How Do You Decide Which Training Program Is Going to Give You Maximum Gains? (Part 1)

Every day, bodybuilders around the world are bombarded with information from magazines, websites, and fellow trainers on every aspect of how to build muscle.

For many young bodybuilders, who are just getting into the iron game, deciphering this mass of information can be as complex as solving a jigsaw puzzle.

To help you get the results you desperately crave, here's a detailed look at two of the most popular training theories out there: High-Volume Training (HVT) and High-Intensity Training (HIT).

Both of these training theories have been debated for nearly 30 years by some of the best pro bodybuilders in the world, and each claims the program he follows is the best.

In the end, though, you have to determine which program will give you the best results. So, with that in mind, here's an in-depth look at these two theories, and how they work.

A Brief History of High-Volume Training

HVT was born in the gyms of Venice Beach, California, during the 1970s. Popular bodybuilders who were using HVT at the time were experiencing tremendous success. So, naturally HVT became the number one way to train.

It was that simple. Bodybuilders who followed HVT got great results, because of the increased muscle pumps caused by training with high volume at moderate intensity.

The pump is the Holy Grail for true die-hard HVT followers.

High-Volume Training Principles

Jay Cutler says, The HVT theory is based on using between 10 and 20 sets of eight to 12 reps for each body part to maximize muscle stimulation for huge growth. By training the muscles so extensively, the nuclei of the muscle cells become activated, signaling the muscles to grow.

This activation is done by increasing circulation to the muscle, that is, by getting what most bodybuilders call the pump.

The pump is able to saturate and gorge the muscle fibers with blood and vital nutrients that are essential for muscle growth. HVT does not directly focus on how much weight you can move. Rather, it focuses on meeting the required high-rep range for the pump.

This routine is no joke. HVT is damn exhausting, and will leave you feeling like you've just been hit by a truck! An HVT session will usually last from one and a half to three hours. When you follow HVT, the frequency of training is also high.

Typically, HVT programs force you to hit the muscle group twice within the same week. For example, if you trained chest on Monday, you would train chest again within the next two or three days.

Bodybuilders who follow the HVT program will claim that you will maximize muscle growth every time you train. That's why they force their bodies through the grueling workouts.

It is a very exhausting workout, so be sure to drink the proper amount of water throughout the day. Also you must drink pure water purified by a high quality water purifier. If you have hard water at your place then use an RO water purifier. If you have soft water at your place the UV water purifier is a good choice for you.

Now let's move towards High Intensity Training (HIT)

A Brief History of High-Intensity Training

Like HVT, HIT was developed during the 1970s. However, for many years, HIT was very controversial, because it follows a completely different ideology than HVT, and it failed to become as popular. At the time, HIT was believed to be useless for packing on muscle size. To hardcore HVT followers, more was better, and that was the bottom line. Recently, though, there has been somewhat of a reemergence of this training theory with many underground bodybuilders, who are experiencing tremendous gains in strength and muscle growth.

In the next part we will cover High Intensity Training deeply.