Articles

by Mike Arnold

From the beginning, vegetarianism has been the red-headed step child of performance-based nutrition; oft maligned and generally portrayed as inferior to the meat heavy diets which characterize modern bodybuilding.  It’s not so much the foods themselves that detractors have a problem with, but rather, the lack of animal products within the diet—the claim being that animal proteins are essential for meeting the nutritional requirements of those engaged in the various strength and physique sports.

by Mike Howard

Calories have become a perfect target for diet book authors and gurus alike to play on the emotions of those who struggle with weight. In the typical diet book and health blog world, calorie (and any mention of counting them) is met with an illogical amount of hostility. It has become one of the greatest sources of confusion in the word of fat loss and has undoubtedly led to much frustration for those looking to shed pounds. Rest assured you are not alone if you are befuddled by the whole thing…

What is the best way to gain size?” Because I am a competitive bodybuilder and coach, I am asked this question more than any other, and in my experience, everyone seems to expect that there should be a black and white answer. The truth is that if a black and white answer were to exist, wouldn’t everyone who is seeking physique development already have the body they want? A common idea in the industry is that in order to get bigger, you must lift heavier and heavier weights and constantly work to gain strength. This is only partially accurate. The problem is that many people misinterpret this approach by striving to increase limit strength (1-rep max) in order to induce hypertrophy.

One of the worst examples is the constant propaganda against meat consumption. Here are 8 ridiculous myths about meat consumption and health.

1. Meat Rots in Your Colon

Some people claim that meat doesn’t get digested properly and “rots” in your colon. This is absolute nonsense, probably invented by dishonest vegans in order to scare people away from eating meat. What happens when we eat meat, is that it gets broken down by stomach acid and digestive enzymes. In the small intestine, the proteins are broken down into amino acids and the fats are broken down into fatty acids. After that, they get absorbed over the digestive wall and into the bloodstream. There’s nothing left to “rot” in your colon. If you want to know what really “rots” in your colon, it’s indigestible plant matter (fiber)… from vegetables, fruits, grains and legumes.

by Mike Arnold

Taking the first step into the world of bodybuilding can be a daunting experience. We are confronted with a variety of new and sometimes odd-sounding practices that we are taught form the foundation of a successful weight training program. One of the first things we are introduced to is the repetition; the basic building block of the training experience itself. The concept seems simple enough–lift a weight one time through both the positive and negative range of motion. String a bunch of these together and we have a set. Perform multiple sets and we have a workout.

by Vince DelMonte

The holidays come to an end. Our bellies are full, pants a little too tight and the New Year is fast approaching. But this year is different. We tell ourselves; this is OUR year! We have decided that this time we will reach our fitness goals and finally achieve our dream body. It’s January 1st and we hit the ground running. We are going to the gym five days a week and eating healthy. “Look out world; here we come!” Nothing can stop us this time!

If there’s one thing I know well, it’s how to train through an injury. I’ve gone through a full ankle reconstruction, ACL/MCL knee repair, and ruptured pec that left me black and blue from the chest to waist. Did those injuries set me back? Yeah. A little, but they didn’t keep me from training. And they certainly didn’t keep me from making gains. Fortunately, most of my injuries happened in my early 20’s when the learning curve for healing is at its peak. The most devastating injury I ever endured was a dislocated ankle. It dates back to my senior year in college, playing football at Florida State. A fumble behind the line of scrimmage lead to a pile up. When the dust cleared my ankle was rotated 180 degrees the wrong direction. My season and ultimately my career, was effectively over.