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You are here: Home / Archives for Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Posts written by Michael J. Mahony

The following posts have all been authored by Michael Mahony

Monday Madness: My New Strategies

March 6, 2017 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

As I've learned more and more about training I have been able to do a better job conducting the Experiment of One and the stragtegies required. I have learned the things that work well and the things that don't work as well–all personalized to how my own body responds.

It came time for me to start Mission Lifesaver and I carefully examined the options available to me. I analyzed what my goals were and how to accomplish them. The analysis brought me places that ultimately enabled me to get the plan in place.

I immediately knew that a big part of my problem is my failure to get the cardio work done. No matter how diligent I am about it, I always let cardio slip by without getting done. I knew that I had to change this as fat loss was a major goal for this mission. I also knew that eating too many carbs immediately adds fat to my frame, making it counter-productive to what my goals ultimately are.

Upon making these two realizations I was able to make some plans that work. The first thing I did was choose the program Shortcut to Shred by Jim Stoppani. This program consisted of a weight training plan coupled with cardio during the workout. It was a 6 week plan, so the program would take up half of the mission. For the second half of the mission I decided to start lifting heavy weights, going back to the basics. I also decided to do a low carb eating style.

By taking the time to analyze my goals and come up with a strategy that would help me achieve them, I ultimately saved a lot of time. I didn't have to worry about the outcome. I knew the approaches I picked would work. So far, so good.

In the first half of the mission I lost 14 pounds and dropped about 4% body fat. In the first few days of the second half of the mission I have already dropped 4.5 pounds. The strategies are working!

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Filed Under: Experiment of One

Monday Madness: My Mean Leg Torture Training

June 13, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

Leg training

Leg training is neglected by so many. I believe you need to train all body parts to maintain symmetry. Today we present a torturous leg training workout that will have you crying by the end.

The Workout

Exercise Sets Reps
Leg extensions 3 15
Single Leg extensions 4 20
Hack squats 4 15
Back Squats 5 8
Lying hamstring curls 4 15
Seated hamstring curls 4 15
Stiff Leg Deadlifts 5 8
Front Squats 2 15
Back Squats 2 15
Leg press 3 50

The Workout Described

This training will hit your hamstrings and your quads. It is going to be brutal because the approach is to kill those quads and hamstrings with volume. Starting out with leg extensions at a high rep range will mean using light weight and warming up the muscle. Follow this up with single leg extensions, again with high reps, but this time aimed at pumping blood into the quads. The hack squats will continue to pump blood into the quads. Next up is 5 sets of 8 repetitions for back squats. The weight should be moderately heavy. Push hard to get all the repetitions. Now you should feel like your quads are balloons.

Next we hit the hamstrings. We start out with lying leg curls to warm up the muscle. We then go to seated hamstring curls to start the pump. We finish off the hamstrings with heavy stiff legged deadlifts. We then return to the quads with front squats, back squats and leg press. When finished your legs will be engorged with blood. The pump should be insane!

Leg training like this is aimed at pushing blood into the muscle to help the muscle grow. You have to really push hard to get your legs to grow.

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Filed Under: Featured, Training

Toronto Pro Supershow 2016

June 12, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

2016TorontoProHeaderFaceBook

The Toronto Pro took place on June 4, 2016 in Toronto. The lineup was pretty decent. Nathan DeAsha finally got a well deserved #1 spot. The top 5 look really good.

Top 5 at the Toronto Pro
Top 5 at the Toronto Pro

The battle was real. In the end this is what constituted the Top 5 in order:

Nathan DeAsha

Maxx Charles

Fouid Abiad

Ben Pakulski

Jon Delarosa

It appears to me that Ben Pakulski won't ever be in the shape he needs to win an Olympia. All I can think of is his comments in the movie Generation Iron about winning the Olympia. It just isn't going to happen if this is the best he can do.  This is like the third show in a row that Nathan DeAsha has come in shredded and looking like a winner. Congrats to him on his victory!

If you want the complete official scoresheets from the Toronto Pro click the image below to download them!

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Filed Under: Featured, News

Finding Inspiration to Change

June 10, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

Inspiration to Change

The inspiration to change is something that is often elusive. It takes some decision making first and then some follow up later. But where do you find the inspiration to change?

Where to Find Inspiration

  • Magazines. I like to browse through Muscle & Fitness or Flex Magazine. The pictures inspire me. The stories inspire me. I can cut out pictures and keep them with me to continually inspire me to change.
  • Blogs by others going through your change. When I first started my journey I belonged to a group of bloggers who held each other accountable. I have not been able to recreate that experience, but it was the most inspired I've ever felt to change.
  • Books about or by others who’ve made the same change. Reading books about people who did the things I want to do is always inspiring.
  • Online forums related to your change. I love Body Space on http://bodybuilding.com because the people there are inspirational with what they are doing.
  • Social media such as Facebook, Twitter & Google+ … follow others doing the same thing as you, or those who’ve done it.

Take Hold of Inspiration Regularly

Once you’ve found places to get your inspiration, you’ll want to incorporate it into your change on a regular basis, to keep yourself motivated and fueled.

Some ideas:

  • Subscribe to blogs by others who are making the change, and either read them in your email regularly, or get into the habit of using an RSS reader (such as Google Reader) regularly. I have also set up Google alerts around these things using http://talkwalker.com
  • Become an active participant in a forum related to your change. The key is to be regular and active. You learn by teaching. It is a fact. Get involved and you will learn even more in the long run.
  • When you feel yourself slipping, go to a set of bookmarks you’ve created for inspiration.
  • Follow people or blogs who inspire you using your favorite social media platform.
  • Join (or create) a group of people who motivate and encourage each other. Use the power of these groups to harness the inspiration.

Get Into Great Shape to Inspire Others

One way is to inspire others. Getting into great shape is one way you can do that. We here at Fitness Exposé have written a guide to help you get into the best shape of your life. Simply sign up below and you will instantly receive your FREE eBook entitled 5 Steps to Getting Into the Best Shape of Your Life. You will also receive updates as we publish new articles.

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Filed Under: Experiment of One, Featured

IFBB Arnold Africa 2016

June 9, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

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May 28, 2016 saw the Arnold Africa show in Johannesburg, South Africa. Once again this was a great lineup of IFFB Professionals. The results were not at all shocking.

dexter.jpb Dexter Jackson took the top spot yet again. He got straight 1's yet again. Dexter is one of those guys who always comes to shows looking great. He manages to nail the conditioning and his dedication to it should be an incentive to every other bodybuilder to just put in the work to get the job done.
 roelly  Roelly Winklaar is showing the promise I've always felt he had by taking second here. He looked great. Arguably he could have taken the top spot from Dexter. He has made some amazing changes to his physique and I am looking forward to him at the Olympia in September.
 beyeke  Lionel Beyeke used to be one of my favorite bodybuilders. I still respect his physique a great deal. He took a deserved third place in this show.
 martinez  Viktor Martinez has not been able to recapture the greatness that he once had prior to the immigration problems he experienced. This guy looks amazing, but he isn't as razor sharp as he once was.
 smalls  Fred Smalls took fifth in this competition. They guy is huge. His name doesn't fit him at all.
 kefalianos  Michael Kefalianos rounds out the top 6 in this show. This guy has competed in over 25 IFBB shows, placing Top 5 in almost all of them. He has a bright future.

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Filed Under: Featured, News

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News

Toronto Pro Supershow 2016

June 12, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

IFBB Arnold Africa 2016

June 9, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

IFBB California Pro 2016

June 5, 2016 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT Leave a Comment

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