tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-101573682012-01-23T12:54:54.248-05:00Muscle Building Q&A, Tips, Tricks and Misc. Thoughts on Diet and Training in support of The Build Muscle and Gain Weight Fast Guide JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.comBlogger621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-37579824341275188262008-08-21T21:36:00.000-04:002008-08-21T21:37:37.825-04:00

First, I've been away for a bit but I'm back now and hope to get some regular posts up going forward.Second , I am working on a new section at the site which will eventually give illustrations of videos and pictures of all the top muscle building exercises. So far, 13 exercises are up, check them out at the Weight Training Exercises Database.Third, a frequent question I get is, "Exactly how do I

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-28386222885177904712008-02-23T03:46:00.002-05:002008-02-23T03:54:33.671-05:00

The National Geographic Channel is running a good program titled the "Science Of Steroids." Its an interesting hour for everyone, whether or not you use steroids or have any thoughts about using them. Science of SteroidsSome things I found particularly interesting from the show:One of the "experts" talked about how using steroids was one of the last things anyone would admit to - they'll admit

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-66195353441431672192008-01-15T21:25:00.000-05:002008-01-15T21:27:09.428-05:00

Put this one down as another study that has produced results that may have surprised the general public, but not so much your average bodybuilder. High Cholesterol Is Good for Building Muscle.Not so long ago I got an email from a guy who was frustrated with his inability to gain muscle weight. The results he reported were truly horrible. He was seemingly doing everything right, eating to a

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-35382886868395275552007-12-19T17:20:00.000-05:002007-12-19T17:24:48.844-05:00

Aw, yes, rest.Perhaps nothing is more frustrating to me then trying to convince a beginner that his spending 2 hours in the gym every day without rest won't make him a big man. Rather, he'll likely end up losing muscle.Tell the beginner that and he'll often just stare back at you with glossy eyes. He'll think you are just underestimating his determination. He'll think you're way to

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-75465578379991477832007-12-11T19:13:00.000-05:002007-12-11T19:34:15.814-05:00

Here's a pretty good list of "superfoods" for bodybuilding.Eating For Muscle GainThe list...EggsAlmondsSalmonYogurtBeefOlive OilWaterCoffee Hey, where's chicken and tuna? It's pretty rare that those two don't make these types of lists.The problem I have with these types of lists is that some people tend to take them to mean that if they just eat these foods, they can expect good sized gains.

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-79787624183864941352007-12-04T09:43:00.000-05:002007-12-04T09:48:01.892-05:00

"Hey, I'm skinny and I can't seem to gain any weight. I'm 5'10", 205 lbs. with 8% body fat. I've tried everything to put on weight over the past 6 months. Can you give me any ideas so that I can wear shorts this summer without people staring at my chicken legs?"Believe it or not, I've gotten emails like the one above. Here's a hint, if you're scale says you weigh 205 lbs. at 5'10", one of two

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-25112087440383898052007-10-31T07:51:00.000-04:002007-10-31T07:53:54.809-04:00

A recent study on stretching showed that those who regularly stretch can make some impressive strength gains even without weight training.Muscle Stretching Study32% average strength gains, a 7% increase on a vertical? Those are things that should get the attention of all athletes. The study is just one study, was done on sedentary people and not active trainers, and so it is a bit limited. You

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-42913979991213727682007-10-09T01:54:00.000-04:002007-10-09T02:01:59.172-04:00

Mens Health has a good article on the supplement industry. Definitely worth a read. Beyond Balco: The Untold Dietary Supplement ScandalThe article tells you just how easy it is to start a supplement company. The supplement companies want you to believe they are really producing something scientifically mind-blowing with their high hype supplements. They aren't. While not covered in the

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-31224104267654435782007-09-21T10:45:00.000-04:002007-09-21T10:51:23.811-04:00

You wouldn't ordinarily expect to look to Forbes for good supplement advice, but here it is: Forbes on Muscle Building SupplementsKudos to Forbes for not taking the easy route and just going with the "all supplements suck and no one needs them" like a lot of their mainstream counterparts. Looking a little deeper, they found a professor of kinesiology and someone from the Council For Responsible

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-75353953371782091982007-09-11T06:21:00.000-04:002007-09-11T06:23:15.844-04:00

Well, if they do, they are about to be exposed if this becomes a trend. The British Natural Bodybuilding Championships will begin using lie detectors to test for illegal drug use. Bodybuilding Lie DetectionSteroid experts have long been saying that steroid users testing positive is the result of inexperience or error. In other words, today's tests can be beat if you know what you are doing -

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-747381068336358692007-08-27T16:47:00.001-04:002007-08-27T16:47:57.077-04:00

What do you do immediately after finishing a workout? If your answer isn't "I immediately initiate my post workout nutrition regimen," then don't expect all the hard work that you just did to be as effective as it could be.As pointed out in this article, Feed your Muscles, there are many disagreements on exactly what your overall muscle building diet should contain. But one thing no one

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-38646590390367589942007-08-13T01:54:00.000-04:002007-08-19T11:31:31.181-04:00

What are the mainstream thoughts on the best ways to build muscle these days?Best Ways to Build Muscle At Any AgeMy favorite line from the above article:"These organizations are catching on to what many trainers and body builders have known for years--that no matter what your age, regular strength training builds up more than just muscles; it builds a healthier body."By "organizations" the

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-9735031238516696262007-07-27T09:01:00.000-04:002007-07-27T09:03:04.458-04:00

Myostatin is a protein that acts as an "off-switch" for muscle growth as noted in the following article. It is the subject of great research due to it's potential to help in the treatment of muscle-wasting diseases. Scientists are studying the Belgian blue bulls which is a breed who has a mutated myostatin gene which doesn't function properly. The result?Wanna see a bull that deserves an IFBB

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-45529470709905338592007-07-13T02:20:00.001-04:002007-07-13T02:20:51.982-04:00

I get asked this question a lot - "Does smoking effect my ability to build muscle?"My answer has always been that while you can reasonably bet that smoking is going to have a negative effect on muscle building, that effect will likely be minor.This study suggests my "minor" might actually be major.Smoking 'Damages Body's Muscle-Building'Yet another reason to put down the smokes, eh?JP

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-33043433197154228972007-06-26T13:00:00.000-04:002007-06-26T13:09:55.187-04:00

The following article goes through some of the nutritional advice given to the St. Louis Rams draftees.Football Training table.As stated in the article, if you expect to accomplish anything with your physique goals, whether that is gaining weight or losing it, you have to learn how to eat. It is more common to fail because you never learn how to eat rather than anything you are doing wrong at

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-71998272715431257302007-06-05T03:15:00.001-04:002007-06-05T03:15:49.480-04:00

Interesting research on muscle-building stem cells here.I'd guess it won't be long before the supplement companies jump on this research and "claim" that their "scientists" have discovered a break-through stem-cell replenishing natural supplement. These supplements will be basic vitamins and won't effect anyone's stem cells. But they will sell to people desperate to build muscle.Same thing that

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-35363459409206168272007-05-18T14:40:00.000-04:002007-05-18T15:23:25.169-04:00

Yep, I was just as shocked as you. As it turns out, Sylvester Stallone isn't a natural bodybuilder. He pleaded guilty to taking Human Growth Hormone (HGH) into Australia. Later it seems, he tossed some testosterone vials out of his hotel room.Say it aint so, SylvesterI don't have a problem with a movie star (or anyone else) choosing to use hormones in an effort to better themselves. It isn't

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-78382522078498702122007-05-06T20:49:00.000-04:002007-05-06T23:43:09.987-04:00

An interesting study... Milk Protein Vs. Soy Protein.Not surprising in the fact that it found that milk proteins are more effective for muscle building but surprising in the reported differences. Twice as effective? Wow.Some vegetarian enthusiasts will often say that such a diet doesn't put you at a disadvantage when looking to build muscle. This study would not support that view.Note that the

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-83990920177408778322007-05-01T15:31:00.000-04:002007-05-01T15:53:34.000-04:00

I thought this was an incredibly inspirational article - Scrawny Boy With Type 1 Diabetes Becomes Mr. Universe.I get a lot of email from people asking for advice on bodybuilding training with diabetes. I don't know enough about the disease to offer much help.I do know that many people let all sorts of excuses get in the way of their goals. Most of these excuses are ridiculous and even more

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-29062809836443804732007-04-17T18:55:00.000-04:002007-04-17T19:05:15.316-04:00

What's the deal? If you haven't noticed the price of your whey protein containing supplements on the rise yet, you will soon.Apparently whey is in demand.Whey Protein is in demandThe solution? I'm thinking about buying my own cow.Whey Protein and Muscle BuildingJP Clifford

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-26787037253571604672007-03-26T03:48:00.001-04:002007-03-26T03:48:50.203-04:00

No guesses on the myth from the previous post? I'll continue on as though someone is listening... Easily the most repeated, most believed myth in all of fitness is that "a pound of resting muscle burns 30-70 calories per day." (I hear it anywhere within those ranges, typically 35-50).You see this myth in articles everywhere. Very smart people are quoted as stating it as fact. Though I'm not

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-27253239233289390512007-03-13T21:42:00.000-04:002007-03-13T22:47:51.751-04:00

Recently, I got and answered an email asking for advice on how to gain weight.And I made a HUGE mistake. Somewhere in my reply I said the phrase women fear most, "Build Muscle Mass." The reply I got back was predictable, it said something to the effect, "Oh - no,no,no. I DO NOT WANT TO BUILD MUSCLE MASS. I was just hoping to add some lean muscle."My bad. I should know better. In fact, the

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-89773613253966316952007-02-14T00:34:00.000-05:002007-02-14T01:14:52.504-05:00

A question that frequently appears in my in-box is how to build muscle without sacrificing the speed or agility necessary for various athletic endeavors. Beyond that, I get questions asking just how much speed they are going to lose in putting on a few pounds of muscle? A lot of young football players, for example, seem convinced that if they increase their muscle mass, they are going to get

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1170402700057875872007-02-02T02:51:00.000-05:002007-02-02T02:51:40.946-05:00

When your looking for research to provide some help on how to gain muscle weight, sometimes you have to take what you can get...Fish-Oil Fats May Stop Cancer Weight Loss.If it is helping cancer patients gain muscle weight, it isn't a stretch to conclude Omega-3 fatty acids are also going to play a positive role in helping interested trainers add muscle weight.In my opinion, essential fatty acids

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1169772395595068412007-01-25T19:46:00.000-05:002007-01-28T06:35:36.240-05:00

Thought this was an interesting article, giving a glimpse of what the future may hold...Genes and Athletic Performance. Will there come a day when you can get a baby tested to see if he/she has the potential to excel in any sport? Will they make a better bodybuilder, baseball player or long-distance runner? I think that day is coming rapidly. I think weight trainers could benefit from a

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1169149704328253002007-01-18T14:28:00.000-05:002007-01-18T14:48:25.326-05:00

Apparently, in Rocky VI, Rocky Balboa is again drinking raw eggs just as he did in the original. From time to time I get asked if raw eggs are a good thing to do for weight gain. The answer is no, there isn't an advantage to drinking your eggs.A good article here on Rocky, the history of raw egg drinking and why you should go ahead and cook your eggs. As it is, Sylvester Stallone's latest will

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1168587824860788472007-01-12T02:20:00.000-05:002007-01-12T02:49:14.273-05:00

January is the biggest month not only for gym membership sales but for bodybuilding supplements as well. Bodybuilding Supplement Demand Way UpMy favorite excerpt from that article......When asked if he believes some customers use some supplements as substitutes for anabolic steroids, Mark Johnson, co-owner of American Nutritional Wholesalers, said, "Absolutely. The things over the counter are so

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1168077567472360232007-01-06T04:59:00.000-05:002007-01-06T04:59:31.286-05:00

Um, well... YES. That isn't news. That is just part of doing business in the supplement world.What is news is that the FTC has actually fined a few companies for claims that were “not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.”...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16491115/$25 million in fines between these 4 large companies? Is it me, or does that sound a lot like a slap on the wrist?

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1167898608709190612007-01-04T02:50:00.000-05:002007-01-04T03:16:49.583-05:00

Yep, it's January and the gym's are packed. Sadly, by February, those gyms will be back to normal as most will have given up on their resolutions. Actually, that isn't so sad from the point of view of the serious trainer - the serious trainer suddenly confronted with long wait times simply can't wait for those newbies to fumble and bumble their way back to their comfy couches.At the risk of

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1162172424319494632006-10-29T20:40:00.000-05:002007-02-07T13:27:14.940-05:00

A study recently published in a major medical journal alerted the world to this growing problem: Men and women who engage in bodybuilding programs are increasingly finding themselves getting more than they bargained for. It seems that many men who begin training to add a "little muscle mass" are waking to the reality that this is just not possible. One of the study's profiled participants

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1157049050529485722006-08-31T14:23:00.000-04:002006-08-31T14:58:40.830-04:00

...My question is: If I begin a weight gain diet, what will happen if I do not participate in any bodybuilding? Will i still gain weight? How will this effect my body? Are their simple exercises that can replace the bodybuilding aspect, pushups sit ups etc.? (from Super Skinny Darren)When you consistently give the body a surplus of calories (calories in excess of its energy demands) it uses these

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1154807912943979812006-08-05T15:49:00.000-04:002006-08-05T16:01:52.726-04:00

...I understand that multiple sets would be better but I don't know how to handle the explosiveness of the workout.. eg. If I try 3 sets, 8-12 reps to failure, I can barely reach the range on set 2, and even less on set 3, which ofcourse makes sense to me as my energy is slowly depleting through the sets, but then if I'm not hitting the rep range I'm not training correctly, am I? So, thats why

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1153853207705205782006-07-25T14:42:00.000-04:002006-07-25T14:49:07.986-04:00

hey, ive been bodybuilding for about a year and a half now and hve stuck to diet and protein supplements and have got good results so far.i recently have been reading musclemag and have heard about hydroxycut.so i bought xyience exelerate , its he same thing what will this do for me will i loose the mass ive worked so hard for or will i become leaner and more defined as said in articles -

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1152728174703903482006-07-12T13:53:00.000-04:002006-07-12T14:21:27.716-04:00

The main site, The Build Muscle and Gain Weight Fast Guide has been updated. It has a new design and a ton of new content, check it out.Some of the new pages...Women and Weight Gain - How to add healthy weight (lean muscle mass) for the females.Weight Gain Tips - Readers give out their best tips for bulking up.Muscle Building Program Reviews - Find out which of the mass gain and bodybuilding

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1134606274102338752005-12-14T19:24:00.000-05:002006-01-08T04:49:28.896-05:00

...I came across your website and your page on weight gain pills. I wanted to let you that there are at least some weight gain pills that do work. I bought Vita Salveo Weight Gainer Pills for my husband who has always had trouble putting on weight and he gained 3 kilos in two months. They have the necessary vitamins like you said but also they have protein which is where I think my husbands

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1132299090428237032005-11-18T02:19:00.000-05:002005-11-18T02:31:30.440-05:00

...I try to eat every 3 hours, little and often, I'll have a meal in the evening and the rest will be snacks like a banana or a yogurt or cereal. But I'm still not having any joy. Can you suggest other foods I should be eating to gain mass?I want a sixpack too.. so try avoid a lot of fatty/fried foods and chocolate etc...(from Stuart)First off, remember not to multi-task your fitness goals. If

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1131549055094511222005-11-09T10:07:00.000-05:002005-11-09T10:10:55.113-05:00

I'm 26 years old, 5'11" tall and 148lbs. I have never weight trained before. I want to gain about 20 lbs. in muscle. I want to do this as fast as possible. I'm wondering if you could tell me what the best routine for me to follow would be. There are a lot of routines I have seen, including the ones on your site. I'm just wondering which one is best for someone with my goals? Keep in mind I'm

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1128339940586436342005-10-03T06:44:00.000-05:002005-10-03T06:45:40.593-05:00

...I was told that if i work out at home I will not be able to gain mass and I need to join a gym...I have a basic bench with squat rack and more than 300 lbs. in weights...I prefer to work out at home...(from Doug)The person who told you that you couldn't gain mass at home was wrong. Many, many people have gained significant muscle mass at home with no greater setup than the one you describe.

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1126070078779405872005-09-07T00:04:00.000-05:002005-09-07T00:30:58.576-05:00

hey jp ive had so much trouble putting on weight that was actually muscle, i feel like this could be the answer. however im afraid that i will get fat instead of gain solid muscle gains. can you tell me what i can do to make sure that this doesnt happen? (from Brysen)A few things work towards minimizing fat gains....1) Many small meals as opposed to a few big ones. This works to keep the body

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1125696285113890662005-09-02T16:20:00.000-05:002005-09-02T16:40:06.133-05:00

I have a question about beginner's back exercises. Your web site recommends pull-ups but these are really, really, really hard for me to do at this stage of my development. What would you recommend instead?Don't feel bad not being able to perform the concentric phase of the wide-grip pull-up. Most beginners and even a lot of seasoned gym goers can't. Ideally, if you are working at a gym that has

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1125058937813154272005-08-26T07:11:00.000-05:002005-08-26T07:23:31.626-05:00

When is the best time to take creatine? On the bottle it says 1 hour before working out. Also, should I be taking creatine every day even if I don't work out. Right now I'm working out about 3-4 times a week. (from Dom You can find all sorts of questionable advice on the packaging of supplements. Mostly the "directions" are there to help create sales. It isn't uncommon to find the packaging

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1123987527884661022005-08-13T21:15:00.000-05:002005-08-13T21:47:26.716-05:00

I am 20 and have been lifting for 4 years pretty consistently. I am 6'2" and weigh 180lbs. I am naturally skinny, and am trying to gain. The muscle i have put on seems loose and jiggly compared to my friends. Like if i shake my arms, by bi's and tri's shake all over the place. If i hold my arms out to my sides, you can see my tri's sagging down below my bi's. I have pretty big pecs, but you can

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1121803003785240682005-07-19T14:55:00.000-05:002005-09-22T21:07:48.116-05:00

....I have been using N-Large for about 3 weeks but was just told that I will lose weight if I stop using it. I have gained 3 pounds...will I will lose more than that if I stop using it? Will it be muscle or fat? (from Bruce)Amazingly, I have heard this rumor before. For the life of me I can't figure out what those who perpetuate it are thinking. Yes, if you discontinue use of a weight gainer

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1121362840971073842005-07-14T12:15:00.000-05:002005-07-14T13:18:05.360-05:00

I'm out of shape and haven't been to the gym in about a year...If I hit the gym to do heavy cardio and started my diet to tone up and drop some body fat a few weeks before I started taking the supplements, would that make me more toned as I gain the weight back from the supplements? (from Johnny)It depends on your body fat level whether or not you would benefit from doing a cutting routine to

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1120201295670024512005-07-01T01:56:00.000-05:002005-07-01T02:04:17.990-05:00

How can I deal with my left arm being weaker than my right arm especially with dumbbell exercises? Do I have to lessen the reps or weight for my left arm? If yes, wouldn't that result to my left becoming naturally smaller/weakerthan my right as I gain muscle? (from Ner)Most people are going to start weight training with their dominant arm being noticeably stronger. This is due not only to the

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1120022959944889442005-06-29T00:28:00.000-05:002005-06-29T01:19:23.996-05:00

I am not a fan of anabolic steroids. Even if they were legal, I wouldn't use them. Being the biggest, fastest, strongest man in town simply isn't that important to me. I don't believe their use should be tolerated in the Olympics or competitive sports. I would never advise anyone to take them.This being said, the negative publicity surrounding steroids and their potential health damaging

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1119564834686367032005-06-23T17:11:00.000-05:002005-06-23T17:28:49.263-05:00

With regards to dumbbells, is it ok that one side of a dumbbell is slightly heavier than the other side? This is what I do because I want to make sure that the increase in weight is gradual. For example, from a 10lb dumbbell (5lb each plate) , I would add a 2.5lb plate just in one side to make it 12.5lb instead of adding two 2.5lb plates that would make it 15lb, a 50% increase (which is too much,

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1116023612700653402005-05-13T17:25:00.000-05:002005-05-13T17:36:57.333-05:00

When I do squats, with or without weights on myshoulders, sometimes I can hear a slight cracking sound from my knees upon execution. Is that normal?Harmful? What might be causing it? What can I do withit? (from Ren)This is called crepitus, which is a term used to describe the noises sometimes made by movement of the joints. Knee crepitus is not all that uncommon and unless accompanied by pain or

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1115010523799026442005-05-01T23:54:00.000-05:002005-05-02T00:59:00.776-05:00

From time to time I get emails from people wondering why on earth I'm not recommending the use of certain muscle building supplements marketed to those of us trying to gain weight. The reason I do not jump on the band wagon of some of these supplements is because there is insufficient scientific evidence to suggest they actually help.How do I know? Well, one way to tell is by following the

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1114385613732406652005-04-24T18:33:00.000-05:002005-04-24T18:38:45.636-05:00

As a very skinny girl, I am considering taking creatine to help...I am wondering if it is safe for females. I don't want to end up looking like a man. (from Vicki)Rest assured that supplementing with creatine won't make you look like a man. Your concerns probably arise from the fact that much of the public consider creatine to be very similar to anabolic steroids. This is an incorrect

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1113514935931097802005-04-14T16:38:00.000-05:002005-04-14T16:45:30.413-05:00

...I think some of my problems (with bulking up) may be that I don't get enough sleep. I get 4-5 hours a night on average. I rarely sleep more then 2 hours at a time. I wake up and can't get back to sleep. Could this be a reason for my low weight? (from Deems)Yes, a lack of sleep can definitely hamper weight gain. Your resting time is when the body actually goes about the business of

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1112676816695922112005-04-04T23:50:00.000-05:002005-04-04T23:53:50.676-05:00

...I have been trying to keep my workouts under an hour but now I leave the gym and don't feel like I did anything...(from Fizz)Well, did you do anything? Part of the deal that makes brief workouts effective is that you work very intense while in the gym. This means you don't have time to check out the ladies or chat about the previous day's soccer match. Use your one hour to train and train

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1111787091342211502005-03-25T16:13:00.000-05:002005-03-25T16:44:51.343-05:00

...You recommend drinking a lot of water but I have read where people can get too much water and get real sick? (from Traci)The condition you refer to is water intoxication or hyponatremia. It is a relatively rare condition. So rare that when it does happen, it does make the news and frightens a lot of people.It happens when water consumption is so great that the blood-sodium levels become

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1111478078352108012005-03-22T02:07:00.000-05:002005-03-22T03:47:37.943-05:00

...You and another coach have told me that do 2 or three exercises for every (major muscle group). But you did not tell me that how many sets I should do? (from Z.K.)That's a great question and it's true that you often see people giving out a list of exercises but never addressing the reps and sets that should be done.The short answer to your question is that there is no one answer to your

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1110484191690439532005-03-10T14:49:00.000-05:002005-03-10T14:49:51.693-05:00

...I have put on some weight in the last 5 weeks but I am concerned about the weather turning hot. I always seem to lose a little of what I gained during the winter when summer comes. Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening? (from Jeremy)When the weather turns hot, appetites tend to decrease. Obviously, this is not good news to those trying to gain and maintain weight.Appetite

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1109613762748379942005-02-28T13:01:00.000-05:002005-02-28T13:04:28.416-05:00

I can't squat not because I have bad knees but because it hurts my neck so much. I think I am so (skinny) that I don't have any meat back there to support the weight. I have tried bunching up a towel and putting it back there but I'm not sure this is a good idea...Would I be best off just to do leg presses? (from James)You are right in appraising your towel tactic as a bad idea. This can

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1108633097720234762005-02-17T04:35:00.000-05:002005-02-17T04:42:30.066-05:00

Due to circumstances, I don't have access to any weights. Are there any exercises I can do that don't require any equipment? I am wanting to build up my upper body. (from Lane)The key to building muscle is progressive overload, the gradual increase in resistance used. The easiest and best way to accomplish this is by using weights. While we all think of weights as those circular things in

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1107970606878718832005-02-09T13:20:00.000-05:002005-02-09T12:44:22.843-05:00

I eat 12 bananas a day to increase weight because people say that bananas are good for gaining weight. Is this correct? Or should I spend my money on chicken? (from Z.K.) Bananas have the reputation for causing weight gain for good reason. They are very high in simple carbs. Eating a lot of them will make you gain weight but it probably won't be from muscle. If you have ever known a person who

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1107452294251990672005-02-03T13:36:00.000-05:002005-02-03T13:36:09.436-05:00

I play safety for my football team and need to get a lot bigger by next season. I have just made my plan and wanted to see if you see anything to add... I will be eating a lot and bought Weight gainer Gold 2200. I plan to drink one shake a day plus increasing all other food as much as I can. My workouts will be chest and back and abs on Monday and Thursday, legs on Tuesday and Friday, and

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1106913110984594552005-01-28T06:48:00.000-05:002005-02-03T13:37:25.176-05:00

I am 19 years old and I am very skinny (5'10 and only 60kg). I have been watching my diet and I am currently eating about 2700 calories per day but not gaining. That is more than 20 times my weight. I want to start a program like the one on your site but since I already eat so much should I just not change my diet but do the weight training? Then will I gain weight? (from Devin) The first

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1106651321328613692005-01-25T06:00:00.000-05:002005-02-03T13:37:58.406-05:00

After being one of the first few eliminated from a Texas Hold 'em tournament (a sad story by itself) and thus being forced into the winter cold to search for beer, it happened again. There were a few of us in the car and the topic of conversation turned to Barry Bonds and the impact of the steroid scandal on baseball's sacred records. And then it was brought up that Bonds wasn't the only one -

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10157368.post-1106216732509458182005-01-20T05:16:00.000-05:002005-02-03T13:38:21.820-05:00

On this day, January 20, 2005, prohormones in the US are officially banned as a result of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004. This was an act which was signed into law on October 22, 2004 (to be effective 90 days later) and, with regards to prohormones, trumped the Dietary Supplement Health and Regulation Act (DSHEA) of 1994 which is what allowed their legal manufacturing and distribution.

JP Cliffordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08443870224114810849noreply@blogger.com1