I am kind of upset I”m just now finding out about Gässling before now. They emailed us to let us know they are shutting down the underwear side of their site. Gässling is a Swedish company that started to create eco friendly underwear.

Making muscle takes time and calories; that’s just the way it is. But you can help the process along by choosing lifts that tap into the body’s natural anabolic (tissue-building) hormonal system.

Lifts that use multiple joints and incorporate many muscle groups are the kings of muscle-building because they require a vast amount of muscle fibers to move the load. When such a big group of muscles is required to work at once, your body releases hormones like testosterone and growth hormone as a response to the stress.

There are five in particular that always seem to be more effective than the others. I want to share them with you.

1 THE SQUAT

The squat is the foundation of any good muscle-building program. It’s an amazing lift not only because it hits huge muscles like the glutes, quads, and hamstrings, but because it requires almost every single muscle in your body—from your calves to your shoulders—to turn on.

I love the squat because the movement pattern can be altered to fit each individual lifter. For example, beginners or those with mobility issues can start with the goblet squat, then progress through the front squat before starting the back squat and increasing to a larger range of movement.

2 THE DEADLIFT

The two exercises that incorporate the most muscle mass and the greatest number of joints are the squat and the deadlift. Just like the squat, the deadlift can be adapted to an individual’s ability level and orthopedic restrictions. You can use trap bars, kettlebells, or adjust the starting position by placing the bar at a higher position on a rack.

You can also do either traditional or sumo deadlifts, as long as your back is in a safe position and you’re using your hips to drive the movement. All in all, the deadlift is essential for those looking to build muscle.

3 THE PUSH-UP

The push-up has done more for improving size and definition. The efficacy of this exercise comes from the fact that push-ups can be performed for high volumes, and require more stabilization from your legs and core than the bench press. Furthermore, push-ups allow the scapula to move freely, which is healthier for your shoulders than the scapula-restricted exercises you do on a bench.

The downside of the push-up is that it is not as easily loaded as other chest exercises. But, with some chains, a weight vest, or a weight plate, push-ups can be loaded effectively.

4 THE REVERSE LUNGE

There is some debate about using unilateral (single-side) exercises to build muscle. Some say that unilateral training is less effective than bilateral training because a lifter can’t use heavy weight and therefore can’t induce the same hormonal response. However, there is one aspect of unilateral lifts that can be very beneficial to muscle-building: the accumulation of lactate.

Single-leg exercises require twice the duration and effort of bilateral exercises. This high energy expenditure results in a large accumulation of lactate in the working muscles and throughout the body.

Reverse Lunge

Of all the single-leg exercises, barbell reverse lunges are my favorite, because doing them calls for the use of multiple joints and a lot of muscles. I also like them because they recruit your glutes and hamstrings as the prime movers. Your quads, which have a habit of taking over leg movements, are relegated to an assistant position.

You can perform a reverse lunge with dumbbells held at your sides, a barbell in the front rack position, or with a barbell on your back.

 5 SUSPENSION ROWS

Similar to the push-up, suspension rows to machine or dumbbell rows because they require stabilization from your core and lower-body muscles. The handles of the suspension system also allow for various hand positions, which make the exercise easier on the shoulder joint.

If your body weight isn’t enough, increase the load by elevating your feet or using a weight vest, chains, or weight plates.

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Photo by Modus Vivendi

Andrew Christian is no stranger to making super fun undies. The latest Trophy Boy Gigolo Boxer. It’s more of a cross between a brief and a trunk than a full on boxer. For a boxer you think longer legs and a full body. this has more of a shorter leg and two cut outs on the side. I neglected to mention the sheer pouch!

This pair is part of the Trophy Boy line, which means its made for men with larger endowments. The pouch is specifically made so it will fit and show off what a larger guy has to show. The pouch also will, literally show off, what you have. It’s not super sheer but you will see everything, so if you’re thinking of wearing to the gym, you may think again or if your’e that bold I say go for it.

It’s part of his limited edition pairs. So this will sell out quick if you don’t get it early. It is also available in blue or red. It has the “Trophy Boy” branded waistband and contrasting accents on the trim. Made out of a 93% Rayon Made From Bamboo, 7% Spandex blend so it will fit to any body type.

If you wan this pair it currently retails for $27.43 at the Andrew Christian website.

NOTE post contains an affiliate sales link.

With a passion for thongs and underwear that shows off a butt, I was quite excited to receive my first pair of Joe Snyder underwear which happened to also be a thong. Joe Snyder is a brand that in my mind I have associated with thongs and sexy small underwear ever since I first discovered the brand. Now, I finally got to slide a pair on. It was the Tanga Pride Frame thong and its look was beautiful. This thong was black in color with a bright eye popping neon orange piping that wrapped around the entire pair. This color combination was a great choice by Joe Snyder and they have several more varieties to choose from. Another great thing about this thong is that it truly reminds me of what a thong is supposed to be, thin waistband with a high cut back, exposing the entire butt.

I decided to enjoy myself over a weekend and gave this pair a run through some errands, lunch with a friend, and good lounging at home. I slide the pair on, adjusted myself, and took a look in the mirror. This pair has a great package enhancing style to it. The piping wraps around the bulge in front giving you a nice lift that extenuates what you want to show off. An interesting thing about this pair is that the front pouch may begin to feel too small and you may feel that you are falling out of the sides. When I took a closer look I noticed a continuation of fabric under the piping at the bottom of the pouch. This is a great design catch! The pair offers a tight, lifting bulge but allows for additional fabric at the bottom to make sure nothing falls of out of the side. I loved this fact! I will say that at times I did get that feeling that I was coming out of the side and double checked, even though I knew that extra material was there.

The material is a nice soft nylon/lycra which offered comfort throughout my day. I wear a medium and the thong stayed true to size. Noting that the front pouch felt tight at times to me, I am not sure how bigger endowed men would feel wearing the thong. Perhaps as you move up in size, the pouch grows too.

I love a good thong and Joe Snyder did not disappoint. Not only was the thong beautiful to look at, the design was amazing, and the feel was great! I can’t wait to add this pair to my main rotation and wear it to work! No one will know what is under my suit that day but I will be proud of it! An additional note about the pair, Joe Snyder has made them chlorine resistant so that they may be interchangeable as underwear and swimwear! Great versatility for indoor and outdoor fun!

Pros:

• Great piping contrast
• Bulge enhancing with additional material for side support
• Slim waistband

Cons:

• Slight feeling of falling out of the side with tight pouch

Ratings

• Daily Fit = 9
• Sizing = 9
• Construction/Materials = 9
• Styling = 10
• Daily Performance = 9
• Overall = 9

Joe Snyder furnished this pair for review.