STEVE REEVES: WHY MIKE MENTZER WAS RIGHT

To learn more about Mike Mentzer's life, legacy and teachings, please visit: www.hituni.com/about/mike-men...
In this video, the legendary Steve Reeves weighs in on the intensity versus volume issue in bodybuilding. I got to know Reeves (The star of Hercules, Morgan the Pirate, Long Ride From Hell and many other films during the 1960s) quite well during the 1980s through till his death in 2000. I interviewed him several times, once for a book I co-authored with him on his bodybuilding methods. A Mr. America and Mr. Universe winner, Reeves, apart from being one of the greatest (and perhaps the last of the) natural bodybuilders of all time, found that he and Mike Mentzer shared many of the same views when it came to bodybuilding training. Reeves would use up to nine sets per bodypart during his competitive days, whereas Mike used four-to-six sets. Both however, believed in far less sets than most bodybuilders and were advocates of increasing the intensity (not the duration) of their efforts in the gym. Indeed, both men thought working out more than three days a week was counterproductive, as the body would not have sufficient time to rest, and that 20 sets per bodypart training was a waste of time. In this video, Reeves explains his views on the matter and how his and Mike Mentzer’s beliefs on this subject were in complete accord. Such an endorsement of Mike's beliefs in this matter clearly indicates that, despite what the armchair critics say, high-intensity training works very well for natural trainees. Never a bad thing when “Hercules” himself gives a thumbs-up to your muscle building beliefs.
NOTE: The history of bodybuilding would be impossible to relate without the contributions of the many great photographers who captured the iconic images that immortalized the champions and inspired countless generations.Lensmen such as Russ Warner, Artie Zeller, Bob Gardner, Wayne Gallasch, Jimmy Caruso, Chris Lund, Gary Bartlett, Mike Neveux
and John Balik advanced and popularized the sport through their art. I want to particularly acknowledge the support of John Balik, who has graciously allowed me to use many of his copyrighted photographs of Mike Mentzer in many of the videos that appear on this channel. Without his images, there would only be audio.

[@boro.zyzz7]

Rest in peace Mentzer brothers, you did a lot for us, people that want to grow. I started heavy duty with a little changes, but damn, its a lot better than training 4 5 times a week, i feel far less exhausted. My body is functioning so much better. Shame that not a lot of people think about what he wanted us to understand. He stated facts about the human body. Respect.

[@awakenotwoke6930]

Checking in 7 weeks after implementing an every 4th day HIT session, spending at the most 15-20 mins in the gym per session hitting 1 set to failure for a max of 4 targeted exercises, and I’m loving it. 10 lbs gained and only .5” in the waistline, Strength increased, and nagging injuries healing up superbly. All of my clients are on this approach as well. The science backs it up and anecdotal data from 20 clients does as well. I had a few people ask “What do I do on the other days!!?” My reply: be active, take walks, read books, learn a language, go back to school, dial in your nutrition, sleep well, recover 😂😂

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for your post - and congratulations!

[@truongsinh9955]

Hey Awake, I'm on the 4th week of HIT and hope you could indulge the following question. If you train by yourself, how do you make sure you reach complete muscular failure? Do you just do the standard 8-12 reps, each rep takes roughly 10 seconds and that's that for the set, or do you also incorporate other means like rest pause, drop sets, etc? If you do incorporate rest pause, how many do you suppose is enough to reach complete failure? like 2 rest pause reps, or 4, or even 6, etc?

[@awakenotwoke6930]

@@truongsinh9955 I keep about a 4 sec lowering/4 sec/1sec contraction-hold for every rep so with 8-12 reps set it would last between 60-100 seconds under tension. As far as failure, I go until I can’t do another good rep if I wanted to (positive failure). I opt for unilateral machines so that I can truly go to failure. Barbell Deadlifts and Squat I only take until my form breaks down. Some of the trainers at my gym didn’t understand what I meant by effort until they did sessions with me and soon realized that they probably were leaving 30% effort on the table in their own training. I won’t do any rest-pauses or other tactics until I’ve spaced my sessions out to 7-10 days apart, and have also hit a plateau with increases. I would probably take away a couple of exercises as well before I used any of those techniques. I’m not a bodybuilder so for me it’s about metabolic health. I track my metrics thoroughly and have either added weight or added reps every session with ease. My clients have as well. What I have noticed is the clients who do not adequately rest between our sessions have the slowest gain of strength. I have two guys who train together and they both were adding strength like crazy for a month. One of them added sessions at the gym between our training sessions and his rise has lost slope for sure. The other guy sticks to our two sessions over a seven day period, and has now surpassed the other one in strength and fat loss. He has increased every session. Rest is mandatory. I hope this helps.

[@truongsinh9955]

@@awakenotwoke6930 Thanks for the detailed reply! 2 last questions if you don't mind. You say you train every 4th day, so let's say you train on Monday, then the next work out would be on Friday, then the next would be on Tuesday, and so on, correct? Also, once you get to the point of "not being able to do another good rep (positive failure)", do you do extended negative on that rep? i.e. say you got to the final rep of lat pull down, and you managed to pull the bar down half way, then you try to slow down the negative portion for as long as possible as opposed to the standard 4 seconds.

[@iang8169]

Is that 4 exercises for one body part or 2 for 2 body parts each ? Do you superset bi and tri together or keep separate ?

[@shaswatasengupta8094]

Yes very true. Saw insane gains when I trained twice a week using HIT. Did compounds with a 4-1-4 cadence. Had to cut back on my training due to work load and to optimise my recovery. Now I train once every week using a full body routine and it's keeping me quite fit without taxing out my recovery ability. Will always be grateful to Mike Mentzer for showing me the way.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for your post.

[@regprofant8609]

Yup I agree and I will be 78 September 14 and have been training that way since 1978

[@monge1266]

@@regprofant8609 thanks for sharing, very inspirational! 💪🏻

[@aarondavid5866]

Did Mike use steroids?

[@jalander8817]

@@aarondavid5866 of course. Everyone he competed against did as well. They all trained 10x more and Mike got arguably better results than them. I think Mike’s principles translate better to naturals than the normal bodybuilding dogma of more is better. 20 sets per body part per week is a waste of time and effort for anyone; especially naturals.

[@shaunclubberlang2887]

I've been training nearly 40 years, and I wish someone had pulled me aside when I was young and told me - full body workout, 2 - 3 days a week. Oh how I wish I could see what that would have done to a younger me. And I almost forget to say.. Steve Reeves. One of the finest bodies ever.

[@naturalalways5270]

I'm 30 and been trying all sorts of different workouts out. Steve Reeves is my role model in bodybuilding, and fitness... I walk into some gyms and see such roid freaks, arms bigger than their head and immediately think of steve reeves interview stating how he was against that. My dream physique would be Steve Reeves. I'm on a high frequency training workout atm, but wanting to focus on a proper workout plan more intense, less frequent, 3-4x a week. Would you suggest 2-3 full body workouts a week still? And what sort of workouts would that be? Original heavy duty stated 4x a week, 4-6 sets, hitting each muscle twice a week. Atm, even with my workouts I always try and push hard and failure mostly. Would be very interested in some tips and help, been training for 10+ years, but only seriously for probably a few. Sitting on 71KG, was about 45KG when I started, but not nearly what I want to achieve, (naturally)!

[@scotchbudmeister9018]

I do lower body on Monday and Thursday. Upper body Tuesday and Friday. One exercise per muscle group, one set to failure. I'm 62 and this is serving me well for recovery and gaining strength.

[@nolan555]

Do you mind if I ask your upper body routine? I’m disabled and like trying new things

[@99Gara99]

It sounds like you are doing it right. Keep it up, keep consistent

[@jaytherestless2117]

@@nolan555 would you like to try my routine for upper body?

[@quantumpotential7639]

I'm your age. Do you like to do a light warm up set for each exercise or do you just go straight into the exercise .. and how heavy are you going, how many reps away are you to total failure? Thanks

[@scotchbudmeister9018]

@@quantumpotential7639 I do a light warmup set and one work set. I've been going a bit lighter with a slower cadence. Anywhere from 12-20 reps. Hardest challenge is mental - "one more rep" lol.

[@apachewraith]

A few weeks back I had missed about 2 weeks in between one chest day and the next. I thought for sure I would be weak as shit. Added 4 reps to the same load, and it felt much lighter from the unrack compared to the last time. Was pretty blown away that I needed that kind of recovery

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

As Mike said to me years ago, “we’ve been asking ourselves the wrong question all these years. The question should not have been how much exercise can I tolerate, but how little is required?”

[@dammi3138]

For me, I’ve noticed the same. My chest need more than 1 week for recovery. It was only after 2 weeks that I could gain reps and weights on chest.

[@Magneticlaw]

Steve referencing Mike - very cool. 👍

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Hi Sean. Yeah, I thought so too.

[@williamj.dovejr.8613]

When I got bitten by the iron bug, I was in college and working... through a lot of reading, I decided to workout the body 3x a week...it didn't take long before I saw growth; when I returned to school, I had people asking what drugs I took! They refused to believe it was done in 3.5 months, 3x a week! Thank you, Mr. Reeves and Mr. Mentzer!

[@chriswaterman3823]

Two of my all time favorites, Steve and Mike.

[@paulaumentado1588]

You must be one of those people who respond to training phenomenaly

[@HDLifter]

Nice to hear a legend backing up a legend.

[@darksolara6750]

wow! 34 yrs in AND i have never heard steve reeves Reference to mike! just fantastic as always… Thank you

[@r.e.4640]

Mike Mentzer was NOT THE ONE who was right, RATHER, it was REALLY STEVE REEVES, WHO WAS THE ONE, WHO WAS REALLY RIGHT! Steve Reeves was and REMAINS, the GREATEST NATURAL BODYBUILDER of ALL TIME EVER!!! Period!!!💪🙂

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You will get no argument from me on that point, R.E.

[@jomon723]

Agree, in shape and looks

[@jmgonzales7701]

​@@jomon723 did he slim down for his movies? he looked smaller in some of his movies?

[@WhyTheHorseface]

Was he natural though?

[@jmgonzales7701]

@@WhyTheHorseface most likely, he aint that big. Infact if you looked at him from the side he looks "small". he is more of width than thick.

[@adrianmorris1767]

Wow thanks John, absolutely loving your videos, I trained in a gym for 2 years on split routines 15 to 20 sets per bodypart, I was absolutely exhausted then by chance I read an omd magazine whith Steve reeves , so I had a 2 week holiday then tried fullbody training 3 times a week , wow I started to see results and that's all I've really done for 30 years and I still love training thankyou mr reeves without your article I would still be spinning my wheels getting nowhere.

[@steelphantom9105]

Can you share your full program? Thanks

[@espendahl9719]

Steve Reeves was the man.I train 2 fullbody workout per week with 1-2 sets per muscle and it works perfect for muscle gaining and recovery wise. I did the three day fullbody split for years when I suddently was forced to cut it to 2 times per week due to school and work,it did not slow me down but made me feel better recovered and more muscles/strenght in shorter time. 😎😎💪💪

[@billschmidt4192]

Yup! I always trained Full Body/ 3 Days a Week going back to the mid 1970s. Still Training today. Be 63 on September 15th. And never Took the Steroids... Best feat of Strength + endurance in the Gym was Squatting 315lbs - starting with 17 reps and a total of 100 reps in 1 Hour. Deep Squats with no Belt or Knee Wraps.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Congratulations, Bill. Thanks for your post.

[@Pulsonar]

Sounds like you enjoyed a very good training run, but I wouldn’t be too proud of the deep squat without belt and knee wraps just because you got away with it. I know plenty of people without knees through similar heroics.

[@billschmidt4192]

@@Pulsonar I always used perfect form. Today we have most members doing Short,Fast, + Cheating Reps. My Training Run is not done. Still walking around with 18" Arms.

[@terryhill4732]

Dangerous to do squats without a belt and knee wraps

[@billschmidt4192]

@@terryhill4732 Never a problem over the Decades...

[@sirvaant]

Training only twice a week now with awesome workouts and results! Recovery is so important!

[@regcatdog]

still some people won't get it.

[@Lanaestu]

Bro please explain it to me, i don't 100% understand

[@regcatdog]

@@Lanaestu work less gain more .

[@terimaakigaand5857]

@@regcatdog For drug users maybe.

[@shortfusedynamite5166]

It's me I'm people

[@regcatdog]

@@shortfusedynamite5166 as i said .

[@kenkramer6761]

Excellent video Some people will always think more is better. We who have experienced the success of Higher intensity infrequent training know better.

[@mikeyboy8127]

Loving this channel.

[@thatsjohn3938]

Hi John. I didn't know you had a KZbin page. This clip came up as a suggestion. Watching it now.

[@scottlapointe9682]

Awesome!! I always look forward to the next video! Just great stuff .

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks, Scott!

[@joevelasquez2757]

Thanks John for all of this Content. This is the best channel

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for the kind words, Joel!

[@MrJocky82]

God I miss Mike. To me he had the absolute perfect, classic Greek statue physique. Legend

[@fender1000100]

When he did the crucifix pose. It's was the most magnificent sight I've ever seen. Pure perfection.

[@TheRogueJedii]

Yep. And natural too, you can tell

[@MrJocky82]

@@TheRogueJedii natural or not. He still shits all over every modern era bodybuilder.

[@mattrakhmanov1333]

Wow that's a rare clip. Good stuff.

[@user-jh1lq8ze6z]

I started taking more rest days on my own accord to eventually come across mike and within the two months I started it I had made intense gains unlike anything I noticed in a 6month even year cycle. My shirts went up a size as well as pants. I barely ate extra calories too as I was on a budget and was wondering why it felt as if my gains had increased and strength too. Truly this guy knew what he was talking aboit

[@Demane69]

Because I stay lean and muscular, I've been asked several times: "Do you work out every day? "Do you live in the gym?". My answer: "I workout 2-3 times a week for an hour, sometimes less". I've done high intensity for over 20 years. Also, one does not lose fat lifting. Lifting makes you hungry. I keep slim (6 pack at 50 and look a healthy 40) by fasting. Use the gym to BUILD your body. Live a healthy lifestyle to keep slim. 99% of you eat too much, too often, the wrong food, and at the wrong times. You can stay slim without ever hitting the gym. In fact, if you haven't mastered that 1st, your gym experience will only let you down.

[@michaeltamares7974]

Umm. Ok. Lol.. u wish u look like u say

[@Tasmanaut]

you absolutely can loose fat by lifting. You are talking out your a$$ mate

[@Dna1490]

Cuanta razón tenes en primero dominar el arte de comer...

[@aspe7187]

Generally agree but “slim” without resistance training looks and feels a lot worse than slim with resistance training. And if one doesn’t want to fast, one can do short but intense cardio, 10-20 mins., 1-2 days a week.

[@billybass4189]

Thanks for uploading these, it's interesting listening to different characters from the golden era talk about their own methods. Do you happen to have any audio from serge nubret at all?

[@SuperSREEVES]

Thank you Mr little for sharing this video have always enjoyed all your work. Your work on Steve Reeves books, Mike Mentzer books, and Bruce Lee and your Static Contraction training a great book. Thank you again

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for the kind words, Paul. 👍

[@farhanhussain_]

I always make my best progress with two workouts a week. Training a muscle group hard and heavy (but not like Mentzer style) and leaving it for 7-10 days works great for me. I squat and deadlift every other week and got my best results. Now I am planning the same for upper body lifts as well. I hope positive results here too. I am 43, natural, and have poor recovery so longer rest days actually aid me instead of bothering me.

[@koganin9]

Hey! Would you mind sharing your workout details? Similar situation as you and I'd be interested in giving your routine a try!

[@farhanhussain_]

@@koganin9 Yes sure. My workouts are not fancy at all, and I focus on just 1-2 main lifts or exercises for a weight/reps/sets PR in each session. Other 1-2 exercises for some moderate volume in same session. I was using squat and deadlift in same week, but recently I've noticed better progress and recovery by using one of these each week. Upper body pressing include weighted dips as main press, and OHP as secondary. Main pulling is weighted chins ups or weighted pull up. secondary pull is barbell rows or Bent Over shrugs. I also use bodyweight chins, pull ups, and HSPU on 1-2 days but for limited volume and for some recovery. Workout-A (Monday): Weighted Dips for PR, Weighted Chin/Pull Ups for PR, Barbell Rows (30° angle) or Bent Over Shrugs for moderate volume Workout-B (Thursday): Back Squat or Deadlift for PR, RDL or front squat for moderate volume, Standing Dumbbell Press volume. I may try to alternate weighted dips and dB or barbell OHP each week and see how it works. Same thoughts for weighted chins and barbell rows. It would allow me to go all out on it and not face any overuse or pattern issues.

[@warrior3214]

Great video, THANKYOU John 🙏

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're welcome, warrior3214.

[@Keranu]

Do you have more recordings of the late, great Steve Reeves? Audio like this is exceedingly rare.

[@sosministriesrev1412]

I am 51 years old and decided to go back to the gym and not work out at home. I do 4 days a week early in the morning. 5am Monday (Chest Biceps Abs) Wednesday (Shoulders Triceps Abs) Friday (Legs Abs) and Sunday (Back Abs). My work outs are 45 mins and high intensity with 8-12 rep range 3-4 sets progressively heavier and last set to failure. By week 4 l lighten the load and drop the intensity to moderate so l can recover and do that for one maybe two weeks but l listen to my body. I am a fan of HIT and when l work biceps or triceps l only do 2 different exercises. Chest l only do 2 different exercises but legs and back 4-5 exercises. You should be absolutely pumped but exhausted from that type of training and you have plenty of time for recovery. I have in 7 weeks put 4 kgs of muscle, tightened my mid section and l feel fantastic. Now l am training with purpose and have more equipment to use then the gym l have at home but not complaining about that because it is very good back up but going to the gym and paying a membership has brought discipline to my busy life and reeping the benefits. I am a fan of HIT workouts.

[@CaneFu]

100% Agree

[@Smartion]

@JohnLittle thank you for these uploads they are brilliant ⭐️🙏🏼

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re welcome!

[@adrianwalker5415]

Been working out for the last 12 years. The first 6-7 yrs did more of the conventional splits bro splits etc. Working out 6-7 days per week 1-1:30 hrs per day and saw great awesome results. Great strength and put on good amount of size. I also always had something aching though. Stumbled across mike, Doug mcgouff, super slow etc. And have reduced my training volume from roughly 10 hrs a week down to less then 1 hr per week and increased the intensity. I feel I do more in that 1 hr total then the 10 hrs of the previous way I trained. Feel better and seeing similar progress in a 10th of the time such a more practical way to train forever.

[@treasurethetime2463]

I think the necessity of reduced volume is more predicated on ones strength level increasing than anything else. Meaning, I don't believe strength is 100 percent relative the way it's presented in training circles. So a guy who can bench 450 pounds working out with 300lbs is still tapping into his bodies recovery ability despite it feeling "easy". Meanwhile a guy who can bench 250 working out with 135 is also, but possibly by a lesser extent.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

I got almost nothing from bro splits for 15 years.

[@carlranger8060]

Steve was bang on as usual. Exercise is for enhancing your life, it isn't life.

[@Naturalhit]

This is awesome. Hearing from my other idol, Steve Reeves, really confirmed my beliefs in HIT. Thank you John.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Hi Edgar. Yeah, I remember reading an interview Reeves gave to Muscle and Fitness in the 80s, and thinking that his training was very much like Mike's when Mike was preparing for the Mr. America contest in 1976. They both believed in high-intensity (Reeves told me this himself when I interviewed him). Mike, however, actually refined it for use by people who didn't share the genetic endowment that both he and Reeves enjoyed, so that even non Mr. Universe candidates can obtain the benefits from proper weight training.

[@gillettrandy]

Just like maximizing frequency and volume are not necessary or healthy, neither is maximizing intensity. In my experience going all-out on a set is not the best option most of the time. I believe they should be used on a cyclical basis. Most of the time it’s better to leave reps in the tank and spare the stress on your nervous and endocrine systems.

[@catyear75]

Steve Reeves and Mike Mentzer...! R.I.P. Legends !

[@1aneeshsivan]

Priceless!....Thank you.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You're welcome, Aneesh.

[@03redrubi]

Thanks for this golden age clip sir!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You are most welcome.

[@youtubecreators384]

I used to do splits. Six days a week workout. I was always tired and saw no gains. Then I switched over to full body workouts, three days a week. Seeing some hard gains as well as an increase in energy levels. We need to bring back the classics.

[@chestnutsev7]

Thanks John!💪🏼

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re welcome, chestnutsev7👍

[@chad55675]

Used to workout 5 times a week, now I’ve cut that down to 3-4 max. Bench press PR went up 25 pounds within a month. Blew my mind how strong I felt by taking more rest days.

[@Agui007]

Hi John, firstly, Steve Reeves had a superb physique and an aesthetically pleasing one! 2nd it's nice to come across another bodybuilder who felt the same as Mike and I concur with both on my own experiences. Last November (after five or six years of absence) I decided to train at a decent gym and I only train once a week!! Being a typical ectomorph of 6ft 6" I set myself not to mass build as such but reduce the number of exercises (six at most) and the recovery and development have improved!!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Nice going! Thanks for your post.

[@UnderPeruvianSky]

Out of curiosity, you do full body with 1 set?

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

@@UnderPeruvianSky It depends. Sometimes I will use Mike’s ideal routine, other times a big three, other times a consolidation type program.

[@UnderPeruvianSky]

@@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE Funny that's me, just a little modified. I like hearing people's methods, just for fun i guess lol.Thanks for all the great info sir.

[@drewdavies1176]

Dorian Yates did a modified version of Mentzers program while he was winning Olympia too.

[@j.p.westwater2334]

Wow. My two idols brought together in one video. Your work is truly an n of 1, John. Thank you.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Haha. Glad you liked it, J. P.

[@xIMxMCLOVINx]

This is GOLD!

[@pollepuzzle2626]

Been using Mike's 4 days-a-week consolidated routine for 2 month now and haven't looked back. Before that I used to do full body 3 days a week spending 4.5 hours. I now spend 3 hours a week in the gym and the results are just as great, and better than those coming 6 days a week!

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thanks for your post, Polle Puzzle.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

@@user-X8X8012 Mike Mentzer‘s program is Mike Mentzer‘s program; Steve Reeves’ program is Steve Reeves’ program. However, as this video makes clear, both men shared the same principles with regard to training intensity being more important than training volume. If you want a full presentation of Mike’s system click on this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKHYYWhvgLSsma8

[@Thomas-bf7to]

What’s mikes 4 days a week consolidated routine?

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

@@user-X8X8012 Nine sets total is not “extreme volume.” 20 sets a bodypart is extreme volume (as Arnold and Franco recommended) or 40 sets a bodypart (such as Roy Callender advocated). When Mike was competing, he did up to seven sets a body part. Everyone else was doing 20 sets plus a body part. The reason he did less (A number if sets more in line with what Steve Reeves did) is because the intensity of his sets was much higher. And you must remember that this volume, whether it be six or seven sets, was for professional bodybuilders (guys whose full-time job was training for competition). The average person cannot tolerate that much exercise and still produce growth.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

@@user-X8X8012 incidentally, Mike was doing a full body routine when he was training in preparation for the Mr. America contest that he won in 1976. Full body, three days a week, high intensity.

[@mauricefaulkner455]

Train to live, don't live to train and yes, enjoy life, great advice

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Well said!

[@golfprocrastinator9519]

A lot of folks wont even attempt it as I believe it's the hardest training they will ever do..... most folks are not built for it...... mentally I mean, to keep pushing is not in most folks nature...... this makes me happy.

[@jacksongents4993]

Dick Dubois(Mr.A 1954) costar Athena, told me Reeves did bicep curls with 100lbs. in each hand ! 8Days Carlo

[@frankjgornickjr3676]

Yep and that's why the body building industry doesn't want you to know that! Mike mentzer was right!

[@tylerolbrich9785]

That's incredible I didn't know Steve reeves was so knowledgeable on this topic. Joe Weider can't fool everyone.

[@abatv1346]

Steve Reeves the GREATEST ACTING AND FITNESS PERSONALITY to date. In the next 5000 years wont be another one Like Steve Reeves The Hercules.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Agreed.

[@SeptemberChild1835]

Arnold.

[@boyccullen518]

I'm loving these videos john , I got both of the mike mentzer books you wrote and they are a great read 📚 👍

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Thank you. Glad you like the videos and the books.

[@davidhooper259]

Steve Reeves, Bill Pearl, Frank Zane, Mike Mentzer…classic, obtainable and just plain pretty and still could wear normal street clothes without looking stupid. Their training philosophy was on to something

[@99Gara99]

Steve Reeves, Bill Pearl, Frank Zane, Mike Mentzer were all on steroids on their prime. Some photos of Zane and Reeves may display achievable physiques, but other photos of them will show bodies that aren't achievable at all. None of mike Mentzer known physiques are achievable, he was too muscular all his career I don't really like Bill Pearl's physique but the others are indeed some very harmonic ones

[@krystofodehnal9448]

None of them did HIT, mate

[@davidhooper259]

@@krystofodehnal9448 HIIT is overrated, mate

[@JustCalum]

Now imagine if Mentzers knowledge was well known, you could have a nation of people finding an hour a week to train as hard as possible to completely change what we have today.

[@seraphx26]

In context Steve was saying that Mentzer was right about people training with too much volume in response to 6 day splits, he wasn't saying that HIT is great and he certainly didn't build his body with HIT training. Steve believed in recovery to a larger extent than the guys from Arnold's time, but by HIT standards he was massively over training with each of his 3 weekly sessions going to nearly 3 hours in length and with intensity.

[@thedublintrail]

Your absolutely right thank you for posting this comment. I might also add that Steve stressed that one should balance intensity and volume, not burning youself out so fast that you can only do a couple sets, but also making sure you reach failure within the 8-12 rep range, and of course, perfect form every single rep. Steve recommended to perform either 2 sets of 3 excersizes per muscle group, or 3 sets of 2 excersizes per muscle group.

[@mojesus680]

Mentzers Circuit Training push pull squat was the Best 🏆 3day week Training ❤️

[@reddchan]

I go every 3-5 days I do 3-5 sets of 3-30 reps @ around 85% of my 1 rep max. I focus on form and adjust the intensity, volume, frequency often

[@shortfusedynamite5166]

My strength training workouts are about 40-50 minutes depending on the routine. Currently hitting chest, tricep, shoulder (Day1) Legs and Lower back (Day2), Back and Biceps (Day3) with support muscle/PT recovery excersises on the same day as there perspective location to those muscle groups. Then there is a rest day and I restart this process. I also train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 5-6 days a week depending on how I'm feeling. I understand what he's saying about the nervous system not having enough time to rest. Does this still apply when the distribution of stress is in separate muscle groups with at least 3 days until they are hit again? Currently in my first cut so everything is bigger and I just haven't had enough time mixing different routines and logging them to tell a difference.

[@arandomzoomer4837]

I love the low volume approach especially since I do conditioning and work a physical job, I do upper lower with a bro day containing some myorep arm work. I do like the strength aspect especially lower body strength, but it’s definitely had a positive influence on a lot of my training

[@jomon723]

I do feel a lot stronger when I am out of the gym a couple of extra days and come back to my workout, pump is better too 💪🏻

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

Absolutely

[@naturalalways5270]

Do you have anymore Steve reeves interviews?

[@Michael-fb1rl]

100% correct, you don't have to overwork yourself, just do what you can once a day for at least 4-5 days a week, you can gain more muscle than you think just being intelligent and shrewd with your timing.

[@jlipari58]

Steve Reeves…the one and true Hercules!!

[@RJ-is9ko]

Steve Reeves was not a dumb man. Very smart and gifted.

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

That he was.

[@bluelightmoon777]

I train 3 times a week at the gym 2x upper body and 1xlower body and 3 times i do wrestling/jiu jitsu. Works fine now but i used to do too much strength training and was always tired

[@hugh2hoob668]

Exactly when you take 2 or 3 days off that Day 4 workout is AWESOME its true

[@gavinmoskovitz7391]

Thank you John for these videos they are amazing quality and great content. Ive read steve reeves building the classic physique the natural way and trained just the way he did but I eventually got burnt out after a year just way to many sets. Goes to show you Mike Mentzer was right your genetics determine how much exercise you can tolerate varying on the individual. When you asked steve if he ever felt overtrained he said never because he got 4 days of rest. It would take me a week just to recover from one of his fully body workouts where he did 9 sets a bodypart, what genetics steve had! I still think Steve Reeves and Mike Mentzer are the top 2 bodybuilders of all time with shape and symmetry. Thank you again for these amazing videos

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

You’re very welcome. I had the same experience you did with Steve’s routine. I tried it after interviewing him once I return to Canada. I simply found I could not recover from that much volume with only one to two days rest in between workouts.

[@gavinmoskovitz7391]

That must have been an awesome experience to sit down with reeves and have a conversation like that with him.When you read all the silver era guys like steeve. clancy ross and alan stephan all trained the same way full body 3 times a week you have to wonder man these guys have to have felt overtrained at some point as all of them from the silver era were quite strong, Mike Mentzers advice to them would have allowed enormous gains beyond what they already had gained.@@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE

[@techwood1233]

First used h.i.t from a friends copy of heavy duty, a small book with not many chapters but full of information that made sense. I saw physical gains in a few weeks along with strength increases. Unfortunately the problem was I used the mentality I had from traditional training and pretty much killed my gains through injury. I stupidly ignored Mike's initial message of more is just more

[@mohitrathi5324]

Can anyone please send a Mike Mentzer routine

[@ronki23]

Don't mistake volume with frequency. High Intensity Training is low volume but medium frequency (3x a week) while Heavy Duty is low volume with low frequency (1x a week). The most extreme version of Heavy Duty was only one exercise per bodypart whereas Mentzer's earlier works and Dorian Yates' workouts were multiple exercises per bodypart and working out 2-3x a week but with only 1 set

[@oldjohn1744]

Ι workout twice a week at home because i cant afford a gym. At my day off and at Sunday because they the only days i have time. I do full body workout, one set to failure with resistance bands. The other days i do some quick isometrics because i work at a super market and i walk about 10km per day and push a lot of weight. I have seen gains and strength with this routine. HIT totally works but you have to give it all in each set. Slow cobtroled movements, control

[@keelanenns4548]

I don't know which is better, but whenever I train like MM and work up to one topes for 3exercises I feel amazing and get really strong

[@ArachnidSoul]

All of this advice is accurate.

[@eccesignumrex4482]

Nice.

[@alberpajares4792]

The miracle of the health,.. by the way is good to combine anaerobic + aerobic exercise,..

[@petrosantoniou8381]

Hi John Thank you for quality videos. Do you know if Steve used sometimes shorter workouts with fewer sets ?Maybe 6 sets per muscle as we read sometimes elsewhere .Thank you

[@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE]

Hi Petros. Good question. There are so many articles about Steve's training that have been printed over the years (which was one of the main reasons I wanted to interview him -- to set the record straight). While he wrote to me that he only did two sets for his hamstrings and one set for his abs when training for competition, he typically performed 9 sets per bodypart for his major muscle groups (thighs, chest, back, arms, shoulders). However, he was only 21 when he won the America and 24 when he won the Universe and then retired from competition. So, he was a young man when he trained this way. In his book "Powerwalking" he writes: "The traditional DeLorme theory mandates that strength is developed by doing three sets of five to eight reps, and muscular endurance by performing three sets of nine to fifteen reps. In recent years, however, several studies have proven that one set of eight to twelve reps performed to a point of maximum muscular fatigue is sufficient to realize both goals. Further repetitions, even after a rest period [read: sets], provide no additional benefits.It is also more productive psychologically to perform a single bout [set] of intense effort." (pg.155) He also adds, on page 157 of that book that, "Recent research has indicated that, depending on your age, additional rest periods between workouts may be necessary. The results of one major study completed last year [1981] showed that for people over 30, two workouts per week produced higher levels of muscular fitness than did the traditional three." He further states that "when it comes to weight training, more is not better!" When I interviewed him in 1986 he was still anti-high volume training. For people over 50 years of age he said "all they need is three sets for each muscle. They don't need to do nine sets."

[@petrosantoniou8381]

@@HEAVYDUTYCOLLEGE Thank you once again John, very good reply. Yes i agree fewer sets are needed and maybe reduction in frequency. I found though that for me those three days of training are needed for more athletism. Doing best on U/L/ fullbody being at the gym three times a week or fullbody every time varying intensities

[@UnderPeruvianSky]

Hey guys, i train alot but if i train every 3 or 4 days (full body slow) the days will not be scheduled, is that okay?

[@steelmongoose4956]

I’m using a low volume HIT program inspired by John Heart (taught by Mike Mentzer). It’s basically an upper/lower split done every 2-3 days, with cardio and light activity on off days. It’s been effective for me, and I’m natty and north of 50.

[@timpeacock9820]

Everyone is so different from diet to training and how they respond. I've always responded with higher Volume but I also switched every so often went to lower volume, much heavier weights and less reps. Your body wants to be in a state of homeostasis so it's good to switch things around. I can no longer do real heavy compound lifts as well as a lot of the best compound lifts so now I rely on higher volume with less weights and stagger sets and super sets etc. Almost circuit train. I miss the lower volume heavy ass weight to failure but my joints can't take it. Switch things around when you plateau and find out what works for you. I had the honor of working with the late great Larry Scott and learned so much. I also learned even though doing Scott curls aka preacher, he recommended completely straightening your arms at the bottom. I found out after the first time doing it that my body got injured doing this even with a light weight it damaged my elbows. I still do these curls but I keep some tension on the biceps during the eccentric and never straighten my arms. We are all built differently so try them all and stay safe and healthy.

[@aspe7187]

Why not still go heavy but only 1-2x per week instead of 3-4x?

[@timpeacock9820]

@@aspe7187 I agree with this and it helped me in the past but now for me, my joints are messed but I'm in my 40's joints in their 80's lol seriously though according to my dr. If you have no injuries and lift smart go for it. I feel pain just watching somone use more than 3 plates on each side of the bar for any excercise sadly lol.

[@aspe7187]

How’s your nutrition? Are you taking any anti-inflammation supplements and incorporating anti-inflammatory foods?

[@timpeacock9820]

@@aspe7187 I use a lot of turmeric and cumin in my foods but during the holidays I tend to slip a bit. I have some stomach issues to so it's difficult to eat, I use pancreatic enzymes etc. I really wore my body out younger doing MMA and weights. I mean aside from a 10 hour laboring job either in the heat or cold I'd train an hour an a half lifting, the same amount boxing or kickboxing and the same jujitsu 5x weekly and I'd even do sprints 5 days a week around the ball field. Didn't have much sleep time.

[@vohen7362]

True. I train legs on saturdays and everytime i go in, i blast my results. Strength goes up and muscle size and density

[@frankdegennaro6710]

STEVE REEVES...THE BEST EVER.

[@gustavoalceudesouzacruz7354]

That was cool..

[@99Gara99]

I love that he says "recuperate," instead of recover lol

[@atheistasylum]

Truth.

[@user-tm9ho3bm4v]

Steve Reeves was beautiful

[@bxmully]

Didnt know about HIT when i started training again last october. Id hit the gym for exactly 20 mins during linch at the gym at work. They only have a bench, dbs that go to 70, and a pulley system rack that has a pullup bar part on it. Doubked my bench within 3 months. Was accidentally doing HIT type workouts without realizing it. Was using 30 and 35lb dbs when i started. Was using 70lb dbs exactly 3 months later for bench. And putting the pin on thebhighest weight setting for the oulley system for rowing exercises. Kept it simple and was doing this just to look good and for better daily functionality. HIT is legit. Everyone in my life is astounded at the amazing and quick progress. Ppl outside of work almost dont beleive I workout less than 100 mins total per WEEK. I go so hard tho. Nervous system is shocked by the end of each workout. I need a partner to be able to do forced and negative reps. Ive done these in the past to bust thru plateaus. Ive been gettijf creative tho. Please make sure u dont jerk the weight into position to do forced reps and negatives. I made that mistake ONCE and hurt my wrist. Now i do it smart. For example I will do a row as the concentric portion with explosive tempo, and then do the eccentric as a purely bicep curl type rep very very slowly. This way I can effectively do forced reps and negatives for bis and tris. Added a quarter inch to my arms in 2 weeks doing this. I weigh a little less than 140 rn btw. Next i will join a proper gym so i can use barbells. If i can do db press with 70lb dbs at under 140lbs for reps,then i should be able to do 200lbs barbell Benchpress for reps right? Ill find out soon. Thank you John Little. Youre the man for putting these on youtube! Oh also try doing farmers walks but try to keep the weights far from you as u walk as if ur doing a partial rep isometric side delt raise. It hellped with side delt strength tremendously. And delts were always a lagging muscle group for me in the past. Now they are my best looking muscle group.

[@balsonnaoshekpam6240]

Mike Mentzer was a great Bodybuilding Amazing physique

[@drbonesshow1]

Who wouldn't want to look like Steve Reeves? He wasn't a dumb guy either.

[@anjinsanx44]

Steve respected Mike ...he was not to fond of Arnold I heard.

[@terimaakigaand5857]

There's many roads to the destination. Choose one or rotate between them. But to believe that only their way is the best and only way is naive.

[@BG-pd6os]

Great post John, Steve Reeves was the James Bond of bodybuilders, Men and Women alike admired his physique! Steve had an incredible frame to work with. He was very aware of his numerous strenghts! Very wide shoulders, very narrow hip, waist structure, and the best calves of his era. If a peak Steve Reeves was standing on the Olympia stage, i bet he would get as much attention as the winner!

[@alkair422]

How does this work with other sports? When i do bjj 3 times a week and 2-3 days of heavy workout

[@skorpione10]

MCU Herc better be on this level in the next Thor film, as This iteration was the clear inspiration for Jack Kirby's Hercules.

[@channel1800dumb]

Oh wow....coming from Steve Reeves to Mike Mentzer.......honour.

[@carlanthonyholmes2162]

Was doing ppl 6 days a week for 9 months. Now doing four days a week incorporating legs by supersetting with upper body. Am I still overtraining? Should I just do full body twice a week?

[@leroymorris6036]

Rest is a part of life...

[@GeorgeFitness-yo8bl]

Steve had a beautiful symmetrical body!