Mass Secrets

QUESTION: I’ve heard stories and read stuff back in the day about how big and strong you were that seem a tad bit exaggerated. Come on, man. What were your real measurements and lifts? No bullshit, please!

ANSWER: I admit, even I was surprised at some of the claims that were being made about me over the years. Unfortunately, I had no control over what magazines and internet forums were writing about me at the time. Exaggerations being touted in magazines about what were already, in my opinion, amazing lifts only made my life extremely difficult, especially when doing appearances across the world! When I went to different countries to give training seminars, I was expected to perform feats of strength and step on the scale – sometimes on national television. If I was 410 pounds instead of 420, which was written about me, peeps seemed disappointed – real disappointed! Although if truth be told, some of my real top lifts, which I did on a regular basis, included 48 plate leg presses for 20 reps and barbell rows with 545 for 6 reps. I once even inclined 675 pounds twice on the smith machine and benched 675 pounds twice using the free bar with no bench shirt, of course. In addition to this, I was able to free-bar squat 495 pounds for 20 reps and shoulder press 495 pounds for 6 reps from the front and 405 pounds for 2 reps from behind. Yes, with a barbell not on a smith machine! So, yeah, I was fairly strong in most lifts. As far as measurements go, my chest was a little over 70 inches in length at my best, my arms taped in at almost 26 inches, and my waist, well, I didn’t really measure it because I didn’t care to at the time. Hey, I was 410 pounds in my prime, but I can’t say that weight was all striated, shapely muscle. Now, if I had a wasp-like waist like Dennis Wolf on my frame, my career may have taken a different turn!