Any advice gang?

[DOtrainee]

I am currently struggling with the effectiveness of my workouts. I have been using VRT only workouts since the end of May and have really enjoyed them. I tend not to do pushups and pullups for a couple of reasons: 1) I'm trying to give my body one year and see just how it responds to this type of stimulation 2) I have old injuries, both weight training and work related, that keep me from working both sides of my body properly with the above calisthenics. My workouts are usually 25-40 minutes and I switch it up between the M7 and Greg's VRT program. My ultimate goal has been transformation, but specifically an increase in muscle mass with an increase in fuctional fitness.

Much to my surprise, I have LOST WEIGHT with these exercises. This concerns me some because I have chosen to utilize this method of training as an anabolic training method. Instead, it's been quite the opposite. I am about 6 feet tall and at the start of this program my weight fluctuated between 188-190 lbs. After the advent of this training method, my weight has been fluctuating between 176-178 lbs.

Now before I expound any more on the subject, I will admit that I did not take measurements before and after, and that has been a mistake I wish I had not done. Aside from that, I personally struggle with these results because back in my weight training days I had no trouble putting on mass with an intense training program (my weight stayed around 190 pounds, I just didn't look like I did when I started this training this summer cause I wasn't sitting studying all the time). Granted, the training had its setbacks with injuries, but it did produce quantifiable numbers that the scales could detect.

I know others of you have used this type of training and have obtained its anabolic benefits. Greg's photos that he posted recently are proof, and I know that John Peterson achieved wonderful results when he took a three month period and used the M7 exclusively (as noted in his book).

Let me be very specific that I am NOT complaining or advocating that "I would like to get back to weightlifting where I could get real results like the old days." Quite the opposite: I want to give this type of exercise everything possible because I hurt less when I do it, and I believe that, once mastered, will provide a great way to work my muscles symmetrically. I'm just looking for perspective, tips, and personal experience from the rest of you to help me achieve my goals. I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

For wisdom and truth,

powerflextrainee (now solely a VRT trainee)

[VRT Man]

First of all, powerflextrainee, I just want to say thank you for giving this program, as a sole quantifiable program, your "all" in trying to test its anabolic effectiveness.

I for one cannot help gaining weight with my VRT program, whereas I must confess in a truly enviable tone, I wish I was YOU, because at this point in my 58 year old life, I want to LOSE weight rather than gain it. Even muscular weight. It would be fine with me.

Why this occurence is happening, I'm not quite sure, but I do believe that the level of energy expenditure is exponentially higher than with weight training; and you as an individual have metabolically LOST weight rather than gained it, with this greater energy expenditure. Calories burned has exceeded calories added.

There have been cases on record that I heard of from emails (and letters received prior to the invention of email) of guys getting ripped doing VRT, and then again of those who gain and gain some more while doing VRT. I personally gained approximately 45 pounds in doing VRT over a period of 3-1/2 years, without consciously changing or modifying my diet in any which way that I can recall....it is simply an observation of the scale. The "bulking" took place in a very natural way, and was mesomorphic, not endomorphic, as my waist increased incredibly little, but my chest increased by 11 inches.

My only suggestion is, if you are looking for mesomorphic weight gain, and not the other way around, that you markedly increase your level of food consumption. Even forcibly. This will eventually equal or overcome the high level of energy expenditure that you are experiencing with your level of VRT. Conside high protein weight gaining supplements, if your specific goal is to gain muscle weight.

Let me know of your progress with this!

Thanks again,

Greg Mangan

[Focus]

Hi,

I might not be qualfied to answer, but as long as I successfully gained muscle mass with VRT, i allow myself to suggest something :

Do you tense your muscles with great strength, so that your limbs quiver under tension?

Or maybe you do a moderate tension so that your workout is more cardio workout than muscle gain. In that case you lose fat instead of turning it into muscle.

I state that because as a VRT user, I inflict such tension on my muscles that I cannot workout during 40 minutes. I probably never go beyond 15 minutes and I do not do as many exercises as shown on the DVD.

I have a few exercises (extracted from VRT DVD and M7 book) I do on a daily basis and I ad a few others which change from time to time.

[jonlclay]

Powerflextrainee,

I applaud you on sticking to one modality to see how your body adapts. There are so many options within Transformetrics that you can get overwhelmed with all the choices. I think Focus is correct, depends on how much tension you do. It sounds like you're workouts are more geared towards leanness than bulk. Spend more time doing high intensity DVR/VRT for the next month and see how your body reacts.

Look forward to hearing your results.

Jon

[DOtrainee]

Just to clarify:

I usually try to keep my workouts around 25 minutes. If I do happen to take longer, say, 40 minutes, it is because I require more recovery time between each set. I give each set everything I have (arms quivering, heavy breathing) for 8-15 reps. Some exercises I tire out at 8 reps, some take 15. I usually need a couple of minutes between some of the exercises to complete my workout, which is why I've seen some of the workouts take up to 40 minutes.

For wisdom and truth,

powerflextrainee

[Tim]

I liked your insight about creating tension to the point that the muscles shake. I did this last night and it was the first time I felt a real good pump using VRT. Maybe, I was'nt using enough tension. Thanks Focus!

[PowerHank]

Wow. I wish I could burn off weight like that.

But in answer to your question, the answer is simple. Like Mangan said, you have to take in more calories than you burn. You're obviously burning more than you consume.

Some good foods: (1) Roasted peanuts, no salt, eat the shells. Sometimes I go through a pound a day., (2) Walnuts, and (3) Whey protein.

Do a google search on Whey Protein. It's one of the most efficient sources for adding bulk and replacing muscle on the planet.

Hank

[Focus]

I liked your insight about creating tension to the point that the muscles shake. I did this last night and it was the first time I felt a real good pump using VRT. Maybe, I was'nt using enough tension. Thanks Focus!

You're welcome. By the way, you should say "thank you" to G. Mangan : simply watch him on the DVD and you'll see he makes real efforts and is out of breath after the very first exercise...

This is a great method.

[duff]

I usually try to keep my workouts around 25 minutes. If I do happen to take longer, say, 40 minutes, it is because I require more recovery time between each set. I give each set everything I have (arms quivering, heavy breathing) for 8-15 reps. Some exercises I tire out at 8 reps, some take 15. I usually need a couple of minutes between some of the exercises to complete my workout, which is why I've seen some of the workouts take up to 40 minutes.

Try going at a slower cadence (up to 3 seconds) with even more muscular tension so that you tire within 4-6 reps. You may still be putting one foot on the break, so to speak, as far as your ability to create tension in the muscles. You could also add more sets.

That and eat more. Add approximately 10% in calories a week and track against the scale and ideally body fat measurements as well to make sure you are gaining muscle and not fat.

Also make sure to rest sufficiently. Get plenty of sleep (8-10 hours a night), even taking a nap in the afternoon each day if possible. Reduce other sources of stress too, as these will inhibit your body's ability to adapt to the stress and build muscle.

Hope that helps,
~Duff