When delving deep into the world of strength training, one quickly discovers that there's no shortage of methodologies, each with its own distinct philosophy and approach. Among these, two methodologies that have caught my attention and admiration are John Meadows’ Mountain Dogg and Dante Trudel’s Doggcrapp. Both are hallmarked by their unrelenting intensity and laser focus on muscle growth, making them especially effective during a bulking phase. Here, I present a fusion of these two systems, tailored to maximize growth and intensity.

1. Resting Phase - Merging Meadows and Trudel:

  • John Meadows' Approach: Meadows recommends a Deload phase, spanning a week. During this time, the key is restraint. Daily volume is slashed by 20%, no set is pushed to failure, and the maximum RPE is pegged at 8.
  • Dante Trudel’s Perspective: Trudel's 'cruising phase' is slightly longer, ranging from one to two weeks. The emphasis here is on ditching advanced techniques and steering clear of failure sets.
  • My Take: Drawing from both, my preferred approach is to adapt Meadows' Deload phase but integrate Dante's advanced techniques. When executing myo-reps, the goal is to push past failure, albeit without overburdening the muscles with excessive weight. Additionally, to optimize muscle flexibility and recovery, a one-minute extreme stretch is introduced at each session's end.

2. The Intensity Phase - Melding Intensity and Overload:

  • Meadows' Overload Phase: The philosophy here is twofold: ramp up repetitions every week and employ exercises that elevate blood flow, thereby enhancing muscle fascia separation.
  • Trudel’s Blasting Phase: Dante champions a slightly different approach. Volume takes a backseat; instead, the focus shifts to heavier loads.
  • My Take: Why not have the best of both worlds? A hybrid model that incrementally increases both volume and weight every week. The crescendo is a final phase that embodies Dante's emphasis on low-volume, high-load sets taken to failure, juxtaposed with Meadows' pump phase. And as a nod to Dante, every session culminates with his signature extreme stretches.

3. Structure - Embracing Balance and Intensity:

  • Meadows' Division: A balanced Pull, Push, Legs regimen executed six days a week.
  • Trudel’s Division: A more split-based approach, Routine A zeroes in on the upper body (chest, shoulders, triceps, and back), and Routine B targets the lower body (biceps, forearms, calves, hamstrings, and quadriceps), spaced over three days.
  • My Take: I lean towards Meadows' structure. It offers balance and ensures that muscle groups are adequately targeted and rested. Moreover, it seamlessly aligns with the intensity I seek.

4. Exercise Selection - Marrying Basics with Variety:

While Dante is a proponent of foundational exercises, Meadows offers a broader palette. My inclination is towards Meadows' expansive exercise roster but supercharged with Dante's high-intensity techniques like Myo-reps, rest-pause, and extreme stretches. Additionally, elastic bands, as suggested by Meadows, can serve as an effective pre-activation tool.

In Conclusion:

In this fusion, I've attempted to harness the raw intensity of Doggcrapp with the strategic, varied approach of Mountain Dogg. Like any training regimen, it requires dedication, adaptation, and a keen understanding of one's body. But for those willing to embark on this journey, the promise is a uniquely effective pathway to muscular growth and strength.