[IM Insiders can download a PDF of this Issue Instantly. Learn More]

Our September issue starts with get-big info from a guy who packed on 60 pounds of muscle in only one year. His friends didn’t recognize him as he went from a skinny Stan to muscleman before age 20. Then Ruth Silverman scores an in-depth interview with Matt Christianer, a.k.a. Matt Swoll. This dude’s physique is beach-body dynamite—proportion and size for plenty of sighs. We’ll give you his complete Swoll workout and diet. Plus, the 4X mass method, TORQ and Vince Del Monte’s new Q&A column Twig to Big are on our list.

FEATURES

TRANSFORMATION

Elias Daou took his bodyfat down almost 20 percent in less than a year—and added plenty of muscle.

TRAIN, EAT, GROW 167

The TEG men explain downward-progression 4X for an upward infusion of new mass.

SWOLE ON!

For Matt Christianer, a.k.a. Matt Swole, it’s mission accomplished—again and again and again…

THE ULTIMATE LAT EXERCISE

Mr. America Doug Brignole takes his kinesiological know-how and applies it to the latissimus dorsi—with surprising results.

METABOLIC DAMAGE PANDEMIC!

Joe Klemczewski, Ph.D., a.k.a. the Diet Doc, explores the possibility that low-calorie diets grind metabolism to a halt and sky-rocket fat gains.

STACKED BACK

Cory Crow looks at how IFBB pro Dan Decker packs on muscle to improve his rear view. It’s a double-decker back attack.

THE 500-REP ARM ASSAULT

Roger Lockridge says you need to volumize for more size on your bi’s and tri’s. Here’s a blockbuster routine to bust your shirt seams.

A BODYBUILDER IS BORN: GENERATIONS

Ron Harris asks the question, What will you get from bodybuilding? Some obvious—and not-so-obvious—benefits may surprise you.

XTREME FITNESS

Cornell Hunt outlines the barbell complex, a routine to spike your muscle size and short-circuit a bodyfat rise.

PACK ON 50 POUNDS OF USDA MUSCLE

David Young interviews Spencer Neveux and learns exactly how he jacked up his physique in about a year. Talk about a muscular transformation sensation!

THE X-FILES

Steve Holman on the legendary 8×8 and how you can use it to add more muscle weight—variations included.

HARDBODY

Elle Foxx DeLallo shows how weights can sculpt sexy shapes. Amazing physique here, gang—whew!

DEPARTMENTS

TRAIN TO GAIN

Cardio for contest cuts simplified. Plus, muscle shaping.

EAT TO GROW

Is protein overrated for hypertrophy? Jerry Brainum has the answer. Also, why it’s time to kill the RDAs, by Jose Antonio, Ph.D.

MHP MUSCLE AND POWER

IFBB pro Ben White looks at order in the workout.

SMART TRAINING

Coach Charles Poliquin reveals Russian power secrets.

NATURALLY HUGE

Mr. Natural Olympia John Hansen lays out mass programs for beginning and intermediate trainees.

TWIG TO BIG

Vince Del Monte on the myth and mysteries of overtraining.

ANABOLIC RESEARCH

Jerry Brainum discusses the disgusting act of injecting muscles.

NEWS & VIEWS

L.T.’s live from the ’13 West Coast Classic—the physiques, the fans, the fun!

PRIME-TIME MUSCLE

Why you need to get more protein as you age—and how to do it. Plus, more-frequent muscle hits to make you massive and ripped.

MIND/BODY CONNECTION

Dips: The neglected upper-body exercise, from Coach Bill Starr. Also, fruit for fat loss and why we fart—ass-gas facts.

READERS WRITE

Forgotten freakiness, exotic exercises and murderer with mass.