How To Unleash An EARTHQUAKE In Your Muscle Fibers!

By Jeff Anderson. 

When an earthquake unleashes its fury, there's also a series of "aftershocks" that roar through an affected area and can hit within a few hours...or even DAYS later!

When it comes to building muscle, you can use a similar "aftershock" technique that will not only increase muscle fiber activation...

...but GREATLY increase your mass-building capacity!

I'm currently in a "mass building" cycle and this technique comes straight out of my "Advanced Mass Building" program (though you've probably never heard it explained this way before).

Here's how it works:

First, you're going to be supersetting two exercises (performed back-to-back), both targeting the SAME muscle group. For this example, we're going to use everyone's favorite...the CHEST!

Your first exercise is going to be an isolation exercise that uses a "super stretch" movement. An example of this would be incline dumbbell flyes where, at the bottom position, your arms are below the body and you can feel a "stretch" in the targeted area.

Your second exercise is going to be a compound "power mover" where you can push a lot of weight. For this example, we're going to work the incline barbell bench press.

By first performing your isolation exercise and getting a deep stretch at the bottom of the movement, your muscle fibers get extremely elongated. Your body, as it's programmed to do, senses this extreme stretch position as a potential "crisis" and triggers what's known as a "myotatic reflex" - a hyperstimulation of the central nervous system to ward off injury by calling in more muscle fibers around the targeted area to help out.

(Note: I'm not talking about "ultra-stretching" the muscle to the point of injury. Just lower the dumbbells in a controlled fashion until you feel a deep - but safe - stretch in your pecs, then raise the weight to the top position)

This initial hyper-stimulation of your muscle fibers is the perfect setup for your next exercise that uses the "aftershock" of the myotatic reflex to activate even more muscle fibers. Compound exercises like the incline bench press are ideal for this type of training because your first set isolated your targeted muscle group first and now you can get help from your other supporting muscles (like your shoulders and triceps) to push more weight and hit your Type II muscle fibers even HARDER! 

Not to be confused with simple "pre-exhaust" training, this myotatic reflex training looks deceptively similar and simple...but the effects are felt deep in the epicenter of your muscles where real growth begins!

Bodybuilding Training Tip For More Growth Hormone Release

By Jeff Anderson. 

More growth hormone (GH) = more MUSCLE, right?

It's a known fact that anyone looking to build more muscle mass must address your body's natural "hormone factory" to see some real gains in size.

But different hormones are stimulated in different ways.

Here's a cool (and SIMPLE!) "Quick Tip" to add to your next workout to raise GH naturally and kick start some KILLER MASS...

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"Quick Tip" For Skyrocketing GH..

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On your very LAST SET of each exercise, when you know that you have 2 REPS left in you...

...DON'T take them!

Instead, bring the weight to the PEAK CONTRACTION POINT or "flexed" position (e.g.- for bicep curls, it would be the "up" position) and hold the weight while flexing your targeted muscle.

Your goal is to hold this flexing for 20 SECONDS (called "static contraction) before slowly letting the weight down.

This is going to burn like HELL...

...and that's EXACTLY what you're looking for!

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Why This Works...

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That "burn" you feel is your body's natural "lactic acid response".

When lactic acid is triggered in the body, it sends a signal to your endocrine system to release growth hormone as a "recovery aid".

And that GH release is a powerful mass-building chemical in your body and your gains will SOAR!

Note: Do this for no more than 1 EXERCISE per body part in your workouts for 1 WEEK. Skip a week before doing it again.

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Special Consideration For...

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...if you're using my Advanced Mass Building program (http://www.Advanced Mass Building.com), then give this method a try in WEEK 3 of your mass-building cycle.

In other words, instead of the insane "DSP" technique I teach you, give this method a try instead to change this up a bit. Go for it...and feel the burn! ;-)

Pec-Poking Pain From This Chest Training Technique!

By Jeff Anderson. 

When was the last time you really had that "chest poke pain"?

You know...like when 24 hours after your chest workout, you can't stop poking your pecs with your finger to marvel at how much it hurts?

Yeah, it's a secret pleasure of mine too! (ha ha!)

If it's been a while, then here's a "Quick Chest Training Technique" I did last week that will have YOU pokin' away by tomorrow evening:

(Warning to "skimmers": This will LOOK like a simple, giant "tri-set", but there are a few twists...so READ EACH STEP!)

1. First, you're going to be using the bench press for this exercise (your favorite, right? ;-)

2. Choose a weight that you can do for about 12 reps before hitting failure BUT (and this is IMPORTANT!) load up the bar with either 10lb or 25lb plates so that you can quickly take off 50% of what you have loaded on each side.

(Sure, you'll look like a whuss! But ARE you? Hell no...so "grab 'em" like you got a pair and don't give a damn what the other guys think! ;-)

3. Now, do a traditional set (8-12 reps) on the bench press until you reach full muscular failure.

4. As soon as you rack the weight, jump up and strip 50% off each side.

5. Now...with no rest, grab the bar with a WIDE, WIDE grip (up to 12 inches past your shoulders) and knock out your reps to failure.

Side Note: This works by really taking your burned out triceps out of the picture as much as possible and give you a WICKED PUMP in your chest!

Read on...

6. LASTLY...as soon as you hit failure on this second set and rack the weight, with no rest, grab a dumbbell (just about 30-50 lbs will do nicely) and do a set of Dumbbell Pullovers, keeping your arms VERY, VERY STRAIGHT (to take your triceps out of the movement even more) and feel a good stretch in your chest at the bottom.

This will allow you to really burn out your Type 1 muscle fibers for a serious Growth Hormone (GH) response and a massive pump!

Once you hit failure, give yourself a good 2-3 minute rest to recover and run through this giant set just one more time.

That will give you 6 total "chest sets" and the next day all your co-workers will be wondering why you keep poking your chest and wincing! ;-)

How To Master Nutrient Timing For Faster Muscle Growth!

By Jeff Anderson. 

It's true that the grueling workout you've invested at the local "iron jungle" will stimulate your muscles to grow bigger and stronger. But ultimately it's your diet that will provide the "building blocks" for this new growth. 

However, there's more to a bodybuilder's diet than mountains of canned tuna and protein powder. Timing your meals just right will provide you with a competitive edge that will allow you to build muscle faster and help burn those extra layers of fat covering up your hard work. 

Here's how... 

Early Morning 

When you wake up, you're at the end of a 7-9 hour fast and your muscles are screaming for nutrition. Start off with a potent protein drink for fast absorption mixed with some complex carbs for fueling your day. 

(For my "top secret recipe" of the world's best mass building breakfast, check out my “top tip” at the end of this article!) 

1-2 Hours Before Your Workout 

You're about to send your muscles into the "combat zone" so shouldn't you provide them with the ammunition they need to "take the hill"? 

Load up on some complex carbs that will provide the long lasting fuel you'll need to power through your intense workout. Add a full dose of protein to provide a ready source of amino acids and give your muscles a head start on the growth process as you stress the muscle cells during your workout. 

Immediately After Your Workout 

You've used up the glycogen (stored carbohydrates) in your muscle cells as fuel for your workout and if you don't replenish them fast, you're bound to short circuit your growth. 

Within 45 minutes to an hour after your workout you need to down a high-glycemic, high protein drink while your body is primed for fast absorption. Take in between 75 - 100 grams of sugar and about 25% of your day's total protein requirement along with a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats to help stimulate testosterone production. 

This is actually a key time to really pack on mass so don't be afraid to get a little crazy here! In my "Optimum Anabolics" program (www.OptimumAnabolics.com), I actually include a potent post-workout regimen of around 200 grams of high glycemic carbs and 20-30 grams of health fats to kickstart a mass-building hormone release. It works!

Before Bed 

You're about to enter another long period of fasting at bedtime, but it's also a prime time for your body to repair and build muscle. The problem is that your metabolism slows way down when you sleep so a large meal before turning in has the potential to trigger fat storage. 

To provide the building blocks your body needs for growth while minimizing fat storage, eat a light meal consisting of slow-digesting protein and some easily digestible carbs. A bowl of cottage cheese with some fruit is ideal or mix a scoop of protein powder (one with casein in it is best) into some milk or water. Be sure to avoid high carbs and fat calories at this time. 

* * * TOP DIET TIP * * * 

Ok, it's time for my promised “Top Secret” Pre-Workout Power Potion Recipe that will give you everything you need to turbo-charge your workouts while providing a ready source of amino acids to avoid muscle loss and begin the growth process. 

Follow the directions on the next page and consume this mixture about 1-2 hours before your workout … 

The “Muscle Nerd's” Top Secret Pre-Workout Power Potion 

Ingredient 1: 1.5 cups Skim Milk 

Milk is probably one of the most overlooked supplements there is! It's loaded with both fast-digesting (whey) and slow-digesting (casein) proteins for a steady supply of amino acids...and it's been proven in research to be a powerful growth hormone releaser! 

Ingredient 2: ½ Frozen "Slightly Green" Banana 

Ripe bananas have more sugar content than bananas that are still slightly green and will result in more of a quick "sugar rush" instead of supplying long term energy to power through your workout. Grab a bunch of "slightly green" bananas at your local supermarket, peel them all, and place them in a plastic bag in your freezer to break up and add to your protein blender drinks as desired. 

Ingredient 3: 2 Tbsp Natural Peanut Butter 

"Natural" peanut butter ( NOT the commercial hydrogenated garbage!) is loaded with mono-unsaturated fats…perfect for helping you raise your body's testosterone levels for increased muscle mass and rapid fat burning. Look for a product that ONLY lists " Peanuts " and " Salt " on the list of ingredients. 

Ingredient 4: ½ Cup Raw Oat Bran or Uncooked Oatmeal 

Raw oat bran, like oatmeal, is a complex carbohydrate that is ideal for supplying tons of sustained energy for your workouts… AND the rest of the day. 

Its finer texture makes is a better option for blender drinks, but if you only have access to oatmeal, make sure you put the dry oatmeal alone in the blender first and give it a few seconds on "high" to break it up a bit more. 

Ingredient 5: ½ Scoop Vanilla Whey Protein 

In addition to the casein protein from the milk, whey protein will provide you with additional, ready-to-deliver amino acids that will provide your muscles with a "jump start" on the recovery process. 

Vanilla flavored powder seems to go best with this drink but chocolate flavored is another great option! 

Directions: Ok…this is pretty self-explanatory, but here goes… 

Add the first 4 ingredients in the order listed and blend on "High" for about 15 seconds. While it's still blending, open the top and add the protein powder . Blend for another 5 seconds…stop… drink…wipe the "smoothie mustache" off your face...and enjoy your workout!

Hardgainer Supplement Tip To Build More Muscle

By The Muscle Nerd, Jeff Anderson. 

You've probably heard the term "you are what you eat", right?

But it's not exactly what you EAT that counts, but what you USE from what you eat.

And this couldn't be more true for skinny "hardgainers' who have a hard time growing muscle!

Why?

Because you can eat all the protein you want, but unless it makes it to your muscles to help them rebuild, you'll continue to look more like Olive Oil than Popeye!

You see, "skinny" men and women tend to have an overabundance of the "stress hormone", cortisol.

Cortisol actually plays a useful role in our bodies but for hardgainers, its catabolic effects are a real hassle as it inhibits important protein synthesis.

That means less protein available for repair of muscle tissue...less size...and MORE frustration!

Add to this that the digestion of proteins actually burns more calories than any other nutrient and you can see why you CAN'T follow the same "protein plan" as others who can gain muscle more easily.

What's the solution?

This is actually one of my best kept secrets within my hardgainer bodybuilding program, "Hardgainer Project X Bodybuilding Program"...

Try adding DIGESTIVE ENZYMES to your meals!

Now you may think that digestive enzymes (that include either pepsin, papain, or papaya) are just for sandal-wearing hippies who smell like patchouli...but you'd be mistaken!

In fact, digestive enzymes help to breakd down nutrients from the food you eat into usable energy.

But another finding dug deeper and found that enzymes improved the absorption of amino acids and increased nitrogen retention.

In a recent clinical study, respondents who consumed digestive enzymes with their meals showed an increase in protein synthesis with free amino acid levels up by 100%...branched chain amino acids (BCAA's) by 250%...and nitrogen retention by 32%!

In short...MUCH better support for muscle repair and growth.

And enzymes can be especially useful for hardgainers in yet one more way...

Since protein uses up more calories in digestion, enzymes can speed up the process, reducing the "thermic effect" of ingested proteins and help you better maintain a caloric surplus for weight gain!

Look for a good digestive enzyme at your local supplement store or order online.