Smolov and other leg size programs

[skelemint]

Hi.

I have been bb-ing for 5 years on/off, but all that time my legs were the weak link, probably because I come from swimming background. Now I have decided to change that and I have been looking for leg size programs. I have found smolov program ( http://www.ontariostrongman.ca/Resources/training/smolovsquatcycle.htm ), that people are saying its very hard. However, I am intrested in that program so my question is is that program for leg size too, and if it isnt, what program are you recomending.

Thanks

[Arlecchino]

You are aware that the program will just about kill you right? It is a more advanced PL'ing program, and you are pushing the limits of overtraining.

[skelemint]

Pretty much aware :-), but I am just looking on opinions about best leg size program. Intensity doesnt matter. I am extreme hardgainer in my legs.

Thanks

[PotKettleBlack]

Pretty much aware :-), but I am just looking on opinions about best leg size program. Intensity doesnt matter. I am extreme hardgainer in my legs.

Thanks
Leg size... You're asking a section of the forum that trains in order to gain strength, you know?

I'd recommend doing something with much less volume, really.

[skelemint]

Leg size... You're asking a section of the forum that trains in order to gain strength, you know?

I'd recommend doing something with much less volume, really.

I would think this section of the forum has the mos knowledge, or atleast more then teen section :-).

I also posted this at 35 years old section.

[DJSTARER]

do you currently squat? if so, is it an actual squat? If so, a widow-maker program would probably do you well.


don't do smolov.

[alucidinterval]

smolov = hell

i did it for two weeks and just couldn't keep up. my body wasn't recovering right and i was always tired. i'd recommend something else unless you're dead set on smolov.

[southbankwulf]

do smolov and then come back and tell us how it kicked your ass!! lol

[RyHam]

I made it 11 weeks + 1 day into Smolov and now two months later I still can't squat. It is a wretched bitch, no doubt.

[PotKettleBlack]

I made it 11 weeks + 1 day into Smolov and now two months later I still can't squat. It is a wretched bitch, no doubt.
Yikes.

[barrios43]

I made it 11 weeks + 1 day into Smolov and now two months later I still can't squat. It is a wretched bitch, no doubt.
what were the gains like?

[Stevedore86]

You are aware that the program will just about kill you right? It is a more advanced PL'ing program, and you are pushing the limits of overtraining.


I get tired just reading the template


Leg size... You're asking a section of the forum that trains in order to gain strength, you know?


^ THIS... or maybe it's These....

Anyways, to summarize the above points:
-Your goal =size
-Smolov goal= PL type strength

It is the wrong type of program for your goals at this point. It won't get you what you want and it might kill you/destroy your recovery and ability to train for some time. Yes, trying Smolov might set you back more than it would help.

Maybe you should post your current routine and/or what you have tried in the past?

[RyHam]

what were the gains like?

Oh, they were exceptional. I did them with ATG squats (for Oly lifting) and went from 275 to 325. My thighs also grew by an inch (I have stretch marks on my hammies).

I don't back squat anymore, but my front squat now is significantly higher than it was before the program. My max clean and snatch also went up by about 20lbs each.

In 3 months I will probably do the base cycle for front squats.

[str8flexed]

smolov = hell

i did it for two weeks and just couldn't keep up. my body wasn't recovering right and i was always tired.

that is how smolov is suppossed to feel

[FasterThanLight]

Oh, they were exceptional. I did them with ATG squats (for Oly lifting) and went from 275 to 325. My thighs also grew by an inch (I have stretch marks on my hammies).

I don't back squat anymore, but my front squat now is significantly higher than it was before the program. My max clean and snatch also went up by about 20lbs each.

In 3 months I will probably do the base cycle for front squats.

I am 4 weeks into it. Good to see your results were positive from it.

[str8flexed]

for the record, i'm in the switching phase right now. When I maxed after the first 3 week mesocycle i went from 520 lb max to 545 and my legs grew a quarter of an inch

[gewaltiger]

lolz

[notsostrong]

i did it a long time ago. gained 50lbs on my squat after doing the program and my legs stayed the same size

[PotKettleBlack]

that is how smolov is suppossed to feel
That's why it's too impractical for me. That's why I've never done it. Well, that, and I'm a wimp! :D

[SoaringSwine]

Do 20 rep squats, much better suited to your goal.

[FasterThanLight]

for the record, i'm in the switching phase right now. When I maxed after the first 3 week mesocycle i went from 520 lb max to 545 and my legs grew a quarter of an inch

yeah, you never told us how that went. Nice result! I am not sure how much my max went up, because my RM went down from 365x2 to 335x2 before I started Smolov. Last week I maxed after a 3 week initial cycle and got 365x2 but with a better form. Also, I think my legs were not in the best condition that week I think I could have gotten more. But I am still continuing with the program.

[LeakyQuesadilla]

starting my smolov tmrw..

[someonefat]

**** smolov I've seen a lot of people injure themselves on that mad man program. If your pretty advanced lifter it might be worth trying, but if your seriously doing it how its designed-using real maximum, squatting atg high bar beltless- you are going to be crippled for a month.

There are better programs for size and strength imo without risk.

[str8flexed]

really?

last I checked I wasn't in a wheel chair. In fact smolov made me a much more technical squatter because of the high volume with such heavy weights. I feel so much more confident now when I squat

[barrios43]

starting my smolov tmrw..

you should log it

[FasterThanLight]

**** smolov I've seen a lot of people injure themselves on that mad man program. If your pretty advanced lifter it might be worth trying, but if your seriously doing it how its designed-using real maximum, squatting atg high bar beltless- you are going to be crippled for a month.

There are better programs for size and strength imo without risk.

My back has greatly improved, I have less pain in it.

[twister3634]

I did the 2 week intro, and just finished my first week, and my soreness is noticable the next day, and almost gone the next day, Squatting saturday after Friday is a little tiring, but not impossible, I set the weight 15 pounds lower than my max. i've been eating so much though..