What I think Dogmat may be getting at is that DC alternates periods of hard training (4-6 weeks) with easier training (2 weeks). You can end up a bit worn out at the end of it but I cycle my generic bulk identically. Just because 6-8 weeks is about the limits of really pushing up the PR’s before you need a mental and physical break.

Overtraining is definitely not “mandatory” to DC training. And done properly, one takes a week to two weeks off of heavy training before ever seriously overreaching. The whole premise behind DC training is based on working hard but avoiding any sort of severe CNS strain via limited work per workout per bodypart and rotating exercises. Please don’t spread incorrect statements about the program.

You know its funny you mention that,it correlates with my own experience.
And I have something to add to that.

I do dc training,which is heavily taxing to the CNS,and in which ”overtraining”or overreaching is mandatory to the program of sorts.

While I was on the Keto diet,I noticed that I rarely if ever overtaxed my CNS for some reason,which I found rather unusual,and I also had much less water retention. (my strength gains were more linear and constant aswell,even on restricted calories..)

Now that Im back and eating carbs for a couple of months,I noticed as I got more bloated I started overtraining again.

So what im asking is,does puffiness or, a diet structure impact (or salt or whatever dietary factor there could be) the bodies ability to cope with physical exhertion in such a way it can drastically delay these symptoms?
As interestingly myself and clients of the first poster noticed..

Mladen: Yes, Charlie is one of many coaches who has opined that.

Mark: I have never done such, no but that is one use of the approach for sure. It can work under those conditions because the 2 week break is forced by the vacation so they can’t do themselves damage by being too thick to take it voluntarily.

Bryan: Wait for Part 2 and 3.

Gitit: As I stated in the article: “That is, they use short-term overreaching to try and bump fitness to the next level. Usually when their athletes stop adapting to more standard loading parameters. ” Second sentence is the answer to your question.

Let me see if I can answer this from experience. If you are continuing to make gains, remain injury free, and are progressing in your lifts you should be in good shape. I was stubborn and kept pushing myself even though my gains were slowed, and I had warning signs of pending injuries, knees and pecs, which led to a very bad torn pec from the bone. You have to listen to your body, it will tell you when you push yourself in the wrong direction.

Dustin

I realize this is a very general question and the answer will depend on the athlete – I’m hoping you’ll address it at some point and give some guidelines as to when either approach will give superior results in the same time frame.

Say there’s a hypothetical guy who will eventually get overtrained by lifting heavy 6 days per week. You would think that just below what would cause overtraining would be optimal (5 days per week). But is it possible he could make better gains at 4 days per week?

What I’m trying to understand is whether there is a wiggle room area where training more doesn’t provide the absolute highest rate of muscular hypertrophy, but also doesn’t result in overtraining symptoms.

Have you ever made use of intentional shot-term over-reaching in situations where you knew in advance that a trainee was going to be heading off on a vacation (or even doing som travel for work) and either won’t stick to a plan while gone or doesn’t want to do anything while gone? Obviously the specifics of intensity and volume increase would need to be tailored relative to their previous unique high-water marks, but I am just curious if you think this is a decent approach or not worth it in such cases.