Bruce Lee looked for opportunities to showcase his martial arts skills. Here he laughs at a bald kid to lure him into a fight… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 254: Bruce Lee Shredded
Here’s a classic shot of Bruce Lee wondering why cats hate him with such a passion… [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 237: Bruce Lee’s Ass-Kicking Pants
“One more crack about Major Nelson allowing me out of my bottle, and I’m kicking everyone’s ass.” [Read more…]
Moment of Bodybuilding Zen 116: Bruce Lee’s Acid-Etched Muscle
Here’s a shot of a shirtless Bruce Lee on an Asian talk show back in the ‘70s. Obviously, Lee wasn’t a competitive bodybuilder, but his acid-etched physique stunned those who witnessed it in peak condition. [Read more…]
Washboard Abs with Mass
Q: I just started the Size Surge program. I love it and can already see results! I just had a question about abs. In the this program, you have only one day for abdominal work. Is that really enough to get great washboard abs? Can I add some ab training to other days or maybe the off days?
A: You can add some ab work if you like, but keep in mind that your abs are getting a lot of work supporting your torso on all the big exercises you’re doing on Monday and Friday—from presses to upright rows to squats. Notice how Jonathan has washboard abs in this photo as he does dumbbell shrugs, showing that they’re almost always working to some degree… [Read more…]
Upper vs. Lower Abs and the Best Etching Exercises
Q: What’s the deal with upper vs lower abs? I’ve read that you really can’t train each individually, but don’t leg raises work the lower-ab muscles and crunches work the upper? I really want to have ripped abs by springtime, so I want to start now. Help.
A: First a bit of ab anatomy from our X-traordinary Abs e-book… [Read more…]
Maximum Abs — Let ’em Rip!
Q: You guys often use weight for ab work, but I don’t want to build up my abs because I don’t want a big muscular belly. Shouldn’t I do high reps to keep the muscle toned rather than growing? I want maximum abs from a detail standpoint, not size!
A: Your fear is a common misconception that can prevent fast, dramatic etched abs. The rectus abdominis is a long flat muscle. It CANNOT attain a lot of bulbous mass no matter how much weight you use and how hard you train it.
(Note: The protruding bellies you see on some pro bodybuilders are caused by drug use that bloats their internal organs.)… [Read more…]
Planks for Etched Abs? No, But…
Q: I see lots of people doing planks in the gym. I asked a trainer what they were for, and he said to get a ripped six-pack. Do you guys recommend planks for ripped abs?
A: For the uninitiated, planks are getting in a pushup position and supporting your weight on your forearms, not your hands. Your arms are bent at 90 degrees and the entire length of each forearm is on the ground.
That’s become a very popular “exercise” because it’s considered “functional” training. It’s closer to what the abs do in the real world as opposed to crunching. Hmm…
[Read more…]Ripped Abs: Your First 3 Steps
Q: I’m sick of being soft and blubbery. I really want to see my abs, but I’m not sure where to start. Do I just start working out harder and wait for them to appear? Please h
A: When we get “soft and blubbery,” usually over the winter (Steve’s pic at left below), our first step to getting ripped abs for the warmer weather is to stop eating crap…
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