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October
2000 MUSCLE
MAIL This
week we take on some of the reader's questions and queries. If you
have a question you'd like to see addressed in this forum, go to the
CONTACT US
section and E-mail me. *All
letters are subject to editing due to space restrictions and no last
names will be used. Now,
on with the show! Q:
I've been working out for over two years now and I weigh only a few
pounds more than when I started. No matter what I do, I can't gain
weight. I see so many weight gain products in the magazines and the
health food stores. Which is the best for adding more mass fast? Sincerely,
Jason A:
This is probably the most commonly asked question. Let's address the
second half first. There is no "weight gainer" supplement
which will help you gain more weight than any other. They all
contain protein (which is 4 calories per gram) and they also may
contain carbs (also 4 calories a gram), and/or fat (which is 9
calories a gram.) So logic would dictate that, gram for gram, the
product with the most fat wins, right?
There's
actually a bit more to choosing the proper weight gain product, but
not much. Weight gain products work simply because they make it very
simple to increase your daily caloric intake.
Almost all of the weight gain products on the market are
simply very calorically dense powders, high in both protein and
carbohydrate content.
Almost any weight gain powder from a reputable manufacturer
will help if you're not growing due to a limited intake of calories.
Which
brings me to the original point. Whenever someone swears they can't
gain weight, I want to recommend they contact the Mayo Clinic, the
Smithsonian Institute and the Department of Scientific Affairs. Why?
Because, evidentially, they've broken all the existing laws
of physics! The bottom line is, if you consume more calories than
you expend, you will gain weight. No if, ands, or buts. It must
happen! Next question. Q:
I'm 17 years old and have been working out with good progress. Just
recently I haven't been making the same gains as I used to and I'm
getting really discouraged. I've thought about quitting but my
friend said a cycle of steroids will jump start my gains. I think
I'd like to do a cycle of steroids. My friend says Sustanon and
Anadrol is a good stack for me because it's good for mass and that's
what I'm looking for.
What should I do? Noel A:
Questions like this upset me. What should you do? I'm tempted to
say; "Give up bodybuilding!" If you're going to whine
every time gains don't come easily, you'll never get anywhere -- in
bodybuilding or in life. Because of your age though, I'll cut you
some slack. First
of all, you obviously don't know much about steroid use and their
application. You've got some serious research to do my boy! Secondly,
you're way too young to be using steroids. And I'm not saying that
for any moral reason and I'm not trying to be parental. It's just
that at your age, you should be overflowing with testosterone and
growth hormone. You already have a ton of steroids being produced in
your body every day! If you can't make gains now, when your full
potential hasn't even been tapped, you won't ever make impressive
gains. Even with roids. Train
hard, eat wholesome food and get enough sleep. You'll grow like a
weed. And you'll know it's all you. The sooner you become dependent
on gear, the more you'll slow down your progress over the long run.
When you've reached your genetic potential, you can consider doing a
cycle, as long as you know what you're doing. (Incidentally, I can't
think of anywhere to find better information than right here at
Anabolic Extreme.) Ask
me again
in about 10 years.
And by the way -- your friend is an idiot. Q:
I have a very limited budget and I can't afford
to spend much money on supplements. If I can spend only $25 a
month on something that will help me, what should it be? In other
words, what do you think is the one most anabolic substance I can
use legally? Todd
A:
Organic whole eggs. Q:
I'm just starting out and was considering buying a Bowflex. What's
your opinion on this device? Thanks in advance for your help. Steven A:
Save your money. When are people going to learn? It isn't the
exercise apparatus that produces results, it's the intensity you put
into the exercise!
The Bowflex isn't bad but it isn't anything extraordinary.
Nor is it any more convenient or space efficient than traditional
barbells and dumbbells. Anything will bring results if you put
enough effort into the movements. Damn, you can get a great chest
workout just doing pushups if you do enough of them. Personally, I don't like the idea of home exercisers. It's too easy to get distracted when you're that close to the phone and the TV and the refrigerator. Going to the gym puts me in the proper frame of mind to train. If you must train at home, the best bargain is the same as it always was and always will be -- a set of free weights and a sturdy bench. It ain't high-tech...but it gets the job done. Q:
It's great to see you're working at Anabolic Extreme. (The last site
you worked for) is really going downhill. How many times can (the
editor) talk about his dick in his editorial? Geez, give me a break!
Don't you think that's ridiculous ? What do you think of what's
going on over there? A: Larry, the great thing about no longer working there is, I don't have to think about it! As far as your other question: No comment. Q:
My calves won't grow! I've tried high reps, low reps with heavy
weight, full range reps, partial reps, toes in, toes, out, seated,
standing, donkey, slow, fast...and they still suck! On top of it
all, I hate training calves! Am I doomed? Bill A:
Your calves won't grow? Welcome to the club buddy. The calves, more
than any other bodypart are determined by genetics to such a degree,
at times they seem impervious to change, no matter what. If you were
born without an abundance of fast twitch muscle fibers in the calves
(which is very common), their growth will be limited regardless of
what exercise plan you implement. On the other hand (or foot, if you
will), if you are one of the blessed few who were born with
excessive fast twitch fibers, all you'll have to do is walk and
you'll most probably have good looking calves. Life is unfair. So
what else is new? Are
you doomed? I'd like to think that your fate isn't held in the
balance of your sorry soleus. Nevertheless, there is one technique
that I've found to be very helpful for getting those stubborn
suckers to grow. It'll also kill two birds with one stone in that it
doesn't require much time to complete. It's the 100 rep set
performed in a very specific manner. It's
been my experience that calves respond best when worked quickly.
That doesn't necessarily mean that the reps should be
performed quickly.
Instead, the total reps should be condensed into as short a
time as possible. Here's
how it's done. Pick
one calve exercise (I prefer the seated calve raise.)
Your goal will be to reach 100 reps. Use
a weight that you would normally choose for a 20 rep set.
Complete
the 20 reps and continue until you can't do another rep.
Rest
just long enough for the burning to subside and continue with as
many reps as possible, even if it's only 5 reps.
Proceed
in this fashion until you reach the target goal of 100.
Total time -- about four minutes.
I
won't lie to you.
This is going to hurt.
Do not do another set! You may be tempted, considering it
won't feel as if you put in enough time, but believe me, you're
going to have two mighty sore calves tomorrow morning.
If you don't, you either didn't go heavy enough or more
likely, took too much time between "sets." This
has been the most effective routine I've ever used. Granted, I won't
be giving Mike Matarazzo anything to worry about in the near future,
but it got the most out of what my calves have to offer. Give
it a try. Everyone I know who has tried this routine says it works
at least as well as any other calve program. So even if this doesn't
do the trick -- you won't have to waste too much time doing it. [Editors note: Nelson sent me this piece a few weeks ago and I read it over as I always do when I get in new material. This calf routine caught my attention and I decided to try it out later that night at the gym. One word: BRUTAL! If you have calves that aren't growing, this is definitely the cure to what ails you.] Q:
I've been familiar with your work for some time now and I have to
say, not only are you severely lacking in credentials, you are often
arrogant, obnoxious, and your opinions are in direct contrast with
that of the established authorities in the field of health and
fitness. Keep up the good work. Michael A: Guilty as charged! Thanks Michael. For more of the same, stay tuned to weekly updates on Anabolic Extreme. |
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