I want to begin the break-in routine this monday and then move into one of the programs after the desginated break-in period, but a number of questions not really addressed in the book unless I'm missing something....

1. How far do you push yourself on each set? Do you go to failure, just short of failure, or what? And do you push yourself to the same level on each set? or failure on the last but almost failure on the others?

2. In routines where your reps go down with each set, such as 15-12-10, are you supposed to up the weight with each set so that you max out at 12, then up the weight again so you max out at 10?

3. In routines such as the break-in where you do the same number of reps in each set do you keep the same weight for each set or do you raise or lower the weight?

4. He talked about the idea of always upping your weight, but doesn't specify with the programs when and how do raise it? Should you raise your weight for a particular exercise every week, or every time you do that particular routine and if you happen to end up doing it twice in a given week you still up it that same week?

5. He mentioned flexibility in the program, so I'm assuming if you choose a program that calls for you to be on fat loss II for 4 weeks and then go to hypertrophy for 4 weeks, that if you want to change that hypertrophy part to fat loss III you can do that if you're wanting to get rid of more fat. Or maybe just stick with fat loss II for 6 weeks instead of 4 weeks?

I think that about covers it....

I'm not trying to be mean by not answering your questions, but I think you'll learn a lot from acctually reading the book.

It seems like you have just skipped to the workout programs.

All the answers are in there, (I remember reading them).
Just read the book thru and you'll be fine.

I wouldn't jump into a program like this by just skipping to the programs. It is possible I missed it, but I doubt that the book specifically addresses all of the questions i've asked. I remember reading about the CONCEPT of upping your weights as you go and not sticking to the same weight, but don't recall seeing anything telling you specifically how to go about it. Do you do it each week, or do you do it each time you do that particular routine even if it's in the same week??

so no one knows that answer to this? i re-read the book and the only thing I found that even partially addresses my questions is a statement you're not supposed to push yourself to maxing out....

You're essentially asking the same question a few different ways. The book explains that you should use a weight that you can complete the exercise with correct form.

Obviously, you don't want to use 15 lbs for every exercise just to stay in form... but no one can give you the exact weight you should use for each set, or how much you should increase it.

Only you can choose when you up the weight.

Personally I up the weight all the time. If I dont finish the set But get over half way thru the reps I call it a day.
But If I push less than half the reps, then I drop down a weight and add an extra set to the exercise.

To go back to your 1st post
q1 - read page 205, para 3 and page 44

q2 - I think your getting mixed up with set/rep systems in diff workouts.

q3 - up the weight if you can. its trial and error.

q4 - same as above

q5 - do it in whatever order you want.