drug-free Archives

Mass Mantra #48

This quote is from Drug-Free Mr. Universe Doug Brignole, who passed away a year ago at age 63… [Read more…]

Dead Bodybuilder-Influencer at Age 30: WTF?

I’ve featured German bodybuilder Jo Lindner, a.k.a. joesthetics, in this newsletter a few times… [Read more…]

Here’s an interesting quote from Drug-Free Mr. Universe and biomechanics expert Doug Brignole on those group workouts when multiple trainees get together in a commercial gym to outdo each other on a lift like deadlifts… [Read more…]

When the Overtraining Hammer Hits…

Most obsessed muscle-heads are laser focused on training to the max and not missing workouts. That’s because we can’t bear to lose an ounce of muscle…

That goes double for those of us who are drug-free. Muscle is much harder to accumulate when you’re clean, not to mention old and genetically challenged. [Read more…]

Is This Bodybuilding? WTF?

I’ve been harping on symmetry, proportion, and aesthetics lately. And I’ve seen some impressive representations of that on social media, such as Instagram…

One that comes to mind is [Read more…]

Muscle Genes vs. Skinny-Lean Mass Workouts

I was Iron Man magazine’s editor in chief for 27 years, and for 20 of those I worked out with our advertising coordinator Jonathan Lawson, who was about 15 years my junior.

But youth wasn’t the only thing he had over me from a bodybuilding perspective. He was also much more [Read more…]

More Sets for Young Muscle?

Q: I’m in my early 40s. I’ve been lifting on and off for years, but I haven’t built a lot of muscle. I’m going to start the Old Man Young, Muscle workouts, but I’m wondering if I should do more sets since I’m younger than you are?

A: When it comes to individual volume tolerance, there are a number of factors other than age that you should consider. For example, are you a muscular athletic type—a.k.a. a mesomorph?

Since you said you haven’t built a lot of muscle, my guess is that you’re probably like me and more of a thinner ectomorph type. [Read more…]

Mr. America’s Top-8 “Danger Zone” Exercises, Part 2

Yesterday we had the first four of Mr. America and 2019 Drug-Free Mr. Universe Doug Brignole’s “Exercises that Cause the Most Injuries.”

If you missed it, they are [Read more…]

Mr. America’s Controversial Muscle Book

Q: Your Old Man Young Muscle ebook is your best work by far. I’ve got most of your books and ebooks, and this one tops the list. It’s pushed my gains to new heights at 45 years old. You do a great job of distilling Doug Brignole’s information and exercises, intertwining them with your own. My question is, should I get Doug’s book? It’s pricey.

A: Doug’s book, The Physics of Resistance Exercise, is a 400-page reference you will go back to again and again. [Read more…]

This Will Blow Your Mind: 2X Muscle Growth

I’ve been reporting on Doug “Mr. America & Mr. Universe” Brignole’s latest training in which he does four sets per muscle on only one ideal exercise. His reps are: 30, 20, 15, 10.

He said that his muscle growth has been spectacular by training each muscle twice a week, four sets per workout. In fact, his gains have been so stellar, he’s thinking about coming out of retirement and competing again at age 63… [Read more…]