My first exposure to the idea of “proper” high-frequency training (including training twice or even thrice in a single day) came from a relatively unknown figure called Jamie Lewis.
He operated (and maybe still operates, haven’t checked in a while) a blog called “Chaos and Pain”. It’s not a blog I recommend reading if you are at all sensitive or prudish, as it contains heaps of gore, pr0n, and profanity.
Probably why I don’t visit the site any more, actually.
Anyway, no amount of filth can take away from Lewis’ exceptional achievements, which include breaking a powerlifting record that had stood for forty years (a 1705lbs total at 181lbs bodyweight) among other things. What’s even better/hilarious is that he allegedly only got into it to prove the efficacy of his methods, which are totally unlike anything espoused by “mainstream” powerlifting thinking.
I started reading his stuff way back in 2010 while I was at University, but didn’t start implementing some of the principles of his teachings into my own training until I graduated and started shift work proper.
It appealed because when you work shifts (especially rotating shifts) or have an unpredictable schedule in general, it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to follow a lifting routine with fixed days. Either because you’ll be working the whole time the gym is open or so damn tired it’d be downright dangerous to attempt to train hard and heavy.
Suffice it to say, you need to find a way around this otherwise you’ll wind up going through the motions and making no progress or else quitting training altogether.
One such way when you have long runs of days off on the bounce is to make the absolute most out of at least some of them, perhaps “doubling up” and doing a morning and evening session on a handful of those days.
You’ve gotta be really careful doing this, as it’s perilously easy to do “too much” and burn out. But if you’re in the situation where you have a lot of days in a row when you CAN’T train (e.g. because you work 12+ hours, are on nights, etc.), you’re not going to be short of time to recover from a little extra work when you can squeeze it in.
Take note: I said “a little extra work”. You absolutely don’t want to be smashing out two (or three) intense workouts in a single day. That is dumb and you will hurt yourself. Probably very badly.
But when you get it right, it’s a decently effective way to keep moving forward when life gives you lemons.
Certainly was for me for the better part of three years.
The reason I am telling you this is that “doubling up” safely and sustainably is covered in some detail inside November’s very special issue of The Phil Tyreman Letter.
This monstrous (52 instead of the usual 20ish page) issue contains what I have called “Operation: Winnow”.
It’s far and away the most effective fat burning protocol I have hitherto composed (not saying my others are inadequate, only that this one has potential to deliver results more swiftly for those with the time, discipline, and interest to give it a good go).
I will be selling it as a standalone book at some point. And when I do it will cost an order of magnitude more (circa £150) than the £20 you’ll get it for as a Phil Tyreman Letter subscriber.
Subscription fees may (stress: may) be going up soon, too, depending on what fiscal shenanigans our glorious leaders have planned for the November budget.
That last point is not for definite, so don’t make your decision on that factor alone. It’s just something to consider.
Whatever the case, you will be immune to this potential and any future increases, other than those pertaining to the cost of materials and postage.
Subscribe here:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman