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Julius Maddox and Danial Zamani Hit Impressive Bench Press Numbers Over 750Lbs
Julius Maddox and Danial Zamani put up some insane numbers in their recent training.
Julius Maddox and Danial Zamani both hit some insane bench press numbers in recent training. Both powerlifters are on the hunt to hit 800lbs and cement themselves in history. Both have recently put up some insane numbers over 750Lbs (340kgs).
Julius Maddox has been hard at work chasing his dreams of hitting the 800lb bench press. While he may be the current world record holder in the raw bench press, Maddox isn’t content with lifting 782.6lbs, the current record. Maddox is motivated and wants to continue to achieve great things in his powerlifting career. Achieving the 800lb bench press would be just the feat to prove his incredible strength.
But Julius Maddox isn’t the only one who is looking for glory. There is another powerlifter looking to cement his name in history. That powerlifter is Iranian born Danial Zamani.
Recently Danial Zamani and Julius Maddox both put some insanely impressive numbers in their training in the gym. Neither man are showing signs of giving in and both are motivating the other to push themselves to the next level.
Maddox Hits New PR
Julius Maddox as always showed he’s an absolute beast in his recent training. In fact, Maddox put up 750Lbs for two reps, a personal record for the powerlifter.
?PR ALERT? (340kg) 750lbs X 2
Lost traction on the second rep so I racked it for safety. I’m officially ready for 800..
Zamani’s Undeniable Strength
Danial Zamani recently put up an insane 766lb (347.5kg) bench press. He’s closing in on the world record and shows no sign of stopping.
?347.5 kg raw bench press?
As I promised the world and all strength fans I reached my target weight. This weight is dedicated to all my fans and my supporters. Thanks alot from all international pages that post my trainings and motivate me to push more.
It’s not over yet wait for storming start in close future ?
It’s clear that both Julius Maddox and Danial Zamani have what it takes to lift 800lbs. Who will hit the 800lb raw bench press first? That’s anyone’s guess.
What do you think of the strength of Julius Maddox and Danial Zamani?
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Legendary Bodybuilding Photographer Jimmy Caruso Dies At 95 Years Old
Jimmy Caruso, who is famous for his photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger, passed away at age 95.
Jimmy Caruso, a legendary photographer in the sport of bodybuilding, passed away at the age of 95 on July 18. There was no cause of death released at the time.
Legendary physique photographer Jimmy Caruso died on July 18 at 95. The Montreal gym owner and Weider lensman shot some of the most iconic photos of Arnold Schwarzenegger and others in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s. Here’s a story we did in 2019:https://t.co/yK8OKtnuKn pic.twitter.com/V0iBbbvxWR
— THE BARBELL (@TheBarbell) July 20, 2021
Caruso worked for Joe Weider’s Muscle Builder/Power magazine during the 1960’s. This is where his relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger began.
Hailing from Montreal, Jimmy Caruso is best known for his photographs and relationship with the best bodybuilder of all-time. In 1968, Schwarzenegger would come to America to compete in the 1968 Mr. Universe, where he finished second behind Frank Zane. That same weekend, Schwarzenegger signed with Weider’s and had his first ever photo shoot in America. Caruso was the man behind the camera.
Caruso began showing an interest in photography at 14 years old when he was inspired by the work of Victor Nicoletti. He worked his way up to the top and earned an IFBB Recognition Award as the “greatest physique photographer.”
Schwarzenegger was photographer many times by Caruso and took to Twitter to send his condolences to his family.
“Jimmy Caruso was an artist, a visionary, and just a good man. His photos were beautiful and helped tell the story of the golden age of bodybuilding. You have heard me say I’m not a self-made man over and over – people like Jimmy are a big reason why.”
Jimmy Caruso was an artist, a visionary, and just a good man. His photos were beautiful and helped tell the story of the golden age of bodybuilding. You have heard me say I’m not a self-made man over and over – people like Jimmy are a big reason why. pic.twitter.com/Zw0dTlBegN
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 20, 2021
Caruso was not just a photographer. He dabbled in the bodybuilding game himself, along with being a trainer of many champion boxers and bodybuilders and a personal trainers at his gym. Caruso opened “Caruso Gym” In Montreal in 1954 when he was 29 years old. That was the same year that he finished second at the Most Muscular Montreal competition.
As a trainer, Jimmy Caruso had a big hand in the success of Roy Callender. In 1977, Callender won the Canadian Championships after being persuaded to leave professional wrestling and get back into the world of bodybuilding by Caruso. He would enjoy success during the 1970’s and 1980’s, including winning the 1979 IFBB Pro Universe and competing in Mr. Olympia four years in a row.
Today, Caruso’s gym is now known as “Gym-Zone Decarie.” Caruso stayed active well into the later part of his life. In recent years, Caruso was still actively working as a personal trainer in his gym.
Jimmy Caruso will be remembered as a legendary photographer and figure in the sport of bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger was not the only one to tribute Caruso at this time.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the true gentleman in our sport, Jimmy Caruso. The iconic bodybuilding photographer passed on July 18th, just prior to his 96th birthday. Some of the most legendary photos of Arnold over the years came from Jimmy’s lenses. He will be sadly missed. RIP,” Arnold Sports Festival posted on Facebook.
Jimmy Caruso Death – Obituary, Funeral, Cause Of DeathJimmy Caruso was an artist, a visionary, and just a good man. His photos were beautiful and helped tell the story of the golden age of bodybuilding……click link to learn more https://t.co/mF1SOvZ0l5
— News36Up (@News36U) July 21, 2021
Legendary bodybuilding photographer Jimmy Caruso dies at 95 https://t.co/iNeelzBihq via @evbodybuilding #jimmycaruso #photography @Schwarzenegger @ketch #evolutionofbodybuilding
— evo.bodybuilding-net (@evbodybuilding) July 20, 2021
Generation Iron send out condolences to the friends and family of Jimmy Caruso during this difficult time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kaged Muscle Clean Meal Premium Meal Replacement Review
This meal replacement is for those who prioritize nutrition with a complete and nutritious meal for any time of day.
Product Overview
Meal replacements have the ability to works wonders for all of nutritional needs. Our busy schedules can cause us to feel rushed, sometimes stressed, and often times unable to sit down and prepare a meal to either eat then or take us with us for later. Meal replacement products are designed to pump us with those valuable nutrients while giving us an on-the-go option that fits any lifestyle. The days of going hungry and feeling sluggish are over. One shake and you’re well on your way to feeling energized and ready to take on any challenge. Kaged Muscle Clean Meal is that meal replacement for it is a premium product packed with top tier ingredients and loads of benefits.
What a good meal replacement can do is support all areas of health and performance by containing amazing ingredients with an affordable and convenient option. Perfect for any busy schedule, meal replacements can support weight management to help with weight loss, aid in muscle growth as a result of high protein, and boost recovery by giving your body the essential nutrients it needs to thrive. They can also keep you full so you don’t snack and get the most out of your daily nutritional needs.
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Kaged Muscle Clean Meal is a great meal replacement for those looking to prioritize nutrition while still getting a solid on-the-go meal. With whole food ingredients and 21 organic vitamins and minerals, all of the essentials are covered.
Kaged Muscle is a supplements company who takes their production process and final products seriously, only reinforcing the deepest of integrity. They source the most pure, most potent raw materials and ensure their labs operate beyond the status quo with rigorous testing and third party assurance. Never compromising on quality and price, Kaged Muscle seeks to only make the highest quality supplements they can, for they know you the athlete deserve only the best.
Clean Meal Highlights
Kaged Muscle Clean Meal is for those active individuals who want to prioritize nutrition while still getting a complete and convenient meal for those on-the-go needs. With whole food ingredients and 21 organic vitamins and minerals, this meal replacement has 123% better amino absorption to help build muscle and strength while also keeping you full throughout the day. Fueled with a formula including whey protein isolate, clean carbs, BCAAs, MCT oil, and zero added sugar, this meal replacement is perfect for fueling athletic performance while providing for a protein rich option for weight loss, digestion, recovery, and other nutritional needs. A premium meal replacement, Clean Meal works for any time of day.
Ingredients
Whey Protein Isolate: A more filtered form of whey, the filtration process eliminates excess carbs and fats for a more pure protein. Great for muscle growth, recovery, and to help with weight loss for those looking to cut (1).
Oat Flour: One of the best gluten-free flours, this contains plenty of fiber, protein, and a host of other vitamins and minerals. It will work to lower cholesterol levels, decrease blood pressure, and increase satiety, among other benefits.
Organic Quinoa: With sufficient amounts of essential amino acids, this contains fiber, protein, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Very nutritious, this is great for people intolerant to gluten and has effects on your metabolism (2).
MCT Powder: Medium-chain triglycerides derived from coconut oil, this can promote weight loss, provide energy, improve cognitive function, and assist with better absorption (3).
Fruit & Vegetable Extract Blend: A mix of a number of fruits and vegetables, all of those vital nutrients you need most in your day are covered with this blend (4).
Cinnamon Bark Powder: A key source of valuable micronutrients, this has powerful antioxidant effects and can help with cholesterol reduction (5).
Other Ingredients
Natural Flavor, Gum Blend (Guar Gum, Gum Acacia, Xanthan Gum), Steviol Glycosides, Sucralose
Calories
240
Protein
28g
Carbs
18g
Fat
4.5g
Sugar
1g
Flavors
Snickerdoodle, Vanilla Cake
Number Of Servings
20
Serving Size
2 Scoops
Best Way To Take
Mix 2 scoops with 10-12 ounces of cold water.
Price, Flavors & Effectiveness
Kaged Muscle Clean Meal is that premium meal replacement designed for those who want to prioritize nutrition any time of day. A complete, convenient, and nutritious meal offers the best ingredients for only your benefit. With 20 servings per container, 2 scoops will pump you with these essential nutrients. Clean Meal comes in two great flavors of Snickerdoodle and Vanilla Cake.
Pros
Whole food ingredients
21 organic vitamins and minerals
Quick and nutritious meal replacement
$2.25 per meal
Cons
Could have at least a few more flavors
Slightly low on number of servings
Price: $44.99
Use code GENIRON10 for 10% off this awesome meal replacement!
Check out our list of the Best Meal Replacements for more great meal replacing products!
Overall Value
Kaged Muscle Clean Meal is that premium meal replacement designed for those who want to prioritize nutrition and have a complete, convenient, and nutritious meal at any time of day. With 21 organic vitamins and minerals, this meal replacement has 123% better amino absorption so it all hits your body harder. Kaged Muscle seeks to make only the best supplements around so athletes everywhere can benefit from clean and effective products. What you are really getting is a high-quality meal replacement with awesome ingredients from a company who cares about their consumers. Try Kaged Muscle Clean Meal today and see what this can do for all your meal replacing needs.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Kaged Muscle and Envato
References
Pal, Sebely; Ellis, Vanessa; Dhaliwal, Satvinder (2010). “Effects of whey protein isolate on body composition, lipids, insulin and glucose in overweight and obese individuals”. (source)
Navruz-Varli, Semra; Sanlier, Nevin (2016). “Nutritional and health benefits of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa). (source)
Shah, Neha D.; Limketkai, Berkeley N. (2017). “The Use of Medium-Chain Triglycerides in Gastrointestinal Disorders”. (source)
Slavin, Joanne L.; Lloyd, Beate (2012). “Health Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables”. (source)
Mathew, Sindhu; Abraham, T. E. (2006). “Studies on the antioxidant activities of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) bark extracts, through various in vitro models”. (source)
GUIDE: Become A Master Of The Squat
Why drink and drive when you can squat and fly?
The squat is one of the most natural and beautiful movements in bodybuilding. It’s also a standard position for bearing massive weight. The squat is an exercise we’ve all performed and think we’re doing right. After all there’s not much to it right? Wrong. Like all full body exercises, the squat is a movement that requires a perfect balance of many moving parts. Everything from breath to foot position should be considered before attempting this seemingly simple move. So do you want to master the squat or continue doing it half-assed like the rest of the lames at the gym? We thought so, read on.
Pre Squat
Before even attempting the squat there’s somethings you want to consider. Breathing correctly and having a straight but rigid spine will help give you stability to up your gains.
Breathing
We know it may seem monotonous and you do it without thinking anyway but being mindful of your breathing can effect not only your numbers but your life. You’d be surprise at how many times we clam up or stop breathing completely before a big task. Instead of breathing up and down try breathing in and out. Put your hand on your collar bone, if it goes up when you breath in then you’re doing it wrong. Try belly breathing, make sure your belly expands and contracts when you breathe out and in, you will physically see your rib cage going out and in when you’re doing it right.
Rigid Spine
Everyone knows you’re suppose to keep your spine straight but few people keep in mind to keep their torso rigid. This goes hand in hand with breathing, when you breathe out try and push out your obliques also. This should give you a flat stomach but visibly protruding obliques. Don’t overdo it now, it should feel fairly natural, the main thing is to make sure your center is firm and solid.
Other things to Consider
Things like lat engagement and clenching your cheeks (yes the bottom set) are also important before squatting. You can get lat engagement by simply pinching your shoulders back. The main thing to remember is that you are one solid unit, if a heavy weight was to fall on your shoulders from your standing position you should be able to bear it.
On The Bar
Now that you’ve been practicing your stance and your breathing let’s move onto the real deal stuff – the bar.
Unweighted bar
Get under the bar and get that good stance we spoke about earlier. This is where you want to work out all of your last minute kinks. So from top to bottom here’s how it goes.
Head neutral
Not to the floor, not to the sky. Find a spot where the floor meets the wall and hold your gaze.
Bend the bar
Actively pull into the bar with your two hands, this will help your posture and keep the bar tight to your body. You want your hands to be just wide enough to hold the securely behind, too lose and you won’t engage your lats.
Root your feet
You want to engage your feet but not the way you’re probably thinking. As opposed to just applying downward pressure try twisting your feet into the ground. The conscious effort to to pull your heels in will not only apply downward pressure but will pull your knees into optimal position.
At this point there’s nothing to it but to do it, or rather, the point where you’ve got to lift some heavy ass weights. We suggest you take your time and go through each of the stages we spoke about before. You’re breathing, your stance, and your on the bar last minute checklist. You’re going to notice that you’re still making some of the same mistakes but don’t be too hard on yourself, in time you will break those bad habits. We recommend you lift with a friend to make sure you’re doing all your reps correct to form. Start off small until your position becomes automatic and then start the youtube videos..
And hey – once you’ve mastered this or if you’re already a master check out the variations below to add something new to your routine.
Jump Squat
Cross your arms over your chest.
With your head up and your back straight, position your feet at shoulder width.
Keeping your back straight and chest up, squat down as you inhale until your upper thighs are parallel, or lower, to the floor.
Now pressing mainly with the ball of your feet, jump straight up in the air as high as possible, using the thighs like springs. Exhale during this portion of the movement.
When you touch the floor again, immediately squat down and jump again.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Kettlebell Pistol Squat
Pick up a kettlebell with two hands and hold it by the horns. Hold one leg off of the floor and squat down on the other.
Squat down by flexing the knee and sitting back with the hips, holding the kettlebell up in front of you.
Hold the bottom position for a second and then reverse the motion, driving through the heel and keeping your head and chest up.
Lower yourself again and repeat.
That about wraps it up. Follow through the guide above and you’ll be a master of the squat in no time. Make sure to hit us up in the comments with any other tips that you think makes you a master of the squat. Stay pumped.
How to Get Ripped Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods
How to Get Ripped and Still Eat Your Favorite Foods
Many people take an extreme approach with their diet to get ripped. They cut out all their favorite foods and go on a very low-calorie diet just to get a shredded physique.
The truth is, you don’t have to do this. If anything, you’re doing more harm than good when you give up your favorite foods.
For most people, this isn’t sustainable, and crash diets are anything but healthy for you.
Is it worth cutting out your favorite foods to be ripped?
Eating chicken and broccoli all day isn’t fun for anyone. I don’t know about you, but you couldn’t trade me the best physique in the world if it meant I had to give up my favorite foods.
Well once you know what it takes to lose fat, you’ll know that you can whatever you want.
To lose fat, it’s about the amount of calories you consume.
Fat Loss
Fat loss always comes down to burning more calories than you take in. If you eat less and exercise more, you’ll lose weight.
Cutting calories out of your diet is what allows you to burn fat.
What you eat doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re in a caloric deficit. You can eat pizza, wings, chips, donuts, you name it if you eat it and you’re still in a caloric deficit, then you’re still going to lose fat.
Now that’s not to say to have a buffet every night and eat whatever you want. That’s because healthier foods are more nutrient-dense and fill you up off fewer calories than unhealthy foods.
But there’s nothing wrong with a little moderation.
Body Fat Percentage
To be ripped, you need to make sure you’re at the appropriate body fat percentage. You’ll need to be under 15% to be lean and under 10% to be ripped.
To me, 10-12% is the sweet spot because you’re pretty lean without taking things to the extreme.
At this body fat percentage, you can be pretty flexible with your diet as long as you’re controlling what you eat, hitting certain nutritional targets, and on a quality workout plan.
But for all you go-getters out there that want to be completely shredded, you’ll want to make sure in single-digit body fat to be ripped and shredded.
Just know it will come with a little more sacrifice.
You Can Eat Whatever You Want
To lower your body fat percentage to get ripped, you’ll need to make sure you’re putting your body in a caloric deficit. This is not going to be fun. You’ll be hungry.
But here’s the catch, you can still eat some of your favorite foods. As long as you make sure you’re hitting your calorie target for fat loss, you’ll be good.
How to Get Ripped With Intermittent Fasting
The best approach to hit your calorie target while allowing some room for bigger meals and your favorite foods is through intermittent fasting.
This is going a time without eating and allowing yourself to eat during a set window or after fasting for a while.
This is effective because it allows you to eat bigger meals, your favorite foods that are likely higher in calories than healthy foods, and still hit a caloric deficit.
But you’ll want to monitor how much of your favorite foods you consume.
Intermittent fasting has also been shown to provide a host of benefits.
Benefits
Increase HGH (human growth hormone)
Suppressed appetite
Bigger, more satisfying meals
More mental clarity and concentration
Increased longevity
HGH plays an important role in muscle growth. Studies link intermittent fasting to increase HGH.
Add intermittent fasting to your lifestyle, and you’ll find fat loss becomes a breeze.
Sometimes you’ll wonder how you indulged in that tub of ice cream last night and woke up the next morning leaner.
How to Get Ripped With Flexible Dieting
That’s where flexible dieting comes in. Flexible dieting allows you to eat whatever foods you want as long as you’re hitting your macros and calories.
If you’re eating the amount of calories, protein, fat, and carbs your body needs, then no food is off the table.
Although, you need to keep in mind that this is very hard to do if you don’t eat healthy most of the time.
So I recommend you eat healthy 80% of the time, and whatever you want 20% of the time.
Healthy foods contain lower calories and are more nutrient-dense then junk food. For example, sweet potatoes only contain 200 calories, but they’re satiating. You would need to eat like 800 calories of junk food to feel the same level of fullness.
There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a little cake here and there though. Just make sure you hit your total daily calories for the day.
Conclusion
You can get ripped and still enjoy your favorite foods.
Fat loss comes down to the calories you eat not the foods you eat.
Eating healthy foods does make your body function better and makes it easier to consume fewer calories, but you can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation if you’re hitting your nutritional targets that put you in a caloric deficit.
If you want to learn more ways to get ripped, follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Train Right For Your Body Type With These 8 Tips
Train Right For Your Body Type With These 8 Tips
Building muscle and crafting the physique of your dreams demands much more than lifting a few dumbbells and drinking a protein shake. Contrary to what you might think, finding the cable pulley machine vacant is not the most surprising thing that can happen in the gym. The fact that most people follow an unsuitable training program as per their body type and still expect to see results top the list.
Since you are reading this article, chances are you are one of these people. While you might see some positive changes in your body after following a vanilla training program (one program fits all), you will not be achieving your body’s maximum potential.
If you want to put on a freak show every time you take your shirt off, you need to double down on your strengths and work on your weaknesses. You’ll only be able to achieve this feat if you train for your body type.
How To Train For Your Body Type
1. Figure Out Your (True) Body Type
When asked about the body type, most people reply with their desired body structure instead of the actual body type. For example, an ectomorph might choose a training and diet program designed for a mesomorph because he wants to have that body composition.
But why would anyone do that, you ask?
Body insecurities.
If ectomorph and mesomorph sound like characters out of Aquaman, here is a quick introduction to body types for you:
Ectomorphs – Naturally lean with narrow shoulders and hips. Ectomorphs have a fast metabolism and struggle to gain weight.
Mesomorphs – Thin build with narrow hips and clavicles. Mesomorphs generally have small joints, long limbs, and stringy muscle bellies.
Endomorphs – Have heavier bone structure with a squarer torso. Endomorphs have wider waists, larger hips, and a slower metabolism.
2. Check For Hybrids
As weird as it might sound – you probably are not a pure breed. We usually tend to make sense of everything by putting it in linear terms, but the world can be more complex than that.
A majority of the people have a dominant body type with a few characteristics of other types, or a body type that has equal qualities of two different body types – meaning you could be an ectomorph with few qualities of a mesomorph.
And if you are wondering – no, it is not a bad thing. You’ll not end up looking like a monster. A combination of body types means you have the strengths of two different body types. Following the right program for your body type will open doors to unlimited gains.
3. Get Your Diet and Workout Programs In Line
Losing or gaining weight will depend on calories in vs. calories out. If you want to lose weight but eat anything you can get your hands on, no amount of hard work in the gym can get you on the right track.
Your diet will determine your body’s size/volume, and workouts will mold your body shape and muscle composition. With this said, diet alone can’t get you your dream physique.
Following a personalized training program will influence your muscle-to-fat ratio. Lifting weights will help you sculpt the body the Greek God would approve. Designing a calorie and macronutrient-focused diet plan and following the correct workout routine as per your body type will give your transformation wings.
4. Ectomorphs Can Go Easy On The Cardio
We are sure you know people who won’t gain weight no matter how much they eat. These people generally are ectomorphs. If ectomorphs do too much cardio in hopes of shedding the excess belly fat in search of abs, they might end up spiking their cortisol levels.
High cortisol levels make the body store more fat as it signals to the body that it is under stress. The body then bumps up its fat reserves in anticipation of a fight or flight situation.
The primary goal of an ectomorph should be to build muscle mass and strength through resistance training. Performing compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses can help kickstart your muscle-building journey.
5. Mesomorphs Do Better With Low-Intensity Cardio
Building muscle or losing the extra kilos can be a little tricky for mesomorphs. Since they are in the middle of the two extremes, figuring out the correct training style can involve trial and error.
If you are a mesomorph happy with his body composition, you should add low to moderate-intensity cardio to your fitness routine.
Mesomorphs have fewer slow-twitch muscle fibers because of which they have lower endurance levels. Getting too comfortable with your workouts and not switching up things can lead to a plateau. Although lower-intensity cardio will get you better results, you should switch your exercises constantly to shock your muscles into growing.
6. Endomorphs Can Get Super Big Super Fast
If you are dominantly an endomorph and don’t care about looking like you’ve been on a carb-restricted diet for 1000 years, you are going to experience the magic of genetics. You don’t have to launch a full-blown FBI-style investigation to figure out the body type of most powerlifters and weightlifters.
Design your resistance training around fast-twitch muscle fibers using heavier weights for fewer reps. Low-intensity cardio for burning stubborn body fat will prove to be most effective.
7. Make HIIT Your Darling
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an incredibly efficient tool for building muscle mass and losing body fat. HIIT workouts are a form of anaerobic exercise that facilitates the burning of stored body fat as fuel.
A raised metabolic rate is one of the most underrated benefits of HIIT workouts. A high metabolic rate makes you burn calories at a faster rate even after your workouts. You’ll still be burning calories while you’re sitting on a couch after a workout. What else could an endomorph want?
8. You Don’t Need Full-Body Strength Training Workouts
Many people, especially fitness rookies, try to outdo themselves in every training session. They routinely perform full-body workouts assuming it will fast-track their physique transformation.
Your goal should be to achieve greater muscle stimulation which is possible through higher volume and intensity. You would be better off training not more than two muscles in a single training session.
Training up to two muscles in a single day also gives your muscles ample time for recovery. Ectomorphs are known to require more time to recover from intense workouts as compared to mesomorphs and endomorphs.
Are your workouts based on your body type? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Best Fat Burners For Men To Shed Fat & Maintain Muscle (Updated 2021)
If you’re serious about muscle maintenance and weight loss, then you need to cut back unwanted belly fat with the best fat burners on the market today.
A successful weight cut means you’ll feel lean with popping abs and a physique that would fit in with the gods of old and having fat burners in your routine will work for muscle maintenance, weight loss, that desired energy boost, and the chance to burn that belly fat. The best fat burners for men can help get you there. But cutting is hard, and unless you dabble in the dark side of supplements (which we do not recommend) you’ll find you’ll be feeling fatigued, hangry as hell and basically wanting to destroy everything. Cutting can be made easier though, and whilst lots of fat burners are just a load of snake oil and/or horses*it, some fat burner supplements can provide good results that make that dreaded calorie deficit a ton more bearable, especially when looking to burn belly fat and promote muscle maintenance with a great energy boost.
When choosing the best fat burner for men, here is our list of the 8 Best Fat Burners to help change your body composition and get that shredded physique for all your training and performance goals.
Best Fat Burners For Men 2021
Best Overall Fat Burner for Men Overall
When looking for the best fat burners around, it is possible to find the one that will work for all your gains. Great ingredients and a powerful formula matched by a quality company behind it will give you the best chance at growth.
Burn Lab Pro
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
3 NutriCaps
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 3 capsules with water.
Burn Lab Pro is an all-around great fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits to really enhance your results as you seek to burn belly fat. Instead of an unhealthy, stim-driven formula, Burn Lab Pro is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free to give you an effective supplement without any fear of jitters or crashing. Burn Lab Pro allows you to shed more body fat from every workout, gain more lean muscle, see better results from diet and exercise, and give you a safe and natural fat burner supplement to tackle any issues, like muscle maintenance and lack of an energy boost.
With 5 powerful and research-backed ingredients, this is the ultimate fat burner for whatever your needs may be. Forslean works to trigger a hormonal cascade to boost fat breakdown and promote fat burning, while Capsimax regulates hormones to increase body heat to block fat stores and control appetite with food. Along with these other ingredients, this advanced formula is designed to target all of your weight loss needs from a fat burner supplement.
Burn Lab Pro is a great all-around fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits. It is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free giving you the best option on the market.
Pros
Great ingredients designed to tackle weight and fat loss goals
No stimulating ingredients with an advanced formula
Safe and natural supplement for your overall health and wellness
From a reputable and high quality company
Cons
Premium priced option
3 capsules is a lot for serving size
Price: $59.00
Check out our individual review for Burn Lab Pro here!
Best Transparent Fat Burner for Men
Knowing what’s in your fat burner is important as you seek the best for your gains. An honest and transparent label are essential for giving you what you want most, which are results.
Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner
Number Of Servings
60
Serving Size
2 Capsules
Stim Or Non-Stim
Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules with 8-10 ounces of water, twice daily, 30-60 minutes before meals.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner is a great supplement to expedite weight loss by allowing you to shed fat, maintain muscle, and build that ideal physique for whatever comes your way. Working with 3 ways to expedite fat loss, this works to increase loss by determining how many calories you should burn, prevent hunger to eliminate snacking and unwanted calories, and offer an enjoyable weight loss experience so you actually work for your fat loss goal more effectively. This company works to provide total transparency with a 100% honest label so you know exactly what you are getting and how much you are getting from a fat burner supplement while shedding belly fat and avoiding muscle breakdown.
With just 9 ingredients, this formula works to give you everything you need to succeed in your weight loss journey while boosting your metabolism. Forslean allows you to release fatty acids from stubborn tissue to stimulate fat loss while green tea works with Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) to influence fat metabolism so fat loss does occur. A host of other ingredients work to your benefit with this advanced formula to make sure your experience is everything you want out of a thermogenic fat burner for that stubborn belly fat loss.
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner is a great burner to expedite weight loss in 3 ways. A 100% honest label ensures quality ingredients and optimal effectiveness.
Pros
Researched-backed doses and an honest label
Safe and effective to help you lose weight while burning belly fat
No artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
Cons
A premium priced option
Only available through their website
The amount of caffeine may be slightly high
Price: $49.00
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Also, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner here!
Best All Natural
Natural supplements are always good ways to go and fat burners are no different. Finding the best options around can prove to be worthwhile with effective and clean ingredients.
Kaged Muscle Clean Burn
Kaged Muscle Clean Burn is a great stim-free fat loss solution to help tackle any and all weight loss needs. Designed with cutting edge and premium ingredients, this will work to offer thermogenic weight loss and is loaded with active ingredients. An effective supplement for losing weight, as well as weight management, Clean Burn offers the best fat burning benefits in a special blend with the right combination of powerful ingredients. Getting lean and ripped has never been more possible with clean burn.
Kaged Muscle Clean Burn is a great stim-free option to help tackle any fat loss needs. Loaded with active ingredients and a special blend, this is a great fat burning solution.
Pros
Clean, fully disclosed formula
Non-stimulant formula
Powerful ingredients in a special blend
From a reputable company in Kaged Muscle
Cons
Stim-free for those who want stimulants
Price: $26.99
Best Fat Burner With Stimulants
While non-stimulant fat burners will do the trick, those with stimulants can give you a serious boost to affect all of your gains. With the right amount of stimulants, it can be safe and effective for whatever your needs may be.
Fighters Core
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
3 Capsules
Stim Or Non-Stim
Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules in the morning with breakfast.
Fighters Core is a great fat burning supplement to cut as much fat as possible while also maintaining and growing as much muscle as possible. This is the perfect fat burner for bodybuilders or anyone who engages in regular exercise often. Fighters Core is designed to promote the breakdown of fat, boost metabolic rate, preserve and build muscle tissue, and improve focus and energy levels for a great energy boost. This supplement is rigorously tested and side effect free while working to boost your metabolism to shed that unwanted belly fat and promote muscle maintenance while avoiding muscle breakdown.
With 8 powerful and natural ingredients, each offers the best chance to see great results to give you the body you want. Calcium HMB is used to promote the burning of stored fat for energy during workouts, while green tea extract offers antioxidants and can increase your daily energy expenditure. Teacrine and caffeine work as clean sources of energy while mixing well with the other ingredients, like green tea leaf extract or green coffee bean, to optimize fat loss and muscle growth from fat burning ingredients.
Fighters Core is a great fat burning supplement for those to cut as much fat as possible. With 8 powerful and natural ingredients, this gives you the best chance at seeing those desired results.
Pros
Made from natural ingredients
Proprietary formula makes this a great fat burning supplement
Promotes fat burn and growth of lean muscles
8 powerful ingredients
Cons
Does contain more than one stimulant
May cause unwanted jitters
Slightly high in price
Price: $49.00
Check out our individual review for Fighters Core here!
Best Stim Free Fat Burner
Of course, there are people who don’t respond as well to stimulants as others. Stim-free options will offer the same benefits without all the added jitters or negative effects of stimulants.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Number Of Servings
60
Serving Size
2 Capsules
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules with 8-10 ounces of water, twice daily, 30-60 minutes before meals.
PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner Stim-Free offers the benefit of being stim-free while not sacrificing the effect of the intended goal. This product is great for those who are intolerant to stimulants but who are looking to optimize their fat loss efforts and increase those of muscle maintenance. As an effective stim-free fat burner, this product works to burn natural fat, control hunger and food snacking, and increase support for your metabolism from a weight loss supplement that works to burn stored belly fat for men and women.
Stimulant-free fat burners are effective because they can inhibit appetite or decrease nutrient absorption, making you feel full longer and reduce those cravings. With a 100% honest formula, 6 ingredients back by science, and no fillers or additives, these veggie capsules are perfect for those looking to lose fat without dealing with stimulants to burn calories and limit fat absorption throughout the day which could be beneficial for loss while still avoiding muscle breakdown.
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free is a product great for those looking to optimize fat loss with a stim-free option. With 6 ingredients backed by science, an honest label allows for full transparency of the product.
Pros
Great for those looking to optimize fat loss
Effective for burning belly fat, controlling cravings, and increasing metabolic support
Clean ingredients and an accurate formula
Cons
Does contain caffeine or other stimulants
Premium priced, high quality option
Only available directly from their website
Price: $49.00
Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free here! Plus, use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best Fat Burner for Muscle Retention
While you burn fat, you want to make sure you keep that valuable muscle on. Muscle retention will allow you to drop that stubborn body fat and change your composition for the better.
Enhanced All Day Shred
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
1 scoop
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop anytime of day.
Enhanced All Day Shred is a great fat burner with a formula of 15 clinically dosed ingredients with amazing results packed in four blends. These blends include a fat releasing, fat oxidation blend, thyroid support, and a supportive vitamin and mineral blend. Each works together with one another to offer increase metabolism for more calorie burn, the movement of fatty acids into cells for energy, the maintenance of healthy levels of essential nutrients to avoid deficiency, and the promotion of fat loss and lean muscle growth by boosting your metabolism and boosting thermogenesis while limiting your intake.
With 15 ingredients, this powerful formula is great for evening fat loss. Solid ingredients like forskohlii and BioPerine are great and may help for fat releasing and work to increase whole-body energy expenditure for the best in an energy boost. Packed with B vitamins and folic acid, you get a healthy dose of essential nutrients to avoid deficiencies and allow your body to handle the stress of losing that stubborn fat.
Enhanced All Day Shred has a powerful formula with 15 clinically-dosed ingredients. Four awesome blends allow for the best fat burning and support benefits possible.
Pros
No stimulants
15 ingredients offer amazing benefits
Verified by active buyers with a money back guarantee
Cons
The price is okay for the number of servings
Some have complaints about the taste
Price: $39.99
Check out our individual review for Enhanced All Day Shred here!
Best Fat Burner for Suppressing Appetite
One key component of fat burners are suppressing your appetite, which eliminates the need for snacking. Those late night binges or midday snacks can add up and holding our appetites at bay can prove very worthwhile for our gains.
Burn Lab Pro
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
3 NutriCaps
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 3 capsules with water.
Burn Lab Pro is an all-around great fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits to really enhance your results. Instead of an unhealthy, stim-driven formula, Burn Lab Pro is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free to give you an effective supplement without any fear of jitters or crashing. Burn Lab Pro allows you to shed more body fat from every workout, gain more lean muscle and promote muscle maintenance, see better results from diet and exercise, and give you a safe and natural fat burner supplement to tackle any issues, like lack of an energy boost.
With 5 powerful and research-backed ingredients, this is the ultimate fat burner for whatever your needs may be. Forslean works to trigger a hormonal cascade to boost fat breakdown and promote fat burning, while Capsimax regulates hormones to increase body heat to block fat stores and control appetite with food. Along with these other ingredients, this advanced formula is designed to target all of your weight loss needs from a fat burner supplement.
Burn Lab Pro is a great all-around fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits. It is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free giving you the best option on the market.
Pros
Great ingredients designed to tackle weight and belly fat loss goals
No stimulating ingredients with an advanced formula
Safe and natural supplement for your overall health and wellness
From a reputable and high quality company
Cons
Premium priced option
3 capsules is a lot for serving size
Price: $59.00
Check out our individual review for Burn Lab Pro here!
Best CBD Fat Burner
CBD is a popular and growing industry and many benefits have come out around this. Along with great fat burning ingredients, CBD may be a key for you to see the results you want most.
ShredCBD
Type Of Application
Capsule
CBD Dosage
1,200mg
Best Way To Take/Use
Take 1 capsule by mouth 1-3 times daily.
PFX Labs ShredCBD is a brand new design for CBD supplements used to help target body fat while also promoting energy, focus, sleep, performance, and overall wellbeing. With 20mg of premium pure CBD isolate in each capsule, this formula also includes 3 powerful fat burning ingredients to give you the best chance at weight loss. With zero unwanted side effects and a large number of benefits to more than just fat loss, ShredCBD is making waves as an innovative way to get rid of that unwanted fat to start seeing a shredded physique with that hard earned bodybuilding muscle pre, during, and post-workout.
ShredCBD is a new design using CBD isolate in an innovative way to burn fat. Promoting a host of other benefits, this CBD fat burner is an innovative and great option to try.
Pros
CBD isolate and three powerful fat burning ingredients
Great benefits towards fat loss, inflammation, performance, and more
Made in the USA in a GMP certified facility
Cons
Research is still in its infancy
Only available in the USA
Price: $48.00
Benefits Of Fat Burners For Men
When looking at the benefits of fat burners, it is no wonder why these have become more and more popular over time. For men looking to burn that stubborn belly fat, a supplement like a fat burner is truly what you need.
Benefits of fat burners include:
Boost metabolism: Really work to kickstart your metabolism so you start to burn stubborn belly fat and more calories. Using these as energy, it doesn’t have a chance to be stored as fat.
Appetite suppression: Eliminate hunger and snacking by working to suppress your appetite.
Sharp mental function: With fat being used for fuel, your energy levels and cognitive function will improve, allowing more focus and alertness and the occasional serious energy boost.
Maintain lean muscle: Keep on that hard earned lean muscle while shedding fat so you don’t lost those sought after gains through proper muscle maintenance. With this, you will avoid the dreaded muscle breakdown.
How To Find A Good Fat Burner For Men
Finding a good burner should be a priority in terms of safety and effectiveness. Here are some things to look for in a high-quality fat burning supplement.
Natural, safe, and clinically backed ingredients
The ingredients place in a fat burner should reflect the quality of the brand representing the product. You deserve to put the best in your body so don’t settle for poor ingredients.
Visible results within 3-6 weeks of using a supplement
Seeing results should not take forever. A good quality fat burner will take control and give you a chance to start seeing real results in no time.
High reputation & transparency of the company
You want to trust the people designing and creating each product and a company not willing to fully disclose their formula doesn’t deserve your time. Look into what others say about the company and what you know of them because reputation is everything.
Sustainable and long-term effects
The results you see should stay with you as you maintain weight loss, as well as being sustainable towards your long term goals.
Key Ingredients In Fat Burners
Here are a few key ingredients to look for in a quality fat burner.
Forskolin: This will work to lessen hunger and control cravings better for weight management. By releasing stored fat for energy, you will start seeing results (1).
5-HTP: Increases the feeling of fullness and satiety to eliminate unwanted snacking.
L-Theanine: Can work to lower blood pressure and counteract negative effects of caffeine, another ingredient in fat burners (2).
Caffeine: Increases thermogenesis for more fat burn and better energy. This can be in something like coffee bean extract or green tea for example (3).
HMB: Great for cutting calories and aiding in weight loss while working to preserve lean body mass and promoting muscle maintenance (4).
Cayenne Pepper Extract: Works to increase your metabolism to burn more calories and aid in weight loss.
Green Tea Extract: Enhances your body’s thermogenic process and provides powerful antioxidants (5).
Glucomannan: Works to reduce sugar absorption and acts as an appetite suppressant.
How We Choose The Best Fat Burners
A fat burner is something with real potential to help you with all your fat loss goals. Finding the right one can be challenging but we’ve taken it upon ourselves to look for the best products for you. Looking at the reputability of the brand, as well as their ingredients, is important to us because you deserve to put the best in your body. The formula used in each fat burner should be not only effective, but also safe, and this list reflects that. We also know that price can be a deterring factor and we sought the most reasonably priced fat burners that are still at the top of the market in terms of quality.
FAQ Section
What is the best fat burner?
Burn Lab Pro. This fat burner is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free so you never suffer jitters and crashing. With a great formula and 5 powerful ingredients, this can work to shed more fat, gain more muscle, provide muscle maintenance, and see those desired changes in your body composition come to life from fat burning supplements by boosting the burning production in your body.
Are fat burners safe?
Generally, fat burners are safe to use to lose weight for active people. It is always wise to read the ingredients on each, as well as doing prior research into customer reviews on your desired products. Our list above shows some top-tier fat burners that are reliable and safe for use, but it is a good idea to always read the label.
Why do I need to use a fat burner?
Fat burners are generally for those who already exercise but still may struggle to get their weight down to where they want it to be. Fat burners will help to lower body fat and give the process of natural fat loss a bit of a boost with fat burning supplements to lose weight by raising your body’s temperature and aiding in your body’s ability to lose fat using ingredient such as a root, plant, or extracts, as well as others to produce your desired results.
I’m sensitive to caffeine. Is there a fat burner I can take that is stim-free?
There are many stim-free fat burners now that will provide the same results without the fear of jitters, crashing, raised blood pressure, or other negative side effects from other weight loss pills. Many companies will in fact have a stimulant and a stimulant-free version of the same fat burner so you can compare an individual burner that contains caffeine and one without caffeine. Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Stim-Free is a great fat burner with clean ingredients, a transparent label, and stim-free advantages for your weight loss goals with supplements.
Wrap Up
With so many fat burning supplements out there claiming to be the end-all be-all of fat loss products, it can be hard to tell who is actually aiming for your benefit. While there is no secret pill to make fat disappear, fat burners are there to assist in your fat loss goals. Whether they give you those much needed energy boosts, pull from your fat stores to get rid of that excess nemesis, suppress your appetite, promote muscle maintenance, or enhance metabolism, mixed with a healthy diet and exercise, these products can help you achieve that toned physique without compromising that lean muscle mass while increasing energy. Stay on track with your process and give these fat burners a try to finally achieve your goals of looking and feeling great.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Hursel, R.; Viechtbauer, W.; Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2009). “The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis”. (source)
Nobre, Anna C.; Rao, Anling; Owen, Gail N. (2008). “L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state”. (source)
Tabrizi, Reza; Saneei, Parvane; Lankarani, Kamran B.; Akbari, Maryam; et al. (2019). “The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”. (source)
Portal, Shawn; Eliakim, Alon; Nemet, Dan; Halevy, Orna; Zadik, Zvi (2010). “Effect of HMB supplementation on body composition, fitness, hormonal profile and muscle damage indices”. (source)
Hursel, R.; Viechtbauer, W.; Westerterp-Plantega, M. S. (2009). “The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis”. (source)
How This Ryan Terry Workout Can Greatly Improve Your Physique
This workout from Ryan Terry will provide for those desired gains you want most and a physique others will envy.
Ryan Terry is a bodybuilder and model with an absolutely shredded physique. As a result of hard work and sheer determination to be the best, matched by a competitive side that fuels this work ethic, he has stood next to some of the greats and his passion is undeniably inspiring.
Too often do we seek to find the best workout around. It can be challenging to know which workouts are right for us, and with so many exercises and influencers claiming to have the secret weapon, knowing who to trust and listen to can only add to that challenge. Taking advice from pro bodybuilders and those athletes we look up to can be great, for they’ve done it all before and are living proof of what can happen when you put your mind to it.
Ryan Terry has proved he can stand tall against the best and with his work ethic as one to most certainly envy, he holds clout in the workout world for the way he carries himself and the way he stays true to the work to see results.
Full Name: Ryan Terry
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
185-195 lbs.
5’10’’
11/17/1988
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilder, Model
2010
British
Ryan Terry has appeared in a number of commercials and fitness magazines, showing off his absolutely shredded physique. He became Mr. International and Mr. Great Britain in 2010 and took the jump into bodybuilding becoming the first ever to win Men’s Physique at the UKBFF championships from the United Kingdom. He has only continued his success and is one to pay attention to as he is most definitely fun to watch.
About Ryan Terry
At a young age, Ryan began going to the gym and as the years went on, began to see great progress. Eventually, he would decide to compete in bodybuilding contests and realized he’d found a passion. What started as a way to build confidence became a career and lifelong pursuit for greatness. He would soon start winning competitions and began standing amongst some of the best in the world. Simultaneously, calls started to come in for him to model for them, and his career as a fitness model would soon take off as well. He realized fairly quickly that this would be lucrative and fulfilling and has dedicated his life to his pursuit of building the best physique that he can.
Ryan Terry Training Routine
This workout routine from Ryan is a great balance of volume and intensity. By working your muscles differently, you force them to react to different amounts of stimulation to see the growth you want most. For Ryan, it’s about the entire process of the workout, not just the end result, and knowing that these changes take time can help your mindset especially when this workout starts to get a bit grueling. This workout is one to certainly help with your own gains as you seek only the best for yourself and your physique.
Day 1: Back
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Pull Ups
3
10
Wide Grip Pulldowns
3
10
Close Grip Seated Rows
3
12
Lat Pulldowns
3
12
Bent Over Rows with Barbell
3
8
Deadlifts
3
8
Day 2: Shoulders & Abs
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Lateral Raise
3
12
Overhead Press
3
10
Front Raises
3
12
Rear Delts on Cables
3
10
Shrugs
3
15
Rear Shrugs
3
10
Sit Ups
3
20
Side Oblique Twists
3
20
Weighted Crunches
3
20
Day 3: Legs
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Back Squats
3
8
Hack Squats
3
8
Leg Press
3
10
Leg Extensions
3
10
Lunges
3
12
Seated Calf Raises
3
12
Single-Leg Calf Raises
3
12
Day 4: Chest & Abs
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Incline Barbell Press
3
10
Dumbbell Press
3
10
Cable Flys
3
12
Incline Flys
3
12
Hanging Leg Raises
3
15
Crunches
3
15
Bicycles
3
15
Day 5: Arms
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Triceps Dips
3
15
Single Arm Pushdowns
3
10
EZ Bar Curls
3
12
Alternating Dumbbell Curls
3
12
Hammer Curls
3
10
Skullcrushers
3
10
Featured Supplement
When it comes to building up a nice physique, it is important to have a solid supplementation routine behind you to assist with any and all of your goals. Whether that be a protein supplement to assist with growth and recovery post-workout, or a BCAA to help you push past fatigue and aid in recovery for those intra-workout needs, these products can only enhance what you want to see most out of your training and performance. For those struggling to lose that stubborn belly fat, a fat burner can definitely be a great choice to boost metabolism and increase energy.
But what about those pre-workout needs? A good pre-workout supplement is exactly what you need to see great gains and Kaged Muscle has a great product for you.
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged
Use code GENIRON1O for 10% off!
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is great for those looking to increase performance and intensity with a high-quality pre-workout. Great ingredients and a quality blend make this unstoppable for your pre-workouts needs.
Increase the performance and intensity of your workout with this high quality pre-workout powder available from Kaged Muscle. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is unmatched in terms of ingredient quality and synthesis of the blend of proteins. Kaged Muscle lab tests every batch to make sure each is fully loaded as advertised — 274 mg pure caffeine, 2 g taurine, 6.5 g fermented BCAAs, 6.5 g pure l-citrulline, and 2 g of their patented betapower blend. It’s an unbeatable combination that is guaranteed to supercharge any workout with great pre-workout ingredients from supplements to increase muscle and promote weight loss.
Price: $39.99
Use code GENIRON10 to save 10%! Check out our individual review for Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged here!
Check out our list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements for more great products!
Wrap Up
This workout from Ryan Terry is one to fire up your muscles so they grow to allow for your physique to start to take shape. With great exercises and a solid plan, those body composition goals are closer than you think and can be game changers for your entire routine. With the right supplements behind you, your body will thank you for giving it great nutrients to thrive at a high level while still working wonders for all your gains. Give this workout from Ryan Terry a try and see what it can do for those desired physique goals.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Ryan Terry
Samir Bannout Shares Old School Stories Of Gold’s Gym And Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Samir Bannout talks about first coming to America, Gold’s Gym, and some early stories he’s heard of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilder who came into his prime during the tail end of the Golden Era of bodybuilding. He’s also a bodybuilder who lived the American dream similar to athletes like Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came to the US with a passion for bodybuilding and became a superstar and Olympia champion. So of course, he has some amazing first and second hand stories of the Golden Era of the sport. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout shares stories about coming to America, Gold’s Gym, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Bodybuilding is a very different sport today than it was in the Golden Era. The core elements of the sport remain of course but it is now an entire business model compared to the fledgling niche sport it was in the past. Many bodybuilding fans today romanticize the Golden Era. A time when Gold’s Gym was an iconic location and not a business chain. A time when Arnold Schwarzenegger was a bodybuilding champion and not a politician or action star. A time before social media and a time when Joe Weider was still alive.
That’s why we asked Samir Bannout to tell us some stories from his time as a bodybuilder coming to America and rising in the ranks. Samir Bannout was present for the tail end of the Golden Era. He saw Arnold Schwarzenegger and other greats. He trained at Gold’s Gym and personally knew Joe Gold. He also made connections with individuals who were there from the very beginning.
Bannout describes reading the famous bodybuilding magazines in Lebanon and dreaming of becoming a bodybuilder in America. He saw how Joe Weider inspired athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger to the USA. So Samir Bannout headed out to the United States. He landed in Michigan originally but eventually had an opportunity to meet Joe Weider. That convinced him to move the California and enter the Mecca of bodybuilding.
Samir Bannout describes it as a dream. He made it out to California and Gold’s Gym in 1978. He describes it as coming there just in time. It was the tail end of the Golden Era and he was able to meet Joe Gold, get a lifetime free membership, and that changed everything. He describes himself as a kid in a candy store.
Samir Bannout also describes meeting a man named Art Seller. This was the man who first picked up Arnold Schwarzenegger from the airport when he arrived in Los Angeles. Bannout ended up becoming close friends with Seller and learned of wonderful early stories about Schwarzenegger. During our interview – he shares a short but funny story of Schwarzenegger when he first landed in America.
You can watch Samir Bannout talk about his journey to the US, his stories of Gold’s Gym and some funny short stories of Arnold Schwarzenegger in our latest GI Exclusive interview above. Bannout mentions that he wants to help continue spreading the passion and love and stories of bodybuilding’s past – especially as many of these greats start to recede into time. This video is a great little oral history keeping the past alive.
Best Pre-Workout Supplements For Muscle Building (Updated 2021)
Give yourself the best chance to improve performance and strength training with these great pre-workout supplements to see great muscle growth.
When it comes to building muscle and getting a great pump, pre-workout supplements are exactly what you need. As great training aids to improve performance and strength training, pre-workouts have the ability to provide enhanced focus, increased heart rate, weight loss, and insane muscle pumps to assist with those big lifts and really force our muscles to grow. While our busy schedules do tend to drain us, it is important we find that all important energy from somewhere and pre-workout supplements have just what you need to really make that happen for that desired improved performance, weight loss, and muscle building goals. Great for shedding fat, increasing muscle, and hitting you with amazing energy boosts, a pre-workout can enhance recovery and allow to bounce back faster for your next big lift.
We’ve put together a list of the Best Pre-Workout Supplements for 2021 so you can start to see the desired growth you want. You won’t be disappointed with the results from a good quality, highly effective pre-workout on your endurance, strength training, weight loss, and exercise performance for optimal training.
Best Pre-Workout Supplements For 2021
Best Pre-Workout Overall
Finding a great pre-workout may seem daunting but their are those out there that can cover all your bases. From energy, to muscle pumps, reduced fatigue, and more, Performance Lab has the top pre-workout for you.
Performance Lab Sport Pre
Stim Or No Stim
No Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
N/A
Best Way To Take
Take up to 6 capsules 30-45 minutes before your workout. Take on an empty stomach with 16-32 oz. of water
Performance Lab Sport Pre is another high quality pre-workout supplement available to the public at a great price point. Performance Lab Sport is one of the most rigorously scientifically vetted brands and all of their pre-workout products are free of synthetic additives (which might dehydrate the muscles), non-GMO, and vegan friendly. Sport “Pre” increases nitric oxide in the blood to support the oxygenation of muscles during workouts, improves endurance by hydrating the muscles, and enhances both anaerobic and aerobic exercise by increasing ATP reductase for the best benefits out of strength training, weight loss, and performance.
Performance Lab SPORT Pre is a high-quality pre-workout free of additives designed to increase nitric oxide in the blood, improve endurance by hydrating your muscles, and enhance strength training, weight loss, and overall performance.
Pros
Vegan friendly
Capsules are easy to take
Will help with strength and endurance
Caffeine free for those looking for no caffeine
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their site
Price: $39.00
Best For Strength
Of course, we want our pre-workout to work for our benefit in terms of strength. Transparent Labs has this amazing option to do just that.
Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Orange, Green Apple, Sour Grape, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 16-24 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
Backed by science with clinically effective dosages, this pre-workout is most effective for those looking to increase in size and muscle mass. BULK contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 4,000 mg of beta-alanine, 4,000 mg of BCAAs, and 2,500 mg of betaine to boost your workouts, blood flow, weight loss, and muscle growth, all in attempts to improve performance. BULK will reduce fatigue and increase your energy to give you a more impactful and longer lasting workout. Transparent Labs prides themselves on a 100% label and there are artificial additives, colorings, or preservatives to ruin this clean product.
Use code GENIRON1O for 10% off!
Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK is backed by science with clinically effective dosages to increase muscle size and mass. This pre-workout is perfect for reducing fatigue, aiding in muscle growth, and boosting energy levels for better overall performance.
Pros
High amount of citrulline malate for awesome pumps
Very clean ingredients for an honest product
From a reputable company in Transparent Labs
Cons
High in beta alanine
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Price: $49.00
Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries BULK here! Also, use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best Natural Ingredients For Energy
You deserve to have the best ingredients when it comes to your supplements and National Bodybuilding Co. seeks only the best for it’s pre-workout and other supplements.
National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Fruit Punch
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop and mix with 8-12 fl. oz. of water.
National Bodybuilding Co. has a great pre-workout supplement called Stage Ready Pre-Workout which delivers quality muscle pumps, enhanced stamina, weight loss, and a solid boost of energy to really elevate your performance. With an advanced and effective blend, this pre-workout can hydrate and buffer muscle tissue, raise nitric oxide levels and blood flow, optimize ATP production, and boost neurotransmitter synthesis. With great ingredients and a clean formula, it is no wonder why National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready Pre-Workout won for Best Pre-Workout in GI Supplement Awards.
National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready is a great pre-workout to enhance quality muscle pumps, improved stamina, weight loss, and a real boost of energy to elevate performance. With an advanced blend and high-quality ingredients, this pre-workout is perfect for any workout.
Pros
An effective blend with solid benefits for muscle pumps, energy, and stamina
Patented ingredients and great taste
From a reputable company
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Could use more beta alanine as a key ingredient
Price: $48.00
Check out our individual review for National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready here!
Best Stim Ingredients & Intensity
Having a pre-workout that can boost energy and intensity is huge and with the right stim ingredients, this can happen instantly. Enhanced has a great product to power you through any workout so you see the gains you want most.
Enhanced Ramy’s Rage Stim Reloaded
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Grape
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop 30 minutes before your workout with 8 oz. of water.
Ramy’s Rage Stim is different. It has a fully disclosed supplement facts panel, so you know exactly what you’re getting in each serving. Ramy’s Rage Stim contains full dosages of ingredients scientifically proven to boost energy levels, improve physical performance and enhance focus. Best of all, Ramy’s Rage Stim doesn’t contain mega dosages of caffeine so there is no crash. With a smart 8-stim matrix, all of your energy and focus enhancing needs are met with a great pre-workout. With 17 clinically dosed ingredients grouped into 4 synergistic matrixes, this pre-workout is perfect for boosting intensity.
Code GENIRON For 15% Off
Enhanced Ramy’s Rage Stim Reloaded is a smart 8-stim matrix to enhance energy and focus. A fully disclosed label provides transparency for their scientifically proven ingredients.
Pros
No crash
17 clinically dosed ingredients
Fully disclosed supplement facts panel
Novel stimulants like Dynamine, Theacrine, and Cocoabuterol
Cons
Only one flavor option
Price: $25.99
Use code GENIRON for 15% off your order!
Best Stim-Free Without Caffeine
With many pre-workouts loaded with stimulants, finding a great stim-free option can be hard. But Transparent Labs has made a stim-free product to still offer great benefits to your workouts.
Transparent Labs PreSeries Stim Free
Stim Or No Stim
No Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Orange, Sour Grape, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
Transparent Labs Stim-Free is an amazing option for those looking for stimulant free supplements for strength training, weight loss, and to improve performance. Containing key ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine, all of these ingredients are clinically dosed and effective for providing great gains. With a 100% transparent formula, this product is great for those who are intolerant to caffeine or other stimulants, or for those looking to cycle off of them. With 13 active ingredients all designed for enhanced focus and increasing lean muscle, you cannot go wrong with this great stim-free, non-caffeine option that will still enhance energy like other products.
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs PreSeries Stim-Free is an amazing option for those looking for stimulant free supplements for strength training, weight loss, and improved performance. With key ingredients at effective dosages, this is a great pre-workout for anyone looking for stim-free options.
Pros
Great advantages while being stim-free
Perfect for those insensitive or looking to get off caffeine
Clean ingredients and advanced formula
Provides for energy and focus while decreasing muscle fatigue
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly through their site
Does not have caffeine or other stimulants for those looking
Price: $49.00
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best For Pumps
With quality muscle pumps being a staple benefit for pre-workout, Kaged Muscle took that and made sure their supplement gave you the best pumps around.
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
15
Carbs
2g
Sugar
1g
Number Of Servings
20
Flavors
Berry Blast, Fruit Punch, Grape, Krisp Apple, Orange Kush, Pink Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Take one scoop with water before your workout.
Increase the performance and intensity of your workout with this high quality pre-workout powder available from Kaged Muscle. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is unmatched in terms of ingredient quality and synthesis of the blend of proteins. Kaged Muscle lab tests every batch to make sure each is fully loaded as advertised — 274 mg pure caffeine, 2 g taurine, 6.5 g fermented BCAAs, 6.5 g pure l-citrulline, and 2 g of their patented betapower blend. It’s an unbeatable combination that is guaranteed to supercharge any workout with great pre-workout ingredients from supplements to increase muscle and promote weight loss.
Use code GENIRON1O for 10% off!
Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged is great for those looking to increase performance and intensity with a high-quality pre-workout. Great ingredients and a quality blend make this unstoppable for your pre-workouts needs.
Pros
Contains BCAAs and has well-dosed ingredients
No artificial colors or flavors
Great taste
Cons
A bit expensive
Does contains sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener
Caffeine content may be high for those sensitive
Price: $39.99
Use code GENIRON10 to save 10%! Check out our individual review for Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged here!
Best For Cutting
For those looking to lose weight and tone, a good pre-workout can help you get there. Transparent Labs made a solid formula to assist with all your cutting needs.
Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Sour Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Use code GENIRON1O for 10% off!
Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN is perfect for those looking to target stubborn belly fat while still maintaining that hard-earned lean muscle. For those looking to slim down and lose weight, look no further than this great pre-workout with quality ingredients at effective dosages.
Pros
Well-dosed and third party tested
All-natural ingredients
Good for cutting and increasing strength and power
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Does not have the greatest ingredients for fat loss
Price: $49.00
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Best For Women
Pre-workouts for women are great for helping you tackle any of your workouts needs. With certain ingredients and different doses, this is geared for all the needs of those female athletes.
Cira Nutrition Pre-Game
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Peach Bellini, Pink Candy
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 6-8 fl. oz. of water 30-40 minutes before your workout.
Cira Nutrition Pre-Game is that pre-workout you need to give you more energy to perform harder, better, and faster. With great ingredients to increase energy, endurance, focus, weight loss, and muscle strength, this pre-workout has you covered with whatever your needs may be. Packed with all the essential ingredients to stand out as a top pre-workout for women, this supplement is what you want most for your pre-workout routine. With great flavors at an affordable price, you can’t go wrong with Pre-Game.
Cira Nutrition Pre-Game is a great pre-workout so you perform harder, better, and faster to get the most out of your workouts. Packed with great ingredients, this supplement stands out as one of the best for women.
Pros
Packed with essential pre-workout ingredients
Fully disclosed label
Great flavors and price
Cons
Does contain caffeine for those sensitive
Only available directly from their website
Price: $39.99
Best For Weight Loss
Losing weight is hard, but supplements like pre-workout can help immensely. With the right ingredients and a solid training plan, your desire to lose weight is just around the corner.
Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN
Stim Or No Stim
Stim
Calories
0
Carbs
0g
Sugar
0g
Number Of Servings
30
Flavors
Sour Grape, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Lemonade
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 scoop with 12-16 fl. oz. of water 20-30 minutes before your workout.
The perfect supplement for cutting, LEAN is great for those looking to target stubborn fat while keeping on that lean muscle. LEAN contains 6,000 mg of citrulline malate, 2,500 mg of betaine, 2,000 mg of BCAA, 1,500 mg of beta-alanine, and 600 mg of L-tyrosine to improve strength and muscle endurance, increase blood flow and nitric oxide levels, reduce fatigue, and improve memory. LEAN is great for those looking to slim down and encourage weight loss without losing that hard work done in the gym through your exercise performance from a great pre-workout powder with ingredients like citrulline malate and betaine.
Use code GENIRON1O for 10% off!
Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN is perfect for those looking to target stubborn belly fat while still maintaining that hard-earned lean muscle. For those looking to slim down and lose weight, look no further than this great pre-workout with quality ingredients at effective dosages.
Pros
Well-dosed and third party tested
All-natural ingredients
Good for cutting and increasing strength and power
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available directly from their site
Does not have the greatest ingredients for fat loss
Price: $49.00
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Plus, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PreSeries LEAN here!
Benefits Of Pre-Workout
The benefits of pre-workout should not be ignored for what they can do for your strength training and performance is incredible. Great tasting and safe to use, a good pre-workout supplement can:
Increase focus and energy: Provide for more intense workouts while being locked into every exercise so nothing interferes with a good workout (1).
Reduce fatigue: Allow for longer training sessions and calorie burn giving your body the fuel it needs from endurance and strength exercises while reducing muscle soreness and unwanted pain for improved performance.
Muscle pumps: Watch your strength and muscle gains flourish and allow blood to flow through your muscles.(2).
Enhanced recovery: Bounce back faster and promote more efficient growth while recovering more effectively for faster turn arounds.
Key Ingredients In Pre-Workout
Here are some key ingredients to look out for when choosing a pre-workout supplement:
Caffeine: Works to elevate energy so you can tackle any grueling workout while boosting focus and reaction time to improve performance. There are stim-free pre-workouts that work just as well (3).
Creatine: This will provide your muscles with fuel to boost athletic performance and strength training (4).
BCAAs: Great for promoting muscle protein synthesis, they can help with recovery and intra-workout needs (5).
Beta-Alanine: Works as a buffer for pH levels to push past fatigue that may strike.
L-Citrulline: Can boost nitric oxide while maintaining good blood flow for increased muscle pumps.
How We Decide
Choosing the right pre-workout can be difficult and with so many on the market, the choices do seem endless. With this list, we sought to bring the best to you by combing through all the nonsense pre-workouts to bring you the best around. We look at ingredients closely because many companies will put in ingredients you just don’t need. Quality of the brand and where they get ingredients from is also important because you deserve to have an honest company backing you up. Of course, price matters and since supplements can add up and be a real hit on the wallet, we sought to bring you top tier products at a reasonable and affordable price.
FAQ Section
What is the best pre-workout?
National Bodybuilding Co. Stage Ready. This pre-workout is a really high quality product designed to deliver pumps, enhanced stamina, promote weight loss, increase strength training, and provide solid energy for elevated performance. An advanced and effective formula is highly safe to use and is produced with clean ingredients from a reputable and top tier company in National Bodybuilding Co.
What does pre-workout do?
Pre-workout is designed to give you the edge for your strength training and performance. It will enhance energy and focus for more efficient workouts, increase your heart rate and get your blood pumping for better blood flow and weight loss, and increase muscle so you turn that unwanted fat into a shredded physique to have confidence in the effects.
Are there stimulant-free pre-workouts?
Yes! Since many people are sensitive to caffeine or just don’t want it in their daily routine for strength training, companies have created stim-free options to give you the same results without the caffeine.
Check out some amazing stim-free pre-workout supplements here!
Is pre-workout safe?
Pre-workouts are not monitored by the FDA but are safe for public use. Many contain caffeine, so for those sensitive it is something to be cautious of. Some potential side effects are dizziness, nausea, dehydration, and high blood pressure, but many of these come from the overload in caffeine for some. Also, many companies will have their products be third party tested to ensure quality pre-workout products for exercise performance.
When is the best time to take pre-workout?
It is ideal to take pre-workout 30 minutes before your strength training workout. This will ensure all of the ingredients will kick in so they work as effectively as possible for optimal effects and results. It is important to stay hydrated in the time in between your workout and during your workout for pre-workout can dehydrate you.
Wrap Up
Pre-workout supplements are great to use for those looking to build their muscle and really start to see that shredded physique unfold. With the power to increase energy, provide for great focus, promote pumps, and enhance recovery, a good quality and highly effective pre-workout will boost your gains to the next level. Check out our list above and see which one is right for you, for you won’t be disappointed with the results. A solid pre-workout can only add to your gains and those gains are what you want most. Give these products a try and really see what they can do for your gains. You won’t be disappointed with the results when you buckle down and get a good supplement to accompany you on your muscle building journey.
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References
Ellerbroek, Anya C.; Antonio, Jose (2019). “Effects of Pre-Workout Supplements on Strength, Endurance, and Mood”. (source)
Kedia, A.; Hofheins, J.; Habowski, S.; Ferrando, Arny; et al. (2014). “Effects of a Pre workout Supplement on Lean Mass, Muscular Performance, Subjective Workout Experience and Biomarkers of Safety”. (source)
McLellan, Tom M.; Caldwell, John A.; Lieberman, Harris R. (2016). “A review of caffeine’s effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance”. (source)
Kreider, Richard B. (2003). “Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations”. (source)
Negro, M.; Giardina, S.; Marzani, B.; Marzatico, F. (2008). “Branched-chain amino acid supplementation does not enhance athletic performance but affects muscle recovery and the immune system”. (source)