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Train to Failure for Mass? (new study)

Steve holding a sword to Jonathan doing curls

A few newsletters back I discussed how pushing sets close, but not quite, to failure is best for optimal mass stimulation…

The rationale is that if you always push to all-out gut-busing failure, you over traumatize your muscles and nervous system, causing slow growth, which eventually triggers systemic exhaustion… [Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: exhaustion, failure, subfailure, train to failure

Convert New Muscle Strength to Serious Muscle Size

3D Triceps Positions

Q: I’ve been using the Power Pyramid Program (Chapter 2 in the Freak-Physique Stretch-Overload Workout e-book) for six weeks. I’m getting incredibly strong, but I’ve only gained about four pounds of muscle. I realize it’s a muscle strength workout with a size side effect, but now I’m ready to use my new strength to go for major muscle mass. I also want to get leaner. I’m 5’10” and weigh 200 pounds with 14 percent bodyfat. What type of routine should I follow? I really like using Positions of Flexion in the Power Pyramid Program. Can I just alter that routine somehow for my new goals? 

A: Ah, so now that you’re strong like an ox, you want to get even bigger with some leanness to boot. Sounds good, and it can and will happen. You just need to take your new power in a slightly different direction—still using the multi-angular attack of POF, but altered so you pack on the most muscle size—complete development from origin to insertion. 

[Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: anabolic fasting, animal study, bodybuilders, brad pilon, eat stop eat, exhaustion, fast-twitch fibers, fat burning, freak physique, freak-physique stretch-overload workout, get lean, GH, growth hormone, hypertrophic, intermittent fasting, muscle size, muscle strength, muscle-building, POF, positions of flexion, power pyramids, size, static holds, strength, strength building, stretch overload, STX, t/nt, tension time, testosterone, traumatic/non-traumatic, X Reps

The 4X Get-Bigger Trigger

Jonathan Lawson cable curls - The 4X Get-Bigger Trigger

Q: I gave the 4X method a try, and it feels amazing. Definitely a big pump. I’m just worried that since only the fourth set is to all-out failure that I’m not getting enough intensity to stimulate growth. I’m used to doing two to four sets on each exercise to total exhaustion. Will my muscles regress on 4X?

A: In The 4X Mass Workout e-book we explain the all-or-none principle of fiber activation. What that means is that a muscle fiber fires at 100 percent or not at all. So even on SUBFAILURE sets, you’re getting bundles of fast-twitch fibers to fire completely. [Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: 4X, 4x mass method, 4x mass workout, 5x, cortisol, exhaustion, fast-twitch fibers, fiber activation, get-bigger trigger, growth fiber activation, growth threshold, intensity, muscle fibers, muscle size, stimulate growth, subfailure

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