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Unbound Unlock Beyond Fat Burn Review
Work for energy, appetite control, and fat burn with a fat burner proven to work.
Product Overview
Burning stubborn belly fat can be hard. That means toning and sculpting a shredded physique may seem just unobtainable. But take away the negative talk and really think about what needs to happen. A good diet, solid training plan, and an unphased mindset to get this fat loss done. Even with a lights out routine, some assistance is welcome and a fat burner is here to give you that vital boost you want most. Unbound Unlock is a seriously effective and powerful fat burning supplement designed to give you the best chance at fat loss so that shredded aesthetic is right around the corner.
A top tier fat burner will contain ingredients that are clean and effective to provide for benefits that actually work and results that are actually seen. A transparent label and fully disclosed ingredients list, matched by a powerful formula and one that is well-researched at that, can give you the best chance at fat loss so no doubt ever creeps into your mind again. Unbound Unlock does that and more as an awesome fat burning supplement to boost energy, offer better appetite control, and aid in that vital fat burn.
Shop at Unbound
Unbound is on a mission to help those self-starters get the gains they want most. They seek those who set the highest standards, not follow them, and whose demand for greatness is unparalleled by others. Unbound wants their athletes to be unequaled in a world of mediocrity and by designing and creating high quality supplements, they understand that those seeking to be the best, need the best when it comes to fueling their bodies and driving towards the top. A sister company to the amazing and top tier company NutraBio, their honesty and transparency shows through with every product.
Unbound Unlock Highlights
Unbound Unlock is an amazing fat burner created with the best ingredients to produce an all-star fat burning formula. With 11 effective and high-quality ingredients, Unlock has the power to enhance energy, support appetite control, and promote that vital fat burn you want most. With Unbound’s undivided dedication and uncompromising results, any athlete willing to push their limit will benefit greatly from Unlock’s true potential. Even though burning stubborn fat can be hard, Unbound Unlock makes it a reality.
Ingredients
MitoBurn L-BAIBA: Known to have benefits towards glucose uptake, free fatty acid oxidation, and changes in body composition. It can also support weight management by promoting greater energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity (1).
GBB: GBB is short for gamma-butyrobetaine and it can increase carnitine levels which support better fat burning and supports the body’s natural ability to mobilize and burn fatty acids for energy.
Grains Of Paradise: May help stimulate brown fat thermogenesis and increase whole-body energy expenditure while reducing body fat mass (2).
Cocoabuterol: A patented natural cocoa extract, this can support muscle protein synthesis, reduce muscle protein breakdown, promote fat utilization, and eliminate excess fluid in the body.
RhodioPrime: A quality form of Rhodiola, which is known for its mood-enhancing properties, this can support mood, motivation, focus, and energy for longer periods of time (3).
InnoSlim: May enhance glucose uptake into the muscle cells, support stable blood glucose levels and muscle energy production, and aid in weight loss.
Zum XR: Works to enhance the effects of other ingredients, like caffeine, for longer lasting effects in the body.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Help the body burn fat for energy, enhance mental energy, and support the production of key neurotransmitters (4).
L-Tyrosine: An essential amino acid used to produce neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and epinephrine which are vital for fat burning.
Caffeine Anhydrous: Increases energy, motivation, focus, and alertness while working to burst fatigue and kickstart your metabolism (5).
Flucoxanthin: Known to stimulate receptors in white fat cells and encourage a higher metabolic rate.
Other Ingredients
Citric acid, natural flavors, malic acid, sucralose, acesulfame potassium
Stim Or Non-Stim
Stim
Number Of Servings
20
Serving Size
1 scoop
Flavors
Raspberry Lemonade, Mojito, Melon Spice
Best Way To Take
Take 2 scoops with 12-16 oz. of water. To assess tolerance, take ½ scoop. Drink in the morning or any time before 5 p.m.
Price, Flavors & Effectiveness
Unbound Unlock is the perfect supplement to boost your fat burning needs built around a great formula to enhance energy, support appetite control, and aid in that desired fat burn. With 20 servings per container, one serving size of 2 scoops will pump you with these amazing ingredients to give you everything from this powerful fat burner. Three flavors in Raspberry Lemonade, Mojito, and Melon Spice offer a delicious taste so you will never grow bored with it.
Featured Unbound Athlete
Erik Ramirez is an IFBB pro bodybuilder and Unbound athlete who uses their supplements to enhance his absolutely shredded aesthetic. With many competitions under his belt, he was crowned the 2015 North American Overall Champion and has competed in other events including the New York Pro, Toronto Pro, Tampa Pro 212, and the 2020 Chicago Pro Men’s Bodybuilding contest. Working with Unbound, Ramirez uses their high-quality supplements to fuel his workouts and recovery given their innovative formulas, clean ingredients, and advanced results for maximum gains.
Check out our list of the Best Fat Burners On The Market for more great fat burning supplements!
Overall Value
Unbound Unlock is that fat burning supplement you need to see those desired gains come to life. With 11 powerful and effective ingredients, Unlock works to boost energy, provide for better appetite control, and aid in that valuable fat burn you want most. Unbound works with those athletes who have an uncompromising approach to success, both physically and mentally, as they push themselves to the limit every day. What you are really getting is a top tier fat burning supplement with high-quality ingredients, great flavors, and real results. Check out Unbound Unlock today and unlock the fat burning potential you may not have known you had.
Try Unbound Unlock Today
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 Unbound
References
Kitase, Yukiko; Vallejo, Julian A.; Gutheil, William; Vemula, Harika; et al. (2018). “B-aminoisobutyric Acid, l-BAIBA, Is a Muscle-Derived Osteocyte Survival Factor”. (source)
Sugita, Jun; Yoneshiro, Takeshi; Hatano, Takuya; Aita, Sayuri; et al. (2013). “Grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) extract activate brown adipose tissue and increases whole-body energy expenditure in men”. (source)
Cropley, Mark; Banks, Adrian P.; Boyle, Julia (2015). “The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms”. (source)
Ferreira, Gustavo C.; McKenna, Mary C. (2017). “L-Carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine roles and neuroprotection in developing brain”. (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)
Calum von Moger is Looking Much Improved as He Ramps Up Training
Calum von Moger is looking impressive as he undergoes intense training.
Calum von Moger has always pushed to be the best version of himself. The Australian bodybuilder’s recent training session shows a man motivated to improve. There’s no question that Calum von Moger has built an impressive physique and has continued to improve this 2021.
Bodybuilding is all about transformation. If you aren’t pushing your body to transform then what’s the point of lifting all that weight. Bodybuilding is also about patience and trusting the process. Without the ability to be patient it’ll be near impossible to see the kind of results you desire. Calum von Moger knows a thing or two about transforming his physique as well as being patient.
There was a time where things seemed grim for Calum von Moger. A series of injuries would sideline him for quite some time. But like any other top athlete with an indomitable will, Calum battled back and has made some impressive progress since recovering.
One day you just stop caring what others think and do what you have to do. That’s when you become unstoppable.
Making Solid Gains
Calum von Moger is no doubt a very influential figure in the bodybuilding and fitness game. His mix of genuine passion for competition as well as his desire to motivate and inspire people has made him a household name. When he battled back from his bicep tear and knee injuries, many gained a newfound respect for the popular bodybuilder.
Since making his return to action, Calum von Moger has remained consistent and continues to improve. He also continues to inspire his followers looking for that extra push in the gym.
Falling back doesn’t mean giving up, but to let things go and observe the circumstances to the core. The art of letting go off things is very tough, but once achieved, it can give us mental peace.
2021 has been a good year for Calum von Moger so far. Not only has he improved upon his already impressive physique, Calum is making some well executed business moves as well. The Australian bodybuilder has a pop up shop coming to Venice where he hopes to continue to build his brand.
Fans of Calum von Moger surely won’t want to miss an opportunity to see him in person. After the harrowing past year and a half, it’s no doubt an exciting opportunity for the fans to meet a true inspiration like Calum.
If Calum von Moger continues on this trajectory, there’s really no telling how far he could go.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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.
The Anabolic Doc Full Interview | Realities Of Steroids, Synthol, And Other PEDs In Bodybuilding
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Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with The Anabolic Doc.
Dr. Thomas O’Connor has appeared in a selection of our Generation Iron original films over the years. This is due to the fact that he is a doctor that bridges the gap between muscle and medicine. He was strength athlete in his past, he has taken steroids, and he now has a medical license to treat people for after effects of long term steroid use. For this reason, he’s known as The Anabolic Doc.
That’s why we decided to sit down with him for an extensive interview going into detail all health aspects of bodybuilding. He sort of bridges the gap between the knowledge of medical science into the experience of what it actually takes to be a bodybuilder or strength athlete.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with the Anabolic Doc. Now we’re releasing the full length interview including topics such as the health risks of steroids, the realities of synthol abuse, and if it’s easy to cheat drug tests – among other topics.
Listen To Our Anabolic Doc Interview On The Generation Iron Podcast
Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form! Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid, full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding, fitness, combat, and strength sports.
Listen to the full Anabolic Doc interview here:
There Is NO Safe Way To Use Steroids For Bodybuilding
What Dr. O’Connor won’t accept, is lies about the dangers of steroids. He won’t sit and let people believe that steroids are actually “not that bad” for your health. He makes it plain and clear – long term steroid use will have permanent effects on your heath. It will lower your testosterone to the point where it might never come back. This leads to needing testosterone replacement therapy (or TRT) for the rest of a person’s life. It can lead to enlarged arteries and enlarged hearts. This can then in turn lead to heart disease and death.
Dr. O’Connor will never step down from detailing the truly dangerous risks of steroids. But he leaves the decision to use up to the athlete afterwards. Just like cigarettes, people will make their own decision on how they want to handle long term health.
With all of that being said, we wanted Dr. O’Connor to clear the air. Is it possible to safely use steroids in bodybuilding at all? Is there some sort of tips or protocol that can help prevent these long term dangers of use?
The Anabolic Doc’s answer is a simple one. No. Each body is different. Each drug has different effects on different users. Some people might make it out clean – but that’s not due to a specific way of use. It’s due to luck. There is no medical way to condone the use of steroids safely for sports like bodybuilding. Dr. O’Connor believes that the research shows it’s simply impossible.
Realities Of What Happens After Synthol Use
Dr. Thomas O’Connor is a doctor who deals specifically with steroid users. That’s why he’s called the Anabolic Doc. So of course in his time treating patients he’s also ran past individuals who have used synthol or other site enhancement oils on their physiques. He admits it’s very rare – but it has happened on occasion.
We often see the results of using these kinds of oils on a bodybuilding physique. The freaks with bulging inhuman fake muscles or even more well trained bodybuilders with strange shaped peaks on certain muscles. But what happens to these people in the long term after injecting oils into their body? What are the actual health risks? How does the body absorb sythol after it expands in their body? Does it absorb it at all? These are all questions we wanted to ask Dr. O’Connor. As you can imagine, the answer isn’t pretty.
Yes, synthol does get absorbed in your body but this in itself can lead to certain complications. Some patients have had neurological complications leading numbness or even loss of motor ability. In rare cases the oil can infiltrate the blood stream and heart leading to potential deadly results. The most common negative side effect, though, seems to be infections. As seen in extreme cases when “synthol freaks” have such bad infections they need amputation. Yes, that’s an extreme case – but infections are certainly possible on a smaller scale for anyone who uses synthol.
The silver lining here seems to be that Dr. O’Connor truly receives very few patients who use synthol in the first place. While the freaks and the shocking headlines might bring a sense of urgency to the use of these substances – it doesn’t seem to take hold in a major way the same way drugs like steroids or insulin have been adopted into the bodybuilding and fitness world.
Wrap Up
Dr. Thomas O’Connor, aka The Anabolic Doc, has an extreme wealth of knowledge that this article can only begin to scratch the surface. That’s why you should check out the full GI Exclusive interview with The Anabolic Doc above. His expertise, advice, and opinions on the world of health and bodybuilding could be a game changer.
Remember – the statements and opinions stated here are not the direct advice of a medical professional. This is general advice backed by research but is in no way meant to be taken as direct medical advice. Always consult your doctor.
Derek Dufour has been managing all digital operations on the Generation Iron Network for over six years. He currently manages a team of editors, writers, and designers to provide up-to-date content across the GI Network.
Performance Lab SPORT Post Review For Growth & Recovery
Elevate your recovery and growth with this powerful and clean post-workout supplement.
Product Overview
For maximum muscle growth, you have a small window immediately after your workout ends. Since your muscles are the most sensitive to the anabolic effects of your training, your body needs to restore all of those vital nutrients for optimal recovery and the least amount of muscle damage. Eating a solid, high-protein meal is highly recommended, since this will offer many amazing natural benefits, but a good post-workout supplement will also do the trick. Performance Lab SPORT Post is one great post-workout supplement to target nutrients for a full recharge and serious muscle growth.
This post-workout supplement would make a great addition to a post-workout whey protein supplement, whether that be a whey isolate or a concentrate. What Performance Lab Post will do is ensure no essential nutrient vital for recovery and muscle growth is missed to give your body the best chance to see all of the gains from your workout.
Shop at Performance Lab
Performance Lab is a leader in nutritional supplements and with formulas that include industry-leading ingredients, their products combine nutritional technology with high-quality and innovative supplements to meet all of their consumers’ needs.
Their patented NutriGenesis process ensures clean, safe, and effective vitamins and minerals, and with clean labels that are non-GMO and 100% gluten-free, you can be sure that no hidden agendas lurk in your supplements. Their state-of-the-art facilities are current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) compliant and registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
SPORT Post Highlights
Post is the world’s cleanest and smartest muscle-restoring post-workout supplement designed to meet all of your recovery and muscle-building needs. While working out causes damage to your muscles and inflammation, this can limit growth. SPORT Post works to counter these effects by pumping your body full of those depleted nutrients in efforts to optimize muscle growth and repair. For recovery, it works to give you faster support so you come back stronger to take on the next session.
This innovative sports-drink-in-a-capsule design is one way to ensure you efficiently rehydrate yourself when taken with water. As a clean, vegan-friendly, and easy to swallow capsule, SPORT Post is an efficient and convenient way to support healthy gains, faster recovery, and increased athletic performance.
Key Benefits:
Innovative sports-drink-in-a-capsule: Quickly rehydrates your body to give you the best chance at a solid recovery.
Promotes growth and recovery: Counters negative effects of working out by pumping you full of vital nutrients to maximize growth and repair.
A safe and effective supplement: SPORT Post is vegan-friendly, caffeine, gluten, and allergy free, and contains no additives or banned substances.
Ultramodern patented NutriGenesis process: Gives you all of the benefits of natural ingredients from the lab to ensure safe and effective supplements.
NutriGenesis Process
NutriGenesis is a patented process from Performance Lab where they mirror nutrient genesis found in nature. So while their vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are lab grown, this ultramodern technology allows for all the benefits of the natural process all while working from their state-of-the-art facilities. Through properly seeding and cultivating these nutrients, live cells metabolize and naturally grow new vitamins, minerals, and amino acids which include proteins, complex carbs, probiotics, and antioxidants. You can be sure your body will absorb these easily and effectively since NutriGenesis works to match whole foods’ natural structures.
Key Ingredients
These two key ingredients are the most abundant nutrients by far in SPORT Post and work to maximize your muscle growth and promote recovery in order to give you that much-needed boost for the next workout.
Creatine Monohydrate (1750 mg)
Creatine restores exercise-depleted muscles and works to promote healthy growth and repair through a number of ways. It helps maintain ATP energy in muscle by aiding the anabolic process, as well as increasing synthesis of proteins and stem cells to form new muscle (1). Since creatine is depleted during intense training, its ability to support your muscles is obviously limited, but by raising insulin levels slightly, it can promote muscle development (2). The added bonus is that the creatine in SPORT Post is bioavailable for easy access and no added distress.
Beta-Alanine (1200 mg)
Beta-alanine works as a muscle booster for your pre- and post-workout needs by raising muscle carnosine. Carnosine stores are an effective sports strategy for recovery and also enhancing athletic performance. By helping to neutralize exercise-induced free radicals and work to repair damaged muscles, this is great for your overall recovery (3). Through its ability to delay fatigue and work your muscle to optimal capacity, this can boost both muscular strength and endurance.
Ingredients
L-Glutamine: The most abundant amino acid in your body, it works to provide your muscle with energy and aid in growth and recovery (4). It can increase the antioxidant glutathione for an immune boost and protect muscle gains.
Himalayan Pink Salt: An unprocessed, high-quality salt, it will maintain hydration and help restore fluids lost during your workout.
Pomegranate Extract: A rich source of antioxidants, this can enhance muscle circulation and soothe aches and inflammation. This will really work for your benefit with its properties for overall recovery (5).
Potassium: A solid mineral, potassium helps with muscle contraction and overall cardiovascular endurance (6). As part of the NutriGenesis process, this lab-grown mineral will enhance bioavailability and offer relief after those high-intensity workouts.
Price & Effectiveness
Performance Lab SPORT Post is a great post-workout supplement designed to help tackle any and all of your muscle building and recovery needs. With 20 servings per container, 6 NutriCaps will give you all these great ingredients so your gains never falter.
Pros
Quality ingredients and their ultramodern patented NutriGenesis process
Natural benefits from lab-grown nutrients
Vegan-friendly, and non-GMO
Cons
Premium priced option
6 capsules is a lot per serving
Price: $39.00
Overall Value
Performance Lab SPORT Post is a solid post-workout supplement to aid in your recovery and muscle growth after a tough workout. Paired with a protein supplement or a high-protein meal, all of the benefits will be heightened for your overall growth and performance. With clean ingredients from a great patented NutriGenesis process, this post-workout supplement is really something to consider. What you are really getting is a supplement to promote recovery and growth with valuable nutrients from a reputable company who seeks to provide innovative supplements for their consumers. Try SPORT Post and watch your post-workout gains elevate to new heights.
Try Performance Lab SPORT Post Today
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 Performance Lab and Envato
References
Kreider, Richard B. (2003). “Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations”. (source)
Kerksick, Chad M.; Wilborn, Colin D.; Campbell, William I.; Harvey, Travis M.; Marcello, Brandon M.; Roberts, Mike D.; Parker, Adam G.; Byars, Allyn G.; Greenwood, Lori D.; Almada, Anthony L.; Kreider, Richard B.; Greenwood, Mike (2009). “The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation With and Without D-Pinitol on Resistance Training Adaptations”. (source)
Saunders, Bryan; Sunderland, Caroline; Harris, Roger C.; Sale, Craig (2012). “B-alanine supplementation improves YoYo intermittent recovery test performance”. (source)
Gleeson, Michael (2008). “Dosing and Efficacy of Glutamine Supplementation in Human Exercise and Sport Training”. (source)
Shiban, Mutahar S.; Al-Otaibi, Mutlag M.; Al-zoreky, Najeeb S. (2012). “Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Fruit Peels”. (source)
Karaki, H.; Urakawa, N.; Kutsky, P. (1984). “Potassium-induced contraction in smooth muscle”. (source)
This Could Be The Best Method To Turn You Into A Deadlift God
Increase your deadlift with these great tips as you seek to lift that monster weight.
Bodybuilding is all about improving your physique and taking yourself to the next level. Once you start down the path of a bodybuilder, see the results and improvements, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever stop bodybuilding and that’s a fact. But while looking strong certainly has its benefits, being strong is the name of the game. There’s no point in being big without having some big strength to go along with it. If you’re a lifter looking to build your strength, then the deadlift is certainly an exercise worth investing in.
The squat is certainly the king of all lifting exercises, but there’s a reason why deadlifts aren’t performed on a weekly basis. So many lifters only do deadlifts a few times per month, particularly heavy deadlifts. But it’s all in how you train and the reality is that if you want to get really good at something then you’ll have to have some patience and take some time before seeing some legitimate growth. With an exercise like the deadlift that’s doubly true. Where so many people obsess over how much weight is on the bar, you should instead focus on building your technical ability. The more you understand how a lift works, the better the results will be once you decide to up the weight on the barbell.
Let’s take a look at the best ways to increase your deadlift so you start lifting some seriously heavy weight. With proper technique and a real focus on form, your gains will improve and you will be a monster for sure in the gym. The deadlift can be great when done right and it is important to take care of yourself so you can keep up with the gains and not find yourself in a world of pain and soreness.
Benefits Of The Deadlift
The deadlift is an exercise to work both upper body and lower body muscle groups and should not be overlooked. A great exercise for strength, balance, stability, and a test of sheer will, this lift is certainly one to put into your workouts.
Benefits include:
Increase strength and size: By working many muscle groups, you leave your body no choice but to grow. This can also aid in functional strength for those everyday activities and movements (1) so you see some real gains.
Enhance grip strength: With an emphasis on having a solid grip, it is important to focus on that grip to benefits strength in your fingers and forearms (2).
Balance and stability: This lift requires a high degree of core strength and will work to keep you as grounded so you can lift that massive weight. Stability will also improve with this lift as well.
Injury prevention: By working on strengthening your muscles, as well as your joints and tendons, this lift can provide great support to alleviate any potential injuries that may arise (3). With a focus on form, you won’t feel the need to overwork or use underdeveloped muscles for support.
Best Ways To Improve Your Deadlift
Now that you’re here, you are looking for the best ways to improve your deadlift. By focusing on certain points, you will surely start to see those gains you want most.
1. Work On Accessory Movements & Exercises
The deadlift works many muscles and it is important that they are all strong so you don’t use underdeveloped muscles for extra support. This can result in unwanted pain and injury. With accessory movements and assistance exercises, you start to focus on those weak areas to make sure you promote all around better strength.
2. Work On Grip
By working on grip, you take away the chance of injury in your forearms and fingers, vital points of attachment for the deadlift. Using something like weightlifting gloves or lifting straps can help reinforce better form and help you out when it comes to grip.
Check out our lists of the Best Weightlifting Gloves and Best Lifting Straps for some awesome products to help strengthen your grip!
3. Progressive Overload
This will help build strength and break through any plateau that may be causing your gains to slack. With progressive overload you can increase not only your one rep max but also how much you weight you lift in general and how much rest you have in between sets.
4. Hips Down & Open Chest
An open chest will eliminate curving of your spine and will also allow better movement from your lats, which are essential back muscles for the deadlift. With your hips down, you focus on better balance and stability to also improve form.
5. Look For Deadlift Variations
Focusing on variations will allow for a different perspective on the deadlift as opposed to just the traditional deadlift. Variations include farmer’s walks, the Sumo deadlift, Romanian deadlift, or the Deficit deadlift which is also a great way to boost progressive overload and really see some great gains.
Wrap Up
The deadlift is a great exercise to build strength and size while also aiding in everyday movements and those that are more sport specific. Looking for ways to better your deadlift can ensure a more solid form to keep you physically healthy as well as boosting strength so you can be a monster in the gym. Knowing the benefits and how to properly perform a deadlift are great for all your needs and can provide for a great workout to better yourself as an athlete and bodybuilder. Give the deadlift and its variations a try to really see those improvements you want most.
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 Envato
References
Wenning, Matthew R. (2014). “The Deadlift and Its Application to Overall Performance”. (source)
Lee, Julia-Ann; Sechachalam, Sreedharan (2016). “The Effect of Wrist Position on Grip Endurance and Grip Strength”. (source)
Berglund, Lars; Aasa, Bjorn; Hellqvist; Michaelson, Peter; Aasa, Ulrika (2015). “Which Patietns With Low Back Pain Benefit From Deadlift Training?”. (source)
The Benefits Of Unilateral Training & Why It Matters
Don’t let your body suffer from imbalances when you can benefit from unilateral training to enhance all areas of your training and performance.
When it comes to our training, we are always looking for new ways to mix things up and change the monotony of the same old workouts. Performing the same exercises and repeatedly working on similar movements can grow stale and our bodies adjust to them accordingly and we hit the unfortunate training plateau. While there are ways to break these plateaus, like performing drops sets or increasing our time under tension, the mere fact that we have hit such a wall in our training can be frustrating enough.
When it comes to various exercises, one side may become stronger than the other. Perhaps your form is slightly better on that side of your body, or you are not relying on stabilizer muscles as much to lift so the main muscle is seeing the brunt of the work. It could very well be genetic as well. But unilateral training is one way to fix any imbalances, add some variety to your workouts, and really see the change you want to improve overall training and performance.
What Is Unilateral Training?
Unilateral training is when you perform an exercise on one side of your body, or use one limb, being single leg or single arm exercises. These exercises are great for a number of benefits that can in turn seriously aid your workouts. By working both sides of your body equally, you allow yourself to fix any muscle imbalances that may occur as a result of one muscle group being stronger on one particular side (1). This will promote better all around strength as well as enhance a more balanced aesthetic.
Unilateral Vs. Bilateral
While unilateral training is performed with one arm or leg, bilateral training uses both arms or both legs. Unilateral training is helpful for those sport specific movements that require a certain level of explosivity with one leg while training for balance and core stability to ensure that each side gets equal amount of work done.
Bilateral training on the other hand trains both sides simultaneously and is often associated with those full body exercises that work multiple muscle groups to really enhance your workouts. With bilateral training, you are able to lift much more weight than if solely stuck with a unilateral exercise. You can squat way more with both legs as opposed to just one (2).
Benefits Of Unilateral Training
Correct Muscle Imbalances & Increase Muscle Building
The worst thing that can happen to a bodybuilder is having a muscle imbalance. In a spot where symmetrical physique means everything, it can be frustrating to see an imbalance really throw your aesthetic out of whack. Through unilateral training, you can work the weaker, more underdeveloped muscle to really enhance your gains and see better growth overall for that side to balance out the look you want. Either lifting more weight on that side or adding more reps, it still allows you to work both sides, just with the option to play with the other side a little more.
Through the simple act of lifting anyway, unilateral training can have great effects on muscle building (3). Eccentric training is one of the best ways to build muscle and by combining unilateral training with an eccentric style of training, you will enhance your muscle strength and size beyond belief.
Improve Balance & Coordination
Since you are forced to rely on only one limb for support, unilateral training is a great way to enhance balance by working on core stability and learning how to properly perform said exercise with only one limb for stabilization. The amount of coordination needed is more than important to make sure you are accurately executing on form and properly moving the weight to maximize growth.
This is a great time to work on mind muscle connection, which is the ability to release yourself from all unnecessary distractions and focus on the task at hand, this being the exercise. This will better connect your brain to your body as you seek the best communication possible to concentrate on that activity, and that activity only. By enhancing mind muscle connection, you are only benefiting yourself by achieving more muscle growth.
Promote Power & Explosivity
Since unilateral training requires a more narrow window for support from just one limb, the strength built up is perfect for maximizing power and explosivity, if your sport requires it. Needing more balance increases the neuromuscular input required to remain stable resulting in a faster rate of force production (4). Your muscles are now fired up and ready to take on any load. When the time comes for you to be explosive, that load will be gone, but your muscles will act as if its still there.
Enhance A Well-Rounded Physique
Fixing any imbalances and working on strengthening all muscles, both larger groups and stabilizer muscles, can really enhance your physique and make it pop. Having a well-rounded aesthetic will make you not only look great, but also feel great in your quest to look amazing and show off all of your hard work.
Wrap Up
Unilateral training is a great way to see big gains in the gym. By using just one limb, either an arm or a leg, you are able to provide an increase in strength, balance, coordination, and power. Even more so you can work to fix any muscle imbalances that can hurt your overall aesthetic and leave you feeling frustrated. Don’t let a boring workout, training plateau, or muscle imbalances keep you from what you need to do to see great gains. Give unilateral training a try and work to maximize your goals as best you can.
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 Envato
References
Munn, Joanne; Herbert, Robert D.; Hancock, Mark J.; Gandevia, Simon C. (2005). “Training with unilateral resistance exercise increases contralateral strength”. (source)
Fountaine, Charles J. (2018). “Unilateral and Bilateral Exercise Movements: Considerations for Program Design”. (source)
Howe, Louis; Goodwin, Jon E.; Blagrove, Richard (2014). “The integration of unilateral strength training for the lower extremity within an athletic performance programme”. (source)
Makaruk, Hubert; Winchester, Jason B.; Sadowski, Jerzy; Czaplicki, Adam; Sacewicz, Tomasz (2011). “Effects of Unilateral and Bilateral Plyometric Training on Power and Jumping Ability in Women”. (source)
The Ultimate Gauntlet To Test If You Are A True Master Of Fitness
Don’t get your feelings hurt…
Warning: If you’re a generally fit guy you shouldn’t read this. This is not for the “generally fit” – this is for the guy who cares more about results than how he looks in the mirror. Dare we say this might be better suited for the guy who’s not fit at all. Sure he’s not in great physical shape but he doesn’t have an ego and may actually learn from where he falls short.
The problem is with middle men, and that’s probably most of you guys, is that the ego puts in some work but not enough to take you where you really want to go. To the next level of true physical mastery. Well you can fool your girlfriend with your half -ass six pack but you can’t fool us. We’ve got a gauntlet that is meant to be a test of who is truly a master of strength and fitness. Looking to go through the gauntlet and test your abilities? Here’s the 4 challenge you’ll need to complete.
Meter Murder
The first step in our fitness gauntlet might make you curse us… but you’re going to thank us in the end for this one. You’re going to need a stopwatch and a track. Set your stopwatch to 1 min and then run 10 meters, rest for the remaining time. Do this again but this time run for 20 meters and then rest for the remaining time. Keep doing this until you can no longer beat the clock or until you get up to 200 meters. Good luck.
Death by Burpee
Step two of the fitness gauntlet. As much as we love to poke fun at the crossfit world there’s one thing that they’ve incorporated right, and that’s the burpee. The burpee is pretty much a pushup that ends with a vertical jump. Quickly go from standing to a pushup position, do one rep and then stand up, as soon as you get to your feet – jump vertically as high as you can, when you land repeat.
Try to do 100 of these in the fastest time possible. Many of you won’t be able to get to a hundred, that’s okay. As soon as you do get there the next step is to go for time. If you can beat your previous time each week then you’re doing it right.
One Minute Sprint
Now it’s time for step three of the fitness gauntlet. One minute doesn’t sound like a longtime but trust us, when you’re giving it everything that you’ve got those 60 seconds feel like hell. Get on a bike machine and try to lose as many calories as possible within the time limit. 45 is the average so if you’re higher then you’re taking care of business if not, you’re slacking.
2,000 Meter Rowing Machine
An oldie but a goodie, the rowing machine is probably one of the most complete exercise machines out there. The ultimate in man versus machine, this workout is bitter in tasted but sweet in victory. Set the rowing machine to 2,000 meters go as hard as you can until you get there. The goal is under 7 minutes but that just a guideline, don’t be discouraged if you don’t get there the first time, the rower is a wake up call for most weekend warriors.
So now that we’ve posed the challenge to you, what are you going to do with it? Try it out and let us know.
Just Live 750mg CBD Pain Relief Cream Review For Better Recovery
Fight chronic pain and fast with this awesome CBD pain relief cream.
Product Overview
With CBD as a popular and continuing to rise supplement on the market today, athletes and fitness folks have gravitated towards this supplement for the seriously effective benefits it can have. Most notably, pain relief, which is something we all experience especially after those grueling workouts. A good CBD cream can be applied right to the spot and allow for your body to fully take in all of that pain relieving goodness. Just Live 750mg CBD Pain Relief Cream is the answer for you.
With so many options for CBD, being topicals, tinctures, gummies, vapes, among others, finding the best choice for you is important. Knowing what you want out of it and what you will be using it for is vital for each application option works differently but will still provide for similar benefits. When it comes to pain relief, recovery, and just feeling good overall, look no further than this pain relief cream for all of your health and wellness needs.
Shop at Just Live
Just Live is on a mission to design and produce the best CBD supplements around so everyone can benefit from a high quality product for whatever their intended goals may be. By partnering with the industry’s most reputable and reliable CBD partners, Just Live does its diligence to ensure all ingredients and processing practices meet the standards that athletes everywhere deserve. Organic growing means every seed is hand-planted and carefully grown with no use of pesticides, additives, or artificial lighting and that the extraction process allows for different techniques to be used to ensure potency and purity. Just Live understands what it takes for people to succeed and having an amazing supplement by your side is one step closer to that success.
Just Live 750mg CBD Pain Relief Cream Highlights
Just Live Pain Relief Cream takes the most advanced and carefully formulated natural ingredients and combines them with the whole body benefits of a unique and richly moisturizing CBD formula. This CBD cream can work to relieve pain in your back as well as those other sore joints and muscles from tough workouts or activity. By relieving that pain associated with everyday life, this works to enhance your mental and physical well-being while increasing your overall wellness. With 140 applications in each bottle, each serving size contains 5.25mg per dose with zero THC. A natural and well-thought out formula, this pain relief cream is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients For Just Live CBD Pain Relief Cream
Broad Spectrum CBD: This is a form of CBD that also contains a wide range of other cannabinoids and terpenes. It works to relive pain in the muscles and joints and works as an anti-inflammatory. It may also aid in anxiety reduction and improve sleep (1,2).
Arnica Montana: A staple topical in homeopathy, this is mainly used in creams to relieve muscle pain and help with bruising. It can help speed up recovery to work on improving muscle strains and other potential injuries (3).
Menthol: A great pairing for CBD, menthol works to create a warm and cool sensation on the affected area. While it doesn’t necessarily treat the problem, it works to distract your brain from pain that may be deeper down (4).
Camphor: Works to relieve pain and swelling on the skin by causing numbness of sensory nerve endings, providing relief for pain and inflammation.
Argan: With therapeutic properties, this works to facilitate healthy skin, nourish rough patches, and help reduce pain and inflammation on the skin.
Other Ingredients
Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Squalane, Cannabidiol, Cyclodextrin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Bixa Orellana Leaf Extract, Jacaranda Mimosifolia Flower Extract, Kalanchoe Pinnata Leaf Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Calophyllum Tacamahaca Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gardenia Taitensis Flower Extract, Deoxyribonuclease, Theobroma Grandiflorum Seed Butter, Glucose Oxidase, Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Tocopherol, Xantham Gum, Sodium Hydroxide
Type Of Application
Topical
CBD Dosage
750mg
Best Way To Use
Apply cream to affected area and rub in.
Price & Effectiveness
Just Live Pain Relief Cream is a great topical cream to help relieve any muscle aches and inflammation that hinder your sport specific movements and everyday activity. With a 50mL container, this pain relief cream offers 750mg of CBD to really pack a punch.
Pros
Advanced and carefully formulated natural ingredients
Powerful formula
Unique, richly moisturizing cream
Non-THC
Cons
Premium priced option
Price: $69.99
Featured Just Live Athlete
Cam Zink is a professional mountain bike rider and Just Live athlete who uses their products to boost all areas of his training, performance, health, and wellness. He started biking at a young age and has continued to be dominant well into his career. By taking care of himself and using only the best supplements around, Zink is able to continue his dominance with the help of Just Live’s amazing products.
Check out our list of the Best CBD Supplements for more awesome CBD products!
Overall Value
Just Live 750mg Pain Relief Cream is a great CBD topical to boost all areas of your physical and mental well-being. A carefully crafted formula with great ingredients works to boost whole-body benefits so you never have to suffer again. Just Live understands the needs of athletes and seek to produce the best supplements around. What you are really getting is a great topical with powerful ingredients, a well-thought out formula, and a reputable company backing you. Try Just Live Pain Relief Cream today and see what this can do for you.
Try Just Live 750mg CBD Pain Relief Cream Today
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 Just Live and Cam Zink Instagram
References
Boyaji, Shafik; Merkow, Justin; Elman, R. N.; Kaye, Alan D.; et al. (2020). “The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence”. (source)
Blessing, Esther M.; Steenkamp, Maria M.; Manzanares, Jorge; Marmar, Charles R. (2015). “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders”. (source)
Kriplani, Priyanka; Guarve, Kumar; Baghael, Uttam S. (2017). “Arnica montana L. – a plant healing: review”. (source)
Pergolizzi Jr., J. V.; Taylor Jr., R.; LeQuang, J. A.; Raffa, R. B. (2018). “The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products”. (source)
Zane Watson: Bodybuilding Doesn’t Have To Be 24/7 And 365 Days A Year
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Pro Bodybuilder Zane Watson explains why he’s not afraid to call bodybuilding a hobby.
Zane Watson is a Men’s 212 Pro Bodybuilder who takes his job as a competitor seriously. That being said, he has stated in the past that he considers bodybuilding a hobby. This can have negative connotations in a professional sport. The word hobby implies something less serious and certainly less competitive. This is a far cry from the mantras we hear from professional athletes. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Zane Watson explains why he calls bodybuilding a hobby and why it doesn’t need to be a 365 days a year obsession.
Often when speaking with pro bodybuilders, or any pro athlete for that matter, you hear certain advice. One major point often made is this – if you want to be successful in a professional sport, you have to make it your life. That means sacrificing other things in order to try and become the greatest.
This is a far cry from our conversation with pro bodybuilder Zane Watson. He wants to send a message out to aspiring bodybuilders – pro bodybuilding does not have to be the only thing in your life. But don’t be fooled. That doesn’t mean Watson is a bodybuilder who doesn’t take his sport and craft seriously. He simply wants the world to know – you can have more than one joy in your life and still succeed as a pro bodybuilder.
In our new interview with Zane Watson, we probe this idea a bit further. People can often take Watson’s words as not being serious enough about his success in the sport. Zane Watson argues that life is never really about putting all your eggs in one basket. Watson has a career, he’s an entrepreneur, and he has a family. In fact, a big part part of what brings him joy in bodybuilding is having his family by his side.
The truth of the matter is, Zane Watson has more than one thing that fulfills him in his life. He believes he can succeed as a pro bodybuilder without throwing those other things away. But he also doesn’t want people to accuse him of being lazy. When he dedicates himself to a show date – he will “disappear” for three to four months during his contest prep. He has a competitive spirit in him and he wants to win.
That being said, Zane Watson reiterates one final time, “eat, sleep, breathe bodybuilding 365 days a year is not something that I live by.” There is never one right way to do something and find success. Yes, some will live 24/7 bodybuilding and fully succeed – whether that’s through winning Mr. Olympia or building a following for lucrative sponsorship opportunities. But there are also workhorse bodybuilders who find success while also making time for other things in life.
There’s a fine line between passion and obsession. Each person needs to decide what ultimately works for them. But the key is to be honest. When reflecting on your life – decide what you really want and the “why” behind doing it.
You can watch Zane Watson go into full detail about his relationship with pro bodybuilding in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Greg Doucette Calls Out Larry Wheels For Allegedly Using “Fake” Weights
Greg Doucette calls out Larry Wheels for fake weights.
Greg Doucette is taking Larry Wheels to task. After a recent video repost, many people have been calling out Larry Wheels for using “fake” weights. While that may not be entirely true, Doucette went on to explain in further detail.
The weights used in Larry Wheels’ most recent training video showcases the popular strength athlete lifting two loaded barbells. The video in question shows Larry lifting a supposed 185lbs in each hand.
After the video came to light, IFBB Pro Greg Doucette had a lot to say. The bodybuilder was says Larry Wheels was misrepresenting the weights he was lifting in his video. His comments pushed Larry to respond to the accusations.
“This needs to be addressed as Greg is yet again attacking my image for his own monetary gain.
“The barbell was 185lbs in each hand. YouTube search “CRAZIEST SHOULDER PRESS YOU’VE EVER SEEN”
“To see the full video where I specify how it’s 185lbs in each hand.”
The Beginning of the Beef
Greg Doucette decided to issue a response of his own.
Be ready for me Jen my YouTube video comes out as it’s 100% undeniable that’s you on purpose chose to deceive the viewers into thinking u were pressing 225 in each hand. I specifically said in my video that you could not do 225 in each hand and therefore it had to be fake Waze last I checked 185 is a heck of a lot lighter than 225 and his fake.
No one said you weren’t strong I just simply said you’re not strong enough to do 225 for 5. And that post lead to other people re-sharing that post even powerlifting websites making it look like you were pressing to place a side which perpetuates the myth that humans are somehow lifting these incredible weights.
It’s deceiving and it’s fake. Of course you don’t like being called out and proven that you’re deceiving the public but it’s not the first time you’ve lied which I also showing this video just so that people see your history.
The smarter play would’ve been to say I forgot to put that it was 185 in the post I put on Instagram not to later add that it’s 185 after the fact and then when you get called out on it you remove the fact that it says 185 because it’s highly suspect to go in and edit the title to make it look like you would actually been in the right the entire time when you weren’t.
While nothing has been confirmed it certainly sparked a controversial discussion. Greg Doucette appears to be relentless in “exposing” other athletes who are misrepresenting their own abilities. With that said, it’s clear that Larry Wheels is legitimately strong.
Still Going Strong
Despite the controversy, Larry Wheels appears undeterred. He recently posted another video of himself lifting 225lbs with one arm.
No matter what others may say, Larry Wheels is an absolute beast. Will Greg Doucette call him out for this one? We’ll have to wait and see. The GI team will continue to follow this news as it develops.
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