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Rep Speed and the Tension Dimension for More Muscle

Q: I’m really into experimenting in the gym, and I love TORQ (tension-overload repetition quantity). My question is, can I use a different rep speed on each set, like lift in one second, lower in one second for the 30-rep set; standard 1/2 speed on the 20-rep set; and the power cadence, 1/3, on the last 15-rep set?

A: We know why you want to speed up the 30-rep set–it hurts. Get the pain over with. LOL

Dumbbell upright rows - speedStill, what you’re suggesting may defeat the purpose of TORQ to a degree. That’s because 30 reps at a 1/1 tempo will give you 60 seconds of tension time…. [Read more…]

Speed Reps or Slow-Mo to Grow?

Q: I’ve been getting amazing muscle-size gains with Progressive-Speed 4X [included in The Super-Size Crash Course]. Should I do more speed reps or more X-centric slow-mo reps to get the best mass results? I want to grow as fast as possible.

A: Don’t we all—but it’s hard to say which is best, as both styles trigger specific hypertrophy results. For the uninitiated… [Read more…]

Pain-to-Gain Exercise Change

Q: I’m a big fan of Position-of-Flexion mass training. Hitting the three “angles” for each muscle just makes so much sense, and I know stretch overload builds mass (bird study, etc.). That brings me to my question: The overhead triceps extension with a barbell, dumbbell, cable or two dumbbells, hurts my elbows. My triceps need fullness and sweep, so I don’t want to skip that stretch-overload exercise. What can I do to avoid the old pain-to-gain myth? [Read more…]

Muscle Quick Start and New Change to Gain

Q: I’ve been using your Quick-Start Muscle-Building Guide for a few months in hopes of some change to gain, and I have never looked better. I did not know I could change my body this fast. I now have my teenage son starting with the Quick-Start Fast-Mass Program. He loves it and is growing quickly, but my question is about me. Considering my age, 47, can I and should I transition to using the 4X mass method on that workout? I’m getting strong and worried about joint damage.

A: Absolutely. The Quick-Start Fast-Mass Program is a great two-way split on which [Read more…]

First Set Primes Growth — 3 Ways to Do It

Q: I love the 4X mass method. I’ve been using it for a month, and I feel and look bigger and better. My question is, When I start a 4X sequence, what do I do if the weight is way too light on that first set? Should I just do 10 and then add weight for my next 3 sets? I don’t want to waste that first set.

A: You could do that. Or here are 3 ways to do it that we like better… [Read more…]

Slow, then Go — Double-Speed Muscle Growth

In the past, we’ve mentioned how changing tempo on each set can produce huge growth effect.

For example, if you’re using the X-centric training method, you do your first set X-centric (lift in one second, lower in six), your second in standard style (lift in one second, lower in 3), and your last as a speed set (each rep in 1.5 seconds)… But can you fuse two for a killer double-speed muscle growth combo-to-grow method? Yes…

[Read more…]

Feel It, Fry It, and Grow!

Q: I just got your X-centric Mass Workout. Read it through in one sitting—one of your best e-books by far. My question is, you have a number of workouts, and you always have only one X-centric set [lift in one second, lower in six]—on the last one in a sequence. Can I do more than 2 X-centric sets? And what about doing them first instead of last?

A: An X-centric set is a great way to finish off a 4X sequence. Or to do it as your last set when you’re doing standard sets so you can really feel it, fry it and grow… [Read more…]

Contract + elongate to pack on muscle weight

In most of our mass-training e-books we say that the semi-elongated, or stretch, position on an exercise’s stroke is most important to pack on muscle weight. Why?

Here’s a quote we used in The Ultimate Mass Workout from strength and hypertrophy researchers Steven J. Fleck, Ph.D., and William J. Kraemer, Ph.D. (Don’t fall asleep as you read it; we will translate—lol)… [Read more…]