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Mr. America vs. Arnold and the Ultimate Muscle Hypertrophy Method

Q: You offer up the Brazilian study that shows doing a single high-rep set to failure before heavier lower-rep work produced more hypertrophy than standard training (multiple sets at 75% 1RM). But in the Ultimate Power/Density Mass Workout e-book, you mention that Arnold used a high-rep set LAST—a “burn-out” set. So which way is better, high-rep set first or high-rep set to finish?

A: A good observation, but there’s something missing in your description of what Arnold used to do. Go back to the Power-Density e-book and read it again—Arnold typically used a pyramid, adding weight to each set. And on his first set, he used a light weight for 15 reps, then a SLIGHTLY heavier weight for set 2 so he got 12 reps…

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Speed Change for new gains + #1 Muscle that eliminates back pain & looking fat

Q: Your Progressive-Speed 4X method (from The Super-Size Crash Course) sounds like a killer mass method. As Coach Charles Poliquin used to say, changing tempo is a legit way to get new gains in muscle growth. But I’m into heavy training now, so I don’t want to start my work sets with a light [1/6 tempo] X-centric set. Can I do X-centric last?

A: You don’t have to use Progressive-Speed 4X  for new gains as we outline—with an X-centric set first (lifting in one second, lowering in six)… [Read more…]

Rep Speed and the Tension Dimension for More Muscle

Q: I’m really into experimenting in the gym, and I love TORQ (tension-overload repetition quantity). My question is, can I use a different rep speed on each set, like lift in one second, lower in one second for the 30-rep set; standard 1/2 speed on the 20-rep set; and the power cadence, 1/3, on the last 15-rep set?

A: We know why you want to speed up the 30-rep set–it hurts. Get the pain over with. LOL

Dumbbell upright rows - speedStill, what you’re suggesting may defeat the purpose of TORQ to a degree. That’s because 30 reps at a 1/1 tempo will give you 60 seconds of tension time…. [Read more…]

Power TORQ

Q: I heard or read somewhere that you suggest going real heavy on the last set of a TORQ sequence for only 5 or 6 reps. I want to try it, but I am over 40. How do I do it safely, without joint damage or muscle pulls?

A: Just as a review, here’s how to do a Power TORQ (tension-overload repetition quantity) sequence… [Read more…]

Last-set variation for extreme mass creation

Q: I’ve been using TORQ in my workouts, usually on my last isolation [or contracted-position] exercise. What a big difference. I usually do 30, 20 and 15 reps, then on the last I do a drop set or a double drop. Crazy pump. My question is, should I use the drop or double drop on the last set of my DP 4X sequence as well? I do that on the big midrange exercise, like pulldowns [12, 10, 8, 6–adding weight on each set, 40-second rests between sets].

A: You can use a drop or double drop on the last set of a TORQ, DP 4X or standard 4X sequence. It’s just one more way to get extra volume and overload for extreme mass creation… [Read more…]

Drop the Get-Big Bomb

Q: I love the feel and pump I’m getting from TORQ [30-20-15] and Super TORQ [50-40-30-20-10]. My problem is on the drop sets on the last set. I am so fatigued, I don’t get many reps on the drops. I revert to the poundages I used on the previous sets, but no go. Should I just lighten the poundages even more for my drops?

A: That’s one solution. Another is to drop the get-big bomb by changing the parameters of the drops… [Read more…]

Swell Your Muscle Cells

Q: I notice that you have been adding one X-centric set to the end of each bodypart workout. Is that enough to get the trauma necessary for myofibrillar thickening for muscle size?

A: Well, that’s part of the experiment. The idea is to train each muscle directly once a week–and hammer it with enough trauma so it requires seven days of recovery. Here is what Steve is trying, and it might help you swell your muscle cells… [Read more…]