I’ve been training for almost 50 years, and it’s been a chore building muscle. You’ve heard of skeletons in your closet? Mine are in my family tree…
My mom weighed 98 pounds when she married my dad, who was a paltry 120.
But even with my dental-floss genetics, I still managed to add plenty of muscle over time and build an impressive physique. These shots are ages 15, 39, and 62…
As I continued my training journey, working as editor in chief at Iron Man magazine, I had no delusions of causing the reigning Mr. Olympia to pee with fright.
With so little bodybuilding potential, what kept me training and gaining over the decades? Patience, persistence, and avoiding the Dread Factor…
In other words, I learned to work out in ways that kept me consistent. That was difficult in my younger days due to constant brainwashing that you had to use mega-heavy weights to build muscle; plus…
It was considered mandatory to do dangerous exercises—like heavy barbell squats, deadlifts, and behind-the-neck presses.
Forcing myself to pile poundage on the bar and cause cumulative damage to my joints and spine made it difficult to keep at it due to injuries, not to mention dread for my workouts.
Luckily, I figured out that those muscle-building “staples” were NOT mandatory. In fact, many are detrimental to progress. Even heavy weights are not necessary.
I have very few chronic joint injuries thanks to stopping the nonsense before too much damage occurred.
Bottom line: You should train the way you want to train. Use the volume, days per week, and time allotment that keeps you coming back…
Plus, I highly suggest that you emphasize the biomechanically correct exercises. My workouts are 40 minutes three to four days a week.
You have to ignore the influencers and so-called experts who say that what you’re doing isn’t the absolute best way to build muscle…
Whether that’s true or not, it doesn’t matter because…
Consistency is king. Remember, you will build zero muscle if you quit, so avoid the Dread Factor.
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