Vince Gironda's 8x8

I typically fly on a 5x5 routine, and for a while it worked well for me, but that was when I was working 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and had a wonderful schedule that I did not falter from. I could hit the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with Heavy, Light and Medium days and great gains. I then changed jobs, changed schedules and had another child. I was at the point where I made it to the gym, maybe, twice a month. I gained fat and lost muscle. Finally, I got sick of it and bought my own equipment and made space in my house. Now, I'm not going to be dead lifting 300 pounds in my rec room, so I needed something new, so I researched the 8x8 program. From the different sites I have been reading, it seems there is no set exercises for this routine. Kind of just having chest, back and leg days, but with four or five sets of 8x8 reps. Dead lifts are not recommended with this routine, however, but I never was one to really adhere to instruction, so, at some point I'll be throwing them in. The conditioning needed for this routine is nuts. I'm only working my squats at 135 pounds, but I'm also doing 64 total reps, with minimal rest between sets. Supposedly, this is supposed to blast your body into hypertrophy. We'll see. I don't suppose anybody else on this forum has any experience with this type of routine?



It's also a routine that can be found on Old School Trainer. No wonder I'm drawn to it.
 
I don't see any issue with the 8 x 8 concept. Good mix of strength and endurance, ideal for gradual growth and recovery improvement.
No deadlifts! Hardly old school, more old fool. The very idea!
 
I won't dead 8x8. I'm sure that would wreck my lower back anyway. I can start my routine out with a lower range just to get it in. What I'm really having trouble with is dips. I really want to get my dips into a respectable range. Right now, they're either 3x5 or 5x3, and I have to concentrate hard to keep leaning forward to target my chest. I was thinking of using a resistance band around my neck to help pull my body forward to not hit my tri's so much.
 
Not sure on the idea of using a band to force technique on bodyweight work. Largely because I have never done it so don't know the risks.
Control of the dip angle comes from the head so use sighting to get you in position. Basically look at a line and follow it down by moving your body not your eyes. To put pressure on the tris you would keep your eyes fixed on a point just ahead of you. To do so on your chest, start looking ahead then work your way down toward the floor with your eyes to make you lean forward.
Sighting is a ballet trick that works in many areas.
 
That's what I do now, but I feel like I'm just not getting a good angle. Maybe my balance is just off. I was hoping a resistance band around my neck attached to the legs of my tower would help pull me forward a bit.
 
I tend to work at keeping my body fixed, so my head comes forward and legs go back pivoting on the arms.
It takes a bit of doing but it may help.
 
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