It doesn’t matter the reason, we all go through it, schedules get busy, time starts to get short, but one thing that doesn’t change is the desire we have to train.

Trouble is, you wanted to do a whole bunch of exercises today, but you don’t have the time.

You could skip the workout, but really this is not an option.

So instead of skipping the workout, try this.

Pick two exercises and work them hard and that is it.

However, you must pick two exercises that work the major muscle groups of the body.

Something like squats and bent over rows would be good.

Again, the key here is because you know you are only going to be doing two exercises, you can (and should) give them all you have.

Give yourself enough rest between sets so you can use maximum weight.

You might be thinking,

This does not sound like much.

Trust me; if you give two major exercises everything you have, it will be enough.

For me I always like to add-in some ab work, like steep incline sit ups, when I have finished the two exercises, or ANY workout for that matter, but you can end the workout right there, or add in your own special exercise.

Something like farmers walk’s (which is basically walking for a specific time or distance while carrying a heavy object in each hand, and dumbbells work well for this) would end the workout nicely.

And then the next time you are going to train pick two completely different exercises and give them all-you’ve got.

SOME COMMENTS

I know some people won’t like this idea, but to me it works and here is why.

Most of us spend way too much time doing exercise that give very little bang for the buck.

Like barbell curs, triceps kickbacks, and some funky routine we picked up in a muscle magazine.

When, really, all along what we should be doing is working hard on the basics.

Things like overhead presses with dumbbells, dead lifts, squats, bent over rows, chins, and pull ups.

The above exercises, plus more, as this is only a short list, are the ones that will help us add muscle to our fames.

Yes, they are demanding, but nothing good comes easy.

The second reason I like this method is because when you are only going to be doing exercises, you don’t have to save anything for later.

You can really give both exercises all you have, and need not worry about the tenth exercise of the day.

CONCLUSION

Yes, only doing two exercises per workout might be a change, but give the above idea an honest chance, and I know, if you do that and work the two exercise that you pick hard, very hard, you will see results.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

WORK HARD

You see these workouts in the magazines, where they have you work through your heavy sets, say sets of eight to twelve reps, and then they have you finish up with some kind of pump out sets of twenty reps to help end the workout with a pump.

On paper this sounds like a great concept.

After all you are hitting everything in one shot, but to my mind that is exactly the problem with this style of training.

Where is the variety?

You can’t say, go out and do sets of twenty, because you already did those.

You could do sets of five, but still.

I think you would be better served to mix things up.

For example, do a six week cycle of 10×3, that’s ten sets of three reps per set.

Followed by and six week cycle, of the popular 5 x 5 method, that’s five sets of five reps per set, followed by a more traditional bodybuilding style rep range or eight to twelve reps per set, for four sets.

Then you can do a cycle of twenty rep sets.

Everything you would do above would hit the muscles a bit differently and by my count you would have twenty-four weeks before you would go back to the 10 x 3 method.

Of course, you could also add super-sets to the mix.

A super set for those of you who are new to bodybuilding is basically doing two exercises back to back with little to no rest, think just as long as it takes you to start the second exercise.

A typical super set would be barbell curls super setted with triceps push downs.

You would do one super set and then rest for say one minute and repeat for your desired number of sets.

A COUPLE OF POINTS

I know some of you might take issue with the sets of twenty reps.

But to me one of the things that separates a muscle that grows well, from one that does not, is the ability to get a good pump in the muscle.

By doing sets of twenty you will help to really pump up the muscle you’re working, and to me this is never a bad thing.

The other thing about doing cycles like these is that you will never get bored, because just when you are looking to try something different your six week cycle will be up and you will be able to move on to another style of training.

I realize that you do not have to switch it up at strictly six weeks, you can use whatever timetable you want.

If you get bored easily, switch up every two weeks, if you don’t get bored that easy, you can stick with one style until your gains stall out, if that is two months or three or even longer that’s cool.

CONCLUSION

They say variety is the spice of life, and I see no reason why it cannot be the spice of your training as well.

So why do everything in one workout?

When you can switch back-and-forth between styles, to not only keep your body guessing, but your mind fresh as well.

Until Next Time

THINK VARIETY

Back in the golden age of bodybuilding, the forties, fifties and sixties bodybuilding was about strength and health.

Bodybuilders back then not only looked strong they were strong.

But they were athletic as well.

I know some people will say, yes, but those guys still used, special supplements, if you know what I mean.

And besides today’s bodybuilders are much bigger and more advanced.

To those objections, I say, yes, sure they used, special supplements, back then, but I don’t believe they were everything like that are today.

And about today’s bodybuilders being more massive, sure they are, but are they better.

I am not so sure about that.

You might be thinking, what this has to do with anything.

A lot, actually.

I consider myself as coming from a good age in bodybuilding, they pro’s weren’t that massive yet and supplements were still pretty basic.

And this leads me to my main point.

I realize that things need to change and I am not saying that all supplements are bad, because I love the new protein powders; they mix in a glass with a spoon and taste very good.

Plus the post workout mixtures, at least some of them, are good too—and can really be of help to the hardgainer.

But where I have a problem with things, and this is just my opinion, is with some of these funky products we have now.

Things like the N O boosters and these weird pre workout supplements.

I was talking to a friend of mine about supplements a while back and he brought up a very good point, he said, what are the long term ramifications of taking some of these supplements.

And I couldn’t agree more, of course, I realize that most of the people taking these products are young and feel invincible, but is a little extra muscle worth damaging your health.

It really is not worth it to me.

And that is why I named this post B Careful Out There.

In the on-going quest for bigger and bigger muscles, we keep pushing things farther and farther.

To be honest, I would not touch some of these products with a ten foot poll.

If the add looks too good, then it probably is.

Tons of muscle has been built with the basics, good food, and hard work.

Be Careful Out There.

CONCLUSION

Bodybuilding used to be about strength and health and looking good and feeling great, and yes some of the supplement advances have been fantastic, but some are getting too fare outside the lines.

The next time you are thinking about spending your hard-earned money for an over-the-top sounding supplement, stop and think, what will this do to me long term.

Until Next Time

ALWAYS WORK HARD