"This journey has been nothing short of amazing and life changing."
Darick's Progress
Before
9 Months
What has happened so far on the program?
I had been lifting on and off since 2014 using BLS as a guideline or so but never really took it seriously until around January 2016. I decided that I needed a change and decided to start tracking my macros and planned my cut in March 2016.
I started at 158 lbs at probably around 17-18% body fat. I ended my cut in September and am bulking using a slightly modified version of Beyond Bigger Leaner Stronger. I am currently one of the strongest guys in my weight class and everyone is surprised at my strength because I am a pretty small dude. I plan to compete in my first Men’s Physique show in April 2017 or September 2017.
My Stats-
Age: 20
Height: 5’ 7”
Weight Before Cut: 158.3 lbs.
Weight After Cut: 138.9 lbs.
2014 Max Bench: 115 lbs.
2014 Max Squat: 205 lbs.
2014 Max Deadlift: 165 lbs.
Current Max Bench: 215 lbs.
Current Max Squat: 305 lbs.
Current Max Deadlift: 325 lbs.
What, if anything, almost kept you from buying the book or starting the program?
Nothing. Funny story- I was in Florida on vacation when I first bought BLS. And I passed through Clearwater about a day after I found out Mike had his office there so I was like “D’oh!”. But yeah nothing stopped me from getting with the program.
What do you like most about the program?
What I like most about the program that there is no bro science and BS behind all of the methodology. There is a reason why you do everything in the program.
It is great for people who want to get the most results for their time because BLS delivers fantastically on that: You can be in and out of the gym in less than an hour. For me, the gym is an integral part of my day so I don’t mind spending more time doing more volume but for the vast majority who don’t particularly enjoy the gym, this program is a godsend.
This program also teaches you the fundamentals of nutrition so you can apply what you learned instead of having to rely on coaching or paying someone else to do things for you. There is a lot of value here and from what I can see, Mike is one of few honest guys out there in the fitness industry.
How does this program compare with others you’ve tried?
I didn’t actually seriously try anything before BLS (keep in mind I am 20 years old) but I did do like Zyzz/Jeff Seid kinda workouts back in high school but clearly they didn’t do much because no one was ‘mirin my aesthetics. I had to tell people what their eyes couldn’t see- that I actually lifted.
How has what you’ve achieved with your body changed other areas of your life?
This is the section I have been waiting to write for a long time. Bigger Leaner Stronger did nothing short of turning my life around. When I first picked up the book, I was 18 years old. I was kind of a loser who didn’t really seem to fit in. I was depressed over being dumped by my girlfriend and didn’t really know where I was going in life.
I was academically successful in first year of college but had pretty severe cases of social anxiety- I was visiting the psychologist’s office every week and felt like I had to hide it from my parents and the few friends I had because I didn’t want to be seen as weak.
Around the summer preceding my sophomore year just before my 19th birthday, I decided to take lifting seriously to improve my life because I was tired of feeling not good enough and not taking advantage of the opportunities I had.
I saw amazing gains in strength and muscle growth without even watching my diet for the first half a year on the program and in January 2016, I began to find a home and calling outside of the science lab-the gym. It was a fresh start for me and for the first time, I began to feel like I was alive and doing something for me that has genuinely positive impact.
I started my cut in March 2016 and while I didn’t get to 4% body fat or have the most shredded physique, I thought it was amazing and so did a lot of people. People began asking me for advice and I would do my best to help them the way Mike did for me.
Fast forward to the present, I am the head of a growing health and fitness club at my university where everyone can learn how to achieve their fitness goals surrounded by people with the same mindset and positivity.
Although chemistry is my first love when it comes to academics and my major, this program has changed my life to a point where my dream is to make it in the fitness industry and help as many people as I can. I believe everyone has their own unique story and situation and that everyone deserves to feel amazing about themselves.
I want to inspire people to do more, be more, and dream more, which is why if I am not studying for a chemistry exam and I am in the gym or writing meal plans and workout plans for people (for free too because I love it so much).
This journey has been nothing short of amazing and life changing, and I hope many others can find their passion as I have.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Yes, absolutely!
I cannot emphasize the importance of using Mike’s calculators as a BASELINE for what your maintenance calories should be. I personally found his calculator overestimates the amount of food I should eat, as I discovered I have a naturally slow metabolism. Always use them as a guideline and adjust based on the scale.
Mike’s line of supplements are in my opinion, quite effective and would back any of the products I used without fail. But if you have to try one thing and one thing only, use the pre-workout PULSE. With the other stuff, you can say ”yeah it probably worked” but with the pre-workout, it is instant gratification because you feel a change in your mood and body within 20 minutes.
It is easy to get derailed by “aesthetic” YouTubers who do fancy workouts but do your best to stay true to yourself and the program and you WILL get results.
Don’t be afraid to hit Mike up on email; he is a really busy guy but he WILL reply and answer your questions.
Want to become a success story too? Here's how he did it
The program that made this transformation possible:
Mike Matthews is the founder of Legion as well as the author of several award-winning fitness books, including Bigger Leaner Stronger, Muscle for Life, and The Shredded Chef.
His simple and science-based approach to building muscle, losing fat, and getting healthy has sold over a million books and helped thousands of people build their best bodies ever, and his work has been featured in many popular outlets including Esquire, Men’s Health, Elle, Women’s Health, Muscle & Strength, and more, as well as on FOX and ABC.
If you don’t like something of ours, guess what happens next?
No, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon. Nor do we ask you to fill a cursed inkwell with orc’s blood and demon saliva and then use it to complete reams of return forms written in ancient Cyrillic script.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. Holy moo cows. And that means you can say "yes" now and decide later.
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits, so our shipping is free!
Okay, so we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters. So, if you live in the United States, your order ships free regardless of order size, if you live in the UK or Canada, your order ships free when it’s over $99, and if you live elsewhere, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Also, if you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. No returns. No forms. No nonsense. Holy moo cows.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits, so our shipping is free!
Okay, so we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters. So, if you live in the UK or Canada, your order ships free when it’s over $99.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money. But! We're also hustling to improve our international logistics and will be passing our savings along to our international customers.
Also, if you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. No returns. No forms. No nonsense. Holy moo cows.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Free Worldwide Shipping & Returns
Many companies use shipping and handling fees to increase their profit margins, but here at Legion, we hate profits, so our shipping is free!
Okay, so we do dig on profits, but we also go in for happy customers, and free shipping works like gangbusters. So, if you’re outside the USA, your order ships free when it’s over $199.
Why the restriction on international orders? Unfortunately, shipping abroad is very expensive, and if we didn’t require a minimum order size, we’d lose a lot of money. But! We're also hustling to improve our international logistics and will be passing our savings along to our international customers.
Also, if you don’t absolutely love our stuff for whatever reason, we don’t request you deliver it to a PO box in the Gobi Desert by carrier pigeon.
We just . . . wait for it . . . give you your money back. No returns. No forms. No nonsense. Holy moo cows.
That means you can say “yes” now and decide later. You really have nothing to lose.
Clinically Effective Ingredients & Doses
Many ingredients in supplements don’t have any scientifically validated benefits, and many ingredients that do are often underdosed to the point of irrelevance.
That’s why we only use the choice ingredients and precise doses shown to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Clinically Effective Doses
You need more than great ingredients to make great products—you also need proper doses. That’s why we use the precise doses of ingredients shown to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.
Natural Ingredients
“Natural” doesn’t always mean “better,” but in many cases, natural ingredients are superior to artificial ones for various reasons, including purity, safety, and efficacy.
That’s why all of our ingredients in all of our products come from plant and animal sources, including sweeteners, colors, and flavors.
Made in USA with Globally Sourced Ingredients
If you want to ensure the supplements you’re swallowing every day are safe and effective, you want products produced in the USA.
That’s why all of our supplements are made in America in NSF-certified and FDA-inspected facilities that operate in accordance with the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations.
Lab Tested
Did you know that supplements can contain dangerously high levels of toxins like lead, arsenic, and cadmium?
That’s why we test every ingredient of every supplement we produce for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and other contaminants and ensure they meet the strict purity standards set by the FDA.
Naturally Sweetened & Flavored
While artificial sweeteners may not be as dangerous as some people claim, studies suggest that regular consumption of these chemicals may indeed be harmful to our health.
That’s why all of our supplements are naturally sweetened and flavored and contain no artificial food dyes, fillers, or other unnecessary junk.
Science-Backed Ingredients
Many ingredients in supplements don’t have any scientifically validated benefits. That’s why we only use choice ingredients shown to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific studies.
No Chemical Junk
“Natural” doesn’t always mean “better,” but in many cases, natural ingredients are superior to artificial ones for various reasons, including purity, safety, and efficacy.
That’s why all of our ingredients in all of our products come from plant and animal sources, including sweeteners, colors, and flavors.
Wait! Want to save 50% on your order of Legion supplements?
Use code NASM25 at checkout!
Buy one supplement, get one 50% off when you use code LEGION10 at checkout.
No thanks, I don't want to save on my order.
We Missed You!
Enjoy 20% off your next order with code COMEBACK20.
No thanks, I don't want to save on my order.
Buy now, pay later.
Split your entire online purchase into 4 interest-free payments, over 6 weeks with no impact to your credit.
25% today
25% 2 weeks
25% 4 weeks
25% 6 weeks
Here's how to Sezzle
Shop
Shop and add items to your cart as normal!
Checkout
Choose Sezzle at Checkout! You’ll be redirected to Sezzle to Sign Up or Log In
to complete your order.
Sezzle it
Your order will be shipped out right away* and your payments will be split up
over 6 weeks.
*shipping times subject to merchant shipping policy
Download the App
Shop directory. Reschedule payments. Plus more!
Waiver and Release of Liability
In consideration of the services and/or products offered by Legion Athletics, Inc. (“Legion”) including, but not limited to, nutrition plans, exercise routines and coaching, and in addition to the payment of any fee or charge:
I knowingly and voluntarily enter into this waiver and release of liability and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind whatsoever arising out of my use of Legion’s services and/or products, and I hereby release and hold harmless Legion and its consultants, officers, contractors, agents, owners and employees from any and all responsibility, liability, cost and expenses, including for injuries, damages or disorders (physical, metabolic, or otherwise), resulting from my use of Legion’s services and/or products.
I understand that fitness activities including, but not limited to, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercise, with or without the use of equipment, are potentially hazardous activities that involve a risk of injury and even death, and I am voluntarily participating in these activities and using equipment and machinery with knowledge of the risks involved. I hereby agree to assume and accept any and all risks of injury or death related to said fitness activities.
I understand Legion’s services and products are not meant to treat or manage any health conditions or circumstances, and I acknowledge that Legion has recommended I obtain a healthcare provider’s approval for my use of Legion’s services and/or products, through regular physical examination(s) and/or consultation. I acknowledge that I have obtained my healthcare provider’s approval or have decided to use Legion’s services and/or products without such approval and hereby assume all responsibility for my use of said services and/or products.
I understand that results from using Legion’s products and/or services are not guaranteed, and I agree to not hold Legion liable for any outcomes or lack thereof.
OUT OF STOCK
Great! You're subscribed!
Looks like you're already subscribed!
Security Check
Please click the checkbox below. We apologize for the inconvenience.
This is the content
Some popular pre-workouts are all-natural. Some contain the right mix of high-quality ingredients. Some provide clinically effective doses. But only Pulse checks each of these boxes.
Pulse doesn’t just “contain natural ingredients''—every ingredient is naturally sourced from plants and animals. Pulse contains no artificial or synthetic substances of any kind.
Every serving of Pulse contains 15.1 grams of active ingredients that have been shown to be safe and effective in peer-reviewed scientific research.
Every active ingredient in Pulse is backed by published scientific studies that show benefits in healthy humans.
Pulse contains no harsh stimulants that wind you up and burn you out. Instead, it contains a 1:1 ratio of caffeine and L-theanine, which produces a smooth energy rush and comfortable comedown.
We carefully examined 508 pages of scientific research to find out exactly what should and shouldn’t be in a pre-workout supplement.
Every bottle of Pulse is guaranteed to provide exactly what the label claims and nothing else—no heavy metals, microbes, allergens, or other contaminants.
While these types of chemicals may not be as dangerous as some people claim, studies suggest that regular consumption of them may indeed be harmful to our health. And that’s why we don’t put any of them into our products.
Before you buy a sports supplement, you should know that it's clean, safe, and transparent. And that's exactly what Labdoor's third-party testing and certification means.
It's hard to know for sure, but this probably makes Pulse the most-popular all-natural pre-workout supplement in the world.
If you don’t absolutely love this product, just let us know, and we’ll give you a full refund on the spot. No forms or return necessary.
Analyzed for purity and potency in a state-of-the-art ISO 17025 accredited lab by Labdoor™, the gold standard of third-party lab testing.
Analyzed for purity and potency in a state-of-the-art ISO 17025 accredited lab, the gold standard of third-party lab testing.
This product doesn’t just “contain natural ingredients”—every ingredient is naturally sourced from plants and animals. This product contains no artificial or synthetic sweeteners or flavors of any kind.
Our scientific review board of nutritionists, dietitians, molecular biologists, doctors, and other accredited experts is responsible for reviewing every article, podcast, and video we produce to ensure they’re evidence based, accurate, trustworthy, and current.
Thanks to their connections, credentials, and academic experience, this team of MDs, PhDs, and other professionals has access to a wealth of research published in the largest and most prestigious journals in the world.
This allows them to not only review individual studies but also analyze the overall weight of the evidence on any and all topics related to diet, exercise, supplementation, and more.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.
Evidence Based
We follow a detailed, rigorous, multi-step process to create content that meets the highest standards of clarity, practicality, and scientific integrity.
First, our research associates provide our editorial team with accurate, up-to-date, proven scientific evidence.
Then, our editorial team uses this research to draft articles and outlines for podcasts and videos.
Finally, our scientific review board reviews the content to ensure all key information and claims are backed by high-quality scientific research and explained simply and precisely.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, misleading, out-of-date, or anything less than factual, please let us know in the comments section of the article in question.