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Best 9 Creatine Supplements To Buy For Strength Building (Updated 2021)
Creatine is a powerful supplement on the market to boost muscle growth, enhance focus, and increase recovery for all your bulking needs.
Creatine is a very popular supplement on the market for athletes of all experience levels with great potential to increase muscle growth, enhance focus, provide for better bulking, and boost recovery. As a widely researched and staple supplement on your shelf, this safe and effective supplement can seriously enhance your muscle mass, strength and performance. While we are all looking for the edge to get us over that training bump, creatine promotes strength, power and endurance.
When looking for the best creatine supplements, it is important to look for those top tier products on the market that focus on bulking, muscle growth, and aiding in recovery. Helping to raise muscle ATP energy to power growth while recharging muscle for your next session will allow you bounce back faster and still see great gains. By stimulating proteins, stem cells, strength, and growth factor used to build quality muscle, you will build a physique others will surely envy. Of course, our workouts do tend to be grueling and by increasing your work capacity, this will ensure your muscles get great work done across all strength and endurance activities without limiting muscle growth and repair.
We put together this list of The Best Creatine Supplements to buy on the market to restore muscles and enhance your performance to the next level. With a high-quality product, your gains will surely grow so you can focus on any competition or sport specific needs that require your utmost attention.
The Best Creatine Supplements To Buy in 2021
Best Creatine Overall: Transparent Labs StrengthSeries Creatine HMB
Amount Of Creatine
5,000mg
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
1 scoop
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop 30 minutes after a workout.
Although one of the more expensive creatine supplements available, Transparent Labs creatine is well worth the price and is one of the best creatine products for pure creatine. It has no added artificial flavors, fillers, preservatives, or coloring, which means the body isn’t wasting energy metabolizing useless chemicals — just pure creatine. Transparent Labs creatine is infused with HMB, or β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate, which has been proven to increase muscle strength and lean body mass while decreasing fat mass and boosting focus. At a good price, this is a one of the best creatine products on the market to buy for bulking.
Pros
Clean ingredients
No artificial additives
Great flavors and benefits
From a reputable and trusted company
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their website
Price: $39.00/ 30 servings
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs StrengthSeries Creatine HMB here!
Best Creatine Pills: Performance Lab Maintain
Amount Of Creatine
3,000mg
Number Of Servings
10
Serving Size
6 NutriCaps
Best Way To Take
Take 3 capsules in the morning and 3 capsules in the afternoon on an empty stomach on rest days.
This supplement from Performance Lab can restore depleted muscles on your rest day with 12 hours of steady anabolic nourishment. It can reload your muscles with key sport nutrients, provides extended-relief muscle growth support, and promotes strength, power, focus, and endurance. With three ingredients, creatine monohydrate being the biggest, this has the power to upgrade your rest day to new heights. The ultramodern design and easy to swallow capsules are great for digestion and bulking and comes from the best in sports nutrition technology on the market.
Pros
Amazing natural ingredients
Optimal effectiveness
Ultramodern design allows for maximum absorption
Cons
Premium priced product
Only available from their website directly
Price: $30.60/ 10 servings
Click here for the best price
Best Creatine Monohydrate: Kaged Muscle CreaClear
Amount Of Creatine
5g
Number Of Servings
53
Serving Size
1 scoop
Best Way To Take
Mix one scoop with 8-10 ounces of water or juice and shake or stir or 20-30 seconds. Consume in the morning, mid-day, or before bed.
Kaged Muscle CreaClear is the perfect muscle building creatine supplement for anyone looking to improve strength and size while still optimizing recovery between workouts. As a great product to accelerate muscle gain and bulking, this will help fuel muscle strength and power, reset for better muscle recovery, and aid in high-intensity work with increased focus. With zero artificial colors and flavors, this product contains no banned substances and is a fantastic creatine monohydrate on the market.
Pros
Superior mixing and solubility
5g of clean creatine monohydrate
No artificial colors or flavors
No banned substances
Cons
Some flavor options would be nice
Price: $19.99
Click here for the best price
Use code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best For Post-Workout: Legion Recharge
Amount Of Creatine
5g
Number Of Servings
60
Serving Size
1 scoop
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 serving with 10-12 oz. of water with your post-workout meal.
This post-workout supplement from Legion is a 100% natural post-workout drink that boosts muscle growth, improves recovery, increases focus, and reduces muscle soreness for all your bulking needs. With four great flavors and three main ingredients, this naturally flavored supplement is perfect for giving you a healthy and effective recovery product. Each ingredient is well-researched and clinically dosed with no added artificial food dyes, fillers, or junk to give you a great post-workout supplement for muscle soreness.
Pros
Great natural supplement for muscle building and recovery
Amazing taste with natural sweeteners
Cons
May cause stomach and digestive problems
Price: $35.99/ 60 servings
Click here for the best price
Best Creatine For Muscle Gains: Transparent Labs StrengthSeries Creatine HMB
Amount Of Creatine
5,000mg
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
1 scoop
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop 30 minutes after a workout.
Although one of the more expensive creatine supplements available, Transparent Labs creatine is well worth the price and is one of the best creatine products for pure creatine. It has no added artificial flavors, fillers, preservatives, or coloring, which means the body isn’t wasting energy metabolizing useless chemicals — just pure creatine. Transparent Labs creatine is infused with HMB, or β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate, which has been proven to increase muscle strength and lean body mass while decreasing fat mass and boosting focus. At a good price, this is a one of the best creatine products on the market to buy for bulking.
Pros
Clean ingredients
No artificial additives
Great flavors and benefits
From a reputable and trusted company
Cons
Premium priced option
Only available through their website
Price: $39.00/ 30 servings
Click here for the best price
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs StrengthSeries Creatine HMB here!
Best For Bulking: Kaged Muscle CreaClear
Amount Of Creatine
5g
Number Of Servings
53
Serving Size
1 scoop
Best Way To Take
Mix one scoop with 8-10 ounces of water or juice and shake or stir or 20-30 seconds. Consume in the morning, mid-day, or before bed.
Kaged Muscle CreaClear is the perfect muscle building creatine supplement for anyone looking to improve strength and size while still optimizing recovery between workouts. As a great product to accelerate muscle gain, this will help fuel muscle strength and power, reset for better muscle recovery, and aid in high-intensity work with better focus. With zero artificial colors and flavors, this product contains no banned substances and is a fantastic creatine monohydrate for bulking on the market.
Pros
Superior mixing and solubility
5g of clean creatine monohydrate
No artificial colors or flavors
No banned substances
Cons
Some flavor options would be nice
Price: $19.99
Click here for the best price
Use code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best Creatine For Women: Performance Lab Maintain
Amount Of Creatine
3,000mg
Number Of Servings
10
Serving Size
6 NutriCaps
Best Way To Take
Take 3 capsules in the morning and 3 capsules in the afternoon on an empty stomach on rest days.
This supplement from Performance Lab can restore depleted muscles on your rest day with 12 hours of steady anabolic nourishment. It can reload your muscles with key sport nutrients, provides extended-relief muscle growth support, and promotes strength, power, focus, and endurance for serious bulking. With three ingredients, creatine monohydrate being the biggest, this has the power to upgrade your rest day to new heights. The ultramodern design and easy to swallow capsules are great for digestion and comes from the best in sports nutrition technology on the market.
Pros
Amazing natural ingredients
Optimal effectiveness
Ultramodern design allows for maximum absorption
Cons
Premium priced product
Only available from their website directly
Price: $30.60/ 10 servings
Click here for the best price
Best Premium Blend: Staunch Creatine Five
Amount Of Creatine
4,950mg
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
1 scoop
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop with water.
Staunch Creatine Five is a synthesized blend that contains 5 optimized forms of creatine working in tandem to make this one of the best creatine products. Creatine monohydrate, MagnaPower creatine, tri-creatine malate, creatine pyruvate, and creatine anhydrous are all found in this powerful blend and delivers more creatine by weight than any other form of the best creatine on the market making it a good buy. The blend of creatine allows the body to break down, process, and use the maximum amount of creatine ingested — virtually nothing is wasted.
Pros
Great formula packed with five forms of creatine
Awesome benefits for focus and bulking
Great flavor
Good price
From a reputable company who knows sports supplements
Cons
Does contain sucralose and other artificial flavors with unspecified amounts
Price: $29.00/ 30 servings
Click here for the best price
Check out our individual review for Staunch Creatine Five here!
Best For Mixing: MyProtein Creatine Monohydrate
Amount Of Creatine
5g
Number Of Servings
200
Serving Size
1 tsp.
Best Way To Take
Mix 1 tsp. with 6-8 fl. oz. with desired beverage.
MyProtein Creatine Monohydrate is a vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free creatine powder made convenient for all of your goals. This hard hitting powder is scientifically proven to increase physical performance by improving overall power. Great for everyone, this pure creatine supplement will pump you with this naturally occurring substance to provide for even better recovery, focus, and muscle growth. MyProtein brings this straight creatine supplement to enhance all of your training and bulking goals.
Pros
Hard hitting formula
Great for increased physical performance
Conducive to almost all diets
Cons
Bitter after taste being unflavored
May contain less per amount than advertised
Price: $23.75/ 200 servings
Click here for the best price
Benefits Of Creatine
Increase strength: Increases blood flow through overworked muscles to provide for muscle pumps and really build that desired strength.
Improve metabolism: Controls insulin sensitivity and glycemic control for fat loss and providing fuel (1) so you tackle weight loss needs and change your body composition to something others will envy.
Boost athletic performance: Enhance power output and refuel energy stores to support recovery and growth (2) to boost any performance goals you seek to accomplish.
Promote better mental capacity: Increases oxygen utilization in the brain to boost memory and processing speed when enduring grueling workouts while enhancing focus so you stay locked into each exercise.
Types Of Creatine
Creatine Monohydrate: A pure form of creatine, this can work to increase endurance by removing lactate faster out of the muscles. It will also aid in muscle growth and burn more calories at rest (3).
Creatine HCL: Creatine bound to hydrochloric acid for increased bioavailability and limits side effects so you get an effective dose of this supplement.
Tri-Creatine Malate: Combines creatine and malic acid that helps your body absorb more creatine. This will lead to higher ATP levels (4).
Creatine Anhydrous: The most potent form, this will increase muscle mass and enhance sports performance (5) by directly hitting your body.
Creatine Pyruvate: A combination of creatine and pyruvic acid, this is great for muscle recovery and gains and has good absorption properties.
How We Choose
When it comes to choosing a creatine supplement, you need the most clean products out there to boost your overall health and gains. We look for what forms of creatine are used and at what dose, for that will greatly affect your gains. Knowing the type you are looking for can also help you decide which option is best for you. When looking at each product, we also pay close attention to the company and their reputation. Many groups try and pump out supplements and take quantity over quality, which is not what you need. A quality brand will work for you as you seek to boost not only training and performance, but also health and wellness. Lastly, we take price into heavy consideration because we know this stuff can get expensive. Looking at affordable options on the market that are still great products makes this list a great place to shop.
FAQ Section
What is the best creatine?
Transparent Labs StrengthSeries Creatine HMB. This creatine supplement is clean and effective and will work to increase muscle strength while promoting lean body mass and decreased fat mass. With no artificial ingredients, this is a trusted product from a transparent company.
What is creatine?
Creatine is naturally found in your body and plays an important role in the production of energy. It works by increasing creatine phosphate stores in our muscles to consistently provide energy during workouts. It has been shown to increase strength, power, lean body mass, and performance.
Is creatine safe?
Creatine has been widely studied and is a safe and effective supplement to use. Always read the label on the respective product and seek expert advice if something remains unclear.
When is the best time to take creatine?
It is best to take creatine shortly before or after a workout, as this will work to fill those stores. On rest days, taking creatine can help maintain creatine levels in the muscles. Be sure to read each respective label so you get the most out of each supplement.
Wrap Up
Creatine is a great supplement on the market to add to your routine in efforts to maximize those gains and enhance recovery so you are primed and ready to for whatever challenge comes your way. A widely researched supplement, creatine is naturally occurring in your body and safe to take as a supplement to enhance all of these gains. Check out our list here of the best creatine supplements and really see what they can do for you to enhance all of your goals.
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
Pinto, Camila L.; Botelho, Patricia B.; Pimentel, Gustavo D.; Campos-Ferraz, Patricia L.; Mota, Joao F. (2016). “Creatine supplementation and glycemic control: a systematic review”. (source)
Graham, A. S.; Hatton, R. C. (1999). “Creatine: a review of efficacy and safety”. (source)
Kerksick, Chad M.; Wilborn, Colin D.; Campbell, William I.; Harvey, Travis M.; et al. (2009). “The Effects of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation With and Without D-Pinitol on Resistance Training Adaptations”. (source)
Sterkowicz, Stanislaw; Tyka, Anna K.; Chwastowski, Michal; Sterkowicz- Przybycien, Katarzyna; et al. (2012). “The effects of training and creatine malate supplementation during preparation period on physical capacity and special fitness in judo contestants”. (source)
Kreider, Richard B. (2003). “Effects of creatine supplementation on performance and training adaptations”. (source)
Victor Martinez Is Open To Rematch Jay Cutler In A Special “Exhibition” Show
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Victor Martinez would be more than happy to have a bodybuilding rematch with Jay Cutler.
Most bodybuilding fans know the infamous Olympia 2007 battle between Victor Martinez and Jay Cutler. Many believed that Martinez was a shoe-in to defeat Cutler and become the new Mr. Olympia. That ultimately didn’t happen. In a major upset, Cutler retained his champion. To this day many fans and even athletes believe Martinez should have won that show. Now all these years later and with the rise of “super fights” in boxing – could we one day see a rematch between them? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Victor Martinez opens the possibility of an exhibition rematch with Jay Cutler.
For Victor Martinez, his bodybuilding career didn’t go as expected. By 2007, he was one of the biggest threats to the Mr. Olympia title. The controversial loss to Jay Cutler still stands out as a big moment in bodybuilding history. After that, Martinez found himself incarcerated, which completely removed his ability to maintain his superior physique. His attempt to return was chronicled in the original Generation Iron in 2013.
Since then, Victor Martinez has had some ups and downs in the sport. He’s found some success on major bodybuilding competitions – but never came as close to Olympia victory as he did in 2007. Most recently, he hardly competes.
That’s why during our most recent interview, we asked him what his future plans are in and out of bodybuilding. He is a man who has started a few businesses in the past. He has an entrepreneurial spirit – and is eyeing a few options ahead. But what about in terms of competitive bodybuilding?
Victor Martinez admitted he has little reason to return to seriously competing. But there was one catch. He discussed how he would be open to rematching Jay Cutler. Not in a tried and true IFBB league show – but instead as a sort of super match. Something similar to the recent super fight between Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather.
“Now I’ll tell you one thing. The only way I will compete is that if we do some Mayweather or Connor stuff.,” Victor Martinez states in our interview. He continues:
“Let’s say Jay Cutler says, ‘Vic I want to challenge you’ or say I want to challenge Jay. Let’s go for a one on one pay per view, you know, and make it American Idol type – let them choose the winner. Let’s collect funds Jay.”
At this point, the entire conversation is completely theoretical. There is no match being prepared and not even a clue if Jay Cutler would be interested. But one thing that’s important to note – is that Martinez states this is the only way he would compete again.
It seems whether or not this dream rematch will come true – that Victor Martinez has little interest in competing within the traditional IFBB path. He’s moved onto other future plans. Whether or not that would include a special battle against Jay Cutler… well, maybe it will become a reality if the fans make enough noise after his statement.
You can watch Jay Cutler discuss his future plans and his dream rematch against Jay Cutler in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Top 10 Ways To Naturally Gain Muscle Faster For Optimal Growth
We all know the old saying “work smarter, not harder”. But do you know how that applies in the gym?
It’s true that amazing gains never come overnight, but there are still things you can be doing to maximize the amount of muscle you get out of your workouts. Of course, we know that taking certain supplements and focusing on our training can be sure fire ways to see those gains we want most, but sometimes figuring out the best steps can be challenging and ultimately may put us in an overwhelming hole as we try and figure it out. With so many options, it can be difficult to nail down the best ways to gain muscle, especially naturally, but it is possible.
While many of these ways tend to be self-explanatory and potentially obvious, our busy lives and schedules tend to keep us from fully realizing exactly what needs to be done to achieve this. Sometimes just reading it and hearing it again can be exactly what we need to make sure we hear it through and can tackle all of these muscle building needs in a safe, effective, and natural way. Working smarter is very much a true saying in the world of lifting and while working hard is important, doing so efficiently is the key to success.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 ways to naturally gain muscle faster so you never need to worry about that vital growth again. Not only will some of these ways benefit your lifting goals, but other areas of your lifestyle will change for the better as a result of taking better care of yourself.
Top 10 Ways To Naturally Gain Muscle Faster
1. Training Volume Is Key
Too many people get complacent in the gym and stop trying actively to push themselves. The fundamental key to muscle growth is progressive overload – meaning you increase the intensity of your workouts overtime (1). If you aren’t getting that burning feeling from overloading your muscles, it means you aren’t building them, period. Increase the amount of weight over time and make sure to increase the volume, too – that’s the number of sets and reps you do for each workout with weights.
2. Be Consistent
The second biggest thing to remember about making massive gains is that it’s also a game of consistency. There’s only so much muscle that can be put on by the body in a day; one huge workout, or even one huge workout once a week, will get you nowhere. Make a plan and stick to it but be in the gym three to five times a week and make sure to do that every week. Muscle is gained incrementally. Even if you aren’t pushing yourself, it’s better for your body and overall muscle mass to do so after workouts five times a week than it is to really push yourself in the gym only once or twice a week. That’s a surefire way to lose gains.
3. Take Advantage Of Supplements
Depending on your unique needs as an athlete, different supplements will work for you. Creatine, casein, and whey protein are the three cornerstone proteins of making huge gains (2). Your muscles need to consume food to grow and develop, so you need to make sure you’re giving them all the fuel they need. In some cases, eating casein before bed can actually provide the muscles with enough amino acids to literally grow overnight while you’re asleep. Imagine waking up with more gains than when you went to bed.
Other supplements to know are pre-workout, which can provide for energy and insane muscle pumps, BCAA intra-workout products to burst through fatigue and keep you going stronger, and fat burners, which can shed that unwanted fat while maintaining lean muscle mass (3). Having a good supplementation routine can really work wonders for all of your gains.
4. Be Strict About Form
This is an easy one to forget. Exercises like squats, barbell presses, and crunches are all considered staple exercises for a true gym rat. But exercises only help you gain muscle if they’re performed correctly. Are you leaning forward when you squat? It could be a sign you overloaded with too much weight. When you do a sit-up, is your spine straight and your stomach flat? If not, it’s a sign you’re overloading a weak core. Take the time to do these exercises the right way. Otherwise, you’re only getting a fraction of the gains you set out to make.
5. Get A Full Night’s Sleep
This is another no-brainer people often don’t think about. Studies have shown that sleeping for eight hours instead of five can increase testosterone by 10 to 15%. That has a huge impact on how much you gain muscle when you work out (4). This is a really easy thing you can do to improve your performance in the gym and give yourself the best chance for a better tomorrow.
6. Recovery Is An Important Part Of The Process
If you go hard in the gym five nights a week every week for a year, you will absolutely destroy your body. Set aside cycles of rest so you can recover after tough workouts. Pushing yourself too hard will only lead to burnout. Trust me, your body will thank you. Recovery will also support things like mobility and an overall better mood, so don’t neglect this vital part of your workout and post-workout routine (5).
7. Stay Healthy Outside The Gym
It doesn’t mean you can’t drink or have fun with your buddies at the bar, but you should do your best to be generally healthy in your habits outside of the gym. This means no binge drinking and stay away from drugs and smoking, at the very minimum. You definitely won’t be maximizing gains in your workouts if you’re dehydrated and hungover from a long night out partying.
8. Keep Your Workouts Simple
You don’t need fancy equipment to get shredded. Remain focused on the basics and the tried-and-true exercises that have worked for bodybuilders for generations. Don’t get caught up in the promises of fancy equipment and “new breakthroughs” that offer shortcuts. There is no shortcut; just do the work.
9. Stay Organized & Manage Workouts
Huge gains are no easy task and getting organized definitely helps make the process smoother. Consider keeping a journal of your workouts and your meal plan. You’re less likely to slip up and cheat with a greasy cheeseburger at the end of a long day if you’ve already got a plan in place and food waiting prepared at home.
10. Lift Heavy While Being Safe
If you feel comfortable lifting, you probably aren’t pushing yourself hard enough. Lifting the heaviest amount of weight you can is a critical factor in making the most gains for it will work your muscles to grow, increase that time under tension, and allow for massive gains to your strength and size which is what you want most.
Wrap Up
While it may seem daunting to find natural ways to boost your muscle growth and gain that valuable muscle faster, following these simple yet highly effective steps can work wonders for you. Looking to the top ways to see gains while still making your life easier is a sure-fire way to get this done. Give these top 10 ways a try and see how your muscles grow bigger, faster, and stronger as you also promote a better lifestyle overall.
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
Mangine, Gerald T.; Hoffman, Jay R.; Gonzalez, Adam M.; Townsend, Jeremy R.; et al. (2015). “The effect of training volume and intensity on improvements in muscular strength and size in resistance-trained men”. (source)
Tipton, Kevin D.; Elliott, Tabatha A.; Cree, Melanie G.; Wolf, Steven E.; et al. (2004). “Ingestion of Casein and Whey Proteins Result in Muscle Anabolism after Resistance Exercise”. (source)
Jeukendrup, A. E.; Randell, R. (2011). “Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism”. (source)
Dattilo, M.; Antunes, H. K. M.; Medeiros, A.; Neto, M. M.; et al. (2011). “Sleep and muscle recovery: endocrinological and molecular basis for a new and promising hypothesis”. (source)
Sands, William A.; McNeal, Jeni R.; Murray, Steven R.; Ramsey, Michael W.; et al. (2013). “Stretching and Its Effects on Recovery”. (source)
Strongman Rob Kearney Has Been Diagnosed With Testicular Cancer, Undergoes Surgery
Rob Kearney has received some pretty upsetting news.
It appears that strongman Rob Kearney has been diagnosed with testicular cancer. The strongman broke the news on his social media where he went in depth about his recent circumstances. Kearney also went on to reveal that he underwent surgery and now awaits test results.
Rob Kearney took to his Instagram to address his current situation.
Over the past couple of weeks I have been dealing with some health issues and just recently, I have been diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. I go in for surgery tomorrow to remove the testicle and will then know the type of cancer we are dealing with after the results come back from pathology.
The timing is unfortunate because I have been feeling so strong and healthy as of late and was so excited to get back to competing soon. This is just another obstacle to overcome and I never back down from a challenge!
I want to give THE BIGGEST shoutout to my husband @worlds_gayest_strongman for being the most supportive/loving/caring man in the world during this entire process. He literally is the best! To all of my family, friends and fans… thank you for the love and support and let’s come back stronger than ever!!!
This comes as truly shocking news. It’s unfortunate that Rob Kearney had to go through such a tough situation, but it’s certainly uplifting to see him in such a positive mood. Despite the diagnosis and despite the uphill battle, Kearney is ready to fight.
Surgery and Potential Diagnosis
In a follow up post, Rob Kearney revealed that he underwent surgery and is now awaiting the test results. Here’s a blurb of what he had to say about his surgery.
Out of surgery and feeling pretty good! Surgery went well, with no complications. Now the waiting game begins to get the sample back from pathology which will determine the next course of action.
Rob Kearney has established himself as one of the strongest humans on the planet. He along with Rhianon Lovelace were both considered the pound-for-pound strongest people on the planet.
The Generation Iron team sends well wishes to Rob Kearney. Hopefully the strongman will receive good news about his diagnosis.
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.
This Is How The P.H.U.L. Routine Will Give You Max Gains
Size and strength.
Bodybuilding is a strictly aesthetic venture. There are some people out there that believe having an aesthetic physique automatically means you have a powerful physique. Unfortunately that just isn’t the case. The reality of bodybuilding training, specifically if you’re just trying to get shredded, is that it has less to do with strength and power and more to do with diet, training frequency, and hypertrophy.
As you progress in your bodybuilding journey however there’s no doubt that with the size and shred you’re going to want to build power as well. Powerbuilding is the best way to go so that you not only look like a comic book superhero, but can perform like one in the gym as well. Size without strength is almost meaningless.
Imagine the Hulk having all that massive muscle without having the ability to lift a car over his head. That comic would’ve become old really fast. The same can be said of bodybuilders. You don’t want to look like the Hulk but have trouble lifting your own body weight. It’s just ludicrous. That’s why the best approach for building both power and muscle mass is none other than the PHUL training system.
PHUL, an abbreviation for power hypertrophy upper lower, is a system that promotes strength gains as well as muscle gain. The system is designed to hit each muscle group twice within the week focusing on both the upper and lower body. Compound movements are the main focus of this training program to ensure strength gains as well as improve your proficiency in the three major lifts the bench, the squat, and the deadlift. Isolation movements are also apart of the program, but the compound movements are going to improve your strength. Two days out of the four day program are focused purely on strength while the other two are focused on hypertrophy.
You’ll have two days of training with one off day in between then two more days of training with two days of rest before starting over again. What exactly should a PHUL training program look like? The GI Team has got you covered.
Day 1: Upper Power
Barbell Bench Press
3-4 sets, 3-5 reps
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press
3-4 sets, 6-10 reps
Bent Over Row
3-4 sets, 3-5 reps
Lat Pull Down
3-4 sets, 6-10 reps
Overhead Press
2-3 sets, 5-8 reps
Barbell Curl
2-3 sets, 6-10 reps
Skullcrusher
2-3 sets, 6-10 reps
Day 2: Lower Power
Squat
3-4 sets, 3-5 reps
Deadlift
3-4 sets, 3-5 reps
Leg Press
3-5 sets, 10-15 reps
Leg Curl
3-4 sets, 6-10 reps
Calf Exercise
4 sets, 6-10 reps
Day 4: Upper Hypertrophy
Incline Barbell Bench Press
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Flat Bench Dumbbell Flye
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Seated Cable Row
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
One Arm Dumbbell Row
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Dumbbell Lateral Raise
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Seated Incline Dumbbell Curl
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Cable Tricep Extension
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Day 5: Lower Hypertrophy
Front Squat
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Barbell Lunge
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Leg Extension
3-4 sets, 10-15 reps
Leg Curl
3-4 sets, 10-15 reps
Seated Calf Raise
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Calf Press
3-4 sets, 8-12 reps
Is the PHUL system apart of your training program? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
The GI Team is here to provide top news and original content for the new generation. The generation of bodybuilders who are pushing the sport to bigger and better places. Join The Movement. Become a part of Generation Iron!
How to Perfect the Goblet Squat
The Ultimate Beginner Leg Exercise for Strength and Movement
The goblet squat is one of the best beginner exercises in existence and makes an effective choice for those who wish to learn how to squat effectively.
Learning how to goblet squat will have a positive impact on how you perform when it comes to heavier squatting exercises such as the barbell back and front squats.
In addition, it may also be used to facilitate changes in lower extremity strength & mobility as well as serve as a useful tool for cardio-based interval workouts.
This article will provide information on how to safely and effectively perform the goblet squat, review the associated benefits and provide a number of goblet squat variations and alternatives.
Goblet Squat Technique & Muscles Worked
The goblet squats primarily works the muscles of the legs, in particular, the quads, glutes, and calves. In addition, core muscles are recruited in order to maintain stability.
If you are new to resistance training or have never performed the goblet squats before, it is highly recommended that you start with a light weight and gradually work up to a heavier load.
Use the following 3 steps to help you perform the perfect goblet squats.
1) The Set-Up
When performing the goblet squats, the first thing that should be determined is your setup. If you can get this right, the rest of the exercise should become relatively straightforward.
Start by assuming a stance that is slightly wider than hip-width. Pick up the weight and pin it in tightly to the chest while ensuring that the elbows stay tucked in to the ribcage.
The way in which you hold the weight is dependant on the type of weight you are using – if using a dumbbell, hold both sides of the handle; if using a dumbbell, hold it vertically.
2) Squatting Down
Before you begin to lower yourself into the squat, push the chest up and squeeze the core muscles.
As you gradually lower, keep the elbows tucked so that they do not get in the way of the knees. In addition, ensure that the feet stay flat on the floor at all times.
If you find that the heels are lifting from the floor at the bottom of the squat, you are either dropping too far or need to spend some time improving your ankle mobility as poor ankle mobility can lead to excessive trunk lean (1).
3) Driving Up
After dropping down deeply, drive hard through your heels to bring the body back up to the starting position.
It is very important that the core remains braced and the chest lifted during this phase in order to facilitate stability and control.
3 Goblet Squat Benefits
This section will highlight 3 of the biggest benefits that the beginner will experience by regularly practicing the goblet squats.
1) Improved Strength
The goblet squat may be a simple resistance exercise to perform, however, for the beginner, simple exercises are ideal as they are easy to master and still provide the body with ample stress to bring about significant adaptations in strength (2).
2) Improved Mobility
Because the weight is held to the front, it is possible to sit deeply into the squat. The weight serves as a counterbalance which facilitates a better trunk position and often allows for a deep squat.
3) Establishing Movement
As touched on, the goblet squat is the perfect exercise for any beginner who would like to progress onto heavy barbell squats. Practicing the goblet squats regularly will allow for neural pathways to be established thus improving squatting efficiency (3).
Common Goblet Squat Errors
There are 3 common errors that are associated with the goblet squats and should be avoided as far as possible.
These errors will not only cause the movement to become inefficient but may also increase the risk of sustaining an injury.
1) Falling Forwards
The reason for pushing the chest up during the goblet squat is to keep your center of balance over your base of support (feet).
Failure to keep the chest high often leads to the center of balance moving forward and away from your base of support causing you to lean forward excessively and fall.
2) Falling Backwards
While less common than a forward lean, some individuals may find themselves falling backward rather than forwards.
It is possible that the problem originates from a lack of tightness in your lats (back). To rectify this, look to pin your elbows in even tighter to the rib cage before squatting.
3) Wobbling
The most common reason for wobbling during a goblet squat is a lack of core tension. Failure to keep the core engaged will have a detrimental impact on overall stability.
Therefore, focus on squeezing the muscles in your trunk during each and every rep. This should keep you much more stable and allow you to move safely and more efficiently.
Goblet Squat Variations
If you are looking to increase the challenge of the goblet squats, consider any of the following variations.
Goblet Squat with Overhead Press
This variation will work the upper extremities as well as the lower – specifically working the shoulder, back and core muscles.
The exercise involves completing a standard goblet squats and then moving straight into an overhead press as you reach the top phase of the squat.
If you are running short of time, incorporating an overhead press at the top of the squat can be useful. It may also be an effective cardiovascular exercise and can easily be incorporated into a HIIT circuit.
For the press, it is possible to use both arms or to alternate arms with each rep.
The unilateral (one arm) version can be a useful tool for determining if one side is stronger than the other.
In addition, the unilateral press places a greater demand on the core as it must engage to keep the body upright and prevent any rotation from occurring.
Goblet Squat with Resistance Band
To increase the stress placed on the leg muscles, use a resistance band, placing it either around the tops of the ankles or knees.
Doing so will make the exercise very challenging as you must now resist the resistance band as it pulls your shins or knees inwards.
The goblet squats with resistance band is highly effective for strengthening the glute and quad muscles.
For the lifter who is struggling to keep the knees out during the squat, this method is highly recommended as the exercise forces the lifter to push the knees wide and activate key squatting muscles (4).
Double Kettlebell Front Squat
The double kettlebell front squat is probably the most challenging variation of the goblet squats as it doubles the load and requires precise technique.
Therefore, exercise caution and be absolutely sure that your technique is solid before progressing onto this variation. As when learning the goblet squat, start light and build up to heavier loads.
To perform this variation, start with the two kettlebells in the front rack position. This is where the elbows are lifted slightly to allow the load to comfortably rest on the arms.
When assuming this position, ensure that the handles of the kettlebells are held beside each other and are in close proximity to your chin. This should allow the weight to sit comfortably on the forearms.
Once in a solid front rack position, begin squatting ensuring that the elbows are kept up and the core is braced throughout.
Because of the position of the weight, this goblet squat variation is highly challenging on the core as it must work to keep the trunk upright and maintain stability.
Tempo, Pause and Pulse Squats
The most obvious way of making the goblet squats more challenging is to add more weight. however, if you only have access to one weight this can be a problem.
There are other ways that you can increase the intensity and challenge of the goblet squats without increasing the weight.
The first thing that you can manipulate is the tempo of the goblet squats. Start by slowing down the descent so that it takes 3-5 seconds to reach the bottom of the squat.
It may also be worthwhile to add a pause in at the bottom of the squat. For this method, descend as normal until you reach the bottom, hold this position for a couple of seconds before driving up.
You may even want to add in additional pauses at multiple stages as you drop and rise through the squat.
The final method that you may wish to consider is pulse squats. To perform pulse squats, firstly drop down deeply. From the bottom position, push up slightly and then drop down again.
Repeat this rising and dropping 5-10 times before driving all the way back up to standing. Keep the chest lifted throughout to ensure that you do not allow the back to round.
Final Word
For those who wish to progress on to heavy barbell squats, it is recommended to start with the goblet squats as it will allow you to learn the movement patterns for the squat and establish a base level of strength.
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:
1 – Fuglsang, Emil I.; Telling, Anders S.; Sørensen, Henrik (2017-11). “Effect of Ankle Mobility and Segment Ratios on Trunk Lean in the Barbell Back Squat”. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 31 (11): 3024–3033. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001872. ISSN 1533-4287. PMID 28301442.
2 – Baker, J. S.; Davies, B.; Cooper, S. M.; Wong, D. P.; Buchan, D. S.; Kilgore, L. (2013). “Strength and Body Composition Changes in Recreationally Strength-Trained Individuals: Comparison of One versus Three Sets Resistance-Training Programmes”. BioMed Research International. 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/615901. ISSN 2314-6133. PMC 3780552. PMID 24083231.
3 – Sale, D. G. (1988-10). “Neural adaptation to resistance training”. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 20 (5 Suppl): S135–145. doi:10.1249/00005768-198810001-00009. ISSN 0195-9131. PMID 3057313.
4 – Foley, Ryan C.A.; Bulbrook, Brittany D.; Button, Duane C.; Holmes, Michael W.R. (2017-8). “EFFECTS OF A BAND LOOP ON LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLE ACTIVITY AND KINEMATICS DURING THE BARBELL SQUAT”. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 12 (4): 550–559. ISSN 2159-2896. PMC 5534145. PMID 28900561.
Brad Castleberry Bares All On How He Deals With Depression
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Brad Castleberry talks about the lowest moments of his life and how he deals with depression to this day – in hopes of inspiring and helping others.
In a previous interview we did with Brad Castleberry last year, we discussed the lowest moment in his life. It was a devastating moment of his business career that left him broke on Christmas day. Since then he’s recovered but he still struggles with anxiety and depression. The feeling of never being good enough often looms in his mind. Castleberry has found healthy coping mechanisms that have gotten him through low points. In our latest GI Exclusive, Brad Castleberry reveals all about his inner thoughts and how he overcomes depression and anxiety.
2020 was a tough year for nearly everyone in the world to different degrees. It’s been reported that depression and anxiety are on the rise after such a turbulent time. While things do seem to be getting better globally – the mental struggles of many individuals could continue to press on for quite some time.
That’s why we asked Brad Castleberry how he deals with depressive thoughts and anxiety. Castleberry has dealt with many past traumas in his life between a business partnership that left him penniless, personal family struggles, and being a controversial online persona that receives extensive online hate.
Over the past few years, Brad Castleberry has grown into a very different kind of bodybuilder and man. What used to be of value to him today is very different than just five years ago. Most notably, he is open to speaking about it candidly and at length. In our latest interview, Castleberry held nothing back discussing not only his past struggles – but how he continues to have be, in his own words, “crazy in my mind a lot of the time.”
Brad Castleberry starts off by expressing the importance of communication and finding help. He cannot stress enough how much unloading depressive thoughts can be towards finding stability. Keeping it bottled up inside can only lead to more torment and possible dangerous actions – including self harm.
Brad Castleberry also understands that some people are in tough situation. They may be lonely with no one to turn to for an open conversation. He presses that therapy or counseling should not be taboo. It should be something everyone has access to and should not be ashamed to engage in.
Brad Castleberry also shares some small habits that can help bring out more calming thoughts. When Castleberry faces darker thoughts of feeling unsuccessful or incomplete – he takes a walk, goes hiking, and simply makes sure to be outside in nature. While this isn’t medical advice – breaking bad habits and entering out into the world, even alone, could have healing affects on a moment of crisis. Or at least, that’s what works for Castleberry.
He also points out how even the most basic principles of bodybuilding are helpful in keeping a more stable foundation both mentally and physically. Eating healthy and finding a routine in training that betters your body can bring a sense of progress at times when a person might be feeling lost. Small incremental improvements day by day can make a big difference in dealing with anxiety and depression. Bodybuilding provides exactly that. Daily small improvements to your health and physique
But the true crux of Brad Castleberry’s advice doesn’t necessarily come from his specific tips – but more from how earnest and honest he is in this conversation. More than anything, he seems like a person who hopes to make some sort of connection through his transparency. A far cry from the viral bodybuilder who was often dodgy and accused of lifting fake weights.
You can watch Brad Castleberry bare all about his past experiences with depression and how he continues to find healthy ways to cope to this day. Watch it all in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
The Best Way To Burn That Stubborn Body Fat For A Real Physique
Melt that flab and get super lean for all your desired physique goals.
Lifting weight is the end all be all of bodybuilding training and working to burn body fat. Or least that’s what a great deal of lifters believe. Though it may be true that the only way to grow some massive muscle is through heavy resistance training, it’s also true that lifting alone can’t get you into shredded condition to show off all that hard earned muscle. The culprit is quite obviously body fat. The higher your body fat percentage the harder it is to see the muscle that you’ve cultivated underneath. So, when is a good time to start the process of burning body fat?
The early bird gets the worm they say and it’s true of bodybuilding and fitness as well. Starting your day off with a fat burning exercising routine can be key to melting fat off your frame and keeping it off. Training at a high intensity first thing in the morning is a great way to attack body fat and melt away the blubber. Maybe you can get into the gym, maybe you can’t. There’s more than one way to get lean. But say you have no equipment on hand to get your body temperature rising in the morning, what then?
The answer is simple: bodyweight exercises.
Though it may not grow your muscles quite like other methods of resistance training, body weight exercises can be a low impact, easy fix to get your core temperatures rising and in turn begin the process of torching body fat. So how exactly should you go about getting rid of that body fat in order to be ripped and lean?
It’s simple. Start your day off the right way with this routine and watch the fat melt off of your frame. Remember, the key to burning fat is to perform these movements with high intensity with shorter rest periods. Resting for thirty seconds to a full minute should do the trick. Plus, you start your day off to give you a real energy boost before you’ve even had your first cup of coffee.
Benefits Of Bodyweight Exercises
While bodyweight exercises will not give you that massive physique you want most, they are still highly effective in working to shed that unwanted body fat. Of course, strength training is vital but it would be foolish to neglect some of the amazing benefits that a good bodyweight routine can do for you (1).
Benefits of bodyweight exercises include:
Highly effective workouts: Bodyweight exercises can work many muscles at once and really target muscle growth and fat loss making them highly effective workouts.
Only progression: You only can really progress with bodyweight workouts so the pressure to perform is how much you want to grow.
Improve balance: By working on better balance and coordination, you can build a sense of proper movements without worrying about how much weight you are lifting.
Still work those muscles: Bodyweight exercises will still allow you to target your muscles so you can give them a chance to grow.
Incredibly convenient: These can be done anywhere and at anytime so there is never an excuse to not have them done.
Highly Effective Bodyweight Workout To Burn Fat
In order to get started on this fat loss journey, knowing some great exercises to get you started can prove to be highly effective and worth your while especially as you seek to drop that stubborn fat. You can perform these anywhere and at any time so you never have an excuse to not get these done.
The Workout
Push-Ups: 100 reps
Bodyweight Squat: 100 reps
Mountain Climbers: 100 reps each side
Alternating Lunge: 100 reps each side
Reverse Lunges: 100 reps
Jumping Jacks: 150 reps
Burpees: 50 reps
High Knees: 100 reps
Jump Rope: 50 reps
Included with a workout like this could be something like high-intensity interval training (HIIT). HIIT is a form of cardio where you perform fast-paced intervals that are alternated with recovery-style ones to keep you working hard, keep your heart rate up, and keep you shedding that unwanted fat. These workouts are great for working at maximum capacity without totally gassing yourself so you still have a chance to complete the workout while still getting a great workout (2,3).
Best Supplement For Burning Body Fat
For many of us, working hard just isn’t enough and we need an extra boost from a great supplement so we see some real gains start to happen. A fat burner is a great option, either a fat burner for men to really see that massive physique, or a fat burner for women for those women looking to sculpt and tone. Either way, this supplement can work wonders when it comes to seeing that desired physique you want most (4).
Burn Lab Pro
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 advanced formula is designed to target all of your weight loss needs from a fat burner supplement.
Price: $59.00
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Check out our individual review for Burn Lab Pro here!
Check out our list of the Best Fat Burners On The Market for more great fat burning products!
Wrap Up
Losing that unwanted body fat can be difficult, but knowing the proper steps can be the best option for you. Bodyweight exercises and the many benefits associated with them can work wonders and lead you down a road you definitely want to go. When it comes to those supplements to help boost weight loss, look to a fat burner for what it can do for all your gains. You won’t be disappointed by the results.
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 Burn Lab Pro and Envato
References
Harrison, Jeffrey S. (2010). “Bodyweight Training: A Return To Basics”. (source)
Martins, Fernanda M.; Souza, Aleteia; Nunes, Paulo; Michelin, Marcia; et al. (2018). “High-intensity body weight training is comparable to combined training in changes in muscle mass, physical performance, inflammatory markers and metabolic health in postmenopausal women at high risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial”. (source)
Laursen, Paul B.; Jenkins, David G. (2002). “The scientific basis for high-intensity interval training: optimizing training programmes and maximizing performance in highly trained endurance athletes”. (source)
Jeukendrup, A. E.; Randell, R. (2011). “Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism”. (source)
7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Cheat Meals
7 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Cheat Meals
A cheat meal is a lifter’s favorite feast, probably after a whey protein shake. If you’ve been around the fitness scene for some time, you probably have heard how a cheat meal can help you achieve your goals faster.
Fitness enthusiasts and not-so-enthusiasts wait six days a week for their treasured lip-smacking meal. The most popular theory around cheat meals is that they provide your body with enough calories to give your muscles a fuller and rounder appearance.
Another story reasons that since you’re only eating ‘clean food’ while following a strict fitness diet, your body will no longer be able to digest heavy (read: junk) food, therefore you should constantly keep your body in the loop by adding a cheat meal to your routine.
While there might be some benefits to gulping down a cheat meal, the price you pay in the long run far outweighs the benefits. You might want to stop reading here if you live for a cheat meal. It’s going to get brutal.
Cheat Meals Should Be a Big NO!
How Much Should You Eat?
One of the biggest problems with a cheat meal is that most people don’t know where to stop. If you follow a diet plan designed according to your goals, you know exactly how much you’re going to eat and the number of macronutrients you’ll be consuming.
Many people lose their shit when they step into their friendly neighborhood McDonald’s. You can’t entirely blame the rogue fitness junkie when he lays an eye upon his favorite junk food.
While people go around advocating the benefits of a cheat meal, they never talk about how much or what a person should eat. If your cheat meal consists of a pizza, burger, burrito, french fries, and a soda, you’re doing it all wrong.
It’s Not a Ghost Meal
We’re sorry to be the ones breaking this to you but the calories of your cheat meals still count. A Burger King is no Vegas. Whatever happens inside the restaurant doesn’t stay in the restaurant. It comes home with you.
Most people don’t adjust their diets after a cheat meal. You’re going to stray off your progress timeline if you don’t account for the calories and macronutrients you consume in your junk meal.
How many people have you ever seen or heard of who modify their Monday’s and Tuesday’s meal plans to settle the extra calories they had on Sunday? Unaccounted calories can add up quickly and leave a mark on your waistline.
A Cheat Meal Can Turn Into a Cheat Day
Some people get carried away after eating a cheat meal. Usually, people plan their cheat meals on a weekend with friends and family. There are high chances of these weekend lunches extending to snacks and dinners.
These people think that an additional cheat meal won’t do them any harm and they can always train a little harder the next day and burn off all the calories. Sadly for them, it doesn’t work this way.
Few people take the cheat day fiasco a little further. They turn the cheat meals to cheat weekends. They then pacify themselves by saying that they can compensate for it by eating ‘super good’ the next five days. This is a case of pure mental toxicity.
A Cheat Meal Negatively Impacts Your Mindset
A cheat meal subconsciously makes you think that you’re eating punishment food throughout the week and you’re only allowed to “enjoy” your favorite food once a week. Feasting on junk food every week only strengths this unhealthy mindset.
Consider this, if you were craving a slice of a pizza, and you ate it that same day, it wouldn’t take a lot to satisfy your craving. Now imagine if you were craving french fries on Monday but you only cheat on a Sunday. What are the chances you’re going to order a small bag of fries?
It’s like if I ask you not to touch your nose, the only thing that’ll consume your brain is to touch your god-damn nose. It’s better to eat a small portion of what you’re craving than to let the cravings pile on.
Results in Overindulgence
More often than not, the satanic cravings will make you pick a coke with large fries. A normal person craves multiple things throughout the week. Tim might want ice cream on a Monday, chocolate on a Tuesday, cheeseburger on a Wednesday. Little Tim enjoys his food. Leave him alone.
But since Tim is following a cutting program, he might have to wait for Sunday to get his hands on his beloved cheat food. If Timmy finds all his cravings in a single shop, no snake can hold him back from biting the forbidden apple.
Cheat Meals Are Hard To Fit in a Daily Routine
You’re always going to have an unhealthy relationship with food that you consider “bad” and those that won’t fit in your daily routine. Achieving the physique of your dreams is all about following a schedule, plan, and rituals, and a cheat meal can never be a ritual. At least not with your current mindset.
If you have got a taste for junk food, you should follow a diet that better suits your lifestyle. IIFYM (if it fits your macros) is a diet that allows you the flexibility to eat anything you want until it fits your daily macronutrient needs.
Cheat Meals Affect Differently People Differently
One thing that most people forget is that, based on their body types, junk food will affect different people differently. You should know your body type and if you’re an ectomorph, mesomorph, or endomorph.
If you had to take one thing away from this article, it should be this – stop treating a cheat meal like a fling. Think of it as a long-term relationship, if anything. Don’t limit your cheat meals to restaurants. Bring them home, introduce them to your family and accept them in your life with an open heart.
How often do you eat a cheat meal? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Samir Bannout’s Critical Analysis Of Big Ramy’s Olympia 2020 Physique
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Samir Bannout reacts to Big Ramy’s physique at the Mr. Olympia 2020.
Samir Bannout is a legend in the world of bodybuilding. A competitor with an incredible physique, he eventually solidified his status by becoming Mr. Olympia in 1983. With an incredible reputation and successful pedigree, we decided to ask Bannout about his thoughts on the Mr. Olympia 2020. More specifically, his reaction to Big Ramy’s physique and big win. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout critiques Big Ramy’s Olympia-winning physique.
After many years of ups and downs, Big Ramy finally won the Mr. Olympia in 2020. It was quite a rollercoaster of a journey – with some fans unsure if he was ever going to actually pull it off. Then everything clicked and Big Ramy showcased one of the greatest physiques of his career. It earned him the title of Mr. Olympia 2021.
True to his name, Big Ramy represents the modern look of pro bodybuilding. He has incredibly massive size – sometimes weighing close to 300 pounds on stage. This size had always been a push-pull aspect of his success. His mass monster look was reminiscent of Ronnie Coleman – but it also took away from his conditioning. This ultimately put him on a path of falling short at the Olympia for nearly a decade.
Samir Bannout recognizes this when analyzing Big Ramy’s latest showing that earned him the gold. According to Bannout, Ramy had so much massive size on him – that he was easily able to take off some points to work on conditioning without losing his freak factor. In fact, this is the element that Bannout believes was off all these years. Ramy didn’t have the confidence, or perhaps the guidance, to cut off some weight.
Samir Bannout has been watching Big Ramy’s career from the start. He’s even, in fact, had some one on one conversations with Ramy throughout the years. From what Bannout can gather, there was some element of disconnect between Ramy’s talent and his training in Kuwait.
There’s no denying that the Oxygen Gym crew can help transform bodybuilders into mass monsters worth noting. Brandon Curry struggled through his mid-career only to completely change gears upon moving to Kuwait. He eventually won the Mr. Olympia title for himself in 2019. The training in Kuwait helped Big Ramy in this way too – but when it came to the finish line – something was off.
“I think Ramy with his coach was saying… that they are going back to the old school way with Big Ramy,” Samir Bannout states in our interview. “When Ramy was in Kuwait, he was trying very hard with the Camel Crew and sometimes they weren’t on the same page.”
Samir Bannout goes on to say that trainers and coaches are not solely responsible for Big Ramy’s success or failure. Bannout praises Big Ramy’s work ethic and heart for the sport.
“Everybody wants to get the credit… but come on, Ramy is working very hard.” Bannout continues to say in our conversation. “All he needs is the minor tweaking to make him pop.”
There is no one right way to win a Mr. Olympia show. The road to success is different for each individual. Big Ramy simply took some time to find what works best for him. In 2020, Samir Bannout saw a bodybuilder in complete form. His size and conditioning finally met in the middle for a superior physique.
You can watch Samir Bannout’s full comments and analysis of Big Ramy in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!