Cool thread. Been reading your stuff since I first learned about animal back in 2002. Machine, just curious what a typical day looks like for you. Would be cool to see your breakdown for work, training, etc. looks like.
A typical day for me never really has a conventional beginning or end; I belive in the utilization of the 24 four hour clock...I feel that to live in the traditional outline of days months weeks and years...as has been put to me as "the normal way to live" is inefficient on it's face. I find that I can set multiple goals, track many career projects, finish two degrees, and maintain a wide variety of personal and business interests...but only if I avail myself of the twenty four hour clock. Please understand that I am not the guy to compare to some other athletes out there in that I can't afford to lay arouind in bed for 12 hours per day...I find that as decadent as the act of huge accumialation of monetary wealth. If that offends any one...I dont fucking care.
The 24 hour clock is not for everyone...and takes a different way of looking at things. I suggest framing some outlines for the 24 hour template in your life...and see if it might help you expand your life's work.
If you want me to nail downa sample day just let me know...and thanks.
MACHINE
Hey Brother,
Cool thread.
The "Normal way to live" at least to me,is a croc of shit. WHO THE FUCK WANTS TO BE NORMAL?
The day in day out grind with blinders on,politicly correct follow the herd pansy ass bullshit
will only produce pansy ass bullshit results.
This goes for training as well as LIFE.
I believe that if people would get their heads out of their asses,and for that matter out of the ass of some other slug,they would be awakend to a much more fufilling,prosperous life.
Think OUTDSIDE the box,hell, fuck the box,smash the box and all of the closed minded simple fucks that choose to reside inside.
Shit, I seem to be ranting a bit. Oh fucking well. Time to eat.
Whats basic training philosophy? And we all have that one day of training we enjoy more than others. For me its Sat mornings. Whats yours?
My basic training philosophy would not seem basic to most people in that I employ my own methedology which I have garnered out of my own experiences and my dissatisfaction with same old half hearted, regurgetated, sham, bodybuilding rag science. I didn't rip off some European scientist, or some other bullshit bodybuilding guru. I study constantly; it seems patantly obvious to me that the mid range processes and medium life training cycles have been all but abandoned in the minds and practices of our contemporaries.
I find utility in almost every facet and angle of training the physical person: Traditional power lifting, back liftes, stones, tires, machines (to a very limited degree) abbreviated power cycles, shotgun bodybuilding cycles, one - two - three training sessions per day, sledghammers of all sizes, bands, chains, harnesses, and on and on...the one constant is the premise that if it doesnt work...fuck it.
But the main body of my life's training has been built on free weight training hard and heavy, making use of caloric cycling which is highly unorthodox. In the midst of all of this, I I have managed to drive my acceptable muscular bodyweight up to in excess of 330 pounds several times; this was done without the traditional bulking and cutting phases normally employed - these methods are so uninspiring...and 9 out of 10 times people cant even tell you why they favor one method over another...because they have not done the research, the analytical study of their own progress...its just throw enough shit at the wall and see what sticks...Not for me.
And these days...any day I am above ground and putting in the work...I have to call that a win. But leg training always wins a special place in my heart, it is very challenging.
I know I owe you guys a sample 24 hour day...I am just trying to answer the initial round of questions first...not trying to ignore anyone and I thank you all for your time and ideas.
Whats the best piece of Advice anyone has ever given you during your career?
The best piece of advice which was ever given to me was from Sergio Oliva; he said, "There is more to life than being the biggest, the best conditioned, or the most successful bodybuilder...because when it is all done and over...no matter how great you were...you will be sitting at a table with a half empty magic marker counting the minutes until someone who remembers you walks over and asks you a question."
I remember this like it was yesturday...I have been extremely fortunate to know many great athletes; and being a student of human nature, I have studied them all very closely.
I was particularly intrigued by Sergio's remarks and found them to be most insightful.
Machine,
Awesome stuff. Didn't actually know what happened but glad to hear you're all good.
How did you get this nickname?
I was training at Bev's Gym in Syosset, N.Y. one day and Dorian Yates was visiting from England...I was doing a set of inclined dumbell presses with the 180 pounders...and I didnt have an entourage, or a spotter, or a pair of assholes on either side of me waiting to hand deliver and remove the weights from me as soon as I commanded them to.
I just picked the 180s up off the floor, sat down and pressed them into position, repped them for a set, lowered them to my thighs, stood up, and laid them back into their original position like a pair of sweet virgins ready to be sullied. Dorian Yates, Frank Sepe, and Steve Weinburger walked by and as Dorian took a double take...he asked Steve, "who the fuck is this guy?"
Steve and Frank said, "That's MACHINE...all he does is move weight and get bigger."
As I have previously stated; I think a man's handle should be indicative of the kind of man he is...and in that regard...should not be self annointed...just my 2 cents.
My basic training philosophy would not seem basic to most people in that I employ my own methedology which I have garnered out of my own experiences and my dissatisfaction with same old half hearted, regurgetated, sham, bodybuilding rag science. I didn't rip off some European scientist, or some other bullshit bodybuilding guru. I study constantly; it seems patantly obvious to me that the mid range processes and medium life training cycles have been all but abandoned in the minds and practices of our contemporaries.
I find utility in almost every facet and angle of training the physical person: Traditional power lifting, back liftes, stones, tires, machines (to a very limited degree) abbreviated power cycles, shotgun bodybuilding cycles, one - two - three training sessions per day, sledghammers of all sizes, bands, chains, harnesses, and on and on...the one constant is the premise that if it doesnt work...fuck it.
But the main body of my life's training has been built on free weight training hard and heavy, making use of caloric cycling which is highly unorthodox. In the midst of all of this, I I have managed to drive my acceptable muscular bodyweight up to in excess of 330 pounds several times; this was done without the traditional bulking and cutting phases normally employed - these methods are so uninspiring...and 9 out of 10 times people cant even tell you why they favor one method over another...because they have not done the research, the analytical study of their own progress...its just throw enough shit at the wall and see what sticks...Not for me.
And these days...any day I am above ground and putting in the work...I have to call that a win. But leg training always wins a special place in my heart, it is very challenging.
MACHINE
Sat we work heavy upper body. Mostly heavy bench or some form of it. The big staple of our training is heavy banded smith machine work. Take the counter weight off and its a whole different world under the bar. Working %100 of the movement. Other wise you push hard, slow down, then stop. DBL Green bands dont allow you to ever slow down or stop.
As far as what works. I had a 2 year stent where i did different cycles and reps and speeds days for 8 weeks at a time trying new thing i read or stuff i made up from reading. Its the only why to know how YOU work. Thanks for the info.
Eric "BIG EZY" Downey
RAW BENCH: 523@225
SQUAT 611 RAW W/Wraps
DEADLIFT 570@220
Wow been waiting to see if Machine gets one of these....Hey Machine, how has your training changed since all of the medical issues that have faced you recently? and Where does your Motivation to keep training the way you do, despite everything that has happened come from?
I believed; and have always believed that a man's very presence in this world alone should be motivation enough to accomplish any goal he may set for himself...having said that...I am continually motivated to change the status quo in this uneven world that we all live in...my physical presence has opened many, many doors for me that I wouldnt have been able to get through without it...my physical being has opened up troubled youth to me, inmates, gang members, and on and on...it just lets me get immediate credibility because so much of what those individuals ascend to is the physically powerful male ideal. I am motivated by the inequity of society, I want to change the world...wanna help me?
1.) I am besieged by incomplete data; but hate my present size and level of muscularity; this makes me the prime candidate for subscribing to sham science and or hitching your wagon to another man's successes - big mistake - the object of baseball is to score runs by hitting a small ball; every baseball player knows this, each one hits the ball, almost everyone of them grips the bat differently, stands differently, swings through an arc at different angles and or bat heights.
WHY DO STRENGTH ATHLETES NOT SEE THIS MODEL AND UNDERSTAND THE EXAMPLE?
This is an awesome statement. I coach and absolutely love to see the individual differences that my athletes bring to the table. I encourage them to find their path, with my guidance of course...:)
Originally Posted by Machine
2.) I have no real mid-range road map of processes to drive up muscularity and all caloric and training factors are push fitted into a bulking phase and a cutting phase. (All I see in this model is waste and inefficiency - there is a better way).
My mid-range physical goals are driven by training mini-cycles which are fueled by caloric minipulations: the caloric manipulations ARE NOT CONVENTIONALLY INTRODUCED DIETARY MEASURES...THIS IS NOT "DIETING."
Now I am hooked into this thread....I can't wait for more!
I'm shocked as hell that this wasn't up here before.
First and foremost my question would be how are you doing Machine? We'd love an update straight from the man himself.
I am well; thank you for asking. Things are difficult for people everywhere...especially given these temultuous times we are living witness to. It can be difficult to see inequity everywhere you look and to feel powerless to change it. I work with young people and inmates and I see a real disconnect between all of us...young people, older people, gang members, inmates, white collar, middle class, and poor people...that right there is the largest barrier to reconciliation in this world...give some one a socio-economic label, and it becomes that much easier to marginalize he or she...tragic. We need everyone on the ship to make it to paradise island...we cannot continue to throw people overboard because we wont even try to understand how we are all related and interconnected. Thanks for listening.
hey machine, who was the single bigest inspiraton in ur life? and how did they inspre u??
I really must tell you that I deliberated long and hard on this question...very diffiicult stuff here. You see; that is part of my tragedy...I really had no positive role models, mentors, or anyone worth looking up to in my life, and this is a real tragedy and very hard to face in looking back from this point.
I say this in all humility...I spent so much time identifying, facing and understanding the true self...ME...and after that I studied on how to become someone that I could have looked up to when I was a younger man....in doing this I made an enemy of compromise.
Now I try to provide a proper example to young people with every ounce of my being everyday...it is difficult...it is frustrating...but I know that these young people need positive role models and a man to teach them how to utilize anger as a positive force for change in their lives', in their communities, and in their worlds'.
I know this answer is unconventional in nature...but that is my story. Thanks.
I was training at Bev's Gym in Syosset, N.Y. one day and Dorian Yates was visiting from England...I was doing a set of inclined dumbell presses with the 180 pounders...and I didnt have an entourage, or a spotter, or a pair of assholes on either side of me waiting to hand deliver and remove the weights from me as soon as I commanded them to.
I just picked the 180s up off the floor, sat down and pressed them into position, repped them for a set, lowered them to my thighs, stood up, and laid them back into their original position like a pair of sweet virgins ready to be sullied. Dorian Yates, Frank Sepe, and Steve Weinburger walked by and as Dorian took a double take...he asked Steve, "who the fuck is this guy?"
Steve and Frank said, "That's MACHINE...all he does is move weight and get bigger."
As I have previously stated; I think a man's handle should be indicative of the kind of man he is...and in that regard...should not be self annointed...just my 2 cents.
MACHINE
That's some good stuff there. If ever in Philly I got the dumbbells up to 250 lbs so don't worry , you have a place to train in Philly.
keep up the great work Machine
current stack for 2011
Animal Products: Pak -- Flex -- PM--and RAGE
Universal Products: Intra Aid -- Atomic 7 -- Amino Tech
Beef Aminos -- Pro & Oats
Rage Review
I’ve been a long time user of Animal products for 20 plus years. After being on RAGE for a week I’ve come to realize that “It’s not how big you are, it’s how far you’ll push yourself to the breaking point to get that last rep”… With Rage there are no more excuses.
How are ya brother? yeah......that is my question for ya. Looking to see how you are doing.
Strength and Honor.
Fraternal order of the Animal --President The Crew™
Saraigh
"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
"dont ever let anything get in your way... destroy every obstacle, move every mountain, and crush those fucking weights." - Me.
every time i hear you say " i can't", im gonna punch you in the balls.-1stSgt Fidler.
I was training at Bev's Gym in Syosset, N.Y. one day and Dorian Yates was visiting from England...I was doing a set of inclined dumbell presses with the 180 pounders...and I didnt have an entourage, or a spotter, or a pair of assholes on either side of me waiting to hand deliver and remove the weights from me as soon as I commanded them to.
I just picked the 180s up off the floor, sat down and pressed them into position, repped them for a set, lowered them to my thighs, stood up, and laid them back into their original position like a pair of sweet virgins ready to be sullied. Dorian Yates, Frank Sepe, and Steve Weinburger walked by and as Dorian took a double take...he asked Steve, "who the fuck is this guy?"
Steve and Frank said, "That's MACHINE...all he does is move weight and get bigger."
As I have previously stated; I think a man's handle should be indicative of the kind of man he is...and in that regard...should not be self annointed...just my 2 cents.
MACHINE
Hahaha, so that's how you got the name, interesting.
Yes true, agreed with ur 2 cents.
Human's physiques are unique to each and everyone of us, I always believed that not all method or formula will work for everyone, i'm hoping to see more of your idea's here for me to set it as a guide to start my own sets of formula / methods or whatever you called it, to be applied in my bodybuilding life.
Minds over body - I dont feel the pain when I lift - I feel the muscle and I feel the rythm - I lift like I'm an animal.
Hahaha, so that's how you got the name, interesting.
Yes true, agreed with ur 2 cents.
Human's physiques are unique to each and everyone of us, I always believed that not all method or formula will work for everyone, i'm hoping to see more of your idea's here for me to set it as a guide to start my own sets of formula / methods or whatever you called it, to be applied in my bodybuilding life.
It's not like reading a book, when it spelled M-A-C-H-I-N-E, it'll read as MACHINE.
Each and everyone of us is unique, just like our thumbprints.
Enlighten me bro. Thanks.
P.s - double post, can't edit.
Minds over body - I dont feel the pain when I lift - I feel the muscle and I feel the rythm - I lift like I'm an animal.
Machine, I've been reading your articles for years. I've noticed changes over that time, in terms of substance and style. Have you, yourself, noticed the ways in which you're writing has changed and if so, what do you think accounts for it? Thanks in advance for your reply.
VOTE FOR U MAD BRAH! A vote for him is a vote for sanity.
"Those with limited knowledge in a domain suffer a dual burden: Not only do they reach mistaken conclusions and make regrettable errors, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it." – Kruger & Dunning
"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge." – Charles Darwin
I believed; and have always believed that a man's very presence in this world alone should be motivation enough to accomplish any goal he may set for himself...having said that...I am continually motivated to change the status quo in this uneven world that we all live in...my physical presence has opened many, many doors for me that I wouldnt have been able to get through without it...my physical being has opened up troubled youth to me, inmates, gang members, and on and on...it just lets me get immediate credibility because so much of what those individuals ascend to is the physically powerful male ideal. I am motivated by the inequity of society, I want to change the world...wanna help me?
MACHINE
Most definitely, I have this evolving plan for my life after i get college out of the way to open a gym open to all, from the cardio bunnies to the future Machines of this world, but at the same time having youth programming in place to educate/motivate and help to keep as many as possible of the troubled youths out of the system.
How did you get started down your path, especially in dealing with the youth of this world?
I do this not to change the world, but so the world will know it cannot change me.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.