[jaglio]

From my experience when i updated all of the Apps on my phone- including TrainedByJP- i was able to play the video immediately post-update. I also noticed it was a different format as well so more than likely that is the issue.

[jaglio]

Are you attempting to play them on a mobile device? I had the same issue on my iphone and once I updated the app I was good to go. Not sure if it is the same issue, but just my .02.

[jaglio]

Hey Jordan,

Thank you for your answer regarding on tuning into your body on the last page- i sort of had a follow-up, actually inspired by something that James had posted on his forum:

“In my mind there is a certain amount if food I won’t really want to drop below and would rather incorporate more cardio to compensate.”

I totally agree and I think that often many make the mistake of reducing calories way too soon and fail to primarily utilize other methods of bodyfat reduction in order to keep calories as high for as long as possible. So my question in essence pertains to implementing changes during a contest prep/cut phase and the manner in which to go about them. I understand there is largely an individual component to this, but in a general sense where does that line in the sand lie- at what point will you make the conscious decision to reduce calories in place of adding another session potentially upping volume/frequency? cardio sessions? drugs? It would seem wise to wait until the other variables have been maxed out – but then that poses the question as well- to what do you attribute the variable that you may alter to continue to progress and drop bodyfat? (Apologies if that only makes sense in my head).

[jaglio]

James-

I hope all is well. I just had a question regarding your above statement:

“In my mind there is a certain amount if food I won’t really want to drop below and would rather incorporate more cardio to compensate.”

I totally agree and I think that often many make the mistake of reducing calories way too soon and fail to primarily utilize other methods of bodyfat reduction in order to keep calories as high for as long as possible. I understand there is largely an individual component to this, but in a general sense where does that line in the sand lay- at what point will you make the conscious decision to reduce calories in place of adding another session potentially upping volume/frequency? It would seem wise to wait until the other variables have been maxed out – but then that poses the question as well- to what do you attribute the variable that you may alter to continue to progress and drop bodyfat? (Apologies if that only makes sense in my head).

[jaglio]

Hi Jordan-

This is not a question I have seen posted here, or elsewhere for that matter, and I think could aid a few people as well. With regard to autoregulation, of course it is a technique and a skill that is acquired over time, but what would some of your tried-and-true methods for really cluing into your own body? Is there anything apart from general fatigue and recovery ability that will help assist in making necessary adjustments? I think often times we can fall victim to feeling like we “need” to make changes for the sake of it and maybe even make changes that are unnecessary if we’re on the fence about where to go next. Of course it is generally going to be largely individualized and person-dependent, but are there are methods/tips/cues that you have picked up to really get in tune with your body?

[jaglio]

Hi Corinne,

No Question- those core movements will always be the meat and potatoes of of training cycles, no doubt about that. My question was directed more in the sense of how you phrased it- cues for better execution. I wouldn’t necessarily say correct form, as I do pride myself in ensuring that I remain as strict as possible, but I would say perhaps to become more efficient at engaging and really staying on the muscle (I apologize if this only makes sense in my head).

[jaglio]

NY/NJ is the place to go if you want Hardcore gyms. City-wise, i would recommend any of the following:
-5th Ave Gym in Brooklyn
-Steel Gym in NYC
-Edge Gym in NYC
-Gladiator Gym in NYC
-Frenchie’s Gym in Brooklyn

IF you have a chance to venture more on Long Island, i would suggest the following:
-World Gym in Babylon
-Bev Francis Powerhouse in Syossett (of course)
-Sparta Gym in Westbury
-Survival Gym in Seaford
-Pro Fit in Deer Park

Those are just some recommendations, but truthfully you can’t go wrong at any of them.

[jaglio]

Hey Louis, just my two-cents- take it for what it is- but I think when designing a session, and really a training program as a whole, there are a few key components that are essential to consider and will vary on an individual basis. For example, I think the first true step is being able to be your own harshest critic and truly analyze one’s physique from an unbiased and blunt perspective. We need to accept that facts that there are weak points that need to be addressed and furthermore revaluation in terms of what is practical and providing results (both currently and in the past) and what has not and then from their you must really delve into the “why not” portion and give an honest assessment- does exercise selection complement my goals? does my execution allow for the targeted muscle to adequately perform the movement in an optimal manner, or do you find that other muscle groups tend to take over at certain points of the movement? These are all going to individual, and only a sample of things to consider, but i think that poses a good starting point.

After that- and truly after one has been honest with their physique and their progress- does structuring a session truly matter. Without knowing how you personally structure your split, i can only afford generic tips but i will do my best. I think in a general sense loading will always be king, and heavy/moderate loading on movements compound movements that feel fluid and you connect well with (not just limited to compounds, either). I think heavy loading with isolations can be hit or miss, but generally i personally find that when attempting to load an isolation I have to forcefully fight the urge to cheat and i find the point of diminishing return is VERY apparent when you begin to cheat on your with isolated movements. I think i would tend to load earlier on in the session and save some more metabolic overloading toward the end, where we want to force as much blood as possible via muscle rounds, rest-pauses , forced-reps, etc.. i think that the movement itself can help dictate the best intensity principle to utilize, if at all. For example, rest-pausing incline dumbbell presses may be less than ideal given the energy expenditure required just to set up and get into position, so i think it does become a bit auto-regulating as well.

I think a lot of sequencing and setup comes down to one’s ability to connect with specific muscles as well. For example, Dorian loved pre-exhausting his lats with pullovers (well, more of heavy loading with an isolation movement but regardless the blood was THERE) and then did more compound work; however for pecs he would generally start with an incline/decline barbell (generally speaking)- so again, dependent on one’s ability to connect to the muscle. Regarding actual selection of specific exercises, that is going to largely depend on your weak points and training setup to ensure you can hit them as optimally as possible. Again, this will come down to giving yourself an honest physique assessment and really designing a program around muscle groups that need the most work. That should be priority and then ensuring strong points are not neglected as well to bring a more balanced look. Try to resist temptation of always starting with chest on a push day- maybe have one push focused and the other more delt/tricep. Or have one leg day more hamstring dominant and one quad, or a balance of both for each if you feel they are quite balanced as is.

The number one rule to remember with all of this is that THERE ARE NO SET RULES!! I know that’s a mouthful- hope some of it helps!

[jaglio]

James- I hope all is well; thoroughly enjoying watching your progress, and I must say as an American I draw a tremendously greater amount of motivation from you and the guys on these forums than the ones here in the states- that’s just real talk.

Anyway, my question is as follows:
I notice from watching your stories each day your training sessions in terms of exercise selection is often varied from session to session- a few exercises remain constant but there is a fair bit of diversity. Whereas Jordan maintains a selection of exercises for an extended amount of time, Im just curious as to your approach in variance. I can certainly see that being useful in terms of ensuring no body part is neglected, and furthermore no angle or plane of motion. Is there more to this approach, and how exactly do you go about progressing in this manner. Appreciate all of your insights, thanks!

[jaglio]

Hey Jordan, hope all is well. Thoroughly enjoying keeping up with your progress, which extends to really the progress of all members, but anyway quick question.

You advised running lower test in the offseason and if memory serves I believe in your video on your push from 210-285 that you were using maybe 750 test, 750 nandrolone, and 50 var (I believe that was the protocol). Do you believe that when making a push to gain that much mass, particularly in that short time frame- that it is inevitable that larger doses need to eventually be built up to and utilized, and then once other factors are introduced at that next level then that is when it is wiser to pull back and rely on other factors to continue progressing? I believe I also recall in that video that you had mentioned that perhaps you got a bit too aggressive with that push- do you think looking back it was a necessary evil, or something that maybe should have been done a tad more conservatively? I apologize for the tangent- i had this question the other day but the past few posts kind of brought it full circle.