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.

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.

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.

Flex - January 2011 Issue - Review.

Flex Magazine is kind of the bigger brother of Muscle and Fitness. Both are produced by Weider Publications. That is where the similarity ends and as a general rule Flex is far more advanced in its content and it has as its focus bodybuilding as a sport. If there is something you want to know about bodybuilding competitors or competition, Flex probably has it. In fact, I find it at times to be cluttered with 'sound bite' type articles that give quick blurbs about something and then it is off to the next thing. The content ultimately is either intermediate or advanced training and nutrition or the sport of bodybuilding in its various forms from men's to women's (bodybuilding/figure/fitness and bikini).

The theme of January 2011's issue is arms and arm training. There is also a lot of 'looking back' articles.

Best Quote: "When the desire to succeed is in your heart, setbacks won't hold you back." -- Yenny Polanco -- Women's Fitness Competitor p. 68

Highlight Article: "Arm Yourself/Feed Yourself" p. 124-146 -- Actually this is two articles back to back but the focus of which is to provide both training and nutrition for a three week program to blast your arms to 1" growth. Everything is laid out including advice, supplements and sample meal plans. I am focused on what to do for arms later on in this year, so it caught my attention and it might be a possibility.

Notable Articles:
1. "Phil Heath's 23" Gun Salute": A good close up look at Phil Heath's arm training.
2. "Top Secret Arm Arsenal": A look at some of the better, but less known, arm exercises
3. "Pecs in the City": A close up look at Kai Greene going to the gym where he started his career and his monster chest routine.

Dud Articles:
1. Fast Food Fix: The Guide -- Trust me I understand that people may want this info but the fact is it covers only a few places and it relatively short on each one. It could have been much more in depth. Great concept, but poor execution.
2. Assortment of small articles: Its the sound bite thing that often bothers me. Its not the content of the articles that bothers me so much as the quick word, lack of depth style.

Graphic Content Review: Flex has a far more graphic content than most muscle mags. Tons of pictures of competitors and they are usually crisp and clean. Each article often has its own graphic style too and so the magazine avoids repetitive graphics. Their black and white photos are some of the best. There are two pictures of real note: Jack LaLaane is featured on page 70 from the cover of May 1950's Your Physique and an old photo of Eugen Standow on page 304 which are both classics. Probably one of the best long running photo shoots is the one Flex does with female competitors (This month it is Alicia Harris - Figure competitor) where each woman every month wears the same olive green and black workout outfit as they do their training so you get a more true comparison of how they actually look. There is of course a closer look at the online monthly winners for Flex's Bikini model search featuring the winners from month one through four. Finally, the same Met-Rx calender that was in Muscle and Fitness this month is also present here. It means I could put one side of one and the other side of the other together and have the whole year in front of me all year long, but that would almost assuredly bring about the breaking of both arms and probably other important pieces of my anatomy by Mrs. Rabyd Theologian. It too will remain in the magazine.

Rating: I always like the graphic content of the Flex magazine line and this issue is no exception. Lots of pictures an good pictures. The articles are often helpful when they are not of the 'sound bite' variety. Four stars.

Muscle and Fitness: January 2011 - Review

Being a guy who lifts weights, I read several magazines about the subject including Muscle and Fitness(M&F). I originally cut my teeth back in the day with M&F, but I have to admit it has lost its luster over the years. Much of that has to do with the fact the M&F has a beginner emphasis with the occasional article for intermediate and advanced lifters. I would classify myself as an Intermediate Bodybuilder who occasionally engages in Advanced lifting techniques, so M&F is usually a little too basic for my tastes these days.

M&F's January 2011 issue has a theme which revolves around Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Particularly the competitor Rich 'Ace' Franklin who is pictured on the cover.

When I write a Magazine review I will basically pick the Best Quote, Highlight Article, List the Notable Articles, List of Dud Articles, Graphics Content Review and Give an Overall Rating of zero to 5 stars.

Best Quote: (In response to a reader telling him that his coach felt that lifting would hurt his speed, Gunnar Peterson responds): "If he still believes lifting weights makes you slow, he probably thinks the world is flat, because those two theories were dispelled about the same time"

Highlight Article: 'Game of Inches' p 104-112. This article outlines an intensive program that involves 6 hours of arm exercise for the purpose of adding up to an inch to one's arms. I used to think this was crap but I have found out since that it can be done. It is risky because it basically involves trashing your arms so badly that they will grow simply from repairing the damage done to them. It's my highlight article because I am considering it for myself. I have a 4 week gap in between my current program and my cut at the end of the year. It might be a good finale before I hit my cut.

Notable Articles:
1. Beginner Articles: This issue has two solid articles for the beginner: ' Beginner's Luck' and 'Nutrition 101'. Basic but essential stuff.
2. 'Break Your Legs' -- Tough at home workout for legs
3. 'The A-Team' - A bunch of pro trainers weigh in on the best abdominal exercises and there is a list of ten of them. Many were actually new to me, or I had heard of but never seen them pictured. Lots of new ideas here.

Dud Articles:
1. 'The Fart' - an article offering up a bunch of useless knowledge about 'farting'. Nuff said.
2. 'Urban Cowboy' -- A review of the Jeep Wrangler. I would rather have a review of this depth on some piece of exercise equipment.

Graphics Content Review:
Overall I have been disappointed with the graphic layout. It is basic stuff with basic colors these days. Photos in M&F are usually clear and bright; which is good; and that is true in this magazine as well, The exceptions are the photo spread of MMA star Rich Franklin which have a dark hardcore feel to them and the photo spread of Kenda Perez (MMA model and hostess) which are also dark, but sultry not edgy. Another notable in this issue is the 2011 Met-Rx calender which is two sided (Jan to Jun on one side / July to December on the other) and each side is flanked by the bikini clad Met-Rx models. Even though the calender would be useful, Mrs. Rabyd Theologian would break my arm if I put it up somewhere, so in the magazine it will stay.

Rating:
There are other good and inspiring articles in this issue of M&F as well as some helpful advice and the training and nutrition notes are good as well. It lacks advanced stuff I like and the graphics are a little dull with the above listed exceptions. Overall three stars.

The Rabyd Theologian Gets Paid

I received my check today for my $50 from Musclemag International so it is official -- I am no longer a wannabe writer. I am a writer. I will save the professional part for later yet. I will give myself the 'professional' title when writing is my chief means of making money.

All in all though, it took me 30 minutes to type and edit the letter I sent to them via e-mail. That means $100 and hour. The letter was about 250 words so that comes out to about 20 cents a word. You know this writing thing is pretty good money when it pays off.

Blessings and thanks for all the prayers over the years to everyone who has supported me. Keep Reading -- I appreciate it.

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.