T-Nation Triplex: Periodization, De Vany Interview, and Beta Alanine

Three interesting recent pieces at T-Nation over the past couple weeks or so...

• Periodization Nuts and Bolts. A taste:

  Western periodization yielded what any new training approach, particularly one with weights on non-weight trained subjects, will yield: big initial progress. This progress in the weightroom led to some wise observations (such as high volume builds connective tissue as well as muscle), but also to some very wrong conclusions amongst coaches.

  For example, very quickly, “hypertrophy” became three sets of 8-12. “Strength” became 5 sets of 5, and “power” became 3 sets of 3. Finally, “peaking” became 3 sets of 1-2 reps. Again, while any kind of training is better than nothing, Western or linear periodization isn’t optimal for the needs of high level athletes, targets one area of strength at a time and then ignores it for the rest of the season or cycle, has no back-offs built in, and doesn’t address the individual weaknesses of individual athletes.

• Interesting Art DeVany Interview transcript. Be sure to check the comments for John Berardi's input as well.
• Finally, Beta Alanine sounds like a promising supplement (although the extent of my supplement dabbling begins and ends with a creatine experiment, so I'm hardly an expert).