Jeff Rodriguez Thread

[jrod]

Here are few suggestions. I love my reggae but Its usually to laid back for training music.

check out
Nightmaresonwax - don't flip ya lid - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydX82aYz1hQ

Bujubanton -
Paid not played - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iWESeCCc_g

champion - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bybiiEE7ZyA

Complaint feat. Garnett Silk

Shabba Ranks
Rough Life http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrHOYNmlCaE

Matisyahu
Close my eyes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Yu4B891n0

Atmosphere
Blamegame - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbKfBPo7UmE

Thanks, Sauce. Buju Banton - Champion is good and I really like that nightmaresonwax song--Never heard it and didnt know they did stuff like that.

[jrod]

I see this question asked to a lot of pros... So I'll ask you

If you could only do 1 exercise for each body part, which would you pick? It's kind of a dumb question, but it's cool to see what people pick

Back: Pullups or Barbell rows (close call). Only one, I'd probably go with pull ups since I like the look of big lats and I can get my lower back worked doing stiff legged deadlifts for hamstrings!

Chest: tough one but probably some form of incline dumbbell presses (sort of a semi incline, something between a flat and the traditional incline).

Quads: easy one--SQUATS

Hamstrings: Stiff Legged Deadlifts

Biceps: Either Barbell or Dumbbell curls. Both have benefits. Barbell = more weight handled, dumbell = work each arm independently = keep strength balanced. I guess if I could only EVER do one, i'd go with Dumbbells.

Triceps: Extensions!

Shoulders: Seated Barbell or Dumbbell presses; I'd choose dumbbell.

Abs: Cable or Dumbbell Crunches, probably dumbbell.

Calves: standing calf raises

[jrod]

Hey Jeff,

In regards to Max-OT training, do you think doing the same type of training week in and week out will cause the body to get used to the same type of load? I am a firm believer in overload vs fatigue but consistently doing 4-6 reps could get the body so used to the stress that growth could stop. Do you think keeping the same structure but changing the rep range now and then would kick start growth? Maybe 8-10 vs 4-6 every so often?

Moe

Well, ideally (though of course it is not always the case), I would add weight each week (I strive to at least), that way my body is constantly having to add muscle/get stronger and never gets used to a certain weight. I think more important than changing up the rep range is changing up the exercises.

There are times when I do go a bit higher reps. For example, today for shoulders I did about 8-10 reps of machines because my left shoulder was bothering me a bit. I've been going heavy for on shoulders for 4 weeks in a row and since I have this minor thing in my left shoulder, I backed off a bit and did exercises that were comfortable. Next week I'm pretty sure it will be 100% fine, so I can go heavy again.

[jrod]

Jeff,

Great to see another awesome video! You are one strong dude and an inspiration to all us natties! I particularly like to see a fellow Max-OT trainer in action! This stuff works!

Thanks, yeah its nice to see other people that train similar to the way you do--though in our case, I don't think there are many!

[jrod]

Hi, I have a question: are you always sore after this type of max-ot workout? I'm asking because i've recently tried this workout and I'm a lot less sore than I was doing a higher volume routine. Thanks

No, i'm not always sore. I get the most sore (usually) when I first train after coming off a break (several days to a week off). I don't really consider soreness a good indicator of whether or not I had a good workout. There have been times when I have had GREAT workouts, set a record, ate really well that day and week and only got a bit sore. Give yourself some time to gauge whether it works for you or not--couple months--and use what ultimately matters to gauge whether it works or not: the mirror! (and your size/strength).

[jrod]

Monster barbell rows.

Haha, thanks... One day, when I can Barbell row 5 plates/side, then there's no way my back will not be huge

[dpd555]

Great video Jeff. One thing I've noticed in my lifting career is that good natural guys are usually stronger than steroid-assisted guys. Anyone else experience this?

I noticed that. You and Jrod, Skip LaCour, Jeff Willet, Layne... all very strong dudes.

[JudeLeone]

Hey Jeff whats goin on man? i really admire your physique because its different than all the others. Your physique always stands out because of your "old school" look as opposed to the modern day "blocky" look. Your ridiculously small waste and excellent symmetry and esthetics remind me of the good old days of Mohammad Makawwy and Frank Zane. Was just wondering what you recommend bodybuilders to do and not to do to stay away from that modern day blocky look and attain a sculpture like look as yours.

[jrod]

Hey Jeff whats goin on man? i really admire your physique because its different than all the others. Your physique always stands out because of your "old school" look as opposed to the modern day "blocky" look. Your ridiculously small waste and excellent symmetry and esthetics remind me of the good old days of Mohammad Makawwy and Frank Zane. Was just wondering what you recommend bodybuilders to do and not to do to stay away from that modern day blocky look and attain a sculpture like look as yours.

First of all, thanks for the nice words. When I first learned about bodybuilding (and still today), the people you mentioned had the look I hope/d to achieve (see off topic below); so thanks.

To answer your question, I think a big reason why certain people look blocky is genetics.

Regardless, one thing thats important is to have have all bodyparts developed in good proportion (ESPECIALLY the major/large bodyparts)--strive to be complete. As far as having a "classic" looking physique, you're probably better off having all bodyparts developed pretty good (nothing super standing out, but nothing extremely behind), than having some bodyparts that are AMAZING and some that are significantly behind.

Finally, its important to have a good v-taper. You can't train to make your waist smaller, but you can train for bigger lats and having bigger lats will enhance your v-taper (shoulders will a bit too).


off topic: Before I knew much about bodybuilding--I had probably been training less than a year--a friend of mine showed me a book: The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger (http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-M.../dp/0671633813). At the time, Arnold was the only person I recognized--I couldn't name any other bodybuilders. But, I remember looking through the book, seeing Frank Zane's picture and thinking if I could look like anyone in this book I'd like to look like him (Zane).

[JudeLeone]

thanks for the reply..i appreciate it..i have faith your physique will bring bodybuilding back to the old days like it should be..what are your future plans for bodybuilding?

[mrky03]

Jeff, Frank Zane was always one of my favorites also. I started training back in the 70's so I well remember the physiques that first inspired me.

Very good point on keeping the bodyparts in balance with each other. You have that classic look and have taken it a step further with your excellent conditioning and ripped glutes and hams!

Keep on doing what you do! You are a tremendous inspiration! You and the other guys here on the board that compete in the TU have my total admiration!

[Apex23]

I know that you love Palumbo's Isolyze. Do you have any healthy shake recipes.

I hear the shakes are good, but I want to change things up some.

Thanks

[Carlito99]

I saw in your blog that for one of your old training cycles... You would have "A" and "B" workouts for some body parts where you would alternate the workouts every week. What did you think about that type of Max-OT split?

Pros/Cons of it compared to just doing the same exercises every week?

[jrod]

thanks for the reply..i appreciate it..i have faith your physique will bring bodybuilding back to the old days like it should be..what are your future plans for bodybuilding?

Here's as far as I know: this year I plan on doing the Team Universe again and another show before the Team Universe. If the NPC decides to send us (US team), then I'll being competing at the World Games; if not, then I'll choose a show thats about a month before the Team Universe.

[jrod]

I know that you love Palumbo's Isolyze. Do you have any healthy shake recipes.

I hear the shakes are good, but I want to change things up some.

Thanks

When I eat shakes, I eat them for convenience, so I usually don't make a big deal with them: just drink the whey with water and swallow some oatmeal with it or a banana.

However, here's a shake I've put together before that I liked: Izolyze+banana+equal (or whatever sweetener you like)+peanut butter/almond butter+ice cubes. All of this in a blender with either milk or water (I like milk).

Shakes are helpful when trying to eat often. For example, alternating between food and shakes for meals.