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Iso-TORQ First for a Muscle-Mass Burst

Q: I’ve been using the modified pre-exhaustion method every other workout [from the Pre-Ex 3X e-book]. I’m not supersetting; I just do the isolation exercise first for a 4X sequence, then I do the compound [midrange] exercise after that with 4X. I just got your 4X Mass Workout 2.0. I really like the high-rep [TORQ] idea. What do you think about using that [30-20-15 3X sequence] on the isolation exercise for modified pre-ex?

A: We speak from experience when we say this iso-TORQ method produces a crazy pump—and you’ll feel the target muscle on the big midrange move better than ever. This is one of our favorite super-growth stimulators. Get close to failure with 30 reps, rest 45 seconds, go to failure at 20; rest 45 seconds, go to failure for 15+ reps…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: 3x, 4X, 4x mass workout, fat burning, fat loss, GH, growth hormone, hypertrophic response, iso-torq, modified pre-ex, more muscle, muscle fibers, muscle mass, muscle-building, pre-ex 3x, pre-exhaustion, pump, size stimulation, tension time, tension-overload repetition quantity, testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy, TORQ, trt

Rep-Range Rise for New Muscle Size

Q: In 4X Mass Workout 2.0 you describe the high-rep [TORQ] method, going 30-20-15 in reps with short rests between. Sometimes I can’t get 30. Either I pick a weight that’s a little too heavy or I just fatigue too quickly. What should I do?

A: What you’re trying to do with TORQ—tension overload repetition quantity—is reach the upper area of the optimal hypertrophic tension time—60 to 90 seconds.

Most bodybuilder’s muscles aren’t used to that much fatigue, so they crap out early. (Don’t feel bad; you’ll get better at it as you GROW new muscle.)

[Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: 4x mass workout, bodybuilders, fat burning, fat loss, fatigue, GH, growth hormone, high-reps, hormone trick, hormones, hypertrophic, muscle size, muscle-building, new muscle, rep range, short rests, size stimulation, tension time, tension-overload repetition quantity, time under tention, TORQ, tut

Contract + elongate to pack on muscle weight

Contracted leg extensions

In most of our mass-training e-books we say that the semi-elongated, or stretch, position on an exercise’s stroke is most important to pack on muscle weight. Why?

Here’s a quote we used in The Ultimate Mass Workout from strength and hypertrophy researchers Steven J. Fleck, Ph.D., and William J. Kraemer, Ph.D. (Don’t fall asleep as you read it; we will translate—lol)… [Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: actin, beyond x-rep, dxo, fiber activation, mass training, muscle fibers, muscle weight, myosin, partial reps, PhD., size stimulation, stage sets, Steven J. Fleck Ph.D, UMW, William J. Kraemer

One Key Change for Fast Size Gains

Jonathan Lawson dumbbell incline flyes - One Key Change for Fast Size Gains

Q: I’ve been using the X Fade and Double-X Overload techniques from the Beyond X e-book, and I’ve gained six pounds in one month. My previous workouts were always heavy training, so I’m wondering if maybe I added so much muscle with those methods because they’re giving me some density I’ve been missing. They both make my sets last longer. Could that be it?

A: That’s a distinct possibility, although there’s more to it, as you’ll see. But as you suggest, most wanna-be-big bodybuilders rely almost predominantly on heavier, lower-rep training, and their sets last only 20 seconds or less (time your sets; you will be surprised!). That’s a mistake if you want maximum mass and fast size gains…

A set of 20 seconds or less is power emphasis—but you need BOTH power and density to get TOTAL growth in the majority of the muscle fibers. With those two X-hybrid tactics, X Fade and DXO, you definitely have been X-tending your sets—more so with DXO, which we really like on stretch-position exercises like flyes…

Jonathan Lawson dumbbell incline flyes - One Key Change for Fast Size Gains

DXO: This is simply adding an X-Rep partial near the stretch position between EVERY full rep—so each of your reps is really a 1 1/4 rep. The “hitch” at the bottom between each full rep emphasizes stretch overload, which has been shown to induce everything from hyperplasia, or fiber splitting, to anabolic hormone release in muscle tissue. Plus, as you noticed, it puts more of a mass-building density spin on the set as well…

If you do 9 reps in DXO style, your set will last more than 30 seconds. Now you’re getting into density territory for adding size to that side of the key type 2A mass fibers. That’s a great get-bigger trigger, especially if you’ve been using mostly power sets. Your six-pound muscle gain in one month is no doubt due to a combination of density and heightened fiber activation. You get both of those with DXO—and the X-Fade technique…

X Fade: With this X-hybrid tactic you do a standard set of, say, cable flyes, a contracted-position exercise in the Positions-of-Flexion mass-building protocol. When you hit full-range exhaustion, where most bodybuilders end the set, you get the cable handles back up to the contracted position—a partner can help—and do three to five short partials there, flexing the target muscle…

Cable flyes, top position - One Key Change for Fast Size Gains

Then you lower to the stretch position and do standard X-Rep partials there. If you can’t manage any movement at either position, just hold for a static pec contraction for a few seconds at each spot—top flexed and bottom stretched. Key growth fibers will still be firing and you should wake up some dormant ones as well for new size stimulation—you’ll feel it…

Cable flyes, bottom position - One Key Change for Fast Size Gains

Doing end-of-set X-Rep partials at BOTH the top and bottom of the stroke with the X Fade will add maybe six to eight seconds to your tension time. Nevertheless, both DXO and the X-Fade tactic are excellent ways to get more density training, activate more growth fibers to fire and give you excellent change to fuel fast size gains.

Note: For more info on all the X-hybrid Training Tactics, check out the Beyond X-Rep Muscle Building e-book below: 
Beyond X-Rep cover

Till next time, train hard—and smart—for BIG results.

—Steve Holman and Jonathan Lawson
www.X-Rep.com


ATTENTION OVER-40 BODYBUILDERS

One of the most interesting read-me pages on Testosterone and other muscle-building hormones we’ve seen is The Truth About Testosterone.

It even talks about a fruit, a specific part, that can up your T naturally. Cranking up your testosterone will not only get you jacked in the gym, but in the bedroom too—not to mention help rip up your midsection as it ignites fat burning. If that interests you, there’s more from our colleague and registered dietician, HERE.

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: 2a fibers, anabolic hormones, Beyond X, beyond x-rep, density, Double-X Overload, dxo, end-of-set x-rep partials, fast size gains, fiber splittying, growth fibers, hyperplasia, mas-building, maximum mass, muscle fibers, positions of flexion, Power, power and density, size stimulation, stretch overload, X-Fade, x-hybrid tactics, x-rep partial

Triple-Size Your Muscles With Tri-Angle Workouts

Arnold Schwarzenegger biceps workout - Triple-Size Your Muscles With Tri-Angle Workouts

Q: I’ve been reading up on your POF mass-training system, and I think I understand it. I’m just not sure how training a muscle with only two sets on two or three exercises can produce serious muscle growth. Most pros do four or five exercises for four or five sets for each bodypart or more.

A: Positions of Flexion is one of the most efficient mass-building workout styles out there. We’ll explain why in a moment. First, we feel the need for a reality check: All the pros are taking significant amounts of drugs that jack up their recovery and muscle-building abilities. That’s on top of their already superior genetics. [Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: 3d muscle building, 3dmb, anabolic drugs, anabolic hormones, arnold schwarzenegger, blood-flow, drugs, fiber recruitment, fiber splitting, genetics, GH, growth fibers, growth hormone, hyperplasia, hypertrophic, hypertrophy, jonathan lawson, max force, muscle-building, occlusion, overtraining, POF, positions of flexion, recovery, size, size stimulation, steroids, Steve Holman, strength, stretch overload, tension, testosterone, tri-angle workouts

Embarrassing Gym Moments

Jonathan Lawson doing static contraction on triceps pushdowns - Embarrassing Gym Moments

Q: I’m using an X-Rep-based routine in the X-Rep Update #1 ebook I picked up a couple weeks ago, but do I have to use Static Contraction (StatC) sets to get the best results from it? I feel like an idiot holding a weight in the flexed position [on contracted-position exercises]. People at my gym look at me weird. LOL!

A: You don’t have to use any of the tactics if you aren’t comfortable with them or if they cause any embarrassing gym moments. BUT… Are you going to let what other people think slow down your gains?

As we explain in the X Update ebook, that hold technique on contracted-position exercises, like triceps pushdowns (below), added [Read more…]

Filed Under: X Files Tagged With: embarrassing gym moments, muscular adaption, occlusion, size stimulation, statc, static contraction, static holds, static stretch, stats, x update, x-rep update

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