Now, there are many great men out there who have built their careers around the topic and concept of “hard gainers”. Most of them are incredibly intelligent and have tons to offer any serious trainer. For example, one of my mentors, Dr. Richard Winett, would describe himself as a hard gainer. The late Mike Mentzer would train many people using “hard gainer strategies” such as HIT principles, only to see incredible progress. Even multiple Mr. Olympia winner Dorian Yates trained minimally, although no one in their right mind would consider him a “hard gainer”.

Is There Truth To The Hard Gainer Label?

They say all myth has its basis in fact. This is true here I think. There are definitely those among us who gain an inch in their arms seemingly by looking at a weight room, and others who seem to have to struggle and claw for every ounce of muscle.

Hershel Walker, the old-time Dallas Cowboy superstar, wrote a downright ridiculous book on fitness, obviously unaware that he possessed the genetics of a bull. “All I do is sit-ups, push-ups and some chins.” Yeah, go ahead and try that folks. See how far you get.

So, there is truth in the fact that some gain easier than others.

Now, for the myth—I no longer believe in “hard gainers”. I believe these individuals should change their moniker to “consistent gainers.” Think about it…they are, aren’t they? Consistent, that is. If they train and progress, they ‘do’ gain. Who cares if it’s 50 pounds or 5 pounds a year?

What’s in a name you ask? Well, so did Shakespeare, and I’d argue with the ingeniously Englishman if he were alive today. There’s a LOT in a name, as I’m about to demonstrate.

Try This Experiment…Actually, Whatever You Do, DO NOT Try This Experiment!

Just give this a shot (fiction only people…I don’t want emails from those of you who take up badminton as a result)—try saying to yourself for several months, every day mind you, “I am an utter weakling.”

Go ahead. I mean, if our words literally mean ‘nothing’ to our results, what would it hurt?

While you’re at it, add, “…and an utter loser with no real purpose in life.” Oh, and then say the same thing to your children.

Why the revulsion over there, Mr. or Mrs. Reader? Ah…you DO believe in power of perception, don’t you? It often takes something this outlandish, this preposterous, to underscore what we already know—our perception creates our reality.

Perceiving Massive Gains

Just for grins, during my last heavy training bout, I decided I was no longer a “hard gainer”. In fact, thanks to my discovery of 25 grams per day of L-Glutamine, I became convinced I could train almost every day. I undertook Vince Gironda’s 8x8 training methods. I consumed copious amounts of protein and fat.

I did everything ‘wrong.’

I ended up more massive and ripped than ever at nearly 40 years of age.

This year, I intend to push it even further. I’m now convinced that I am a “rapid, massive gainer.” (Yeah, call me delusional, but ask yourself which belief is more empowering?) I’m planning on training with some serious pros this year for my peak in August, September and October. I’m planning on doing everything wrong times 10.

I may have lost some of my more conservative readers! That’s okay…I understand why you’d think I’m a loon. I would have thought the same three years ago.

Tom Venuto: “You Wouldn’t Like It…We’re Overtraining”

Tom, as most of you know, is my co-author of Fit Over 40 and one of my role models. The man doesn’t take aspirin, people…no one, repeat no one on earth, is more natural than Tom Venuto. Period. End of story. I get downright angry when people doubt his condition could be obtained without some drug, or even some supplement.

At any rate, I’m yacking away with Tom about my training goals. I know he’s hitting it hard right now with a young bull who wants to go national. If their sessions are anything like mine were when visiting Tom last year, they better have a bucket nearby.

So, Tom…yo! I’m heading up to Joisey to train with you bro…ready to kick it?

Nope…training with this young dude…kicking my ass.

Cool…I can opt in.

You’d hate it…we’re overtraining.

(The wry grin can be seen over the telephone.)

Tom was not being rude…well, maybe a bit. More honest and somewhat sardonic. This past year, he inspired me to push my own mental boundaries in my training much further than I ever have. I’ve seen the results of Tom’s “overtraining”. I also know he has good genes, but not outstanding genes. I know outstanding genes, believe me. My friend Ramsey Rodriguez…outstanding genes. Pro bodybuilders…outstanding genes.

Tom Venuto…above-average genes, and extremely above-average work-your-butt-off ethic.

He also employees the mental tools described above. I suggest you at least consider it. I know I am…and I remember with fondness my 10x10 squat sessions that ended up producing the legs you see in my gallery pics.

In closing, I want to share a funny thing that happened just two days ago. I received this really rude email from one of the now ex-subscribers to AYS.com. It went something like this: “Yeah, it’s amazing what ‘roids can do…stop lying to people. If I asked you to come down for a muscle biopsy, I bet you’d refuse…”. Along with some profanity, that was the gist of this goober’s pithy comments.

I told him that I’d not only show up, I’d bring a lie detector with me.

Actually, in a way I take these comments as compliments. Perhaps that is the weirdo in me, but it’s kinda cool to be thought of as a “roid monster”, even if you only weigh 190 in peak shape. I was asked the same question by a girl who works at the Cooper Clinic here in Dallas last week. “We just see so many people built like you and they all take drugs.”

Could it be that they all just think too small? That they simply don’t believe they can look like Skip LaCour, Tom Venuto, or whomever without pharmaceutical assistance? Could it even be that they have indeed labeled themselves as…

…hard gainers?

Ah…could be.