Our October issue has a definite Olympia flavor, starting with a blockbuster interview with Rich Gaspari, a top Mr. O contender from the ’80s and ’90s. The Dragon Slayer has loads of new- and old-school advice to get you big and sliced. And his physique is still unreal and peeled in his 40s. Plus, we’ll have Lonnie Teper’s annual Mr. Olympia preview and predictions, up-and-coming bodybuilder Luca Pennazzato’s chest training and super strongman Zydrunas Savickas’ wild workouts. You won’t believe the size of that dude! Find the October IRON MAN on newsstands the first week of September.

FEATURES

50 TRAIN, EAT, GROW 144
Combo-to-grow workouts and overcoming genetic limitations are on this month’s get-big menu.

78 TESTOSTERONE AND EXERCISE
Researchers Gabriel Wilson and Jacob Wilson, Ph.D., take on the controversy—and explain the link between T counts, mass moves and muscle growth.

90 PENNAZZATO PECTORALIS
Cory Crow checks out chest chiseling Italian style with rising bodybuilder Luca Pennazzato.

98 THE ULTIMATE MASS WORKOUT
Excerpt 7 targets arms and highlights the ultimate exercises for bi’s and tri’s.

104 RICH GASPARI: WINNING!
Lonnie Teper interviews the legendary Dragon Slayer and gets the lowdown on his business and his muscle-stacked physique—still shredded at age 48.

122 A BODYBUILDER IS BORN: GENERATIONS
Ron Harris explains why obsession is bad for your health—there’s more to life than bodybuilding.

126 X-FILES
Steve Holman and Jonathan Lawson’s Q&A on how to become a lean, clean muscle machine. This month’s topics: everything from fat burners to cheat days to alcohol.

146 THE WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN
Steve Downs checks in with Zydrunas Savickas, king of the farmer’s walk, and the car carry, and the plane pull…

158 IFBB MR. OLYMPIA PREVIEW
Lonnie Teper looks at the upcoming Mr. O lineup and ponders his predictions. Does Jay Cutler have the drive to make it five?

188 ONLY THE STRONG SHALL SURVIVE
Coach Bill Starr explores in-season training and how athletes can retain their strength game after game.

DEPARTMENTS

26 TRAIN TO GAIN
X-O to grow, FD/FS mass training and Joe Horrigan on laterals and shoulder trauma.

38 EAT TO GROW
The anabolic properties of fish oil and how carnitine can boost heat-shock proteins.

62 NATURALLY HUGE
Mr. Natural Olympia John Hansen looks at flexing and stretching between sets.

68 SHREDDED MUSCLE
Drug-free IFBB pro Dave Goodin talks about getting back into shape.

70 CRITICAL MASS
Workout architect Steve Holman prescribes the best rest between sets for gaining muscle and strength.

74 SMART TRAINING
Coach Charles Poliquin outlines the big bang-for-your-buck shoulder molder.

142 BODYBUILDING PHARMACOLOGY
Jerry Brainum checks out vitamin D and its testosterone-boosting powers. Interesting stuff!

170 NEWS & VIEWS
Lonnie Teper has all the action from his ’11 NPC West Coast Classic—hot bodies everywhere!

178 PUMP & CIRCUMSTANCE
Ruth Silverman handicaps the women’s Olympias and heralds the return of a famous female flexer from back in the day.

196 MIND/BODY CONNECTION
Calcium for fat loss, mind over genetics and Dave Draper’s Bomber Blast.

208 READERS WRITE
Troy-mendous interview, the Arnold issue and pounds of muscle.