No lame jokes here, just a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring shot of three-time Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva who had perhaps the most incredible bodybuilding genetics of all time (we think this is a Steve Downs photo)… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 225: Sergio Oliva, Mass Mutant
Three-time Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva had perhaps the most incredible bodybuilding genetics of all time—although some claim it’s an illusion created by a Cuban witchdoctor who cursed him with a shrunken head (Steve Downs photo)… [Read more…]
Legend Used Stretch Partials for Super Size
Throughout my tenure as Iron Man magazine’s Editor in Chief, I was always observing and analyzing the top bodybuilders’ workouts.
I figured that even if they’re on steroids, I may still be able to learn some things about building muscle—although I must admit that the difference in gains from adding drugs to the mix is mind-blowing… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 175: Arnold’s Arrives
Here’s a rare shot of Arnold arriving at his son’s basketball game. He planned to ref, but the organizers said it would be too distracting—his accent is pretty thick. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 155: Arnold’s Underwear Flex
Apparently if Arnold has a dream about showing up somewhere in his underwear, it’s no problemo—just start posing. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 25: Arnold’s Comeback
Arnold was arguably the greatest bodybuilder ever, but when he came out of retirement in 1980 to enter the Mr. Olympia in Australia, many thought he tarnished his legend status… [Read more…]
Mass Workout That Works
Q: I have the Size Surge e-book and just picked up the 3D Muscle Building e-book. In 3D there’s a different version of the phase 1 Size Surge workouts [SS Mass F/X Program, pages 81-84 in 3D]. It has rest/pause and drop sets. Should I use that as phase 1 or Jonathan’s straight-set version in the Size Surge e-book?
A: The Mass F/X Program in the 3D e-book is the same 3-days-per-week phase 1 that Jonathan used, but with a few twists: You do a max-Force-generating mass workout for a bodypart, then at the second workout for that bodypart, you do an eXtended-tension-style workout. That gives you the power-density mass-building combination we’re always harping on… [Read more…]
Legendary Mass Tactic With a Twist
Q: I really like the 4X mass method with all sets X-centric as a one-workout shocker as you’ve recommended before. You’ve also talked about 10×10, which I’ve made great gains with before, but how about the old 8×8 method that Vince Gironda used to pack muscle on his pupils with.
A: We actually discuss Vince and his 8×8 method in the very first chapter of The Ultimate 10×10 Mass Workout e-book. It’s a great method, but you need to heed Vince’s advice if you use it…
[Read more…]Iron Guru’s odd moves to get your back and arms huge
Q: I just got the Vince Gironda Legend & Myth anthology. Incredible info, but I’m wondering a few things. His drag curls and diver cable rows are cool exercises, but how do they fit into your Positions-of-Flexion system? Drag curls are similar to standing barbell curls, but you pull the bar up next to your body to your lower pecs, so the poundage is fairly low. Is it still a good midrange exercise?
A: Vince’s drag curl is similar to a regular barbell curl, but you keep the bar in contact with your body all the way up, so it’s much more isolated. And at the top, when the bar is at your lower chest line, your upper arms are more in a position that’s like the top of an incline curl, a stretch-position exercise. Now you’re probably really confused. LOL!
Variation for Massive Pump Creation
Q: I’m using your 10×10 method after all the great feedback I’ve read, and I love it. Because the poundages are lighter, my joint problems are disappearing, and I’m already seeing new muscle after only three weeks. I love the enormous pumps too! My question is, I feel 10×10 on every exercise, but the intensity varies a lot. Do you guys ever recommend increasing the reps, like 10 sets of 12 reps?
A: For those who aren’t familiar with it, 10×10 is taking a weight with which you could get 20 reps, but you only do 10; rest for 30 seconds, then do another 10 reps—and so on until you complete 10 sets of 10 reps. The first few sets are easy; the last few are brutal. [Read more…]