Vince Gironda was never at a lost of “words of wisdom.” Over the years, and still today, I still hear people remark on the things Vince said with a great deal of skepticism and I’m not in agreement with everything myself and I actually believe he was a little off the deep end on a few of his methods. However, most of Vince’s knowledge is now being validated years later by the scientific community. I am personally more of training fan of Vince’s work, more so than his nutrition info.
Here are some of Vince’s statements that I dug out from “Vince Gironda – Legend & Myth” – a must read book containing 334 pages dedicated to his knowledge, teaching, courses, workouts, protocols and everything Vince Gironda. It’s a must-own resource for any fitness and muscle enthusiast. In my opinion, these comments from the “Iron Guru” are pure gold.
Drugs
I have never taken artificial steroids or other growth enhancing drugs, nor have I ever recommended them for any of my gym members or pupils. I detest the use of chemicals by any athlete in any sport. Everything about drugs rubs me the wrong way. Unlike many pro bodybuilders who see benefits that outweigh the disadvantages, I see only the artocious side effects and absolutely no benefits.
Beware of Vitamin Destroyers
Baking soda, carbonated water, sugar, tobacco, mineral oil, sedatives, alcohol, barbiturates, antibiotics, overcooking, pasteurization, oxidation, exposure to light, preservatives.
The Physique
You cannot build a good physique using just a few basic movements. It is impossible. Just think for a moment; how can an individual build a balanced physique when typically, his workout routine includes 15 or 20 sets of bench presses, 5 or 6 sets of squats, 3 sets of shoulder work, and most likely no calf work, no forearm work and only some improperly performed ab work? Well, that’s what you’ll find going on in most gyms.
Drugs and improper workouts have caused bodybuilders to lose physical symmetry. I believe one of the hallmarks of virle manhood is wide shoulders, slim waist and small hips. How many bodybuilders have them? You could count the number on the fingers of one hand. Yet every bodybuilder has big droopy pecs. Let’s bring that tapered physique back!
Dump The Scale
Every gym owner should throw out his scales. If you don’t like what you see in the mirror, what different does it make what the scale says anyways? In addition, the scale can be a deceiving liar too: Larry Scott is 5’8 and weights 200 lbs; those are my exact measurements too. I must be perfect, you conclude? Not very logical is it?
Calf Training
Calves are a stretch muscle, so you must try to lengthen them by stretching at the bottom of the movement. I have discovered that men with poor calf development have poor range of motion. On the other hand, men with good calves have developed good flexibility. Obviously then, the Donkey Raise is one of the best calf exercises because the bent over position induces a great stretch.
Rules
There are various reasons why I have requested members of my gym to leave and leave fast. I have been inflamed to the point of expelling certain types for trying to propagate their pseudoscientific methodology. The following is a partial list of reasons for expulsion:
- Failing to work. My system works but sometimes my students do not.
- Asking for squat racks.
- Refusing to remove shoes during calf work.
- Attempting to serve two masters.
- Performing high rep ab workout
- Bringing street clothes onto the gym floor.
- Performing full sit-ups.
- Starting a workout with biceps exercises.
- Mentioning the words running and aerobics.
- Practicing lazy, multi-set bench presses.
- Hanging around to socialize while doing one set every ten minutes.
- Eating hamburgers and fries while on a diet.
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hi vince,
This is anil from india. My weight is 51 and im 22 now. i want to put on some muscle. please help me out…
@Vince – I thought it was more along the lines of not following two different trainers advice, but your interpretation makes sense too.
Currently going through his PICP I/II, and would love to have the financial resources to take biosig in phoenix next march. His programs have had tremendous success in clients, so I never see a dime into his programs a dime wasted. Hypertrophy camp is unfortunately a little out of my price range, but I’m sure you’ll get some wicked size out of that! Shoot a vid after your week there!
Vince i have watch you live large and see i knew that your program the way you make the workouts they not work why? cuz i have been most of my life into some exersices and more now always i see that those who really look good they traing very hard and not for 30 minutes they do for 2 to 3 hours and now i just see that you are talking about it that is the reson whit all the programs ppl get frustrated cuz every body lie never tell what they really do to have that body then can’t and impossible to make it in 30 minutes by 3 or 4 times a week and you know that all is bs antill yourself pay attention and look around and check who really look good and one question How come you promot othe ppl products? you don’t think yours are the best? oh maybe cuz you are not champion yet well maybe one day you will.
Armando, training for 2-3 hours has been scientifically debunked. You raise cortisol when you workout, any more than one hour and the anabolic state is diminished and you start compromising immune functioning. 2 workouts a day is optimal for those that have the time to get into the gym, but never workout late as you won’t be able to get to sleep. Just my 2 cents, and is backed by the best strength coach in the world.
Yo the working out before bed or else you wont sleep has also been proven false. studies show people sleep better if they do some sort of physical activity hour and a half before bed.
which study? Sorry but that is incorrect, your adrenal glands produce cortisol in high amounts when working out, and when you work out those levels will stay higher up until the time you go to bed and it will be harder to get to sleep. Whoever did that study doesn’t understand adrenal functioning.
Well put, you may not have the most training knowledge out there but I’ll give it to ya that you’re a hell of a marketer. If you ever need any training knowledge I’m studying under charles poliquin so I’d be glad to help you vince.
Trent – I’ll be at Charles 5-Day Hypertrophy Camp in Rhode Island this january. Maybe I’ll meet you there?
Trent – what course of Charles have you taken? I’m thinking of doing his Bio Sig courses next year…
I should note I’m not trent too, my buddy and I share this computer and he posted on here originally. My name’s TJ, Ben Pak referred me to charles and I’ve been hooked on fitness since. Going back for a kines degree with his certification programs to hopefully make a big impact in pt.
Right on, I guess you know that Ben is my coach and prepared me for 3 shows this past year? We both went to University of Western Ontario for Kinesiology. If you’re young, go for it. Otherwise, going straight to Charles programs will fast tract your learning curve.
Ben definitely has a lot of training knowledge. Yeah, unfortunately I have to have the papers (kinesiology degree) before I can give people the results (charles’ work) to be considered a real reputable trainer. If you’re thinking of taking biosig next year and aren’t taking the mrs, let me know if you want to share a room for that.
@Shaun – What led you to believe Vince Del Monte was a bodybuilder at all? He’s not. He’s a fitness model, which is completely different. And he’s overcome genetic challenges in a way that doesn’t make him look like a hippopotamus. I respect him more than most bodybuilders because he is able to pack on muscle in a way that isn’t disgusting. I don’t respect you because you criticize people for doing what they love. Not to mention, Gironda was a PHYSIQUE trainer. PHYSIQUE does not mean the hourglass you get on many bodybuilders. You’re dumb.
Hey Greg. Thanks for your kind words to me. Be nice to our friend Shaun.
Attempting to serve two masters. Wtf is this suppose to mean? Didn’t know Vince was a control freak when he did his S&M in his gym. And the whole no squat rack just means this guru didn’t have any legs.
Hey David.
Take a look at my interpretation below to his “no squat rack” comment. That one through me off too…
David – I have no idea of Vince’s spiritual journey but the quote, “don’t serve two masters” is a scripture verse Jesus quoted. It means that where your heart is, there your treasure will be also. It basically means you shouldn’t value material things over God. Now, I’m guessing Vince means something like, “You can’t put anything before the gym if you want to transform your body….” That’s my personal interpretation of his belief.
I’m interested in Gironda’s 8×8 Method, which he called an “honest” workout.
Kyle, look back a few posts and you can download the complete workout for free.
@mike –
Sid made a great comment above – Vince’s book is NOT for newbies without a solid knowledge base and transformation behind their back but it’s great if you’re experienced and able to identify what is clearly not accurate today.
If you get easily overwhelmed, do not buy Vince’s bio.
i noticed he advocated high fat diets..and no cardio….wont high fat diets make most ppl light headed,weak and fatgued….and wont no cardio at all be unhealthy for the heart
My own thoughts having purchased this book, and having done so through another of critical bench’s associates (thus getting lots of free stuff), it is well worth the price. Very interesting in itself and some great points in there. I wouldn’t suggest a newbie bought it, however, as there is lots of bull they wouldn’t be able to sift from the gold. It’s an interesting biography also. But yeah…not so impressed by how at least 6 of my news letters from different people started promoting Vince G like no tomorrow.
words to ponder, I also am getting a little overwhelmed with the onslaught of “get the lastest”
@Nicholas- I personally think the reason he was against working legs and upper body together was because I’ve seen it happen that guys’ legs get huge, and their waists/hips do too. If you look at Reg Park, you’ll see that his lower body flares out a little bit, especially in comparison to Vince’s.
@Chris- Regular rack squats don’t increase athleticism, I know from my own experience (when I was squatting heavier, I was much more sluggish and low energy)
Not sure what the big deal is in sharing resources in your network. Physicians do this all the time, as do teachers, etc. All professions rely on others in their profession to give them ideas that they can pass on to their clients, patients. It’s the way the world goes. Vince G. certainly has the goods whether you agree with his technique or not. Thanks Vince D. for continuing to send good stuff our way.
Right they rely on each other to inform them of new info which I’m sure Mike W. did with Vinny. But for Vinny and every other internet BB fitness dude to come out and hammer on this new product just stinks. I guess you didnt get the 10 emails from a few different dudes, ALL SAYING THE SAME THING. So while a teacher might learn from another teacher and teach that, its not quite the same as hey wanna buy a product my friend is selling cuz you trust me?
And DR’s are trained in pathology and which big pharma drug works best…they are legally sanctioned pushers
Not all, but the large majority.
Perhaps its the way the world used to work…i think many here and out there are done with the old ways…
peace!
No problem Domenic
Vince, stop pretending you’re a bodybuilding guru, you’re an internet phony,only gullible morons look up to you. Luckily for you there’s lots of them and you can make money selling your two bob bodybuilding knowledge.
Hi Shaun.
Usually I just delete or ignore ignorant comments like yours and other times I have to set you straight because you obviously don’t know I’ve helped over 80,000 guys and gals through my programs since May 2006 and will continue doing this as this is my life calling. I don’t know what a “internet phony” is but I’m – by far – the most transparent “bodybuilding guru” that I know of because I have nothing to hide.
If you’re new to my blog, I hope you stick around and see for yourself that I’m here to help you, serve you and yes, hopefully sell you one of my programs because that’s where I lay out my BEST knowledge. If not, I have hundreds of free articles and videos for you to study and learn from.
Stay postitive.
Yeah.. i mean your posting about rejecting squat racks!? WTF!?
how the heck else are you supposed to squat?
i mean suuuuure you can’t get a slim waste if you have tree trunk legs.. but heck, you lost a few places recently yourself because your legs were to big compared to guys with skinny wastes & skinny legs.
these vince G posts are bullshit man.
just saying it like it is.
Vince Del Monte this is worrying as I have a high respect for you and what you have achieved in your own personal physique.
I am on alot of your associates mail list and this is what Im finding to as per the above poster. Don’t let this become all about money,I know that your bread & butter is earned from your knowledge that you share with others, but don’t jump on every bandwagon and promote stuff just to make a buck. Your reputation would be at stake if you do.
So with you…I’ve actually cut way back on the number of newsletters I’m joined to because of this same thing! It seems like the circles are closing or getting smaller and of the few I have left, every single one of them jumped on this bandwagon and pumped it!
In Vinny’s other post he even worded the end of the article as if Gironda was still alive.
Stop pushing each others stuff trying to get the back end juice. As John is saying, stand on your own…you can tell most of all this stuff was cut/paste straight from criticalbench.
Well, obviously the are all talking about Vince Gironda because the want to sell you something, my friend.
This is pure business, man and I’m pretty sure Vince del Monte knows that Gironda said lots of bullshit!
While you debunk/malign a whole lot of others–the so called fitness industry/musle magazine and a host of other perceived villians–the whole network operates like a cartel–you scratch my back, i will scratch yours. Anyone within the network coming out with a new product, suddenly every other guy is recommending it, even though it contradicts what they say their own programs-in the last few months it was hybrid/R-Quatro/final phase fat loss/double edged fat loss etc etc and now there is the new Lazarus everyone has woken up and discovered. The whole thing stinks
Any particular reason why you and a few others in the online bodybuilding business are referring to “vince gironda”? I just find it odd you all are talking about vince gironda at the same time.
The funny thing is… I read he had to shut his gym down due to running out of business.
Maybe he should have stopped kicking people out so much
I read it and found that he contradicted himself quite a bit (in regards to protein consumption, training volume and several other things). What are your thoughts on that?
Also, I wasn’t too crazy about the book’s layout. You literally have to read everything.
It does have a lot of good points.
@Fruit Loops – He certainly knew what he was doing, no arguing that. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everything he said is true. I’m just curious, that’s all. Not trying to pick an argument or a fight.
Picking nits on a dead guy. Look at the mans body! He wasn’t a talker. He was a doer “who made his mother proud”. Come on buy the book, sart doing, nd also make your mother proud.
Also, it’s curious that he died of heart failure at the age of 79. Seventy-nine, isn’t that old, I’m curious what his diet was.
Considering today’s US male life expectancy is 75.6 and I’m sure it wasn’t that high when he was born; he outlived average…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy
While I am in no way doubting that Vince Gironda knows a lot more than me about bodybuilding and muscle gains, I am curious as to his reasoning for some of his “rules”. For instance, he says that you shouldn’t work legs and upper body on the same day. However, Reg Park advocated a full body workout 3 days a week. And many others have used this type of regimen and have seen great results. Why is Vince G so against this style of working out?
Hi Nicholas,
Combining upper and body could be ideal for:
- fat loss
- metabolic demand
- caloric expendiure
- endurance
- conditioning
Combining upper body and lower body is NOT ideal if:
- you’re trying to specialize on your legs
- you’re trying to specialize on your upper body
- you’re looking for maximal hypertrophy
If you look at who Vince trained – celebrities, physique athletes etc, who required symmetry and balance and proportion – combining upper and lower body in the same workout would not give you enough volume to stimulate the muscle into growth.
This is simply another “sound bite” that makes sense when the context of the advice is given too.
Thanks for clearing that up Vince.
no squat rack?
ah! you’re out. you can’t ask that.
Hi Chris,
No squat rack. I’m not exactly sure why he was against this except that maybe you could adjust the pins on a squat rack that prevented you from squatting below parallel. Vince as a stickler for cheating and maybe he saw his clients using the squat rack as a way to lift heavy loads without going down to parallel.
I’m just guessing because I don’t see anything wrong with a squat rack. Remember, Vince was an extremist in most of his philosophies.
I believe it was because he advised against performing heavy back squats altogether, he preferred the sissy squat which does not require heavy weight to tax the legs, therefore the weight can be lowered and racked easily. Maybe vince (delmonte) could make a video of this movement in the future? one of his famous quotes was “we are bodybuilders not powerlifters” due to the fact that he felt heavy weights were not needed to build muscle, rather moderate weight to ‘feel’ the muscles working. Up until recently I was all for heavy weights but after switching to vince’s 8×8 workout I have experienced some fantastic gains in size. All the doubters need to pipe down until they have actually experienced his methods.
Hi Oli.
Wise and mature words.
Believe it or not, I hate sissy squats. Really awkward move for me so I’ll probably never do a video on them!
But I think you’re bang on in your interpretation.
Thanks for the response vince, I too prefer not to use them myself as i’m mnore interested in athletic performance which i think front/back squats are better for building explosive power in the legs, but from a bodybuilders perspective i can definately see the benefits on quad developement. Just for anyone who is interested in learning how to do sissy squats, there’s a great video of Vince Gironda himself performing them and teaching a female physique model how to perform them on youtube. The video also shows a priceless quote on how he likes his women. As i am writing this, lee hayward has just added a video to his blog demonstrating the exercise