High intensity strength training....

[Hotler]

anyone else using the harder, briefer, infrequent method. Described by Arthur Jones. Ellington Darden, Mike Mentzer?

[mr_hat]

1. Yep. Fits my hectic schedule just fine. >

Check out www.ageless-althletes.com and cyberpump.com (if you haven't already).

Lots of good info there.

[Hotler]

2. I could never go back to fast reps and multiple sets.

I'll never forget the first time I barfed after a set of squats. By the time I got done with regulation dead lifts every muscle in my body was pumped.

[greenman3610]

3. best I've seen

is the Combat Conditioning from
www.mattfurey.com
also,
combat Abs.

maybe not for everyone, but
if you are tired of injuries, and
want a different approach, this works.

[midnight armadillo]

4. Well...

The whole one set to failure method is not that popular among people who train for athletic performance. This method tends to lead to joint trouble since it doesn't strengthen the connective tissues much. I've tried it and never had good results.

You can train low reps and high weights not to failure (ex. powerlifters and olympic lifters might do sets of 2-3 reps) and make big strength gains. If you want a shorter workout go ahead, but always going to failure at maximum intensity will burn you out.

If you want a real gutbuster of a challenge, go to www.dragondoor.com and check out the kettlebells. I have a pair that I have to get back to using and they're ready to make me barf in under 10 minutes since I've gotten out of shape... No kidding, kbells are the most intense workout I've ever done, including high school wrestling matches. Actually, I've also had very good results with Pavel Tsatsouline's (same website) methods.

My wife just signed us up at the Y. Their weight room lacks a power rack <sigh>...the one piece of weight equip besides dip & pullup bars I use (well, and dumb/barbells)