Vince Taylor, at 5’9” and a competition weight of 225, had classic mass with few flaws—in fact, in this relaxed backstage photo, we can’t find any. His physique looks near perfection… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 61: Bob Paris Sculptor
We gravitate back to Bob Paris in our Zen newsletter often because he had one of the most perfectly proportioned physiques to ever grace a bodybuilding stage… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 55: Arnold Rocks
Here’s a fantastic shot of Arnold at Muscle Rock. We asked John Balik if he took it, and he said he believes it’s a Gene Mozee photo. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 54: Dorian Yates Gym Pose
Dorian Yates won his first of six Mr. Olympia titles in 1992 and officially ushered in the mass-monster era. His huge, grainy physique was the next step up from the more aesthetic previous Mr. O Lee Haney… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 48: Bob Paris Before and After
The last time we talked about Bob Paris was Zen 29, but we revisit because his physique always inspires us. [Read more…]
How to Speed Up Your Mass Results with X-celeration
Q: I’ve seen speed reps in some of your routines. What are those, and how do they work to add more mass?
A: We call this mass tactic X-celeration, and it can pack on new mass FAST because of extra fiber activation, and it’s a technique that lends itself well to home-gym training… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 44: Jim Haislop’s Proportion
We featured Jim Haislop, 1968 Mr. America, way back in Zen 8. We recently ran across this shot of him, and all we can say is, Whoa! [Read more…]
Move for Mass: Fiber Activation for Size Creation
Q: Using a static hold [StatX] at the end of a regular set near the muscle’s stretch is killer. I feel like I’m getting bigger after only a short time on this routine. Are those holds better than the X Reps your recommend with some movement?
A: It depends on the exercise, but in most cases, some movement, as in X Reps, may produce slightly better results. Here’s why… [Read more…]
Ultimate Mass Move: One-Hit Chest-Back Attack
Q: I just got the Power-Density Mass Workout 2.0. Absolutely one of the best muscle-building guides I’ve ever read. I’m very interested in [Mr. America] Doug Brignole’s one-exercise-per-muscle high-rep method [50-40-30-20-10]. The problem is that it’s tough deciding which single move is best for each target muscle. He likes decline dumbbell presses for chest, but I’m thinking bench presses. What are your thoughts on that? And what about back? I see Brignole likes T-bar rows as his only upper-back exercise.
A: We like decline dumbbell presses. It’s one of the best overall pec moves; however, unlike Brignole we see the value of inclines as well (more on that in a moment). [Read more…]
Full-Range Back-to-Basics Mass Workout
Q: I just started reading up on your [Positions-of-Flexion] mass-building method. The full-range hit on each muscle makes so much sense that I can’t wait to try it. A friend said it helped him build 10 pounds of new mass in just six weeks. Where do I start? Is there a basic 4-days-per-week POF mass workout I can use?
A: We have POF in almost all of our e-books because it makes so much sense and has built so much muscle for so many—including us. [Read more…]