Wave Loading

So in my disgust of not having worked out since Saturday (sounds excessive to some I suppose, but I didn't really get all that much exercise last week) I decided to go to the gym and begin the Strength 1 phase of the New Rules of Lifting book.  The Strength phases are interesting in that the authors introduce a method of lifting called wave loading, essentially you're tricking your muscles into lifting weights that you would not usually be able to lift.  The first day's set of wave loading was on squats.  I love doing squats; I'm a big fan of all leg exercises in general really, but squats and dead lifts are my two personal favorite exercises, period.  The idea is that you start of with doing 6 reps of a challenging weight, then 1 rep of a very challenging weight, a weight that is very close to your 1-rep max.  Follow that up by another 6 rep set of weight that is heavier than the weight from the first set, and follow that with one more 1 rep set, but this time with a weight even higher than the previous 1 rep.  The idea is that after the first 1 rep, your body remembers the heavier weight, and when you do the next 6 reps, those weights should feel easier.  The psychological boost, helps your muscles to get the heaviest lift out without a problem.

These 4 sets are then followed up with two lighter sets; one set of 10-12 reps, and a last set of 15-20 reps.  Honestly, it's these last two sets that really kill me, my legs were absolutely fried and it felt wonderful.  I'm still feeling rather rubbery going up and down the stairs, but there's a startling amount of spring in my step.  I'm just slightly disappointed with myself for not completing the rest of the workout after the squats, but my textbooks were calling.  I can't afford to risk my studies just to progress in the gym.

Tomorrow is upper-body day, concentrating on wave loading for chest and the lats.  That's going to be interesting!  Anyway, back to the books...no real training this week, so the gym is my catharsis from all the tests and papers over the next couple weeks/

Wish me luck!