Our November issue spotlights Nicole Wilkins, the reigning Figure Olympia champion. Find out how she trains and eats to create her picture-perfect physique—and speaking of pics, we’ll have lots of the stunning Nicole. We’ll also have a fact-filled feature on cardio from top researchers Jacob and Gabriel Wilson, who will reveal why some moves burn muscle and some are best for the bodyfat hustle. Plus, big Matt Burzacott tells how he built his awesome arms and what you can do to get yours bursting with new mass. Find the November IRON MAN on newsstands the first week of October.

FEATURES

50 TRAIN, EAT, GROW 145
Are you training too hard? A unique peek at intensity, dieting and how to avoid the size slide.

82 NICOLE WILKINS
The Figure International and Olympia winner gives Lonnie Teper an earful on how she trains and eats to build her excellent physique. Incredible pics too!

102 A BODYBUILDER IS BORN: GENERATIONS
Ron Harris explains why bodybuilders get no respect and how to cope and keep pushing the envelope.

108 CARDIO COMBAT
Gabriel Wilson, M.S., and Jacob Wilson, Ph.D., reveal the best cardio attack for ripping yourself up without burning your muscle.

120 THE ULTIMATE MASS WORKOUT
Excerpt 8 targets abs and the best moves to score a cut core.

124 THE PECS’ GREATEST HITS
Roger Lockridge outlines a program for building your best chest in 30 minutes or less—top-to-bottom striations, balance creation and chiseled delineation.

134 STEVE KUCLO
He just won the NPC USA with symmetrical flare and mass to spare. Rod Labbe talked with this “Diamond in the Rough” before his big win. See his pro drive come alive.

146 POWER SURGE: JOSH BRYANT
Sean Katterle interviews top powerlifter Josh Bryant, who’s trained record-setting lifters, Olympic athletes and professional fighters. He knows his stuff!

162 BLOOD-VOLUME ARM ASSAULT
Cory Crow heads to the gym with up-and-coming physique star Matt Burzacott to see how he pumps his bi’s and tri’s for eye-popping size.

180 FEMME PHYSIQUE
Steve Wennerstrom, IFBB women’s historian, looks back and then forward at an interesting story of two competitors.

186 ONLY THE STRONG SHALL SURVIVE
Coach Bill Starr prescribes combo-to-grow exercises—double up on moves to get strong and huge.

DEPARTMENTS

26 TRAIN TO GAIN
How Branch Warren got a bad-ass back. Meanwhile, Joe Horrigan talks hypers, gains and strains.

38 EAT TO GROW
Cortisol surprise, oats notes and love that leucine—it’s like mass-building gasoline.

60 NATURALLY HUGE
To bulk or not to bulk? Mr. Natural Olympia John Hansen answers the question.

70 SHREDDED MUSCLE
Drug-free IFBB pro Dave Goodin gives you the lowdown on supplements that work.

72 CRITICAL MASS
Workout architect Steve Holman looks at X-centric-only programs, a secret weapon that can get you big and ripped quick.

76 SMART TRAINING
Coach Charles Poliquin checks out the bodybuilding numbers game—rep progressions.

158 BODYBUILDING PHARMACOLOGY
Jerry Brainum investigates Internet drug dealers. Talk about buyer beware!

168 NEWS & VIEWS
Lonnie T. goes behind the scenes at the NPC USA and gets the inside stuff on the big and the buff.

176 PUMP & CIRCUMSTANCE
More USA. Rambling Ruth Silverman checks in with the body-sport chicks—while you get to check out loads of hot pics.

196 MIND/BODY CONNECTION
Dave Draper revisits the bench press. Plus, scared sexy, kissing science and grow your self-esteem.

208 READERS WRITE
Cover achievement, inspiration at 60 and new muscle in Hawaii.