Last week of the first half of the work out started today? You guys feeling good? I just looked ahead at stage 5, the first part of the second half and man it is going to be fun. We are going into a hard cut which means we are going to be sweating a lot more. It is time to peel down that layer of fat covering our newly formed and hardened muscles and start getting that dickskin lean look.

I am going to post a photo at the end of the week to show what the first half did and I really hope you guys will consider sharing photos as well. Also, I really encourage you guys to do so as well. Accountability is a great thing and I know you guys have been putting in the work, so show off the results.

This weekend was a beautiful Suns out Guns out weekend and that sun should serve as a reminder that while the last 14 weeks have been grueling we are only at the half way point and this is not the time to stop. In fact, it is time to pick up the pace and get our asses into high gear. Half time is the time to reassess. Have you been keeping your diet straight? Have your workouts been on point? Are you getting results at a pace commensurate with where you want to be? What can you fix to enhance your results. I can’t stress enough that you can talk to me about this. Tell me where you are at, where you want to be and adjust things accordingly.

Doria Yates is a big fan of Yoga to supplement his insane lifting schedule.

So on to today’s topic: Trying New Things. Lift, Cardio, Eat, Sleep and Repeat. Yes, it is simple. However, bodybuilding is a holistic approach to growing and defining the musculature of the body. Definitionally it must be done in different ways. We don’t jut bench press. We Barbell Benchpress, Dumbbell Bench Press, Incline Bench Press, Decline Bench Press, Touch and Go Bench Press, Wrist Rotation Bench Press, Squeeze Press and Plate Press. We look for every single way to hit all sides of the muscle in order to maximize its potential. That is the micro level. The macro level will be looking for all sorts of different ways to push our body to maximize its total potential.

If you are at a gym they doubtlessly offer classes. Maybe bootcamp classes or aerobics classes

Arnold did ballet to help with flexibility and stage presence.

or zumba classes. I can’t suggest enough that you should, once in a while, avail yourself of these free services. Today I got an email from the gym about doing a free pilates session. This is the reason I thought about this article today. I am going to take them up on it. I have never done pilates, but it is 45 minutes I won’t die. Maybe I will like it, maybe I wont but what I will do is find new ways to activate my body, be physical and in the gym and this is a good thing. I don’t see myself

WB Favorite Frank Zane is a huge proponent of meditation to supplement bodybuilding.

becoming a pilates adherent and probably will never do it again, but it is free, available and I am going to give it a shot.

I strongly encourage you guys to keep an open mind. Do not look at these classes and thing they are weak or for girls or below you because you are doing serious bodybuilding. Get in there and try new things out.

If you are not in a commercial gym work on doing outdoor things. Have you ever kayaked? Rock Climbed? Or go to a lot of the small private gym classes, they usually offer a free trial offer. There is also an app called class pass where you can get heavily discounted rates on

random classes. Zogsports is also a good way to

I am a fan of supplementing lifting with Bikram Yoga. The heat and the stretching are great with lifting and you are going to look so much better than the soyboys you are standing next to. #teamsweatymuscle

find people who might have a softball or football game, hell even Frisbee. Remember guys, being physical is ALWAYS good. Get your lifts in, get your cardio in, keep your diet on point and get out there and be physical in every way you can.

Swimming, biking, running….it is all good. Even the dreaded crossfit, for a single day, if you can get a free class is going to be good for you. You’ve built yourself a body, don’t forget to use it in ever way possible. Keep up that push till half time and whatever you do, do not slow down.

Be physical in every way possible. As always, Arnold knew the best

Inertia is everything.

Grind On!