All of my pondering and research into the leg development of sprinters and cyclists has changed my cardio… [Read more…]
“Explosive” Mass Research Wrong?
Q: I read with interest your explanation of [researcher] Chris Beardsley’s take on explosive movements. If he’s right and the 2X explosive fast-twitch fibers don’t have hypertrophy potential and explosive actions can cause a transition of other type 2 fibers into 2X, how do we explain the muscular quads and calves of sprinters? [Read more…]
Explosive Mass Moves = Explosive Mass Gains?
Q: I remember a program years ago, I think it was called Cybergenics, that included explosive moves like jump squats. Do very fast reps increase muscle size like your Speed method?
A: You’re talking more plyometrics—ballistic reps. The Speed sets in Old Man, Young Muscle are just slightly faster regular sets using about a one-second lift and a one-second lowering—not explosive. [Read more…]
Mr. America on Muscle-Morphing Mayhem
Q: You did a good job of explaining the research on area-specific muscle-fiber growth from Chris Beardsley. I know Doug Brignole is a fan of Beardsley, so why does he disagree with the idea that a fiber can grow in different areas depending on the applied stress? Even researchers like Brad Schoenfeld, Ph.D., agree that it’s how growth happens. [Read more…]
Massive Tradeoff? Cardio vs. Muscle Size
Q: Love Old Man, Young Muscle. It’s helped me get bigger with shorter workouts. My joint pain is almost gone too. In the ebook, you mention your runs. You’re doing four miles twice a week. Don’t you think that is detracting from your muscle-building endeavors? I’ve heard cardio makes it harder to put on mass.
A: I’ve seen studies that show cardio can make it harder to build muscle, and I’ve seen others that say just the opposite—with a boost in testosterone. [Read more…]
Hypertrophy Hack for New Mass
Have I mentioned I’m in the “scarecrow” ectomorph category? I know, I know, my story has grown tiresome; however…
There are quite a few skinny dudes out there who could pack more mass on their physiques with some specific workout tweaks, like some sets with high reps…
In case you missed it, [Read more…]
Muscle on a Scarecrow: Ah-ha Mass Moment
I’m a slow-twitch-dominant “scarecrow,” a.k.a, ectomorph. For some reason, though, I’ve never quite understood why I gain more mass with higher reps. Maybe a wizard can help with my brain thing… [Read more…]
Muscle-Morphing Memories
Yesterday I discussed how the first Mr. Olympia Larry Scott reshaped his biceps somewhat from bulbously long and thick to more tweaked and peaked. [Read more…]
Muscle-Shaping Madness (photos)
In the last few newsletters, I focused on researcher Chris Beardsley’s observation on how muscles can grow in specific areas…
In a nutshell, he says that muscle can grow in length from stretch resistance, which creates more size at the ends of the target muscle, OR muscle fibers can increase in diameter from contraction, or contractile force, which thickens the muscle more near the center, a.k.a. the belly of the muscle. [Read more…]
Mass Peak: Belly of the Beast
The last few newsletters I’ve been discussing researcher Chris Beardsley’s observations on how different parts of a muscle can grow. I won’t drop in his wordy, nerdy quote again, but I will paraphrase his science speak… [Read more…]