'Super' workouts in magazines - do they work?

Hi,

I have seen in some bodybuilding magazines or on the internet that there are exercises that can supposedly increase your arm size in 4 weeks or any other part of your body.

Comparing a chest and arm workout they both have the same ideas:

On light (12-15 reps) day, one heavy day (4-6) and then a medium day (8-12).

Would this work any better than just sticking with the 8-12 range if I am still focusing upon size?

Can this style of exercise get the huge gains promised e.g. 1" on arms in 4 weeks etc.?
 
How much you grow is a result of how you are eating. I'm assuming you are eating in a nice surplus to allow your body to add muscle tissue?

As for reps, 8-12 is hypertrophy, so that's the range you want to stick in for mostly size gains. The lower the reps, the more strength focused, the higher the reps, size and strength aren't likely, but endurance will improve. Nothing wrong with mixing up reps, however, me personally, I would mostly do reps for strenght and size.

Don't expect to see much in 4 weeks, you really have to just work hard for many weeks, and then gauge your progress.
 
I agree the food you eat is your key to gaining size and of course resting your muscles.

Also there is more to the story in those mags than meets the eye. (transformers anyone? haha) anyway those guys always have spotters and you also never know when they are taking the measurements. If they take them after a workout when you are all pumped up then you will be bigger...

That said, I am willing to bet that it is possible if you really stay disciplined... I know there are better ways to do it... test it out and report back.
 
half the time those routines are for people that are veteran trainees...the worst thing a novice could do is follow a routine out of a magazine like FLEX.

the other thing to remember is that everyone's unique. some people are born runners, due to genetics dictating more muscle fibers for endurance...while others are born body builders or power lifters.

so depending on genetics and your goals, the routine and rep range that works best for you might be different from the magazine article....or spot on.

and of course diet is more than 50% of the equation IMO.
 
the guys that post in them mags get paid by the article,so every couple of weeks they have to come up with a new routine otherwise they dont get paid.
basicly stick with compound exercises,eat,sleep,and you should grow.
also mixing up the reps wont do any harm start with high reps and lower the reps while increasing the weight.
 
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