Our friends over at Sequoia Fitness have made that easy for you with this easy-to-use product that should be in the home of every bodybuilder (pro, amateur and hopeful), as well as anyone else who cares what they really look like. (And if you don’t fall into any of those categories, you’re probably not visiting this website and reading this anyway. Have fun at the McDonald’s drive-thru, tubby.)

The Warrior calculates for up to four different users and measures not only body fat percentage, but also lean body mass. It displays your current and last results so you know what direction you’ve been taking. It does upper, middle and lower measurements, so you can get accurate readings on your chest/triceps, abdominals and quads.

When you hear that unique beep, you know that the reading was taken correctly and the large digital display screen tells the tale. You know that you used the correct amount of pressure because the machine informs you.

Lean body mass is the mantra for the perfect formula – a fat loss and muscle building program. Betcha didn’t know that Warrior is the ONLY body fat caliper on the market to measure this important number.

As if you needed any more convincing, every Sequoia Fitness product carries the stamp of the Military Standard for Physical Readiness. What the hell does that mean, you may ask? Their stuff meets a standard of excellence required by the armed forces when measuring body fat.

You get all this for the low cost of $23.95. And if you get stuck on anything using this or any of Sequoia Fitness products, give Matt a call at (877) 987-3737. The guy designed Warrior and has been in the game for 15 years. He’ll even forward you a PDF version of the instructions in case you lose them.

Be sure to visit their website for Warrior and other great fitness products that you will use every day.

SEQUOIA WARRIOR INFOMERCIAL ON MUSCLE SPORT TV

In the last article we talked about work and how to calculate your workload for each workout, the first part of the formula for power is the same (Force X Distance), now we add the factor of time.

Now, for the purposes of muscle building we don’t mean increasing lifting speed, this just allows momentum to do the work and not the muscles. All exercises should be preformed slowly and deliberately.

As you will see when we talk about power, we are talking about training intensity. Let’s look how we can increase our workout power (intensity):

1) Use a full range of motion, for example let’s say your full range of motion on the bench press is 2 1/2 feet, that means1 rep (up and down) is 5 feet. And let’s say each rep takes 6 seconds (2 up and 4 down), if you use 250 lbs for 8 reps the power would be – 250 lbs X 40 ft -:- 48 sec = 208.3 ft-lbs/sec.

Now let’s say you cut 3 inches off the range of motion by not bringing the bar all the way down to your chest, this takes 1/2 foot off of each rep. So, if all other factors are the same, the above set now looks like this – 250lbs X 36 ft -:- 48 sec = 187.5 ft-lb/sec. With less range of motion power goes down.

2) Increase the weight you lift, for example, on our full motion bench press (250 lbs X 40 ft -:- 48 sec = 208.3 ft-lbs/sec) if next workout 5 lbs is added , it then looks like this – 255 lbs X 40 ft -:- 48 sec = 212.5 ft-lbs/sec. Lifting more weight increases Power.

3) Decrease time between sets, for example, 3 sets of bench using 250 lbs for 8 reps has the workload of – 250 lbs X 40 ft = 10, 000 ft-lbs. If these 3 sets are done in 10 mins (600 sec) the power is – 10,000 ft-lbs -:- 600 sec = 16.7 ft-lbs/sec.

If by decreasing rest time those same 3 sets are done in 6 mins (360 sec) then the power is – 10, 000 ft-lbs -:- 360 sec = 27.8 ft-lbs/sec.

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.

Well, the search for the Holy Grail has ended. Finding all your favorite name brands at that economy-friendly price has been solved with Best Price Nutrition. Yes, they have it all and can satisfy even the most fussiest of fitness enthusiasts. For example, let’s take a look at one of the hottest products on the market today, Gaspari Nutrition’s MyoFusion.

A two pound can is a mere $18.99, quite a drop from the MSRP of $34.50. Not enough powder for your multiple shakes per day? No problem, then. Go for the huge five pounder and laugh at the $37.99 price tag when comparing it to the usual $67.50 that greets you on it.

You also can’t go wrong with any of the four flavors available, such as Double Chocolate, Strawberries and Cream, Milk Chocolate and Delicious Vanilla.

One scoop provides a whopping 25 mg of advanced, muscle building protein.

For more information and to look over the rest of their vast inventory, be sure to visit their website, www.bestpricenutrition.com.

Proviron is the Schering brand name for the oral androgen mesterolone. It is a strong androgen, which is not capable of aromatizing into estrogen. It is also not progestenic.
In fact, Proviron is the closest thing we have to orally active Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Physicians normally prescribe this compound to treat various types of sexual dysfunction since it can usually reverse impotency and sexual disinterest. It can also increase sperm count although it does not actually stimulate testosterone production.

In bodybuilding circles, Proviron is used primarily as an anti-estrogen since it is believed to block the action of the aromatase enzyme (which is responsible for converting testosterone to estrogen). For this reason it is a popular pre-contest drug since it assists in hardening up the physique.

Whilst Proviron is considered too weak for muscle building purposes it may actually boost the anabolic effect of other substances when it is added to a standard cycle. This is due to the fact that it binds to Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), which is the transport hormone responsible for reducing the amount of free testosterone in your body. In addition to this, Proviron also binds to the Anabolic Receptor more effectively than any other oral steroid. So, not only does Proviron reduce levels of circulating estrogen, it can possibly make other steroids more effective through its ability to inhibit the actions of SHBG. It is also worth pointing out that even at levels of 100-150mg/day it has no depressing effect on low to normal FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) levels. In fact it has been suggested that it may even raise LH, which can in turn lead to a rise in testosterone levels.

DOSAGE

The typical dosage for men is one to four 25mg tablets per day. This is considered to be a sufficient amount to avoid the occurrence of gynecomastia. It may also be combined with Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate) or Clomid (clomiphene citrate) when substances with high estrogenic conversion rates are being taken (e.g. Dianabol, Testosterone). In this instance, taking 50mg of Proviron along with 20mg Nolvadex per day has been proven effective.

In the case of women considering using Proviron it has to be noted that it does have an extremely high androgen content. With this in mind care should be taken when it comes to assessing dosages. Women usually find 25mg per day is enough to effectively shift the androgen/estrogen level, which can have a significant impact on the physique. Also, in order to avoid virilization symptoms (e.g. voice deepening, menstrual irregularities, skin texture changes, clitoral enlargement) use should be limited to a period of four or five weeks.

Once again, a combination of 25mg Proviron and 10-20mg Nolvadex can be very efficient when it comes to muscle hardening and ridding the body of extra body fat on hips and thighs.

SAFETY ISSUES

The risk of liver toxicity with this compound is generally not an issue since Proviron is not a c17 alpha alkylated compound (the alteration responsible for liver toxicity in commonly used anabolics). It is therefore considered to be a ‘safe’ oral.

However, that does not mean that is comes without side effects. In the case of male athletes using this drug in amounts above 100mg a day side effects connected with an excessively high androgen level can present themselves. These include oily skin, acne, body/facial hair growth, and male pattern baldness. Extreme heightening of the male libido is also likely.

As previously mentioned, women should be careful when using this substance and stick to 25mg a day for short periods of time to avoid virilization symptoms.

In addition, since Proviron is a very effective ‘drying agent’ it can also have a significant impact on the condition of your hair and skin. It is therefore recommended that an essential fatty acid supplement be used with this product, which supplies the omega 3 fats necessary to maintain healthy skin and hair. Also, as a DHT derivative thinning hair may be a problem in susceptible individuals. In this instance some have found the use of Nizoral shampoo to be of assistance.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

In the last few years Clenbuterol has replaced Ephedrine as the drug of choice when it comes to fat loss and contest preparation in general. Clenbuterol is used throughout the world as a bronchodialator and, when used this way, it is highly effective with a low level of user complaints. In terms of fat loss, ‘Clen’ (as it is frequently called) is what is known as a
Repartitioning agent – meaning that it will increase your ratio of Fat Free Mass to Fat Mass.

Clenbuterol belongs to a class of drugs known as sympathomimetics. These drugs affect the sympathetic nervous system in numerous ways. It is specifically a selective beta-2 sympathomimetic, stimulating the beta-2 receptors, which creates a thermogenic effect, directly stimulating fat cells and accelerating the breakdown of triglycerides to form free fatty acids. Animal studies have also shown it to be quite anti-catabolic and/or anabolic which obviously leads to its attractiveness amongst bodybuilders – particularly during the pre-contest phase. However, it has to be said that these studies have been restricted to animals and there is little real evidence of Clenbuterol having muscle building/sparing properties in humans. This does little to tarnish its reputation as a great adjunct anabolic – used both off-season and pre-contest.

ACTIVE LIFE

Another attractive quality of this drug is its extremely long half-life in the body – which gives it an active life of approximately 34-36 hours. This makes it easy to maintain steady blood levels with a single or twice daily dosing schedule. Interestingly enough, Clenbuterol has never been approved for use in the USA (perhaps the drug companies would not find it profitable enough). This does little to affect its availability on the black market however, with many foreign preparations being readily available.

DOSING AND SIDE EFFECTS

Clenbuterol is generally a drug where you have to gradually assess your own individual tolerance level. Basically, it is advisable to start with 20mcgs upon rising. If the side effects (possible anxiety, shaking and sweating) are not too pronounced, then the same dose can be repeated later in the day. Men generally end up in the range of 2-8 tablets a day. Women usually find 2-4 to be very effective.
As previously suggested, Clenbuterol does have a fair amount of side effects – most of which will be familiar to anyone who has used CNS stimulants. Along with a slight increase in body temperature (due to the thermogenic effect) users may experience shaky hands, insomnia, sweating, increased blood pressure and nausea. These side effects usually become less noticeable once the user becomes accustomed to the drug. They are also dose dependant – which is why it is always advised to begin on a low dose in order to gauge your tolerance level.

DRAWBACKS ASSOCIATED WITH CLENBUTEROL USE

One of the main drawbacks with this drug is that after a couple of weeks it seems to stop working for most people. This is due to the fact that it can cause a down regulation of the beta-receptors in the pulmonary, cardiac and Central Nervous System. One way to sense this down regulation is when you no longer feel an elevation in body temperature following administration. This suggests that the substance is no longer exhibiting a thermogenic effect. At this point increasing the dosage would not be very effective and a break of at least two weeks should be taken before it is used again. This accounts for the popular two weeks on/two weeks off method of administration. There is however much controversy in this area. Some say it can promote fat loss for approximately 4-6 weeks, though any strength gains can usually only be felt for 3-4 weeks (probably due more to the stimulant properties rather than any real anabolic effect).

The use of anti-histamines such as Benadryl or Ketotifen every 3rd or 4th week may help prevent this tolerance to some extent – although they should be taken at bedtime since they will cause drowsiness.

It has also been found that Clenbuterol depletes the body of the amino acid Taurine, so you may want to supplement with this during a cycle of Clen.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

However you decide to incorporate this substance into your program, you must always start low and never go above 8 tablets a day (with a complete maximum being 200mcgs). Monitor your blood pressure and keep it at (or below) 140/90. If it goes above that, or if side effects become intolerable use your common sense and decrease the dose.

ENHANCING THE EFFECTS

Many competitive athletes find that the fat burning effects of Clenbuterol can be enhanced by combining it with thyroid hormones (particularly Cytomel). The thermogenic effect in this instance can be very powerful. When combined these cutting agents can even counter the fat storing effects of strong aromatizing androgens. A Clenbuterol/thyroid mix is also common when using growth hormone, as it seems to increase the thermogenic and anabolic effect significantly.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

In recent years, the use of growth hormone has become increasingly popular both inside the athletic community and outside (where it is frequently referred to as a ‘quality of life’ drug). Produced in the human body by the pituitary gland, normal levels are at their highest during adolescence when it promotes tissue growth, protein synthesis and the breakdown of subcutaneous fat stores. Given these physiological functions, its ‘growing’ popularity becomes less of a mystery!

Add to this the fact that it is not liver toxic, does not produce water retention, is ‘skin friendly’ (i.e. does not cause acne), does not aromatize (convert to estrogen) and is highly anabolic with no androgenic side effects, and you have a pretty impressive therapeutic/performance enhancing package. Indeed, it has been hailed as the best drug for muscle gains and probably the only drug that can compensate for bad genetics.

On the technical side, GH is a polypeptide hormone consisting of 191 amino acids which has two main effects in the body:

1) Indirect – once metabolized in the liver GH liberates the hormone IGF-1 (insulin like growth factor) which then proceeds to trigger growth in muscle cells.

2) Direct – GH mobilizes stored body fat for use as energy.

Delving more deeply into its effects, we discover that Growth Hormone exerts its muscle building influence due to its ability to increase cell numbers rather than just actual size. Its influence is observed in all body organs with the exception of the eyes and brain with transport of amino acids increasing along with protein synthesis.
Another thing that makes GH so attractive to users is its pronounced ability to stimulate triglyceride hydrolysis in adipose tissue, which in turn leads to significant fat loss. It is also involved in the process of increasing glucose output in the liver, inducing insulin resistance and blocking the activity of this hormone in target cells. With growth hormone use, a definite shift occurs where fats become the preferred energy source for the body thus leading to greater fat loss overall.

In addition, GH also appears to strengthen connective tissues, cartilage and tendons, reducing the risk of injury often caused by the use of increasingly heavy weights.
Of course, it would be negligent to omit the fact that, as far as drug testing is concerned, GH is a very ‘safe’ drug for an athlete to use since there is currently no reliable detection method in existence to reveal its use.

WOMEN AND GROWTH HORMONE

The use of Growth hormone by female athletes is still a relatively gray area in terms of documented results and effects. This may be due to the fact that women are still reluctant to step forward and admit to its use. However, it has been claimed by some Ms Olympia insiders that more than a handful of top competitors are using GH to attain a ripped muscular look without sacrificing their femininity (something that goes hand in hand with testosterone and heavy steroid use).

It is also true that GH has obtained a somewhat glamorous allure due to its use in Hollywood circles and the upper echelons of Californian society. The selling point in this case being instant fat loss, youthful skin and a general sense of physical and emotional rebirth.

Growth Hormone itself is considered to be safer than testosterone and that is why it is becoming increasingly popular with female athletes. However, it is strictly out of bounds for women with a history of hormonal dependant cancers such as breast or ovarian cancer.

Short term therapy is favored over long term use even in women with no prior cancer history and, whilst fat loss is definitely observed the results of GH use in women is often less dramatic than those observed in men – this could be due to the hormone estrogen blocking some of its effects.

GROWTH HORMONE DOSAGES AND ANCILLIARY DRUG USE

The average dosage for GH currently in use is in the range of 4 to 6 i.u’s per day for elite athletes and 1 to 2i.u’s/day for more cautious individuals. Some prefer to take larger amounts spread over say three shots a week but the general consensus is that daily dosing is more effective due to the fact that GH has a very short life span in the body. Blood levels peak at around 2 – 6 hours after injection and the hormone is quickly cleared from the body. The effects of GH use are also more pronounced when used for longer periods of time (with the exception being use by women which is always recommended to be shorter due to the aforementioned health risks). However, for general fat loss a cycle of four weeks is usually enough to deliver results.

It is also important to mention that, when using Growth Hormone, your body seems to need an increased amount of thyroid hormones and insulin (since GH therapy is shown to lower levels of these hormones). Taking either Cytomel or Synthroid (T-3 and T-4) is recommended – with Cyctomel being preferred. Insulin is also recommended since it can increase receptor sensitivity to IGF-1 which adds to the anabolic effect of GH.
For even greater muscle cell anabolism the use of an androgen such as Testosterone or Trenbolone (if estrogen is a concern) is also suggested. This combination works synergistically to amplify results, but it is important to note that both thyroid and insulin are very powerful drugs and their use does increase the risk of side effects.

RISKS VERSUS RESULTS

Growth Hormone is not entirely free of negative side effects, the most reported of those being acromegaly – a noticeable thickening of the bones. This applies in particular to the bones of the feet, hands, elbows, jaw and forehead. It can also enlarge the vital organs and has been linked to hypoglycemia and diabetes. Abuse of this substance can certainly trigger a number of serious conditions so anyone seeking to use GH must arm him or herself with as much information as possible and, if available, seek medical supervision.

Having said that, such adverse reactions are rare with very few documented cases of problems arising from athletes choosing to use Growth Hormone periodically and at moderate dosages.

To sum it up, GH is a valuable performance enhancing substance and as long as you use it with respect and monitor yourself carefully, it can contribute greatly to not only your physique but also your quality of life in general.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.

By Matthew Sgro

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

There are many ways to improve one’s physique and fitness level. One example of this is kettle bell training. Under the guidance of a properly trained professional this can be a highly effective and safe manner of training. As many physical therapists and professional personal trainers will tell you, training of this type with an unqualified trainer can be dangerous. They can say this because they’ve probably seen people after they’ve recieved this training.

There are very few exercises that are “wrong.” With the right form and instruction, you can get in phenomenal shape with many different types of training. Someone who specializes in a type of training such as kettle bells is exactly what you need when training with such type of training.

A personal trainer that specializes in general fitness, weight loss and muscle building will often times incorporate many different styles and types of training. He or she won’t claim to be an expert in anything besides safe, effective training. Being a quality, well rounded trainer, they will make themself familiar with all types of training that’s out there. This is because they WANT to. They have the interest level and drive to learn. That’s the type of trainer that will take an interest in YOU, the client, and what your special concerns, goals and conditions are. This is who you should be looking for when interviewing a trainer.

It’s your job, as the boss of your body and fitness to do this. If it doesn’t feel right, interview several trainers. A good suggestion may be to do this anyways, just to get a feel for what’s out there. Take control of your fitness journey. Don’t let someone else make the decision for you. Don’t let the first person you talk to rope you into a year of training you’re not sure about. This person is a salesman, not a trainer. Ask for a sample workout session. Ask for credentials. Interview your trainer like you’d interview a nanny taking care of the most percious thing in your life. Your body is extremely important and what you do to improve it is too.

A WORD FROM MATT: My connections in the fitness industry and contacts go from the Philadelphia area to Los Angeles California. If you would like help in finding a quality trainer in your area I would gladly help you do so. Just send me an email on my website and I’ll do what I can to point you in the right direction.

Matthew Sgro, in addition to being a MuscleSport Mag staff writer, is the President and Founder of Elite Personal Training Studios, Inc. and Boot Camps with a Purpose, Inc., located in Exton, PA. For details, visit www.TrainAtElite.com.