Muscular Development - June 2011 - Review

Muscular Development Magazine (MD) June 2011 features Arnold Champion Branch Warren on the cover. This issue is all about Branch and all the other MD athletes that did well at the Arnold Classic.  I really was a great contest for them  and it makes them a real threat at Olympia.  In this issue, MD was blowing it own horn a bit but 'it ain't braggin' if you did it'.

Best Quote: "Everything I have, I owe to Bodybuilding.  People ask me where I got my work ethic and my  discipline and it was from bodybuilding" - Branch Warren (p.180)

Highlight Article: "Is Arnold Champ Branch Warren the Next Dorian Yates?" -- This article explores exactly this question and the parallels are tight -- Dorian and Branch both work hard and do not care about what others think.  They both overcome genetic limitations through hard work.  Yeah, I think it is possible. (p. 176-187)

Best Regular Feature: At the risk of being redundant, No Juice Bodybuilding on p. 262 hit it again.  Layne Norton strikes again about not being a hater but instead focusing on self improvement.  Sorry the guy is really resonating with me right now.

Notable Articles:
1. Team MD invades the Arnold: Branch Warren, Dennis Wolf, Victor Martinez and Evan Centopani -1,2,3,4 at the Arnold Classic.  Team MD interviews and a good look at each athlete. (p. 158-169)
2. Biceps Blitzkrieg! -- Dennis Wolf's bicep workout. (p192-201)
3. Victor Martinez Bigger and Better: Great look at The Dominican Dominator current Training and thus why he is re-surging. (p.204-213)

Duds:
1. Ramblin' Freak -- don't read it anymore, the f-word is substituted for the actual English language.
2. Any article about drugs and drug use in bodybuilding.  Trust me, I know that the whole issue is not as bad as people say, but by doing these your are endorsing the breaking of the Law.  I know some are legal, but it is the appearance of evil that bothers me.  Plus, being an natural bodybuilder, I can't use them.

Graphic Content Review:
MD is brilliant at times: their black and white photos are some of the best in the business.  However, they get both repetitive in their graphics and their overuse, in my opinion of black and white backgrounds.  There regular features never change their graphics.  You can definitely see that they are more concerned about other things than their graphics.

Eye Candy:
This month we have a triple threat: Bikini Competitors  Nicole Nagrani, Sonia Gonzales and Nathalia Melo.  MD does it right when it comes to eye candy this month.  Three top competitors wearing the bikinis they make look good in competition is the way to go.  Also, these ladies finished first, second and third respectively, so it was a top championship lineup.

Rating: 3 and half stars: Good at times, but lagging behind at times.  I liked the interviews and as always MD has lots of good info to digest.  Good to see Branch Warren and the rest of Team MD get their due respect as well.

Muscular Development: May 2011 - Review

The May 2011 Issue of Muscular Development (MD) Features 8 time Mr. Olympia - Ronnie "Big Ron" Coleman. The big news for MD being that Ron has has joined team MD. Ronnie Coleman is probably the most dominate champion ever. This is a big political win for MD. In any case, the main focus is Big Ron and getting massive like Ron. Good luck.

Best Quote: "It was that continuous achievement of goals I set for myself in the weight room that gave me the confidence to set more lofty goals in my life, and eventually change my life" - Layne Norton - p.246

Highlight Article: "Legendary!" This was a great interview by Flex Wheeler of Ronnie Coleman. It focused on Ron's thoughts on his career, the industry and steroid use. Yes Ron openly admits he used. He also expresses his thought on how he feels about being with MD. Good candid close up. (p. 148-157)

Best Regular feature: 'No Juice Bodybuilding - Why be Drug Free?' - in the midst of drug use central that is MD, there is one regular feature by a Natural Bodybuilder (Layne Norton) and he addresses why he is drug free. (p. 244-246)

Notable Articles:
1. 'Mass with Class - The Texas Titan' - This is another regular feature, but I always like the respectful and yet painfully truthful way Branch Warren deals with his questions. Here is a guy I want to meet. (p314-318)
2. 'Boulder Shoulders of the Boston Mass' - Great article about Family featuring two brothers -- Jose and Tito Raymond. (p. 176-185)
3. 'Wheels of a Winner' - Great article and true advice about Leg training featuring Jay Cutler and his trainer Hany Rambod (p.160-171)

Duds:
1. Ramblin' Freak -- Although I got to give the guy credit he did do a spot on Jack Lalanne.
2. Any article on steriods or drugs becasue as a natural bodybuilder myself they are wasted ink to me.

Graphics Content Review:
Grey. It is the one word that discribes this issue. The cover is grey, most of the pages are black, white or grey. All the photos are black and white. When there is color it is red. Makes you think of Ohio State and being a Wolverine guy that sucks. Eye Candy (The Major Disctraction) is IFBB Figure Pro Justine Munro. She looks great even on a white background. In addition there is a pullout poster of Ronnie Colemman in this issue.

Rating: 3 and half stars. It is a good thing the training content of MD is great and there are so many top pros giving advice in it, becasue a lot of the other stuff is either illegal or surrounded by poor graphics. I swear this mag lives on black and white photos. They a good ones but that always makes the mag have a dark sinister feel. I think they would do better with a dark hardcore feel instead, but that means a little more color. A lot of top pros call MD home and they should get top work for joining Team MD.

Muscular Development: April 2011 - Review

Muscular Development (MD) also has Arnold Schwarzenegger on the cover. The main focus is all the prep going on for the Arnold Classic and at the time of writing the contest is over. Congrats to Team MD with the top three finishes and some others who placed well. The central thing about this MD is some insider stuff on the movie Pumping Iron, a film that can be credited not only for promoting bodybuilding success but fitness in general.

Best Quote: "I plan on winning the show, so that's it. I train for first place and nothing else will be acceptable" -- Victor Martinez (p.178)

Highlight Article: "The Story Behind Arnold and Pumping Iron" - This is actually an interview with George Butler who made the film. Many things I already knew from watching the special features from the 25th Anniversary special edition of Pumping Iron but there was some new stuff as well. In addition there are some great photos, not just of Arnold, but of Lou Ferrigno as well. (p.162-170)

Best Regular Feature: The nod goes to former Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates' column "Blood and Guts: What you need to know before your first show" It is very nice to see an old pro with lots of experience share this knowledge. It covers a lot of ground and offers sound advice. Thanks Dorian. (p. 290-294)

Notable Articles:
1. Thunder Thighs Throwdown: Branch Warren and Evan Centopani go at it in Legs (p.146-157)
2. Hard as a Rock: This was a very inspiring article about Ronny Rockel. Talk about a guy who had to overcome adversity (p.188-196)
3. Dennis Wolf's 15 Best Lifts: I like articles like these where the pro simply tells you what is best for them and why. (p. 220-235)

Duds:
1. Ramblin' Freak - repeat of last months review
2. Anything involving Anabolics -- I don't use them, so none of these articles are useful to me.

Graphics Content Review:
Someone at MD has either been reading my reviews or a light bulb has gone on because black back grounding has given way to some other colors and the magazine has lost some of its dark feel. More use of color in the rest as well. There is a poster of The Oak to pull out. This months Major Distraction is Nathalia Melo. Melo is a IFBB Bikini Pro and I have only one complaint. I am not expert photographer but isn't putting a girl with nice earth tones to her hair, eyes and skin against a white and metallic setting in black and white outfits kind of harsh. Thank God the girl herself still pulls off the shoot.

Rating: Four and a quarter stars. The changes in graphics are step in the right direction and the vintage photos from Pumping Iron are great. Content is solid with good information for the most part.

Muscular Development: March 2011 Issue - Review

The March 2011 issue of Muscular Development (MD) has one central focus: The upcoming Arnold Classic (March 3-6). MD has good reason to be excited about the Arnold Classic, as their editor points out, because they have a lot of their own bodybuilders in the mix. I will make my predictions for the Arnold next week, but there is a really good chance that a Team MD athlete will come out on top. I count five: Branch Warren, Dennis Wolf, Roelly Winklaar, Evan Centopani and Victor Martinez. The only front runners I see that are not MD for the Arnold are Dexter Jackson and possibly Toney Freeman.

Best Quote: "When it comes to weight, I think if you can't do it right, then don't do it" Lee Priest p.39. All Hail the Priest, he is dead on right.

Highlight Article: "The Countdown to Columbus: 2011 Arnold Preview" -- of them all, this magazine this month had the best Arnold coverage. Probably because they have the most at stake. They are tooting their own horn a bit, but I have to say I like Team MD's odds. (p. 138-149)

Best Regular Feature: 'Absolute-Lee Outrageous' -- That's right Lee Priest again. The fact is Lee Priest has the best regular feature month after month. His frank, no nonsense approach is pleasing and the way he handles questions is real. (p.38-39)

Notable Articles:
1. At the Back of any MD magazine is the section with the pros tips and articles that give a great advice. (p. 284-322)
2. In the middle of the the month's MD is also a bunch focus articles on each MD competitor for the Arnold Classic (p. 162-229)
3. "Going Old School: Donkey Calf Raises" -- I have to admit this one make me think that I should incorporate them into my routine, the only thing is I would have to draft my daughter or wife to sit on my back so I could do them.

Duds: 'The Ramblin' Freak' -- I really do not have anything against Gregg Valentino, and I understand this is supposed to be entertainment only stuff, but I just don't get the entertainment of this regular feature. Second month in a row - dud.

Graphics Review: MD is as dark as always, I think using black as a background color throughout the magazine is a mistake except for one thing - it makes the black and white photos, which MD excels at, stand out more. Some of the regular feature graphics are repetitive as always.

Rating: 3 and a half stars. For content MD would get a four start rating. However, because of the poor graphics and the content revolving around expletives and anabolics, I drop it a star. This month though, it is the king of the Arnold as far as preview coverage is concerned so back up one half star.

Muscular Development - February 2011 Issue - Review

Muscular Development (MD) can probably be summed up in two words -- 'hardcore bodybuilding'. It is the uncensored, raw commentary of the bodybuilding world. It's style is very much in your face and it lives up to the motto of 'No Bullsh*t'. It does not steer away from topics such as drugs, steroids or sex. It has the latest research and trends in the world of bodybuilding. I will be honest, it is a little too much over the top. To me it lacks the class of Musclemag, but is downright honest in its approach and so it remains my second favorite to read.

It seems each issue has two basic themes -- hardcore training and GET BIG. This one is no exception.

Best Quote: "Bodybuilding to me is about self-exploration and discovery, so it never made sense to me to watch all those pro DVDs and just copy what they do" - Jason Huh (the guy on the cover). To which I can give a hearty 'Amen'.

Highlight Article: "TotaLee Awesome" p. 298-300 -- this is a new regular column and I hope it is here to stay. The eight-time Mr. Olympia is dead on about the current problems in bodybuilding contests in which size matters more than everything else.

Notable Articles:

1. 'Quad Damn It!' -- Holy Crap what a leg workout -- no wonder Jason Huh has such BIG legs for his age.

2. 'Championship Chest Workout' - Fred Small and Branden Ray show us their chest workout they did together. Lots of good options and advice in this one.

3. Regular Features: This is the one and only time I will do this -- I am giving all the regular features a thumbs up. From now on I will pick one but the fact is MD is packed full of good information in the regular features.

Duds:

'The Ramblin' Freak' -- this is supposed to be a 'for entertainment only article' but I rarely find it entertaining -- seems to be just an excuse to use the f-word a lot.

Graphic Content: if there is one thing that annoys me about this magazine the most is that every page is black with color on it. It makes it dark and repetitive. Some of the stock graphics look die cut. The photos are good but everything is dark. The feature articles are well done with good photos but the graphics never change for the regular features. This month the Major Distraction is Jennifer Andrews and she is distracting in a catch your eye, 'that looks very good' way. Did I mention the mag is dark. I suppose the goal is looking hardcore, but I don't think hardcore necessarily means depressing.

Rating: I give this mag high marks for content and depth. It is indeed the 'no bullsh*t' magazine in the world of bodybuilding including when dealing with subjects such as drugs and steroids. The graphics though (Other than the Major Distraction) make me put it down often to rest my eyes. Three and a half stars.