The entire Pyramid system (up, down or both) falls into the category of High Intensity Strength Training. HIT is designed to challenge the exerciser who has been strength training for at least six months with a goal of increasing both strength and size.
The HIT system is meant to be performed without any rest. When you strength train with rest in between sets, the muscle fibers you fatigued recover during the rest period and are used again in the next set of that same exercise. Remove the rest and the fatigued fibers are too tired to work again in the same exercise, and new, dormant fibers - fibers not ordinarily challenged - are recruited to work.
Now don't shoot me, but I personally feel that PUB *is* a bit overkill, and here's why. The front shoulder works with the chest during the bench press and flies, the triceps work with the bench press, the biceps and rear shoulder work with the lat rows, and the chest, rear shoulder and triceps work with the lats during pullovers. That's a lot of work! Is it any wonder that by the time the smaller, isolated muscle groups get worked that they are, in essence, overworked?
If you are finding yourself fried on shoulders, triceps and biceps during PUB, use the half pyramid approach for these muscle groups, or stop the workout after chest and back and work shoulders, triceps and biceps on a different day using the full pyramid system.
If you like using this tape as is but find it daunting, go lighter on the smaller muscles. I always use less than what Cathe recommends and am still sore the next day.
-Roe
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