The Parrillo definition of hard work…Best of the Best… Lose 20 pounds in ten weeks? Possible but highly improbable…The ice kreem & frosted chocolate cake bodybuilder diet… Run down in El Paso…Don’t be Hate’n!

Parrillo Brownies

Iron Vic,

How long are the typical Parrillo training sessions? I weight train for 30 minutes three times a week.  I jog or swim for 30 minutes four times a week. I got a strong hunch that the reason I have been stuck for so long is that I have fallen into a rut. I do the same things over and over and I am expecting different results

Read more

Protein and stagnation…Fake Food Frauds… Ham-challenged

Pizza!

Hey Vic,

I could use some help. I have been reading about the Parrillo approach to protein consumption and think that maybe I should dramatically increase my protein intake in order to add lean muscle mass. In a nutshell, I have been at pretty much the same level for quite a while. I am not a competitive bodybuilder. I have a good physique. I am tall (6-4) and thin (190) with good abs. Some people think I look ‘ripped’ but I think I look skinny and scrawny. From what I read in the PPP, it seems that the best bodybuilders are taking in a lot more protein than I am.

Read more

Building the metabolism…Turning popguns into howitzers…Rampage as Mr. T

Mr. Steele,

How is it possible to “build the metabolism?”  I understand that this is one of the premier Parrillo precepts but I don’t get it – my father is a doctor and he says the idea that you can manipulate the metabolism to any significant degree is ridiculous. He is a podiatrist and not a sports physician and I admit that he is quite a bit overweight and smokes; still, he’s a medical expert and I would like a scientific explanation. You got to admit the idea seems whacky.

Don, San Diego

Read more

Time Compressed training…Sag Man…Protein assimilation myths…Machines versus free weights…Mitochondria & cardio

Free Weights

Vic Steele,

I am a ‘house husband.’ I work from home and watch our two kids while my wife does the corporate thing and makes the real money. I put in a lot of long hours between transporting kids all over the place and working as an accountant.  My available training time is extremely limited. Realistically I can squeeze in no more than 30 minutes of training, four to five times a week.

Read more

BodyStat for acquiring lean mass… Want to build a monster bench press? Consult Coan! The UFC is in tumult – and that’s a good thing!

Vic,

I want to go on a 10-week mass-building regimen. How would you lay out the supplement part of a mass-building nutritional program? I am coming off a terrific summer season. I got super lean and attained my lowest bodyweight of the year, 188 pounds. I currently weigh 195. I would like to push my weight up to 205 or 210 and bench press 380. Then I want to cut back to 195 (or thereabouts) for a bodybuilding show next spring. I’m lightly muscled compared to my competitors.

Read more

Olympia feedback…The Parrillo 100-Rep Five Phase Giant Set Redux…Cookie Construction…Smart Bombing is Smart!

Dear Stupid,

How can you put stone-age dudes like Bill Pearl, John Grimek and Reg Park on your all time top ten list and leave off modern greats like Jay Cutler??!! I have zero idea who Reg Park is. Bill Pearl couldn’t take 100^th place in the 2009 Mr. Los Angeles. What’s up with this stupid idea of placing old timers with lousy physiques ahead of the modern greats?  Time for you to retire

Read more

Aerobic Alternatives…Cookie Pig…Shoulder Stagnation …Fear & Loathing on the 4th of July

Vic,

It seems like the Mixed Martial Artists have devised a new way of doing aerobic exercise. I was wondering if you think it has applicability for bodybuilders and regular fitness types. I watch shows like “The Ultimate Fighter” that spotlight a lot of the training that the UFC Cage fighters are doing. I see that those guys are doing a lot of extended, intense cardio activity: pounding on giant rubber tires with a heavy sledgehammer for minutes at a time; grabbing a 35-pound plate and twisting it all around their body for extended periods; pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with barbell plates up steep inclines; dragging weighted sleds; carrying training partners for long distances…this type of aerobic
activity is super intense and super difficult – would it work for us mortals seeking to strip off body fat?

Tom, Forth Worth

Read more

My List of the Top Ten Bodybuilders of All Time

Top Ten Bodybuilders

Vic,

How would you rank the top ten bodybuilders of all time and why? I know that bodybuilding is subjective and everyone’s opinion is equally valid – but you’ve been around for so long I thought you might have a more long term view than the younger guys at my gym who think Ronnie Coleman was the best Mr. Olympia ever – though they can’t name another Mr. Olympia (other than Arnold.) I’d love to hear your top ten.

Bob, Brooklyn

Read more

10 sets of 10 reps and more protein…One legged-bar bar brawler…New Parrillo Products…CapTri® cooking for Dummies

Vic Steele,

Here’s my problem: I am stuck at a bodyweight of around 165 and cannot add weight to save my life. I am 5-9 and very, very lean. I have entered the Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon in years gone by and currently have a 7.5% body fat percentile. I know this for a fact because I had myself tested at the University of Kentucky Sports Laboratory a month ago. This was an underwater dunk test and I registered a 7.44% body fat percentile. I lift four times a week using a basic Parrillo split routine. I recently read an old column of John’s and was thinking about trying his “10 sets of 10 reps routine.” My goal is to add ten pounds of muscle without blowing my leanness…is that possible? Perhaps you could lay out a routine and supplement schedule. Currently I take 50/50 Plus™ after my workouts and every morning I take Max Endurance Formula™ (I do 45 minutes of intense cardio every single day) plus I take Bio-C™ and Natural E-Plus™. I was thinking about adding Muscle Amino Formula™ and Evening Primrose Oil™. Thanks again and keep up the no-bull advice…

Randy, Lexington

Read more

Sweets and fat intake…Strong, Fit and FAT!…Athletic idiosyncrasies: absolute and sustained strength

Vic,

Any tips for a bodybuilder with a severe sweet tooth? I have been a competitive bodybuilder for a lot of years and while I don’t really crave sweets most of the time, when I swing into my pre-competition diet, I get intense sweet cravings. The deeper into my 12 week, low-fat pre-competition diet I get, the worse my sweet tooth gets! I had thought that at some point in my career I would outgrow these weird pre-competition sugar cravings – but it seems to be getting worse not better. Is my dilemma common among competitive bodybuilders? Am I a head case? Do I need to get hypnotized? Like a compulsive drinker, gambler or smoker? Seriously, I would do it if you thought it would help. I binged two weeks prior to a competition last year and it turned into a bad scene. I broke down and ate almost an entire cheesecake at a friend’s party – my system was so pure that I suffered sugar shock, fell down and almost went into a coma. No sh-t it was scary. I want to prepare for another show in August – but I am scared I will do something stupid. Have you ever heard of anything like this before?

Read more

Next Page »