X Files Archives - Page 3 of 68

Realistic 1-Month Weight Loss

Q: Do you think I could lose 20 pounds in a month? I’ll be honest, I slacked off during the stay-at-home order where I live, and my weight suffered because of it. Oops! I want to be in a somewhat healthy looking condition during the summer. I want the fat off, as it’s killing me to see this gut! And summer’s already under way. Help?!

A: Yes, you could technically lose that much weight in a month, but most of it would be water and muscle—and you probably wouldn’t look better or feel healthy—in fact, you’d feel like crap and look worse than you feel right now. We’re all impatient when it comes to changing our bodies, and especially when it comes to weight loss, but the best strategy is gradual and steady, even when there’s a short deadline like the one you’ve set… [Read more…]

Your Ultimate Lean-Machine Workout

Q: I just got your Triple-Shred 3 e-books [X-treme Lean, Ultimate Fat-to-Muscle Workout and X-traordinary Abs]. Looking over the workouts, I’m wondering which is best for me, The X-treme Lean High-Definition Workout or The Ultimate Fat-to-Muscle Workout? I need to lose fat and also build muscle, so what’s the difference? Is one better than the other?

A: You may have heard the saying that the best program for you is the one you’re NOT currently using. In other words, change ignites gains. So neither the X-treme Lean program nor the Fat-to-Muscle Workout is the best lean-machine workout—only different—and both ignite all of the key fat-off, muscle-on components… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 56: Arnold at Age 19

This photo of Arnold at age 19 from his book Education of a Bodybuilder, shows his incredible genetics: chest structure, long biceps, wide shoulders/small waist. [Read more…]

Muscle Size for Skinny Guys

Q: I’m having a really hard time putting on any muscle weight. I’m 6’1” and weigh 165. I just can’t seem to get much progress. I’m using your POF X-Rep program but have only gotten okay results in the first month, and I’m working it pretty hard. It’s frustrating when I see other guys who can get big fast while I’m a 26-year-old guy who can’t seem to make much progress. Do you have any suggestions to help?

A: Everyone’s genetics are different (plus, you may not know who’s getting pharmaceutical help). The bottom line is that you may not be perfectly suited for putting on muscle fast; however, with consistent hard training you should be able to transform your physique. Keep in mind that most bodybuilders only add about 10 to 15 pounds of muscle per year, which is about one pound a month… [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 55: Arnold Rocks

Here’s a fantastic shot of Arnold at Muscle Rock. We asked John Balik if he took it, and he said he believes it’s a Gene Mozee photo. [Read more…]

3 Workouts a Week to Get Bigger and Stronger

Q: I just want to say that The Ultimate Power-Density Mass Workout and The X-traordinary X-Rep Workout have the best bodybuilding info I’ve ever read. I’m so stoked, and I’m already noticeably bigger and stonger after only a month. My question is that I’m using the Basic X-Rep Workout as it’s listed [3 different workouts], but I’m working out Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. In the X-Rep Workout e-book you say to train four days a week—M, T, Th, F—doing the Monday workout again on Friday. Is working each bodypart once a week with the 3-way split okay?

A: You answered your own question without even realizing it. If you’re getting bigger and stronger, you’re onto something that works well for you. Stick with it: Workout 1 on Monday, Workout 2 on Wednesday, and Workout 3 on Friday. Simple, with lots of recovery time for muscle growth—and each workout takes less than an hour. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 54: Dorian Yates Gym Pose

Dorian Yates won his first of six Mr. Olympia titles in 1992 and officially ushered in the mass-monster era. His huge, grainy physique was the next step up from the more aesthetic previous Mr. O Lee Haney… [Read more…]

Ultimate At-Home Massive-Arm Move

Q: I have the Stretch-Overload Workout ebook, so I know how important stretch-position exercises are for mass.I’m training in a home gym with only free weights, and overhead triceps extensions are irritating my elbows. Should I just skip triceps stretch altogether to avoid injury?

A: We’ve been there, so we feel your pain. In a commercial gym, we recommend cable pushouts instead, which is facing away from an overhead cable, lunging forward and performing behind-the-head extensions. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 53: Ray Mentzer on the Beach

This most-muscular variation by Ray Mentzer on the beach may be his best condition ever. The photo is by Wayne Gallasch of GMV Productions out of Australia. [Read more…]

Add Forward-Lean Laterals for Shoulder Size

Q: In many of your workouts, you suggest forward-lean laterals. What are those, and why should I use them instead of regular standing lateral raises [for medial-delt-head mass]?

A: The deltoid is a unique muscular structure. It controls the movement around a ball-and-socket joint, so the fibers wrap around the area in bundles, moving in many directions. You can see that in this photo of Jonathan… [Read more…]