He emphasized the need to maintain perfectly strict form, move the weights in a slow and controlled manner, work the muscles to complete failure (positive and negative), and avoid overtraining. [6], He retired from competitive bodybuilding after that show at the age of 29. He began training 3 times a week and by the age of 15, Mike could bench press 370lb (170kg), with a body weight of just 165lbs (75kg).H… Mike Mentzer was a complex and gifted man who leaves an indelible mark on the bodybuilding landscape. His father would regularly test and encourage his academic knowledge using many rewards, such as cash to ensure he excelled. With Mike and Ray Mentzer's tragic deaths, our visitors would like to know about last days of the legendary brothers. In a career that spanned over three decades, he was one of bodybuilding… Mike Mentzer Heavy Duty Workout Is One of the Hottest Topic in Bodybuilding Between 1979 and 1980, Mr. Olympias, high intensity training, got on the peak and Mike Mentzer (Born on 15th … I learned how to do these things by reading and "digesting" the works of novelist/philosopher, Ayn Rand. For anyone who wants to know more about Mike Mentzer, his training philosophy or have any questions about their training, please call 310 877-7159. Bodybuilding.com's authors include many of the top coaches, nutritionists, and physique athletes in the world today. In early 1975, however, he resumed training and returned to competition in 1975 at the Mr. America contest, placing third behind Robby Robinson and Roger Callard. Mike Mentzer began bodybuilding when he was 12 years old. Learn more about Mike Mentzer by clicking here. Q. [6][1], In 2002, Mentzer was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame. Like 200mg deca every 6-8 days, and 200primo with 4-6 … What made Mike Mentzer a powerful personality in the bodybuilding industry? Mentzer … Since Mike Mentzer's death, will you be able to continue Mike's legacy and educate people on the subject of High-Intensity Training? MYM was based on the success of Don Smith's "CrazeeWear" bodybuilding apparel. THE PRIVATE SIDE OF MIKE MENTZER by Irene L. Hause (MuscleMag International Number 28 March 1982) with permission. Mike Mentzer's friend and colleague, Val Segal comments on the last days of Mike Mentzer and what is next for Mike's business and legacy. He won the 1978 Mr. Universe and became the first bodybuilder in history … A bodybuilding … You can also join Mike Mentzer Fan Club at Yahoo: http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/mikementzerhitclub, For a selection of Mike Mentzer videos and other products, please visit bodybuildingstuff.com and mikementzer.com. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional prior to beginning any diet or exercise program or taking any dietary supplement. Was anyone else starring in the video? I called Joe Gold's office and they have told me that we couldn't use their facility for the film. Through years of study, observation, knowledge of stress physiology, the most up-to-date scientific information available, and careful use of his reasoning abilities, Mentzer devised and successfully implemented his own theory of bodybuilding. Mike Mentzer (November 15, 1951 – June 10, 2001) was an American IFBB professional bodybuilder, businessman and author. Mike was eccentric to be sure, or to be less harsh perhaps he was merely an idealist, a free-thinker who ran against the grain. Q. His first breakthrough became known as the 'Ideal (Principled) Routine', which was a fantastic step in minimal training. However, in his book Heavy Duty Nutrition, Mentzer demonstrated that nutrition for athletes did not need to be nearly as extreme as the bodybuilding industry would lead one to believe. Mike Mentzer was an American veteran, champion bodybuilder, and fitness philosopher. Tragically, a few hours later Mike passed away in his sleep. All rights reserved. [10] Eventually, however, Mentzer concluded that even Jones was not completely applying his own principles, so Mentzer began investigating a more full application of them. However, I insisted finishing on Saturday; he gave up and told me, if I will find the gym, he'll be more than happy to star in it. He was famous for his powerhouse physique and incredible mustache that would make Tom Selleck … In his last interview before his death, Mentzer said he was delighted to get so many phone clients and close personal bodybuilding friends, such as Markus Reinhardt, who had been influenced by him to become Objectivists. A lot of rumors circulate in connection with the deaths of both brothers. Despite differences of opinions in the past, Mike always stated that Arnold was the greatest bodybuilder of all time and his contributions to the sport are enormous. A. What was it like to work with Mike and Ray on this project? He also criticized the teaching of Kantianism in schools and universities and said it's very difficult for an Objectivist philosopher with a PhD to get a job in any of the universities. Thus, his books contain as much philosophy as they do bodybuilding information. With the blessing and promotion of Joe Weider, the trio manufactured and distributed their own line of cut-and-sew sportswear. A. We developed a great friendship and he appointed me to consult people over the phone on the subject of High-Intensity Training. He said "Man is an indivisible entity, an integrated unit of mind and body." He also criticized the philosophy of Immanuel Kant, which he described as an "evil philosophy," because according to him Kant set out to destroy man's mind by undercutting his confidence in reason. Q. The first half of the DVD is devoted to Mike … In this exclusive video you will spend the last moments with Ray and Mike behind the scenes of the original video. For those of you who don't know, Ray had a severe kidney problem. Whatever the case, I always respected his creativity and wisdom outside of his bodybuilding teachings. [10], Jones pioneered the principles of high-intensity training in the late 1960s. The story of Mike Mentzer is one of bodybuilding’s saddest ones, he was a man of incredible talent, and one of the most intelligent bodybuilders around. He was one of the few who dared to call out Arnold and Joe Weider. Mentzer learned that Viator trained in very high intensity (heavy weights for as many repetitions as possible, to total muscle fatigue), for very brief (20–45 minutes per session) and infrequent training sessions. [2], Mentzer was an Objectivist and insisted that philosophy and bodybuilding are one and the same. Outlined in High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way, fewer than five working sets were performed each session, and rest was emphasized, calling for 4–7 days of recovery before the next workout. Mike Mentzer's Heavy Duty, high intensity training is the most effective training program in bodybuilding and fitness. We offer the following story as a means of paying tribute to the passing of a forceful and enigmatic individual who has surely attained the status of bodybuilding … [1][5], Mentzer started bodybuilding when he was 12 years of age at a body weight of 95 lb (43 kg) after seeing the men on the covers of several muscle magazines. "[1], According to David M. Sears, a friend of Mentzer and an editor and publisher of his Muscles in Minutes book, he stated that:[1]. Mike, his brother Ray, and Dorian formed a clothing company called “MYM” for Mentzer Yates Mentzer, also known as “Heavy Duty Inc”, in 1994. Most bodybuilding and weightlifting authorities do not take into account the severe nature of the stress imposed by heavy, strenuous resistance exercise carried to the point of positive muscular failure.[7]. The Heavy Duty, as he became known was born and raised in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. During the shoot Mike has told me that he would like to have a reunion with Arnold on this videotape. Mentzer adopted the HIT philosophy of Arthur Jones … Everyone knows about controversial placing at 1980 Mr. Olympia. For the year between the 1979 and 1980 Mr. Olympias, as high-intensity training rode the crest of its foremost adherent, Mike Mentzer, it seemed on the verge of transforming bodybuilding. Unfortunately, not all that came from Mike Mentzer … In it, he detailed the principles of high intensity weight training. He was born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, USA. [9], While Mike Mentzer served in the US Air Force, he worked 12-hour shifts, and then followed that up with 'marathon workouts' as was the accepted standard in those days. Mike Mentzer posing with Nantucket Nautilus Rock Video. He won the 1977 North America championships in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and competed a week later at the 1977 Mr. Universe in Nîmes, France, placing second to Kal Szkalak. A strikingly handsome man who moves with the fluid grace of a panther. Do you know anything about "Mike Mentzer's HIT Exercise Video"? [12], While in school, Mentzer's father motivated his academic performance by providing him with various kinds of inducements, from a baseball glove to hard cash. [1][2], In late 1979, Mentzer won the heavyweight class of the Mr. Olympia, again with a perfect 300 score, but he lost in the overall to Frank Zane who was awarded the title for a third time that year. Mike Mentzer's friend and colleague, Val Segal comments on the last days of Mike Mentzer and what is next for Mike's business and legacy. A. I hired Markus Reinhardt (past Amateur Bodybuilder Of the Week here on Bodybuilding.com) an inspiring young bodybuilder, who possesses thick, heavy, densely developed muscles reminiscent of Casey Viator. Did Mike and Arnold finally make peace? Mike's goal at the time was to look like his bodybuilding hero, Bill Pearl. As you know, Mike was a voracious reader of philosophy in college-so that would put him at, say 18 years old, in 1970. Q. Prologue: Mike Mentzer died 13 years ago this month on June 10, 2001, aged 49. The Heavy Duty site provides the latest information on training, nutrition and the mind's relationship to bodybuilding. Q. A. Mentzer and Jones soon met and became friends. As an author, His stories are remembered not only story but his greatest physiques also miss today. My name is Val and I am Mike's close friend, pupil and protégé. We caught Markus just couple of weeks away from one of the most prestigious bodybuilding competitions held in Miami, Florida. Mike Mentzer created a lot of controversy in bodybuilding. [12], In the late '80s, Mentzer returned to training bodybuilders and writing for Iron Man magazine and spent much of the 1990s regaining his stature in the bodybuilding industry. His father had bought him set of weights and an instruction booklet. Witness incredible interviews, funny moments, and hear Mike gossip about such celebrities as Frank Zane, Dorian Yates and Joe Weider. Mike Mentzer was an incredibly influential bodybuilder in the 1970s. With Mike and Ray Mentzer's tragic … He maintained that the contest was rigged until the day he died. Related Videos. Coming from a well-educated home, Mike’s father would regularly test and encourage his academic knowledge using various rewards, including cash to ensure he excelled.Mike’s first set of weights was bought for him by his father. Mike Mentzer was born on the 15th of November, 1951. While he never said he thought that he should have won, he maintained that Arnold should not have, though he eventually got on good terms with Schwarzenegger. In grammar school and Ephrata High School, he received "all A's", He credits his 12th grade teacher, Elizabeth Schaub, for his love "of language, thought, and writing." Truly, any of us can glean some form of insight into ourselves from Mike… Bodybuilding.com℠ and BodySpace® are trademarks of Bodybuilding.com. This contest gathered a lot of attention, because at it he became the first bodybuilder ever to receive a perfect 300 score from the judges. Arnold even wanted to come over to Ray's apartment and offer help personally. A. Ironically, we almost changed the day of the shoot for the following Saturday, since World Gym backed out on us in the last moment. Bodybuilding’s original critical thinker, Mr. Universe and creator of HD … Was it caused by health problems or suicide? After graduating high school, Mentzer served four years in the United States Air Force. I contacted Angel City Fitness and International Star Productions, and scheduled filming for Saturday, June 9th. He was best known for being a Bodybuilder. But his life was forever being affected by some … Mike had met Dorian Yates in the 1980s and made an impression on Dorian's bodybuilding career. Mike, his brother Ray, and Dorian formed a clothing company called "MYM" for Mentzer Yates Mentzer, also known as "Heavy Duty Inc", in 1994. The entire production took more than 5 hours. In this book, Mentzer shows why people need to use their reasoning ability to live happy, mature, adult lives, and he shows readers how to go about doing so. Mike Mentzer The Untold Story of the Journey to his Final Days . He began training clients in a near-experimental manner, evaluating the perfect number of repetitions, exercises, and days of rest to achieve maximum benefits. No retakes, no music, no editing; just the row footage of the man you've learned to respect as the lone voice of reason, truth and integrity within the sport. Also, we wanted to include some testimonials of such celebrities as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Weider, Steve Blachman of Twinlab, Dorian Yates and Anthony Robbins. Mike Mentzer was a proponent of High Intensity Training as endorsed and developed by the Nautilus creator Arthur Jones.Blessed with a free-thinking analytical mind, he would explore the muscle building … Mentzer went on to win that competition the next year, in 1976. Mentzer wasn’t afraid to express his rather negative and yet very true opinion of the whole bodybuilding industry. 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