“I feel energetic throughout the day and sleep much better at night!”
How many months’ progress do your pictures represent? What were your stats for each picture?
The first and second picture is from January 2018. I weighed 160 pounds and was around 16% body fat. I did a lean bulk from January to mid-March (about 9 weeks) and then cut from mid-March to the end of April (about 8 weeks), which is what my third picture represents. I weighed 146 and was around 10% body fat.
What has happened so far on the program?
I began the program with a lean bulk for the first 8 weeks that were given in the Bigger Leaner Stronger bonus report. My strength went up greatly. On bench press, I went from a 1RM of 185 to 225, and on the military press (never did before Bigger Leaner Stronger) I went from a 1RM of 105 to 145.
My deadlift (never did before Bigger Leaner Stronger) went from a 1RM of 225 to 300, and my squat (rarely did before Bigger Leaner Stronger) went from a 1RM of 225 to 285.
After the first 8 weeks, I began to cut for the next 8-week cycle from the bonus report. I cut for 8 weeks and managed to maintain the same level of strength, and in some lifts, I actually got a little stronger.
I went from 160 and 16% body fat to 145 pounds at ~9.5-10% body fat. I figured out my macros by using the macro calculator on MFL website and created my own meal plan with meals from the past and meals from The Shredded Chef cookbook.
What workout split from the book did you use?
For the most part, I have used the 5-day split. I am currently using a 4-day split.
What, if anything, almost kept you from buying the book or starting the program?
I was very willing to try another program. I had been working out for 2 years in the first progress picture on many different programs and the results just didn’t come like they did on Bigger Leaner Stronger. It seemed almost instant with Bigger Leaner Stronger.
What do you like most about the program?
I like how easy and straightforward the program is. It’s all laid out for you. You just have to want to get in the gym. The results came faster than I expected. It seemed like I was still getting newbie gains even after working out for a couple of years.
How does this program compare with others you’ve tried?
Other programs keep you in the gym for like 2 hours at a time and change up the exercises you do so often you can’t tell if you’re getting stronger or not. With Bigger Leaner Stronger, you’re in the gym for an hour at the most usually, and you can get in a habit of doing the exercises and really see your strength gain.
How has what you’ve achieved with your body changed other areas of your life?
I feel good and I’m a lot more confident without a shirt on. I feel energetic throughout the day and sleep much better at night.
Who would you recommend this program to and why?
Everyone. It’s so easy if you just go to the gym. Read the book and it’s all there for you. You’ll make gains and finally get the body you want with Bigger Leaner Stronger.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I worked out for a couple years before starting this program. I used magazine workout plans that apparently didn’t work, and I tried to listen to friends in the gym who were bigger than me. The common thing between them is do a bunch of exercises in the gym for about 2 hours and make sure you change it up to “confuse” your muscles.
Don’t listen to any of that. Forget what you thought you knew about the gym and working out and just listen to the advice in Bigger Leaner Stronger and you’ll have everything you need to know about working out to get the body that you want.
Did you use any Legion supplements?
I used Legion Pulse, and I think that it is the best pre-workout I’ve ever used. Would recommend it to everyone.
Want to become a success story too? Here’s how he did it
The program that made this transformation possible:
The meal plan that makes building muscle and losing fat easy and enjoyable:
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Mike Matthews
Mike Matthews is the founder and CEO of Legion as well as the author of several award-winning fitness books, including Bigger Leaner Stronger, Muscle for Life, and The Shredded Chef.
His simple and science-based approach to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy has sold over a million books and helped thousands of people build their best bodies ever, and his work has been featured in many popular outlets including Esquire, Men’s Health, Elle, Women’s Health, Muscle & Strength, and more, as well as on FOX and ABC.
You can find Mike on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
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