Maximum Muscle Plan: Few questions if anyone has read it - JP Fitness Forums

mpm · 08-10-2006, 06:42 PM

I had a post earlier in the week I believe if anyone had read this book or not.

I've been able to read more of it, and the info in this book looks sketchy to say the least.

The book breaks down each body part and then looks at the body as a whole. Some of the sections say do to a certain ab workout 3x a week, and the arms section says do this this otherworkout 3x a week, etc etc for each part.

How would anyone have time to do that many workouts? Unless I am missing something, that whole portion of the book is pointless. Sure it shows different exercises you can do for different parts, but thats about as useful as these sections get.

My next question involves the total body workouts listed in this book.

The first week is focusing on size. Here is the workout as shown.

3 days a week, MWF

Workout 1: 3 sets x 15 reps

barbell row alternated with bench press
barbell squat alternated with hanging leg raise
barbell row alternated with bench press (this is not a typo)
two arm dumbbell row alternated with incline dumbbell bench press

I wont bother with the other 2 days workout simply because my question involves this first day.

Why would you do rows and bench press sets 2 times in a workout? That's 6 sets of 15 total for that day.

That seems really excessive.

Is there a ponit to repeating an exercise again that you have already done in the same workout, but after a different set of exercises?

If anyone could shed some light, thoughts, opinions or tell me where I might could find out more info, I would really appreciate it.

So far I haven't been impressed with the book, but thats just my opinion.

Lost Dog · 08-10-2006, 07:13 PM

Incledon is a great mind in the fitness world. The book must have been ghost written. I put it back on the shelf, it was so hard to figure out.

Granted, It's packed full of common sense, good lifts that you don't see everywhere, and plenty of tips, but what he wants you to do, is beyond me.

I think the routines are on the lower half of that page there in the middle. All the little pics...

Return it and get New Rules.

mpm · 08-10-2006, 08:43 PM

I figure I will take it back. It has tons of info on different types of lifts, but thats about the best I can really say about it. Everything else that was decent is nothing too innovative.

I have NROL actually. I bought it the day it came out and love it.

I just wanted to try a new book, but sadly I am very disappointed with this.

Scrawny 2 Brawny and New Rules of Lifting are far surperior IMO.

Lost Dog · 08-10-2006, 10:56 PM

See if Muscle Logic is on the shelf there. Charles Staley.

Tesman · 08-11-2006, 07:28 PM

I too bought the book and have read it fully. I have to agree that it's not a very good book. There's contradictions aplenty in this book. At one point, the author stated that swiss ball work is needless but then recommends it in some of the workout programs. He offers the usual recommendation about different rest intervals such as 30 sec. to 1 minute for muscle endurance, 2-3minutes for hypertrophy, etc..etc.. but then later in the book recommended a 1:1 work to rest ratio, meaning rest the same amount as it took to complete the set. There are numerous other examples that I won't bore you with. And as far as doing the same pair of exercises twice in the same workout, I don't get that either. I even went so far as e-mailing Incledon and asking for clarification but as of now (3 weeks and counting), still have not gotten a response from him.

Misfit · 08-11-2006, 09:33 PM

The book is currently on it's way to me from Amazon.com. Apparently I have nothing to look forward to.

mpm · 08-11-2006, 09:49 PM

I would send it right back personally and get something else. I recommend Scrawny To Brawny or New Rules of Lifting.

It really depends on where you are at in your training career.

MMP has been the most confusing book I've read and its very contradictory.

Misfit · 08-12-2006, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm

I recommend Scrawny To Brawny or New Rules of Lifting.

I've got them both.

mpm · 08-12-2006, 12:40 AM

Well, you may end up liking it. Its basically a book that you will have to take bits and piecese from. Its a good reference manual for different lifts. Good luck with it.

Tesman · 08-12-2006, 09:52 AM

He Misfit. Sorry to burst your bubble. I know it's exciting when you've ordered something and cannot wait for it to arrive. Like MPM said, YOU may end up liking this book. I can only speak for myself here but maybe I'm just not bright enough to understand the whole book. It seems every time I have a question, I can't help but think I'm missing something that's already in the book. And if you strip everything away and just look at the total body routines, who's to say they won't work? I still would like to know why I'm doing the same exercise pair twice in the same workout but maybe I should stop asking questions and just do it. I second the good luck to you.

Misfit · 08-15-2006, 10:33 PM

For those who care, I received the book two days ago. I did a quick scan of the workout sections, and a first glance really liked what I saw. I got excited thinking this book wasn't for everyone and the negative feedback from people was because they didn't find what they were looking for. I sat down today and got through the first four chapters. All excitement vanished and I quickly realized where the negative comments were comming from. This book is poorly written and full of very bad advice. There's many examples I could list, but two things in particular jumped out at me. I re-read these parts two or three times becuase I couldn't believe what I was reading. My favorite is the one which states, an experienced lifter can workout 3 to 5 times A DAY, EVERY DAY!! I'm not making this up. Another one I liked was in regards to rest periods between workouts. It states that as long as you're not sore the next day, that means you're muscle are recovered and it's okay to go ahead and workout again.

At this point I really didn't want to read anymore, but I made it through chapter 4. I then moved ahead to looked at the workouts again, and unfortunately they weren't as great as I had once thought. In fact, I don't think I saw anything I'd want to follow. I can find better programs (NROL).

I'll finish the whole book and hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a complete wash. If so, I'll just throw it on the shelf and let it collect dust. I have plenty of quality books for reference, plus a stack by very well respected authors which I haven't even broken into yet.

If it's not obvious, I don't recommend this book to anyone. I'd also like to say, I'm very disapointed in Men's Health and it's editors for allowing this book to be published in it's current state. I'm used to the high quality Lou Schuler and Mike Mejia books, so this one was very unexpected.

mpm · 08-15-2006, 10:58 PM

Misfit,

Im not sure where you purchased the book, but if its from Amazon you can return it within 30 days of purchase. If you can read the whole thing in that period of time, I would recommend you read it and then return it. I suggest getting Muscle Logic, Complete Keys to Progress, Dinosaur Training, Brawny, Starting Strength....the list could go on.

You should at least get something you will refer to. You shouldn't have to waste your money on a pathetic excuse for a book.

I returned mine and ordered Muscle Logic. It's a very unique way to workout so I have learned.

Just thought I would give you ideas.

Lost Dog · 08-16-2006, 12:29 AM

My heart stopped for a sec. The first part of your review had me scared that I'd trashed a perfectly good book. Whew.

It's really too bad about the book. Thomas Incledon seems pretty smart. Makes me think there's a story behind that debacle, over at Men's Health/Rodale.

I'd never seen a book that recommended DB Snatches. They are such a great exercise that I was shocked into almost purchasing it! Then, I read on...

Misfit · 08-16-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpm

Misfit,

Im not sure where you purchased the book, but if its from Amazon you can return it within 30 days of purchase. If you can read the whole thing in that period of time, I would recommend you read it and then return it. I suggest getting Muscle Logic, Complete Keys to Progress, Dinosaur Training, Brawny, Starting Strength.....

I have two of those, I'll check out the others. I'll check into sending the book back. I'm assuming I'll have to pay for S&H, but it could be worse. Thanks for the suggestions.

Misfit · 08-16-2006, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost_Dog

My heart stopped for a sec. The first part of your review had me scared that I'd trashed a perfectly good book. Whew.

It's really too bad about the book. Thomas Incledon seems pretty smart. Makes me think there's a story behind that debacle, over at Men's Health/Rodale.

I'd never seen a book that recommended DB Snatches. They are such a great exercise that I was shocked into almost purchasing it! Then, I read on...

Some of the workouts aren't too bad. I really liked the "Sports specific" workouts at first, becuase they incorporated some explosive lifts. Such as power cleans and DB snatches as you said. But upon further examination, I don't really think the rest of the workout was that great beyond the olympic lifts. They didn't appear real well balanced, and seemed to be upper body dominant.