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Mike Mentzer Quotes

Man's proper stature is not one of mediocrity, failure, frustration, or defeat, but one of achievement, strength, and nobility. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.

Man's proper stature is not one of mediocrity, failure, frustration, or defeat, but one of achievement, strength, and nobility. In short, man can and ought to be a hero.

Mike Mentzer
Hero, Frustration, Men
Mike Mentzer, John Little (2002). “High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way”, Mcgraw-hill

One cannot actualize his goals until he visualizes them clearly in the minds eye

Mike Mentzer
Eye, Goal, Mind
Mike Mentzer, John Little (2002). “High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way”, Mcgraw-hill

In order to lead the orchestra, you must first turn your back to the crowd.

Mike Mentzer
Order, Crowds, Orchestra

The only one you can accurately compare yourself to is you!

Mike Mentzer
Compare

That last rep where you're trying as hard as you can and you barely make it! That is what turns on the growth mechanism in your body. That last almost impossible rep where you're bearing your teeth, you're shaking all over, you need assistance! That rep is very special, that rep is very different. There's something special going on inside your body when that happens.

Mike Mentzer
Over You, Growth, Special

Man, is an indivisible entity, an integrated unit of mind and body.

Mike Mentzer
Men, Mind, Body

To stimulate optimal size and strength increases, it's imperative that you regularly attempt the momentarily impossible. For example, if you can curl 100 pounds for a maximum of 10 reps, but never attempt the 11th, your body has no reason to enlarge upon its existing capacity. It is only by regularly attempting to go beyond your existing capacity that inroads are made into your body's reserves.

Mike Mentzer
Curls, Example, Body

It is only within the context of having properly developed your mind that you will be able to truly enjoy the achievement of your material values, including that of a more muscular body.

Mike Mentzer
Achievement, Mind, Body
Mike Mentzer, John Little (2003). “High-Intensity Training the Mike Mentzer Way”, p.14, McGraw Hill Professional

You must understand that the workout does not actually produce muscular growth. The workout is merely a trigger that sets the body's growth mechanism into motion. It is the body itself, of course, that produces growth; but it does so only during a sufficient rest period.

Mike Mentzer
Workout, Bad Ass, Growth

Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. Erroneously attributing their lack of satisfactory progress to a poverty of the requisite genetic traits, instead of to their irrational training and dietary practices, they give up training. Don't make the same mistake

Mike Mentzer
Giving Up, Mistake, Practice

The theory of high-intensity, anaerobic, bodybuilding exercise is not true because I or anyone else, no matter how many might agree, say it is true. It is the fact that the logic of the theory is unassailable which makes it true.

Mike Mentzer
Exercise, Bodybuilding, Might

Presently, my understanding of the fundamental principles of the theory of high-intensity training is thorough and complete - not two plus two equals three-and-a-half, but two plus two equals four! Heretofore, I would only occasionally have clients gain 10 to 20 pounds in a month or 30 to 40 pounds in three to four months. Now such is no longer the exception , but the rule!

Mike Mentzer
Two, Understanding, Training

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