Here’s a shot of Mike (left) and Ray Mentzer, in the gym doing the Free-Mustache-Rides Club handshake. Both were massive dudes and Mr. America winners… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 125: Ray Mentzer’s Mr. America Mass
This studio shot of Ray Mentzer is a classic (we’re not sure of the photographer), taken when he won the 1979 Mr. America. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 86: Ray Mentzer Classic Mass
This black-and-white shot of Ray Mentzer is one we haven’t seen before (we’re not sure of the photographer). It’s when Ray won the 1979 Mr. America. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 84: Ray and Mike Mentzer Beach Muscle
This shot of Mike (kneeling) and Ray Mentzer on the beach is a classic, one that Steve had framed on his wall in his early 20s for motivation. The photo is by Wayne Gallasch of GMV Productions out of Australia (www.gmv.com.au). [Read more…]
Feel Your Muscle Grow
Q: Your 4X training is fantastic. It has me growing again, and it’s perfect with 3-way POF. My question is about muscle feel. How important is it for size increases? I ask because I have trouble feeling some major body parts, like shoulders and chest.
A: We think it’s EXTREMELY important to feel the target muscle working; if you don’t, you may be using other muscle groups to move the weight or simply not innervating enough muscle fibers for a big anabolic response. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 53: Ray Mentzer on the Beach
This most-muscular variation by Ray Mentzer on the beach may be his best condition ever. The photo is by Wayne Gallasch of GMV Productions out of Australia. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 49: Mike Mentzer, Beach Freak
This John Balik photo of Mike Mentzer is insane—serious freak on the beach and one of the best pics of Mike we’ve ever seen… [Read more…]
Feel Your Muscles Grow
Q: Your 4X training is fantastic. It has me growing again, and it’s perfect with 3-way POF. My question is about muscle feel. How important is it to feel your muscles working for size increases? I ask because I have trouble feeling some body parts, like shoulders and chest.
A: We believe it’s EXTREMELY important to feel your muscles working; if you don’t, you may be using other muscle groups to move the weight or simply not innervating enough muscle fibers for a big anabolic response. [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 11: Massive Mike Mentzer
Talk about mass, this shot of Mike Mentzer by John Balik at Muscle Rock in Malibu has motivated both of us over the years. His sheer thickness and density in this pose are almost unreal… [Read more…]
Pros, Drugs, and Juicing Your Own Muscle Gains
Q: You’ve said a lot of pro bodybuilders have used versions of the 4X mass method and made great gains. But weren’t they on drugs? Don’t steroids make a huge difference? Will this type of training really work for me if I don’t use drugs?
A: Several years ago, Steve interviewed a colleague who trained with many of the legendary pros, including the Mentzer brothers, Danny Padilla, and Rory Leidelmeyer to name a few…
[Read more…]