Is Your Training Program Missing the #1 Main Ingredient


CheickKongo Is Your Training Program Missing the #1 Main Ingredient“Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.”
– Sun Tzu

Did you know that you can get down to single digit bodyfat and look like an elite level pro athlete in just three easy, twenty minute workouts per week?

And you can do it while eating whatever you want? It’s true…cuz I heard it on the radio… and read it on the internet.

Eight minute abs. That’s right folks, in just eight minutes a day you can get the abs of Cheik Congo (pictured). All it takes is a quick crunch workout.

No need to worry about your diet or doing any exercises that actually jack up your metabolism and burn fat.

Six minute muscle. Jay Cutler look out. Because some lazy schmuck is gonna embarrass you right off the stage next year by training no more than 18 minutes per week.

Four minutes to super strength. Wait til Chuck Vogelpohl and Louie Simmons find out that they wasted all those years and could have gotten so much stronger with significantly less time and effort.

Two minute conditioning. Poor Tito Ortiz. All those wasted trips to Big Bear in the high altitude. If only he had known that hard work was out of style and that he could have been in even better shape if he cut his training time down to two minutes per day.

What People Want to Hear vs The Truth

People want to hear that it’s easy and won’t take much time. I mean who wants to push a sled 90 feet 10-20 times straight? Who wants to do heavy squats? Or heavy deadlifts? In the same workout? That sounds really hard.

And who could possibly make the time to work out a few days per week?

A marketing guy once sent me an unsolicited email offering me his services. He told me that if I wanted to double my business I had to stop being honest. I had to make it seem like my workouts were easy, that getting in shape didn’t require much work and that the whole process would be painless and effortless.

To his point I put very little time and effort into my reply…

Fuck.

Off.

Getting in shape is brutally hard work.

I don’t give a shit what all the scam artists and marketing scumbags tell you. If you can’t handle the truth then you’re destined to be soft and weak forever.

If you’re twenty percent body fat right now and desperately want a six pack you had better be prepared to diet your face off and work harder than you ever have in your entire life.

When everyone is drinking beer at the football tailgate party on Sunday you’re drinking a gallon of water. And when the hot dogs go on the grill, you’re gonna have to pull out a chicken breast and broccoli.

And you’re going to do that EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR SIXTEEN WEEKS STRAIGHT.

Don’t have time to do hill sprints after work? Then you gotta set your alarm clock a half hour earlier and get up while it’s still dark out.

And let me tell you something else… NOBODY gets ripped in just three workouts per week. If you want to see really significant fat loss you need to be putting in a minimum of five sessions per week . For some of you 8-10 would be even better.

That means three to four strength workouts, three hill sprint or sled sessions and a 30-60 minute walk first thing every morning on an empty stomach.

I’ve seen fat fucks get on a bodybuilding stage in 20 weeks. But they didn’t say they “wanted” to do it. They said they were “going” to do it. And they did all that was necessary to achieve that goal. Which means, in the eyes of most people, their lives were pretty miserable for five months. It means no unplanned cheat meals and undying, round the clock dedication. But these people had the drive that most people don’t and were actually willing to work for something.

How Bad Do You Want It?

Wanting and doing are two completely different things. We all want a lot of things. But how many of us actually achieve our goals? How many are willing to put in the hard work necessary to reach the top?

Are you?

Am I?

“Twenty weeks?! That’s a lot of dieting and hard work. I can commit to six weeks but not twenty.”

Then go fucking play PlayStation and watch another episode of CSI. Nobody gives a fuck if you don’t hit your goals. You only have yourself to answer to.

No matter what anyone tells you there is no replacement for hard work. No training system, no diet, no machine, no gimmick and no supplement.

But most people fear hard work more than they fear death. They simply don’t have it in them.

How many times have you gone to a public gym and seen someone squat or deadlift? About as often as you see hot chicks during day light hours in Jersey I bet.

Better yet, when was the last time you saw someone do a good morning? Now that’s a hard, uncomfortable exercise. Who wants to subject themselves to that?

Bent over rows? They hurt your back.

Standing military presses?! Who wants to stand? You need to be comfortably seated with lumbar support while “working out.”

Plus, all these exercises take too long to perfect and the learning process can be very frustrating. Much easier to just jump on a machine, right?

I mean, you’re at the gym to burn some calories, not learn a new skill, after all. Power cleans? Only a genius with the mental acuity of Albert Einstein could possibly learn to do those properly. Who has the time for that?

What “hardgainers” are actually willing to turn off The Real World and go to sleep an hour earlier to accelerate the muscle building process? Or have what it takes to force feed themselves 3-4 times of day and sneak protein shakes in between classes?

Very few.

Unlike getting shredded, building muscle doesn’t require 6-10 workouts per week. Most hardgainers can get great results in 3-4 workouts per week and everyone else will do great with 4-5 sessions per week. But it’s still a 24 hour a day job that requires a monumental effort.

We are all brainwashed to believe that you can get bigger and stronger and leaner in a very short time, with very little effort and even less dedication.

But nothing could be further from the truth, my friends.

The only way to achieve physical greatness is through brutally hard fucking work.

That, my friends, is the main ingredient.

End of story.

Now go earn it.
***

PS. If you’re ready to put in the work and get insane results from your training, join thousands of other members in the internet’s most elite coaching group- The Renegade Inner Circle.

 

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99 Comments so far


  1. jasonferruggia
    18. Nov, 2009
    at 6:49 am
    #


    Dan,
    Thanks for the comment. Glad I could help out and inspire.

    Bill,
    I’ve heard a lot about Wiggy but oddly our paths have never crossed.

    Keep the comments coming guys.


  2. andrew
    18. Nov, 2009
    at 7:32 pm
    #


    Jay,
    obviously feeding the body is half the battle. I’ve recently come across a calorie/nutritional guide… :

    goal weight x (workout hours/wk + 9.5) = daily number of calories (2945 cals)

    goal weight (190) = grams of protein …half your goal weight (95) = grams of fat

    daily calories – [(protein g's x 4) + (fat g's x 9)] divided by 4 = grams of carbs.

    my carb number came out to be like 332.5 grams based on 6 workout hours/wk…does this seem right? Is that too many carbs? I know on low days I would obviously NOT consume over 300 carbs in a day…but all the other numbers seem appropriate. I have about a 6 week break in my season and I need to pack muscle back on as I’ve lost a bit during the current season…about 5-6 lbs.

    thanks

    Andrew


  3. zach
    18. Nov, 2009
    at 11:41 pm
    #


    This has to be one of the best posts I have ever read. From a guy who just recently switched from a “hardgainer” meat head working out twice a week to a “shredder” trying to get down to around 10% body fat with 6-8 workouts a week, this is one of the most inspiring post I have ever read. Great read! You just gained a reader and a huge fan! Keep ‘em up!


  4. Alyson
    19. Nov, 2009
    at 12:29 pm
    #


    AMAZING… i dont even know where to begin.. i am not a “fitness competer” or anything of the sort.. but every since i started training with jay at renegade its been hard core.. not only my training but my diet as well. And let me tell you it hasnt been easy. But it was something i WANTED..and i DID IT. Strangely enough i loved every grueling minute of it..and still do. I’ve come along way..but still want to go further.. and in order to do that i gotta keep my mind set..and focused. this blog jst reinforced that..and probably at a much needed time. with the holidays coming up..etc.. you want to gorge yourself.. but when you work this hard..u dont want to screw all that progress up because it wasnt easy gettin here. so jay..thanks for the reminder.. you really know how to get someone fired up …


  5. John
    19. Nov, 2009
    at 3:31 pm
    #


    Love your honesty, it’s great to hear someone tell it like it is and inspire some real training!

    – John


  6. Justin Bosley
    19. Nov, 2009
    at 5:56 pm
    #


    Great article man! I told all my students that I train at the university to check this out, I had to give them a blast the other day…tried to slack on me! Thanks bro!


  7. Tony
    20. Nov, 2009
    at 9:08 pm
    #


    Amen!… Amen. the truth can hurt… yet inspire. there is no magic pill or routine. A person can “workout and just go through the motions”, and not be concerned abouth their diet. Those same people will look the lie how they train & eat. You can either just workout “easy” or train with intensity. The result is your body will reflect what you do, and how much effort you put forth. Tell it like it is Jason. Tony


  8. Tawfik
    21. Nov, 2009
    at 10:17 am
    #


    very well said , i enjoyed reading that article , and its not just bodybuilding , its about everything , you wont get something until you work very hard for it , in the end you wont get serious results if you are not serious with the game.


  9. jasonferruggia
    22. Nov, 2009
    at 7:48 am
    #


    Andrew,
    That seems about right.

    Thanks a lot, Zach.

    Keep killing it, Alyson. We got big things in store for you.

    Thanks to everyone for all the comments and keep posting them.


  10. Brian
    25. Nov, 2009
    at 10:38 am
    #


    Best article I’ve read in a while!


  11. Bill
    28. Nov, 2009
    at 5:09 pm
    #


    You always speak the truth, Jason! Love your email response to the “marketing guy.” Probably took him an hour to figure it out.


  12. Kevin
    01. Dec, 2009
    at 10:32 pm
    #


    Jay,

    Best article I’ve read in a long time. Lots of emotion and passion. I’m starting to talk that way to some of my clients now. I was always a little hesitant to speak that way but now I tell it like it is. You’re damn right you gotta bust your ass with the iron and buckle down with your diet if you want some serious results. Period!

    Thanks again for the great post and keep rockin the old school Wu-Tang, PE, and Rakim!

    Kevin Valluzzi


  13. KWJ
    01. Dec, 2009
    at 10:52 pm
    #


    I’ve just decided to opt-out of receiving your emails. Though I’m serious about watching my health and have learned from reading your website, your language is offensive and unnecessary in communicating. WIsh you the best.


  14. jasonferruggia
    02. Dec, 2009
    at 5:37 am
    #


    If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that this website is definitely not for everyone and will definitely offend a certain audience.


  15. Johnsons
    11. Dec, 2009
    at 4:17 pm
    #


    Who wants to live the rest of their life on steaks and chicken? I know plenty of girls who’d date the chubby guy over the boring dieter anyday.

    While the chubby guys enjoying himself with the girls eating and doing as they please, you lot are sweating hard and having to eat boring chicken for the rest of your lifes.

    I’ll think about you while i’m supping my beer with the boys. You guys sip your water, worrying everyday about ur girls waist lol!


  16. Bill
    14. Jan, 2010
    at 4:17 am
    #


    Yeah, each time before doing workouts I knew my a** was going to get kicked big time. But also reminded me of saying read from Navy SEAL Richard Machowicz,
    “We all have conversations with ourselves all the time and they play a
    tremendous role in what we do. The conversation that one has with him or herself is what kills you. Especially under extremely stressful situations like “hell week” where you are almost up for 110 hours a week!
    I had to get myself in the mindset of never giving up no matter what.
    A buddy of mine gave me a quote which stated, “A man can only be beaten in two ways: if he gives up or he dies.” I had that quote in my wallet until the pencil marks rubbed off. I really lived that motto. I decided that if I am *not dead*, then I *cannot quit.*”
    Have read where intense training is as much mental as physical. That it
    builds a person that will not quit; developing their heart. If you do not have heart, you could be the greatest athlete in the world. However you are going to cave when the pressure comes. You have to have the guts to finish what you start.
    Also Mr. Richard Machowicz stated, “if people can say yes to the following three questions, they have the guts to finish anything:
    * **1. Are you willing to make a choice? *Very rarely do people make
    choices that fundamentally effect their lives. For example, changing
    channels on the TV is not something that fundamentally effects your life. You have to step up to the plate and make a fundamental life changing choice.
    *2. Do you have the courage to start now?* We get people that make
    choices but do not do anything to get started. Half the people that made a choice drop out at this stage. They do not take the first step to move in the direction that they want.
    * **3. Do you have the commitment to finish?* You can start, but can you finish? This is where most people disappear. Very few people finish. People can start things, but can they see it through the end? Can they be there when it matters?
    Would further like to share a video that has really been inspiring.
    It’s on YouTube and here’s a couple of links…..

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vB59PkB0eQ

    So go Conquer those challenges, be it eatting healthy while everyone is eating shit or simply saying to yourself, I would rather die Right Here ~ RIght now than Quit ~ be it one more rep, eatting right, you name it.

    Like one of my teachers once said to us, “Pain is Fucking Weakness Leaving the Body, so Cherish it, Live It, and Shit It, remembering “Quit” is not in your vocabulary.

    Bill


  17. M.P.
    14. Jan, 2010
    at 6:40 pm
    #


    Ahh, the beauty of the Internet – where people can anonymously say things they’d never say otherwise. If this Johnsons guy ever came face-to-face with Jason, I somehow doubt any of that drivel would be pouring out of his mouth.

    People like that don’t seem to get it. It’s not about how much mediocre ass you pull in, or how much lukewarm piss-flavored beer you can “sup” with the boys (whatever the hell a “sup” is). You want to be among the mass of men and live, as Thoreau once said, “a life of quiet desperation”, be our guest. But keep your middle-of-the-pack mindset away from those of us who actually strive for something better.

    Better health. Better conditioning. Better quality of life. Better mental functioning. Better relationships. And, yes, better sex. The quality of every sexual experience I have had since I started making commitments to better health is so far beyond what it was like when I was a complete, worthless fat-ass.

    I know that ass-clown will probably never read this, or if he does, he’ll throw back another beer, some nachos, watch that waistline expand, and continue being a drag on our healthcare system like the rest of the lazy schlubs out there.

    But screw him. Jay, your work is appreciated more than you will ever know. Thanks for the consistent motivating punch in the face – no matter how much it hurts.


  18. Red2MAC
    17. Jan, 2010
    at 11:13 pm
    #


    I don’t know many self respecting girls that prefer a fat slob over someone that takes enough interest in their health to eat healthy and train. Wait, wait, what am I saying? A dunlap is what all the ladies want to see while you’re laying on top of them panting. Right? Moobs are what they like to feel when they touch your chest…right?
    This is a guy who probably went to the gym afew times. He probably looked around at all the fit guys, who were probably talking to the fit girls in short shorts. Got extremley jealous, but instead of working harder so he too would know what it’s like to have a hot girl pay him any attention .He left. He went home and ate some ruffles while he browsed through some internet porn. He will never look to see any responses on this website because he probably killed himself yesterday.

    Like M.P. said, you probably would be surprised at just how many people around the world follow your work. Thanks dude.


  19. Brendan
    18. Jan, 2010
    at 12:47 pm
    #


    Thanks for the reminder that I’m not going about my training all wrong!
    It’s summer here downunder and it’s easy to despair when you see half the guys at the gym triple their size in a month because they’re taking the easy way out by getting on the gear. I mightn’t meet their sizebut my hard work is all I’ve got to feel good about.


  20. Marcus
    30. Mar, 2010
    at 6:32 pm
    #


    Awesome, you say it like it is. You cannot sugarcoat the amount of work it takes to build muscle, to get into shape to be where you need to be. Jason is right and he won’t tell you something because he wants you to read his blog.


  21. Ben
    05. May, 2010
    at 10:42 am
    #


    Every time I read these post I just want to go deadlift, and any man who doesn’t look forward to a heavy deadlift really needs to re-evaluate his life!

    p.s. cheers for the constantly solid advice, brutal honesty and motivation.


  22. jasonferruggia
    06. May, 2010
    at 6:11 am
    #


    Ben, I hear that.

    And, you’re welcome. Thanks for the comments.


  23. frank
    04. May, 2011
    at 4:16 am
    #


    FUCKING HELL jason i can now say you are my role model i have been trying to get from 20 percent bodyfat to 6 for ages now but i always make excuses or pig out and say only 1 more time BUT NO FUCKING MORE im starting tomorrow but i have no idea to do that how do i get to 6% bodyfat in 6 months ready for muay thai training?


  24. pearson942
    30. Aug, 2011
    at 10:54 am
    #


    The reply to that unsolicited email……priceless!


  25. asif
    30. Aug, 2011
    at 2:23 pm
    #


    J ferrugia,very few guys out there might have the kind of honesty and attitude that you’ve got!


  26. sonja
    28. Nov, 2011
    at 11:16 am
    #


    EXCELLENT! NO ifs ands or BUTTS! DON’T STOP! GET IT! GET IT! There is NOTHING more to say! EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WAS SAID WAS RIGHT ON THE MONEY! WINNING!


  27. veggie
    28. Nov, 2011
    at 4:14 pm
    #


    I would say 90% of the bodybuilding community and extreme fitness pros (Hey, I’ve been there, competed, achieved success) end up with eating disorders, anorexia, exercise bulimia, and body dysmorphic disorder.

    If you are 20% bodyfat, working out regularly, eating healthy (enjoying your treats now and then) – then be proud of yourself! You don’t have to be THAT person up @ 5am doing hill sprints to be awesome.

    And I might add I know lots of amazingly ripped people who are VEGAN, eat fruit and vegetables all day long, do yoga as their only form of exercise and rarely lift a weight. No joke, check it out.


  28. Aron Freyr
    15. Apr, 2012
    at 10:12 am
    #


    Your posts are fucking awesome! They make me want to train even harder!!


  29. Alt
    16. Apr, 2012
    at 8:24 pm
    #


    This article is AWESOME. Love your stuff man


  30. Eren
    21. May, 2012
    at 4:48 pm
    #


    Finally someone who tells it how it is,
    I understand your frustration! you tell people how exactly to train to get the results THEY WANT, yet they choose the path to cut corners and make minimal gains in their goals!


  31. Patrick
    21. May, 2012
    at 7:30 pm
    #


    Jay, I don’t like Drake (or modern rap) at all, but reading this all I could think of was “I had someone tell me I fell off, ooh I needed that.” I needed to read this. I needed that kick in the arse. I am over 20% BF…but not for long…


  32. Eric
    21. May, 2012
    at 7:55 pm
    #


    This may be the best blog post ever


  33. Kevin
    22. May, 2012
    at 6:14 am
    #


    Jay,

    This post nailed my thoughts every morning i walk into the gym. The most resistance for me now, keeping my mouth closed while stuff goes on. Keep the posts coming. I look forward to them everyday.


  34. Jake Kerwin
    22. May, 2012
    at 6:17 am
    #


    Thumbs up JF!


  35. Renee Armstrong
    22. May, 2012
    at 7:48 am
    #


    Great article! Inspiring, that you tell the truth. Thank you


  36. Mike
    22. May, 2012
    at 10:28 am
    #


    “The only way to achieve physical greatness is through brutally hard fucking work.” – so fuckin’ true. Your articles are great Jay! I just want to thank you for being so honest. You’re one of the few trainers who keep it real. You give us the truth about training, strength and life. No bullshit. No lies, which would make you more popular. You’re the shit man!


  37. Joe
    23. May, 2012
    at 11:28 am
    #


    My sense is that there are efficient, low volume techniques that can get a person in shape at a MODEST level.

    Tim Ferris popularized some of these in his book, “The Four Hour Body” and cites numerous studies in support of the proposition that a few well-chosen exercises done three days per week, 20 minutes per day is sufficient.

    The question is, “sufficient for what?” This is the key. If you want to get really good at a strength/conditioning based sport, just gotta dig deeper and do more.

    But, if the goals is to keep the tire from surrounding your belly and to be able to push yourself off the floor, well, there are quick ways to do it. Relatively speaking.

    An example of this is the so-called “Kettlebell Meltdown 300 Workout” which is shown in the second video of this post: http://www.garmaonhealth.com/exercise/reynolds-green-lantern-body

    I’ve tried it and think that doing it three times a week would make the average person more than happy with his fitness level once this workout became a habit.

    Yep.

    -Joe


  38. Steve M
    23. May, 2012
    at 12:06 pm
    #


    People ask me quite often what I am doing to lose fat and I love the reaction when I tell them. I cut all sodas, candy, cakes, ice cream and other garbage and replaced them with fruit, vegetables and water. Exercise every day and lift heavy weights 4-5 times a week. Work. Hard work and discipline. I love the way the twinkle goes out of their eyes when they realize I have no super easy, super secret plan to share with them.

    I am down 75 lbs of fat but I still have a long way to go.

    Time to go do some heavy dead lifts.


  39. Mike De Vivo
    31. May, 2012
    at 2:44 pm
    #


    Fuck.

    Yes.


  40. Eric
    04. Jun, 2012
    at 1:52 pm
    #


    Love it! No-one wants to pay the price. So many individuals look for the fastest gains possible without real conviction and dedication to get to that point.


  41. KK
    21. Jul, 2012
    at 11:50 am
    #


    Once again, totally amazing post! You are so awesome, can’t thank you enough for all the inspiration – my life has DRAMATICALLY improved since following you, about 10 months now. You are a true miracle-worker. Nobody realises the ridiculous amount of hard work it takes to be awesome, but once you’re there, you realise you never ever wanna go back. Awesomeness is the only way! Its not just about looking great, but mostly actually about FEELING great, and functioning at OPTIMAL! If you wanna be mediocre then this site is not for you – only awesome people follow Jay ;)


  42. Riverfaile
    22. Jul, 2012
    at 2:43 pm
    #


    Thank you. Motivation has been lagging, thanks for the kick in the ass.


  43. Scott
    23. Mar, 2013
    at 2:22 pm
    #


    What about Mike Menzter, Casey Viator, Boyer Coe? Those guys were in and out of the gym in 30-45 minuts, strong as hell and shredder.


  44. Johnny
    23. Mar, 2013
    at 3:57 pm
    #


    Thank you for this.


  45. Niel Rishoi
    23. Mar, 2013
    at 10:11 pm
    #


    The words “fast” and “easy” are pretty depressing, if you think about it. Expediency is the death of growth – physically and mentally. Supposing one was to get “instant results.”? You miss out on the gradual, strengthening progression of your character. You build your body in gradual, incremental steps, and so it is with your mind as well. Plato wrote of striving between a balance of body and mind; you can’t have one unless the other is optimized to the fullest potential. As the old saying goes – “Festina lente” – “Be in a hurry slowly.”

    Good work, Jason, as usual.


  46. Simen Bullen Nilsen
    24. Mar, 2013
    at 12:46 am
    #


    As always, so fucking true! I love you man!


  47. Angela
    24. Mar, 2013
    at 1:09 am
    #


    Guess my decisions been made off to the gym i go! Squats and deadlift day!! Xxx

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