Why I Still Read Muscle Magazines

I was in a bookstore recently and thought I would mosey on over to check out the latest muscle mags. The cover of one of them claimed that by following the workout on page 72 I could "put 2 inches of muscle on my arms overnight!"

"Wow, overnight!" How sweet is that?

So I turned my brain off and flipped through it for a laugh. Among 500 pages of supplement ads and bikini babes, I found my article which recommended over a hundred sets per workout with multiple workouts per day.

It might even be funny if they were kidding - but they weren't.

Somewhere out there are many people turning to that magazine for advice on how to get stronger. They believe what it says and, attempting to actually do the suggested workout, end up with nothing in the way of meaningful results.

Why? – because no one could do that workout, its a figment of some writers imagination.

But, believe it or not, I still read muscle magazines because it's my job to know the kinds of information people are getting, both good and bad.(mostly bad)

The truth is, everyone can get substantially stronger than they are right now. Yes, some have more potential for size and strength than othersbut again EVERYONE, can improve (and a lot more than they think)

Instead, let's look at the facts:

1. You have about an hour of productive training time per day (maybe less)This is defined by your other time commitments, your ability to focus on your training without becoming bored and the level of stress of everyday life

2. You can (and should) train every day, just not the same way every day

3. Proper nutrition (and not supplements) is all that is necessary. That's right, actual good food.

4. You must allow proper recovery to take place. The physiological adaptations of training (ie muscle growth etc) can only happen outside of the weightroom as your entire system recovers.

5. Strength training will undoubtedly enable you to become a better athlete but keep in mind that strength is only developed in the weight room. That strength must then be applied correctly on the field through proper practice.

6. With all other factors taken into account – progressive resistance training, in all its forms, manifestations and techniques, is what makes workouts work.

7. Passion and enthusiasm are as much a part of training success as sets and reps.

8. If you do end up quitting, it will be the result of two things: boredom or injury. You have control over both of these factors

9. Some training techniques, pieces of equipment and workout styles are better than others. What makes them better is that they accomplish the job either more efficiently or more effectively (sometimes both)

10. You will not start to see real results unless you stick with it and improve over a sustained amount of time.

11. Theres a difference between "getting stronger" and building strength.

12. The possibilities of intense, proper training, are greater than most people can even dream about.

13. Training will work amd it will work well, but there are definite rules as to how to do it right.

Like it or not, these are the realities of your training.

Whew! Good thing I know all this stuff, a week from now I wouldn't have wanted to follow that program and had to shell out the dough for a new wardrobe to fit my 27" arms.

Anyhow, if you are interested in getting strong, and I mean really strong, here are a few books that you need to read:

1. Dinosaur Training

2. The New Bodybuilding for Old-School Results by Ellington Darden

3. Super Strength by Alan Calvert

4. The Key to Might and Muscle by George Jowett

5. Combat Conditioning by Matt Furey

Train hard,
John Wood

According to 'Bombardier' Billy Wells...

In strength training, there are many books that are well thought of as 'classics.'

One great example from way back in 1926 is 'Super Strength' by Alan Calvert, another more recent example is 'Dinosaur Training' by Brooks Kubik

Im talking about the books that are well known and highly regarded, in terms of the quality of information and/or the reputation of the author.

If you are seriously interested in training you cant help but run into classics like these either though word of mount or through your own individual research. Even if they havent read them, most people are at least familiar with the titles and so they are pretty well known in most circles.

There are, however, some outstanding training books that have slipped though the cracks somehow.

To me, these books are like buried treasure since they often contain information written from a totally different perspective than the typical stuff youll find.

You would be every surprised at some of the names who have written training guides - many people you would not expect although most are written by very obscure authors who simply thought enoughof their experience to put it down on paper in order to teach others what they have learned. Quite by accident, I ran across a great training book written in the by 'Bombardier' Billy Wells, a well known English prize fighterfrom the early part of the last century. He was British Empire Champion from 1911 until 1919 and was the winner of won one of the first Lonsdale Champion belts. Evidently he had quite a bit of personality outside the ring and it is certainly reflected in his writing. I think he took up acting later on after his fighting career.

"Bombardier" Billy Wells

Anyhow, as far as what he recommends: plenty of physical training (usually Boxing related drills and calisthenics), fresh air, healthy living, a sound diet, mental clarity, building 'nerve' force and other methods of training that are as simple as they are effective.

He also wasnt afraid to say what was on his mind either and has some pretty interesting observations on a few topics that I will share with you later.

Train hard.
John Wood

P.S. If you havent done so yet, I highly recommend that you zip on over to our Old Time Physical Culture Library and check out some of the classic titles that you may not even know about yet.