I am very proud to say that over the years I have heard many success stories from people who have executed my system and achieved great success. I am also proud that these stories come from all over the world. I can tell you it never gets old to hear and it is always very exciting see the “before and after” pictures. I am driven to continue to provide information to help people who want to know the best approach for changing their bodies and I wanted to share this special success story with you.
Kevin Eller’s story is unique for a couple reasons. One is because he is from my own backyard here in Michigan. The other is Kevin constructed the plan strictly from watching my documentary “I Want to Look Like That Guy” and taking notes. Kevin and I never actually spoke until after his transformation was well under way and he stopped by my gym one day to show me what he had accomplished. I was very impressed with what Kevin had achieved and humbled to hear that my documentary was the driving force behind his success. His photos speak for themselves.
“I’ve had gym memberships on and off for years. I thought all you had to do was exercise and make better food choices. It was like getting in the car and trying to drive to Texas without getting a map. I got nowhere. I didn’t understand that getting fit requires a planned routine and specific food choices.
I was approaching 50. My doctor said I had diabetes. I wasn’t far enough along for medication but if I kept doing the same thing, I’d get there. I needed bigger clothes. I was sick of being fat and always tired.
August 2010, I stumbled across some clips of Jeff Willet’s documentary “I Want to Look Like That Guy” and decided I wanted to see the whole video. I watched the video a few times, writing down the workouts and printed out the meal plans included with the DVD. Oct 1, 2010, I started executing the plan. I weighed 215 lbs at that time. Eighteen months later, March 2012, I entered the NPC Michigan Novice at a weight of 152 lbs.
Before I saw the documentary, I didn’t believe that physical transformation was something I could achieve. Stuart and Jeff proved that with motivation, and the correct plan, physical transformation is possible for anyone.
Thanks for making me believe!” – Kevin Eller
Thank you for sharing your story Kevin and I am sure your success will inspire others to follow in your footsteps.
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A very inspiring story. Kevin made a huge change in his life!
What an inspirational story! Congrats to Kevin!
Jeff, if I have to do my cardio right after my weight training, should I take my protein shake after the weights and before cardio, or should I finish doing the weights, move on to cardio and then take my shake after the cardio?
Do cardio and then take your drink.
Hi Jeff,
Untill what age are we able to train really hard the Max OT way?
Are there limitations when you are in your fourties?
I don’t think there is an maximum age really. As long as you use weights that you can handle with good execution you should be fine. If there are areas of concern that you don’t want to excessively load you can still use the basic principles but shift to the upper end of the rep range (6) rather than working hard at the low end of the range (4). In other words adjust intensity by lessening the load.
Hi Jeff!
I have two questions for you:
1) If for example in first set I miscalculated my weight and can do more than 6 good quality reps, then should I do more if I can or stop the set at 6 (not failure)? Of course ill increase weight on the next set to stay i 4-6 range.
2) Here is my routine, what dou you think about it:
Monday – Back & Biceps
Deadlift 3 x 4-6
Pull Downs to the Front 3 x 4-6
Seated Cable Row 3 x 4-6
Straight Bar Curls 3 x 4-6
Dumbell Hammer Curls 3 x 4-6
Cable Curls 1 x 6-8
Tuesday – Chest & Triceps
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press 3 x 4-6
Flat Dumbbell Bench Press 3 x 4-6
Dips 3 x 4-6
Close Grip Bench Press 3 x 4-6
Skull Crushers 3 x 4-6
Cable Press Downs 1 x 6-8
Thursday – Legs & Abs
Squat 3 x 4-6
Leg Press 3 x 4-6
Leg Curl 3 x 6
Cable Crunch 3 x 8-10
Hanging Leg Raise 2 x 8-10
Friday – Shoulders & Calves
Dumbbell Shoulder Press 3 x 4-6
Military Press 2 x 4-6
Dumbbell Side Laterals 2 x 6-8
Dumbbell Bent Over Laterals 2 x 6-8
Standing Calf Raise 3 x 6-8
Seated Calf Raise 2 x 6-8
DOes this look good?
Hope to gain some size
Thank you for you anwsers
ps. I hope your wonderful App will be someday available on android also
If you miscalculate weight I would still stop at 6 reps and then add more for the next set.
Due to a high volume of request I am unable to dissect individual workouts. I will tell you to stick with the Max-OT principles as far as total sets and exercise selection. More is not better so don’t opt to add more.
Jeff, I am a big fan of your person and hard work.
I chose one of your Max OT routines, but Im not 100% sure if I can do *Hanging* Leg Raises instead of Lying Leg Raises, I mean:
Cable Crunches 3 x 8-10
Hanging Leg Raises 2 x 8-10
Anyway, is it a good abdominal combo?
Best Regards,
Tom
I don’t feel let raises are the critical ab move. Either lying or hanging is fine.
Thank you Jeff!
Rep Range –
HI Jeff,
I am wondering if it really matters whether or not you use a 4-6 rep range or a 6-8 rep range? Reason I ask is that another well known natural bodybuilder was using Max OT and following the program to a “T” has recently changed his school of thought on the rep range and is now saying that he is certain that best growth takes place in the 8-12 rep range. Other than the number of reps, his program is basically Max OT with the overload principal. He put in a good argument on his website about all this and it has made me wonder…
For me, I feel that the 8-12 rep range is a bit high, but I am wondering about the 6-8 rep range with the Max OT overload principle? My reason for this is that I train at home, alone with basic barbell and dumbells. I have done 4-6 rep range for a number of years, but have often wondered if my form is somewhat off. I somehow feel that it may be a little safer for me to lighten up just a wee bit and do a higher rep in each set.
I am starting back after a week off, so I really look forward to your take on this.
THANKS!
I feel the 4-6 range is optimal. That’s not to say that slightly higher (6-8) range will not produce a degree of results, however, whenever you increase the reps that means you are decreasing the weight and thereby making the overload less optimal for maximum results in my opinion.
Hi Jeff,
What do you think about lifting weights in the 1-3 rep range for compound exercises instead of 4-6 reps?
Would lifting like powerlifters give same results like max ot? im just curious because max ot is based on overload, therefore decreasing reps means we are increasing overload so it should give us same results, right?
Thanks
I feel 4-6 is a highly effective range for achieving maximum results. That is not so say that 3 reps or 7 reps at times is not going to help. The idea is to overload the muscles and stay in the 4-6 rep range but you you don’t have to get too over analytical about it. Lift heavy and intense, focus on the primary Max-OT principles and you will be fine.
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for sharing Kevin’s story, it’s amazing and I’m convinced that everyone is a success story waiting to happen if they believe and work hard enough.
What is your opinion on not training due to sickness? A low grade fever, sinus infections, etc. Do you feel that taking off from weight training and maybe just doing a bit moderate intensity cardio to keep the metabolism up and a reduced calorie intake until the ‘bug’ passes is the right strategy? Sort of like a Max-OT holding pattern?
Thanks Jeff, stay well.
I think if you are sick and have a fever you are better off taking time off and return when you can go 100%.
Congratulation Kevin !!!