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Transformation Tuesday: Gaining 35 pounds of dense muscle mass

Personal trainer and wellness expert Dale Parducci recounts his seven-year journey.

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Dale Parducci
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The life of a hardgainer is hours upon hours in the gym putting in the work with little to almost nothing to show for it. They never get enough credit. Dale Parducci could be considered a hardgainer, but once he found what worked for him, specifically his diet, the gains began to pile on. Parducci’s start with the weights was at 17; now, seven years later, he’s 35 lbs bigger and thicker with an energizing passion for the fitness industry.

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In this week’s Men’s Fitness Transformation Tuesday video interview, Parducci stresses the importance of finding the right diet, how to blast through a fitness plateau, plus what’s to come in his MuscleAndFitness.com program, The 30-Day Push, Pump & Stretch. (Stay tuned for more on the release of Parducci’s program.)

Follow @DParducci on Instagram

Have you lost a ton of weight, or gained piles of muscle? Follow and DM Mike Simone on Instagram at @Mike_Simone.

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Routine

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Day 1

Chest and triceps

Exercise
Equipment
Sets
Reps
Rest
Exercise 1 of 5

Dumbbell Hex Press

Equipment
Dumbbells
Sets
4
Reps
8
Rest
--
Exercise 2 of 5

Incline Bench Press

Equipment
Barbell
Sets
4
Reps
8
Rest
--
Exercise 3 of 5

Landmine Press

Equipment
Barbell
Sets
3
Reps
12
Rest
--
Exercise 4 of 5

Incline Dumbbell Flye

Equipment
Dumbbells
Sets
3
Reps
12
Rest
--
Perform this exercise using a pronated grip.
Exercise 5 of 5

Rope Pushdown

Equipment
Cable Machine
Sets
4
Reps
20
Rest
--
Exercise 6 of 5

Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher

Equipment
Bench
Sets
4
Reps
10-12
Rest
--
Exercise 7 of 5

Weighted rope crunch

Equipment
Rope Attachment
Sets
4
Reps
12
Rest
--

Day 2

Back and biceps

Exercise
Equipment
Sets
Reps
Rest
Exercise 8 of 5

Single-Arm Pushdown

Equipment
Cable Machine
Sets
4
Reps
8-10
Rest
--
Perform this exercise using a supinated grip.
Exercise 9 of 5

One-Arm Dumbbell Row

Equipment
Dumbbells
Sets
4
Reps
10
Rest
--
Exercise 10 of 5

Chest-Supported Row

Equipment
Sets
4
Reps
10
Rest
--
Perform this exercise on an incline.
Exercise 11 of 5

Pullover/Triceps Extension

Equipment
Barbell
Sets
3
Reps
12
Rest
--
Perform this exercise holding a pair of dumbbells.
Exercise 12 of 5

Shrug

Equipment
Dumbbells
Sets
4
Reps
10
Rest
--
Hold a short pause at the top of each rep.
Exercise 13 of 5

Preacher Curl

Equipment
EZ-Bar
Sets
4
Reps
8-10
Rest
--
Exercise 14 of 5

Overhead Biceps Cable Curl

Equipment
Elastic Band
Sets
3
Reps
10-12
Rest
--
Exercise 15 of 5

Leg Raise

Equipment
Bench
Sets
4
Reps
12
Rest
--

Day 3

Legs and abs

Exercise
Equipment
Sets
Reps
Rest
Exercise 16 of 5

Back Squat

Equipment
Barbell
Sets
3
Reps
8
Rest
--
Perform this exercise slowly and explosively.
Exercise 17 of 5

Sumo Deadlift

Equipment
Barbell
Sets
3
Reps
8-10
Rest
--
Perform this exercise using a pair of dumbbells.
Exercise 18 of 5

Goblet Squat

Equipment
Kettlebells
Sets
4
Reps
8
Rest
--
Exercise 19 of 5

Stiff-leg Deadlift

Equipment
Sets
3
Reps
10
Rest
--
Between each set, stretch each quad for 30 seconds.
Exercise 20 of 5

Standing Calf Raise

Equipment
Box
Sets
2
Reps
10-12
Rest
--

Day 4

Shoulders, traps, and abs

Exercise
Equipment
Sets
Reps
Rest
Exercise 21 of 5

Shoulder Press

Equipment
No Equipment
Sets
4
Reps
8
Rest
--
Exercise 22 of 5

Bentover Reverse Flye

Equipment
Dumbbells
Sets
4
Reps
20
Rest
--
Exercise 23 of 5

Face Pull

Equipment
Cable Machine
Sets
4
Reps
10
Rest
--
Exercise 24 of 5

Dumbbell Lateral Raise

Equipment
Dumbbells
Sets
4
Reps
12
Rest
--
Exercise 25 of 5

Front Raise

Equipment
Resistance Band
Sets
4
Reps
12
Rest
--
Exercise 26 of 5

Russian Twist

Equipment
Medicine Ball
Sets
6
Reps
10-12
Rest
--
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