My oldest daughter brought over my new grandchild. She’s eight months, and my daughter is still trying to get her pre-pregnancy body back… [Read more…]
New Move for Etched Abs
For years I’ve been doing crunches on a flat bench with my upper back hanging off the end. That provides some stretch.
But my most recent ab workouts have gotten an overhaul thanks to Mr. America and 2019 Drug-Free Mr. Universe Doug Brignole. He won that last contest at age 59… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 116: Bruce Lee’s Acid-Etched Muscle
Here’s a shot of a shirtless Bruce Lee on an Asian talk show back in the ‘70s. Obviously, Lee wasn’t a competitive bodybuilder, but his acid-etched physique stunned those who witnessed it in peak condition. [Read more…]
Maximum Abs — Let ’em Rip!
Q: You guys often use weight for ab work, but I don’t want to build up my abs because I don’t want a big muscular belly. Shouldn’t I do high reps to keep the muscle toned rather than growing? I want maximum abs from a detail standpoint, not size!
A: Your fear is a common misconception that can prevent fast, dramatic etched abs. The rectus abdominis is a long flat muscle. It CANNOT attain a lot of bulbous mass no matter how much weight you use and how hard you train it.
(Note: The protruding bellies you see on some pro bodybuilders are caused by drug use that bloats their internal organs.)… [Read more…]
Etch In Your Abs as You Pack On Muscle
Q: I just got Jonathan’s Size Surge e-book, and it looks great. I’m ready to try it. My problem is that I still need to lose some fat. I also have the X-centric Mass Workout, and that e-book says that negative-accentuated sets can help get rid of bodyfat. Can I do the Size Surge program, but instead of 2 all-out sets per exercise, do one of those sets in NA style for more fat burning? I really want to see my abs.
A: For those not familiar, negative-accentuated sets have you use one second on the positive stroke and six seconds on the negative. So on bench presses, you would lower to your chest in six seconds, then fire the bar off your chest to the arm’s-extended position in one second… [Read more…]
Planks for Etched Abs? No, But…
Q: I see lots of people doing planks in the gym. I asked a trainer what they were for, and he said to get a ripped six-pack. Do you guys recommend planks for ripped abs?
A: For the uninitiated, planks are getting in a pushup position and supporting your weight on your forearms, not your hands. Your arms are bent at 90 degrees and the entire length of each forearm is on the ground.
That’s become a very popular “exercise” because it’s considered “functional” training. It’s closer to what the abs do in the real world as opposed to crunching. Hmm…
[Read more…]