(s).
bulleted summary at the end, telling what you presented, and maybe the workout logs(s).

By: Johnnyrey

Johnnyrey — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:55:10 +0000

Mark, firstly, thank you so much for all the effort you put in, I am very grateful for the workouts you provided (I prefer the 5 day over the 3, but that’s just me). I also support what others say, the explanations you provide and the science and theory of it, convinced me you know what you are talking about. For the re-designing, you could put all that stuff at the back, as some have suggested, or, leave it as is, but somehow (change of font etc?) emphasize what is important, and what is supporting commentary.

If you could link alternative exercises in the actual spreadsheet itself, that would be great. Also, I am another that finds “jefit” to be a great app that works extremely well with your workouts once I get them all set up – you can put in each exercise, and set the time to rest between each set, it also shows you the number of reps and what weight you did on the last workout, so helps you to push to improve – great combo!

By: Bob in NJ

Bob in NJ — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:11:41 +0000

Keep it the same as far as info goes. From the moment I found Musclehack I read almost every article on THT, diet, etc. I needed to know what you were all about. I read all of THT then bought TSPA. Big fan here! I do the 3day split with great success evident after 4 weeks. I did MANS diet with success too before TSPA. Been Musclehacking for 6 months now. Life changer no doubt. Trying to get my friends on it too.
I see a few comments about the HIT cycle here. I found it to be effective for 4-5 weeks then I hit a plateau. I’m now planning on cycling 3day split X 10 weeks, then 5 HIT weeks. The 3day is killer as I imagine the 4 or 5 day splits are. The excercises are very effective, the ordering is killer, there’s no BS or fluff. Tread wisely before making too many changes…your new Musclehackers need the education. I did.
The commentors looking to get straight to the workout rather than reading the science, etc. need only to jump to it in the table of contents page..read the plan then go back as you wish to read further. THT4 is a masterpiece, IMHO..
Thanks Mark!

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:17:12 +0000

Sorry Mark, another comment already. I don’t like change, but I agree with other comments that if change is for the BETTER, than I will fall in line with your knowledge and wisdom. I thought I could never cope with a 5 days/week volume workout, but it has turned out just fine. Doing less IS more. Push harder on each day, as it is a short and very focused workout. I hope the new workout will remain 5 days, but for other readers it could be helpful if you could incorporate a method (or clear guidelines) to compress efficiently a 5day into 4day or 3day, as on certain weeks other things in life to over, unfortunately!!

By: Marco

Marco — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:16:21 +0000

I must say I wasn’t too impressed by the HIT-cycle, I tried it but it didn’t feel effective.
The volume (2?) cycle before that DID feel good, and it worked rather well too, in particular my upper arms & upper legs have grown!

By: Marco

Marco — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:13:40 +0000

I must say I wasn’t too impressed by the HIT-cycle, I tried it but it didn’t feel effective.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:23:03 +0000

Agree with Richards Comments above (No.70).

In my gym there is no way I could hope to do some bench presses then run over to the Flyes machine and then back to the bench press before someone nicked the bench. It works if you are training in your garage and have all the equipment to yourself but not otherwise.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:06:48 +0000

I personally like all the information, Knowledge is power and i like to understand everything. I would only like to see 2 3day workout cycles ones like the THT4 not 1 3day and 2 5 day.

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:43:26 +0000

Hi Mark,

I didn’t read through all of the previous comments, but your summary right above this comment echos what I was going to add anyway, so others must have the same idea:

Don’t cut anything, just re-arrange it. Put only what is necessary to get started and get everyone up to speed on HOW to actually do the workout in the beginning. Then, put the deeper, underlying science, thoughts, opinions, theories, etc. in later chapters or in an appendix.

This is fine because then people can just print out the first part if they want, but it is still all there for them if they want to read further or print it all.

But don’t eliminate anything unless you no longer agree with it–if it was good enough to include in the prior versions, it should not be taken out unless it is no longer valid or useful.

By: Aanand

Aanand — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:41:10 +0000

@Aaanad. 5 days for POP to occur is unique the Arms Blast Experiment because of the sheer intensity of that workout. It doesn’t apply to regular THT training.
—————————————————–
OK. Thanks Mark.
And, a big thank you for all the information.
I keep learning something new – almost daily – when I read your articles in the Archives. And, I keep wishing you the very best of health, happiness and prosperity.
—————————————————–
Suggestions for the new book:
1. Since I am new to body-building, I found all the science and concepts to be very important indeed. Do keep them. In fact, I suggest that you add to them based on new and current research, and elaborate more, if necessary.
2. 1 (refined) Volume cycle and 1 (new) HIT cycle will certainly be simpler to implement.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 10:38:03 +0000

Hi. So mamy ideas and thoughts. One thing that comes to mind immediately is that I found it not at all practical to follow one of your volume cycles where you train from one machine/excercise to another and back to first. In the real-world of busy gyms it is simply not possible to hog two machines/exercises at once. i.e. Barbell shoulder press – cable lat raise – shoulder press. Or Bench Press – Pec Dec – Bench Press. HOPE your new volume workout can take this into consideration. MANY THANKS !!!

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:16:23 +0000

Ok the consensus here seems to be not to skimp on science, but rather have either 2 versions, a lite version and “heavy” version, or just put the workouts at the front of the book and explanatory notes later.
Most people are saying that it was the science and thorough explanations that won them over to MuscleHack – that’s great to hear 🙂 So at the moment I’m leaning towards keeping the science there, but redesigning the layout of the book to suit both those wanting to get straight to the routines, and also us science nerds.
@Aaanad. 5 days for POP to occur is unique the Arms Blast Experiment because of the sheer intensity of that workout. It doesn’t apply to regular THT training.

By: Mark McManus

Mark McManus — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:09:08 +0000

Ok guys. I don’t have time to respond to each comment. Firstly, to all who have commented on their success with THT – congratulations! For those still reading and not actually training THT style, do it! Now! It works!
Those looking alternatives to exercises in the book. That already exists in the form of the THT Exercise Bank. Go here to see the full list of alternatives…
https://musclehack.com/targeted-hypertrophy-training-exercise-bank/

By: ian20

ian20 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:52:01 +0000

I like to know why i am doing something so all the detail is great for me, although whether this delivered in the manual or in supporting articles on the web is irrelevant.
I appreciate a more direct program (with explanations elsewhere) would be good for those who just want to get straight to the workouts.
Personally, I like a choice of workouts – just gone from vol 1 to vol 2 and the change has got me fired up again, so i think maybe a volume cycle and HIT cycle could be the core system, plus vol 2 and other ideas provided in your support site to change things up now and again – maybe these alternative workouts could be provided by people who have been at it a while like Adam and just vetted by you then uploaded as a pdf.
Training with the wife before work and loving it.
iPhone/Android app would be good – using Gym Hero for now which i highly recommend
Either way, it’s all good!

By: StevoNZ

StevoNZ — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:46:28 +0000

I would just like to point out that for some (like me) reading shorter stuff helps let it sink in more, other wise I get lost by page 5.. If I could read a short version first and understand everything I read then I would be committed and ready to read the longer version from start to finish….. sorry all / Mark. I’m not the brightest guy out there but I try.

By: StevoNZ

StevoNZ — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:41:04 +0000

I just want to say WOW, what a great guy Mark, you see the beauty in helping others ! Now to the point.
I think I like the idea of adding more info and having that at the end of the book or my idea would be…..
Maybe you could make 2 versions of the book
– well make 1 book and replace the big explanations with shorter ones in the smaller book –
In the 1st Short book you would have a short explanation that replaces the detailed version (Maybe make the short “text” a certain color to show readers that this is a short quick explanation, if you dont understand or would like to know more revert to the Big Beast) so in the big beast you have full details in the short book you simply cut the text out and replace with a quick explanation… repeating myself :S sorry Mark
Sorry I’ve never written a post in my life before… I prob don’t make sense…

By: Aanand

Aanand — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 03:57:14 +0000

Request elaborate on Recovery and the POP.
Extract from The Arms Blast Experiment: “I speculated (again from my research) that people could expect their peak growth around day 5 i.e. the 5th day after the workout.”
This suggests that the POP occurs around day 5.
How to create a weekly / bi-weekly / tri-weekly / monthly program that will take advantage of this?

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 03:51:44 +0000

Hi Mark,
The science is what sets you apart in the industry it’s what got me hooked in the first place. It means if a musclehacker gets asked at the gym “why are you Doug that exercise followed by that?” we know exactly why and can spread useful information that benefits everybody. Please keep the science. Would also love to see and great iPhone/Android app I feel this would be a great way to log everything the musclehack way and would be willing to pay a few bucks for it.
Loyal 4 year musclehacker Daniel.

By: KeithC

KeithC — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 02:06:41 +0000

If someone can only devote one hour to your book, they are not ready to devote the time to the whole process. DON’T SHORTEN the book, a comprehensive education must accompany the self-discipline necessary for hypotrophy to occur.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 02:04:41 +0000

Personally I’d like to see the whole thing, not cut short. What you could do is have it all laid out, but then do a summary/step-by-step sort of thing either at the beginning or at the end for those who do not want to read every detail 😛

By: SCWID

SCWID — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 01:51:19 +0000

One thing you can do, rather than splitting or shrinking the book, would be simple to add anchor points (called named destinations in pdf).. sort of like in a web page, when you click it, get you straight to the point, allows you leave the details, and provide straight to the point without reforming the book all together…

best of both worlds.. i want to read it all…. *do nothing*
OR I want to read the way to do it now *click small link* shoots to that part instantly.. then could even scroll back up to it if i changed my mind.

By: Mall

Mall — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 01:45:25 +0000

If you had not fully explained the theory behind your program I wouldn’t have given you the time of day. The science you apply to your training approach is what sets Musclehack apart from every other just-do-as-I-say muscle guru out there.
I’ve always been a big believer in “work smarter, not harder” and you embody that philosophy. Musclhack is the home of the “smart muscle” (you can use that) and that’s your appeal. I don’t think you should pander to those who can’t be bothered attempting to understand the why behind the what. And honestly, if you couldn’t be bothered reading a meager 90 pages how serious can you be about getting results.

Also, I think you run the risk of people short-cutting certain aspects of your program due to ignorance of the importance of the little things and consequentially getting poor results.

Don’t dumb down Mark!

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:11:39 +0000

Also thank you Mark
for all this info. It is so easy to get lost in the contradictory crap information that is out there. I am excited to get started on THT!