DISQUS

Nino Savona · 1 year ago

Gee Marc,
I've been trying to put on size lately by eating all Natural PB, with very little success. I think I'm going to switch to fast food that seems to be the key!

James Beilman · 1 year ago

As usual, you do hit all the points; you know your stuff. What I have noticed however is that you pay a great deal of attention weight gain. Yea, i know that is what most people, and hardgainers in the gym are interested in. However some of us are a little older than the average 17 year old gym nube. Some of us, have little difficulty gaining weight....and a few of us know how to add pounds carefully, or not so carefully, lol.

In other words, for some--in fact many--it is easy to get big, hit 315 or 405 on the bench...etc. But what use is all that added muscle really if it adds no functionality? More appropriately, what is the point, if your out of balance--having a great deal of size upstairs, but nothing to motivate all that muscle. I see people in the gym all the time who are big: and only rarely do I see someone in the gym who knows the fine balance, the symmetry that is all too critical to having a "perfect" and functional body. They are the gym rats, the obsessed, and the compulsive freaks. They tend to do it all, be jacks of all trades; jumping from high intensity cardio, to heavy weights, to cardio kickboxing; they burn multiple sets into the ground while others are working their mouths, or they know the difference between slow negatives and just repping it out. Their exercise routine shifts from day to day in order to further the burn of the muscle. They also make sacrifices in regards to diet that would make most people quiver in fear...they know how to build, and they also know how to burn...and typically they do both within a short period just to maintain a healthy balance.

The point of all this is--I have never seen any simple answer work, regarding the goal of a certain look. It takes hard work--real sacrifices--that most people will never be able to make. And it takes perseverance both in and out of the gym 24/7. In fact, a wise person would recognize that your never out of the gym; and that abs in 15 minutes a day, the 10 minute workout, get big off of weight gainer protein, and my personal fav...lose weight just by taking a pill--are all just fancy marketing. Thus Im in absolute agreement with you regarding the myths of weightlifting. They are crap.

MikeHaydon · 1 year ago

You're absolutely right. I was primarily mistake #9. Left highschool at 145 lbs at 6ft 5. Now that I got my nutrition right I'm just over 210 lb (15% body fat) and still have muscle to go - still on the skinny side. Though I'm always amused how people think that you can put garbage in and get something other than garbage out. Good article.

Atta · 1 year ago

Very true indeed. I am a member at some bodybuilding boards, and the skinny guys always tell me how much they eat. When asked to deliver they eat in a day, what I eat for breakfast. I'm glad that you point out that the crucial part in training is actually not training, but eating.
There is just one point which I'd add. You point out that switching from 15% fat intake to 20% will make a world of difference. I agree. But I'd up the fat intake higher to 30, perhaps even 40%. Literature shows that intakes this high give the biggest testosteroneproduction, which in turn will help you gain muscle.
Apart from that, great article.

catalina · 4 months ago

Thanks for your post! I like it and I think you make a good point.
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us

Chase · 3 months ago

I know many misuse weight-gainer shakes and supplements; however, I see them as a good way to get quality protein, at the right time. The supplement I use provides around 750 calories, 50 grams of protein, but the thing is, it's right when I need it, around 15-20 minutes post workout. It contains only twenty grams of sugar, but I do need to watch out for the overwhelming amount of overall carbohydrates, as they do affect mood. But overall great article.