hey i just wanted to know what you guys thought of this program. Kevin English (202 Mr. Olympia) supposedly uses it and he also makes his prodigy Nic Medici use it too. I am looking into maybe doing it.
C.A.M.P.
Cycling
Activates Muscle Production
Designed by,
Kevin English, Mr. "202" Olympia, IFBB PRO Bodybuilder
Dr. Michael Camp, CSCS, PES, OCS
The training theory behind our program is based on the concept of periodization. This is the cycling of reps, intensity, and exercises to maximize performance without hitting plateaus. We have read many programs on the internet, all have some points, BUT there is only one thing that determines how far you are going to go. GENETICS!! Science has classified three body types, Mesomorph, Ectomorph, and Endomorph. During Dr. Camp's college years at The University of Maryland, the number one Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology program in the country, research was performed using muscle biopsies. They were looking for a certain gene in muscular individuals vs. non-muscular subjects, and they found it! Modern Science has significantly helped in the performance and metamorphose of today's athletes. But, you still have to have an underlying genetic disposition to be a professional athlete, otherwise we could all be Mr. Olympias, hit 60 home runs, or rush for 2000 yd in the NFL etc..
So what stimulates muscle growth? Extensive research has been done confirming that the body is composed of different fiber types, Type I, IIa and IIb, each contracting at different rates. The research also supports that muscle is contracted by the nervous system as an "all or none" principle. Every athlete has a genetic disposition for their physical makeup, but exercise and training can have a profound impact on changing muscle.
Now we have read on the internet about MANY programs out there and everyone supposedly has the best program ever created. But the program that I have found that works best is Periodization! It's been around forever and basically hit's the nail on the head...KEEP CHANGING THINGS! So this program is nothing new, BUT is developed to a deeper level using the latest research from Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy.
Concepts such as forced reps, negatives, drop-sets, pre-exhausts, super-sets, compound sets, partials, band training, chains...and everything Mike and I have researched and experienced in over 15 years, is utilized in this program. The way in which these techniques are used must be written and planned out to remain in a positive training environment. Research PROVES that the human body WILL NOT respond to the same training technique week after week. So much is involved, basically the nervous system is the first to change, then this causes a neural-hormonal response and then this affects the muscle.
The program we designed also includes INJURY PREVENTION and ANATOMICAL TRAINING. Our program addresses one of the driving factors behind injuries which are muscle imbalances and incorrect training. Mike and I have also included "down days" which we will go into as well. Bodybuilders split their routines to train different body parts. Our program split is as follows:
Sunday- Chest and Shoulders (Anterior & Side Delts and Traps) Reason the shoulder muscles and pectoralis muscles have common functions.
Monday- DOWN DAY-Injury prevention
Tuesday- Back and Rear Delts
Wednesday-DOWN DAY- Injury prevention
Thursday-Biceps and Triceps
Friday- Quad and Hamstrings
Saturday- DOWN DAY- Injury Prevention
Is this program the only way? No, nothing is written in stone. But, again based on anatomy, training intensity, and volume this set-up is optimal for rest and recuperation between body parts, allowing for continuous growth.
Another term we use in our program is TARGET EXERCISE, which is where we choose an exercise or two that our micro cycles are built around.
So what is periodization? In athletic terms...it is developing a program for the entire year to improve an athlete's strength, endurance,and flexibility to enhance performance, while minimizing injury. Periodization is the process of varying a training program at regular time intervals to bring about optimal gains in physical performance. Some proven benefits of periodization are improved muscular endurance, strength, power, motor performance, and/or muscle hypertrophy. The goal of periodizing an exercise program is to optimize training during short ( e.g., weeks, months) as well as long periods of time (e.g., years, a life-time, or an athletic career). Using this concept, a competitive athlete is able to peak physical performance at a particular point in time, such as for a major competition. The same concept works if your goal is overall health and fitness. Periodization will help maximize results in a minimal amount of time! Many training variables can be manipulated in an attempt to optimize the exercise program: the number of sets per exercise, repetitions per set, the types of exercises, number of exercises per training session, rest periods between sets and exercises, resistance used for a set, type and tempo of muscle action (e.g., eccentric, concentric, isometric), and the number of training sessions per day and per week.
In a periodized exercise program, the terms volume and intensity are frequently used. In weight-training programs, the terms intensity refers to the weight lifted in relationship to a maximal strength level (e.g., one repetition maximum), or a multiple repetition maximum (e.g., 10 repetition maximum). The term training volume is used to reference the total number of sets, reps and exercises performed in a strength training program and the distance and/or time of a conditioning program.
Our program is based on a 4-week cycle...again Mesocycles are broken down into microcycles.
Week 1 is for strength and consists of compound exercises and reps at 3-5, choosing 3-4 different exercises. Weights are utilized at 80-90% of 1RM
Week 2 & 3 are hypertrophy phases....volume is more and intensity based on 1 RM is around 65-80% allowing a workout design to utilize different reps.
Week 4 is called endurance phase and utilizes bodybuilding concepts of superset, drop sets, and compound sets.
Again, this program might seem involved, but by charting it, you will make ASTRONOMICAL GAINS!!!
