030 Everyone's wrong about muscle activation + how to compare hypertrophy programs (WNS)

In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris shift from the Silver Era into the early anabolic era by analysing a Golden Era training plan from Ken Waller. Using Waller’s 1975 routine as a case study, they explore how bodybuilding training changed as anabolic use became more common. The discussion then transitions into a deep dive on the Weekly Net Stimulus model and why hypertrophy must be understood at the muscle fibre level.Key topics include:Ken Waller’s 1975 Golden Era training split and how it contrasts with Silver Era full-body plansWhy large volumes can appear “unrecoverable” on paper but may differ in practiceVoluntary activation deficits and why muscles cannot be fully activatedMuscle fibre–specific hypertrophyThe Weekly Net Stimulus model: assumptions, limits, and what it can (and can’t) tell usThe role of practical compromises, adherence, and time constraints in real-world programming