Big Muscles Forever

This was an article about the potential of Lou Ferrigno. Lou was 6′5 and wrecked everyone at the 1974 Mr. International Contest including Ken Waller, Albert Beccles and Mike Katz. Arnold discussed how Lou Ferrigno would take advice where Sergio Oliva would not. According to Arnold, Sergio was obsessed with size at the exspense of getting cut. As a result Sergio kept getting bigger at the exspense of getting cut thereby losing the Mr. Olympia Title to Arnold. Arnold felt Lou Ferrigno would not make the same mistake.

According to the article, and Arnold, Lou Ferrigno is studying Arnold’s every move just like Arnold did with Sergio Oliva. Arnold saw his advantages as having quality muscle and experience over Lou. Arnold felt that someday he would reluctantly have to hand over his title of Mr. Olympia. He liked Lou enough that he wouldn’t mind having to hand it over to Lou. The article ended with a thank you note from Lou to Ken Waller and his wife for their hospitality during the Mr. International Contest.

Arnold felt that had he not improved in 1973 that he could have lost to either Franco Columbu or Serge Nubret. Arnold also felt that Lou Ferrigno would be his biggest competition in 1974. According to Arnold, he and Lou Ferrigno had similar physiques but at 3 inches taller Lou could carry 15 to 20 more pounds. Lou had great shape and was learning to pose. Arnold said Sergio could pump up back stage and look 15 to 20 pounds heavier but would lose his edge as the pump faded. No one could tell Sergio anything where Lou Ferrigno was an eager student.

Blogger note: Hollywood called and Lou answered the call. He probably would have won the Mr. Olympia Crown but did Okay as the Incredible Hulk.

This article talked about cycles to avoid burnout in training. The best way to design a cycle is to have a one year program which peaks with your most important contest. Between the ages of 20 and 30 six to ten yearly competitions are advisable and necessary for continued improvement. As you approach the age of 35 to 40 you should reduce your competitions to a minimum of four.

The article use six contest in a year as an example stating you should peak the day of the competition. For the bench press you will be benching two times a week. One day will be medium (80-90%) once and heavy (90-100%) once and assistance exercises. Generally work up to each days limit with the 8-5-3-1 method. You should use sets of lower reps on heavy days and slightly more reps on lighter days keeping all sets for all sessions between 8 and 15.

Your choice of assistance exercises is very important. Movements like inclined barbell-pressing, wighted dips and partial bech presses in the rack are good ones. Also you want to vary your hand spacing.

Blogger note: This was a somewhat complicate article that was geared toward powerlifting and not bodybuilding. Consult the issue for a more detailed explanation.