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“You Fool Your Leg”: First Bodybuilder to Shatter Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Olympia Record Offered a Secret Hack to Build Muscles Without Lifting Heavy

Published Sep 12, 2023 | 8:00 AM EDT

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In the annals of bodybuilding, iconic figures such as Arnold Schwarzenegger have set indelible standards of excellence. However, the very nature of competition lies in breaking such records and setting new ones. Someone who perfectly represents this feeling is Lee Haney. a great personality in bodybuilding history, Broke Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Olympia record, changed how we think about building muscles.

A recent video from the Fit Genius YouTube channel showed Haney’s unique way of doing things and viewpoint on muscle growth. One that challenges long-held beliefs about the sheer necessity of lifting heavy weights for muscle growth.

Deciphering the philosophy of Lee Haney

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Haney propounds a technique that, at first glance, may seem counterintuitive. He says, “If you can get your leg to think you use at 8 million pounds and you only use 500 or 300 then that’s great” Such a statement indicates a closer examination to understand its profound implications.

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Delving deeper into Haney’s ethos reveals a delicate understanding of muscular physiology. “A leg doesn’t recognize how much weight you’re using it only recognizes the feel”. According to Haney, muscles can’t naturally tell how much weight they’re lifting. Instead, they react to the perception or sensation of weight. Thus, making muscles feel the gravity of a heavier load, even when it’s not, will elicit a response culminating in growth.

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Central to this approach is the ‘pre-exhaustion’ technique. Before engaging in intensive exercises like squats, Haney advises to initiate exercises such as leg extensions or leg presses. The smart thing about this strategy is how it affects our bodies. By inducing preliminary fatigue in the muscles, even diminished weights in subsequent exercises seem formidable. It eliminates the necessity of resorting to excessive loads.

The holistic benefits of the bodybuilding legend’s method

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Haney’s approach benefits more than just muscle growth; it also improves overall health. As Haney points out, by not having to lift the metaphorical “8 million pounds,” one safeguards pivotal joints, the spinal column, and other vulnerable areas. For a discipline, frequently witnessing injuries from overstrain, this methodology offers a salutary alternative.

Furthermore, Haney’s approach provides notable psychological dividends. The often intimidating prospect of hoisting colossal weights can be demoralizing for many. “So you fool your leg into thinking you’re using 400 pounds you’re only using 200.” Haney’s method, by inducing muscles to perceive that they’re lifting more than they actually are, Gets around this mental block, helping you focus on how the exercise feels and how well you’re doing it, instead of just how much you’re lifting

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Watch This Story: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Millionaire Female Co-star Once Opened up About their 35-Year-Old Close Relationship

Lee Haney‘s unique approach to muscle growth stands as a testament to innovation. His method, centered on perception over sheer weight, offers both safety and effectiveness. Haney’s legacy is not just breaking records, but also reshaping our understanding of strength training for future generations.

Written by:

Taha Tariq

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Taha Tariq is a Bodybuilding writer at EssentiallySports. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from a premier University and brings with him prior experience in managing social media campaigns and conducting market research. Bodybuilding and MMA have always been of significant interest to Taha, inspiring him in his professional writing and personal fitness journey.
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Edited by:

Parth Sharma