Photo Credit: JTContinental
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A few weeks ago I was searching for the most innovative bodybuilding program the internet had to offer. I was hungry. I found myself at the end of my rope and about to place my last bet. At this point, I needed a miracle, a cure, a quick fix; I needed salvation.
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My savior came in the form of a fancy article titled I, Bodybuilder. Sheesh, I feel like a sellout just linking to them. T-Muscle(or T-Nation?) has absolutely gone to the crazy house with this one. When this gem was published a few weeks back, my jaw literally hit the floor. I could not believe what I was reading. For a moment I got so lost in the copy that I thought I was reading a comic book about bodybuilders, seriously.
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The article is an interview of sorts between Nate Green and Tim Patterson. There is a 4 minute long video at the beginning of the article with some really catchy taglines and phrases being read aloud by a Hollywood style voice over.
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Developed out of a Black-Ops Bodybuilding Project.
The gains are so shocking I’m actually embarrassed to report the truth.
The problem is that while I am reading this article as pure entertainment and laughing over morning coffee, other loyal readers and newcomers to T-Muscle are being lead to slaughter without even knowing it. Someone has to do something about it. Someone has to call BS when they see it.
Reading Between The Lines
I understand that naivety is prevalent among the younger folks who aspire to have the body of a Greek god. This is common and even expected so I am not so worried about it. They will eventually figure it out. The problem lies in their objectivity; they have none. For all they know, the staff at T-Muscle really are unapologetic muscle-building elitists. I think they are a bunch of liars. When I say they, I am only referring to those pushing this I, Bodybuilder BS. There are plenty of quality guys/gals who have written for T-Muscle over the years that I highly respect: Cressey, Gentilcore and Alan Aragon as well as many others.
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What we really need to do is read between the lines, especially when reading this article. So what are we presented with? What do we need to digest and take away from the piece? What do we need to question?
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As you read through the article you notice a bunch of unnecessary information about insulin and it’s role in building muscle. Nate took about 15 paragraphs to say what could have been said in 5.
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As you laugh your way through the article you are likely saying to yourself “please, get to the freakin’ point.” If you are like me, you are cleaning up the coffee you spewed all over the keyboard from laughing so hard.
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So let’s pick it apart, shall we?
Blatant Bullshit
There are a few tidbits we need to take a look at. Let’s start with the Black-Ops Bodybuilding Project on page 3. Tim Patterson quoted when speaking to Nate in the interview:
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We wanted to develop a universally effective method — meaning effective for every committed bodybuilder, and at any level, not just the genetically gifted — that produces truly radical, rapid-rate hypertrophy.
I’m not just talking about excellent results, Mr. Green, I’m talking about the mythical kinds of gains everyone talks about and hopes for, but almost no one gets.
High-Threshold Hypertrophy (HTH)
So far, Thib and I are convinced that muscle is being built as fast as humanly possible. And we’re seeing it across the board, too, with everyone involved in the program. As far as he and I are concerned, we’ve raised the bar for hypertrophy into the realm of truly radical expectations… and created a new minimum standard for results.
Heh, notice the emphasis and word choices: radical, rapid-rate hypertrophy, mythical gains everyone hopes for… I am sorry to burst anyone’s bubble but nothing has changed in the world of bodybuilding training. There is no magical path to superhero-type gains. There are no special workouts to make someone giant overnight.
These are pie-in-the-sky promises that cannot be fulfilled unless one is taking anabolics. Heck, even then, drugs will not likely produce these rapid results unless you are a genetic anomaly anyhow. The same crap that worked yesterday for building muscle is the same crap that is going to work today. I promise that T-Nation has not come up with anything revolutionary over the last few weeks. Now this leads me to my second round of blatant bullshit.
Christian gained 27 pounds of muscle in 6 weeks, and was doing seated overhead presses with 375 pound for 5 cluster reps.
Sebastien gained 20 pounds of muscle in 8 weeks and added 100 pounds to his front squat, while cutting body fat for the bodybuilding contest.
Kevin gained 24 pounds of muscle in 8 weeks, while losing 14 pounds of fat and adding 50 pounds to his bench press.
Nick ended up gaining 20 pounds of new muscle and increasing his bench press by 55 pounds, and that’s addictive.
I hope all of you can smell the horse feces from your computer screen. If these claims are true, CT gained 4.5lbs of muscle per week. According to the reports, Kevin gained 3lbs of muscle while losing almost 2lbs of fat per week. If you have clicked through the dreaded excuse for an article, you will see that the three guys pictured are advanced bodybuilders, not your skinny, underfed teenage chess player(no offense to those who are skinny and/or play chess; I enjoy chess, actually).
If you had the chance to read Lyle’s article What’s My Genetic Muscular Potential? then you know that these rates of muscle gain for an advanced bodybuilder are asinine and completely false. Heck, these gains are not even realistic for a complete newbie. According to Lyle’s model, a newb in their first year of training will gain anywhere from 20-25lbs that year not a 6 week time frame that Christian Thibaudeau supposedly accomplished. Reread that if you have to. They are claiming that he gained 27lbs of muscle in 6 weeks. Are they completely crazy?
They are not totally off their rocker, they simply have one goal in mind…
Major Money-Maker
The number one goal is to take as much money from naive newbies as humanly possible. A new product they have coming out is called Anaconda and it supposedly is going to cost about $80+ a can. Any supplement that costs $80 better make me turn green and bust the seams on my new t-shirt.
That’s it. There is no other reason for such BS in one article. The sole reason is to pimp another one of Biotest’s absurdly overpriced products. Just read this:
Before officially starting the project, I wanted Christian to test the entire program on himself. He spent three weeks dialing in to the new training methodology, and three weeks on our shoulder specialization program. All six weeks, however, he was loading the Anaconda™ formula and nutrient-partitioning carbs into an insulin surge, as part of each workout.
While I do not know the exact ingredients of Anaconda, I think it’s safe to say it’s going to be some kind of magical post workout sugar to spike insulin and create the most anabolic environment ever. You would be better off buying a tub of protein powder, some chocolate milk and a loaf of white bread. Then do what you wish with the rest of your dough.
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Making money is not a sin. We all have to make money in some form or fashion. I am simply not into the whole, “lets create a bunch of hype around a craptastic product and deceive everyone in the process” way of earning an income.
Realistic Expectations
So we need to set some realistic expectations here. If you are a reading this, please take this to heart. If you get pissed, so be it. If you are okay meddling in mediocrity and believing a bunch of voodoo BS, fine, just don’t complain to me when you aren’t making any progress.
However if you do have a desire to make real progress and stop spinning your wheels, then you must develop a critical mindset and be willing to question such authority such as T-Muscle or T-Nation or whatever they call themselves these days.
I have a soft spot for newbies, as they make up the majority of the people I work with/help out on regular basis. I also know many of them hang around on T-Muscle’s boards religiously due a false belief that T-Muscle is their “answer” to their muscle building problems. I am sorry, it’s not.
Your first step is realizing that these claims are shoddy and unrealistic. The only way they can be remotely realistic is if you are taking drugs and happen to be one of the genetic elite. If you are not playing that hand, forget any of what they claim to be realistically achievable.
A Little Disappointment
To end on a sour note, I have to say that I have lost respect for Nate Green. I love his book and even reviewed it a while back. I truly love his training ideals and the fact that he doesn’t seem to be a “bro.” I still enjoy his writing style and reading his blog, however, all respect is lost after this piece of work.
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4/28/2010
I’ve since thought a bit about this article. I still stand behind my thoughts on the whole I, Bodybuilder thing. However, I feel I am wrong for writing what I did about Nate. In all honesty, I respect what he’s done in the industry and I realize he simply wrote the article as a part of his work for T-Nation. I continue to read his blog. I still respect him as a person and what he’s done in terms of becoming a published author at the such a young age. So to Nate, my apologies..
So how about all of you? How do you feel about this so-called Black-Ops Bodybuilding rubbish?
I’ve read both the program and your review. I have lots of respect for Christian Thibs and Tim Patterson.
How do you get off on saying “I also know many of them hang around on T-Muscle’s boards religiously due a false belief that T-Muscle is their “answer” to their muscle building problems. I am sorry, it’s not.”
about newbies?
I found T-nation about a month after I started lifting. I’m now 40lbs heavier at the same bf % and pushing about twice as much weight on every lift. T-nation is a supplement company, but they have little interaction on the forums, where a multitude of workout plans are discussed by many with varying degrees of success.
On the point of I,bodybuilder, how do you know those results aren’t credible? Given, they seem high, but who are you to say what is or isn’t possible? Have you competed in a bodybuilding competition? Have you tried either their Anaconda protocol or the I bodybuilder program?
I believe that those results are potentially possible. Combining excellent PWO nutrition and a solid workout plan can be greatly beneficial. Have you ever tried combining an exercise to prime your nervous system shortly followed by a work set?
The body adapts quickly, which can be bad for bodybuilding. Hence the saying that “The best program is the one you’re not doing.” Combining the fact that the I, bodybuilder program is unlike most workout structures with the fact that it contains some new supplements released by a highly rated supplement company leads me to believe that it could yield great results.
I hope that’s not you in the title bar on this website. If it is, maybe you should shut up and listen to those who have obviously had a great deal more success at building muscle. It looks like gaining 26lbs of muscle would almost double the appreciable muscle mass on the guy in the
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If you haven’t tried even one component of this workout/supplementation plan, perhaps you shouldn’t try to discredit something you have absolutely no experience with.
Charles,
Can you post a pic of yourself so we can see how much better you look than JC? It’s funny how easily you make physique judgements based on someone with a jacket on.
Better yet, do everyone a favor and go back to Tool-Nation, bodybuilding’s Ass-stank (TM).
I don’t need to post a picture of myself. I think it’s more interesting how you chose to try to both discredit myself and a website without actually answering any of the questions I have. It’s even more funny how the reviewer criticizes methods and supplements he’s never tried, as well as professionals who have far more experience and knowledge in the field of athletic training.
I never said that I “looked better” than JC, merely that judging by that picture, he shouldn’t try to discredit the likes of Christian Thibaudeau, a renowned training professional. The anaconda protocol JC tries to discredit is further endorsed by Dave Tate, one of the premier coaches in powerlifting.
I’ll laugh if you moderate this out, because it’ll substantiate the thought that you’re too insecure to intelligently engage in a discussion with even an intermediate level weightlifter.
“Better yet, do everyone a favor and go back to Tool-Nation, bodybuilding’s Ass-stank (TM).” Really? Did you feel clever coming up with an 8th grade level insult?
Charles,
How naive can you be? First you take a shot at JC’s physique by telling him he could put on more mucle with the Anaconda brotocol, which you think gives better results than steroids. Then you puss out when called out to post a pic and justify your challenge toward JC. But what should anyone expect from a big-talking T-lemming?
You obviously have no clue whatsoever what a joke those forums are, and how they rip kids like you off, and cause IQs to plummet. Why don’t you post your before and after pic of the steroid-like gainz you got on Anaconda? You won’t do it because you’re much better at bullshitting and caving into bullshit. Dunning-Kruger posterchild, you are.
Stop attempting to put words in my mouth. I never said he could put on more muscle with anaconda. I said that he looks like he shouldn’t be attempting to belittle fitness professionals with a lot more experience. I’m not pussing out on something that I have no obligation to do. Even if i was six foot 100 lbs, which i’m not, that doesn’t mean I can’t look at his picture and look at the picture of Christian Thibs and tell who has more muscle and knowledge on building muscle.
You’re making a very sub-par argument by just attempting to fling insults and not answering any challengers. How about this, post a picture of yourself holding a sign saying JLB and I’ll post a picture of myself? or are you going to “puss out”?
A rip off? There’s NO obligation to purchase the products when you use the website. I’ve purchased two orders total from that website. A pair of t-shirts for $25, which is cheap, and a 5lb tub of whey for $36 with free shipping, which is also a good deal.
How do they cause IQ’s to plummet? Give me a solid example?
I think the most amusing thing is that you can’t answer a single question and instead attempt to insult myself and the website. You accuse me bullshitting while you just sling insults and can’t actually counter a single point. By doing so, you’re validating my points. So go ahead with the insults, it only makes my point stronger.
Charles,
Here’s what you don’t get. We are both anonymous internet usernames. But guess which one of us pulled the “Thibs has a better physique than JC, thus he is exempt from avoiding intellectual dishonesty and blatant ripoff product whoring” card. Therefore, I have every right to ask you to post your superior physique so you can be true to your own standards and give JC a reason to listen to you (according to your logic).
Jeesh man, you T-sheep are so incredibly dense, no wonder Biotest can rape your wallets at will.
What you say would be correct if I had, in fact, told him to listen to something I was advertising. Instead, I was pointing out that he shouldn’t not listen to someone with more experience (double negative intended).
Once again, you failed to answer a single question and just attempt at insults.
Furthermore, as I said before (you obviously need to work on your reading comprehension), “There’s NO obligation to purchase the products when you use the website. I’ve purchased two orders total from that website. A pair of t-shirts for $25, which is cheap, and a 5lb tub of whey for $36 with free shipping, which is also a good deal.”
Give me one reason that this forum is better than the testosterone nation forums. Not on the product selling side, the actual forums where biotest has little to no interaction.
Charles,
With every post, you prove yourself to be the typical internet claptrap. No pic posted, just as I expected. Why don’t you go back to the T-nation forums and talk about how great your workout was right before you dyed your pants pink with Anaconda?
You are the perfect example to what happens to someone’s brain when they drink the T-Coolaid for too long.
I’ll attempt to address many of your concerns in order.
Lots and lots of young guys find t-nation in their search adding some beef to their scrawny frames. What we have to realize is a lot of the training routines, programs, etc. are not necessarily best for the newbie. Then you also have to remember that the newbie is easily swayed due to all the confusion they experience. One magazine tells them to do full body training. Another magazine tells them to do a 6-day body part split. A popular website tells them that eating carbs are bad. Another website tells them carbs are good etc. The forums and articles are likely going to confuse them due to information overload.
The reason I wrote this piece is because I want people to ask questions about who’s telling them something and WHY they’re doing it. I,Bodybuilder and Anaconda were hyped up and created to sell a bunch of overpriced, unnecessary supplements.
I have not tried the Anaconda Protocol because I’m not gullible enough to waste money like that.
How do I know these results aren’t credible? People don’t get these results without steroids. It’s not in line with actual research. Science simply doesn’t agree. That’s why I say it’s not possible.
Just because you believe it’s possible, doesn’t mean it is. What if you believed you could jump off a 10-story building and land perfectly without injury – could you do it? I think the law of gravity would take precedence over your belief.
Have you read Alan Aragon’s thoughts about this whole protocol? What about Casey Butt who even wrote an entire book (only $10) on genetic limits AFTER he looked at all the research? Ever look at the other side of the coin? I’ll warn you though, the science will likely disappoint you.
The body may adapt quickly but that doesn’t mean you should change your workouts frequently. How else are you going to monitor progression if you’re constantly changing the variables?
First off, the previous reply was to JLB, not you.
The forums can provide information overload, I’ll admit that. However, that’s the reason that there’s a beginner’s section of the forum set aside for answering questions.
The supplementation is pricey, I’ll admit that. However, it’s not like they hide that fact. They state it plainly.
The results aren’t in line with research before the program. Who’s to say that they DIDN’T find a way to induce said hypertrophy? Scientists in 1936 would have argued that going over 300 mph in an airplane was impossible as well, and the jet engine made it possible several years later, despite it being counterintuitive to scientists of that time.
I’m just saying that it’s possible. They don’t give all the circumstances surrounding their results. If they either were under the rebound effect following a bodybuilding contest, had lost weight and were gaining muscle through muscle memory, or had been overtrained and made most of the weight gains on the scheduled rest days when the CNS catches up, the results are plausible, and they wouldn’t have lied about the gains. They would have just not fully explained the situation.
I never argued for constant program changes. I was just making the point that a program with a setup unlike most previous could stimulate a nervous system adapted to a different setup.
This is directly from the first page of I,Bodybuilder, right under “The 2 Elements of Success.”
“The I,BODYBULDER Program is designed for advanced level and elite lifters. This doesn’t mean that we don’t want intermediate-level lifters participating, because we do. We want to encourage anyone who’s serious, and who has enough lifting experience under his belt, to jump right in and get on the program.”
If their only goal was to sell the product, would they put that message on the first page? Obviously, they want people to purchase the protocol. However, you don’t see them saying ” Everyone, from beginner to advanced lifters, needs to do this program now!”
Chuck,
I invite you to read a thread over at Lyle’s forum where Thibs made an appearance. Probably won’t look at him the same way, unless you believe whatever he says because he’s C-Thib.
And if there results are so credible why not get someone to do some kind of double-blind study.
Scivation is a company who recently made a pretty neat claim with one of their supps. They ran it through the proper channels and are trying to published in a journal.
Why doesn’t T-Muscle do the same for its protocols if they are so sure of its claims then it should be no prob?
And the jab a JC’s appearance is uncalled for. What does looks have to do with knowledge. Just because some guy is big and huge doesn’t mean he can do the same for some other random Joe. And this is evident by the dozens of trainers found in gyms around the country. Seriously, take a look at how these guys “train” their clients.
I don’t think JC has ever made any outlandish claims, very evidence based articles. If you are looking for the guy to be close to 200lbs and in single digits, well that probably ain’t going to happen. Very few naturals reach those numbers.
Read fitness articles with a critical eye. Ground yourself with the knowledge of what is scientifically possible and demand for proof when people make outlandish claims. You’ll be less inclined to be taken advantage of.
here is the thread so Charles can read and then form his own opinion.
First off, my name isn’t Chuck.
Secondly, I don’t just believe everything he says. As I posted before this,
I’m just saying that it’s possible. They don’t give all the circumstances surrounding their results. If they either were under the rebound effect following a bodybuilding contest, had lost weight and were gaining muscle through muscle memory, or had been overtrained and made most of the weight gains on the scheduled rest days when the CNS catches up, the results are plausible, and they wouldn’t have lied about the gains. They would have just not fully explained the situation.
Which according to what he posted on those forums is true. He had lost some weight and then gained that weight through the rebound effect.
The jab at his appearance was most likely uncalled for, I’ll admit it, and I apologize JC if you read this. However, it’s a simple standpoint of credibility. Who are you more likely to believe, someone that’s probably ~185 lbs at ~10 % bf, or someone with the same bodyfat and an extra forty pounds of mass? As I’m at 175lbs and about 12% bf and admit that there’s a lot I don’t know about strength training, I’ll listen to the bigger guy.
On the other hand, comparing CT to the average trainer in a gym isn’t quite fair either. He’s a professional trainer who’s had dozens of published articles, which should attest to his credibility and knowledge.
About the double blind study or Biotest’s practices in general, I can’t say. I wouldn’t know why they don’t run those sorts of studies.
I read about the next 12 pages from where the article was linked to. I pretty much saw about 10 people attempting to nitpick at everything he said, and then all attacking him for not answering all 75 questions they had.
Once again, why does everyone insist on trying to make me a victim? If I felt i was overcharged or harrased on the T-nation forums, I would leave. However, I’m not. I’ve gotten several good deals on products from Testosterone Nation.
Do I think Anaconda is pricey? Yes, absolutely.
Do I believe that it will gain 27 lbs for most individual? No.
Do I believe that some individuals may gain as much as that? Yes. It’s made of 5 phases that last 2-4 weeks each. That means the program can last up to 20 weeks, or 5 months.
Last summer I stopped working out and dropped 15lbs over three months. When i came back to college, I started working out and eating more once again. I put back on 13lbs of clean mass in the first month without any supplementation at all. That by itself shows me that 27lbs over 2.5-5 months isn’t that impossible to believe.
-right, so let’s assume this is what happened and the weight gained wasn’t completely new gains, etc. Does it not bug you that what they are claiming is only a half-truth? 99% of the readers at T-Nation will not find that thread I linked to. They’ll keep on believing this rate of mass gain is possible.
I’m just going to leave it at this. Someone who is 5’8-5’9″ will likely never carry over 200lbs of lean mass naturally. the only way possible is if their wrists, ankles and bone structure are as thick as an ox and if they carefully chose parents whose genes were best-suited for muscle gain.
and your argument for credibility is flawed. Let’s take some of the best of the best in this industry. Lyle McDonald is probably the most renowned fat loss and nutrition author out there. Many bodybuilders and athletes use his material to get into contest shape, build muscle, etc. He is neither a bodybuilder nor a strength athlete. Does this mean his information is useless? I think not.
The same goes for Alan Aragon. He’s trained and consulted with a myriad of athletes and he is not a juiced up bodybuilder. Does this blow a hole in his credibility?
This whole credibility-based-on-looks thing is what’s hurts many beginners as they’re starting out. They pick up a copy of FLEX mag or even something like Muscle & Fitness and when they see the workouts done by the huge guy on the front, they automatically believe that’s how they should be training. The problem with this is they fail to understand the differences (genetics, experience, drugs) between them and their favorite cover model…
Sorry Charles, I was just trying to lighten up the mood.
I’m older now and starting a family. I have to be more careful when I read fitness articles, especially ones that make claims that are a bit outrageous. I more careful at where I throw my money, especially supps.
I’ve tried T-Nations workouts and some of their supps in the past, I’ve had minimal gains. And I don’t want to hear how I may have not been doing it right. I don’t think its fair when people accept someone’s anecdotal experience only when it agrees with their line of thinking, which happens a lot with the bros, not saying you will do that though.
When I was younger, and single, I was more inclined to experiment using different protocols but that is just not feasible anymore. I wouldn’t have minded working out 4-6 times a week just to see if something worked but know I know better. I could have saved a lot of time and made better gains by keeping things simple but all I can do know is look forward.
I’ll finish of with this, right now I’m looking to make gains with minimal gym time, at least 3 times a week focusing on what is important. I know it can be done
Eric,
No harm done.
I’m careful where I throw my money too. Im a self-supported college student, so I know what it is to have to budget everything.
About your experience with T-nation and their supplements, I can’t really say much at the risk of unintentional insults besides we have far different results.
At this point in time, i’m working out 4-6 times per week for about 45 minutes-75 minutes a session. I’m also working 40 hours a week, so it’s not like i’ve got all the time in the world. I don’t just change my workout to suit whatever I read. I analyze and decide for myself as well.
I’ve been following different variations of bodypart splits for the past 2 years on the grounds that they seem to cause the most hypertrophy, which is my goal at this point in time. I was going 3 times a week for a while, but wasn’t making as much gains as i would have liked.
Right now, i’m following a routine that goes: Chest/Tri’s, Legs/Shoulders, Back/bi’s. days 1-3. Depending on time available I either do that cycle once more per week, or if i’m short on time I just throw in a day of shoulders and upper chest.
I think the routine you follow has to depend on your goals. What are your goals? If they’re to stay fit and at a low bf %, something like 3x weekly maybe full body is ok. If you’re trying to put on muscle, you gains will likely be sub-maximal on only 3x a week. Just my honest opinion gathered both from my experience and things I’ve read from other people (not fitness articles).
JC,
I see where you’re coming from, I really do.
It would bother me a little if I wasn’t already expecting it from any supplement company. Have you ever read a celltech/muscletech advertisement? They’re as bad if not worse, and every college “bro” i talk to is telling everyone how pumped NO-explode or vapor got them.
On the point of experience by looks, I do take it with a grain of salt. I won’t take advice from just anyone larger than me. My point is that when someone is regarded as a training professional and has a fair amount of muscle mass, there’s usually a reason.
Obviously, the same workout that works for Flex Wheeler won’t work for me. A plethora of variables (experience, drug use, experience) makes that pretty apparent. I consider myself as an intermediate lifter, and thus decided I wasn’t advanced enough to try something like I,bodybuilder. I’ve been looking at DogCrapp training for a while but don’t think I’m experienced enough for it yet.
Also, I don’t know if JLB is one of you moderators, but if he is, I’m sorry. By just flinging insults and not actually making any real points he just makes your site look bad. That’s an honest opinion made with no spite.
haha, for the record, I have no mods. JLB is entitled to his opinion as well, whomever he may be!?
Just in case this slipped past you, read this & then remove your blinders to Thib’s almightiness:
http://forums.lylemcdonald.com/showthread.php?t=4925&page=4
I read about the next 12 pages from where the article was linked to. I pretty much saw about 10 people attempting to nitpick at everything he said, and then all attacking him for not answering all 75 questions they had.
Im only 20 and compete in the naturals at 200lbs so it is possible, agreed im 6.1″ but ive met some big guys in my time.
As for the program im sceptical of anything that requires isolation movements performed to a 2 rep set. i mean litterally who has ever heard of 2 rep laterals
my hat’s off to ya if you’re truly competing as a natural at your age.
Yes i got 2nd in the juniors in britain last year in the natural physique association.
As for where did i find the website i searched for ibodybuilder reviews as the claims stated are obserd, And wanted some critique on the matter.
I love this stuff the great minds of are time were all bashed with words and killed for saying something different I have been working with T muscles I,BODYBUILDER program you can see the BS to buy there product but I like new and different so the work out first than Ill try the product and the workout to compare I’m not an advanced bodybuilder and only bench 210 1RM and so far so good with the change in work out style Ive went from 245 to 254 pounds and don’t know what body fat % Don”t care I can see and feel the difference My bench is up from 195 1RM like it or not its worth a try.
To JC who wrote the “review”.
What were your results when you tried the method?
Because, you know, you need to have tried it to be able to make a review. A review means that you tell people if it worked for you or not based on the results you got when you tried it.
So, give us the results or change the name from “Review” to “Opinion” or “Belief”.
I’m not interested in being overtrained. thanks.
But you wouldn’t be overtrained if you took the awesomes that is Anaconda, c’mon JC get on the ball here.
According to my current body fat %age I would be no where near the biggest natural competitor. Hypothetically speaking at 0%bf i would weigh 183 if I lost no muscle. BUT there is no chance that I would lose 0 muscle. Many natural competitors come in at over 190 so if they are more than likely quite a bit larger than me. Kiyoshi Moodi for example is a natural and weighs in on contest day at about 210. Several others are like this as well.
edit from JC:
Moody is 5’10″ and hasn’t competed in a rigidly drug-tested organization over the 190-200 range. From 1998 until 2009 he competed between 191 and 198 (his weight at this past year’s NPC USA Championships). Now that he seems to be focusing on the NPC exclusively (i.e. drug-using) his off-season weight has sky-rocketed. I’ve been following drug-tested bodybuilding for 20 years, there are no legitimate drug-free competitors competing at over 210 unless they are tall and very large-boned.
what about michael lockett? He has been drug tested many times, and he has been polygraphed numerous times. He competes in super heavy at 5’6″ 220lbs.
Lockett competes in the NPC which is not, and has never been, a legitimate drug-free federation. He has competed in isolated drug-free tested shows, but so do many drug-users. Drug-using NPC bodybuilders have been claiming for years that they’re drug-free (including Ronnie Coleman), so no one on this Earth takes the NPC’s drug-free claims with anything more than a grain of salt. Competing in a few tested events in a sea of non-tested contests don’t make any of these competitors “drug-free”. If any of these bodybuilders truly are drug-free, why have they avoided the truly lifetime drug-free organizations such as the WNBF/INBF?
The last time you tested your bodyfat underwater was it under a vat full of HFCS? That stuff will alter your BF like crazy!
Aaron,
5’8″, 210 lbs, 13% BF is pretty dang impressive. And you have a PhD in sports science? Awesome. Can you link me to your work? I’m interested in reading it. Also, I’m not gonna knock your results, but with your advanced science degree, I’m sure you’re aware of the limitations of personal anecdote as an evidence base.
The work hasn’t been published yet so no link. My stats are far from impressive. My gym is filled with people much bigger than I am. I never said that my personal anecdote would be enough to count as an evidence base, but it is still an outlier which cannot be ignored. All i’ve been saying from the beginning is that the results that have been claimed are possible, and have occurred. If you research I’Bodybuilder further, you will see that Nobert was detrained before starting I’Bodybuilder, so much of the muscle gained was muscle that he had before. Also CT was forced to lose alot of muscle mass due to a heart condition. So he was able to put on muscle more easily. I know my results are factual, as well as many other people who have been doing this workout.
Aaron,
I would like some more information on your claim here:
“I know for a fact that Anaconda and Mag 10 work as well as they say, I just can’t afford my own at the moment. ”
Can you tell me how you know for a fact that they work as well as they [Biotest] say? Thank you very much.
Also, I look forward to reading your published work in the future.
Cheers,
Michael
Aaron,
Just link me to your website. Or to any article you’ve posted online. There’s clearly a dearth of bodybuilders online who have forayed so deeply into academia. Brorardi comes to mind, and he’s one in a million, it seems. While we’re on the subject, what was your doctoral thesis?
Why are you so interested in all this? Regardless of the answer, it changes absolutely nothing. The facts are that I gained this much mass, without illegal drugs. I’m sorry that you have not been able to achieve these kinds of results. I would assume that its not because your nutrition has been off, so maybe you should dabble in some other exercise routines. By the way, I’m not a bodybuilder, I just enjoy trying to gain mass as fast as humanly possible.
Why am I so interested in all this? Because I think you’re lying about both your stats & your education. And judging from your responses to my Q’s thus far, I have reason to believe I might be correct.
I have done work dealing with the effects that squats have on the cardiovascular system in comparison to cardiovascular events, such as the Bruce Protocol as well as submax VO2 tests, VO2 max tests on bikes. I’ve completed some studies comparing force output in male and female subjects through tests such as Mid-thigh ISO-pulls, static jump, counter-movement jumps, windgate tests, sprints, etc. We’ve compared RFD and peak force to actual athletic performance (40m sprints). Also, have collected tons of information regarding motivation and its effects on athletic performance. This one has been a lot more extensive than I originally thought because of all of the motivators. Finding that athletes in different sports tend to have much different motivators, these often change depending on biological age, training age, and sex. Testing the performance has been extremely difficult, because you can’t play a football game while standing on a force plate. We’ve found that one of the biggest motivators in the lab is to have a crowd screaming at the person being tested. But for some individuals this has a negative effect, and many highly self motivated people perform equally with or without a crowd. Charting and comparing all the variables has been extremely difficult so far, and still has a long way to go.
Dr. Brorardi, is that you?
After performing the first 6 weeks of I’ Bodybuilder, I’ve actually had pretty amazing results. I’ve already gained 12 lbs while decreasing body fat percentage. So, sorry to all the haters out there who have made claims without first trying the program. Body fat% was tested with underwater weighing, which is the most accurate form of body fat measurement. I would not recommend this program to the novice lifter however. Oh, and i’m 100% natural. Current body weight is 210lbs at 13%bf.
so let’s see.. that is 12lbs in 6 weeks. 12/6 = 2 the last time I checked, no?
Do you mind sharing with us what pharmaceuticals you were on? or did you just retain a ton of water from all the fluid that is required?
actually did not use the anaconda or mag 10 supplementation. and if you know as much about nutrition as you claim you would know that drinking lots of fluid actually causes your body NOT to retain as much water, so that would not be the case. and the total muscle gain is 15lbs (lost 1.5%bf x200lbs=3+12lbs) The only supplements i use are creatine monohydrate and a whey hydrolysate/isolate mix.
Why are you attacking me? You attacked a program that you havent even seen? I gave you my results so that others would know that its not as much BS as you claim. EVERY detail of the program makes sense. Greater force production causes more muscular stress, which in turn makes the nervous system more efficient, and increases muscle fiber diameter. Many lifts are performed from a dead stop which minimizes the action of the tendon stretch reflex and the golgi bodies. This puts more stress on the muscle. Volume is equal to most other programs out there, EXCEPT more weight is being used. this causes a greater stimulus for growth. BUT for some reason YOU can’t get past the fact that this website also sells supplements. I know for a fact that Anaconda and Mag 10 work as well as they say, I just can’t afford my own at the moment. But i’m sure that since i’m not an author on this site, that my opinion doesnt count. Even though i’m the only one on this board with a sports science phd.
First of all, not attacking you. Just read what you posted. Your claim is ridiculous.
I understand that taking in more fluid will cause one to shed water. There are also other factors that will deter water loss such as sodium, carbohydrate intake etc, despite a high fluid intake.
I understand the principles of the training just fine.
Have you ever looked at Dan Moore’s stuff?
However, as I said, the claims are asinine. There is no way someone is going to gain that much LBM in such a short time frame, no freaking way.
I’m telling you facts. That is my body weight. I started off at 198 and am now 210. I’m a test subject in a CV study, and I have my bodyfat checked weekly. I weigh at the same time everyday and eat the same things everyday before weighing. The claims may seem asinine, but they are legit. The fact that you have not made these claims, doesn’t mean that others can’t. Just because there are studies out there that say its not possible to gain that much mass, there are others that say you can.
Also, I am far from a beginner. I currently bench 350, ATG Squat 425, Deadlift 450, and am 5’8 210 at 13%bf.
I have read some of Dan Moore’s stuff, but these studies don’t really apply because they havent been performed with the same types of training that I’Bodybuilder uses. Also it doesn’t really matter to me what studies show if i have real life proof that goes against the study.
Nice e-stats Dr. Brorardi. So, uhh…is this experiment by chance called The Colorado Experiment?
IF i was going to make up e-stats I would use something alot more impressive sounding than the numbers i used above. I don’t think those stats are anything superior, but I think they are better than beginner stats.
So umm, what is so impressive to you about being 210 lbs at 5’8″? 13%bf ? pretty easy to achieve if you ask me. Excess calories, heavy lifting, lots of protein… sorry that is so hard for you to believe. I really am sorry.. i sort of feel bad for you. are your e-stats that pitiful?
umm yea, that’s very impressive. It’s actually far above the predicted genetic potential for someone that height. check out http://www.weightrainer.net for more info.
Actually, 5’8″ and 210 lbs at 13% body fat would be a level of development approaching the largest drug-free bodybuilding champions in history. Just for perspective, Ben Tennessen, one of the WNBF’s biggest and best heavyweights, is 5’8″ and roughly 215-220 in the off-season – and Tennessen is known for his abnormally large size even compared to most of his fellow heavyweights. Either Aaron has the bone structure of a bull, is not 210 lbs, is not 13% body fat, is one of the greatest drug-free bodybuilders on Earth, is lying, or is not “100% natural”. Personally, I don’t doubt that he’s 210, but at 13% body fat? Unlikely.
well according to my bone structure it weightrainer says that MY maximum muscle size is 215. Looks like i’m getting close, but i’m not there yet. 8in wrist and 10.5in ankle.
The WeighTrainer
Maximum Muscular Bodyweight and Measurements Calculator
Height: 68 in Wrist: 8 in
Ankle: 10.5 in
Your estimated maximum muscular bodyweight at ~13% bodyfat is: 215 lbs
Your estimated maximum muscular measurements (@ ~8%-10% bodyfat) are:
Chest: 50.4 in Biceps: 18 in
Forearms: 14.4 in Neck: 17.5 in
Thighs: 26.8 in Calves: 18 in
“…8in wrist and 10.5in ankle.”
Actually, that is the bone structure of a bull – and the website equations actually slightly underestimate potential in the very large-boned. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility for someone that thickly built to reach as high as 230 lbs at 13% body fat. If your bone structure truly is that large, then you’re right – you should have growing room left in you yet.
Nice article, good to see someone exposing marketing hype for what it is. It’s hard for people to take responsibility for themselves when they are not achieving the gains they wish they could. Instead of learning for themselves they run to the “quick-fix” solution that promises unbelievable results.
T-Nation was good in the old days, when people like Ian King were writing for them. I not sure if even Poliquin writes for them anymore.
Their focus is now on entertainment with a little info and heaps of marketing hype.
Keep up the good work and reveal the secrets for all!!!!
agreed. its honest people like JC who make my day when i see that no matter what bullshit people say, the truth comes out. That is what love about the health/athletic industry. It’s either right or wrong. no gray areas. And the people who usually know their stuff have an awesome NATURAL physique to back it up!
Re-reading that comment, I would like to add that the context of the situation is very important. Saying things are black and white isn’t right since everyone has different variables to deal with.
What matters the most is one being HONEST and not LYING.
not to sound like a total asshole to anyone below supporting this program, but do any of you know anything about biology?
P.S. before anyone starts flaming me, its pretty easy getting in shape when you have a combination of drugs and good genetics. Any program will yield some type of results. Now try getting in shape when your starting point is not being able to absorb any nutrients, can’t eat any dairy (that means NO WHEY OR CASEIN) and your in shit total health (i’m celiac http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease). I’m willing to bet 90% of people in this situation give up. Well i didn’t and i pretty much did the impossible by actually using “realistic” data as a source. i’m sorry to say this but the claims that i’m seeing are pure bullshit. Once again i apologize for sounding like a dick but people who try to fill other peoples’ heads with nonsense pisses me off.
no need to apologize, Jon. they simply cannot see through the smoke and mirrors…
Tmuscle offers free information about training, void of advertising from all but Biotest. (Can’t really blame the authors for mentioning their companies either.) They don’t force you to buy anything. Most of the advice can be applied without the use of Anaconda. Emphasizing explosive lifting, high fiber recruitment and heavy weights seems like a good idea. I haven’t really seen any other training site that doesn’t gravitate towards 3×10 for bench and curls, so you can take it or leave it without criticizing the contents of the mystery box.
You reviewed a program that hasn’t been released yet. You reviewed a supplement, and an entire supplement protocol that hasn’t been released yet. In all my time spent reading worthless crap this may take the cake. Yes, the new program on TNation probably will not yield the results talked about by CT, but it will most likely be the first step in a long line of revolutionary bodybuilding techniques. If you took the time to do some research, instead of jumping to conclusions, the program is not for newbies. It is for people who understand and know how to properly autoregulate their training. I have been incorporating this kind of training into my own schedule as well as the loading protocol laid out by CT. I’ve gained 12lbs in 3 weeks while registering a 1% decrease in bodyfat using a 12-point caliper test administered by my strength and conditioning coach. After training seriously for 8 years, i’d say those are some pretty impressive results. So please spend a little more time trying to understand something completely before you go bashing it.
…are you an idiot? or do you just have a grudge? it’s not out yet, it’s being finalised, why don’t you wait for people to try it, then make judgements? you’re claiming it’s impossible, based on past occurences. that’s one of the stupidest things I have read in a long time.
I don’t have a grudge, nor do I really care about the program. perhaps you should take look at how many natural guys that are making these kinds of gains. When you find more than a handful come back and talk to me.
you are reviewing something that hasn’t been released yet?
of course this is not an actual review of the program or product because that hasn’t been released yet. Funny how they can make all these bullshit claims, yet there is still no program or product out.
I feel it’s basically due to the fact they cannot live up to the claims in their silly article titled I, Bodybuilder; thus they have no ground to stand on. I predict they will just continue stalling, hoping people forget about it.
what a damn joke.
Add Dave Tate to that list, most recent article;
Nutrition is different now. There are supplements that can actually make a huge difference. We’re seeing some amazing things with Surge Workout Fuel. We’ve actually had to have people back down and take less because they were gaining muscle too quickly. We had to pull two guys off completely because they were so close to a meet and had to make weight. These are people who wouldn’t gain weight before.
My new routine is SURGE® Workout Fuel, FINiBAR™, Anaconda, SURGE® Recovery, and a shit-load of SPIKE® Shooter. You tell me which is better.
I live on Curcumin 500. I take between 8 and 12 a day. It’s alleviated the need for me to take things like Advil.
Let me guess. You work for Biotest huh?
good read man. i remember when i first got into weightlifting a few years back in high school, everyone was obsessed with t-nation lol. I hate what Bodybuilding has become. Since I work at Vitamin Shoppe, i get customers daily coming in looking for over hyped products that don’t do jack shit. I always try to lead them to the basics (protein, multi, etc). But the sad thing is, some customers get pissed at me when i’m honest with them about which products work and which don’t. I’m glad to know there are people like you, Lyle, Aragon, and Martin (to name a few) who are honest with people when it comes to being healthy. Thanks Dude.
hey Jon, thanks for chiming in. Thanks for even putting me in the same sentence as those 3 you mentioned. They are literally my biggest influences when it comes to all this diet/training stuff.
I feel for you and your situation. People in the gym do not want to hear what I have to say after I tell them that their N.O. is a bullshit supplement and they are better off wiping their butt with 50 dollar bills.
I posted this on Aragon’s article over at bodyrecomposition.com, but it’s just as applicable here…
Those guys that fall into the “supplement trap”? Right here! When I read the article and saw the preview for I, Bodybuilder, I was absolutely astounded. Admittedly, I didn’t know the achievements of the human body with respect to muscle gains (on or off drugs) until I read this particular article. I wouldn’t have paid for any sort of program, but I can’t say I wouldn’t try a supplement used in the program and expect some sort of improvement over what I’m doing now.
I’m beginning to learn (maybe later than usual, as I’m 24…) that anything involving money will have an element of disinformation. This has been 100% true in the automotive enthusiast segment of my life and now I see it in body building where I have even less experience.
Thank you for providing insight into unscientific claims of supplement and program results and please continue to offer your opinion (everyone who commented on this article, as well) so that people like me can begin to make sense of things.
thanks for your commentary, Chad.
Thing is, you are for the most part right about money and lack of information. However that’s not all true. Among all of this bullshit floating around in the industry are some great products(Lyle’s books, Alan’s book, Tom Venuto’s stuff, Leigh Peele’s books etc) and some awesome services as well. I am talking about people like Martin Berkhan(whom I have personally worked with), Alan Aragon, Borge Fagerli and Layne Norton as well as others. All these people offer great products and services with no smoke and mirrors.
I hope you come to realize that this industry is not completely full of douche bags, however the majority of the industry(especially on da interwebz) is full of them.
JC,
It’s nice to get a response!
Seriously though, what’s bad for people like me is trying to differentiate the bull shit from the people who truly are trying to educate others. I’m certainly trying though.
It is refreshing to me to see how others are so enraged by this marketing campaign and how a community of people are trying to help educate people like me!
I know it’s hard to decipher between all the good and bad info out there. The difference though is I, and the others I mentioned, actually care about people want to see them succeed.
I have to make money too, just not at the expense of someone’s ignorance. I should mention I like to sleep at night. I’m also into keeping my clients as friends.
Its sad how thousands of people buy into this stuff, especially without researching anything. tons of weak, goofy outa shape tards sit and produce bs programs and articles everyday…and most ding dongs out there actually read and apply this was good info. You ever done any personal studies on HIT?
Good read
Great article,
I’ve red a lot of articles on T-nation, tested some information from some coaches. There is absolutly nothing special or magical about the coaches their information. Of course, every program works, be it from Thibs, Waterbury or whatever. But it only works for a short time. The articles from Charles Poliquin are of the most value.
That I,Bodybuilder BS is just a marketing stunt. Insuline surges…??? I bet they will launch a “during workout sugery crap with some minerals, caffeine and other stuff, who needs to be sipped between each set with the claim it fills muscle glycogen after each set, offsetting fatigue”.
Last article from Dr Clay Hyght, about perfect nutrition for the bodybuilder was a perfect stepping stone for this in the meanwhile they are releasing there Anaconda BS.
For the people who visit regularly T-muscle, have you seen the hipe about the velocity diet some months ago. A fat loss diet consisiting of drinking 6 shakes a day, and with the claim that only with Biotest protein powder results were possible….come on!
Training articles from some coaches seems to be way too much for the average guy, and maybe is this the purpose. Brainwashing young kids into overtraining so they ask the coach questions on the forum.
Off course will the coach answer all their questions. Like take 60 grams of BCAA’s from Biotest, double your dose of Surge post-workout. Just take a look at Thibs article “the specialization zone” to name one…
What all these coaches are talking about (there so called breakthrough training methods) are just a reharsh of the 25 years old weider principles.
To everyone who is reading my post, the only advise I can give is to buy a good book. A favorite of mine is “The poliquin principles”. Apply this guy his knowledge and you can expect some productive periods of training.
Be very carefull when reading nutrition articles on the T-muscle site……
Grtz
thanks for chiming in. Even tho I have never read his book I agree with everything else you said. come by more often.
JC,
I can’t visit places like T-nation anymore. I’m so far removed from the typical bodybuilding site, that it just seems foreign to me now. About 4 years ago, I would occasionally read an article…but the constant bombardment of roided up guys and girls grew old.
Also…not to be mean, but a lot of the guys who write for T-nation don’t have close to an ideal body type. Most of the guys demonstrating the lifts look muscular but with a decent layer of fat covering their muscles…kind of like guys who used to play football in high school, but who aren’t that active anymore. If a fitness author doesn’t have at least a bit of a six pack, I have a hard time listening to his advice.
Good post. You may or may not get flamed…My site has been flamed by those guys on numerous occasions. Every time they do so, they are sending a good link to help my rankings in Google.
Rusty
Thanks for your input, Rusty. I agree with you for the most part.
The only thing I disagree with is not following someone’s advice if they do not have a six pack. I listen to and follow Lyle McDonald’s advice and he is not super huge and may not have a six pack. He’s not even a bodybuilder but a speed skater. Does this disqualify him and his knowledge? No.
I listen to Matt Perryman regarding training advice. I don’t believe he currently has a six pack. Does this mean I shouldn’t listen to him? nope.
I thought I saw Lyle McD say CT is on roids these days.. but even then, is it even possible to gain that much on steroids?
not really, no. you can gain that much over time but not in the time period they are claiming. that is absolutely asinine.
Not even close.
You can dose up on dbol and gain a ton of water, which is technically considered LBM, but protein synthesis rates are still a rate-limiting step no matter how much anabolic hormones you throw at it.
Which means actual muscle gains are still limited on a weekly basis. They’re higher in a person using AAS, make no mistake, but they’re not T-Magical (TM).
I, Personal Trainer is something I should write for my website.
“:A secret, black ops marketing project…high threshold earning potential…”
Great article as usual. Why is it that all of the “totally awesome” people working for T-nation live in bumfuck, America or the Great Canadian Plains?
that’s a good idea. write it.
Jimbo, just wanted to say thanks a lot for addressing this article, I saw it and smelt a rat. I was planning on asking your opinion, and seeing as how you summed it up perfectly in this article I have no need to. I too balked at the alleged gains…
Great job Mate! I, Bodybuilders is the biggest ad I’ve ever read. They use big words such as rapid, etc to sell naive people on that program and supplement. There are lots of great articles on T-Nation but this was too much. Too much advertising and promises. Good job calling it out!
Owned!
I didn’t actually read i, bodybuilder, I just watched the video and agreed with their partial rep exercises utilising more “motor units”. I’ve done it before with success, but not 2 kilos of muscle a week kind of success lol, I don’t think I gained ANY muscle, I just gained a shitload of strength.
Damn, and I just bought Built for Show.
Again,
I LIKE NATE GREEN AND THINK HIS STUFF IS GOOD. I READ HIS BLOG A LOT. I REALLY ENJOYED BUILT FOR SHOW.
I JUST DON’T AGREE WITH THIS BULLSHIT ARTICLE.
=D
LOL
Good hater-post brah, they need a little more light on their shadiness.
Too bad these guys are too busy hiding behind a censored forum to actually discuss this, ’cause I’ve got plenty of studies that can dispute their claim about “loaded insulin surges”.
Maybe I should review it and write up a companion piece.
Do the same, I would be interested in reading your thoughts on the subject of loaded insulin surges.
The first things I read about strength training were on TN. Some of the articles are still in my bookmarks (Deconstructing the computer guy, for example). But as time went by the articles started to confuse me. For everything you read in a book, TN has articles that say 100% the opposite (I remember something about Front-Squats hurting your knees).
It’s really ridiculous what they are doing now. I’m glad I did not buy Nate’s book.
What you say is true. It’s one big confusing mess. This is what really gets me about their content. One week it’s this, the next week it’s that. So what is it, really?
Nate’s book is good. I really like it.
I really wouldn’t slam Nate too much for this, he works for T-Nation, so he might have had to write this whether he agrees or not (like actors in commercials who have to keep smiling even if what they’re eating makes them want to gag.) So I say don’t shoot the messenger, he might not like it either.
Well done.
I will state it again. I like Nate and appreciate his writing. I am disappointed that he would attach his name to this. He has a choice. That’s all I have to say, I suppose.
Well said JC. We all have a choice. Honesty and integrity applies to both our personal and professional lives.
T-Nation/T-Muscle/T-Diddy should be required by law to have a disclaimer of some sort before all of their articles, and this post should be it.
It’s depressing to think how much hair dye TC will be able to buy with all of the money he will make selling useless bullshit to clueless people. Sad.
Hopefully a few of them come across this post first.
2 things
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nf4kK7HCH34&feature=PlayList&p=0DCC5402CB12F6EB&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThdFqGLq4QU
Thanks for deflating their crap filled balloon, this one was especially horrid. Still I wonder how much of this stuff they are going to sell. There will always be the uninformed and/or those who haven’t figured out about the placebo effect.
heh, those vids give me the lulz.
yea, I know lots of kids are going to spend their graduation money on this crap.
That’s right JC, call them onto the carpet and blow the whistle on ‘em!
But please don’t mention coffee again when I have none to slurp on. That’s just wrong.
A supplement called “Anaconda” and it only produces an insulin spike?!? Most would think “Anaconda” would produce another form of “Spike” if you know what I mean! *BOING* LOL
As usual JC you do a great job saving us from “Craptastic” B.S. Awesome Work!
My advice for noobs would be to only use t-nation as a source for training related information (lifting routines, stretching, cardio, etc…). All of their advice related to nutrition and supplementation should be disregarded. This may sound harsh, but their nutrition articles are often biased and misleading in order to push their supplement line. Even the rare articles that don’t mention supplements (I think one or two of them exist), covertly push their products. Someone with a good understanding of basic nutrition can wade through the chaff and find some decent information every now and then, but beginners are usually not good at this and end up buying a bunch of unnecessary crap and suffering through the latest bodybuilding fad diet.
Like I said earlier, t-nation’s training articles are generally useful, especially some of CT’s older ones. Although all the different methods and opinions could drive a newbie crazy, this is impossible to avoid and not really an issue for beginners, since they will grow doing just about anything.
Now, if an intermediate trainee is still following t-nation religiously and declares all things t-nation holy, their future doesn’t look too bright.
My advice for noobs is to use t-nation as a source of hot fitness babes and big boobed low bodyfat models. That’s all they’re good for.
I don’t think that’s entirely true. One of the guys there offers some good food recipes and healthier versions of things like pizza, burgers, and lasagna.
They have both good nutrition and training info, if you can remember to do two things:
1. Almost everything they say is pimping Biotest in some way. Learn to look past that.
2. Realizing that the guys there are not the great and powerful Oz. Just because they say something doesn’t mean that it’s gospel. It might work for you, but it might not. Use what does and forget what doesn’t.
Well done, brother. All true. Now we wait for the T-gaytions.