Home

Bodybuilding

“More Interested in Longevity Than Heavy Weights”: 80-Year-Old Frank Zane Discarded Popular Training Method With Concrete Logic in 2021

Published 12/22/2022, 8:15 AM EST

Follow Us

The sport of bodybuilding is rather famous for the meticulous physiques and physical prowess that it represents. And, to achieve an aesthetic body, bodybuilders religiously follow a disciplined regime and a heavy workout routine. However, the 3x Mr. Olympia champion, Frank Zane does not side with the heavy-weight lifts and the rigorous workout regime.

A year ago, The Chemist opened up about the various negatives that a heavy workout can lead to. The bodybuilder also revealed his take on attaining robustness by following a light workout regimen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Frank Zane revealed the downside of heavy workouts

In the 2021 episode of Escape Fitness, Frank Zane shared his expertise on achieving physical perfection. The 80-year-old even disclosed the workout routine he used to follow during his prime. As a rule of thumb for the bodybuilding community, his ideal reciprocated as “Make lighter weights feel heavier. That was my motto. So, you don’t have to really go heavy; you have to make it feel heavy”. Giving his perspective on heavy-weight lifts, Zane said, “possibility of injury increases dramatically when you’re going really heavy”. 

The Chemist also revealed the repercussions of having workout-induced injuries. The injury, “tends to reoccur if you’re not careful”, added Zane. Moreover, the bodybuilder explained the direct effect of heavy workouts on one’s bodybuilding career. Providing the reasoning, Zane said, “it is the longevity of your career”. 

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Bodybuilding stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“You Need to Get the Body First” : 3X Mr Olympia Frank Zane Got a Reality Check by a Big Guy in the Gym After He Bought “Posing Trunk” Too Early

I am more interested in longevity than heavy-weights”, added the 80-year-old. The 3X Mr. Olympia then encouraged the bodybuilders to work with light weights. According to Zane, muscle “pump is more important” than lifting heavy weights.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The workout routine of the iconic Frank Zane

The Chemist is not only a recipient of several prestigious accolades but is also the king of meticulous physique and symmetry. Interestingly, the 80-year-old once revealed the golden workout recipe that he followed during his prime, in order to achieve an iconic body. In his Zane Bodybuilding Manual, the bodybuilder divided his workout regimen into a three-way split. As per the manual, if the biceps and abs workout is scheduled for day 1, then the thighs and calves exercises are scheduled for day 2. And, on day 3, the chest and shoulders routine is scheduled to be followed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

With his light and split workout routine, The Chemist has ruled the iconic bodybuilding era to become one of the most influential bodybuilders of all time. And now, with his workout videos and expertise, Zane is paving the way for many bodybuilders and fitness fanatics. Do you confide in his words of wisdom? Let us know what you think. 

Watch This Story | Bodybuilding Beast Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Top Six Pack Workouts

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Purva Jain

511Articles

One take at a time

Purva Jain is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Mody University of Science and Technology. Purva is an avid reader and author of 3 books that are published in national and international marketplaces.
Show More>

Edited by:

Jahnabi Choudhury