Customer Reviews

Titan Training Manuel

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've always been a real dedicated lifter. i started a cutting diet and didn't do some things right(cardio 3 times a day, ouch!) This stupid mistake brought my strength down on all lifts tremendously. I bought Titan Training Manual and within 5 days of working out with it, my strength has nearly returned. I went from benching 220 for 10 reps to 240 for 9 reps at a bodyweight of 168. that's the most i've ever seen in that short a time. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is in bodybuilding or powerlifting, or if you're just looking to stun you workout buddy.

This workout manual is not for the weak of heart. A very unorthodox approach to training that does not disappoint. At first one might wonder if the intensity is worth it, but after two weeks the results begin to appear. A definite must for any Natural aspiring bodybuilder/fitness buff that is not afraid of a bit of blood, sweat and tears. The beauty is it's not just a once off program, that you follow and then discard, but one that is sure to become a cornerstone in your workout programs. Based on the concept of Periodization, this program compresses this into a MicroPeriodization routine, blending Endurance, Strength, and Power all in one. I have gained muscle, lost fat (due to the supersets in the first two days workouts combined with training on an empty stomach first thing in the morning) and even noticed benefit to my cardio. Bench press went from 135 for 15 reps to 205 for 15 reps; and 235 for 3 reps to 355 for 3 reps. Squats from 185 for 15 reps to 275 for 15 reps ( to just below parallel); and 315 for 3 reps to 495 for 3 reps. Deadlifts from 115 for 15 reps to 225 for 15 reps; and 315 for 3 reps to 455 for 3 reps. Went from doing non-weighted chin-ups to Chin-up weighted with 75 lbs. for 3 reps. All weight listed in pounds. This was over 2 consecutive 12 week programs. Bodyfat dropped from 16 to 10%. Went from 195 lbs. to 208 lbs. Looking forward to my next round of Natural training... as I know these gains are here to stay.

When I first read Titan Training, I was somewhat disappointed. I had read Leo Costa's previous book "Big Beyond Belief" and devoured all of the information in it. The breadth and scope of that book was amazing. Big Beyond Belief (BBB) was truly a blueprint on how to build muscle. The programs outlined in that book had different phases, and each phase grew muscle in different ways.

SO when I read Titan Training, I was disappointed to see that over half the book was a rehash of the previous material in BBB. I was also disappointed when I looked at the program: a four day a week program done for 8 weeks. I thought to myself, "This simple program couldn't possibly be better than BBB."

But I test drove the program, and I can say it is light years ahead of any other program out there, even BBB. It looks simple, but they've structured it in way that the program makes you gain as much lean muscle as quickly as possible.

With that said, there is a drawback to the program:

Because the set and rep parameters are fixed, there's not much variety. With BBB, it was fun switching up phases, because each phase was distinct from all the other phases. With Titan Training, I got bored of the workouts after a few weeks, and by the 6th week I was burnt out. I was still gaining and maintaining lean muscle, so my body was responding. But mentally, I was bored with the program.

But if you can do the same workout for 8 weeks, then Titan Training is a great muscle building program.

This program is totally all consuming and extremely high volume. Even if you do have all of your ducks in a row (e.g. sleep, nutrition, supplements) it will likely lead to burn out while you attempt it. I may try this again later this year once my work schedule and the accompanying stress decreases. Also, I kept trying to increase my weights each workout, which is unsustainable. I think I will let myself adapt for the first few weeks to the high volume before attempting it again.

Pros:
-Routine does provide ample stimulation and is largely well thought through.
-I noticed a difference in my physique within 6 weeks or so, which is more than I can say for a lot of routines.

Cons:
-Overpriced.
-Not enough info on exercises and correct form. This cannot be your only lifting reference.
-Will likely lead to overtraining unless you are directly related to Ronnie Coleman/share his interest in "supplements".


Overall, I would have given this a 5 had it provided more info on active recovery, nutrition, and a exercise form/selection and was cheaper (~$25). Instead though, it gets a 3.

Tried the workout...never felt so burntout in my life....try his big beyond belief book...much better In my Opinion

The authors have come up with a very unique, intelligent, and efficient approach to bodybuilding. The concepts and routine presented is pretty simple for the most part, and that's the beauty of it.

As others have said, yes, it's a pretty intense program - but if you have the discipline and motivation to follow through with it, it'll certainly pay off for you.

I would suggest this program for people who are at least intermediate or advanced in their training experience and knowledge.

To anyone who is interested in the difference between this program and the previous book, "Big Beyond Belief" - I believe that they are both equally as effective, but this program is a little more efficient.

I've been using Big Beyond Belief (BBB aka Serious Growth III) for several years with excellent results. I recently ordered Titan Training Manual. (BTW. Amazon, you should check the spelling. It's Manual and NOT Manuel. You will probably sell more if you fix the typo.)

You've heard of the old saying "Great things come in small packages." This book fits that description. It's only 79 pages, and the first 33 pages are basically a review of BBB. That means that the last half of this book is geared towards Serious Growth IV. But don't think it's another marketing scheme to sell another product. Leo and his crew put a lot of thoughts into this program. When I first read BBB many years ago, I thought it was unconventional in its approach to bodybuilding. The concept of micro-periodization was foreign to me. But what the heck, the program works, and that's all that matters, right? Titan, on the other hand, is taking bodybuilding to the next level. 4 times a week and that's it. You may think that 4 times a week seems to be crossing the threshold of undertraining - and that's the beauty of it from an efficiency standpoint. Moreover, the concept of micro-periodization has taken another leap in Titan. The three-week ramp plus the three week supergrowth phase (you know what I'm talking about if you have BBB) has been compressed into a one-week phase. Finally, the concept of base and volume training and muscle rounds are introduced in this book. All I can say is that guy Leo is a bodybuilding genius, man.

It's difficult to write a review on bodybuilding books for the obvious fact that one has to be dedicated and disciplined, follow the manual to the T, measure the results, and then write a meaningful review. This process could take months. But as I mentioned, I am very pleased with BBB (as well as thousands of other bodybuilders), so I'm pretty sure this manual will be just as (if not more) effective. I plan to use Titan sometime in April 2008 after I finish BBB.

It's too early for me to judge the effectiveness of this program, so I will just have to come back in Fall of 2008 and submit my final review. In the meantime, keep focused, eat right, and stay away from `roids. They will shrink you wieners and give you zits the size of Texas!!

PS.

Amazon, thanks again for a great service. My book arrived within days.

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UPDATED: April 28, 2008

Okay guys. I promised I was gonna come back sometime in Fall 08 to give my final review. I decided to cut it short. I started Titan on April 4, 2008. Four weeks have gone by and I am happy to report that within this period I have gained 2.40 lbs of muscle and lost 3.90 lbs of fat. I have also been on the Anabolic Diet since February 28, 2008. And if you must know, I have lost a total of 11 lbs of fat and gained 3.6 lbs of muscle since February 28. (I was on BBB prior to starting Titan on April 4.)

So there you have it. I am maintaining the original "5 stars" I had initially rated. In all honesty, I wonder if the fat loss and muscle gained I had achieved came from the Anabolic Diet, BBB, Titan, or a little bit of everything. I also wonder if I had gotten same (or even better) results with a different training program. Nevertheless, I am happy with what I have achieved. I am cutting Titan short because I have decided to start going for the mass phase. I will be using Optimum Anabolics as my training and diet template. Hope this review helps in any way. Good luck to all my fellow muscleheads:)

PS. The workout was efficient but brutal! Keep an eye on your diet, and make sure you get ample rest. Otherwise, you could overtrain.

I was on Leo's Big Beyond Belief program for nearly two years and couldn't believe the difference it made. I switched to the Titan Training and Behold! I found something even better. The program is difficult in its intensity, but it only takes 45 minutes four days per week. You will be amazed!
In response to Matt Robert's question in his "review" about what is the difference between the two programs - You dunce! Buy the book and find out the difference. But I'll give you a hint: 45 mintues 4 x a week.

Great follow up to " Big Beyond Belief" this program works if you can handle it. This training regiment really delivers results

The system described in the book works! As a person with a handicap, I was still able in just over two weeks drop my body fat from 9.4% to 7.1%. This means that with my net weight loss of one pound that I gained just under four pounds of muscle. I am now in my fourth week and people all around my office are noticing that I am getting bigger rapidly. My strength is increasing rapidly. For example, my barbell front shoulder press has increased 60lbs. already. Workout smarter, without supplements and see results. If it worked for me, it will work for anyone.