mike mentzer Archives - Page 4 of 10

Mass Jolt: Rep-Speed Revolt

Throughout my training career, it’s always bothered me that so many top bodybuilders talk about the importance of slow rep speed—especially on the negative or lowering stroke, yet most don’t follow that protocol… [Read more…]

Mass Mantra #21

Here’s a quote from legendary high-intensity bodybuilder Mike Mentzer (photo by John Balik): [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 206: Mike Mentzer’s Hoedown Pose

This was one of Mike Mentzer’s signature poses, one leg out in front to highlight the sartorius, the rope-like muscle running down his thigh. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 204: Mike Mentzer’s Aesthetic Mass Pose

Here’s a classic shot of legendary Mike Mentzer hitting his famous Headache Guy pose. [Read more…]

Damage Control, Muscle Mass, and Mentzer

Yesterday I mentioned Mike Mentzer’s training style. While he tended to use a fast Speed Set tempo on his sets, despite saying otherwise, he often ended sets with slow forced reps and pure negatives… [Read more…]

Mike Mentzer and Speed Sets

Q: You mention Mr. Heavy Duty Mike Mentzer a lot. I know he recommended slow negatives on every rep—like three to four seconds to lower the weight. Wasn’t he doing too much damage, and do you have any idea if he ever used Speed Sets? [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 193: Mike Mentzer And Joe

Here’s a classic shot of Joe Weider chatting with Mike Mentzer about the pros and cons of handlebar mustaches and whether “Free Mustache Rides” works as a T-shirt slogan. (It doesn’t.) [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 190: Mike Mentzer as Titanic Tarzan

Most of the best bodybuilders, like Mike Mentzer, have an amazing ability to concentrate. In this photo shoot, it took his laser focus to avoid the embarrassing appearance of the Haunted Loin Cloth. [Read more…]

Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 186: Mike Mentzer’s Massive Tri’s (rare photo)

This pic is proof: Mike Mentzer had full-size Nerf footballs surgically implanted on the backs of his arms… [Read more…]

Pre-Exhaustion Better for Muscle Mass? (study)

Q: First I want to thank you for Old Man Young Muscle. I’ve made spectacular gains in my meager home gym similar to what you did. My problem now is that I’m getting 25 reps on my first set of dumbbell decline presses with my 50s, and I have no more weight to increase resistance. Should I just keep going till I get 30? Then what?

A: The late Doug Brignole, friend, biomechanics genius, and Mr. America winner, did 30 reps on his first set. So, yes, you could just keep trying to add reps to your decline presses until you get there… [Read more…]