Six Pack Exercise

[ 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.

Here’s an example… this was me listening to Nine Inch Nail’s song Vessel so I wasn’t exactly all-smiles… but I like listening to aggressive music when I train. My training partner/trainer Roland took this shot while I was staring in the mirror contemplating the next Smith Machine Press set with only 40 seconds of rest and using 225 pounds… yikers… my aching delts!

Keep reading… I’ll explain.

First, notice the definition in the arms, delts, and chest… (kidding… : )

But I really am in the best shape of my career, or rather heading that way, carrying almost 30 pounds more muscle than my pictures from Fit Over 40 (taken right before my 40th birthday).

So…

What Gives?
A 7-Day Deal, That’s What!

Before I get to the REAL deal, I want you to get this:

I started my peak-cycle training only 3 weeks ago!

I’ve dropped almost 10 pounds of pure fat and added 2.7 pounds of lean mass during that time.

This, without drugs, at the age of almost 47.

I plan to have a ‘real’ photo shoot on my birthday, October 14th. So I’m WAY ahead of the curve.

Here’s a few more shots to let you see my progress…

Crapy, crappy iPhone pics… I know… but hey, give me a tan and a studio and I’d look better, not worse… so why not show you what I see in the mirror? It’s more fun that way. And more honest, although I do enjoy real photo shoots.

Now For The Really Good Part…

After these shots I enjoyed a huge slice of Key Lime Pie (my favorite) and some cheesy bread later in the day.

You see, I practice what I preach in regards to My Every Other Day Diet System of Eating … and that’s not all:

I trained my abs and calves today. Abs: 3 Minutes (using 3 Minute Abs, which comes with 7 Minute Muscle (it’s a whopping 1 page long… but worth the price of the book.)

Calves: 7 minutes (using the 7MM protocol.)

Are you getting the picture folks? This combo of diet and training WORKS.

Just For Bodybuilders?

Hardly. In fact I wrote both books for the masses. I just included advanced sections in each for athletes and bodybuilders like me.

Let’s be blunt: If you want “any” amount of muscle added to your frame (and you should… muscle burns calories around the clock and creates those nice curves you want) then you need to train with resistance. The only difference between the way I train and the way most people (non-bodybuilders) train is the level of intensity and (in my case) I train a bit longer than my 14-minute protocol during a peak. But as you can see, I’m already IN near-peak condition before my longer bouts begin in the gym. Body fat: 6.2% (measured with calipers.) Weight: 214 pounds.

Again, not bad for a (nearly) 47-year-old natural athlete!

But this isn’t about me… well, it kinda is as these shots were so “dirty” I really dig ‘em… I like the raw look better than the studio shots most of the time… : ) No way…

This Is About YOU!

I’ve combined both The Every Other Day Diet and 7 Minute Muscle (also called “7 Minute Body”) for a price that’s less than the original “7 Minute Muscle” … that’s hard to beat, and it won’t last but another week.

That’s right: EODD will no longer feature a discounted version of “7 Minute Muscle” starting NEXT WEEK. Sorry… all good things…

Also… and The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint, which currently comes with EODD for FREE, will be taken off the freebie shelf for good.

So, if you want:

1. The Every Other Day Diet (the EODD Plan I use is included, called “The Extreme Plan”)

2. 7 Minute Body (the workouts I use 50% of the time; the other 50% I like to train longer than 7-14 minutes because I’m a gym rat… but you DON’T HAVE TO… really. : )

3. AND The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint FREE (this is how I dropped so much fat so quickly… and you can shed up to 21 pounds in 21 days if you really work at it and you follow the supplement cycle)

Then go here and watch my video presentation on EODD:

My Every Other Day Diet System of Eating

After you purchase EODD you’ll be taken to a page to get 7 Minute Body at a massive discount… and you will ALSO get The Radical Fat Loss Blueprint FREE.

This ends next week… hop to it.

Your comments are welcome below… I’ll try to answer questions pertaining to training, EODD, 7MM, etc… but bear in mind I’m speaking at a fitness gathering this weekend so I’ll be hit and miss on my laptop.

Now there’s a better way to train (faster) and diet (with your favorite foods used as TOOLS to force more fat-burning)… it’s up to you to take it.

My Every Other Day Diet System of Eating

Core Strength Training and Abdominal Muscle Training are fairly synonymous these days.   Those designing their fitness routines should know, though, that there is much more to core strength exercises than just abdominal routines.  Abdominal muscles have a limited and specific set of actions.  Core exercises are concerned with the entire muscular structure comprising the spine, pelvis, and torso.  If you look at a diagram of the muscles distributed throughout this bodily region, you start to get an idea of how many more muscles comprise the core in comparison to the abdominals.   With this in mind, if you’re aiming to strengthen your core, you must branch out from the abdominal exercises for maximum effect.

Some of the muscles upon which you need to concentrate include the internal and external obliques, the transverse abdominis, the hip flexors, erector spinae, rectus abdominis, gluteus medius and minimus, gluteus maximus, hamstrings, piriformis, and hip abductors.   The list, as is clear, is quite long.   Many fitness enthusiasts choose to devote an entire workout just to core strength training, rather than make it part of a general full-body weight training regimen.   Doing so ensures that they are getting maximum benefits to this vital region.

One of the primary benefits to core strength training is the reduction of back pain that occurs with a proper core strength training regimen.   Though abdominal muscles tend to take much of the credit for low back pain reduction, it is a weak core that is a more insidious culprit for back pain.  You’ll find that strengthening your core will result in more correct posture in addition to decreasing the level of strain on your spinal column.

Educated athletes are usually aware of the fantastic benefits of core strength training.  Since movement originates from the core and not the limbs, powerful core strength contributes to greater stability and control.   Proper posture also can stave off injuries.

You don’t have to join a gym to do a wide variety of core strengthening exercises.   Using just body weight, it is possible to do exercises that target all muscle groups contained in the core.  Abdominal bracing is the primary technique used in core exercise routines, where the abdominal muscles are contracted.   Abdominal bracing combined with squats, push-ups, V-sits, hip lifts, lunges, and back extensions are a good comprehensive routine.  Doing an online search can help you develop the correct technique and repetitions to enjoy maximum benefit.   The simplest core strength program includes abdominal crunches and push-ups, so if you’re just starting out, start there!

[ 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…

“Hi Jon…First, I LOVE your Every Other Day Diet and 7 Minute Muscle books! But I was wondering if you could help me with a problem. I’m having a hard time finding the time to make it to the gym using 7 Minute Muscle. Obviously I’m not referring to the 7 minutes (ha!) but the 5-day-per-week Monday-Friday schedule you recommend for beginners. Is there any alternatives? Thanks!”M

Below you’ll find my response and a workout plan you can put to use today to make faster gains with less overall time in the gym. Just click the “play” button to listen in.

Enjoy!

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