If volume is a key variable to play with for strength and hypertrophy gainzZz and a lifter needs to increase work capacity over time to see progress, why is volume periodized in a training block vs. inching volume up over time?
When I was doing heavy kettlebell swings, I just kept adding reps to my EMOMS using a heart rate monitor for autoregulation. My heart rate kept dropping over time and I could keep adding reps to each set for over a year. When I could do 25 sets of 15, I went to the next heavier bell and dropped reps back down to match heart rate. So basically I was increasing stress as my level of conditioning adapted.
Are you asking why one would ever decrease training volume?
Thanks for the reply. Yes, my question is why vary, but in particular decrease volume. I have read many articles on the benefits of periodization and the repeated bout effect. So is the reason to resensitize after a period of high volume?
It’s necessary to periodically dissipate fatigue as it accumulates over the course of a training block, or to peak for testing / competition purposes. The resensitization argument is a bit more theoretical, but yes, that falls under this category too.
How much training experience do you have? If you’re an experienced lifter, I’m sure you can understand that it’s not possible to steadily and constantly increase training volume forever over the course of a lifter’s career.
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I am only an early intermediate, which is why I am still trying to understand the basics. It’s the requirement that a lifter needs to increase work capacity and how that relates to volume that has me confused. Is it possible to increase work capacity without increasing volume?
I think you’re getting hung up on the wrong concepts. The reductions in volume that we’re talking about are temporary, and short term.
But sure, you can also do conditioning.