The 21-Day Big Muscle Plan: The No-BS Training and Nutrition Program for Rapid Muscle Growth!

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Transcript of The 21-Day Big Muscle Plan: The No-BS Training and Nutrition Program for Rapid Muscle Growth!

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Thisbookisintendedasareferencevolumeonly,notasamedicalmanual.Theinformationgivenhereisdesignedtohelpyoumakeinformeddecisionsaboutyourhealth.Itisnotintendedasasubstituteforanytreatmentthatmayhavebeenprescribedbyyourdoctor.Ifyoususpectthatyouhaveamedicalproblem,weurgeyoutoseekcompetentmedicalhelp.

Mentionofspecificcompanies,organizations,orauthoritiesinthisbookdoesnotimplyendorsementbytheauthororpublisher,nordoesmentionofspecificcompanies,organizations,orauthoritiesimplythattheyendorsethisbook,itsauthor,orthepublisher.

Copyright2014byZinczenko/AMIVentures,LLC.Allrightsreserved.

PublishedintheUnitedStatesbyGalvanizedBooks,adivisionofGalvanizedBrands,LLC,NewYork.

GalvanizedBooksisatrademarkofGalvanizedBrands,LLC.

Men’sFitnessandMuscle&FitnessaretrademarksofAmericanMedia,Inc.

eBookISBN:978-0-8041-8102-0

v3.1

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CONTENTS

CoverCopyright

IntroductionBuildtheBodyofaGod

Chapter1TheHigh-TestosteroneLifestyle

Chapter2FoodsThatGrowMuscle

Chapter3Ultimate21-DayMuscle-BuildingWorkout

Chapter4SupplementsforMass

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INTRODUCTION

Congratulations.Yourbody—andyourlife—isabouttochange.AndIshouldknow.I’mtheTraining

DirectorforMen’sFitnessandMuscle&Fitnessmagazines,andtheauthorof101BestWorkoutsofAllTime.I’malsoaCertifiedStrengthandConditioningSpecialist,andI’vetriedjustabouteverymuscle-buildingprogramknowntoman.I’vespokentoeverymajortrainerandnutritionistinthefitnessindustry,andtestedtheirtheoriesonbothmyself,andtensofthousandsofreaders.Myjobforthepastdecadehasbeen—quitesimplyandinnouncertainterms—tohelpmenlikeyoupackonmuscle.Ifyou’veeverwonderedwhyyoucouldn’t

growmuscleasquicklyandeffectivelyassomeotherguys,wondernomore.Withthisbook,youhavetheanswerstoallthequestionsthathaveheldyoubackfromyourgoalsinthepast.Theultimateanswerstotraining,dieting,supplementing,andorganizingyourlifeoutsidethegymliewithinthesepages.We’vesuppliedtheplan,butit’suptoyoutoputitintoaction.The21-DayBigMusclePlanisn’tcomplex,butitisn’teasy.Tosee

impressivegrowthin21days,you’dbetterbepreparedtoworkforit.By

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embarkingonthisplan,you’regoingtobetestingyourbodyinnewways,demandingthatitrespondwithnewmuscleandahard,chiseledcore.Youwillseeresults—dramaticresults—veryquickly.Butyou’llhavetofollowittotheletter.

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BUILDTHEBODYOFAGOD

Youknowwhat’sgreatabouttheGreekgods?Theydidn’ttakeanycrap.Youmessedwiththem,youweresmited,err,smote.Endofstory.Youknowwhat’salotlikeaGreekgod?Yourbody.Youfeeditcrap,

treatitwithzerorespect,letitliearoundonthecouchwatchingFamilyGuyreruns,anditwillrespondbysmitingyouwithwitheredbiceps,jigglinglovehandlesandapotbelly.Buthere’ssomethingelsetheancientGreeksknew:Buildingmuscleis

actuallyprettyeasy.Thatmaysoundliketherantingsofalunatic,especiallyifyou’vetried

foryearstogetbigandtobuildthebodyyouwantwithoutsuccess.ButI’mlivingproofofhoweasyitistobuildmuscle—ifyouhaveaccesstotherightfitness,nutritionandlifestylestrategy.Thetruthis,themalebodyisprogrammedtobuildandretainmuscle,

naturally.Whenyoulosemuscle,orwhenyouexerciselikehellandstilldon’tseeresults,orwhenyougiveupandcollapseonthecouchforayear?That’sNOTnatural.Sostopworkingsohardtomakemuscle.I’mgoingtoshowyouhow

togetit,easily.Infact,ifyou’reundertheageof40andnotalreadyjacked,youcan

expecttoseeupto4poundsofleanmusclegrowthinthenext21days.Doesn’tsoundlikemuch?Flexyourbicep.That’saboutapoundofmusclerightthere.How’dyouliketopackonfourtimesthatmuch,injust21days?

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TRIGGERYOURBODY’SNATURALGROWTH

MECHANISM

TheancientGreeksdidn’thavesupplements,theydidn’thavebarbells,andtheydidn’thavepersonaltrainersscreamingatthemto“Feeleththyburn!”Buttheysculptedperfectphysiques,bothintheirartworkandintheiractualphysicalbeings.Therippedmusculatureoftheirstatuesreflectedwhattheysawaroundthem—menwithmuscles.(Andyes,curlybeardsandbowlhaircuts.Butthat’snotimportant.)Sohowdidourforefathersgetsopowerfulwithoutanyofthemodern

sciencewehaveatourdisposaltoday?ItgoesbacktowhatIsaidabove:Buildingmuscleiseasy.Wejusthavetogetoutoftheway.Herearesomethingsancientathletesdidn’tdo:•Sitinfrontofcomputersfor8,10,14,18hoursaday•StayupafternightfallplayingGrandTheftAuto•Digestfrozenpizza•Stressovermeetingcarpayments•Juggleahecticsociallife•Gotothegymeveryfreakin’dayYetthesearethemistakeswemakewhenwe’retryingtobuild

muscle.Yourbodyonlyhasacertainamountofresourcestoapplytoitsdaily

tasks—glycogentofuelyourmetabolism,hormonestodrivegrowth.Ifyouburnthoseresourcesontryingtomanageabusycareeronfivehours’sleep,orongoingto“workoffstress”everydayinthegym,ordigestingthingslikeazodicarbonamide—atypeofplasticfoundinprocessedfoods—thenthoseresourcesaren’tgoingtobuildingmuscle.Gettingbiggeris,morethananythingelse,amatterofgettingoutof

yourownway.Thisbookisgoingtoshowyouhow.

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THESLOWPATHTOFASTMUSCLE

Whenyourfocusisbulkingupmuscle,youneedtoslowdowntogofaster.You’regoingtobeliftingweights,butyou’renotgoingtoberunning

aroundlikeawhirlingdervishinthegym.You’llbeliftingslow,liftingheavy,andtakingverylongrestperiodsaftereachset.Thiswillallowforampleamountofrecovery.It’saboutlifting,recoveringandgrowing;lifting,recoveringandgrowing.Andrecoverygoesdeeperthanrestperiods.Greekgodssleptvery

well.Wellenoughtonaturallyboostormaintaintestosterone.Ifpossible,you’regoingtogetdeeptissuemassages,hotrocktreatments,whateverittakestokeepthemindcalmandthebodyinastateofrelaxationformoregrowth.Remember,yourbrainworksonglycogen,thesamestuffthatfuelsyourmuscles.Andyoudon’twanttobepumpingoutstresshormones;youwanttobepumpingoutgrowthhormones.Eachdayoftrainingwillbefocusedononesinglebodypart,ortwo

smallerbodyparts.Arms,forexample,wouldbebicepsandtricepsandworkedtogether.Legs,chest,orback,ontheotherhand,willhavetheirownindividualdays.Thepurposeofthisistohyperfocusononeareawithbigcomplexmovementstoensureeverysinglemusclefiberisactivatedandforcedtogrow.Ourliftswillprimarilyconsistof“big,”“multi-joint,”“compound”movementstoactivatemoreofthebody,boosttestosterone,andaccelerategrowth.

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PUREFOODFORPUREMUSCLE

Oneofthebigmistakesmenmakewhentheytryto“bulkup”isthinkingthattheyjustneedlotsofcalories,andlotsofprotein.Sotheyhitthegymhard,thenpullupachairatthelocalburgerjointanddoubledownonthecheeseburgers,allthebettertomaximizeenergyintakeand“fuel”growth.That’samistake.Yourbodywillgrowwhenyougiveitmorecalories,

that’sforsure.Thequestionis,Growwhat?Whenyourbodyisworkingtodigestheavilyprocessedfoods,it’snot

workingtobuildmuscle.Whenit’sworkingtoturnunhealthyfatsandrefinedcarbohydratesintohealthybodytissue,it’sbeingchargedwithamuchheaviertaskthanwhenit’sfocusedonleanmeat,high-nutrientcarbsandtherightbalanceoffats.Itwouldratherjustsaythehellwithit,shuttlethatjunkintoyourlovehandles,andwaitforsomethingbettertocomealong.That’swhybuildingmuscleisn’tjustaboutwhocanliftthemostin

thegym.Therightnutritionplancanandwillmakethedifferencebetweenwhetheryourworkinthegymbuildsmoremuscle,orjustmakesmoredirtylaundry.

SeanHyson,C.S.C.SGroupTrainingDirector,

Men’sFitnessandMuscle&Fitness

P.S.: If you like this program, you’ll find more perfectly calibratedworkouts in 101 Best Workouts of All Time. Check it out at101bestworkouts.com.

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CHAPTER1

TheHigh-TestosteroneLifestyle

Growingmoremusclestartswithgeneratingmoretestosterone.Testosteronecirculatesnaturallyinyourbody.It’sananabolicsteroid

—ahormonethatcontributestomalecharacteristics,includingincreasedmusclemass.Uppingyourlevelsoftestosteronecanhavebenefitsthatrangefromincreasedenergyandlibidotogreatermusclemassandathletic(andsexual)performance.Researchhasshownthattestosteronelevelsstarttodropatage40,

with10to25percentofmenoverage50showinglowtestosterone.Soitstandstoreasonthataroundmiddleage,youshouldprobablyjustquitthegym,curlupunderaSnuggie,andstartresearchingyourhipreplacementsurgeon.Oh,wait.Turnsout,that’sactuallywrong.A2014study,presentedatTheEndocrineSociety’s94thAnnual

MeetinginHouston,suggeststhatthiswell-documenteddeclineintestosteronelevelsmaybetheresultofhealthandbehaviormorethanaging.“Testosteronechangesarelargelyexplainedbysmokingbehaviorand

changesinhealthstatus,particularlyobesityanddepression,”studyco-authorGaryWittert,MD,said.Researchersfollowedover1,300menforfiveyears,measuringtheir

testosteronelevelsattwodifferenttimes.Aswithotherresearch,themenshowedadeclineintestosteroneofaroundonepercentayear.This,however,washigherforcertaingroupsofmen—thosewhobecameobeseorhadahistoryofsmoking,andthosewhoweredepressedateithervisit.Inaddition,testosteronelevelsdeclinedmoreslowlyinmarriedmen,

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possiblyduetothembeinghealthierandhappier,alongwiththefactthattheyweremorelikelytoreporthavingfrequentsex.Thisstudyhasnotyetbeenpublishedinapeer-reviewedjournal,sotheresultsshouldbeconsideredpreliminary.Otherstudies,however,havelinkedlowtestosteronewithobesity,diabetes,andhighbloodpressure.Inaddition,poorsleepandhighlevelsofstressdecreasetestosterone,andincreaseanotherhormone,cortisol,whichtriggersfatstorageandactuallyerodesmusclequality.Soahigh-testosteronelifestylemeansabig-musclelifestyle.Noamountofweighttrainingorhealthyeatingisgoingtogiveyouthebodyyouwantifyoudon’tfollowafewsimplesteps.Forthenext21days,you’regoingtodothefollowing:

•Sleepatleast7hoursaday.Atleast.Muscledoesn’tgrowinthegym,itgrowsinthebedroom,duringtherecoveryphase,whenbroken-downmusclefiberisregenerating.Theextraenergyyouexpendstayinguplate,orpoweringthroughyourdayonashortageofsleep,isenergythatisn’tgoingintobuildingmuscle.

•Meditate.Orpray.Orjustsitquietlyandthinkabouttheawesomenessoftheuniverse.There’sareasonMatthewMcConaugheylooksthewayhedoesatage45andit’snotbecausehe’sallstressedout.Chillmindequalsmuscularbody.

•Getlucky.Regularsexbegetsabetterbody,whichbegetsmoreregularsex.Whenitcomestotestosterone,useit…orloseit.

•Liftheavy.You’llfollowtheprotocolinthetrainingchapter,whichwillgiveyouallthepoweryouneedtobuildmaximummuscleoverthenext21days.Butherearefourrulesyoushouldkeepinmindwheneveryou’relookingtoboostyourtestosteronelevels,courtesyoftheNationalStrengthandConditioningAssociation(NSCA).

1.Trainusinglarge-muscle-groupexercisessuchasthesquat,deadlift,andpowerclean.(Interestingly,despitemakingmostguysfeelmoremanly,bench-pressingdoesnotsignificantlyincreasetestosteroneproduction.)2.Useheavyweights—atleast85%ofthegreatestloadyoucanliftforonerepetition.

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3.Performmultiplesets(threetosix,forexample)perexercise,ormultipleexercises.4.Keeprestperiodsshort.Levelsofbothtestosteroneandgrowthhormoneelevatewith30-to60-secondrests.

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CHAPTER2Nutrition

Forgetthemyths.Here’sthetruthaboutwhen,what,andhowmuchtoeattobuildmuscle.Hint:It’slessthanyouthink.Bulking,ascommonlyunderstood,isB.S.Isaidit,andit’stimeyou

acceptedit,too.Tellingyourselfyoucaneatanythingyouwantbecauseyou’reskinnyandtryingtoputonmuscleisjustanexcusetoeatlikeapig,andyou’llpayforit.Yes,you’llgainsomemuscle,butyou’llalsogainfat,andthatfatwillobscureyourmusclesuntilyoudecideyoudesperatelyneedtoloseit—andthenyou’llhaveahellofatimedietingitoff.I’mtellingyounow:Stopbulkingbeforeit’stoolate.Thesolutiontoyourskinninessmightactuallyrequirelessfoodthan

youthink,andnouncomfortableforcefeedings.(Onthedownside,itdoesn’twarrantpizzasorBigMacs,either.)Discovertherealscienceofgainingweight,andnevergetfatintheprocessagain.

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THEHARDTRUTH

Yourbodycanonlygainsomuchmuscleinagivenperiodoftime;it’sdependentonyourgenetics,age,andtrainingage(howlongyou’vebeenlifting).Arelativebeginnerinhisteensupthroughhis30scanexpecttoputonuptofourpoundsofleanmusclein21days,andrepeatthatperformanceforthefirstfewmonthsofhistraining.Anolder,moreexperiencedliftermightsee1–1.5poundspermonth.Thismeansthatwhenyouhearaboutsomebodywho“gained20

poundsinamonth,”hereallyputonclosertotwopoundsofmuscleand18poundsofwaterandfat.Trainers,equipmentmanufacturers,andsomemuscle“gurus”liketoexaggerateresults,butifyoumeasuredthebodyfatoftheirsubjects,you’dseeonlyamodestincreaseinleanmass.Andthat’sfine.Gopickupatwo-poundtop-roundsteakandenvisionwhat10of

thosewouldlooklikeonyourbody.Veryfewguysonthisplanethavethepotentialtogain20poundsofrock-hardmuscleinamonth.Thatis,notsanstheaidofcertainmuscle-buildingdrugs.

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HOWTOBULKRIGHT

Becauseofthebody’slimitedmuscle-buildingpotential,itmakesnosensetobombarditwithagreatexcessofcalories.Asmallsurplusisenough.“Eating200–300caloriesabovemaintenancelevelwilldothetrick,”saysJohnAlvino,anutritionexpertandstrengthcoachinMorristown,NJ.Startbyeating14–18caloriesperpoundofyourbodyweight,and

adjustfromthere.Consumeonegramofproteinperpoundofyourbodyweightdaily,twogramsofcarbs,and0.4gramsoffat.Inotherwords,a180-poundmanlookingtogainweightwouldeatbetween2,500and3,200caloriesdaily,consistingofapproximately180gramsofprotein,360gramsofcarbs,and70gramsoffat.Tomakeadjustments,tweakyourcarbsandfat,butkeepyourproteinintakeconstant.Thefatalmistakebulkersmakeiseatingtoomuchtoosoon.Theymay

startoutfollowinganintelligentdiet,butwhenthescaledoesn’tjumpfivepoundsinaweek,theyassumetheprogramisn’tworkingandstartswallowingeverythinginsighttoseegains—andthentheygetfat.Ofcourse,it’struethatmorecaloriesprovidemorerawmaterialformuscle,butthebodyisstillcapableofbuildingmusclewithoutthem.Infact,it’sbeenshownthatmusclegrowthcanoccurevenwhileinacaloricdeficit.AnAmericanJournalofClinicalNutritionstudyfoundthatsubjectswho

dietedandweight-trainedfor90dayslostanaverageof35poundswhilegainingsignificantmusclemass.Don’tgettooexcited,asthesubjectswereobesewomen,butitprovesthatmusclegainisn’tdependentonbigeatingalone.“Hypertrophy[musclegrowth]isaboutthetrainingstimulusandthen

adequateamountsofprotein”saysauthorandcompetitivebodybuilderNateMiyake.“Caloriesandcarbsareforprovidingproperfuelfortrainingandpreventingthebodyfrombreakingdownprotein,yourmuscletissue,asareservefuel.IfIhadtoranktheminorderofimportance,I’dsayhardtrainingcomesfirst,thenprotein,calories,carbs,andfats.”Alvinosecondsthenotionoftrainingoverfeasting.“Thekeyelement

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tofocusonisincreasingstrength,”hesays.Strongermusclesinevitablybecomebiggermuscles,sowhileyoucan’tquicklyeatyourwayto10extramusclepoundswithoutstoringalotoffat,youcan—eventually—trainyourwaythere.Stickwithyoureatingplanforatleasttwoweeksbeforemakingadjustments,andtakephotoseverycoupleofdaystoassessyourprogress.“Oneofthesimplestwaystotellifyou’regainingmuscleinsteadoffatistomeasureyourwaistcircumference,”saysMiyaki.Ifyourbellyisgettingbigger,it’sthewrongkindofweight.

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TIMINGISNOTHING

Forthepastdecade,bodybuildinghypehasstressedtheimportanceoftheso-called“pre-andpost-workoutwindows.”Theideahereisthatingestingproteinandcarbsuptoanhourbeforeweighttrainingandwithinanhouraftertrainingwillresultinbetterabsorptionofthesenutrientsforsuperiormusclegrowth.Butthesciencetobackthisnotiondoesn’texist.A2013meta-analysis

publishedintheJournaloftheInternationalSocietyofSportsNutritionfoundnosignificantbenefittorushingproteinintakewithinonehourbeforeoraftertraining.Inotherwords,aslongasyoueatthefoodyouneedoverthecourseofaday,you’llhavenotroublegrowingmuscle.Thatsaid,it’sstillagoodideatohaveaprotein-richshakeafter

training.Itmaynotofferanyextramuscle-buildingbenefitbeyondthatofeatinglater,butitwillprovideaconvenientandeasilydigestiblemealtotideyouoveruntilyoudoeatagain.

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TheBestBulkingFoods

Makethislistyourgo-tomenutogainmusclewithoutfat.

Protein is the main ingredient of muscle tissue, carbs power yourworkoutsandpreventmusclebreakdown,andfatsupportshormoneslike testosterone that help muscles grow. The following are thehealthiestsourcesofeachnutrient.

PROTEINS: Leanmeat (any kind), including chicken, beef, and turkey,Fishandseafood,Eggs,Proteinpowder

CARBS:Potatoes,Sweetpotatoes,Rice,FruitWe’veexcludedmostgrainsandvegetablesfromthislist.Grainssuch

asoatsandwheatcontaincompoundsthatmakethemdifficulttodigestformanypeopleandcancausestomachupsetandbloating.However,ifyoufeelyoudofineonthesefoods,you’rewelcometoconsumetheminsmalldoses,butmakestarchessuchaspotatoesandriceyourmaincarbsources.Greenvegetables,ontheotherhand,shouldbeconsumedliberally,

butbecauseoftheirverylowcaloricvalue,aren’ttobecountedtowardyourdailycalorieandmacronutrienttotals.

FATS:Avocado,Nuts (all kinds),Seeds (all kinds),Oils (includingoliveandcoconut)Mostofyourfatintakeshouldcomeasaby-productofyourprotein

foods.Forinstance,eggyolkscontainproteinandfat,asdoeventheleanestcutsofbeef.However,ifyouneedextrafattohityourallotment

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fortheday,youcanpickfromthislistoffoods.

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SampleBulkingDiet

MealPlanMacros

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CHAPTER3Exercise

Everytypeoffitnessgoalhasanidealtrainingplan.Buildstrengthlikeapowerlifter?Lowreps,monsterweight,

compoundmusclegroups,restforseveralminutes,wearuglyT-shirts,repeat.Shreddingfat?High-volumeexercise,lotsofsweating,cutdownoncaloriesandgo-go-go.Trainingformaximummusclegrowth,however,isadifferentanimal

thanyourtypicaltrainingprogram.Insteadofcompoundexercisesdesignedtohitasmuchmuscleaspossibleallatonce,you’llinsteadfocusonbodyparts,breakingeachweekdownintolegdays,armdays,chestdays,etc.Theideaistohiteachbodypartwithasmuchdirectloadaspossibletobreakdownmuscletissue,thengiveitseveraldaysofrestandrecoverytomaximizegrowth.AsIsaidthatthebeginningofthisplan,growingmuscleisn’tthathard.Youjustneedtodoitright.Thisplanwillhaveyouexercisingsixdaysaweek,withoneday—inthiscase,Thursday—asarestday.

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MondayLegs

■Ifyou’rewonderingwhyyourlegshaven’tgrown,askyourselfanotherquestion:“HowmuchdoIsquat?”Iftheanswerisn’tatleastoneandahalftimesyourbodyweight,youbetterstepunderthebarandgetafterit.Improvingyoursquatwillgofurthertowardbuildingbig,stronglegsthananyotherexercise,andtheworkoutatrightdoesitwithonlythreeexercises.

HOWITWORKSMostpeoplegetstuckcoming“outofthehole”onasquat—risingupfromthebottomposition.Theystarttopitchforwardandtheirhipsrisetoofast,resultinginbadformthatcancauseinjuryorevenamissedlift.Pausingatthebottomwillgetyoucomfortablewiththetoughestpointintherangeofmotion.Twootherexercisesalsohelpwiththisproblem—thelungeandsingle-legbackextension.Workingyourquadsandhamstringsunilaterallyenhancesstabilityandstrengthensyourcore,soyoucansquatbigweightssolidly.

DIRECTIONSCompleteallsetsforoneexercisebeforegoingontothenext.

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1PAUSESQUAT

SETS:4REPS:12,10,8,6REST:120SEC.

Setupinasquatrackorcage.Graspthebarasfarapartasiscomfortableandstepunderit.Squeezeyourshoulderbladestogetherandnudgethebaroutoftherack.Stepbackandstandwithyourfeetshoulderwidthandyourtoesturnedoutslightly.Takeadeepbreathandbendyourhipsback,thenbendyourkneestoloweryourbodyasfarasyoucanwithoutlosingthearchinyourlowerback.Pushyourkneesoutasyoudescend.Holdthebottompositionfortwoseconds,thenextendyourhipstocomebackup,continuingtopushyourkneesoutward.

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2WALKINGLUNGE

SETS:3REPS:16–20REST:60SEC.

Standwithyourfeethipwidth,holdingadumbbellineachhand.Stepforwardwithonelegandloweryourbodyuntilyourrearkneenearlytouchesthefloorandyourfrontthighisparalleltothefloor.Stepforwardwithyourrearlegtoperformthenextrep.

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3SINGLE-LEGBACKEXTENSION

SETS:2REPS:12–15(EACHLEG)REST:60SEC.

Lockonelegintoabackextensionbenchandcrossyourhandsinfrontofyourchest,orifpossible,holdaweightplateagainstthebackofyourhead.Allowyourtorsotobendforwardsothatyourhipsarebentalmost90degrees,butdonotlosethearchinyourlowerback.Extendyourhipssothatyourbodyformsastraightline.

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TuesdayChest

■Ifyou’vebeenworkingoutforawhile,thisroutinewillprobablyremindyouofsomeofthechestsessionsyoudidintheearlydays.It’sgood,old-fashionedhardworkandprovidesalotofisolationofthepecs.Ifyou’vegottenmorescientificwithyourtrainingsinceandnoticedfewergains,thissimpleanddirectapproachmaybewhatyouneedtogetgrowingagain.

HOWITWORKSWhenamusclecontracts,thewholethingcontracts.Sowhenyouheartrainerstalkingaboutexercisesforthe“upper”pecsand“inner”pecs,thisisn’tentirelyaccurate.However,whilethewholepectoralismajormuscleisinvolvedinanykindofpress,dip,orflymotion,differentpartsofitareindeedemphasizeddependingontheangleofresistance.Sowhileaninclinedumbbellpresswillworkthewholechest,it’smakingthefibersthatattachtoyourclavicleworkharderthantheonesthatattachtoyourribs.We’vegivenyouexercisesthatworkeverypartofthechestand

withvaryingdegreesofisolation.Ifyoudon’tnormallyfeelyourpecsworkingonbarbellpresses,you’lllovewhatdumbbellandmachineworkdoesforyou.

DIRECTIONSStopeachsetareportwoshortoffailure.FeelfreetocombinetheworkoutwithOptionA,shownpreviously.

Thetworoutinesfitwelltogetherbutshouldbespacedthreedaysapart.

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1INCLINEDUMBBELLPRESS

SETS:4REPS:8REST:60–90SEC.

Setanadjustablebenchtoa30-to45-degreeangleandliebackonitwithadumbbellineachhandatshoulderlevel.Presstheweightsoveryourchest.

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2HAMMERSTRENGTHCHESTPRESS

SETS:4REPS:8REST:60–90SEC.

UseaHammerStrengthflat-pressmachineifyoucanandadjusttheseatsothatbothofyourfeetareflatonthefloor.Graspthehandlesandpresstoafulllockout.

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3DUMBBELLFLY

SETS:3REPS:8REST:60–90SEC.

Liebackonaflatbenchwithadumbbellineachhand.Keepaslightbendinyourelbowsandspreadyourarmswide,loweringtheweightsuntilthey’reevenwithyourchest.Flexyourpecsandlifttheweightsbacktothestartingposition.

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4LOW-CABLECROSSOVER

SETS:3REPS:8REST:60–90SEC.

StandbetweentwofacingcablestationsandattachaD-handletothelowpulleysoneach.Withahandleineachhandandelbowsslightlybent,raiseyourarmsfromwaistheighttooutinfrontofyourchest,flexingyourpecsasyoubringthemtogether.

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5DIP

SETS:4REPS:8REST:60–90SEC.

Suspendyourselfoverthebarsofadipstationandloweryourbodyuntilyourupperarmsareparalleltothefloor.Ifeightrepsistooeasy,addweightusingaweightedbeltorbyholdingadumbbellbetweenyourfeet.

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WednesdayBack

■DeadliftsareoneofourfavoriteexercisesatMen’sFitness.Theyraisetestosterone,jackupyourmetabolism,andaddslabsofmusclealloveryourbody—andtoyourbackinparticular.Deadliftsarethecenterpieceofthisroutine,andjustwhenthey’vewornyouout,theworkreallybegins.

HOWITWORKSThedeadliftisastrenuousexerciseandusuallyrequiresplentyofrestbetweensets.Nosuchluckhere.You’llkeepyourrestperiodsshortandsqueakoutasmanyrepsasyoucantoexhaustyourbackcompletely.Thenyou’llgoontochinups—theultimatelatbuilder—lyinglateralraises,rows,andbackextensions.Totellyouthetruth,thedeadliftalonewillleaveyourbacksorethenextmorning.Therestoftheexercisesjustkeepitthatwaylonger.

DIRECTIONSPerformthepairedexercises(marked“A”and“B”)assupersets.Soyou’lldoonesetofAandthenBbeforeresting.Completealltheprescribedsetsforthepairbeforemovingon.Thefirstexerciseisdoneasconventionalstraightsets.

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1DEADLIFT

SETS:4REPS:5,ASMANYASPOSSIBLEREST:15SEC.

Standwithfeethipwidthandbendyourhipsbacktograspthebarjustoutsideyourknees.Keepingyourbackflat,extendyourhipstostandup,pullingthebarupalongyourlegstolockout.Performthreewarmupsetsoffiverepsusing20%,40%,and60%ofyourdeadliftmax,respectively.(Ifyoudon’tknowhowmuchyoucanliftforonereponthedeadlift,estimateitconservatively.)Rest90secondsbetweenthesewarmups.Whenyou’redone,performonesetwith70–75%ofyourmaxforfiverepsandthenrest15seconds.Performthreemoresetsofasmanyrepsaspossible,resting15secondsbetweensets.Youmaygetonlyoneortworepsontheselastthreesets,andthat’sOK.Endasetifyoususpectyourformmightbecompromised.

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2ACHINUP

SETS:4REPS:6–8REST:0SEC.

Hangfromachinupbarwithhandsshoulderwidth.Pullyourselfupuntilyourchinisoverthebar.

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2BLYINGLATERALRAISE

SETS:4REPS:20REST:60–90SEC.

Setanadjustablebenchtoa30-degreeinclineandlieonitchest-downwithadumbbellineachhand.Squeezeyourshoulderbladestogetherandraiseyourarmsout90degreestoyoursidessoyourpalmsfacedowninthetopposition.

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3ASEATEDCABLEROW

SETS:3REPS:10–12REST:0SEC.

Attachastraightorlat-pulldownbartothepulleyofaseatedrowstation.Sitonthebench(orfloor)withyourfeetagainstthefootplateandkneesslightlybent.Keepingyourlowerbackflat,bendforwardatthehipstograspthebarandrowittoyoursternum,squeezingyourshoulderbladestogetherintheendposition.Extendyourarmsandfeelthestretchinyourbackbeforebeginningthenextrep.

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3BBACKEXTENSION

SETS:3REPS:10–12REST:60SEC.

Lockyourlegsintoabackextensionbenchandallowyourtorsotobendforwardsothatyourhipsarebentalmost90degrees.Extendyourhipssothatyourbodyformsastraightline.

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ThursdayOff!

FridayShoulders

■Withaccesstoallthatagymhastooffer,youcanworkyourshouldersfromavarietyofanglesand,whileyou’reatit,repschemes.Lowerreps(sixandunder)withheavyweightsresultinthebeststrengthgains.Mediumreps(8–12)withmoderateloadsexhaustthemuscles,sparkinggainsinsheersize.Highreps(15ormore)trainendurance,butinsodoinghitadifferentsetofmusclefibersthataren’ttappedbytheotherrepranges.Theshoulderroutineheretakesadvantageofallthreerangestoleavenostoneunturnedinyourjourneyforbiggerdelts.

HOWITWORKSTheexercisesareorganizedintotrisets—threemovesdonebacktoback.Thefirstliftineachtrisetisdoneheavy,thesecondismedium,andthethirdislightbutforhighreps.Combinethevarietyoftheexercises,therepranges,andthefastpaceandthere’slittlemoreyoucandotoshockyourdeltsintonewgrowth.

DIRECTIONSPerformthefirsttriset(markedas“A,”“B,”and“C”)insequencewithoutrestinbetween.Afterward,resttwotothreeminutes,andrepeatforfourtotaltrisets.Thengoontothesecondtrisetandcompleteitinthesamefashion.

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1AOVERHEADPRESS

SETS:4REPS:6REST:0SEC.

Setthebarupinasquatrackorcage,andgraspitjustoutsideshoulderwidth.Takethebarofftherackandholditatshoulderlevelwithyourforearmsperpendiculartothefloor.Squeezethebarandbraceyourabs.Pressthebaroverhead,pushingyourheadforwardandshruggingyourtrapsasthebarpassesyourface.

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1BSTANDINGDUMBBELLFLY

SETS:4REPS:12REST:0SEC.

Holdadumbbellineachhandbyyoursides.Withoutshrugging,useyourupperbodytoswingtheweightsupafewinches.YourarmsandtorsowillformanupsidedownVshape.Thinkofitasalateralraisewithmomentumbutwithoutfullrangeofmotion.

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1CFACEPULL

SETS:4REPS:25REST:120–180SEC.

Attacharopehandletothetoppulleyofacablestation.Graspanendineachhandwithpalmsfacingeachother.Stepbacktoplacetensiononthecable.Pullthehandlestoyourforeheadsoyourpalmsfaceyourearsandyourupperbackisfullycontracted.

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2AHIGHPULL

SETS:4REPS:6REST:0SEC.

Graspthebarwithhandsaboutdoubleshoulderwidthandholditinfrontofyourthighs.Bendyourkneesandhipssothebarhangsjustaboveyourknees.Explosivelyextendyourhipsasifjumpingandpullthebaruptoshoulderlevelwithelbowswideapart,asinanuprightrow.

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2BSEATEDDUMBBELLCLEAN

SETS:4REPS:12REST:0SEC.

Holdadumbbellineachhandandsitontheedgeofabench.Keepingyourlowerbackflat,leanforward.Explosivelystraightenyourbodyandshrugtheweightssoyourarmsrise.Allowthemomentumtoflipyourwristssoyoucatchtheweightsatshoulderlevel.

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2CTRAPRAISE

SETS:4REPS:25REST:120–180SEC.

Setabenchtoalowinclineandliechest-downwithadumbbellineachhandandyourpalmsfacing.Retractyourshoulderblades,thenraisetheweightsstraightoutsoyourarmsareparalleltothefloor.

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SaturdayCore

■U.S.troopskeepupwiththeirtrainingevenwhenthey’redeployedtoareaswheretheyhavenothingtoworkoutwithbutthegroundbeneaththem.Ifthelackofagymmembershipandequipmentistheexcuseyou’vebeenusingforavoidingworkouts,letthisplan—designedbya20-yearMarine—setyoustraight.

HOWITWORKSBasicexerciseslikethelegraiseandflutterkickwillneverdie.Partlybecausetheycanbedoneanywhere,butmostlybecausetheywork.Unfortunately,theyalsoburn.Workingwithhigherrepsandholdinguncomfortablepositionsfortimewillconditionyourabsalongwithyourheartandmaytoughenyouupmentally,too.

DIRECTIONSPerformtheexercisesasacircuit,completingonesetofeachinsequencewithoutrest.Afterward,rest60seconds,andthenrepeatthecircuitoncemore.

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1LEGRAISE

SETS:2REPS:10REST:0SEC.

Lieonthefloorandholdontoabenchorthelegsofaheavychairforsupport.Keepyourlegsstraightandraisethemupuntilthey’revertical.Lowerbackdown,butstopjustshortofthefloortokeeptensiononyourabsbeforethenextrep.

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2ARMS-HIGHPARTIALSITUP

SETS:2REPS:20REST:0SEC.

Lieonyourback,kneesbent90degrees,andraiseyourarmsstraightoverhead,keepingthempointingupwardthroughouttheexercise.Situphalfwayandthenreturntothefloor.

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3FLUTTERKICK

SETS:2REPS:20(EACHLEG)REST:0SEC.

Lieonyourbackwithlegsstraightandextendyourarmsbyyoursides.Liftyourheelsaboutsixinchesandrapidlykickyourfeetupanddowninaquick,scissor-likemotion.

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4STARPLANK

SETS:2REPS:HOLDFOR30SECREST:60SEC.

Getintopushupposition.Moveyourarmsandfeetapartaswideaspossible—yourbodywillmakeastarshape.Holdthepositionwithyourtorsostraightandabsbracedfor30seconds.

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SundayArms

■Youcan’tgowrongwithapairofdumbbells.Arguablythemostversatileequipmentinatrainer’sarsenal,dumbbellsareafavoriteamongcompetitivebodybuilders,whohappentoknowathingortwoaboutstackingimpressivearms.Whetherornotyouwantbodybuilderesquearms,dumbbellscanproveinvaluableinyourquesttoimprovethem.

HOWITWORKSYou’llmakeuseofpeakcontractions(holdingthetop,flexed,positionofarepforasecondortwo),slownegatives(loweringtheweightwithcontrol),andstretchingbetweensets.Allofthesestrategiesincreasebloodflowtothearmsandencouragegrowth.

DIRECTIONSPerform1Aand1Bassupersets.Soyou’llcompleteonesetofAandthengoontoBbeforeresting.Repeatfortheprescribedsets.Exercises2A,2B,and2Careatriset—completeonesetofeachwithoutrestandthenrepeatforalltheprescribedsets.

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1ASEATEDCURL

SETS:3REPS:12REST:0SEC.

Sitonaninclinebenchorseatwithabackrestholdingadumbbellineachhand.Keepingyourupperarmsagainstyoursides,curltheweightssimultaneously,rotatingyourwristsoutwardsothatyourpalmsfaceyouinthetopposition.Holdthetoppositionfortwoseconds,squeezingyourbiceps,andtakethreetofivesecondstolowertheweightsoneachrep.

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1BDIAMONDPUSHUP

SETS:3REPS:20REST:60SEC.

Getintopushuppositionbutplaceyourhandsclosetogethersoyourthumbsandindexfingerstouch.Keepingyourbodyinastraightlinewithabsbraced,loweryourtorsountilyourchestisjustabovethefloorandthenpressbackup.

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2AHAMMERCURL

SETS:4REPS:8REST:0SEC.

Holdadumbbellineachhandwithpalmsfacingyoursides.Keepingyourupperarmsagainstyoursides,curltheweightsatthesametime.

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2BNEUTRAL-GRIPTRICEPSEXTENSION

SETS:4REPS:12REST:0SEC.

Liebackonabenchorthefloorholdingadumbbellineachhandwithpalmsfacingeachother.Presstheweightsoveryourchestandthenbendyourelbowstolowertheweightstowardyourfaceuntilyoufeelastretchinyourtriceps.Extendyourelbows.Keepyourelbowsfacingtheceilingtheentireset.

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2CBICEPS/TRICEPSSTRETCH

SETS:4REPS:HOLDFOR30SEC.(EACHSIDE)

Placethepalmofonehandonabench,box,orotherlow,flatsurfacewithyourfingerspointingtowardyou.Leanawaytoapplyastretchandholditfor30seconds.Nowreachyourarmoverheadandbendtheelbow.Gentlypullyourarmbehindyourheadtostretchyourtricepsfor30seconds.

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CHAPTER4Supplements

NobodyknowsmoreaboutthefinepointsofnutritionthantheteamatMuscle&FitnessandMen’sFitness.Aspartoftheireditorialteam,I’vespentyearsporingovernutritional

studies,andI’veseenandtestedhundredsofsupplements.Andtimeandtimeagain,I’veseenthatforpuremusclegrowth,

supplementscanmakeadifference.Herearesuppsyoushouldconsideraspartofyourown21-DayBigMusclePlan.

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1WheyProteinIsolate

Thesupplementofallsupplements.Therearealmosttoomanypotentialhealthbenefitstocountwhenit

comestoconsumingwheyprotein—butwheyproteinisolate,inparticular,ishigherinproteinandlowerinlactosethanwheyconcentrate.Herearethetopfourreasonsitshouldbepartofyourpersonalmuscleplan.

LOSEFATANDPRESERVEMUSCLE

ResearchersinMinnesotaconducteda12-weekstudywheresubjects’dailycaloricintakewasreducedby500calories.Thensomeparticipantsweregivenwheyandtherestweregivenanisocaloricmixbeverage.Thoseconsumingwheylostsignificantlymorebodyfat(6.1%total)andbetterpreservedtheirmuscles.Ifyouhaveanurgetosnackonsomething,tryawheyproteinshake.

INCREASESIZEANDSTRENGTH

ResearchersatBaylorUniversityinWaco,TX,took19menperformingresistancetrainingovera10-weekperiodandgavesomeofthem14gramsofwheyandcaseinproteinalongwith6gramsoffreeaminoacids,whilegivingtheresta20-gramplacebo.Thosewhoconsumedthewheycombohadgreaterincreasesinfat-freemassandmusclestrength.

REDUCEHUNGER

Australianresearchershad28obesemenconsumefourdifferentdrinks.Thosewhoconsumedthebeveragecontaining50gramsofwhey

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hadsignificantlyreducedlevelsofghrelin(ahormonethattellsyourbrainyou’rehungry)uptofourhourslater.Soinsteadofmunchingonunhealthypartysnacks,drinkaproteinshakebeforehand.

BOOSTIMMUNITY

UniversityofAlbertaresearchersfoundthatmalesubjectsinvolvedinstrenuousaerobicactivitysufferedfromsignificantlyreducedglutathionelevelsthatcouldimpactsuchthingsasthenervous,gastrointestinal,andimmunesystems.However,theyalsodiscoveredthatbysupplementingwithwheyprotein,thesubjectsexperiencedsignificantlylessreductioninglutathionelevels.Ifyoulikeextendedcardiosessions,butdon’twanttoriskcompromisingyourbody’simmuneresponseandmore,combatthoseeffectswithwhey.

HOWMUCHDOINEED?Ipersonallyrecommendlookingforwheyproteinisolatewithnolessthan24gramsofproteinperserving,andnomorethan5gramsofcarbohydrates.GowithwheyproteinintheAMandpostworkout.

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2FishOil

Allgain,nopainFishoilcontainsomega-3fattyacidsandisderivedfromthetissuesof

fatty,cold-wateroceanfishsuchastuna,codliverandsalmon.Itwasfirstusedduringthelate1700sinfishingcommunitiessurroundingtheNorthernAtlanticOceantotreatinfectionsandsickness.Inthosetimes,patientswouldsimplyeatcodliversoakedbetweentwopiecesofbread.Disgusting.Today,theoilismanufacturedintopillform,offeringamuchmorepleasantwaytoingestadosage.

PROMOTEHEARTHEALTH

ResearchersattheHarvardSchoolofPublicHealthcalculatedthateatingabouttwogramsperweekofomega-3fattyacids(equaltooneortwoservingsoffattyfish)reducesthechancesofdyingfromheartdiseasebymorethanone-third.Omega-3fatsprotecttheheartagainstthedevelopmentoferraticcardiacrhythmdisturbances,helpbreakupbloodclotsandlowercholesterol,triglycerides,LDLsandbloodpressure.ThefatsalsoincreasegoodHDLcholesterol.(Iknow,you’reheretobuildmuscle,nottolivelonger.Butgreaterbloodflowmeansmorenutrientstoyourmuscles,whichmeansfastergrowth.Livinglongerisjustasideeffectoflookinggreat.)

IMPROVEMENTALCONDITIONINGAND

MOTIVATION

ResearchersattheUniversityofSheffieldhavefoundthatfishoilsupplementscanalleviatethesymptomsofdepression.Otherstudiesreportthatdepressedpatientswhotakeomega-3fattyacidsinaddition

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toprescriptionantidepressantshadagreaterimprovementinsymptomsthanthosewhotookantidepressantsalone.It’stheultimateget-out-of-your-own-waysupplement.

RELIEVEPAINANDMUSCLESORENESS

Therehavebeenmanystudiesreportingimprovementsinmorningstiffnessandjointtendernesswiththeregularintakeoffishoilsupplementsforuptothreemonths.

HOWMUCHDOINEED?Consumethreegramsoffishoilperday.Newresearchshowsthatincludingsomeinyourpost-workoutshakecanbespecificallybeneficialforimprovingrecoveryandgainingmuscle.

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3Branched-ChainAminoAcids

Energy,enduranceandafasterrecoveryBackbeforecreatine,arginineandbeta-alanineruledthesupplement

world,BCAAs(theaminoacidsleucine,isoleucineandvaline)toppedthelistofmust-havesupplementsforbodybuilders.Today,they’reregainingtheirpopularitybecausethey’vebeendiscoveredtoboostmusclegrowth,increaseenergyforworkouts,lowercortisollevelspostworkoutandaidmusclerecovery.RecentstudieshaveshownthatthosewhosupplementwithBCAAsbeforeandafterexercisehadasignificantreductioninmusclesorenessaswellasenhancedfat-burning.ResearchhasshownBCAAscanimproveworkoutperformanceandmusclegainsatthefollowingtimes.•BeforeBreakfast.Thefirstcriticalwindowoccursuponwaking,

afteryourbodyhasexperiencedanall-nightfast.Whenyouwakeyourbodybreaksdownmuscleproteinforfuel,buttakingBCAAsatthistimecanstopthecataboliconslaughtbyprovidingadifferentformoffuelforyourbodytouse.•Pre-Workout.Thesecondvitaldosingwindowisrightbefore

training.ThisprovidesyourmuscleswithpreworkoutenergyandpreventsthemfromusingtheirownstoresofBCAAsasfuel.•PostWorkout.Thisisthemostimportantintakeevent.Byadding

BCAAstoyourpostworkoutproteinshake,you’llenhanceproteinsynthesis,themolecularprocessinmusclesthatleadstogrowth.You’llalsodepresscortisoloutput,whichrisesaftertrainingandisknowntoenhancemusclebreakdownandlimittestosterone’seffectonmusclegrowth.BCAAshavealsobeenfoundtodecreasemusclesoreness.•AtDinner.Thefinalwindowislaterintheday,withsupperoryour

lastmeal.Simplyput,takingfrequentdosesofBCAAsthroughoutthedayhelpsmaximizeyourbody’sabilitytogrowmuscle.TIP:Selectaproductinwhichtheleucinecontentisabout2:1tothat

ofisoleucineandvaline.Forexample,ifyoutakea5-gramdoseof

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BCAAs,2.5gramsshouldcomefromleucine,withisoleucineandvalineprovidingabout1.25gramseach.Allthreeaminoacidsarevitaltotheoveralleffectsonyourbody,butleucineistheMVP.Researchshowsitliterallyactsasakeythatturnsonproteinsynthesisinmusclecells.

HOWMUCHDOINEED?Researchfromthe2006annualmeetingoftheInternationalSocietyofSportsNutritionshowsthataslittleas750mgofBCAAstakenfourtimesadaycanreducecortisollevelsfollowingexercisebymorethan40%.However,tokeepthingssimple,wesuggestyouaimtotakein5gramspost-workout.Ifyouwanttotakemorethroughouttheday,that’suptoyou,butstartwith1-2gramsperdosetoallowyourstomachtoadjust,andthenslowlyworkyourwayupto5gramsperdose,tops.

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4ZMA—Zinc,MagnesiumandB6

NaturalstrengthbuildersZMAisacombinationofzincandmagnesiumasparate—plusabitof

vitaminB6.It’sanall-naturalproductthathasbeenclinicallyproventosignificantlyincreasemusclestrengthintrainedathletes.

IMPROVEMUSCLEFUNCTION

Magnesiumisinvolvedinmorethan300metabolicreactions.Itisessentialforbonestrength,astrongimmunesystem,musclecontractionsandahealthynervoussystem.Magnesiumdeficiencyisakeycauseofpoorsleepandcanalsoleadtoinsulininsensitivity.ThestudymostoftenusedtosupportthehormoneeffectsofZMAisonedoneatWesternWashingtonUniversity.Dr.LorrieBrilla(aZMAsupplementmanufacturer)studied12NCAAdivisionIIfootballplayerswhotookZMAnightlyduringaneight-weekspringtrainingprogramandaseparategroupassignedaplacebopill.TheathletestakingtheZMAhad2.5timesgreatermusclestrengthgainsthantheplacebogroup;theZMAgroupincreasedby11.6percentcomparedtoonly4.6percentintheplacebogroup.

BOOSTTESTOSTERONE

TheZMAgroupalsohad30percentincreasesintestosteronelevels(comparedto10percentintheplacebogroup),primarilyduetothezinc.Zincisinvolvedinmanymetabolicreactions.“Athleteshavebeenreportedtohavelowerlevelsofzincandmagnesiumpossiblyduetoincreasedsweatingorinadequateintakeindiet,”explainsBroschart.“Butzincdeficienciesmayimpairimmunefunctionanddecrease

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performance.”Zincalsoplaysacrucialroleinproteinsynthesisandcellgrowth.Testosteronelevelsfallwithoutadequatezinc;themineralalsohasacorrelationwithliverfunction.

IMPROVEPROTEINSYNTHESIS

VitaminB6helpsthebodyconvertproteinintoenergy.SomeresearchhasshownthatitworkswithfolicacidandB12toreducelevelsofcertainaminoacidsintheblood,whichhelpstoreducetheriskofheartattack.

HOWMUCHDOINEED?Zinc,magnesiumandvitaminB6arefoundnaturallyinmanyfoods.Redmeatandseafood,nutsandseedsareallhighinzinc;wholegrainsandleafygreenscontainmagnesium,andbananas,salmon,turkeyandchickenprovideB6.However,evenifyou’reeatingwell,toppingoffyourstores,especiallyduringthiscritical21-dayperiod,canonlyhelp.Lookforatleast11mgofvitaminB6,450mgofmagnesiumand30mgofzinc.Ifyouaretakingmedicationforyourheartortotreatosteoporosis,youshouldconsultyourphysicianbeforesupplementingwithmagnesiumastheremaybeadrug/nutrientinteraction.

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Day22ONWARD

BythetimeyoushelvethisbookonDay22,youwilllook—andfeel—likeanewman.Yourshoulderswillbebroader;yourarms,largerandmorevascular;

andyourchest,legsandbackmorepowerful.Moreimportant,youwillhavetrainedyourbodyandmindtoliveastronger,moremuscularlife:toeatclean,liftstrong,andavoidstressatallcosts.You’lltaketimeformoresleepandformorefun,becauseyou’llseehowthesesimplelifestylechangescanmakeallthedifference.Andbestofall,you’llalwayshaveThe21DayBigMusclePlanonhandasyourgo-toplanwhenyouneedtolookyourbestforthatcriticalmoment,orasa“getstrong”go-toforwhenyoufeelaneedforaboostofself-confidence.

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CREDITS:

Thecreationofthisprogramwouldn’thavebeenpossiblewithoutthehelpofMen’sFitnessandMuscle&Fitnesseditors,contributors,andpartners.ThankyoutotrainingdirectorSeanHysonforthedietplancontribution.

ThankyoutoJasonFerruggia,JimSmith,CJMurphy,HarryClay,JeffDecker,andCraigRasmussenfortheirworkoutcontributionsfromourbook,101BestWorkoutsofAllTime.ThankyoutoteamHUMANFITPROJECT,RonParham,andRyanHarmonforsupplementalworkoutsandprogramtest-runs.AndthankyoutoBrianGood,CatPerry,TiffanyGagnon,MarkBarroso,RyanCasey,andNikkiDonnelly.

ExercisephotographsbyBethBischoff.DesignbyGeorgeKarabotsosandJorgeOlivares

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