Aric Randall

I began training when I was about 15 years old using the good ol' high volume approach. I started at a body weight of 120 pounds (about 5'6"). Over the years I continued training off and on with a high volume approach, trying every imaginable split program you can think of. Off the top of my head, I used 3 on and 1 off... also the Bulgarian power burst training, Cybergenics routine (yes, the one that came with the supplements), 8 x 8, 10 x 10, all 167 Weider Principles, and so forth (you get the idea). I have tried most supplements and would probably spend a minimum of $100 a month on various products. Throughout all my volume training, I did put on some mass, but nothing spectacular.

In December of 1997, I was really becoming sick and tired of spending most of my time in the gym and most of my money on supplements (and still not making good gains). This is when I got hooked up to the net and discovered the writings of Mike Mentzer. I visited his website daily and ordered Heavy Duty I and II.

In January of 1998, I decided to give high intensity training a try and started on Mentzer's consolidation routine. I finally started to make good gains. About 6 months later I started reading some of Brian Johnston's articles and writings on the internet, and even had a phone consultation with Brian... he set me up on a routine consolidation style for starters.

It is September 2000 at the time of writing this and I continue to thrive on high intensity training. My gains have been slower as of late, but this is just a part of the challenge of training. I am working hard on finding an "optimal" frequency and dose of training that will help me continue gaining. I am currently using one full body workout per week and am finally counting my TUL and using strict rep cadences (about 6/6). I have also added one 10 minute cardio session per week, a la BDJ. I get most of my training ideas from the IART RoundTable, visiting it daily.

I am currently at a fairly solid 190 pounds, 5' 8", have 17" arms and am fairly happy with my current progress (although a solid 200 pounds is my ultimate goal). I don't spend my life in the gym, I don't use any supplements, and my life is a lot more rounded with the use of high intensity "Prescribed Exercise."

As you can see from my latest picture, the one arm shark curl is my most important biceps exercise (still no great peak though). Thanks to Brian and everyone else that contributes to and endorses proper exercise protocols. It has worked for me and obviously many others.