Subject:
IRON MAN E-Zine: Issue #514:
Max Force for Major Muscle
==========================================
TRY THIS AT YOUR NEXT WORKOUT
==========================================
Max Force for Major Muscle
Q: In your early e-books, like The Ultimate Mass Workout, you say that generating maximum force is the key to muscle mass. To me it doesn’t seem like you ever exert max force with 4X training because you are using moderate weights. Do you still think creating maximum force is the way to build the most mass?
A: Yes, we believe force is one of the big keys to packing on muscle mass–but there’s more than one way to get enough…
Most would agree that using heavy poundages for around eight reps can generate enough force to trigger mass increases. Add end-of-set X-Rep partials at the semi-stretch position, and you get even more force output and fiber activation…
Another way to get enough mass-building force is through cumulative measures–as with 4X. In other words, even though the early sets in a 4X sequence aren’t to exhaustion and you use moderate poundages, many fast-twitch growth fibers are still firing with all-out force…
Remember, for 4X you take a weight with which you can get 15 reps, but you only do 10; rest 30 seconds, then do it again. The third and fourth sets will be tough–generating the most force/fiber activation–and if you get 10 on your last set, add a little weight to that exercise at your next workout…
On every one of those sets you will have fibers firing all out. That’s due to the all-or-none principle, which states that a muscle fiber fires completely or not at all. So when you take a weight with which you can get 15 reps, but you only do 10 on that first set, you are still firing a number of fibers completely and thoroughly. Now you rest for 30 seconds and then do it again. The next set will fire a number of those same fibers from set 1, but bring in more to get you to 10 reps–and so on over four sets…
A top pro bodybuilder who trained with an approach similar to 4X is Danny Padilla. He said that he thought of each set as knocking off soldiers as it progressed; and each set knocked off more soldiers, or growth fibers. It worked for him…
He usually "knocked off soldiers” over six sets with the same weight. We like four because that seems to allow a heavy enough poundage to provide the best balance of power and density mass stimulation. With six sets the weight is lighter and emphasizes density (not a bad thing, just different).
We have found that using a 4X sequence on each of the 3 Positions-of-Flexion exercises is a complete full-range mass-building workout for any bodypart. For example, for triceps it’s lying extensions (midrange), overhead extension (stretch) and pushdowns (contracted). If you do a 4X sequence for each exercise, your triceps workout will take less than 15 minutes–and the pump and growth ache will be off the charts! (There are complete POF 4X routines in the 4X Mass Workout e-book.)
As for end-of-set X-Rep partials, you can still add them to the fourth set of a 4X sequence at exhaustion–if you can stand the pain. They will increase force and maximize your gains!
Note: For more on 4X training, Danny Padilla, Bodybuilder X and others who have used similar mass-building programs, see The X-traordinary 4X Mass Workout, now only $19.99 for a llmited time. See the Best-Sellers paragraph below for more limited-time, low-price e-books.
Till next time, train hard–and smart–for BIG results.
—Steve Holman and Jonathan Lawson
www.X-Rep.com
LIMITED-TIME $19.99 BEST-SELLERS: Get The 4X Mass Workout–Fast Simplified Supersaturation Training for X-treme Size for only $19.99 for a limited time. 4X is a revolutionary mass-building concept you have to try to believe–muscle growth guaranteed. Also for $19.99 you can get our latest X-Rep e-book, The X-traordinary X-Rep Workout; the negative-accentuated training manual, The X-centric Mass Workout e-book; and The Ultimate Fat-to-Muscle Workout e-book. Those are are all part of our winter-workout price reductions to give you maximum mass-building info and motivation so you look incredible that first warm day of spring. Click on the title you’re interested in to learn more.
Latest release: The 4X Mass Workout—Fast Simplified Supersaturation Training for X-treme Muscle Size. It’s how many pro bodybuilders get big AND ripped as fast as possible for contests and photo shoots. You can use it for a blast of new mass in only a few weeks–and the workouts are quick. Guaranteed or your money back. Limited-time discount offer HERE.
MASS-BUILDING E-BOOKS…
X-SHOP: Find our original X-Rep e-book, as well as X Updates and Positions-of-Flexion mass-training guides…
X-WORKOUTS: Find specialized e-workout programs, including Power-Density, 10×10 and Eric Broser’s Power/Rep Range/Shock….
NEW: The X-traordinary SIZE SURGE Workout, Jonathan Lawson’s legendary two-phase mass program that packed 20 pounds of muscle on his frame in only 10 weeks. See all the changes he made to the original workouts, transcribed from his training journal. In printable templates so you can duplicate his incredible gains. You also get his eat-to-grow diet and streamlined no-frills supplement schedule, anabolic acceleration methods and loads of tips and tricks. Plus, an interview with a top-level bodybuilder who trains Size Surge style for incredible growth.
Newbies: If you’re a beginning bodybuilder, coming back from a layoff or a trainer who trains beginners, our new e-book, Quick-Start Muscle-Building Guide, is for you.
To follow the ITRC training program in “Train, Eat, Grow,” get a copy of the latest issue of IRON MAN.
——————————————————————–
This Special Report was submitted by Jonathan Lawson and Steve Holman.
The IRON MAN Training & Research Team
www.ironmanmagazine.com
The ITRC Training Newsletter is not intended as training advice for everyone. You must consult your physician before beginning any diet or training program. You may forward this email to as many friends as you want, but do not photocopy or reprint this report in any format without the written permission of the copyright holder.
——————————————————————–
Help us build the IRON MAN Research Team — Tell a friend! If you know someone who would benefit from Supplement Updates, Diet Tips and Freebies, forward them this e-zine or tell them to visit us at
http://www.ironmanmagazine.com and click on FREE Training Newsletter.
*We DO NOT sell any subscriber e-mail addresses.
——————————————————————–
All Content (c) Copyright 2010 IRON MAN Magazine
All Rights Reserved
You must be logged in to post a comment Login