The Primordial Principle

By Joe Mullen

The Primordial Principle is a name I have given a concept of training that means an elemental principle. This concept returns us to the basic premise of progressive exexcise: working a muscle against resistance, but with a new slant.

In the chapter on Cumulative Contraction Training, I discussed the concept of lifting a weight to the count of seven and lowering it quickly.

The Primordial Principle takes this concept one-step farther. It requires a four-second positive contraction but the negative rep will also require a seven-second movement.

This concept is a combination hyper repetition, combined with a slow, controlled, cumulative contraction. In addition, believe me; you have to feel it to believe it.

It is the only method allowing a complete, high intensity muscle contraction, during the positive and negative phase.

The five second concentric contraction allows a longer period for muscle tension, muscle con traction force, and will activate many muscle fibers.

The same applies to the eccentric phase; it allows greater time-span for the muscle to be fully exercised against proper resistance; allowing you to resist with more force; and will involve more total muscle fibers.

A workout using the Primordial Principle is brutal: There is no other way to say it. It will completely exhaust your muscles and turn them to jelly.

The lactic acid build-up or "burn" is incredibly intense.

Be prepared to be in temporary pain. Because of its intensity, it is best to very slowly work your way into a complete Primordial workout.

Do not attempt a complete workout, using this principle, until you are properly prepared mentally and physically.

The positive movement is difficult enough when it take five seconds, but with your training partner applying a seven second negative, as your resist -it becomes devastating.

Yes, for the negative movement, you follow the same procedure as with a Hyper Negative Workout. Your training partner applies resistance for every negative rep. Refer to the chapter on Hyper Workouts for the proper procedure.

You will not need a lot of weight for a workout like this. Use about 70 percent of your usual weight. It will be plenty. 70 percent is a guide figure, start with that amount and then adjust it according to your abilities.

Attempt to get eight good reps and work up to ten before you increase the resistance. Then increase the resistance by a minimal amount; do not perform less than five reps with the new increase, if you do, you are using too much resistance.

The Primordial Principle requires the utmost coordination and concentration between you and your training partner.

Because it is a very intense workout, you will find that you will flame out quickly. After a few weeks, you will want to discontinue training with this concept. This is a normal experience.

Switch to another method of training for a while.

Remember, eight compound movements are enough for a program like this one. Two workouts per week are the maximum you should do.