Sunday June 18, 2006
The Art of Muscle
Greetings all!
Coming up for some air, so I thought I’d ask for some oxygen from you. This photo always steals what little I have left.
To me, this is, bar none, the greatest physique shot ever taken. It’s quite rare…I couldn’t even find a copy on the web, although I’m sure one exists.
Click Here For Larger View
This is the fabulous Frank Zane, circa 1979. I spent hours retouching the paper creases and then decided to make a poster out of it.
This is what the art of muscle is all about to me. Enjoy! {10}
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DISCLAIMER: Any application of the recommendations set forth in this website or in personal consultation by phone, email, in-person, or otherwise, is at the reader's discretion and sole risk. The information I offer is intended for people in good health. Anyone with medical problems of any nature should see a doctor before starting a diet and exercise program. Even if you have no known health problems, it is advisable to consult your doctor before making major changes in your lifestyle. I am not a doctor, nor do I possess a degree in nutrition. The advice I give is based on years of practical application, dealing with the needs of my own health and physique as well as the needs of others. Any recommendations I may make to you regarding diet, including, supplements and herbal or nutritional treatments must be discussed with your doctor.
© Copyright 2010 Jon Benson/AllYourStrength, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Lay off the copy without asking!
Comments (40)
Greg said:
click
Posted on Jun 19, 2006 10:49 AM
Paul said:
you are a clever fellow…senor Greg
Posted on Jun 19, 2006 08:38 PM
Greg said:
Jon,
Just downloaded “Super Foods,” another quality product from Benson Industries, Inc. Good stuff, have you ever considered writing and selling a recipe book based on the Super Foods? Blueberries stir-fried in extra-virgin Bertoli’s, for instance? All kidding aside, folks seem to love recipe books (I have about 30 Chinese recipe books at home, for instance, and my wife must have about 50 or so Oprah, Richard Simmons and Dom Deluise books).
I’m happy to say that of the 10 Super Foods you mentioned, I eat 9 almost daily (I usually only buy fresh blueberries, but I’m going to try frozen when they’re out of season). Been doing this for years, just a happy coincidence I guess. Now if I could just stop eating the crap in between eating the Super Foods!
Must go now, the kettle is on the hob and I’ve got to steep my Uncle Lee.
Posted on Jun 20, 2006 07:10 AM
Paul said:
My son’s bday was on Saturday. We had a huge sheet cake (carrot with cream cheese frosting). The remains have been lingering around for the last couple of days. Of course I’ve been having a daily piece. If you do normally eat a pure/clean diet the effects of the fat and the sugar is almost the same (for me) as having had to much alcohol to drink. My point is that we do OCCASIONALLY eat crap. I make every effort to avoid long term use of these frivolus /empty foods. I like being no more than 10 days away from my ideal BF %. After you do experience the lean healthy feeling it is easier to avoid the crap. But total restriction for me does not work..I still like the occasional cake and ice cream.
Posted on Jun 20, 2006 03:35 PM
Lesley said:
So, I’m not the only one wondering about 7MM. I’m starting to think it’s a fitness myth… :p
Posted on Jun 20, 2006 09:41 PM
Ellen said:
Jeez, isn’t anybody going to comment on this beautiful specimen of a human body at its peak! I will! I will! From a woman’s point of view this is soooo much better than where the current male bodybuilding trend has gone. Sorry, but Ronny Coleman creeps me out! I really hate that distended ab look that’s been cultivated as well. This man’s physique is purrrfect.
Posted on Jun 22, 2006 08:07 PM
Paul said:
Jon…maybe you have been..but if you have not seen “David” in Florence, Italy. It is beautiful study of the human body, truly a work of art.
Mr. Zane in your photo appears to be chiseled out of a beautiful Italian marble.
A excellent image to hold in the minds eye as one works out in the gym!
P.
Posted on Jun 24, 2006 01:19 AM
Jon Benson said:
It’s my favorite pose by far in bodybuilding history for that very reason — a much more well-defined David. If Michelangelo had Frank in late ‘78 to work with, David would have looked even better (and it’s my favorite work of art.)
JB
Posted on Jun 24, 2006 09:20 AM
Paul said:
I’m headed for the Seirras this morning. Today is the running of the Western States 100. It starts in Squaw Valley and ends in Auburn. This run is considered the grand daddy of all ultra marathons and is one of the most challenging. For those interested you can go to the web site ws100 and check it out. I will be pacing my ol time friend Rod. He is 60 years old and his bib number is 160. You can track his progress. I will run with him the last 38 miles from Foresthill to the finish. If he is on a 24 hour pace I will pick him up between 7 and 8 pm tonight. We will run through the night and into the morning (with flashlights) with him crossing the finish at 5 am. Wish us luck the temps have been in the 100’s.
P.
Posted on Jun 24, 2006 10:30 AM
Paul said:
With the temperature over a 110 deg. in the canyons and my runner not peeing for 8 hours he pulled at 44 miles…bummer after 8 months of training. It wasn’t his day.
Posted on Jun 25, 2006 01:17 PM
Paul said:
Jon..perhaps a trip to Florence is in order for you. Visit the Uffizi and the Accademy where David is on display. Wait there next to David for the woman of your dreams.
The art, women, markets, leather, and the climate are all vivid memories of mine. Sit in a cafe with a coffee and soak it all in.
P.
Posted on Jun 25, 2006 01:37 PM
Paul said:
Well here I am talking to myself again…
I certainly appreciate the art of muscle and the effort involved to attain it.
I prefer a more functional body, one that can do something rather than stand around in a bikini looking hot.Yea I know they lift tons of iron.
I love the look and the performance of a sprinter, male or female. The sense of proportion is as near perfect as can be. The body of a gymnast seems a bit out of proportion to me. Very big up top and a bit small down below. I realize that is a by product of the function. Good body builders also have proportion, one muscle leading to another, a magnificent structure veiwed as a whole rather than individual components.
As much as I like Frank Zane and the others and can appreciate their efforts. I prefer looking at the likes of Maurice Green blazing down the track…absolutely on fire…yes!
Anyone watching the track and field meets on the tube?
Any thoughts…Sir Jon
P.
Posted on Jun 27, 2006 09:18 PM
Greg said:
I’d talk to you, Paul, but I’m busy hanging out in the “Updates and Soulmates” thread. No activity there, either.
I’m looking southward, toward downtown Dallas, and I don’t see any smoke coming out of the stacks at Benson Industries. Guess he must be out of town or something.
Posted on Jun 28, 2006 07:53 AM
Greg said:
New trans-fat article:
http://www.webmdhealth.com/nl/nl.aspx?id=20261938&s=10469&p=wom062606
Posted on Jun 30, 2006 08:21 AM
Paul said:
Thanks Greg..how’s the soil milk comeing along?
Posted on Jun 30, 2006 09:21 AM
Jon Benson said:
What’s up all —
Okay, I’m going to comment on that trans fat article in my upcoming Fit Over 40 newsletter…but here’s a preview:
“SUPERMAN RETURNS” ROCKS.
(sorry…still affected by the slendor…)
Greg, diss the Man of Steel, and I’ll ban you from my blog.
Then again…that would me we’d have only THREE bloggers…hmm…yeah…scratch that…
Just…well, don’t go there.
Anyway, trans fats:
Poor study, and an even greater-that-poor conclusion. Notice the lack of distinction between “trans” fats and “saturated” fats? You should — they’re two different things.
Radically different things.
Most medical researchers don’t give a flip and think saturated fats are the work of demons. Or hobgoblins. Or Bill Gates. Pick your boogyman.
Second, while it ‘may’ be true that trans fats pack on the belly fat more than other fats, we must face the fact that we’re more like dogs than monkeys digestively-speaking. Oops.
Feed Rover a bunch of Oreos and check back with me in 10…years.
However, trans fats suck for many other reasons. I’ll dig around for my article and see if I can find any studies done on long-term fat gain that….well, don’t suck.
Posted on Jun 30, 2006 02:19 PM
Greg said:
Jon,
The Man of Steel? Why can’t I make sport of Joseph Stalin?
On a related note, have not seen the new Superman, but several reviewers said the new flick casts him as a Christ figure. Other reviewers say he’s gay, pointing to his burgundy cape among other things. Jesus, or Gay? I hear the new Batgirl is a lesbian, so I guess it fits.
I’ll go to the movie and decide for myself.
Posted on Jul 03, 2006 10:21 AM
Jon Benson said:
Greg;
This should be filed under the “Have we even bothered to READ the original storyline?” category.
First, Superman IS a Christ figure…and this is the only movie or film of any kind to bother with that “deep” bit. Singer does it very well.
I take that back: Smallville was savvy enough to have Clark Kent literally on a cross in a field on the first season box.
For a look at this stunning image, click here
This shot is beyond clever: first, you have the Christ mythos in a pre-Superman Clark Kent. Then you have an “S” painted on his chest. The story — this was a prank played on Kent by one dude on the football team who, naturally, thinks he is a geek. Then you have the “look” — anger, mixed with something else. Very “Jesus”, if you read the Bible. (Jesus was often angry…just read it for yourself.)
Again, this is the intention of the creators (who got f**ked over by DC Comics big-time). The mythos is completely around a “god/man” figure, only in “human” or fleshly terms.
It’s quite deep…and very cool if you get past the silly parts.
As for “gay” — oh, come on.
They said the same thing about Reeve, especially after he kissed Michael Caine on the mouth in “Death Trap”.
Brandon Routh (sounds like “south”) is far from gay, and so is his incarnation of Superman. Just the opposite — he’s seen in a bar with a beer loathing the thought of Lois Lane with a kid and a boyfriend.
Some people…
Great film on the subject…you just have to bear in mind it ‘is’ a comic book figure with more baggage than Britney Spears. To even come CLOSE to not looking damn silly is a miracle — but to make a really great film on the subject is…well, Bryan Singer in his finest hour.
Click For Reviews
Finally, from Alexander Salkind, the producer of the original 70s films, said all anyone needs to know:
“This is the best, by far.”
Enjoy…
Posted on Jul 03, 2006 11:21 AM
Greg said:
C’mon…what’s next? “Girth-enhanced”?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060703/ap_on_he_me/diet_obese_or_not
Posted on Jul 03, 2006 12:36 PM
Jon Benson said:
No, no, NO…
…it’s “gravitationally-impaired.”
Posted on Jul 03, 2006 12:39 PM
Ana said:
I seldom find a reviewer’s comments jive with my own opinion of a film. Many movies have their roots in religious symbolism. Of course, CS Lewis’s are obvious but movies like the cartoon “Anastasia” are also symbolic in much the same way. For the record, I’ve been a long time “Superman” fan (and scifi fan). I really liked the movie and I’ll be happy to see it several more times.
About the trans fat/saturated fat study. The number of studies that are actually usable where you can draw defined conclusions in the health/nutrition area are far too few. Nearly every one I’ve looked at have false controls, too much self reporting by the subject, and not thorough enough coverage of all parameters.
It is a wonder that we make any progress at all. Even in my own area of research, the literature is fraught with worthless reports. We have yet to make a superior food than nature can provide (margerine over butter, arg) and I doubt that it will ever come.
Oh, and the picture of Frank Zane is inspiring.
Ana
Posted on Jul 03, 2006 06:36 PM
Greg said:
Jon,
I’ve read Campbell, too, although it’s been a while and I suppose it’s time for a refresher.
And, Ana, I’ve read plenty of stories edited by the “other” Campbell…isn’t it unusual to find an SF reader in a forum like this? (I really don’t know, that’s why I’m asking).
Back to Superman. I really can’t comment on the movie because I haven’t seen it, but it’s been getting great reviews from both paid hacks and the moviegoing public. Yea, Bingo, I can see where the Superman mythos borrows from the Supersemite story, ‘course you could trace his roots all the way back to Gilgamesh, too. These are my fave kinds of movies…questioning our existence and purpose, higher forces at work behind the scenes and so on. My wife, on the other hand, digs relationship movies. Eck.
Is Superman playing at the Angelika? Because “Scanner Darkly” will be there soon, and I hope it’s as good as the book.
Good to see you’re still kicking, Bingo. We were concerned there for a bit.
Posted on Jul 04, 2006 06:46 AM
Ana said:
Greg,
I don’t know about finding them in a forum like this. I found SciFi fans rare enough growing up (and almost no females). I started at age 8 and amassed a good collection of both books and movies. So, it would stand to reason that it would be rare in a forum like this. Relationship movies are okay but not as much fun as watching a good adventure.
My activities are a bit varied and the combination unusual, what can I say.
Posted on Jul 04, 2006 06:07 PM
Greg said:
Ana,
Well, we make two then. And I’m sure Jon has read a few SF books (a heavy dose of Hubbard would be my guess, right, Bingo?).
I personally knew only one female SF reader, but she moved back to New Zealand after 6th Grade and broke my heart. My wife calls my Asimov’s and Analog “nerd magazines”.
It’s important to exercise body *and* mind; to me, most popular literature is the intellectual equivalent of resistance training with machines.
Posted on Jul 05, 2006 07:32 AM
Ana said:
LMAO.
Hi Greg,
My name is Ana, I live in Seattle.
Okay, now you know two females that love SciFi — and a lot of other techie nerd stuff, electronic gadgets, digital cameras, programming computers, you know, really nerd stuff. I am usually the only woman in the store looking at this sort of stuff. I was usually the only one in my upper division physics classes at the U, back then anyway and later at scientific conferences, still WAY outnumbered.
I call the latest popular “literature” trash novels, total fluff, sort of like cotton candy. Big volume, no nutritional value.
Training with machines doesn’t do too much, does it? Love squats and deadlifts. Progress much faster and core gets a good workout.
Ana
None of this has to do with Frank Zane, oh, sure, squats and deadlifts….
Posted on Jul 05, 2006 03:35 PM
Timppa said:
Hi Jon and everyone !
Story from poor millionaire…
Funny thing happen to me last weekend. We (my family) visit my parent´s at their summerhouse. After eating dinner my father ask me have I kept off the weight I drop, I say no, you should see mom´s happy face(I told you boy can´t do that, she didn´t say that, just the look…what a support), so father ask´s is it going down and I say YES, yes it is (look at mom´s face now, that a million buck´s). Then come´s coffee time(looking all those cake´s and sweet´s), I get some good food from kitchen and my daughter (4years) ask my mom why is dad(me) eating that (good)food and we are eating all these sweets, mom´s ..hmm… hmm… I don´t know, another million buck´s. I guess that makes me a millionaire without any money.
I start from 153kg, now 109kg and going down, I´m over half way done and my main goal is sep.2008 so I have lot of time left, also lot of work to be done too … THANK YOU for the (free) info and stuff …You make this journey lot easier…easier, well…okay, simple anyway… You are the MAN … I let you know when I´m under 100kg
Ps. Sorry for errors in writing
Posted on Jul 08, 2006 04:54 AM
Jon Benson said:
Timppa;
Thank you kindly for these words. I take it you have read Simply Eat, correct?
Please do keep me posted — you rock!
JB
Posted on Jul 08, 2006 10:12 AM
Timppa said:
Yes, I have ! So simply eat and that´s it, all I need now is time…yeah, we rock!
Posted on Jul 08, 2006 04:44 PM
Greg said:
I am sitting on my front porch—rocking! Dude!
42kg, Timmpa, that’s utmärkt, inspiring!
How are you acheiving your results?
Posted on Jul 10, 2006 04:25 PM
Greg said:
You want Retro Muscle?
Posted on Jul 11, 2006 12:34 PM
Lesley said:
Damn, added height?! Sign me up!
Posted on Jul 11, 2006 05:43 PM
Paul said:
See you all later…I’m off for 2 weeks of back packing in the Sierras…
P.
Posted on Jul 12, 2006 09:55 PM
Paul said:
I’m in Ashland seeing a play…a 50K run on Saturday…then backpacking
The weather here is perfect…mid 80’s
P.
Posted on Jul 14, 2006 12:04 AM
Timppa said:
To Greg.
It´s more like WHY…massive why. Doc told me to choose from medication or lose weight and I dont want medical help, if I can do something to myself, then , move, move, move and keep on moving…and keep eating SUPER FOODs, I do. I love to see good results.
Good day to everyone.
Posted on Jul 17, 2006 01:22 AM
Timppa said:
Here is few thingh that keeps me going..
“How am I to know what I can achieve if I quit?”
It all starts with one rep. One becomes two, two becomes four.
Those who DO get results. Those who do NOT, don’t.
I don’t want to live my life taking 14 different medication´s.
“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
This sure beats sitting in a chair.
Have fun !!!
Posted on Jul 17, 2006 02:09 AM
Greg said:
Timmpa,
I’m surprised that Bingo (Jon) hasn’t piped in yet regarding your comments about medication. He’s a staunch supporter of the Pharmaceutical Industry and would no doubt take you to task for your reluctance to take 14 medications. I’m sure he’d say, “Only 14 my friend Timmpa? Why stop there? Take 20, or 30. The more the better! Our beloved Big Pharmas need your business, and not taking lots of medication daily is just plain Un-American!”
You *are* American, aren’t you?
:)
Seriously, how is the progress?
Posted on Jul 18, 2006 07:38 AM
Jon Benson said:
I’m an American with torn tendons in my left knee.
About to undergo surgery.
Minor stuff like that. : )
Posted on Jul 18, 2006 09:08 AM
Greg said:
When you’re ready, you must tell us what happened. Nothing with a bike, I hope….
God speed, Jon Benson.
Posted on Jul 18, 2006 11:30 AM
Greg said:
Hey Man of Steel Sinews,
It’s been a week now… what’s the story?
Saw “Superman” BTW, good movie. Good acting, too.
Posted on Jul 25, 2006 01:08 PM
Greg said:
But you know who would have been better as the lead actor?
Steve Buscemi.
With Losi Lane played by maybe Frances Bavier.
Posted on Jul 25, 2006 03:24 PM
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