The “perfect” training programme is one that allows you to gain muscle, get stronger, and lose fat all at the same time.
Contrary to prevailing opinion, such programmes do exist.
For example, at Colorado State University in 1973, Arthur Jones (inventor of the superb Nautilus training machines) ran what has since become known as “The Colorado Experiment”. In it, he tested the efficacy of ultra-low frequency workouts featuring exercises performed for a single set to absolute failure, with heavy focus on drawing out the negative (lowering) portion of the rep.
Most famously, Casey Viator allegedly gained 45 pounds of muscle and lost 18 pounds of fat in 28 days following this protocol. (The net figure of a gain of 63 pounds of lean mass is most commonly given in accounts of Casey’s achievement.)
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In an article penned by Jones discussing his experiment in Iron Man Magazine, he mentioned how one professional athlete jumped from using 275 pounds for pullovers to an almighty 645 pounds – in just two months.
Sceptical?
I certainly hope so, because I am.
Controversy swirls about The Colorado Experiment to this day.
Casey Viator was no beginner, having already built an outstanding physique and had, according to various sources I have read, lost at least 40 pounds following an allergic reaction to a tetanus jab not too long before the experiment began. If that is the case, it could potentially mean most (or all) of his gains were simply him reclaiming what he had lost.
Regardless, if you accept he or any of the other participants got at least some results – and I can’t see a good argument for why you wouldn’t – those who did the programme gained muscle, lost fat, and got stronger.
However.
What actually matters is if you can do the same.
And if you are a serious person with a job, family, and a variety of interests outside of training, I don’t think you can.
There will always be exceptions. Off the top of my head, I imagine someone who busted their leg playing rugby and couldn’t train properly for the six months or whatever while it healed certainly has a shot at experiencing results like those who participated in The Colorado Experiment are reported to have gotten (albeit unlikely to the same degree).
But everyone else?
Not happening, I am afraid.
Although the method of training discussed in May’s issue of “The Phil Tyreman Letter” will allow you to potentially appear as though you’ve gained muscle and lost fat simultaneously (because it’s hard not to lean out when training in this style and it’s also conducive to giving the muscles a nice full, rounded look).
You will probably get stronger too, if you stick at it for long enough (but just to be clear, we are talking gains in repping strength rather than adding to your one rep max).
And the best part is, like everything I teach, it is built with sustainability in mind, so you don’t have to worry about finding the time and energy to cram in epic multi-hour workouts or anything like that.
If you’d like to learn the method, become a subscriber before the fast approaching deadline here:
https://philtyreman.co.uk/information/
Thank you,
Phil Tyreman