Injecting 3,000 mg of Testosterone Proportionate and 500 mg of Equipoise directly into his deltoids and arms every week gave this guy 27 inch arms! That's at least 8 c.c.s in each arm! He says "I'm sure there's some scar tissue in my arms from taking injections. I get hard spots and stuff. I've had abscesses. I went to an emergency room doctor and he sliced my bicep to clear out an abscess. It flattened out my peak in one arm... I hate symmetry." Does anybody want to look like this?

Articles

This article appeared in the Summer 2002 Issue of Frank Zane's Newsletter "Building the Body"

No Monsters Allowed
By Tom Pia

All of us desire a strong, balanced and proportionate physique. It is by far the most desirable and sought after look on the planet, and represents an overwhelming consensus of opinion among thoughtful individuals who want to build their body.
Two schools of ideology immediately come to mind creating a complete and distinct dichotomy in the gym well as on the Pro Physique Circuit. One school deals with mass and size at all costs, and more critically at the expense of proportion. The other school focuses completely on total balance and proportion with enough muscle mass to get the job done. Or shall we say, big enough in all the right places, yet small and tight in other critical areas such as waistline, hips, inner thighs and buttocks.

Slow, positive and continual muscle growth is the goal here, done over a long period of time. Nothing forced or rushed, which always leads to noticeable and unfavorable results.

The answer is clear. Specialized Training to achieve your objectives. I am not, and have never been, an advocate of the prehistoric bulking up principles. And later fighting a hellacious battle to slim down and get body parts under control and properly managed. Physique management is what we are talking about here. Additionally, bulking up and dieting-up and down like a Yo-yo, is very damaging to the overall metabolic processes of the body. Lifting weights and eating everything in sight to gain muscle mass just doesn't work. It works only if you are not concerned about permanent and massive abdominal distention.

So you want to gain some muscle. Everybody does. You see an individual gain ten or twenty plus pounds in the weight room. Great results with only a few months of hard training. You have to ask yourself: How much of the gain was solid,hard earned and refined muscle mass? Yes, more muscle for those following a methodical and progressive approach. In most cases, not much was real muscle at all. Some fat, water bloat and a small amount of muscle are typical, and usually lead to a disproportionate physique. You have to be disciplined and willing to accept slow yet rewarding muscle gains. Gains that create nice shape and that last. Remember, this takes years, so enjoy the ride, learning the entire time.

A balanced training program typically leads to a balanced physique. Many individuals enjoy training strong body parts that respond rapidly. That's human nature. Yet this is done at the expense of other muscle groups that desperately need attention.

The focus should be on Priority Training Techniques. It really doesn't matter what workout program you follow as long as you work each body part once to twice per week. It is actually advantageous to change programs periodically to keep workouts interesting and muscles guessing. What is most important is to work your weak points first and foremost, and with your greatest intensity. Determine which muscle groups are doing well and back off accordingly. Then determine which body parts need the most attention and adjust your workouts to address these areas on a priority basis. Unquestionably, it will be mentally and physically difficult to back off on body parts that respond well and are satisfying to work. However, refocusing your efforts on weak body parts will keep your physique balanced with better overall proportion.

The current program I am using comes directly from Frank Zane. I train about three times per week. One workout will consist of chest, shoulders and back. Take a day off. The next workout is all legs and abdominals. Then I take another day off. The last workout in the trilogy is biceps, triceps and abdominals. Sometimes I do a few sets of side raises for lateral and rear delts with dumbbell or cable. Then I take about two days off before repeating the series.

I do all the common exercises such as chest press and flies, shoulder press and raises, curls, pull downs, cable rows, triceps extensions, squats, leg press etc. All of the above movements work well for me. Frank showed me a way to maximize my hamstring and calf development by super-setting leg curls with different types of calf raises. Since my quads grow so fast, I've minimized my squatting poundages and do high reps. Sets are 3-4 per exercise and 6-10 reps per set and most sessions are about 90 minutes and slightly longer when doing treadmill.

That covers the general information regarding the training program. If you desire more specific information about exactly how I use specialization training, check my website at www.TOlyMPIA.com. Body structure and evenness of overall development is important. You have to analyze your body type and find a program that suits your needs. Trial and error comes into play here. You must learn what works best for YOU.

Everything in moderation still holds true today. Extremism and ultra conservatism should both be avoided. Finding the middle of the road is the proper way. Discipline, perseverance, belief and commitment to your goals are the proper mind set. Follow through and progress onwards.

Click here if you would like to gain from Tom's extensive knowledge and experience in natural physique training.