Dedicated to Your Physical Transformation
Doug found higher reps to be much more productive than lower reps, as you’ve seen from his 3-set approach: 30, 20, 12 reps.
This runs counter to much of what hypertrophy researcher Chris Beardsley recommends. Doug’s observations were about himself after decades of training experience, not a blanket recommendation for everyone: [Read more…]
Q: Do you think that it’s essential to increase training weights or at least reps on a given exercise over time to increase muscle growth significantly?
A: I do think you need to get stronger to a degree to get bigger—at least from a fast-twitch-growth standpoint, which is known as myofibrillar hypertrophy…
Something in your workout has to change. If everything stays the same, so will your physique. However… [Read more…]
Q: Your discussion on body types was on point, but I’m surprised you didn’t mention Frank Zane, a classic ectomorph who won the Mr. Olympia.
A: I wouldn’t call Frank Zane a “classic ectomorph.” He does lean more ecto than most competitive bodybuilders, but he went from broad-shouldered stick to pretty damn thick—which had him hanging out with beauty Betty Weider on the beach… [Read more…]
So I see a post on Instagram that made me laugh out loud—yes, I waste time scrolling when I’m not posing in my front yard to entertain the neighbors… [Read more…]
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…]
Q: The after photo of you when you used X-Reps [in your early 40s] is impressive. You look massive. Hard to believe you’re a hardgainer ecto type. Do you really think you’re a true ectomorph? From that photo, I’d say no. [Read more…]
My friend and colleague Doug “Mr. Universe” Brignole recently said something that had me rewinding to years ago when I reported on a study that verified his point… [Read more…]
Q: Holy crap! I just bought your Pre-Ex 3X e-book, and Jonathan’s back on the cover looks like Arnold’s. How did he build all that muscle? Did he use pre-ex? I want a back like that. What do I need to do?
A: Jonathan used pre-ex, X Reps, drop sets, and more. We’ve experimented a lot over the years—and of course we subscribe to the change-to-gain mantra: Do something different to trigger new adaptations and extra growth. [Read more…]
Q: I’m so ready to be ripped. I got your X-treme Lean e-book and am on the diet. Already dropped five pounds of fat in two weeks just by cleaning up and using your tips. My question is about the cheat day every week that you say is mandatory. Can I eat junk food on my cheat day, or do I just increase my calories with good carbs? I crave pancakes, so is that okay? I want to see my abs as quickly as possible.
A: Mmm, pancakes! Before we answer your question about junk food and how to cheat to get ripped, let us explain our reasons for a mandatory cheat day every week… [Read more…]
