Climbing The Ladder Of Intensity

Mike knew that as a bodybuilder grew bigger and stronger, he would eventually require an even more intense training stress if he hopes to continue progressing. If the stress is not more intense he will stagnate and stay at the same level of size and strength.

Beginners

For beginners starting a weight training program is a huge leap in intensity from not training, and this is why they make such rapid gains at first. To keep progressing they can simply keep increasing the weights and decreasing the rest periods between sets. When they stop making gains this way they are ready for the next level of intensity.

Intermediates

At this stage a more intense stress is required, this is be done by using Pre-Exhaustion sets, for example a set of Leg Extensions to failure followed by a set of Leg Press (or Squats) to failure. Also forced reps and negatives to go beyond the point of positive failure can be occasionally used. These techniques will carry someone into the advanced level, Mike reached this point and using these techniques he was unable to get bigger or stronger, this forced him to do further research into the highest levels of intensity.

Advanced

At this level Mike found that he was so strong and his willingness to work at maximum effort was so high that each rep of a set was so intense that oxygen debt and lactic acid build up was practically immediate and severe enough that he was forced to stop due to cardiovascular limitation rather then because he reached a point of actual muscular failure. He looked for a way that he could do even more intense reps while at the same time slowing the build up of lactic acid and the onset of oxygen debt in his muscles.

The way he did this was to do his own version of Rest Pause training, he used a weight that would allow him to do one all out maximum rep, then rested for 10 seconds, this would give enough time for his muscle to clear out waste products and bring new fuel and oxygen so he could do another all out rep. After the second rep and another 10 seconds rest he would have his training partner help him do another all out rep, or he would reduce the weight by 20%. He would then rest 15 seconds and do his last all out rep. This was considered one set, with each and every rep of the set being an all out effort. An example rest pause workout that Mike would do for his chest was Pec Deck 1 set of 4 Rest Pause reps, Incline Bench Press 1 set of 4 Rest Pause reps and Dips (Negative only style) 1 set of 5 reps. Mike then had to ask himself what could be more intense then Rest Pause training?

Super Advanced Heavy Duty

Mikes next step up the ladder of intensity was what he called Infitonic training; he followed each maximum positive rep of a Rest Pause set with a maximum negative Rep. He had his training partner push down a little on the negative and he would fight to resist it, lowering it as slowly as possible. He then rested 15 seconds before his next maximum positive and negative rep.

The very highest level of Heavy Duty he called Omni-Contraction training, meaning all contraction. There are three ways a muscle can contract, that is lifting a weight (positive), lowering a weight (negative) and holding a weight (static).

In Omni-Contraction training Mike would make each a maximum effort. He would do his one all out maximum positive rep, followed by a maximum negative, but during the negative he would stop the weight and actually try to raise the weight again (which was impossible). He would do these static holds at three different points during the negative rep, the first was at the top, close to the fully contracted position, the second was halfway down and the third was close to the bottom position. Each position was held for a count of 3.

The Results

Mike and his brother Ray used these advanced and super advanced techniques in the summer of 1979 and it resulted in Mike gaining 14 pounds of pure muscle in 9 weeks (while losing fat and at an already advanced level of mass and strength), and winning his first pro show beating the likes of Robby Robinson, Danny Padilla and Roy Callendar. While Ray was able to improve so much he walked in and took the Mr. America crown that year.

So maybe, just maybe, if you have tried Heavy Duty and it stopped working it was because you didn’t know the higher techniques on your way up the ladder of intensity. Try them for yourself and find out.

About The Author: Paul Becker is a natural (steroid free for life) bodybuilder and fitness consultant. For more information on Bodybuilding and Bodybuilding Supplements visit his website at http://www.trulyhuge.com.

Day 5 –Legs

I always think that the mark of a bodybuilder is how he can train his legs. You have to have a certain kind of mental strength to develop good legs. In my time I have done my fair share of hard leg work and I looked forward to what Robby had in store for me. Meeting Robby and Arden at the gym- Arden wanted to run through some back stretches for me after my work with Dean yesterday. Just prior to that, we had another interview outside covering the last four days work.

As we started the workout with some ab work, Robby showed me a great exercise I had never done before or even seen. It was very effective and I could feel it in the whole length of my abs. After 4 sets of this they were toasted and we moved on to.

Legs

We started out with Leg Extensions and combined these with Leg Curls. Robby was- as always- a stickler for style. He also explained his visualisation techniques. Reps were performed in a machine like style, picture perfect. We did one set each of 15 reps and moved to Leg Press with 4 plates a side for 15 reps each. Robby had me perform these nice and deep, slow and controlled with constant tension. We then went back to Leg Extensions and Leg Curls with a little more weight and around 12 reps each. Back to the Leg Press with 6 plates a side for 12 reps and then added another 2 plates taking it up to 8 plates a side for 10 reps. These were very tough to do right and a lot more painful.

It was then back to the extensions and Leg Curls, these were the hardest sets with a hard contraction at the completion of each rep. Robby made sure I got the reps and in picture perfect style, as always. It’s amazing how hard you will work, when one of the world’s best bodybuilders and legends is encouraging you to do one more rep.

Calves were next up with 4 sets of Seated Calve Raises with the magic Robby difference. He demanded a deep, deep stretch and a high, high contraction squeezing like mad. It had been a few years since I had used a Seated Calve Machine and it bit really deep. I knew I would be in pain in the morning.

I really enjoyed this workout and I had absorbed once again, a world of information and felt it also. After such work Robby said we needed to eat, so off we went to The Firehouse for some Buffalo, rice and veg. Hard work and good food, a large part of Robby’s master plan.

Day 5

We planned to do interviews today for the DVD so after a visit to another fresh market whereupon Robby and Arden introduced me to Wheatgrass. This they have once a week- shot like- like in an alcoholic shot- but this being way better for you. The green liquid looked like swamp water and I didn’t relish the taste of it, or much- like the look of it. Robby had two and Arden one- so I was in a corner- yep down it went- actually it was ok and tasted like sugar snap peas. Apparently very good as an antioxidant and has many other properties.

We headed down to the beach near my hotel for an interview, regarding all we had done over the past few days. I must say we covered tons here. Robby talked about the old days, his training now and then, his philosophies, his goals and also mine. We had a real good chat and a laugh. Robby was in great form and he always, always impresses me.

After saying goodbye for that day, I set off into Santa Monica via the bus system that was an adventure in itself. I wanted to do a little shopping before heading home in a couple of days. I had some money of Heather’s burning a hole in my pocket and I wanted some new clothes for myself. I was the typical guy, in one shop I bought it all and was out and done. Bing- bang- bosh- I don’t mess about with shopping.

When I got back to my room I headed out for some food at the Marina Café just down from my hotel. Yep it’s work is this, hope you feel sorry for me. I ordered egg whites, avocado and veg in a whole meal wrap- it was awesome. You have to try this, I eat it while reading and looking out over the Marina.

In between bites I read and have read Robby’s biography over the last couple of days and find it to be an inspiring, eye opening read. It was very in depth and deep, with a ton of motivation, I am sure Robby and Arden are on with a great seller here as it is very well written and has taken a year or so to produce. I was honored to be one of the few to read it before it goes to print. The sun shone down on the countless yachts bobbing up and down in the gentle breeze. The water clipped at the side’s harbor – yep this is the life.

Then I burnt my lip with some egg white.

‘Pleasure pain thing’.

The plan tomorrow is for me to train. I haven’t planned to train with Robby again now, but I thought I would head down to Gold’s for a quick workout and a study up on what’s out there in equipment. So that’s what I will do in the morning and then I’ll meet with Robby and Arden in the afternoon.

Ian Duckett- www.bodyindesign.co.uk

www.RobbyRobinson.net

Ian Duckett is the UK’s most formidable and sort after personal trainer and was training clients before Personal Training was in Vogue. He is a natural for life athlete and has been at the forefront of natural bodybuilding for 20 years, winning such titles as ‘Mr Natural Britain’ twice and the European title. He has also placed 4th in the World Championships on two occasions and recently won the World title, also the Pro Am – He is a reputed Powerlifter, winning 6 titles and placing 2nd in the British finals.

His passion for his work is immeasurable, this shows in the client base he has. He has been helping clients achieve the goals that they only dreamed of and has been tirelessly doing this for more than 20 years. Title winners and corporate professionals, as well as clients wanting to be the best they can be, fill Ian’s day. Ian has trained with the best and studies his standard of work constantly. ‘You should never stop learning’ is one of Ian’s mottos.

He often travels to the USA to improve and refine his art. Working recently with the great Robby Robinson–this again moved Ian forward. He is also a great believer in the power of the mind, knowing that this area is the key to unlocking potential from a client. He knows what buttons to press and how to bring out the best in the client. Ian is and has over the years been a leader in training principles and nutrition ideas, he is copied many times but never duplicated.

He is a sort after Guest Poser and seminar speaker, conducting seminars in gyms up and down the country and also in supplement outlets. Ian owned and ran one of the most successful gyms in the UK. Future Bodies Gym was a 10,000 sq ft home to many champions and successful clients alike. Future Bodies was sold in 2002, since then Ian has concentrated on his BodyInDesign Personal Training business, phone consultations business and maintaining his website and product sales. Ian is very goal orientated and has achieved each of the goals he set out to do, such as – Writing 4 books – Producing training DVD’s – Producing a subscription only magazine – A supplement company – Designing and producing training t-shirts – Producing motivational art work.

It is safe to say that Ian gets the most out of each day and he has that rare combination these days of knowledge and experience. Professional Background . Director of bodyindesign Ltd . Personal Trainer . Author . Illustrator . Contributing writer to other websites and magazines Significant Accomplishments . 1989 – Mr Natural Britain . 1995 – Mr Natural Britain . 1999 – Mr Natural Europe . 2005 – 2nd in the Natural Pro Am . 2005 – 4th in the Natural World Championships . 2006 – 2nd in the BAWLA Powerlifting British Championships. 2007 Pro Am winner–Guest Star at the NPA British–2007 World Championships winner. . Winner of more than 25 other regional bodybuilding titles Ian has had more Area and British title winners as clients than anybody else and has been doing this for at least 20 years.

Ian’s area of experience is in the training of figure girls, he has had winners and top placings in this class, both in British and International competitions, for many years. Ian has been a featured writer in Hardgainer magazine and has been featured in many books and publications over the years. Ian has published four books that were sold in major book stores and supplement companies in the UK. They still sell now on the internet through his website to all corners of the globe.

Ian has also produced two training video DVD’s that have achieved the same results as the books. TV Appearances . Calendar . Sky TV . Look North . Radio Leeds . BBC tv inside eye. Featured Articles . Hardgainer magazine . Featured model in Stuart McRobert’s ‘Build muscle, lose fat’ book in 2006 . Health and Strength magazine . Musclemag International- feature writer for 4 years . Bodypower . Bodybuilding Monthly . The Beef magazine . Yorkshire Post . Cyberpump.com . MrUniverse.com . Allsports . Maximuscle . Numerous other health and fitness publications over the last 20-25 years. Individual Athletes . Jenny Garside – 4 time Britain winner and 2nd in the World Championship ladies figure class 2005–Winner BNBF British 2007 –NPA British 2007 –Worlds 2007. . Claire Cotter – British Finals winner and 3rd in the World Championships 2006–2nd–NPA British 2007. . Karen Wriggles – Mike Williams Classic winner . Michelle Clift – UK winner and 3rd twice at the British Finals. . Debbie Scholefield – Yorkshire winner–3rd NPA British 2007. . Julie Ainsworth – Multi title winner . Lynn Beman – Title winner . Annie Davis – Yorkshire winner and British finalist . Frances Walton – Title winner . Andrew Barber – British Under 21 winner . Rob Gorry – Title winner . Ian Cooper – Multi title winner . Helen Everson – Title winner . Gayle Bellamy – British Under 52kg winner . Local TV stars . Phil Guy – Multi title winner .

And more than 60 other title winners and finalists over the last 20 years. Corporate Clients . Walkers Transport . Nick Marr . Dave Symon. Nutrition Companies who have supported Ian . Allsports International . Maximuscle . Udo’s Oil . Natural Nutrition Products . Organic Foods Currently Ian is supported by ‘AST Sports Science’ supplements, his clients are also. . Many more camps at Bodyindesign. . New vidoes on youtube. . 2-New books in 2009 .

Continue to help clients achieve their goals Ian has created a name for himself in the world of figure, bodybuilding and natural health. His passion and innovation have kept him at the top for years. He is truly a trainers’ trainer – in fact his nickname is The Guru. Need we say more? Areas for more info: Short and sharp book—True Grit book—bodyindesign web site—look for articles on this site and others featuring Ian.

Who I’d like to meet:
I have met most of my hero’s Robby– Arnold–Stallone–Labrada. I never got to meet the now passed away Arthur Jones. He was an awesome man that changed the industry I am in today.

Be sure to visit Ian’s website, www.bodyindesign.co.uk.