While most beginner programs focus on compound moves, such as the Big Three—bench press, squat, and deadlift—performed with heavy weight and low reps, Meadows feels that neglects a necessary component of becoming a bodybuilder: the mind-to-muscle connection. Mountain Dog training focuses on maximum muscle growth (hypertrophy) by using isolation exercises performed on machines as a method of developing this all-important link.
“Isolation exercises develop powerful neuromuscular innervation and neural drive, aka the mind-to-muscle connection, by placing mental and neurological focus on a targeted muscle group,” Meadows explains. “If you cannot contract a muscle in isolation, you’ll never be able to fully contract it in a compound movement.”
Edgar Artiga / M+F Magazine
Intensify
We’re not scoffing at compound exercises or strength. Both are necessary, and Mountain Dog training utilizes them, but training for size requires specific intensity techniques and varying sets and reps to stimulate growth.
“By using intensification techniques and effective execution of reps, you’ll create not only an opportunity for muscle growth but also greater potential for strength gains on compound exercises,” Meadows says.
Fantastic Four
Each workout is organized into four distinct phases to achieve optimal hypertrophy while building strength and preventing injury.
PHASE 1 – PRE-PUMP ACTIVATION EXERCISE This movement is easy on your joints, tendons, and ligaments. It allows you to feel the target muscle, serving as a warmup for the compound movement. This exercise is not an isolation movement designed to pre-exhaust; it’s used to pump, not fatigue, the target muscle.
PHASE 2 – EXPLOSIVE EXERCISE This exercise is a compound barbell movement in which the weight is lowered under control and driven up hard and fast. Sets are done by gradually adding weight until you lose speed and can barely keep the bar moving.
PHASE 3 – SUPRA-MAXIMAL PUMP EXERCISE Your intention is to maximize blood flow and metabolic stress. You’ll hammer the target muscle with high-intensity techniques and pump it to its limit with dropsets, partial reps, and forced reps.
PHASE 4 – LOADED STRETCHING EXERCISE The goal is to get a complete and safe range of motion with the target muscle being fully elongated. In addition to these dynamic loaded stretching moves, do loaded static stretching at the end of the workout to encourage greater elongation of the muscle belly.
The Plan
Skill level
Beginner
Days per week
4
Type
Muscle Endurance, Strength Training
Training Split
You’ll follow this split: two days on, one off, one on, one off. On the sixth day, cycle through the split again.
