Does Training Sensitivity Apply to Movements / Body Parts?

Training Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hey Doctors and Coaches,

I really like your model of training sensitivity for individuals. Does this model apply to movements and body parts as well? For example my deadlift progress completely outpaces my bench press progress. Is it safe to assume that my deadlift is more training sensitive than my bench press, and my bench press requires more sets per week to get a similar training effect? If so how does this influence how you prescribe volume between the 3 power lifts?

Thanks,
Jack

2

SJ,

I think it’s reasonable to assume different lifts will respond differently in different people. I would like to play devil’s advocate to your question however, as couldn’t be equally as likely that your deadlift programming is better than your bench programming for you the individual rather than there being any inherent different in sensitivity?

3

I’m interested in this topic as well. My best bench is 200, my best squat and deadlift are 405 and 550 respectively at about 180 pounds body weight. It got this way using basic SS programming which meant my bench volume was probably too low for too long which explains the squat/bench discrepancy, but I’m not sure why my deadlift got so huge training it only for 1-3 sets a week. Maybe my deadlift strength development was driven by the squat volume. Then leverages and/or individual differences lead to me being able to display large amounts of strength with the deadlift. Anyway it’s pretty fun to hypothesize about this stuff even though most of it remains a mystery to me in regards to my own progress.

4

Also consider anthropometric inputs, training motivations for a particular lift, and technique considerations. I agree that programming alterations are a good move to improve the outcome, however.

5

Indeed, motivation in particular is probably a huge factor. I can’t deny that at this point a 600 deadlift still seems way more exciting than a 250 bench haha.