8x8 Archives - X-REP.COM

Mass-Building Lessons From the Master Trainer

Vince Gironda was the Iron Guru, a bodybuilding legend ahead of his time. Ask anyone who knew him and trained at his famous Vince’s Gym in Studio City, California, and they would say Vince was a sheer genius when it came to building muscle. (They would also say he was one of the most bombastic, outspoken S.O.B.s around–LOL!)

His most famous pupil in the bodybuilding world was the very first Mr. Olympia Larry Scott, who overcame many genetic flaws to make it to the top, thanks to Vince. The Iron Guru also trained many Hollywood stars back in the day, like Clint Eastwood, and even Arnold consulted with him and was a fan (even though Vince told Arnold that he was a “fat fuck” when he first arrived in the U.S.).

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Workout Density for Muscle Immensity

Q: I’ve been intrigued by your explanation of workout density being the reason your 10×10 program builds mass. Do you think that’s the reason drop sets are also so effective?

A: Workout density is Vince Gironda’s term to express getting more work done in a given time frame. For example, most trainees do a set, rest for two to three minutes, do another set, and so on. In 10 minutes you only do two or three sets…

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Legendary Mass Tactic With a Twist

Q: I really like the 4X mass method with all sets X-centric as a one-workout shocker as you’ve recommended before. You’ve also talked about 10×10, which I’ve made great gains with before, but how about the old 8×8 method that Vince Gironda used to pack muscle on his pupils with.

A: We actually discuss Vince and his 8×8 method in the very first chapter of The Ultimate 10×10 Mass Workout e-book. It’s a great method, but you need to heed Vince’s advice if you use it…

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Variation for Massive Pump Creation

Q: I’m using your 10×10 method after all the great feedback I’ve read, and I love it. Because the poundages are lighter, my joint problems are disappearing, and I’m already seeing new muscle after only three weeks. I love the enormous pumps too! My question is, I feel 10×10 on every exercise, but the intensity varies a lot. Do you guys ever recommend increasing the reps, like 10 sets of 12 reps?

A: For those who aren’t familiar with it, 10×10 is taking a weight with which you could get 20 reps, but you only do 10; rest for 30 seconds, then do another 10 reps—and so on until you complete 10 sets of 10 reps. The first few sets are easy; the last few are brutal. [Read more…]

10X Muscle Building Tips

Q: I want to incorporate dips into my chest routine with the 10x muscle building method. How would that work, maybe assisted? I’ve just read that bench dips (for triceps) are bad for the shoulders. If that’s so, are bar dips bad too? Another question: Do decline bench presses really work only the lower pecs? It’s been said time and time again that you can’t work the upper and lower portions of the abs—it’s all one muscle. Why would the pecs be different? By the way, you’ve both been an inspiration to me. Keep up the good work.

A: Great questions. We appreciate your compliments regarding your confidence in our experience and recommendations. Now to the answers…

Some bodyweight exercises can be tricky with 10×10. For example, we found that with chins we have to use Vince Gironda’s 8×8* instead—and our reps still start tailing off on the last few sets (but still lots of soreness). You could try 8×8 on dips. If your reps tail off too soon, simply increase the rest between sets a bit—maybe to one minute. As you get stronger and more conditioned, you can gradually reduce the rest to 30 seconds.

Now about bench dips: Yes, they can traumatize your shoulders if you go down too low, as the arms are being forced up behind your back, awkwardly rotating the shoulder joint. If you go to the point at which your upper arms are parallel to the floor, or stop a little higher than that, you should be fine.

That goes for standard dips too; however, parallel-bar dips allow you to move more naturally, so going a bit lower than the point at which your upper arms are parallel to the ground shouldn’t hurt your shoulders. If you feel joint pain, however, reduce the range of motion. If it continues, find a new exercise; dips aren’t for you.

As for decline presses, they emphasize the lower-pec fibers but train the entire chest. There have been EMG studies that show the upper chest is very involved during declines. That’s why we classify it and wide-grip dips as the ultimate chest exercises in The Ultimate 10×10 Mass Workout—because they both train that torso muscle complex thoroughly. You can see it happening in this photo of Jonathan…

If you do only one chest exercise, a decline movement is best for most trainees, as the front delts are de-emphasized and the entire chest is activated to some degree. In our programs, we usually include incline work to further stress that stubborn upper area. As you mentioned, the abs are similar: Leg-raise-type exercises hit the entire rectus abdominis but emphasize the lower segment; crunches work the entire muscle as well but emphasize the upper area.

Till next time, train hard—and smart—for BIG results.

—Steve Holman and Jonathan Lawson
www.X-Rep.com

*For more on the Iron Guru’s 8×8 method and much more, grab a copy of Vince Gironda: Legend & Myth. It’s a big 330-page anthology of all of his training methods, unique exercises, carb cycling and other diet principles. There are also a few freebie e-books, like his complete 8×8 system. See it HERE.