The origins of German Volume Training
Nevertheless, there is a training system that places a notch above the rest; brutal and difficult, but very effective to gain inches quickly. In the middle of the force this method is called the 10 x 10 method. I prefer to call it German Volume Training (GVT) because it was born in the days of both Germanys. As far as I know this method was popularized in Germany in the mid 70's by Rolf Feser who was at the time the national coach of the weightlifting team. In the United States, Vince Gironda promoted a similar approach. But whoever is at the origin, it is above all a method that has proven itself!
In Germany the 10 series method was used during the general physical preparation phase of weightlifting teams to gain lean mass. This method was so effective that in 12 weeks athletes often climbed to the top weight category. It was the basic program of Jacques Demers, a Canadian weightlifter, silver medalist at the Los Angeles Olympics. Jacques was known in the middle for his huge thighs and he attributes this spectacular level of hypertrophy to German Volume Training. This is the same method that Bev Francis followed to gain weight during his early years of bodybuilding.
It should also be included with a good nutritional support in order to provide all the required raw materials in order to get the maximum use out of any rest that was achieved during the program. Having the correct balance of protein, carbs and good fats is essential to get good results.
The routine listed below is something that should be trained four times a week with a day break between any of the days where you might need a break. It can also be done daily for 4 days followed by 3 days of rest. The adding of weight will again depend on the time rested between sets.
Day One: Chest & Back: Exercise Sets Reps Tempo Rest Intervals A1. Bench Press 5 5 201 0 A2. DB Flyes 5 5 602 60 seconds B1. Incline Bench Press 5 5 201 0 B2. Incline DB Flyes 5 5 602 60 seconds C1. Cable Lats Pulldown 5 5 201 0 C2. DB Rows 5 5 602 60 seconds D1. Barbell Rows 5 5 201 0 D2. Pullovers 5 5 602 60 seconds Day Two: Legs: Exercise Sets Reps Tempo Rest Intervals A1. Squats 5 5 201 0 A2. Lunges 5 5 602 60 seconds B1. Leg Extensions 5 5 201 0 B2. Leg Curl 5 5 602 60 seconds C1. Stiff-Leg Deadlift 5 5 201 0 C2. Hamstring Curls 5 5 602 60 seconds Day Three: Arms: Exercise Sets Reps Tempo Rest Intervals A1. Barbell Curl 5 5 201 0 A2. DB Curl 5 5 602 60 seconds B1. Preacher Curl 5 5 201 0 B2. Reverse Curl 5 5 602 60 seconds C1. Cable Tri Pushdown 5 5 201 0 C2. Skull crushers 5 5 602 60 seconds D1. Close Grip Bench 5 5 201 0 D2. Overhead Extensions 5 5 602 60 seconds Day Four: Shoulders & Abs: Exercise Sets Reps Tempo Rest Intervals A1. DB Press 5 5 201 0 A2. Side Lateral Raise 5 5 602 60 seconds B1. Military Press 5 5 201 0 B2. Bent Over Laterals 5 5 602 60 seconds