230: Bryan Boorstein - Do you need to train more over time to keep making gains? Are volume recommendations helpful?
Sep 16, 2024
auto_awesome
Bryan Boorstein, a fitness training expert, joins to explore the secrets of workout effectiveness. They recount a hilariously painful bike incident that highlights the importance of safety in training. The duo dives deep into the evolving concept of training volume, discussing how individual needs change over time. Bryan shares insights on optimizing muscle gains through tailored training routines and the balance of cardio and strength. They stress that adapting workouts is crucial for ongoing progress and maintaining motivation.
The speaker emphasizes that training volume can be effectively reduced while maintaining results by focusing on intensity and exercise selection.
Misconceptions about the necessity of increasing volume over time are addressed, highlighting the importance of understanding maintenance volume in fitness progression.
Practical strategies for overcoming training stagnation include assessing progress, adjusting nutritional intake, and experimenting with training frequency and intensity.
Deep dives
Surgery Story: Removal of Glass from Neck
The speaker shares an unusual story about a three-foot piece of glass that was lodged in their neck due to a bike accident. Initially overlooked during the initial ER treatment, the glass caused discomfort and a visible bump as the skin healed around it. After enduring the annoyance for several weeks, they decided to have it surgically removed and described the procedure as surprisingly straightforward. The medical team was astonished by the presence of the glass and noted the difficulty it posed during the removal process.
Training Volume and Its Evolution
The conversation shifts to the concept of training volume, particularly how it’s evolved over time for the speaker. They recount reminiscing about past training methods that focused on abbreviated workouts centered on compound movements, which require less overall volume yet still facilitate effective muscle engagement. The speaker developed a four-rotation full-body program, doing compound movements with reduced volume to stay motivated and achieve soreness despite the low sets. This shift to lower volume has reinvigorated their workouts, suggesting that less can sometimes yield better results when intensity is prioritized.
Discussing Volume Requirements in Training
An interesting discussion arises regarding whether volume requirements increase as one progresses in their training career. The speaker seeks to clarify common misconceptions about training volume and aims to address relevant questions about maintenance volume, especially for those who have been training consistently. This includes understanding how volume's effectiveness may change based on a person's stage in their fitness journey, from beginner to advanced. The idea is to demystify the relationship between training volume, results, and overall workout effectiveness.
Challenges of Quantifying Volume
The intricacies of quantifying training volume and its implications on results become a focal point in the conversation. There are discussions surrounding the limitations of simply counting sets, emphasizing that not all exercises are equal in terms of benefits achieved from each set conducted. Factors such as exercise selection, intensity, and proximity to failure all play critical roles in maximizing results. The conversation also highlights the need for greater nuance in understanding what constitutes effective volume versus mere busy work in the gym.
Evaluating Training Adjustments
Towards the end, the discussion shifts to practical applications for those who feel their training is stagnating. Key questions arise, such as how to assess one’s current program, adjust nutritional intake, and optimize volume effectively. The speaker suggests analyzing personal progress over time and considering gradual changes in both diet and training volume to reignite gains. This process may also involve experimenting with different training frequencies and intensities, illustrating the importance of adaptability in achieving fitness goals.