NEW ARTICLE - Five Keys to Getting and Staying Big and Strong

[Joe Black]

I was there once - a skinny teenager with dreams of being the next Arnold. Now, as a wise old lifter with almost twenty years of weight training experience, I’ve learned a thing or two.

I’ve gained a ton of knowledge “in the trenches”, I’ve gleaned considerable insight from fellow gym rats, and I’ve learned from all the reading I’ve done.

These are the things that I wish someone had told me many years ago, when I first ventured into the weight room. Here are the five keys to getting and staying big and strong.

READ HERE - Five Keys to Getting and Staying Big and Strong

[Cmanuel]

Has some good points, but definitely not the best article on WBB.

I mean, how can you have an article about getting big and completely ignore diet?

[Behemoth]

Just read this. Love it, really great, simply groundwork advice, all of which I personally agree with.

[Behemoth]

Has some good points, but definitely not the best article on WBB.

I mean, how can you have an article about getting big and completely ignore diet?

I think all 5 subjects he touched on are more important than almost any diet information one could give a newer lifter. The equivalent of this in diet advice I would give a newer lifter would be along the lines of - eat healthy and stay comfortable in your physique. Consume quality foods, get adequate protein, fatty acids and quality carbs. Consume a surplus of good foods when striving to build muscle, and consume a restricted amount when cleaning it back up to lose bodyfat.

This article is obviously not a in depth look at size and strength, it's a refreshing step back that simply sumarizes some very important long term decisions newer lifters should aspire to make. He doesn't discuss specific training methods or tactics. IMO specific diet advice other than "eat quality foods, and vary the amount depending on goals" would be out of place in the hierarchy of important groundwork advice.

[chevelle2291]

I also like what Contreras says about AAS use. Although it's something I am interested in for future use, the risk of never fully coming off is very real and I think the increased performance would be VERY addicting. Good stuff.

[Behemoth]

I also like what Contreras says about AAS use. Although it's something I am interested in for future use, the risk of never fully coming off is very real and I think the increased performance would be VERY addicting. Good stuff.

I've watched it happen with at least one friend, it's almost sad. He always worked hard and still does, but pretty much just like the article said... he peaked at age 20 and today without it is just a shadow of what he once was with it.

[Cmanuel]

The equivalent of this in diet advice I would give a newer lifter would be along the lines of - eat healthy and stay comfortable in your physique. Consume quality foods, get adequate protein, fatty acids and quality carbs. Consume a surplus of good foods when striving to build muscle, and consume a restricted amount when cleaning it back up to lose bodyfat.

IMO specific diet advice other than "eat quality foods, and vary the amount depending on goals" would be out of place in the hierarchy of important groundwork advice.

Totally agree. But why not place it in the article? After all, the article is about Getting Big. How can you get big without proper diet?

[Behemoth]

Totally agree. But why not place it in the article? After all, the article is about Getting Big. How can you get big without proper diet?

Though the article did say:

"Beginner lifters can pack on 20 pounds of muscle in a year rather easily, but gains slow down after that, and you’ll need to gradually manipulate caloric intake to make sure your bodyfat levels never get out of control.

You can eat several pizzas each day, get up to 300 lbs, and squat and deadlift the house, but no one will envy your physique, and you won’t be proud to take your shirt off in public. I recommend that you keep your bodyfat levels under 15% and strive for the athletic look."

You are right, a little more could have been said... But still, I see no error in the article itself, maybe just the title. All is rectified with the addition of one word -- "training". Because afterall that is what this article is about.

"Five training Keys to Getting and Staying Big and Strong"

[Daniel Roberts]

I've watched it happen with at least one friend, it's almost sad. He always worked hard and still does, but pretty much just like the article said... he peaked at age 20 and today without it is just a shadow of what he once was with it.

Same here.

Great article by the way Bret and thanks for the mention a while back!

[BigMike230]

I also like what Contreras says about AAS use. Although it's something I am interested in for future use, the risk of never fully coming off is very real and I think the increased performance would be VERY addicting. Good stuff.

My only fault with the article is the picture. His first rule is go natural, and the picture that sells the article is a hyooge guy in near contest condition. Mixed messages, eh?

[Off Road]

I'm pretty sure that Daniel picks the pictures for the articles, not the authors.

[chevelle2291]

My only fault with the article is the picture. His first rule is go natural, and the picture that sells the article is a hyooge guy in near contest condition. Mixed messages, eh?

That is definitely not Bret's fault, but I see what you're saying. However, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the fitness modeling biz that is all natural and also looks impressive who is cheap to hire. I wouldn't read too much into it.

[f=ma]

My only fault with the article is the picture. His first rule is go natural, and the picture that sells the article is a hyooge guy in near contest condition. Mixed messages, eh?

my first though

[chris mason]

Daniel does the pics. The author had nothing to do with it. We would love to get more pics from the authors.

[ThomasG]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the picture. Like when you read ads for supplements, guys on the juice are advertising it. I dunno, thats just how it is so it seems normal....

[Derekflint]

Great article! It should be posted at the gym where I train. What we view at merely common sense seems to escape so many.

[papru]

i like this acticle... (-;