Men's Total Fitness Blog

Helping regular guys get fit and trim


The Science Behind Shorter Workouts

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jul 28th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

A few years ago I released a book whose title was more reminiscent of a line out of “There’s Something About Mary” than a serious work on fitness. “7 Minute Muscle” — yep, it’s getting more and more difficult to distinguish fact from parody.

Since that time its kissing cousin, “7 Minute Body”, has been released, featuring a complete in-home version of the same workout principles covered in 7 Minute Muscle, as found below:

7 Minute Workout Solution <--61%Off

Here’s the real irony: Of the 127 testimonials I’ve received so far that I deem worthy of publishing on the web, over forty were from fitness professionals. I’m not talking about “doctors” with a gut as large as their paycheck. I’m speaking of men and women with both academic and real-world experience in the fitness and bodybuilding world.

There were exceptions of course. My friend John Berardi, while saying some nice things about the work, couldn’t endorse it due to the emphasis on shorter training sessions. That’s cool. Everyone has a different approach. But the overwhelming number of folks with consonants behind their names — those who read the book and applied the principles — had wonderful things to say.

There’s a reason for that: The workout protocol is based on the science of hypertrophy as well as psychophysiology, the study of the mind/body connection.

I will delve into the mental aspects of the protocols in a later article. For now, since most of you are experienced, educated and (dare I say it) hard-core, let’s delve into the meat.

7 Minute Muscle (and 7 Minute Body) is primarily a density-based training system. It demands varying rep ranges done within specific time periods. The protocol factors six of the primary variables of hypertrophy, or muscle growth: Intensity, Load, Volume, Density, Time and Force. (Time includes rest intervals as well as the time required to perform a given task.)

A layman’s take on one of the basic laws of physics states that time and energy are interrelated. Doing the same amount of work in less time demands more energy, which translates into more power. While power is a factor in training, our interest is focused on forcing muscle growth and adaptation. This is also an element of time and energy. More energy expended in less time = more power.

If you break down the typical 3-4 set bench press routine, with reps starting at 12 and ending in the 4-6 range, with longer rest intervals between heavier sets, you’ll find that the aggregate weight lifted is “less” than a protocol like 7 Minute Muscle, which uses ‘less’ weight (easier on the joints) but demands more work in less time. In other words, X amount of repetitions done with Y amount of weight in just 5 minutes (phase 1 of our two-phase protocol) ends up being greater than your typical 3-4 set protocol, despite the fact that more weight is used in the latter.

Other routines, of course, utilize this factor of density. Vince Gironda’s infamous 8 sets of 8, EDT and so-forth. 7 Minute Muscle goes a bit further by varying rest, load factors and repetition range. Reps will vary from as low as one rep to as much as ten, and all of this is at the trainee’s discretion.

They have only one real objective: Increase the aggregate repetition count from one training session to the next. Since time is limited (broken down into two phases: A Power Phase of no more than 5 repetitions and a Mass Phase of no more than 10 repetitions) the trainee is given a system that more accurately measure the seventh and most crucial factor of hypertrophy: Progression.

More work in less time. Variable repetition ranges. Variable rest intervals. And all in seven minutes (for beginners.) Intermediate and advanced-level trainees are given 14 and 21-minute protocols if they wish to implement them. I myself rarely go beyond 14 minutes, as that is all that’s required to stimulate muscle growth.

I will cover health factors, cardiovascular work, ab training, and the science of mind and body in future articles. For now, give 7 Minute Muscle a shot. There’s nothing funny about it, except for the fact that you’ll be laughing all the way home from the gym as you finished your killer workout while your buddies were still warming up.

And, for this week only, you can get it at a 61% discount. You’ll get everything: 7 Minute Muscle (the gym-based workout) and 7 Minute Body (the in-home workout) plus the six training videos today for less than the cost of a cheap dinner.

It’s a system and a price that’s impossible to beat.

Go here now:

7 Minute Workout Solution <--61%Off

P.S. You’ll thank me later for the months of time I’ve given back to your life… not to mention that new body in the mirror.

Remember:

Train Hard. Train Smart. And Train Cheap…

7 Minute Workout Solution <--61%Off

Want to learn more?

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The Cure For Cancer

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jul 27th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

Cancer sucks.

Think that’s a naughty thing to say?

Consider this:

I was speaking at a conference last week when I glanced out into the audience. I saw a muscular dude with a t-shirt that said, in huge letters no-less…

“F – - K CANCER.”

There were NO dashes in his version… that was added by me for your sake.

FDA Nukes Yet Another B.S. Weight Loss Pill…YES!

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jul 16th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

I took a big, huge, massive sigh of relief today.

Finally… the FDA did something right when it comes to bogus “magic” diet-fatburn pills.

A panel of experts reviewed Vivus Inc.’s new wonder-pill “Qnexa” today.

They gave it the thumbs-down.

Why?

Oh… pesky little reported side-effects like… (are you ready for this?)…

Heart Attacks
Stroke
Increased Risk of Suicide (yikes!)
Memory/Concentration Loss

You know… “minor” stuff like that.

My “Dirty” Physique Shots

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jul 15th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

Hey… HEY! Keep your mind out of the gutter!

By “dirty” I mean down and dirty… as in taken with my crappy iPhone camera by my friend and guru trainer Roland… while looking into a mirror… with no lighting, tan…

Well, you get the point.

3 tricks to suppress your appetite

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jul 11th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

Another good article appeared today in the fitness section of MSNBC.

Since you’re busy, I’ll do a quick summary of the article — the good stuff, the bad stuff, and what you need to do today to get started…

First, you need to know this…

And this will probably shock you…

Rarely, if EVER, do you need to suppress your appetite!

The real secret is to increase your metabolism… the rate at which your body uses food for fuel.

Engaged!

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jul 5th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

Just in case you missed the news… yep, I’m engaged!

Hanna, My Fiancé

Hanna and I on our engagement night

My fiancé’s name is Hanna. She’s from Iraq… Baghdad actually. She grew up there and modeled in Lebanon, taught history, and then moved here 1.5 years go.

To let you know how clueless I was about the Middle East, I thought every woman from Baghdad wore burkas and were forbidden to speak! (I’m kidding… but I was almost THAT clueless!)

Eat THIS before your workouts

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Jun 22nd, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

*** Short-cut Link:
*** My Favorite Foods Dietplan <== click here

One of the most common questions I get asked is:

“What should I eat before my workouts if I want to get rid of bodyfat?”

The answer?

NOTHING.

I’ve been saying this for almost a decade now… and research is catching up with the idea.

It’s nice to be right. : )

Working Out Only 1 Day Out Of 3?

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: May 21st, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

Can you workout only one day out of three and make gains?

I certainly can… and I bet you can too.

Today I begin my audio series where I address your questions and comments. Today’s question comes from Mike K. in NYC who asks…

Contest

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: May 3rd, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

TAGS: None

[ Note: This article was written by fitness and nutrition author Jon Benson. I have his permission to share it with you. ]

Top 3 Responses To The Following Question
Will Win A FREE COPY Of The Power of Thin
Weight Loss Hypnosis Kit!

Power of Thin Kit

Question:

Tell me why you think you’re ready to try
REAL hypnosis (the kind used in the study
below, not the hokey kind you see on TV)
to increase YOUR fatloss…. starting NOW.

How To Get Ripped Fast

Author: Marc Jennings |  Published: Apr 16th, 2010 |  Category: Health & Fitness

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Looking to get ripped fast?? Want bigger “guns”??  Many of us have spent countless hours in the gym, lifting and more lifting. Are you getting the results you should be? A few helpful tips could never hurt.

Research shows that performing 8 to 15 reps of each set stimulates the greatest increase in fat-burning hormones, that to be compared to doing less or even more repetitions.

If you start to struggle by the last repetition, you will know if you are using enough weight.