Category Archives: Review

Gifts for Spartans

  By Spartan Living | 12/01/2012 - 11:30 AM | ,
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Christmas is right around the corner…

Yes, even a Spartan can go along with internet memes and a few laughs

…and it is customary to buy/make gifts for others to give to them on Christmas day.

Chances are if you’re trying to buy something for someone, they already have a list of things they want. That is fine. However, here is a list I made of a few programs you could get to give to any “health freaks” you know, or fellow Spartans.

I’ll give a summary of each program along with a mini review. And yes, I am affiliated with some of these programs, so if me making money of these recommendations offends you, I don’t much care.

I only recommend programs I have either done myself, or programs made by people I trust and would use myself. So without further ado…

How To Get a Classic Physique:

This is amongst my personal favorites…

…and one I have used myself. I’ve written a previous review about it, so I won’t stay long on it here. The focus of this program is to build a body similar to that of old school strongmen and bodybuilders.

Left: Eugen Sandow, Famous Strongman and Bodybuilder
Right: Matt Marshall, Author of How To Get a Classic Physique

Main focuses are on diet, strength training, lifestyle and conditioning. Also mentions other Spartan principles that I have grown to love, such as meditation and cold showers. Great for someone who already has a passion for strength training, has access to equipment, and knows how to do the basic lifts.

Body of a Spartan:

The name itself is good. Simple and to the point. That’s what this program is.  Focuses primarily on lifting, going in excellent detail how to perform each lift (the program is worth it just for that alone). The workouts seem very modular, allowing you to decide which exercises to do on which day depending on a few basic criteria. By focusing on strength and size, it is also a great base for any aspiring bodybuilder.

Author Victor Pride Before and After. He sure got big and strong.

Costing only $14, with pages upon pages of pictures showing how to perform the lifts, and  simple, flexible, modular workouts, it’s a great program to get for cheap. Especially for those new to lifting. This would probably be my recommendation for anyone new to weightlifting, strength training and bodybuilding.

 The Grow Stronger Method:

The shortest and simplest program on the list. Workouts are also very modular, presenting a few choices that you work on hard. Strength is the primary focus here, in order to build a solid foundation for everything else. It’s designed to be plugged into whatever other routine a person is doing in order to, well, grow stronger.

The principles outlined in this program allow for you to gain strength and not size or gain strength and size. Excellent for athletes to build a base of solid, useful strength, especially for those that want to get strong while not putting on weight. Also very useful for the more bodybuilding types who want to get big but remain strong, all they need to do is plug some of these techniques into their current workouts. As a strength training program for an athlete, or as a program for a pumper to use to build dense and strong muscle, I would recommend it for sure.

So there you have it.

Three simple ideas for gifts to give to a Spartan in your life, or just to grab yourself for your own personal development. Any one of these can be used on their own, or information from them and others can be combined. The principles in each individual one of these programs can keep a person in good shape making progress for years.

Remember above all, these programs are only for those who want to fight through pain and suffering to reap the rewards of their hard work. Don’t get these for sissies who just want to push light weight, not sweat, and take things easy.

These gifts are only for Spartans.

Why I Recommend Lean Hybrid Muscle (Reloaded)

  By Spartan Living | 05/17/2012 - 9:30 AM | , ,
2 Comments

First off, I must say that Elliott Hulse, one of the creators of this system, is probably one of my biggest inspirations and has lots of knowledge and experience in the fitness world. If my little review can get him a few more sales, it’s the least I could do for all the information he’s given me.

He knows what he’s talking about, wouldn’t you say?

Lean Hybrid Muscle Reloaded. The program that does a little bit of everything. That’s what hybrid means after all, right? This program is designed primarily for anyone with the goal of being athletic, functional, strong and good looking. Sounds like most everyone, doesn’t it?

The idea behind this program is building what is referred to as “type III muscle fiber”, a hybrid that is both strong and has lots of endurance (which also burns fat). Getting yourself to that point isn’t easy, and I’ll be honest, I haven’t been able to push myself that hard yet, but listening to Elliott’s info has still done a lot nonetheless.

This is a goal that is general enough to apply to lots of people. Have a healthy amount of muscle mass (as a natural bodybuilder should) while at the same time being as strong as you look (powerlifter and strongman).

And one very important part, avoiding what Elliott calls “P.M.S.” or Puffy Muscle Syndrome. This is muscle seen from normal bodybuilders (natural and otherwise) or from anyone who follows the normal bodybuilding idea of bulking and cutting. It makes you look big… but look soft as well.

If you want an example of what I’m talking about, the hard, real muscle, just look at the picture of Elliott I posted above. He follows the very routine he has his clients go through. As a matter of fact, this program is simply a written form of what he’s been doing for years!

Something excellent about this program is it’s flexibility. If you are already big (perhaps a bodybuilder) then you change/add certain things to your current routine to gain the strength and endurance necessary for this hybrid muscle.

Already a strongman? Change/add to your routine to give you the muscular, athletic, lean look of a bodybuilder while remaining brutally strong.

Or just an average Joe? Then prepare for the beating of a lifetime, because this is built to get results.

Here’s a page where Elliott goes through creating your own personal hybrid workout (for free!). Who doesn’t love free info? And here’s a page that shows an already done example workout Elliott made for his clients at his personal gym. More free info!

What you can expect to do if you get his system (or even follow his free info) is “resistance cardio”, also known as conditioning, high rep bodybuilding work, intense strength training, and lots of sleeping, eating, and aching.

If you have a goal in the fitness realm (gain some weight, lose some weight, look good with your shirt off) this program can help you achieve that goal (or at least supplement it) while at the same time giving you an all around healthy physical strength base.

But before you’re done, and decide to be on your merry way either with or without purchasing this excellent program, here’s more free stuff! Download this free PDF that you can share with anyone.

Visual Impact Muscle Building, A Simple Review

  By Spartan Living | 05/15/2012 - 12:02 PM | , ,
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Visual Impact Muscle Building.

A more sophisticated book designed to get a very specific look. If you’re goal is to achieve the very lean and cut look seen in the examples shown, then this book is for you.

Visual Impact Muscle Building isn’t about achieving a 500lb bench press, or adding 60lbs of muscle onto your frame (although who knows what could happen). No, it’s about becoming very lean and looking good no matter what you wear. Only buy this if it fits your goal, because it is very specific. If your goal is NOT to achieve a very lean, cut look and have a very defined six pack and body, don’t bother reading on. Read another post. If this super cut look IS your goal, read on.

Something Rusty Moore, the author of this book, mentions that I’ve never heard before is called the “shrink wrap effect”. What is the shink wrap effect? The secret he uses for getting this lean. It is a rather simple idea, which I found revolutionary. With this strategy, you get to a low body fat level, then actually build muscle at a weight lighter then your goal. After your skin shrinks down, you begin “sarcoplasmic” training for size, which causes your muscles to fill out the skin. This creates a very lean, cut look. A shrink wrapped look, as it is called here.

Does it work? It does if you do. I say that with just about everything here, don’t I? Anyway, if used correctly it certainly does work. It doesn’t fit my personal goals, so because of that one reason it doesn’t work for ME. And that is only because I don’t stick to things that don’t fit my goals. But if you’re reading this far, it is most likely because this is YOUR goal, or it at least catches your fancy.

This routine is very customizable depending on your training preferences and where you are physically. Do you prefer machines or free weights? Bodyweight exercises? Any of those will work to get the lean look, the “Hollywood” look, Rusty Moore is focused on. It just matters how you use those exercises. And that is exactly what he covers.

The “shrink wrap” effect, the “Hollywood” look. Just what is this though? Yes, I’ve already said how it is achieved, but what is it actually like?

Have you ever finished an exercise and felt an amazing pump? Did your body look bigger and fill our skin more, causing you to look more cut? This is very similar to what can be achieves 24/7 when this book is used properly.

But the real question is, should you bother buying the book? It costs close to $50. There are cheaper programs out there, and there are more expensive ones. Ask yourself this, “is this the look I want?” Do you want the shrink wrapped, hollywood, super lean look that this book is specifically about achieving? If not, why are you still reading this?

If so, check it out for yourself. Click here and to check out the sales page, and decide for yourself if you are willing to spend the money to get the look.

How To Build a Classic Physique, My Recommendation and Review

  By Spartan Living | 05/11/2012 - 9:29 AM | , ,
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A short and simple paper back book. That’s what this product is physically. However, the information it holds is incredibly useful. Even on his site, Tried and True Fitness, The information Matt Marshall gives out for free is better then I hear from most anywhere else.

When I paid for some of this information, it just got better. What is it I paid for? How to Build a Classic Physique. A very useful and simple book, with a focus on strength and health, while still looking good.

Immediately after receiving this book, I read and reread it for about four hours straight. Maybe longer. It contains lots of good information that I was able to begin applying easily.

My favorite part about this book is it’s emphasis on strength training. Personally, I don’t enjoy bodybuilding type training where you do high reps with short rests and pound the muscles to death. Instead, I prefer to lift a heavy weight a few times then take a long break. That’s the backbone of this book (was that a pun?).

On a matter of preference alone, I really enjoy this book. It fits right along with the way I enjoy training. An average of three days a week, focus on strength training while gaining size. Lifting heavy weights. Full body workouts. Compound movements. I learned to love deadlifting after reading this book.

Beyond just preference, How to Build a Classic Physique also delivers. At least if you do…

The workouts are hard. They have to be to get good results. The only results you’ll notice at first are probably being tired and sore. But when used consistently with constant progression, you begin to get bigger and stronger.

Now beyond just the workouts. Matt actually has an entire section of the book dedicated to lifestyle. He knows that there is more to health then what you eat and what you lift. In this section, along with other parts of the book, Matt discusses the importance of sleep, discipline, even the need to take cold showers. Now, to build serious strength and health the lifestyle you live will not be easy, but it will be simple and sustainable.

Along with lifestyle he does discuss diet. Not a typical “I need to lose 30 pounds for a beach party” diet that can only be sustained for a month or two because of calorie counting and all that crap. No, instead he talks about diet in a simple, sustainable way. I’m talking about for your entire lifetime here. And unlike the bodybuilding diets you hear today where you eat 6 times a day, Matt recommends as little as one or two meals a day. That doesn’t take to much time out of your day, does it?

Using basic equipment, buying simple foods, eating only a few times a day, doing simple workouts, and training hard, this book has excellent information which deliver results as long as you stay focused and determined. This book is not for the faint of heart. I’ve had trouble walking some days because of the intense training. I’ve gone hungry while others ate cake or feasted on breakfast because I was waiting for my big meal of healthy foods. I’ve slept with the window open on cold nights and taken only cold showers.

Because I did this, I get the results I want that are promised in this book. Were I to work harder with the principles given in this book, I would see better results even faster.

If you work diligently, you can too. So, if you heard about this book and are sitting on the sidelines about purchasing it, hopefully my review will help you decide (…to get it).

If you’ve never heard about this before, but are looking for a simple, sustainable, effective means of health, click here to check out the sales page for How to Build a Classic Physique by Matt Marshall.

Note: This also makes an excellent Christmas/Birthday gift if you know someone who enjoys training and health. I got this as a little Christmas gift myself.