Archive | July, 2007

Less Time Equals Better Results?

Less Time Equals Better Results?

Why is it that almost everyone you see working out in the gym does high volume bodypart splits? Today is Monday and in just about every gym in America that means it’s chest day. Tomorrow is back, Thursday is legs and Friday is arms…or something like that, I guess.

Why the lack of variety or rational thought? What is the need for all that training volume?

You need to understand that most forms of training have just been passed down for decades from one generation to the next, without the inclusion of [...]

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Lemon Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes

Lemon Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes

By Dave “The Muscle Cook” Ruel

Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients
* – 3 good-sized sweet potatoes
* – 1 1/2 cups apple juice
* – 1 tsp nutmeg
* – 1 tsp cinnamon
* – 1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
* – 1/2 tsp sea salt
* – 3 Tbsp olive oil
* – Juice of one half lemon

Directions
* 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
* 2. Prepare a large baking dish by spraying Cooking Spray
* 3. Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until just tender. [...]

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Q&A Time

Q&A Time

Question: Jay, I figured you would have some good advice on these questions. First of all, my buddy does the eliptical machine for cardio. Isn’t that a little gay for a man to be doing? I mean, isn’t any kind of cardio in the gym a little gay? Is it ever acceptable to wear old school sweat pants to train in? What about wind pants? Just wanted to get your thoughts on these subjects. Thanks buddy.
Marty T

Answer: Marty, the eliptical machine is unacceptable for a man to ever be seen [...]

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The Hard Way

The Hard Way

Before we get to training I have to mention the fact that I saw The White Stripes play at the worlds most famous arena, Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. I knew this going into the show but after seeing him rip the guitar for two hours straight with hardly a five minute break, I can honestly say that Jack White is one of the most talented men in music today. If you get the chance to see them in your area I highly recommend it. Seeing just two people on [...]

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Top 10 Mass Building Tips

Top 10 Mass Building Tips

1. Strength train no more than three to four days per week. Doing so is not only unnecessary but can lead to over-training, especially if you are doing other physical activities such as hill sprints, jumping rope, etc.  on a regular basis. When in a mass building phase, recovery time is just as important as training time. You build muscle when you are recovering; not when you are training.

2. Train for 45-60 minutes max and do no more than 12-18, total, top end work sets per workout. If you can’t [...]

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Pre Workout Energy Boosters

In the midst of a three day bender, I woke up Sunday morning with an insatiable desire to lift some heavy weights. I looked across the hotel room at my friend Chris who was still in the upright position I saw him in seven hours earlier when I fell asleep. He was somehow still holding the bottle of Heineken in his hand although some of it had spilled on his shorts.

“We gotta go train, bro.”

“What? Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack. Let’s go to breakfast with the bride and groom, [...]

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Home Gym Setup

Question: Coach,

I’m anxious to start your ‘Home Gym Warrior’ program that you have outlined in your Muscle Gaining Secrets package (which is awesome btw). Anyway, since I prefer the home-gym programs due to my schedule, as you might have guessed, I was looking for the most cost-effective solution to having a set of dumbbells on hand.

Currently I have some light dumbbells for warm ups and such (sets of 10s and 15s) and some heavier ones(sets of 30s through 40′s) based on where I’m at in my progression. But, [...]

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Some Training Info

Some Training Info

Question: Hi Jason!

I read with great interest the MF Arm Workout Article you wrote -great stuff!!

I wanted to ask what a person should follow after the 2 month workoutis completed. I’m trying it and really enjoyingit, now on my 3rd week.

Best regards,

Frank Marini (Canada)

Answer: Frank, glad you liked the article and the workout. After the arm specialization program is finished I would switch back to a regular upper/lower or half and half split and back off on the arm training volume for a while. Probably just two or three sets [...]

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The Way it Should b Done

The Way it Should b Done

A few years ago a young kid walked into my gym by the name of Jeff D’Annunzio. He was a baseball player and wanted to get bigger and stronger in order to increase his chances of fulfilling his dream of playing college ball. From day one Jeff busted his ass and outworked everyone around him. I only had to show him how to do something once and he would master it immediately and do it from that day on with text book form. Eventually I started to use him as [...]

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The Company You Keep

The Company You Keep

Originally written for Dave Tate &  Elite Fitness Systems in 2004

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps. If you associate with positive, motivated, driven people it can only rub off on you and make you more successful in anything you do. If your running buddies are nothing but a bunch of degenerates, that pretty much says that you are a degenerate, or will end up one. Like the legendary old school rap group, EPMD once said, “Hang with nine broke [...]

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