BEN PAKULSKI: “Neurological overload set training is something I do that contributes to muscle growth and overcoming plateaus. On the final set of a given exercise — usually for each exercise in a workout — I perform four consecutive drop sets in 20% increments and try to knock off at least 5–6 reps with each weight. I find this to be a great way to overload the muscle, as well as overload the nervous system to force adaptation.
An example of NOS would be lateral raises for shoulders. I choose to do laterals seated because it removes one variable of cheating. My typical NOS set for laterals would look something like this: 70-pound dumbbells for 6–8 reps, then 55s for 6–8, 40s for 6–8 and finally 30s for 10 reps.”
BEN PAKULSKI’S SHOULDER WORKOUT
Bent-Over Lateral Raises| SETS: 5 | REPS: 12*
Seated Lateral Raises| SETS: 5 | REPS: 8*
Machine Overhead Presses| SETS: 5 | REPS: 10
Reverse Pec-Deck Flyes| SETS: 4 | REPS: 10
Cable Lateral Raises| SETS: 3 | REPS: 15
Upright Rows| SETS: 4 | REPS: 10*
*Perform an NOS set (four drop sets where the weight is decreased 20% each time) on the last set.
Training Tip #1: Pakulski only trains shoulders once every other week because it’s a strong body part that tends to overpower others. When he does train delts, he likes to use high volume (i.e., 26 total sets in this sample workout).
Training Tip #2: The first compound movement doesn’t show up until the third exercise in the workout. This pre-exhausts the delts to ensure that the triceps won’t give out before then.
