Ran the Giant 3.0 with 55's for 4 weeks. Sets of 1, 2 or 3. Three times a week. I dutifully followed the program as written and didn't do anything but walk on off-days. In the 4th week, I was able to do 47 sets of 1, 30 sets of 2 and 23 sets of 3. Improvement every week and did not feel gassed. My diet was ok, not a lot of junk, but I was hungry and eating a lot more.
So, yes it works. My shoulders did put on some size. But, there were some drawbacks. I realized, I couldn't do band pull-aparts anymore with the band I own (20-70 lb.) tension. My shoulder muscles were sore and not in the good way. As in muscles were burning. Running it 20 minutes is probably a better idea vs. 30.
Went on vacation. Did nothing but run. Good news is in the Florida heat, I was able to run 5 + miles three times. The last mile and a half was a grind, but I improved my time with every outing. I really enjoyed it to tell you the truth. I had to run with all the food I ate. My buddy and I went to Andre's in Naples with his boy and got the Porterhouse Steak for 3. Life altering. My wife doesn't like the ambience, but it was one of the 3 best steaks I've ever eaten. Took my mother out for her birthday and had a seafood palella with the a lobster at Mediterrano. Hot fudge sundaes every night. Only gained 2 lb. Hanging around 185 right now.
Back at home, I decided to test my max with 55's and 45's. After a few warmup sets, 55 max was 6, 45's I quit at 10 and probably had 5 left in the tank. The difference in the 20 lb. is amazing. It HAS to be mental because the 45's were flying.
Anyway, what to do? Run 3.0 again? I really wasn't feeling it. Run 1.0 with one kettlebell? Meh, seems too much like the Rite Of Passage from Enter the Kettlebell. Been there, done that enough for a lifetime.
There is no order to how to run the 5 programs. So I made the decision to run the Giant 1.2 program. Three days a week. Rep days are 7, 8 and 9. Using the 45's. I'm curious to see if the muscle endurance will help with strength. Or if you don't use it, you lose it. First week did 13 sets of 7, 10 sets of 9 and 12 sets of 8 in 30 minutes. The 9's catch up to you around the 7th set. Feels like a glorified German Volume Training which is 10 sets of 10, except there is autoregulation vs 60 seconds rest between sets.
I'm not resting the other 4 days. I've gone to the gym to do pullups, rows, light band pull-aparts, dips and run. The dips and pullups have felt really strong. My running has come back. Did 3.34 miles in 30 minutes day before yesterday, and did 3 miles in 25:04 today with a 1.0 incline for both. Maybe it's the cleans and presses, who knows. I'm liking the side effect.
I do need to clean up the diet a little. Not gaining weight but not practicing good habits. Eating too much.
