A caveat: if RetroGunslinger is "tall and skinny" (as in ectomorph), the P90X program won't likely be the best option. "Hardgainers" (skinny people who have trouble gaining weight and building muscle) should break some of the rules of P90X. For example, I understand that the dietary options begin with higher protein and controlled carbohydrates. I would suggest he eat
more carbohydrates to help his caloric intake to build mass. That and healthy fats.
He's not trying to tone or lose weight along with building muscle. He's trying to build mass, period. He's playing an "active male who could hold his own in a bar fight or lift heavy stuff," not a cover model.
I suggest lifting heavy and eating heavy. Cardio-ab-ripper-Yoga-X phases are going to be a waste of time for his purposes. If he were doing an action role that demanded advanced training, then maybe.
If he's too skinny to begin with, he needs to go boldly in the right direction: mass gain.
---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:29 AM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willravel
If you go right into strength training, you could exasperate issues like poor posture or muscular imbalances.
|
This is more an issue for those who don't stick to the big movements I mentioned above. People tend to overdo it on areas for vanity purposes (big chest, big biceps) and ignore other areas that act as stabilizers or synergists.
Sticking to compound movements and avoiding isolation exercises avoids problems of imbalance.