Paul Marsland

I, like many other IART students, have followed a similar path, to where am I in my current training & philosophy today. When I first started training some 10+ years ago, I was heavily influenced by the physique and writings of Mr Universe Mike Mentzer. Following his advice in the muscle magazines during that time set me on the path of high intensity type training as it is commonly known. During my early lifting days, I used the typical 3- alternate day, whole body routines, as espoused by Mentzer & Arthur Jones, with, when looking back in retrospect, not very good results! But boy did I train hard! Still I stuck with them, as they made so much sense, in theory, that it had to work... right? The premise that one should train for strength and that the size would follow was a philosophy that I maintained for many, many years although, to be fair, as my strength increased, my size did also, just not to the same degree. I was later to come to realise, why.

I eventually modified my approach, after reading the book Brawn by Stuart McRobert, which deals with the typical genetically average trainee. My focus, became even more strength orientated, as in order to be deemed successful, the HardGainer, as it was coined, should aim for a 300lbs Bench Press, 400lbs Squat and 500lbs Deadlift. Two of the feats I achieved & surpassed, with a 500lbs Parallel Squat & a 520lbs Trap Bar Deadlift. I could never quite allude to the 300lbs Bench, with a best of 230lbs all for a single rep.

As the years went by, my interest in the science aspect of training has grown immensely, and I began exploring and reading other materials and resources on the concept of exercise science. My initial interest in high intensity exercise, which purported to be based on logical principles, led me to discover the I.A.R.T and its materials. At first I poked around the web site, looking at a few articles, which caught my eye, and thought nothing else of it. At that time I was using, what was for me, a natural evolution in my HIT workouts and philosophy. I was also looking to reduce the strain on my joints, so I settled on a SuperSlow exercise protocol, which advocated training with a high level of intensity ("no problem", I thought) and using a slow, controlled rep cadence (10/5 or 10/10) with reduced weights. It fit the bill perfectly... for a while.

My initial results were pleasing, but as my strength steadily increased from workout to workout, whereas my size slowly increased and at sometimes stagnated. I continued on, regardless, as the SIZE would eventually follow, or so I thought.

By now, I had become a regular on various discussion boards, one of which dealt with the SuperSlow protocol. I made a few posts, content with my current knowledge. I had also, at this time and through sheer curiosity, bought the I.A.R.T. book Prescribed Exercise, and at first simply dismissed what was being said as rubbish! The purchase of this book, though, allowed me onto the IART round table, a discussion board for the more advanced topics of exercise science.

I initially thought to myself " I've studied plenty of HIT material, and I know my stuff" Big mistake. While I had a broad understanding of the principles of exercise science, I was to be in for a big shock. When questioned on the IART board to clarify and validate a statement, which I had made on the SuperSlow board, I was dumbfounded. At first I thought, " Who are you to question me, Brian Johnston? Just because you wrote a book, big deal" I've never even heard of you, until now!
The reality was, though, I couldn't clarify my statement and I felt humiliated. But my interest had been sparked, so I began to delve a little deeper... to see "just who this guy was?" I mean, I thought I knew all the current HIT authors, as it turns out Brian is not a proponent of the HIT philosophy and with good reason (in a nutshell, he treats exercise generally, in that all programs are governed by the same princples and contain the same elements [e.g., reps, sets, rest, tension time, frequency, effort, etc.], but the measure of those principles and elements varies from one person to another).

I e-mailed Brian, apologising for my initial reaction, of which he responded in kind. Explaining why he detests discussion boards, as it's hard to purvey just what you are trying to say in text. I then decided to purchase some more of his materials, which is where I am today. Through countless e-mails with Brian, who truly must have the patience of a saint, my understanding of the principles of exercise science has grown beyond what I could have imagined. While I still believe that one should train with a high level of intensity, I don't consider mysel a "pure" HIT student anymore. When asked, I would answer I follow the I.A.R.T.'s philosophy of Prescribed Exercise, which consists of specific physiological principles, all interlinked and non-contradictory, which measures are relevant to the needs, goals, abilities, limitations, and preferences of the individual.

By following and applying these principles, I'm experiencing some of my best gains ever. I still have much to learn, but I'm thoroughly enjoying the process. In closing. I would like to say that I am truly proud to call myself a student of the I.A.R.T. and its founder, Brain D Johnston.

Myself at a friend's house at the completion of a 440lbs Stiff Legged Deadlift, with a 2 Inch Diameter bar.