Musclemag International - June 2011 - Review

Musclemag International

Musclemag International's (MMI) June 2011 edition feature Ronnie Coleman on the cover.  The magazine promises to be an extreme muscle gain issue.  You know for a guy who is 'retired' from the sport of bodybuilding, Ronnie Coleman still gets some serious press.  Guess being a former 8 time Mr. Olympia will do that for you. 

Best Quote: "Bodybuilding is a tough sport because you have to do it from the time you get up until the time you go to bed, every day." - Ed Nunn (p.235)

Highlight Article: "Extreme Mass, Extremely Fast" - This article is quite long and covers every aspect of mass building from training split, rep ranges, routines and principles for individual exercises.  I am definitely going to file this one away for my next mass building cycle. (p. 120-150)

Best Regular Feature: "The Big Risk of Beach Muscle Training" - There are a lot of guy that train only for the beach muscle, this article reminds all of us that this is not only stupid from a bodybuilding point of view, it is also a health risk during training. (p73-74)

Notable Articles:
1. "Explosive Lifts for Extreme Growth" - Good article on the potential for power lifting to help the bodybuilder to achieve quicker results. (p108-118)
2. "Big Time" - Eight nutrition tips that help a bodybuilder add quality mass (p.154-162)
3. "Fix It or Forget It" - Well done article on common training errors, identifying them and fixing them (p. 240-250)

Duds: You know I looked hard but each article actually had some value to me.  Good work.

Graphic Content Review: Of the all, MMI has the best overall graphics.  They work hard not to be repetitive, their pictures are solid and colorful.  In this issue they had some great shots of the Arnold Classic and Branch Warren's victory there.  In addition, the cartoons are good and unique every week.  Really high end professional all the way around.

Eye Candy: This month MMI features Jenna Webb.  One thing Robert Kennedy has going for him is that he also produces a men's magazine called American Curves and he gets to showcase some really unique talent here in MMI because of it.  Jenna Webb probably made the camera melt on this one and Gregory James should be very proud on this shoot.  Jenna is an extremely sensual woman. (p. 198-210)

Rating: 4 stars.  Very solid as usual from MMI.  Very Solid Mass building issue.    

Book Review: 'Huge and Freaky' by Robert Kennedy and Dennis B. Weis

Title: Huge and Freaky Muscle Mass and Strength Secrets
Authors: Robert Kennedy and Dennis B. Weis
Pages: 496
Publisher: Robert Kennedy Publishing

Review:

My personal motivation for reading this book was stagnation. Stagnation in the fact I had neither the motivation or knowledge to really push my training from intermediate to advanced training. My hope was that this book would push my knowledge and motivation beyond the current limits I possess.

It did not disappoint. Kennedy and Weis have put together and absolute fountain of motivation and knowledge that absolutely blew me away. There is a ton of stuff here to inspire and challenge anyone who is ready to take their training to the next level.

One of the outstanding strengths of this book is the focus on mental preparation and concentration to train. The authors are right in that we often talk about this part of training but never really know what to do or focus on it. It is probably the most important part of training as it deals with the mind and body connection. The authors devote several chapters to this part of training. including some very detailed instructions on how to approach a workout with renewed mental focus.

In addition to this, there is training ideas galore. There are far to many to list here and that is a good thing. If your looking for something different or something else to try that might work better in your training as a bodybuilder, this book probably has it. The even better part is that it is all in one book.

The graphics are strong with tons of pictures to inspire and illustrate each concept. The charts are extensive and informative with specific programs outlined in detail. Writing style is straightforward and at times entertaining.

If there is a weakness, it is that this is not a beginners manual. It is definitely designed for someone who who has the basics down and understood. If you have been lifting for more than a year or two and want to supercharge your efforts, this is the book for you.

Rating: 4 and a half stars. I am pretty sure the authors achieved their purpose. This is a book that gives out a lot of information and motivational tools and secrets. The boost it gave my motivation and training as already been substantial and I still have not touched the tip of the iceberg so to speak of all the information in this book. Combine this and some of the most practical advice on mental focus and mind-body connection in training I have seen and this makes it a bodybuilder's must have.

Musclemag -- February 2011 Issue - Review

Musclemag International (MMI) is by far my favorite publication involving Bodybuilding and I am not just saying that because they published my letter in the January 2011 issue and paid my $ 50 for it but it helps. Robert Kennedy and company have put together a total package that can appeal to any bodybuilder of any level. There is an overall philosophy to the magazine that matches my own so for me it works well. It also has a kind of two for one feature. The regular magazine and then the back is a hardcore section of its own for advanced lifters which makes it great as well.

This months theme is about gaining muscle size and strength. It is that time of year in the bodybuilding cycle so it fits.

Best Quote: "Arnold fans the world over may collectively groan with disgust at the news that Sam Worthington (from Avatar) is being considered for the lead role as John Matrix" (Referring to the possible remake of Commando) - no kidding the guy is a toothpick.

Highlight Article: "Hardgainer's Nutrition Guide" (p148-158) -- being a hard gainer who is large myself, it was good to see Craig Richardson's off season nutrition plan. Gives you a lot of ideas if you are a hard gainer of what to do.

Notable Articles:

1. 'Meet the Fakers' - good article on some food choices that seem good on the surface but actually have problems.

2. 'The Book on Shrugs" - solid article about shrugs and their role in the development of traps muscles.

3. "Food Folly" - good article on salt and diet manipulation before a contest.

Dud Articles:

None - this is why I like this Magazine, there is really no fluff to it at all. Every part of it focuses on the bodybuilding world with good insight and advice.

Graphics Content Review: MMI has one real skill when it comes to graphics - they bring together all three elements very well -- originality, crispness and realism. In this issue are two photo spreads: Water Warriors' and 'Aqua Attraction'. The first of bodybuilders Ronny Rockel and Ahmad Ahmad. The second is of Jessica Putnam. Both are taken poolside in Los Vegas and are well done with clear photos that bring out every one's best features. The one of Jessica is tame compared to some of the spreads in previous issues, put still shows the power of fitness to create and sexy and attractive woman.

Rating: To one of their best, but still the high quality I expect from Musclemag International. Four and a half stars.

My First Published Letter in Musclemag January 2011

Sometimes things happen in odd ways. In the case of my first published article this is very true. I have been lifting steady now for 16 months. Bodybuilding style because it involves lifestyle change and a long term commitment. In the process I became a fan of bodybuilding.

My article to Musclemag International was spurred on by a current debate in the world of Bodybuilding. Robert Kennedy wrote an editorial commenting about that issue which is basically size vs. form. His concern was that individuality of the human form was being lost because everybody was trying to be huge instead of develop their natural shape to the fullest extent.

On September 1st I sent a response called "The Bodybuilding Crisis". In the January 2011 issue it was published and was declared by the Musclemag editors to be worthy of the $50 prize for the month. I am not going to reprint it here because the point of getting something published is that the publisher thinks it adds to his magazine so you will buy it. On newsstands now; look for the cover above.

The fact that I got something published somewhere kind of inspired me to get back to writing. Blogging and my book, so thus Rabyd Theologian 2.0.