Back to the Massivemuscle.net Newsletter Archives
In This Issue
1. Saying Goodbye
2. Following Pro's Routines
3. Other Websites & Newsletters
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1. Saying Goodbye
After nearly two years, I have made the decision to stop producing the
Massivemuscle.net
Newsletter. I have had a good time with this newsletter. Most of all, I have
enjoyed all the
support and contact from many of you. Heck, I've probably learned more from
creating these
newsletters than anybody! However, now I have new responsibilities coming into
my life. So I am
trying to shift my time and efforts accordingly.
I want to thank everyone who has subscribed, especially those few who have
listened to me ramble
on since the very beginning. To those of you who have subscribed recently, sorry
for my bad case
of timing. I am sure that you can browse all my old newsletters and find a vast
array of
information.
So, again, thank you all and best wishes to each of you.
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2. Following Pro's Routines
I was thinking what I should write about in this last newsletter that would be a
basic, for all
time lesson. Finally I thought about all the people who go pick up bodybuilding
magazines and
base all they do from the information they find there. It's a very unfortunate
situation. I say
this because bodybuilding magazines do have some good information. However, not
all the
information is good. The main items that are not good information are the pro
bodybuilder's
routines. You know what I'm talking about. Every single issue has more than one
of these.
"Yes, yes, I know what you're talking about, Jon. But what's so wrong with
them?"
To put it bluntly, the articles are full of crap. First of all, we have probably
never seen one
of these articles that lists a pro's real training routine. I have even spoken
with a few
different people who told me of their days in California where people would look
at magazines and
say things like, "I know that's not how he trains, I have trained with him
before!" The problem
is that most of these articles are written by ghost writers. These ghost writers
create the
articles. Then the pro bodybuilder (who is under contract with the specific
magazine publisher)
is credited with the article. They throw in a few pictures, put their name at
the end and voila!
And the mags sell like crazy. Please believe me, I'm not making this stuff up.
This is common
knowledge in the bodybuilding world.
The main problem with these training routines is they will over train you big
time. For example,
a shoulder routine will usually consist of 12-16 sets of exercise for one
muscle. Way too much!
You could make it work by using 2 of the 3 or 4 sets per exercise as warm-ups,
but most people do not know this. They just go into the weight room and start
pumping out 12-16 hard sets (usually
after too few warm-ups, if any at all). It will take no time at all until a
person becomes over trained and probably injured. These routines would be able
to hurt you even if you were pumping yourself full of illegal steroids.
Another problem is that now days these articles are written more to advertise
some nutritional
supplement products. Many times it's more like an advertisement with a little
bit of horrible
training advice thrown in. People see that this huge guy claims to take this
product and follow
this routine. "Look, he's huge; I better do it, too!" Yep, I'm sure there's not
a big money
industry behind all this...
So, since I have ripped on these magazines, I will say that there is some good
information in
them as well. Usually the diet information is good. They push the idea of eating
smaller, more
frequent meals. They always tell the importance of high protein and moderate
carbohydrate
intake. Some are even getting better about accepting fat into diets. Just get
past each
magazine pushing its own product and you can see good information to use.
The point is to remember these magazines' main objective. Keep a close eye on
them. Remember
that the articles are almost always just another ad for their products and/or
their professional
bodybuilder. Look past the stuff that you know is junk and absorb only the good
basic
information. Keep this in mind, enjoy the pictures and be on your way to a
strong healthy life.
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3. Other Websites & Newsletters
I want to leave you with my top 3 favorite websites. All of these have
newsletters you can sign
up for. I really recommend you check them out.
Dave Draper's Iron On-Line
Testosterone
Truly Huge
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Well, that's it. Again, it has been a lot of fun pumping out these newsletters
and conversing
with many of you. Thanks for reading my material, stories and rants. I wish you
all the best.
Jon Miller
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DISCLAIMER:
The suggestions and opinions in this newsletter are based on my personal
experiences. Obviously, not all diets, supplements or training routines work the same for everyone. The
objective of
this newsletter is to provide you with the knowledge that will help you find
what works best for
you. You should always check with your personal physician before starting any
exercise programs.
All of the companies, products and websites I suggested are also from my own
findings only.