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Baraka_Guru · 08-29-2010, 01:37 PM

I've been following this thread, as I'm rather intrigued with the theory/method behind the P90X program. However, this is not something I think I would purchase, as I already have a gym membership at corporate discount rates.

I'm happy to say, however, that I have recently been checking out a book that uses similar principles of "muscular confusion," or periodization. It specifically differentiates from "linear" periodization and focuses on what it calls "undulating" periodization. The difference being that linear models are designed to move toward a peak performance. Think Olympic athletes training for one big day. The latter instead "mixes" the training in such a way that it conditions your body to a different peak level that's more sustainable over the long term: think pro basketball players who need a strong season and playoff performance.

Anyway, the book is called The New Rules of Lifting by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove, who also wrote The New Rules of Lifting for Women. I thought I'd post about it here for anyone who either wants to try something similar (in principle) to the P90X training, or wanted to be able to move their training to the gym after completing their P90X at home. (And, for anyone who's interested, there's no focus on cardio or stretching, as the program uses resistance training to cover these areas without separate cardio-only training and stretching routines.)

There are four programs depending on your fitness level and they run for a year, moving between four or five phases (or types of training). There are phases for basic training, fat loss, hypertrophy, and strength, and they're all mixed in by various means and in various order based on your program.

What I like about it is that it cuts out a lot of the crap you see happening at the gym: no machines except occasional cable exercises and very few supplemental exercises, as it focuses on the "big six" movements, which give you real results more efficiently.

I highly recommend checking it out. I just started the basic training, and my legs are quite mad at me.

08-29-2010, 01:37 PM	#134 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	I've been following this thread, as I'm rather intrigued with the theory/method behind the P90X program. However, this is not something I think I would purchase, as I already have a gym membership at corporate discount rates. I'm happy to say, however, that I have recently been checking out a book that uses similar principles of "muscular confusion," or periodization. It specifically differentiates from "linear" periodization and focuses on what it calls "undulating" periodization. The difference being that linear models are designed to move toward a peak performance. Think Olympic athletes training for one big day. The latter instead "mixes" the training in such a way that it conditions your body to a different peak level that's more sustainable over the long term: think pro basketball players who need a strong season and playoff performance. Anyway, the book is called The New Rules of Lifting by Lou Schuler and Alwyn Cosgrove, who also wrote The New Rules of Lifting for Women. I thought I'd post about it here for anyone who either wants to try something similar (in principle) to the P90X training, or wanted to be able to move their training to the gym after completing their P90X at home. (And, for anyone who's interested, there's no focus on cardio or stretching, as the program uses resistance training to cover these areas without separate cardio-only training and stretching routines.) There are four programs depending on your fitness level and they run for a year, moving between four or five phases (or types of training). There are phases for basic training, fat loss, hypertrophy, and strength, and they're all mixed in by various means and in various order based on your program. What I like about it is that it cuts out a lot of the crap you see happening at the gym: no machines except occasional cable exercises and very few supplemental exercises, as it focuses on the "big six" movements, which give you real results more efficiently. I highly recommend checking it out. I just started the basic training, and my legs are quite mad at me. __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot Last edited by Baraka_Guru; 08-29-2010 at 01:42 PM..