Mash Method
Mash Method
Mash Method
RIGHT NOW.
I’ve structured this guide to give you the core concept in the
first few pages. It will only take you a few minutes. You can
stop reading after that if you want, and you’ll still benefit
from the Mash Method.
I did this to save you time. But I also did this because I
want you to take action.
You can use this simple but powerful method for yourself. In your
next training session, you can set a PR. Over time, your strength will
greatly increase. You can ramp up your hypertrophy and athleticism.
If there’s one thing I’m known for – it’s getting people strong.
Strength programming is my art. It’s my passion.
HOW TO USE IT
Maybe it’ll be best to show you how you can use a simple version
of the Mash Method immediately.
For example: If you wanted to PR your back squat with 405, put
even heavier weight on the bar – about 105% or 110% of your max
(around 445 would work). Then unrack 445, walk it out, and hold it
for about 15 seconds. Then rack it.
You could use heavy walk outs for front squats. For benching,
you could unrack a heavier weight and simply hold it at lock out for
a few seconds.
Take squatting with bands, for instance. With the bands anchored
to the ground, you’ll have extra tension on the bar as you ascend.
You’ll be able to handle the weight in the bottom of the squat (the
toughest part of the lift), while experiencing increasing weight as
you get into the upper portion of the lift.
The Mash Method helps you lift a little more every session. You’re
lifting more weight for more reps. You can have greater intensity
and more volume. You can go heavier for more time under tension.
All of this leads to more gains.
I have used the Mash Method to improve absolute strength,
general strength, hypertrophy, as well as athletic elements like
speed and vertical leap.
You could stop reading here and hopefully you’d still get a
ton of value from the Mash Method. But if you want to dive
in further, the rest of this book will provide you with some
great protocols for effectively using the Mash Method in
your programming.
Try a heavy walk out at your next squat session. You will
experience the Mash Method firsthand... and then your
mind will be spinning with all the possibilities.
PART II: DEEPER INTO
THE MASH METHOD
HOW I USED THE MASH METHOD
In my own personal training, I used a program similar to what
Louie Simmons of Westside Barbell prescribes with dynamic days
and max effort days. But really I just went heavy very often.
WEEK 1
• 12 sets of 2 reps with 50% straight weight + blue bands
• Then work up to a heavy double with bands
• Then 1-3RM without bands
WEEK 2
• 10 sets of 2 reps with 55% straight weight + blue bands
• Then work up to a heavy double with bands
• Then 1-3RM without bands
WEEK 3
• 8 sets of 2 reps with 60% straight weight + blue bands
• Then work up to a heavy double with bands
• Then 1-3RM without bands
WEEK 4
• 5 sets of 2 reps with 50% straight weight + blue bands
• Then work up to a heavy double with bands
• Then 1RM without bands
Let’s say I worked up in the squat to 625lb bar weight plus the
blue bands, which is 825lb total weight at the top. If my max is
800lb, that’s a total of 103% of my max squat. At the bottom of the
squat, the bands will deload to about 30% of their original strength
- so that leaves about 685lb of total intensity at the bottom portion
or 83% of maximum. 83% isn’t that hard or taxing on the CNS. I was
able to squat this weight easily, and I was able to excite my nervous
system for 825lb at the same time.
When I would take the bands off and work up to a max single –
let’s say 805lb - my nervous system had been prepared for 825lb.
All of this gave me an advantage to hit PRs on a regular basis.
• First work up to 85-90% full range of motion, and then add the
boards
• Work set #1 - 95% of max (max projected off full range of
motion bench) to a board for 2 reps contrasted with 90% full
range of motion
• Work set #2 - 100% of max (max projected off full range of
motion bench) to a board for 2 reps contrasted with 95% full
range of motion
• Work set #3 - 103% of max (max projected off full range of
motion bench) to a board for 2 reps contrasted with 98% full
range of motion
• Work set #4 - 105% of max (max projected off full range of
motion bench) to a board for 1 rep contrasted with new 1RM
with full range of motion
WEEK 1
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% band tension) 12 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 2
• Step 1 - (55% straight weight + 25% band tension) 10 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 3
• Step 1 - (60% straight weight + 25% band tension) 8 x 2 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 4
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% band tension) 5 x 2 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1RM
WEEK 1
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 12 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 2
• Step 1 - (55% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 10 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1-3 RM
WEEK 3
• Step 1 - (60% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 8 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1-3 RM
WEEK 4
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 5 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1RM
• Step 1 - Work up to 90% full range of motion squat for 1-2 reps
• Step 2 - 90% straight weight + 10% weight releaser weight for
1-2 reps
• Step 3 - 95% straight weight + 10% weight releaser weight for
1 rep
• Step 4 - Max back squat
SQUAT WALKOUTS
This is my wife’s favorite, and it has helped her squat 325lb raw
at 138lb bodyweight. It’s definitely a good one to try especially if
heavy weight psychs you out.
WEEK 1
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% band tension) 8 x 3 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 2
• Step 1 - (55% straight weight + 25% band tension) 6 x 3 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 3
• Step 1 - (60% straight weight + 25% band tension) 5 x 3 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 4
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% band tension) 5 x 2 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the bands keeping it at
around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1RM
BENCH WITH CHAINS
WEEK 1
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 8x3 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1-3 RM
WEEK 2
• Step 1 - (55% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 6x3 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 3
• Step 1 - (60% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 5x3 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1-3 RM
WEEK 4
• Step 1 - (50% straight weight + 25% chain tension) 5 x 2 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy double with the chains, keeping it
at around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take chains off and work up to a 1RM
BENCH WITH BOARDS
I’ve already talked a bit about this one earlier in the book. However,
I would like to point out that there are several ways to periodize the
use of boards. I normally make these a staple of most powerlifting
programs I write. You could start with a three-board and work to a
one-board in three-week waves. You could start with a focus on a
3RM and work to singles. You get it.
• Step 1 - Work up to 85% full range of motion to chest for 1-3 reps
• Step 2 - Choose a 1-3 board for 95% of max bench for 1-3 reps
• Step 3 - Perform 90% full range of motion to chest for 1-2 reps
• Step 4 - A 1-3 board for 100% of max bench for 1-3 reps
• Step 5 - Perform 95% full range of motion to chest for 1-2 reps
• Step 6 - A 1-3 board for 105% of max bench for 1-3 reps
• Step 7 - Perform 98% full range of motion to chest for 1-2 reps
• Step 8 - A 1-3 board for 108-110% of max bench for 1 rep
• Step 9 - Max bench press
WEEK 1
• Step 1 - (60% straight weight + 25% band tension) 12 x 1 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy single with the bands, keeping it at
around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 2
• Step 1 - (65% straight weight + 25% band tension) 10 x 1 with
60 sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy single with the bands, keeping it at
around a 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3RM
WEEK 3
• Step 1 - (70% straight weight + 25% band tension) 8 x 1 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy single with the bands, keeping it at
around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1-3 RM
WEEK 4
• Step 1 - (60% straight weight + 25% band tension) 5 x 1 with 60
sec between sets
• Step 2 - Work up to a heavy single with the bands, keeping it at
around an 8-9 RPE
• Step 3 - Take bands off and work up to a 1RM
OLYMPIC LIFTS
Right now we have only slightly experimented with the Mash
Method and the Olympic lifts. We did use it at the 2015 American
Open with great success. Since there were nearly 1,000 competitors,
our lifters were finding themselves 12 attempts out between their
first and second attempts and then again between their second
and third attempts. Instead of two major waves that would have
zapped their energy, we chose to do pulls.
Each time we ended with around 105% of the attempt that they
were about to take. We tried to time it about one to three minutes
before they were to go on stage. Zach Greenwald was there to
witness this for one or two of the sessions. We had incredible luck
with this technique. It worked five out of the seven times we tried it
that weekend.
WAVE TRAINING
Dragomir Cioroslan talked about the PAP Method as far back
as the early ‘90s. He was one of my first coaches in Olympic
weightlifting, so I got to experience some of his methods firsthand.
He mainly used waves to elicit PAP. Here’s what it might have
looked like:
• Set 1 - 70% x 3
• Set 2 - 80% x 2
• Set 3 - 85% x 1
• Set 4 - 73% x 3
• Set 5 - 83% x 2
• Set 6 - 88% x 1
• Set 7 - 75% x 2-3
• Set 8 - 85% x 2
• Set 9 - 90% x 1
Here’s a sample way you could use the Mash Method to get
jacked and strong:
WEEKS 1-3
• Set 1 - Work up to 83% x 3
• Set 2 - 60% x 10 reps
• Set 3 - Add 5-10 lb to your first triple for another set of 3
• Set 4 - Add 5-10 lb to your first set of 10 for another set of 10
• Set 5 - Add 5 lb to your prior set of 3 for another set of 3
• Set 6 - Add 5 lb to your first set of 10 for the final set of 10
WEEKS 4-7
• Set 1 - Work up to 90% x 1 rep
• Set 2 - 75% x 5-6 reps
• Set 3 - Add 5 lb to your first set of 1 rep
• Set 4 - Add 5 lb to your first set of 5-6 reps for another 5
• Set 5 - Add 5 lb to your prior set of 1 rep for another 1 rep
• Set 6 - Add 5 lb to your prior set of 5-6 reps for another 5
You could use this periodization scheme for squat, front squat,
bench press, strict press, push press, or even deadlifts. I am actually
going to try this very scheme starting the day I am writing this. Again,
I have to give credit to my man Charles Poliquin for the inspiration.
CONTRAST TRAINING FOR
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
Most of the time people refer to post activation potentiation
when using a strength movement in conjunction with a powerful
ballistic movement like plyometrics or sprinting. My man, Coach
Joe DeFranco, is famous for using PAP in his speed training – which
he calls contrast training. One example is where he uses heavy sled
drags in contrast with short sprints. I have also used heavy prowlers
with great success. I will admit right now I use this method with all
of my sport athletes with amazing results.
You can use the Vertimax alone for post activation potentiation.
Simply perform some resisted jumps, and then take the bands off
and perform non-resisted jumps. We always finish with non-resisted
jumps when using the Vertimax.
CONCLUSION
That’s a simple and brief introduction to the Mash Method. I
used a lot of these methods in my own training, and I continue
to use them during the training of my athletes. If you want to set
personal records, this is a way to do it right now. I would set over
100 goals I wanted to break for each twelve-week cycle. Normally I
would hit 75 of those goals at least. Looking back, it was the Mash
Method that allowed that to happen.
Of course another aspect of looking back is I wish I had been
a little more reserved - particularly with heavy band tension in the
bench press. I would have probably lasted a lot longer. I suggest
that you guys experiment with a lot of these methods, but use them
wisely. Remember the Golden Rule of Strength: “Get the most out
of the least.”
If you’re thinking about using this material, please be smart. Don’t participate
in strenuous exercise unless cleared by a competent medical professional.
Heavy weights can be dangerous, so only perform these exercises if you can
do so safely. If you follow any of these programs or perform any of these
exercises, you do so at your own risk.