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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 05:12:04 PM

Title: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 05:12:04 PM
you guys ever do that phone consultation that mike offered back in the early 90s?



i did a 30 minute consultation with him.....it was pretty unreal how enthusiastic he got over the phone explaining his heavy duty philosophy.


the guy was passionate.


really wouldn't delve in to diet much.....just said to eat a balanced diet and not to overtrain (imagine that).


i asked him about his favorite "juice"......he replied that he liked grape juice. lol......wouldn't talk about gear.


he did use the sun burn analogy and the stick of dynamite one as well.


anyone else talk to mentzer?

Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: tommywishbone on January 18, 2013, 05:26:32 PM
In person? Many many times.

On the phone?  A couple times- he would call Gold's Venice, ask for me, and then ask me to tell his client that he was running late.  I was always glad to help.  :D
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 05:35:14 PM
I paid him for a training session Gold's Venice once in the 90's he was interesting. Knew his stuff we did chest and triceps very short and brief, Pec Deck then Incline Smith machine press no rest between after resting then Nautilus Tricep machine that was it. We then sat outside and talked about his life he drove a old brown car and smoked alot but I'll never forget it, after that we spoke on the phone a few times. Still cant believe he died so early.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Marty Champions on January 18, 2013, 05:52:02 PM
I paid him for a training session Gold's Venice once in the 90's he was interesting. Knew his stuff we did chest and triceps very short and brief, Pec Deck then Incline Smith machine press no rest between after resting then Nautilus Tricep machine that was it. We then sat outside and talked about his life he drove a old brown car and smoked alot but I'll never forget it, after that we spoke on the phone a few times. Still cant believe he died so early.

i am contemplating going up in weight on my dumbell squats being that i only 'feel' like doing 1 or 2 sets a day, since i work all day , sets upwards of 10 sound awfully boring and time consuming, whats your opinion?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 18, 2013, 05:52:33 PM
what routine did he put you on?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:03:46 PM
i am contemplating going up in weight on my dumbell squats being that i only 'feel' like doing 1 or 2 sets a day, since i work all day , sets upwards of 10 sound awfully boring and time consuming, whats your opinion?
10 reps and up to 20 are good for squats Falcon just do a couple of sets until failure should be plenty you may grow doing this heavier weights and lower sets.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Marty Champions on January 18, 2013, 06:05:38 PM
10 reps and up to 20 are good for squats Falcon just do a couple of sets until failure should be plenty you may grow doing this heavier weights and lower sets.

i got 15 reps in one set in the snow last night with the 100 pound dumbells for dumbell squats, i was also behined on rest

i had a moment of energy because i was sleepy, but then bang i had energy so i did a set but the thought of a second set sounded about as boring as writing a book report

maybe 125 pound dumbells are in order
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:06:42 PM
what routine did he put you on?
Pec Deck Flye followed by Incline Presses on a Smith Machine no rest in between. Then rested then the Nautilus tricep machine 1 set to failure each exercise that's it.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:08:44 PM
i got 15 reps in one set in the snow last night with the 100 pound dumbells for dumbell squats, i was also behined on rest

i had a moment of energy because i was sleepy, but then bang i had energy so i did a set but the thought of a second set sounded about as boring as writing a book report

maybe 125 pound dumbells are in order
Strong. I say 115 maybe be better to keep your reps up.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 18, 2013, 06:20:10 PM
Pec Deck Flye followed by Incline Presses on a Smith Machine no rest in between. Then rested then the Nautilus tricep machine 1 set to failure each exercise that's it.

sorry man, but the question was for wild willie

by the way, i never got shit from pre-exhust and in fact compounds pwn the fuck out of isos
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 06:24:48 PM
Same routine as mr nobody.....i actually got a kick out of him on the phone.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 18, 2013, 06:25:49 PM
Same routine as mr nobody.....i actually got a kick out of him on the phone.

so you were doing a push-pull-legs split?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:35:33 PM
so you were doing a push-pull-legs split?
He didnt suggest a split, we just did chest and triceps. I just did the one workout with him.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 18, 2013, 06:40:03 PM
He didnt suggest a split, we just did chest and triceps. I just did the one workout with him.

was he pushing the consolidated routine at that time?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 06:43:21 PM
so you were doing a push-pull-legs split?
yes......but i then switched to chest and calves......back......qu ads and hams......delts.......an d end the week with arms.


still followed the brief workouts and low sets......just my own bodypart split.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 18, 2013, 06:44:32 PM
yes......but i then switched to chest and calves......back......qu ads and hams......delts.......an d end the week with arms.


still followed the brief workouts and low sets......just my own bodypart split.

so you train 5 days per week?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 06:44:44 PM
He didnt suggest a split, we just did chest and triceps. I just did the one workout with him.
i get a better triceps workout when i pair them with bis......just me though.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:45:16 PM
was he pushing the consolidated routine at that time?
He spoke about it briefly stating it was good for people that wasnt so geneticly gifted.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:48:15 PM
i get a better triceps workout when i pair them with bis......just me though.
Yea splits are what ever a person feels comfortable with. Just keep the weight and intensity up volume low.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 06:49:49 PM
so you train 5 days per week?
I DO......BUT RATHER LOW VOLUME......9-10 SETS FOR BIGGER BODYPARTS........7-8 SETS FOR SMALLER BODYPARTS.


I TRAIN SOLO.....SO I AM IN AND OUT OF THERE IN JUST UNDER AN HOUR.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: wild willie on January 18, 2013, 06:50:36 PM
Yea splits are what ever a person feels comfortable with. Just keep the weight and intensity up volume low.
MR NOBODY.......WHAT IS YOUR SPLIT??
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 18, 2013, 06:52:11 PM
He spoke about it briefly stating it was good for people that wasnt so geneticly gifted.


IMHO it's only good for fellas who are already insanely big and strong

weak pussies like me need to train more often than only once a week, as we aren't strong and advanced enough to justify such infrequent training

if i can work up to doing dips for reps with 125 pounds attached to me, and chins for reps with 75 pounds attached to me, then maybe training so infrequently could be justified
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 06:58:13 PM
MR NOBODY.......WHAT IS YOUR SPLIT??
Chest Back Triceps. Legs Shoulders Biceps. Just a two way split.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 18, 2013, 07:00:32 PM

IMHO it's only good for fellas who are already insanely big and strong

weak pussies like me need to train more often than only once a week, as we aren't strong and advanced enough to justify such infrequent training

if i can work up to doing dips for reps with 125 pounds attached to me, and chins for reps with 75 pounds attached to me, then maybe training so infrequently could be justified
Good point as you grow stronger and more advanced you need more rest. Yes you will be.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 12:14:05 AM
The great thing for personal training someone in HD, is that you charge for a session, then you're done in 10 minutes.

That's probably why Mike hung around smoking and chatting for another 10 mins, so one feels like he's getting bang for buck   ;D

Mr Nobody, what did Mentzer charge ?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Dr.J on January 19, 2013, 01:27:56 AM
Sounds cool!
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: _bruce_ on January 19, 2013, 04:45:53 AM
The great thing for personal training someone in HD, is that you charge for a session, then you're done in 10 minutes.

That's probably why Mike hung around smoking and chatting for another 10 mins, so one feels like he's getting bang for buck   ;D

Mr Nobody, what did Mentzer charge ?

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: gracie bjj on January 19, 2013, 06:08:49 AM
i have all his heavy duty training manuals somewhere, ordered them in 79-80. he was one of my favorites back than,pip
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: orion on January 19, 2013, 07:08:08 AM
You know, I tried the HIT method a couple of times and here is the thing I don't like about it, it never allows for a warmup.  I can squat 4 plates for ten but there is no way I'm doing that cold, hell, I won't even do two plates cold.  and as for anything to do with shoulders, if you go all out with no warmup on inclines or shoulder presses then you are just asking for trouble.  Even when I go to a different exercise working the same muscle and I am warmed up I will start off with a light weight and do a couple of sets before moving to my work set.  Maybe that was why Mike was such a wreck in his later years.  I saw a video of him training some guy and he was moving around like an 80 year old man!  This was shortly before he died.  Maybe it's time HIT was retired for good.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 19, 2013, 07:23:35 AM
You know, I tried the HIT method a couple of times and here is the thing I don't like about it, it never allows for a warmup.  I can squat 4 plates for ten but there is no way I'm doing that cold, hell, I won't even do two plates cold.  and as for anything to do with shoulders, if you go all out with no warmup on inclines or shoulder presses then you are just asking for trouble.  Even when I go to a different exercise working the same muscle and I am warmed up I will start off with a light weight and do a couple of sets before moving to my work set.  Maybe that was why Mike was such a wreck in his later years.  I saw a video of him training some guy and he was moving around like an 80 year old man!  This was shortly before he died.  Maybe it's time HIT was retired for good.

Mentzer was never against warm-ups, he basically held the idea to warm-up as necessary but not to overdo the warm-up

if you're doing your sets within the 6-10 rep range then anywhere from 2 to 4 warm-up sets may be necessary

i generally do 2 or 3 warm-up sets
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 09:18:58 AM
Mentzer was never against warm-ups, he basically held the idea to warm-up as necessary but not to overdo the warm-up

if you're doing your sets within the 6-10 rep range then anywhere from 2 to 4 warm-up sets may be necessary

i generally do 2 or 3 warm-up sets

Mentzer did several ascending (weight) sets of warm-ups, he called them warm-ups anyway
To me, it looks like pyramid sets with a max set to failure
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 09:22:38 AM
i have all his heavy duty training manuals somewhere, ordered them in 79-80. he was one of my favorites back than,pip

Mentzer had a great powerful look, not a huge guy, but appeared bigger than he was

His training shots are some of the best bbing pics
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: drmarkp on January 19, 2013, 09:26:18 AM
you guys ever do that phone consultation that mike offered back in the early 90s?



i did a 30 minute consultation with him.....it was pretty unreal how enthusiastic he got over the phone explaining his heavy duty philosophy.


the guy was passionate.


really wouldn't delve in to diet much.....just said to eat a balanced diet and not to overtrain (imagine that).


i asked him about his favorite "juice"......he replied that he liked grape juice. lol......wouldn't talk about gear.


he did use the sun burn analogy and the stick of dynamite one as well.


anyone else talk to mentzer?


No- but as a teenaged kid from California, I spoke to Arthur Jones several times at length in 1972'...
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 19, 2013, 09:29:01 AM
No- but as a teenaged kid from California, I spoke to Arthur Jones several times at length in 1972'...

really?

can you tell us what transpired in those conversations?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Mr Nobody on January 19, 2013, 09:33:13 AM
The great thing for personal training someone in HD, is that you charge for a session, then you're done in 10 minutes.

That's probably why Mike hung around smoking and chatting for another 10 mins, so one feels like he's getting bang for buck   ;D

Mr Nobody, what did Mentzer charge ?
At the time $90 per session.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: drmarkp on January 19, 2013, 11:00:51 AM
really?

can you tell us what transpired in those conversations?

As a teen, I was already a bodybuilding fanatic who had embraced the high intensity / low volume teachings of Arthur Jones… I had even purchased a Nautilus double arm machine, while my training partner purchased the 1rst. generation pullover… Along with the other basic equipment, we had quite a set up for a garage home gym…

Through his articles in the magazines as I recall, Arthur Jones invited readers to call in to the Nautilus factory in Deland, Fla to speak to him personally- anytime… I called in twice, and both times found Jones to be friendly and informative… though I do not remember the details of the conversations, I recall him as being very thorough as he lectured me at length- as to the dynamics and proper applications of the Nautilus system... He was patient and freely giving of his time- even to a young impressionable teenaged kid… It was obvious to me that Jones was very passionate about philosophies as they applied to bodybuilding… I feel fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to speak to the man himself…
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: dj181 on January 19, 2013, 11:04:44 AM
As a teen, I was already a bodybuilding fanatic who had embraced the high intensity / low volume teachings of Arthur Jones… I had even purchased a Nautilus double arm machine, while my training partner purchased the 1rst. generation pullover… Along with the other basic equipment, we had quite a set up for a garage home gym…

Through his articles in the magazines as I recall, Arthur Jones invited readers to call in to the Nautilus factory in Deland, Fla to speak to him personally- anytime… I called in twice, and both times found Jones to be friendly and informative… though I do not remember the details of the conversations, I recall him as being very thorough as he lectured me at length- as to the dynamics and proper applications of the Nautilus system... He was patient and freely giving of his time- even to a young impressionable teenaged kid… It was obvious to me that Jones was very passionate about philosophies as they applied to bodybuilding… I feel fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to speak to the man himself…


that's pretty cool man, thanks for sharing :)
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 12:01:30 PM
At the time $90 per session.

That's cool

As long as it was worth your while, its worth it
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Palpatine Q on January 19, 2013, 12:16:28 PM
I was never impressed with Mentzer...he was a cock muncher

Hi intensity is for dicks who think they "know better" and some training system is the secret to big muscles..

Mentzer and Dorian were both loaded to the gills, and both did "warm up" sets that "didn't count"..........LOLOLOL. a set is a fucking set.  try a little harder to sell your bullshit.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: tommywishbone on January 19, 2013, 02:00:13 PM
As a teen, I was already a bodybuilding fanatic who had embraced the high intensity / low volume teachings of Arthur Jones… I had even purchased a Nautilus double arm machine, while my training partner purchased the 1rst. generation pullover… Along with the other basic equipment, we had quite a set up for a garage home gym…

Through his articles in the magazines as I recall, Arthur Jones invited readers to call in to the Nautilus factory in Deland, Fla to speak to him personally- anytime… I called in twice, and both times found Jones to be friendly and informative… though I do not remember the details of the conversations, I recall him as being very thorough as he lectured me at length- as to the dynamics and proper applications of the Nautilus system... He was patient and freely giving of his time- even to a young impressionable teenaged kid… It was obvious to me that Jones was very passionate about philosophies as they applied to bodybuilding… I feel fortunate and privileged to have had the opportunity to speak to the man himself…


Cool. I'm friends with his son Gary Jones.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Howard on January 19, 2013, 02:37:02 PM
you guys ever do that phone consultation that mike offered back in the early 90s?



i did a 30 minute consultation with him.....it was pretty unreal how enthusiastic he got over the phone explaining his heavy duty philosophy.


the guy was passionate.


really wouldn't delve in to diet much.....just said to eat a balanced diet and not to overtrain (imagine that).


i asked him about his favorite "juice"......he replied that he liked grape juice. lol......wouldn't talk about gear.


he did use the sun burn analogy and the stick of dynamite one as well.


anyone else talk to mentzer?



I'm a huge Mike Mentzer fan and did the 30 min call , got his books and casetts tapes, etc.
His best stuff was his original 4 day a week heavy duty training and contest prep manual.
During the 30 min call I asked him if he could have competed useing the 3 day week, a body part once a week workout.
Mike said he felt he might have been even better, but could never be sure since he had quite doing contests .
He added that he had started doing rest pause and 3 day a week , every otehr day workouts later in his active career.
Kinda reminds me of he current DC training that is popular out there, hmmmmmm.
I always made great contest prep progress in minimum time with a basic low calorie diet thanks to his Heavy Duty methods
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 02:49:47 PM
I was never impressed with Mentzer...he was a cock muncher

Hi intensity is for dicks who think they "know better" and some training system is the secret to big muscles..

Mentzer and Dorian were both loaded to the gills, and both did "warm up" sets that "didn't count"..........LOLOLOL. a set is a fucking set.  try a little harder to sell your bullshit.

Of course he was loaded, wasn't everyone, and I've always thought he achieved his physique through regular, perhaps slightly briefer training, not his actual system
It was his business, and he worked hard with the books, theories, etc, and all had some validity, IMO. But since he made cash from it, he pronounced it the be all, end all, which it isn't.
Few guys incl Labrada, Yates, Dugdale said he influenced them with his methods

Anyway, he was colorfoul, love him or hate him, check how often he still mentioned. IMO, good build, great character

As a person, I wouldn't know... All I know is he was hooked to meth and lost a few marbles in the end, which is sad. He had a powerful look, and looked like a guy that was driven when younger
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: arce1988 on January 19, 2013, 02:55:16 PM
  Saw him in public, he was on his way to a seminar. Very nice. He asked me if I had his book. I said no. He sold me one.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: SilverSpoon on January 19, 2013, 02:57:07 PM
Cool. I'm friends with his son Gary Jones.

who invented Hammer Strength, which stemmed from the Nautilus Leverage line.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Parker on January 19, 2013, 02:59:36 PM
I was never impressed with Mentzer...he was a cock muncher

Hi intensity is for dicks who think they "know better" and some training system is the secret to big muscles..

Mentzer and Dorian were both loaded to the gills, and both did "warm up" sets that "didn't count"..........LOLOLOL. a set is a fucking set.  try a little harder to sell your bullshit.
i always thought that.
"1-3 warm up sets", its still a set!
Yet you only count "the working set", ie the set you put the most effort in.
Doesn't everybody put their most effort into their last set?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 03:02:05 PM
 Saw him in public, he was on his way to a seminar. Very nice. He asked him if I had his book. I said no. He sold me one.

Classic ;D

Gotta love that

I can just imagine, I'm not even a big believer in heavy duty in the strict sense, yet I'd probably walk away with a box full of merchandise...book, mug, shirt, signed pic  8)
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Viking11 on January 19, 2013, 03:22:37 PM
I was never impressed with Mentzer...he was a cock muncher

Hi intensity is for dicks who think they "know better" and some training system is the secret to big muscles..

Mentzer and Dorian were both loaded to the gills, and both did "warm up" sets that "didn't count"..........LOLOLOL. a set is a fucking set.  try a little harder to sell your bullshit.
So if I do leg extensions with the stack -305 lbs for 20 reps and do several warmup sets to do that- does that first set of 110 lbs for 20 stimulate anything but blood flow and various metabolic enzymes?  Cause it was not nearly as difficult. Certainly I would not grow from that.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: arce1988 on January 19, 2013, 03:25:14 PM
  He did.  :)  He sold me on HIT right there. Got the whole thing the seminar people got. Bought it because I could afford it and thought he was a cool old guy.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: cswol on January 19, 2013, 07:47:14 PM
not to veer off, but did anyone ever have insight to his copius amounts of speed and meth usage, what many dont understand is many bbers in 80s used tons of speed to compliment their training and gains, today many are turning to adderall.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: arce1988 on January 19, 2013, 07:47:57 PM
  True, cswol.
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: muscularny on January 19, 2013, 08:28:40 PM
there is a formula thats worked forever why is everything trying to find something else?
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on January 19, 2013, 10:07:00 PM
heavy duty is the best for me.. and i guess for all ppl.. some ppl just mentally feel it's not enough to do each exercise one set only.. i too had the same feeling but when i gave it a try it worked great..
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Palpatine Q on January 19, 2013, 11:51:13 PM
So if I do leg extensions with the stack -305 lbs for 20 reps and do several warmup sets to do that- does that first set of 110 lbs for 20 stimulate anything but blood flow and various metabolic enzymes?  Cause it was not nearly as difficult. Certainly I would not grow from that.

yeah but you still performed the sets.

I do 4 sets for bench. first set is strictly to get things going, second two are heavier, to put a load on the muscles and get into the groove of pushing some weight, they are hard but i stop  short of back-arching all out effort....last one is all out.  I call that the "money set" but it takes the first three to ramp up to it. To me it makes no sense to do two or three sets to absolute failure, I'd rather leave some in the tank for the heaviest set

I have tried one warmup up set and them right into very heavy weight..don't like the way it feels, I'm not "there" yet...and i don't get as many reps as i do when doing two lighter work sets. Everything is firing, i'm amped up and i give max effort.

So call it semantics, i count every set as a set, these guys do basically the same 4 sets and call it one set
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 11:58:54 PM
not to veer off, but did anyone ever have insight to his copius amounts of speed and meth usage, what many dont understand is many bbers in 80s used tons of speed to compliment their training and gains, today many are turning to adderall.

I've heard of that
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Figo on January 19, 2013, 11:59:56 PM
  He did.  :)  He sold me on HIT right there. Got the whole thing the seminar people got. Bought it because I could afford it and thought he was a cool old guy.

Lol, good stuff man
Title: Re: mike mentzer on the phone
Post by: Rmj11 on February 15, 2023, 11:48:26 AM
So if I do leg extensions with the stack -305 lbs for 20 reps and do several warmup sets to do that- does that first set of 110 lbs for 20 stimulate anything but blood flow and various metabolic enzymes?  Cause it was not nearly as difficult. Certainly I would not grow from that.

First set is a warm up, after that it's all work sets. Get real.