I think people have got this training style all misunderstood. It is not just a little warm up and one set to absolute failure and done. it was warm up sets and working up to that one fucking insane set, kind of what I feel alot of people do its just that Dorian didnt count those sets whereas other guys still count the ones that weren't just a warm up. So lets say lateral raises you warm up with ten pounds then maybe 2 sets with 30 pounds and one hardcore set with 40. Youd probably count that as 3 sets and a warmup. and Dorian might do a set with ten, a set with 20, a set with 30, and a fucking delt assault with 40s but he'll only count that as one. These numbers are all made up as an example and assuming your equally strong as Dorian. This is just how I think someone could possibly grow with "one set". I might be wrong but ive seen someone else explain it in a similar fashion, saying basically his training wasn't so different (besides intensity) then alot of guys, it was just his counting was different. Another thing is I believe he did this training style later on in his career, so it wasn't necessarily how he built his massive foundation. Regardless hes still a fucking animal and I love his training partner in "blood and guts" that guy deserves an award for best training partner/hype man lol.

I trained in Dorians gym when I was in my early twenties. Numerous times I saw him training in this “one working set and done” methodology. You’ve got to understand the intensity though. I’d be 20/21 at the time, and for a bodybuilder his training was comparatively so heavy. His one set of lateral raises would be with a pair of 40kg dumbbells as an example. Very inspiring, but not something most of us mere mortals could do.

There was another guy, Dante Trudell, aka "DoggCrap" who endorsed heavy weight/low volume.
He was probably influenced by Mentzer/Jones. He also took from John Parillo as far as extreme stretching and eating a lot.

There used to be a forum owned by "Animal" who sold "Animal Kits" to convert cattle implants.

So Dante started a thread called "cycle for pennies a day" discussing this conversion process. In the end he started talking more about diet and training and thus the world was exposed to "DC Training. The thread was massive and legendary. Here is a synopsis by Dante:
http://doggcrapp.blogspot.com/2006/11/cycle-for-pennies-condensed.html?m=1
Even though some of his ideas have evolved from what he presented here, you may find it interesting. I'm sure there is stuff on YT as well

Man once again you come with a good post man lol! I've used some of his principles, so I'll try to remember a few things about Ole Mike Mentzer. And yes he was somewhat of a mad scientist, no dummy at all. So this Heavy Duty or HIT training principle that he used with good results originally came from the great Arthur Jones, who invented the Nautilus training equipment. Now along with Mike this dude too was also a bit of a genius. Arnold himself didn't like this system and made fun of it but when he was invited to train with Arthur Jones on Nautilus equipment using HIT principles, Arnold actually quit lol. Short of the long is ole Arnie's mouth was writing checks that his ass couldn't cash lol. Anyways I thought that was interesting. So Mentzer tweaked the idea from Arthur Jones and Dorian Yates tweaked idea from Mentzer. I'd say in all cases it worked for them. Mentzer should of won the 1980 Mr. Olympia most would agree but politics gave it to Arnold and Mentzer held a grudge a long time against Arnold for this. Unfortunately Mike Mentzer died at 49 and his brother Ray died 2 days later or even sooner if I remember right. I believe Mike had heart issues. I understand he experimented alot on himself and took risks but still a sad loss for the bodybuilding community but all should heed the warning.

Mike Mentzer was a bit if a genius in a sense. I train in a Dorian Yates type fashion for many years and yes it works gives you hard dense muscle. But they're are more than one way to stimulate muscle growth as I got older and injuries will happen I can train different now that I built a physique I don't need to kill myself anymore. I do still train hard and to failure but not with the same poundage. It's not needed

I love Dorian yates. I could listen to him talk and hear his views all day. Not just gym related stuff but about the wider world. I’ll book mark this and watch it later.

It’s fine to take bits and pieces of his teaching but for me the major problem with Mentzer and later Yates style training was that because the volume is so low, the intensity has to be at a level where injury risk begins to rise.

I would say Yates and Mentzer it up as a young man and once the injuries start to arise switch to a more sustainable model with less load and more longevity.

Guy was one bad dude.... i heard he used meth preworkout and only trained like 3 days a week... idk wuts true other than he was on another level for sure.

His time under tension principles are not revolutionary but they are needed for growth. At least I don't think he invented forced negatives. rest/pause, slow eccentrics etc. Intensity of workouts is ok but not nearly enough volume/frequency for me to make it work. Also is pretty boring. I am more of a Poliquin type of guy. That is what works for me.

I love Mentzer. He knew physiology very well & was excellent at listening to his body & how it responded to stimuli. To make it to where he did while going against the grain of conventional thought is impressive. I have & do use some of his principals with great success. I firmly believe in the idea that intensity is a necessary component to the type of progress we’re all looking to achieve, no matter what training style we prefer. Also, I really like how he prioritized symmetric fullness. He had a great physique.

First thing ill say, i was a hardcore fan of those two.

BUT the conclusion i took after trying was: as long as stimulus and diet are on point, you grow with any method, theres no miracle workout. And if you are on gear it makes it easier.

Dorian Yates was Mr Olympia many times, inspired by Mentzer, but theres also a lot more multiple time Mr Olympia winners who didnt train that way. So to me, it proves nothing.