Posts Tagged ‘bodybuilding’

20% Sale on AMD 2.0 is Almost Over

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

20% Sale on AMD 2.0 is Almost Over

Right now I am offering my AMD 2.0 system for 20% off and the sale ends Friday at midnight.

Is AMD right for you?  Check out these FAQ’s.

ACCELERATED MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT –> MORE INFO

AMD FAQ’s

1. What is the AMD 2.0 and how is it different to other program out there?

AMD 2.0 is not just a program, it is a system.  It shows you the perfect template that you should utilize for every workout.  It has every essential component that you need to prepare for the workout and to eliminate all of the negative effects from the 23 hours of the day you are not in the gym.  Even though there are 24 weeks of workouts and 2 separate workout paths, the goal of the AMD 2.0 system is to teach you how to create your own programs so you never have to rely on clueless trainers again. I still get emails everyday from people who tell me they feel better, move better and have been getting stronger every workout as a result of applying the AMD method consistently in their training.

2. How do you KNOW these workouts actually burn fat and build muscle?

Because I’ve used these workouts with my clients and athletes and gotten amazing results.  Over the years this has allowed me to tweak and perfect the AMD 2.0 template to what it is today.  Fast and highly effective workouts that can be done in under an hour and leave you feeling better than you have in years.  The AMD 2.0 system has 2 – 12 week workouts, one for building muscle and losing fat and the other for building muscle and getting strong.  In fact, I just used the fat loss component to lose over 35 lbs myself and I feel great.  I’ve actually started jumping again after struggling with a bad knee for the last 20 years.

3. What if I’m a relative beginner?  Can I still use this program?

Definitely!  In fact, that is exactly who the BM/LF program is for.  The person who is new to the gym and wants to get started the RIGHT way.  And if you are a beginner, you can learn how to do the right exercises, the right way.  The key mobility, activation and warm-up movements that most lifters never learn about, will already be in your program.  So you don’t have to make the same mistakes I made when I started lifting.

4. I’m not a young guy, will this program still work for someone who is older?

If you are older, you have to use this program.  Trust me, I know.  As we get older we lose mobility, we lose muscle mass and we become more susceptible to injuries. The structure in the AMD program will bring back balance into your program and help reduce those every day aches and pains. You’ll feel better, move better and that makes all the difference.

5. Does this program work for women as it does for men?

I’ve used this same template and these same workouts for my female clients as well.  Issues like knee stability, upper back strength, posture and fat loss can all be overcome with a comprehensive program done consistently.   In my experience women are very tenacious and love when they start seeing results.  That is why I’ve received so much positive feedback from women who have applied AMD to their workouts.

6. What if it doesn’t work for me?

I have included an 8 week money back guarantee that after you try the program,  you’ll love it.  Give AMD an honest effect and be consistent on the program as it is layed out and you will get results and feel better.  If you don’t, you can email me directly and I will refund your purchase price.

7. When can I get my hands on AMD 2.0?
The system will be available on tonight (Monday, December 6th) at midnight.  I am offering AMD 2.0 at a 20% discount (and with some awesome bonuses) and will return the package back to the normal pricing soon.  I truly believe in the program and it has changed countless lives. I hope you’re ready to change yours. If you are all you have to do is click the link below:

ACCELERATED MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT –> MORE INFO

What Do You Get With AMD 2.0?

  • AMD Quick Start Guide
  • AMD Essential Exercise Video Index
  • AMD Primary Exercise List
  • AMD AER (Recovery) Exercise List
  • AMD Power CORE Exercise List
  • AMD 2.0 Main Manual
  • AMD Essential Recovery (AER) Manual
  • AMD Power Core (CORE) Manual
  • AMD Explosive Fat Loss Manual
  • AMD Deadlift Manual 101 (Bonus)
  • AMD Upper Body Fat Loss Workout Video
  • AMD Lower Body Fat Loss Workout Video
  • Deadlift 101 Instructional Video

As you can see, I try to over deliver with all of my products.  In fact, it took a solid 3 years of writing, testing and tweaking the AMD system to come out with the new 2.0 version.  Each manual and each exercise list has its purpose and fits perfectly into the AMD template.  This template is the model for all good workouts and it must be followed.  I also show you how to fit any program you are currently on, into the template.

ACCELERATED MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT –> MORE INFO

Preparing for Max Effort Attempts

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Preparing for Max Effort Attempts

What is Max Effort

It depends on who you are and what you are training for.

If you are a powerlifter, max effort means one all out rep, typically referred to as absolute strength.

If you are a bodybuilder, a max effort attempt could be a repetitive effort set done to failure with miminal rest and with high intensity, i.e. clustering sets, doggcrapp, 5/3/1 last set, drop sets, giants sets, etc.

If you are an athlete, a maximum attempt is typically a 3-5 reps set done with 90% + 1RM (depending on the athlete).  Max efforts of 1 rep are not typically done with athletes due to the risk factor and because athletics lift raw (without gear).

Even though maximal effort can mean different things depending upon who you are and what you’re training for, maximal effort means maximal effort.  All out with no hesitation and no regrets.  Many people aren’t ready for this.  You have to truly be mentally tough.  Because of the damage max efforts take on the body and mind, they take time to recover from and they must be cycled in and out of training correctly.

Regardless of your training, when you are preparing yourself for a max effort workout, it starts long before stepping into the gym.

Max Effort Preparation (Before the Gym)

Hydration – how you been drinking enough water during the last 2-3 days?

Periodization – when was your last workout?  What was the effort?  Have you recovered?

Nutrition - Are you eating regularly?  Every 2-3 hours?  What do the meals consist of?  Good protein (chicken, fish, beef, yogurt, cottage cheese, tuna), carbs (fruit, vegetables, oatmeal, rice, pasta) and good fats (walnuts, peanut butter, almond butter, avocados, fish oil)?

Rest / Recovery – have you been getting enough deep sleep?  Were you hitting the foam roller and light mobility drills on your days off?  Many people don’t realize the exact same exercises you use to warm up for your workout should also be used on your days off to speed up recovery!

Gym Bag – did you bring your ipod?  Is it charged?  Do you have your workout drink and post workout drink?  Do you have your training journal?  Do you have your warm-up, workout and cool down written down?  Do you have your belt?  Do you have your wraps?

Training Partner (this is key) - you’ll need someone there to push you to your potential.  You’ll need someone to spot you!  Sometimes you’re not mentally ready to hit that max effort set and the training partner is the key.  Sometimes the music isn’t enough and for the sake of safety, the partner is essential.

Max Effort Preparation (At the Gym)

You know I am a HUGE proponent of the warm-up and its effects on the rest of the workout (and recovering from the workout).  With a workout that the lifter will be hitting a max effort attempt, it is even more critical.

Here are some AWESOME warm-ups you can do:

3 Insanely Effective Upper Body Warm-up

Get Your Hips Right – Lower Body Warm-up

After the warm-up, the sets leading up to the maximal effort should really focus on form and continuing to prepare the muscles for the upcoming attempt(s).

BUT, they should NOT fatigue.  If the prep sets are too heavy and with too much volume, you have a risk of not being ready for the max effort set(s).  Again, I am saying set(s) and not set because depending upon your workout (i.e. doggcrapp and powerlifting) you might be hitting multiple max effort attempts.

Bad Warm-up Sets for Max Bench (max attempt 315lbs)

Set 1:  bar x 20

Set 2:  135lbs x 10

Set 3:  185lbs x 10

Set 4:  225lbs x 8

Set 5:  275lbs x 6

Set 6:  315lbs x 1 attempt

Set 7:  315lbs x 1 attempt

Set 8:  315lbs x 1 attempt

There’s too much volume at too high of a percentage of the lifter’s max!

A better lead up to the attempts would be this example.

Set 1:  bar x 20

Set 2:  135lbs x 10

Set 3:  185lbs x 8

Set 4:  225lbs x 3-6 (this one is the turning point, if they set feels really good, hit 6 reps, if you still need more prep, only hit for 3 reps, auto-regulation)

Set 5:  275lbs x 3

Set 6:  295lbs x 1

Set 7:  315lbs x 1 attempt

Set 8:  315lbs x 1 attempt

Set 9:  315lbs x 1 attempt

But like everything else, it is an individual thing.  The above is only one example, there are many others.  That is why the training journal is so important.  What did your last max effort for bench look like?  What was your warm-up and prep sets.  You have to keep track so you can use this for your next heavy session.

Alright, so now look at the fun stuff.

The below video is Ryan hitting his last set of squats on the 5/3/1 program.  The last set is done all out without leaving anything left.  This is a maximal effort attempt.

A few things I want you to notice.

Where is the spotter? Right there for every rep!  The spotter jumped in an gave minimal help to keep the weight moving.  He didn’t pull Ryan quickly back up.  He let him fight it out but he (the spotter) controlled that last rep.

Did Ryan go until the weight crushed him? No, he did all reps with good form and did not go to the point where there is no return.  Max effort is max effort done safely. Remember that.

Did Ryan’s form break? No.  Does form break under fatigue? Yes.  That is why is so important to drill form while the weight is light so it becomes second nature.

Did you notice Ryan’s Breathing Pattern? He took a huge breath, held it and isometrically braced his abdominals outward against his belt and engaged his lats.  He repeated this pattern for every rep.


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Big Arm Workout – Mass Building Workout for Arms

Saturday, October 2nd, 2010

Big Arm Workout

Mass Building Workout for Arms

Here is a muscle building workout for big arms.  There are some unique volume combinations we will use for both biceps and triceps.

Exercise 1:  Chin-ups, Ladders, 1 Time Through

Perform 8 reps, 8 breaths rest (rest only the time it takes to take 8 slow breaths)

Perform 7 reps, 7 breaths rest

Perform 6 reps, 6 breaths rest

Perform 5 reps, 5 breaths rest

Perform 4 reps, 4 breaths rest

Perform 3 reps, 3 breaths rest

Perform 2 reps, 2 breaths rest

Perform 1 reps, 1 breaths rest

Perform 2 reps, 2 breaths rest

Perform 3 reps, 3 breaths rest

and so on…

then try and work your way back up to 8 reps, see how far you get!  This is a max effort attempt.  Your goal is to try and start at 8 reps, go down to 1 rep and back up to 8 reps.

*Note:  if you can’t perform 8 reps, start with a lower number, try starting at 6 reps for the first set.  On the other hand, if you are strong at chin-ups, add additional weight with a dip belt.

HOW TO DO CHIN-UPS VIDEO – CLICK HERE

Exercise 2:  Tricep Press Downs, Ladders, 1 Time Through

For the tricep ladders, we will do something a little different.  Pick whatever attachment you want; a tricep rope, v-handle or straight handle.  Get on the cable stack and use the heaviest weight you can do for 1 rep.  If you can do the whole stack no problem and for multiple reps, overload the movement with an elastic band.

Heaviest weight, 1 rep, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 2 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 3 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 4 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 5 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 6 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 7 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

Next weight, 8 reps, drop pin to next lighter weight, no rest

now try to work your way back up!  After your 8 rep set, ADD 10 lbs and perform 7 reps.  Keep going back up (adding 10 lbs each progressive set) toward the 1 rep weight, until you can’t perform the required number of reps with good form.

HOW TO DO TRICEP EXTENSIONS – CLICK HERE

Exercise 3:  Seated Dumbbell Curls

4 sets x 12 reps

Exercise 4:  Diamond Push-ups

4 sets x 25 reps


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Metabolic Core Training Exercise – Great for Conditioning and Power

Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Cool Metabolic Core Training Exercise

Great for Conditioning and Power

Check out this cool exercise from Martin Rooney.  He demonstrates the proper execution of the movement with a powerful rowing motion with the arms and an explosive flexion at the hips.  Pulling in the lats and upper back is key to any real core training movement.
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Hardest Core Exercise EVER – Part 1

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Hardest Core Exercise EVER

Part 1

I am starting a new series on Diesel to really jack up your core training.  It is titled the “Hardest Core Exercise EVER” series.  It will contain some of the hardest core training exercises ever created.  Most are used with the athletes or bodybuilders I train at Diesel.  Needless to say, there are very tough.
CHECK OUT THE REST OF THIS KILLER POST AFTER THE JUMP (more…)