More Muscle Mass

[BendtheBar]

More Muscle Mass
by Steve Davis


I know how to create muscularity. My transformation by itself has helped many of you to begin your own. The nutritional and training concepts that I developed during the transformation have become popular an effective means for pre-contest training. But, there is another side to the coin -- the transformation from thin to thick, the transition to more muscle mass.

When I consider a training routine for my own purpose, the process envelopes characteristics not unlike spontaneous contemplative analysis -- a grip change, different elbow spacing, repetitions, sets or sessions per week. But, when I assume the role of trainer from trainee my processes become one-sided: "simplify . . . Simplify!" Some of of the best writing goes unheralded at best and unread at worst because the authors try to put too much thinking and not enough feeling into into their recipes. Bodybuilding is a combinative sport. Successful participants must think and feel simultaneously, but the key is that to feel you must think. To isolate biceps you must concentrate on the task. By suggesting that heavy weights produce muscle size, we can polarize total energy output to that purpose AND TRAIN, MAN.

Based on my own personal experience and nothing more (there's too much "armchairing" anyway), what follows, WORKS!

1.) Train each bodypart two times per week.

2.) For reps on arms, shoulders, chest and back, do 8.

3.) For reps on calves, erectors, quadriceps and femoral biceps (leg), do 15.

4.) Do NO abdominal work while on this routine.

5.) WEAR A WATCH, WATCH THE CLOCK, OR USE A TIMER. The time between sets must be between 30 and 45 seconds. (Note: While training for muscularity, 15 seconds!) I use 30 second rests on this routine.

6.) SELECT TWO EXERCISES PER BODYPART. (Note: I have included a sample routine.)

7) Do 6 sets of each exercise with the same weight, reps and rest period, after performing one light set as a warmup.

8.) Add weight each week (something, however small). Keep a chart or logbook.

9.) Rest 3 minutes between exercises.

10.) Think "heavy" weights. Use heavy weights.

11.) Ingest 1.0 grams of high quality protein for each pound of bodyweight. (Note: this is more protein than the FDA suggests)

12.) Follow the Master Diets contained in any of my books.

Here is an effective mass producing routine:


Monday/Thursday

Chest
1. Bench Press
2. Dumbbell Incline Press
transition
1. Dumbbell Pullover

Back
1. Bent Rowing - strict!
2. Lat Pulldown

Low Back
1. Hyperextensions


Tuesday/Friday

Shoulders
1. Press Behind Neck
2. Dumbbell Lateral Raise

Bicep
1. Barbell Curl
2. Dumbbell Incline Curl

Tricep
1. Close-grip 2/3 Bench Press
2. Non-lock Pressdown

Forearm
Reverse Curl


Wednesday/Saturday

Thighs
1. Front Squat
2. Hack Squat

Leg Bicep
1. Leg Curl

Calf
1. Donkey Calf Raise
2. Standing Calf Raise

Low Back
1. Hyperextension


To simplify this routine to add more muscle mass, here is a personal checklist:

How does your energy level relate to --

determination
concentration
isolation
weight. I mean heavy weight!
protein intake
supplementation
regularity
enthusiasm
training tempo?

If the answer to each categorical question is 100% on a consistent basis, you'll have more muscle mass in three months, period!

[glwanabe]

This is the Steve Davis that I know of.

[Off Road]

I like the tone of the article, simplified training. But I think it could be trimmed down further and still see great results. There is a bunch of overlapping exercises on those days and bodyparts will end up getting hit a lot more often than twice a week, which goes against what he was saying. In his routine, shoulders and triceps are getting hit four times during the week. Obviously it works for him though...

[BendtheBar]

I don't think 6 day per week approaches are needed, nor would I ever ask another lifter to do one. It's simply too much of a day/time commitment.