Hi, I've recently discovered HST (http://www.hypertrophy-specific.com/hst_index.html) and sounds interesting, but contradicts in many aspects with MAX-OT (http://www.ast-ss.com/max-ot/toc.asp) wich is the routine I'm now following.

Cant somebody tell me exactly the benefits of this training routine? Wich one is best for creating muscle? Why pelople prefere MAX-OT, or HST? Do you know any other interesting routine for building muscle?

I think it would be nice to have a sticky in the forums with every kind of training routine so people can decide which one fits best for him/her.

Thanks

I followed a standard pyramiding program for 8 weeks, then, following a week off, switched to a Max OTish program for 8 weeks. Following another week off, I switched to a strict HST routine for 8 weeks. I got similar results with all of them. I didn't gain LBM but I didn't lose any either. For a 49 yr old guy on a cutting diet, I didn't expect to gain any mass so I considered all of them to be successful.

I just bought Ian King's "Get Buffed" book. The entire book is about periodization, which is a fancy word for ways to change a routine. He doesn't call it "Max OT" or "HST", but I can definitely see the basics for those programs in his methods of periodization.

I don't think any routine can be called the "best" method. They all work, it's just that some work better than others for each individual. Personally, I plan to change my routine after every 8 week cycle until I find what's best for me. So far, they've all worked the same for me. If nothing else, changing the routine keeps it interesting.

Hi,

Thanxs for posting!. Yep, I truly think that changing routine from time to time is the best way to keep "surprising" your body and therefore estimulating it.

Anyway... I've found this post in the forums (http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=1309&page=1&pp=20&highlight=HST) and talks about all those routines (sorry but I didn't search enough before posting :P).

I still think a stiky guide for routines would be usefull in the forums :P with people telling how "routine A" worked for him, how "routine A" works, risk of injury , etc. With this guide it would be easier to make changes to our routines, grab other's ideas, etc.

Thanks

Check my post on Training Guidelines...

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=5264