Bob is a genetic freak. He would be big no matter what he does which is obvious judging from what I saw of him in the 2002 BFTO tape. Not meant as a diss, but his training was nothing special intensity wise and very heavily machine based.
Not to mention how big he was at 21. It's obvious he would grow no matter what he did. He is highly mesomorphic.
http://www.musclememory.com/magCovers/md/md2410.jpg
I've incorporated many different kinds of training over the past 27 years....most of it was and still is, freeweight based. machines are a great alternative and gives some much needed newness to a DB/ BB style workout.
The 2002 BFTO tapes are shot 1-2 weeks out of a show, when most of us are in a depleting mode, and have cut the sets/weight down...of course you're not going to see anything too spectacular...
I used the squat for the majority of my leg building from 1979-1998. I was never that strong (by pro standards) and maxed out at around 600. I was always better at endurance/ high reps...my best was 405 for 32 reps...likewise for the leg press.
I blew out my L-5 disc (broke it in half, actually) in 1998 preparing for the USA...playing baseball of all things. I had major surgery 5 weeks later, where they removed the broken disc which was impinging the nerve, and had the vertebrae fused together for strength...
The squatting days were over...
After recovering and NO weights for 8 weeks, I was able to slowly stat the recoup process...I got back up to strength...altered my workouts to compensate, and was able to mount a comeback with a 2nd place finish at the 1999 Nationals (HVYWHT).
The following USA I won...the rest is history.....
The moral of the story? Why complain....! (Sorry, thats Ronnie's story...)
The lesson is....squat, don't squat....use whatever resources you have to get the results you need from your training...there lots of equipment, exercises, freeweights, machines...that can stimulate muscular breakdown...don't be afraid to try new routines, mix it up.
TRAIN SMARTER, NOT HARDER!
