Thanks mate yeah I would say back is probably my genetic strong point so to speak I’ve found heavy weight has really built it
In fact prior to bodybuilding I did a bit of powerlifting and did my first meet totalling
875kg/1925lbs
Squat 330kg/726lbs
Bench 200kg/440lbs
Deadlift 345kg/759lbs
Oh yeah, that's ok I guess coming in just shy of a 2k total
![ROFL :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
. I'm totally kidding that's incredible dude.
As far as your training question, I think we'd first need to define "High Intensity". Are you referring to intensity in the sense of a powerlifter ie % of 1rm or are you meaning it how we often use it on message boards and more of a "high effort / max mechanical tension" sort of meaning?
I was also in the powerlifting world before bodybuilding and between my educational background and real life experience, it's training with the highest degree of mechanical tension possible while eliminating all traces of momentum. My background is in physical therapy so I naturally have the "do no harm" rule as #1 but if the goal is purely muscle on the frame and staying injury free, nobody sets the example like Nick Walker. I'm actually not much of a fan of his physique or his personality but that's besides the point. This is also how he actually put on his muscle.
It's about going progressing as heavy as possible with no momentum but the weight is just the tool, the mechanical tension is what you are chasing and you have to find the right weight to keep it safe and momentum free but also heavy enough that it doesn't turn into an endurance exercise where you stop before getting to that extremely high tension point.
The volume debates get a little tougher. I tend to lean a little more into the Jordan/Dante, higher max effort/failure work for less sets per session. From a physiological perspective it never made sense to me to blast a muscle into oblivion. Plenty of people make progress on high volume, especially when you add in drugs, but more of a JP/Dante style just makes more sense. I also think wires get crossed and people say "oh you can't train like that forever it will kill your joints". This is patently untrue if you train the way Nick Walker does his reps. If you take all...and I literally mean all momentum out of these movements your joints will be like new.
Now the conversation changes a bit if you are still chasing powerlifting because you have prepping for meets and needing to do the actual movements you want to excel in etc. etc.