Tag: Athlete Profiles
Brandon Lirio Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Brandon Lirio
Brandon Lirio is an American professional INBA PNBA Classic Physique professional natural bodybuilder born on March 9, 1988. He’s also a powerlifting and strongman athlete. He’s a 3x Natural Olympia champion, 2x World champion, 2x Natural Universe champ, and in the PNBA Hall of Fame. He’s held six continental titles and several dozen other titles in the last decade too.
Also, Brandon Lirio is part of the recent surge of INBA PNBA athletes that have received a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, INBA PNBA, and Iron Man Magazine.
Below is a complete breakdown of Brandon Lirio’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimen.
Full Name: Brandon Lirio
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
153 – 170 lbs
5’5”
3/9/1988
Division
Era
Nationality
Classic Physique
2010
American
Biography
Born in March of 1988, Brandon Lirio is one of the eminent faces in natural bodybuilding, precisely the INBA PNBA league. He’s had an impressive INBA PNBA career thus far and is putting an imprint in powerlifting and strongman competitions.
Brandon Lirio has a military background and served in the United States Air Force for 11 years. In addition, he was stationed overseas and worked in the meteorology field – space physics. During his time serving, Lirio suffered from panic attacks, and bodybuilding was an outlet for him to prevent the attacks and balance his hormones.
Also, he was tired of being small, weighing 117 lbs, when he first joined the military. However, everything changed for him once he met a buddy who showed him around the gym and also happened to be an MMA champion. Once he started taking natural bodybuilding seriously in 2012, he began stacking titles.
Competition History
2021 Natural Olympia Classic Physique Division – 2nd
2018 PNBA Natural Olympia Classic Physique Division – 1st
2018 PNBA World Championships Classic Physique – 1st
2018 PNBA US Nationals Physique Division – 1st
2017 INBA Illinois State Championship Classic Physique Division – 1st
2017 INBA/PNBA North American Championships Classic Physique Division – 1st
2017 INBA/PNBA Natural Universe Classic Physique Division – 1st
2017 INBA/PNBA Asian Pacific Championships Classic Physique Division – 1st
2017 NGA New England Championships – 1st
2017 INBF Natural Connecticut Lightweight Bodybuilding Division – 1st
2017 INBA PNBA Asian Pacific Championships Bodybuilding Division – 2nd
2017 INBA Illinois State Championships Bodybuilding Division – 2nd
2017 INBA/PNBA World Cup – 2nd
2017 INBA/PNBA Australian International Championships Bodybuilding Division – 3rd
2016 Natural Olympia Lightweight – 1st
2016 INBA European Championships Bodybuilding Divison – 1st
2016 INBA World Championships – 4th
2016 AFS Helsinki Fitness Physique Division – 1st
2016 INBA Illinois State Championship Novice Division – 1st
2015 AINBB International Physique “Mr. Physique” Title – 1st
2015 Northern Italy Bodybuilding Division – 1st
2015 Nothern Italy Physique Division – 1st
Brandon Lirio’s Training
Brandon Lirio’s training regimen varies depending on if he’s in-season or off-season. His workouts consist of training six days a week on a bro split routine during the season. In addition, he focuses on powerlifting and strongman lifts during the off-season to build muscle mass.
Leg day and training his chest are his favorite muscle groups to train. Heavy incline cable flyes and cross-chest press are his favorite chest movements to build a full chest, while belt squat and leg press are his go-to leg exercises.
Brandon Lirio has an in-depth Iron Man Magazine article of his preparation for natural bodybuilding competitions here.
Nutrition
Brandon Lirio’s nutrition doesn’t stay consistent each year. But generally, he puts a heavy emphasis on protein intake and consumes 1.75g/lb of bodyweight year-round. He believes consuming ample protein will control his hunger levels and leave enough amino acids around to help muscle repair. When it’s the off-season, Lirio will eat anywhere from 1.5g-2.25g of carbs/lbs of bodyweight. As he approaches competitions, he may load up more on carbs, varying from 35-150g during the season. His fat intake will fluctuate from 40-70g per pound of bodyweight – in-season, he hovers on the lower end around 40-55g and will consume upwards to 70g of fat during the off-season.
Personal Life
Outside of competing, Lirio loves to engage in sports and owns a fitness business – Battleground Fitness. Currently, he’s doing a professional series on YouTube on learning to lift as a strongman. You can take a peek at that below.
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Brandon Lirio loves spending time with his wife and their newborn twins, Archer and Ellis. To cater to his nerd side, he loves playing Magic: The Gathering – a card game.
Dan Tai Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Dan Tai
Photo via @dantai Instagram
Dan Tai is a former professional rugby player who transitioned into CrossFit and personal training. With his massive following on social media, he uses his platform to share his physique, workouts, and provide inspiration for those seeking a change.
Below is a complete breakdown of his profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Dan Tai
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
175-185 lbs.
5’8”
12/29/1995
Profession
Era
Nationality
Personal Trainer, Social Media Influencer, CrossFitter
2010
English
Photo via @dantai Instagram
Biography
Dan Tai was always into sports growing up. Playing rugby at an early age, his talents started to show and so too did his drive to be the best. As fate and hard work would have it, he turned pro and played a few years of professional rugby. His passion for fitness unlocked doors for him and he would set out on a different journey, combing his love of fitness with finding success.
He earned his personal training certificate and sought to help others achieve their goals. Continuing to build his physique, he grew popular on social media and became a sought after trainer for his knowledge and ability to motivate. Now, with a large following on social media and successful business ventures in health and fitness, he continues his mission to stay shredded himself while helping others achieve their goals.
Training
Dan trains throughout the week with both strength exercises, cardio work, and HIIT workouts. Typically, at the end of each workout, he will do something to target a specific muscle just to get that extra work done. Compound and isolation exercises allow him to build muscle and maintain his shredded physique.
Cardio is done if he feels he wants to build an endurance base or shed a few extra calories and here is where he switches off from longer endurance exercises to shorter, more intense ones.
Circuit Workout
Each exercise will be performed for 30 seconds each with 15 seconds rest.
Mountain Climbers
Burpees
Standing Lunges
To finish off this workout, there will be 30 seconds of push-ups.
Photo via @dantai Instagram
Nutrition
To keep up with his shredded aesthetic, Dan eats very clean consisting of lean protein, complex carbs, and those healthy fat sources. He knows how much diet means to a shredded aesthetic and will cheat here and there to satisfy a craving. On the whole, if he eats very healthy, he doesn’t mind having a cheat meal here and there.
Supplementation
While Dan uses his own choice of supplements, for those seeking to look as shredded as possible, there are some key supplements to include in your routine. A pre-workout supplement is something to take your gains to new heights by providing energy and muscle pumps. With the choice for stimulants and non-stim products, both will enhance focus and boost those pre-workout needs. Post-workout gains happen with a protein powder, which can enhance muscle growth and recovery while also aiding in weight loss by helping to keep you full.
To lean out and burn off stubborn body fat, a fat burner is something to consider. Premium ingredients and an advanced formula can kickstart your metabolism, burn more calories, and keep your hunger at bay so you only eat when necessary.
Eddie Hall Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Eddie Hall
Eddie Hall (born 15 January 1988) is a British former professional strongman known for his incredible weightlifting feats. He has won multiple strongman competitions, including World’s Strongest Man in 2017, and has a few world records to his name.
Although Eddie has retired from strongman competitions, he remains in headlines for his insane lifts in the gym, body transformation, and beefs with fellow athletes.
Below is a complete breakdown of Eddie Hall’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Edward Stephen Hall
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
335-345 lbs
6’3″
15/1/1988
Division
Era
Nationality
Strongman
2010
British
Biography
Born in January 1988 in Staffordshire, England, Eddie Hall has made a name for himself in the strongman world and is now making waves in the fitness and boxing industries.
As a teenager, Hall was a successful competitive swimmer and wanted to make it big in the sport, until things took a turn for the worse.
When Eddie Hall was 12, his nan was diagnosed with cancer. This news shocked Eddie so much that he started having anxiety attacks and fell into depression. Over time, his anxiety problem got so severe that he got expelled from his school.
It wasn’t much later that he started getting in trouble with the cops and his family.
Iron Comes to the Rescue
Although Hall took anxiety-relieving medication and underwent therapy, he believes that the biggest change came when he started lifting weights. The iron became his outlet for the negative emotions he was experiencing at the time.
Eddie Hall started working as a mechanic in 2008. He trained and competed as a bodybuilder and entered the strongman circuit, having done a strongman competition at the Iceman gym in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
In 2010, Dave Meer of Tamworth, Staffordshire, had to drop out of England’s Strongman Championships because of injury. This opened up a place for Eddie, who pounced on the chance.
Catching everyone by surprise, Eddie won the competition on his first attempt. After this victory, Hall decided to pursue the sport and make a name for himself as a strongman. And rest, as they say, is history.
Becoming UK’s Strongest Man
A year after his first strongman competition, Eddie won the UK’s Strongest Man show. He won this contest six years in a row (2011-2016), making him one of the greatest strongman athletes ever.
After his first UK’s Strongest Man victory, Eddie Hall set a new national record in the “Viking Hold”, hanging on to 20 kg (44lbs) axes in each hand at full stretch for one minute and 18 seconds. The hold was so brutal that he ended up tearing his forearm tendons.
Crushing Records
In March 2015, Eddie Hall set a world record for the first time in his career by deadlifting 462 kgs (1,019 lbs). He accomplished this feat at the Arnold Classic Australia, where he was cheered on by the Governator himself.
Not long after, Eddie broke his own deadlift record by lifting a monstrous 463 kgs (1021 lbs) at the 2015 World Deadlift Championship.
The World’s Strongest Man
Eddie Hall set a new deadlift record in July 2016 by lifting 500 kgs (1,100 lbs). Hall achieved his dream in 2017 when he claimed the long-awaited World’s Strongest Man title.
Competition History
Britain’s Strongest Man 2018 – 1st
World’s Strongest Man 2017 – 1st
Europe’s Strongest Man 2017 – 2nd
Britain’s Strongest Man 2017 – 1st
World’s Strongest Man 2016 – 3rd
Britain’s Strongest Man 2016 – 1st
UK’s Strongest Man 2016 – 1st
Arnold Strongman Classic 2016 – 9th
World’s Strongest Man 2015 – 4th
Britain’s Strongest Man 2015 – 1st
UK’s Strongest Man 2015 – 1st
Arnold Strongman Classic 2015 – 6th
Europe’s Strongest Man 2015 – 9th
World’s Strongest Man 2014 – 6th
Giant’s Live Hungary 2014 – 3rd
Britain’s Strongest Man 2014 – 1st
UK’s Strongest Man 2014 – 1st
World’s Strongest Man 2013 – 18th
Giant’s Live Hungary 2013 – 2nd
UK’s Strongest Man 2013 – 1st
World’s Strongest Man 2012 – 18th
Giant’s Live Australia 2012 – 4th
UK’s Strongest Man 2012 – 1st
UK’s Strongest Man 2011 – 1st
England’s Strongest Man 2011 (UKSC) – 1st
England’s Strongest Man 2010 (Elite) – 1st
Training
Eddie Hall’s training regimen comprises a mix of strongman training and bodybuilding exercises. Since Hall is a pro strongman, he focuses on lifting heavy in every exercise.
Day 1: Monday – Chest
Bench press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Incline bench press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Dumbbell press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Dumbbell fly: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Cable cross: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Chest press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Dips: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Day 2: Tuesday – Back & Abs
Deadlift: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Lat pull-down: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Lat half-moon: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Machine row: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Dumbbell row: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Weighted crunch: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Leg raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Sit-up: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Day 3: Wednesday – Shoulders
Front to back military press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Arnold press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Front raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Lateral raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Shrugs: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Delt fly: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Rear delt raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Day 4: Thursday – Biceps & Triceps
Dumbbell bicep curl: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Barbell curl: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Preacher curl: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Hammer curl: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Tricep push-down: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Tricep dips: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Skull crusher: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Tricep extension: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Tricep dumbbell kickback: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Day 5: Friday – Legs
Squat: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Leg press: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Leg extension: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Stiff-leg deadlift: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Leg curl: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Lunge: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Sitting calf raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Standing calf raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Donkey calf raise: 4-5 sets of 15, 12, 10, 8 reps
Day 6: Saturday & Sunday: Rest Day
Nutrition
In his strongman days, Eddie Hall ate up to 10,000 calories every day. Although he mostly ate nutrient-dense foods such as fruit, veggies, eggs, and animal protein, Hall was known to eat up to two family cheesecakes in one day.
1. Breakfast
Eggs
Bacon
Toast
Beans
2. Second Breakfast
Porridge Oats
Fruit
3. Snack
Protein Shake
4. Lunch
Steak
Pasta
Cheesecake
5. Snack
Burger Patties
Apples
Bananas
Cheesecake
6. Dinner
Steak
Potatoes
Salad
Supplementation
For someone who trains as hard as Eddie Hall, supplements can be a godsend for the post-workout recovery process. Some of the supplements Eddie relies on include:
Accomplishments
In competition:
Deadlift with straps and suit: 500 kilograms (1,102 lb) (former world record, current world record in competition)
Axle press: 216 kilograms (476 lb) (former world record)
Rogue Elephant Bar Deadlift with straps: 465 kilograms (1,025 lb)
Log lift: 213 kilograms (470 lb) (British record, done at Europe’s Strongest Man 2018)
CrossFit Isabel: 60 kilograms (132 lb) for 30 repetitions in 50.9 seconds (claimed world record)
Gym lifts:
Squat: 405 kilograms (893 lb) (raw)
Bench press: 300 kilograms (661 lb) (raw)
Incline bench press: 225 kilograms (496 lb) for 7 reps (raw, paused)
Leg press: 1,000 kilograms (2,205 lb) for 10 reps
Deadlift: 536 kilograms (1,182 lb) (former world record)
Helmut Strebl Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Helmut Strebl
Images via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Helmut Strebl is an Austrian bodybuilder and model born on 6 November 1968. He is famous in the fitness universe for his insanely shredded physique. Whether you are into the fitness lifestyle or not, chances are you probably have seen pictures of Helmut while surfing the internet.
Helmut has modeled and competed for 20 years and is a renowned motivational speaker. His ripped body and inspiring words have motivated numerous people to achieve their dream physiques.
Below is a complete breakdown of Helmut Strebl’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Helmut Strebl
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
205-215 lbs
6’3″
6/11/1968
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilding, Model
2000, 2010
Austrian
Images via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Biography
Growing up, Helmut Strebl was a skinny kid who was easy prey for bullies at school. He recollects that his weak frame was more noticeable because one of his schoolmates was a “muscle machine.”
At 12 years old, Strebl started lifting weights for self-defense. But as he got stronger, he wanted to get on par with his muscular school friend. Soon after achieving the goal, Helmut set his eyes on becoming a fitness model.
Helmut Strebl enjoyed lifting weights from the very beginning. Before he ever stepped inside a gym, he used two 5 kg detergent bottles filled with water as a substitute for dumbbells.
Strebl did not have proper dumbbells until he joined a local gym at age 16. The Austrian model believes that high aspirations and strong mental conditioning have been the most valuable assets in his fitness training and competitions.
“For I feel that to develop in the sport takes big dreams and a mindset for realizing them. Bodybuilding is the art of the possible.” – Helmut Strebl
Whether competing in bodybuilding competitions, motivational speaking, or personal training, Helmut always gives it his best and has risen to the top of his game.
On being asked what motivates him, Helmut Strebl says, “What truly motivates me is my mission to serve as a graphic example of achieving ideals—ultimate fitness dreams and more. ‘My life is my message’, so I would have it.”
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Competition History
Miami Pro World Championship 2014:
Bodybuilding: 1st Place
Muscle Model Over 40: 1st Place
Open Class – Muscle Model Class B: 2nd Place
World Champion Miami Pro 2013 Natural Bodybuilding
World Champion Miami Pro 2013 Fitness Model Class – Over 40s
Miami Pro 2013 Muscle Model – Class B: Runner-Up
Miami Pro 2012 European Natural Bodybuilding: 1st Place
Miami Pro 2012 European Natural Muscle Model: 1st Place
FAME 2011 European Natural Bodybuilding: 1st Place
FAME 2011 European Muscle Fitness Model: 2nd Place
European Muscle Model & Natural Bodybuilding Champion 2010: 1st Place
European Muscle Model & Natural Bodybuilding Champion 2009: 1st Place
European Muscle Model & Natural Bodybuilding Champion 2008: 1st Place
Muscle Fitness FAME Winner 2008: 1st Place
Muscle Fitness Model Fame 2005: 2nd Place
Men’s Health Competition 2003: Top 20 Finalists
Gravesend Classic First Timer Bodybuilder 2002: 1st Place
Mr. Fitness 1998: 1st Place
Bench Press Competitor 1997: 2nd Place
Mr. Austria 1996: 1st Place
Mr. Europe 1996: 2nd Place
Mr. World 1996: 11th Place
Mountain Bike Downhill & Cross Country Cyprus 1995: 1st Place
Mountain Race Cycling Championships 1995: 1st Place
United Nations Military Skills in Cyprus 1995: 1st Place
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Training
Helmut Strebl usually does supersets and likes to train his muscles to failure. He utilizes his rest time between sets to practice breathing exercises. He will breathe in and out roughly five times before moving on to his next set.
The intensity of Strebl’s workouts and the weights he uses depend on his instincts during the workout. At the same time, Helmut likes to plan his workouts in a calendar notebook. He creates a rough schedule for the time of his training sessions and muscle groups he will train.
Helmut Strebl follows a set of rules to keep him in peak conditioning throughout the year. These principles include:
Always warm up before a workout
Maintain proper posture during an exercise
Focus on breathing properly
Stop lifting if you feel pain in your muscles or joints
Observe proper form
Use torso stabilization
Follow a full range of motion in every exercise
Helmut Strebl Workout Program
Strebl advocates taking your time and listening to your body during training. He also emphasizes the importance of performing exercises correctly.
Helmut’s insane muscle definition and symmetry are proof that he has a solid mind-muscle connection, and he trains with the intent of getting the best bang for his buck.
Monday: Back/Shoulders/Calves/Abs
Tuesday: Chest/Triceps
Bench Press: 5 sets of 6-10 reps
Stability Ball Dumbbell Bench Press: 5 sets of 10-15 reps
Butterfly Machine: 5 sets of 10-15 reps
Seated Barbell Tricep Extension: 5 sets of 8-12 reps
Dips: 5 sets of 15-20 reps
Wednesday: Biceps/Hamstrings/Abs
Thursday: Quads/Calves
Friday: Glutes/Chest (Heavy)
Lying-Down Machine Glutes Extension: 5 sets of 20-30 reps
Standing Machine Glutes Extension: 5 sets of 20-30 reps
Decline Close-Grip Bench Press: 5 sets of 3-5 reps
Saturday: Rest
Recovery Day
Sunday: Back/Calves
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Nutrition
For Helmut Strebl, Diet is where the magic happens. Unlike his workouts, he follows a strict diet and likes to plan it in advance. Strebl eats between five to seven meals every day. He eats lean protein in every meal. Some of his favorite high-quality protein sources include:
Egg whites
Turkey
Chicken
Beef
Whitefish
The Carb Cycling Genius
When it comes to his carbs, Helmut goes heavy on sweet potatoes and brown rice during the off-season. On the flip side, Strebl cuts his carbs aggressively while prepping for shows or modeling assignments.
“When I cut down for a competition, I do what is necessary to peak at 4% body-fat.” – Helmut Strebl
To achieve a 4% body fat level, Helmut decreases his carb intake and slightly bumps up his fat consumption. He also cycles carbs for about a month before any show. Each of his carb cycles lasts four days. For the first three days, Strebl eats anywhere between 150-200 grams of carbs while dividing them over six meals.
On the fourth day, he escalates his carb intake to 300-400 grams. After this ‘high day’ he starts the cycle again.
Helmut Strebl Diet Program
Meal 1: 5-8 Egg Whites + 1 Yolk, 1 Chicken, a large cup of Coffee, 3 Bagels with sweetener Jam, Mustard, Low-Fat Spread
Meal 2: Meal Replacement Shake (50 grams of protein, 80 grams of carbs)
Meal 3: Cooked Basmati Rice and Turkey/Chicken
Meal 4: Basmati Rice and Turkey/Chicken/Fish
Meal 5: Basmati Rice and Turkey/Chicken/Fish
Meal 6: 10-12 Egg Whites (No Yolk) and 4 slices of Brown Toast
“For I feel that to develop in the sport takes big dreams and a mindset for realizing them. Bodybuilding is the art of the possible.” – Helmut Strebl
Image via Instagram @helmutstrebl0
Supplements
Sustaining a 4% body fat level is no joke. Although Helmut Strebl has been involved in the fitness industry for a long time, he sticks to a few basic supplements.
A lot of that comes from him being an outspoken critic of anyone taking illegal physique enhancing drugs, which he says he has never touched.
Here are the supplements Helmut Strebl takes:
Whey Protein
Creatine
Multivitamin
Maren Turmo Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Maren Turmo
Photo via @maren.turmo Instagram
Maren Turmo is a Norwegian fitness model and social media personality with an amazing physique. Using her platform, she promotes her workouts and lifestyle tips while also serving as an inspiration for those looking to make a change.
Below is a complete breakdown of her profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Maren Turmo
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
N/A
5’5”
03/31/1999
Profession
Era
Nationality
Fitness Model, Internet Influencer
2010
Norwegian
Photo via @maren.turmo Instagram
Biography
Not much is known about Maren’s early childhood, but she was born in Oslo, Norway and judging by her lifestyle, lived a healthy childhood. She gained recognition online through posting videos and photos of her workouts which garnered her many followers along the way. She chose to use that platform to spread awareness and to share her tips with others so they too could see great gains like she does. Now with a big following on social media, she will continue to rise and grow in popularity while only continuing her inspiration for so many.
Training
When it comes to training, Maren focuses on cardio, HIIT workouts, and weight training. She loves to train her legs, glutes, and abs, and it shows. She will always perform a warm-up before the workout to make sure she is primed and ready to take full advantage of her lifts.
Below are two great workouts being a full body workout and a glute workout.
Full Body Workout
Squats: 3 sets, 20 reps
V-Ups: 3 sets, 20 reps
Jump Squats: 3 sets, 15 reps
Burpees: 3 sets, 15 reps
Goblet Squat: 3 sets, 15 reps
Glute Workout
Cardio Warm-Up: 5 Minutes
Barbell Squats: 2-3 set, 10-12 reps
Hip Thrusts: 3 sets, 12-15 reps
Leg Press: 2 sets, 20 reps
Deadlift: 3 sets, 10-12 reps
Photo via @maren.turmo Instagram
Nutrition
Maren is incredibly healthy when it comes to her diet and each meal is properly planned. Eating healthy food works for her and by following such a great routine it allows her to stay both physically and mentally sharp. Some foods she includes in her diet are oatmeal, cottage cheese, berries, fish, green vegetables, and eggs.
Supplementation
While Maren uses her own supplements of choice, looking to the right supplements can make or break your gains. Although training and a good diet are essential for fat loss, what a fat burner can do is kickstart fat loss so you see only the best gains to your shredded aesthetic. With premium ingredients, a fat burning supplement can kickstart your metabolism to shed more calories, work to move stored fat so it can be used for energy, and curb your appetite so you don’t feel the need to indulge in any cravings. For all your physique goals, the right fat burner can be a game changer.
Mike Mentzer Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Mike Mentzer
Mike Mentzer was an American IFBB professional bodybuilder born on 15 November 1951 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Mike was also an author, and his writings were widely read and appreciated.
While some bodybuilding fans considered Mentzer a genius, others called him a mystery. Sadly, the mystery could never be unraveled as Mentzer passed away at the age of 49.
Below is a complete breakdown of Mike Mentzer’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Mike Mentzer (Golden Era Bodybuilder)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
225-235 lbs
5’8″
15/11/1951
Division
Era
Nationality
Men’s Open
1970’s, ’80s
American
Biography
Famed for his scuffle with Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1980 Olympia, Mike Mentzer was one of the best bodybuilders of the golden era.
Apart from being a top-level competitive bodybuilder, Mentzer was a straight-A student in school. As a pre-med student at the University of Maryland, Mentzer spent his time away from the gym studying genetics, physical and organic chemistry.
Mike “The Heavy Duty” Mentzer started training at the age of 12, and by the age of 15, he could bench press 370 lbs, with a bodyweight of 165 lbs.
Mentzer entered his first contest in 1971, and it turned out to be a humbling year for him. Although he won his very first competition (Mr. Lancaster), he finished in tenth place (his worst ever) in the very next show (AAU Mr. America).
Mike Mentzer suffered a severe shoulder injury in 1971 that disrupted his training. Mentzer started pumping iron again in 1975 after a four-year hiatus. He made a respectable comeback (1975 IFBB Mr. America), coming in at a modest third place.
Mentzer and Drug Abuse
While prepping for the 1980 Olympia, Mike Mentzer started using amphetamines. He claimed he needed it for productivity and did not use it for recreational purposes. The warning signs of waning health started showing soon after, but Mentzer paid no heed.
Twice during his prep, Mike awoke to find himself, “at death’s door.” He was so fatigued that he could not even raise his arms and had to stay in bed for the remainder of the day.
A couple of days before the 1980 Olympia, the “death’s door” feeling revisited Mike Mentzer. It wasn’t until the morning of the competition that he felt he had recovered.
Later that day, the retired Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his comeback at the 1980 Olympia. The news did not go down well with many contestants, including Mentzer.
By this time, Mike Mentzer had become popular and was a judge’s favorite. On top of that, many competitors believed that Mike, with his new fame, could win the 1980 Olympia purely on popularity.
As a result, an urgent meeting was called. Reportedly, insults were exchanged between Mentzer and Schwarzenegger at the meeting, and a fight nearly broke out.
Long story short, Arnie was allowed to compete and won the Sandow despite breaking formation on several occasions and receiving a warning from the judges. Mike Mentzer, on the other hand, placed 5th.
The Decline of Mike Mentzer
In protest of his poor placing in 1980, Mike Mentzer boycotted the 1981 Olympia and retired soon after at the age of 29.
In 1983, Mentzer became the editor of ‘Workout Magazine‘. Although he enjoyed his work, he relied upon amphetamines to meet deadlines and occasionally stayed awake for two to three days straight.
For some reason, the owners of the magazine pulled the plug on the magazine. It dealt a crushing blow to Mentzer.
Soon after ‘Workout Magazine‘ ceased operations, Mike lost his beloved father. To add to his distress, Mike’s 10-year relationship with fiancee Cathy Gelfo came to an end around the same time.
These three unfortunate events, combined with the continued (ab)use of amphetamines led to Mike Mentzer’s decline. He passed away in 2001 at 49-years-old due to a heart attack.
The sad story does not end here. Mike’s younger brother Ray Mentzer (Mr. America 1979) discovered Mike’s dead body. The death of his beloved brother proved to be too much to bear for Ray. Ray too, died within 48 hours of Mike’s passing.
“Many bodybuilders sell themselves short. Erroneously attributing their lack of satisfactory progress to a poverty of the requisite genetic traits, instead of to their irrational training and dietary practices, they give up training. Don’t make the same mistake.” – Mike Mentzer
Competition History
1971 Mr. Lancaster – 1st
1971 AAU Mr. America – 10th
1971 AAU Teen Mr. America – 2nd
1975 IFBB Mr. America – 3rd (Medium)
1975 ABBA Mr. USA – 2nd (Medium)
1976 IFBB Mr. America – 1st (Overall)
1976 IFBB Mr. America – 1st (Medium)
1976 IFBB Mr. Universe – 2nd (MW)
1977 IFBB North American Championships – 1st (Overall)
1977 IFBB North American Championships – 1st (MW)
1977 IFBB Mr. Universe – 2nd (HW)
1978 IFBB USA vs the World – 1st (HW)
1978 IFBB World Amateur Championships – 1st (HW)
1979 IFBB Canada Pro Cup – 2nd
1979 IFBB Florida Pro Invitational – 1st
1979 IFBB Night of Champions – 3rd
1979 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st (HW)
1979 IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Invitational – 2nd
1979 IFBB Southern Pro Cup – 1st
1980 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 5th
Training
Mike Mentzer followed a HIIT training routine. He followed a ‘heavy duty’ variation of the model. This system required Mentzer to use a weight that would take him to failure between 6-9 reps.
When he hit failure, Mike Mentzer kept going and performed 2-3 forced reps while using a spotter. Mike advocated following perfect form while training.
Mike would often keep his training week down to 3 working days with 4 for rest. Later, as his bodybuilding progressed, he would take between 4-7 days rest in between workouts.
Mike Mentzer’s training regimen included:
Monday: Legs, Chest, Triceps
1. Legs: Giant-set
2. Chest: Triset
3. Triceps: Triset
Pushdown: 1 set of 6-8 reps
Dips: 1 set of 6-8 reps
Lying triceps extension: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Wednesday: Back, Traps, Shoulders, Biceps
1. Back: Tri-set
Nautilus pull-over: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Close-grip pulldown: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Bent-over barbell row: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
2. Traps: Superset
Universal machine shrug: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Upright row: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
3. Shoulders & Biceps: Giant-set
Nautilus lateral raise: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Nautilus press: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Rear delt row: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Standing barbell curl: 1 set of 6-8 reps
Concentration curl: 2 sets of 6-8 reps
Nutrition
Mike Mentzer believed that bodybuilders did not need the levels of protein they were sold by magazines. He took a broad approach to his nutrition in terms of food sources and would eat according to four food groups.
Mike Mentzer’s diet program consisted of:
Cereal and grain: Four or more servings per day
Fruits and vegetables: Four or more servings per day
The high-protein group (fish, meat, eggs): Two or more servings each day (Basic serving of meat = 3.5 ounces)
Dairy products (milk and cheese): Two servings per day.
Gym Girl Inspiration: How To Jumpstart Your Transformation (+ 10 Instagram Hottest Fit Girls)
If it weren’t for the fit girls, Instagram wouldn’t be what it is today. In other words, Mark Zuckerberg owes a lot of his success to female fitness Instagram celebrities. Maybe he too gets in a little gym girl inspiration before heading to work every morning, who knows?
The best part about fit gym girls on the Gram, you ask?
Not only are the female Instagram athletes aesthetically appealing and a treat to look at, but most of them are constantly putting out content to motivate their followers to kickstart their own transformation journies.
Beginning Your Transformation Journey
For most people, scrolling through Instagram can lead to sensory pleasure. According to research, it is one of the reasons why it can be so addictive.
On the other hand, Instagram can also have a negative psychological impact. As per a study, looking at photos of perfectly chiseled goddesses can hurt your body image and self-esteem. We are sorry to report this but your favorite Instagram gym girl is causing this too.
Let’s take a quick test to check if fit girls are causing you to procrastinate your body transformation, shall we?
Open the Instagram app on your phone and scroll for 10-seconds. Was most of your feed graced by photos and reels of bikini-clad gym girls? Is “train regularly” a constant on your new year’s resolution every year, but you cannot find the time or motivation to work out?
If you found yourself nodding to both the questions above, fit girls are probably one of the reasons behind your inaction.
Related: The Hottest Legs on Instagram
How To Jumpstart Your Transformation
Looking at picture-perfect gym girl physiques can be intimidating. It can leave you feeling hopeless. Many people never start their body transformation because the workouts they see online look terrifying.
At the same time, you might feel ready to begin a body transformation but not know where to start. If you are one of these people, the buck stops for you today.
Feeling unprepared and anxious before starting a physique transformation is normal. Every pro athlete had to start somewhere. In fact, many successful bodybuilders started lifting because of their body insecurities.
As they say, the best time to start working out was five years ago. The second best is now.
Must Read: 5 Reasons Why Your Transformation Isn’t Working
This is how you can achieve your dream physique:
1. Get the Fundamentals Right
Do not worry. We will not ask you to get under a bar and squat on your first day. In fact, it is the most common rookie mistake. Instead of “diving right in,” you should “ease into” the fitness lifestyle.
i. Check-Up
Before you start training and gulping down fancy supplements, you should invest in learning more about your body. We highly recommend seeing a doctor for a complete physical and blood work-up.
While your physician might not be the best person to recommend a physique transforming diet or training plan, she is the best person to consult about things you should stay away from.
Keeping a record of your cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and bone density can go a long way in helping transform your physique.
ii. Clean Your Cupboards
While your gym girl fitspo might enjoy a glass of red wine and pizza every once in a while, you should know that she probably does not have that stuff stocked at her home.
There is a famous saying in the fitness industry, “what is in your cupboard will eventually end up in your stomach.” So, give away all the sodas, cookies, candy, ice creams, and snacks and stock up on healthy whole foods.
Having junk food around in your house can tempt you into making poor food choices. Delete the food ordering apps from your phone and distance yourself from unhealthy eating as much as possible.
Next Read: Your Transformation Can Never Be Successful Without These 6 Things
iii. Stock Up on the Good Stuff
If you are serious about transforming your physique, stock up on the following food items:
a. Pantry
Nuts
Olive oil
Quinoa
Oats
Sweet potatoes
Spices
Whole-grain cereals
Natural nut butter
Sesame seeds
Brown rice
Canned tuna
Salmon
b. Fridge
Water
Chicken breast
Greek yogurt
Low-sodium soy sauce
Egg whites
Low-fat milk
Fresh fruits
Turkey
Salsa
Mustard
Although your specific grocery items can vary depending on your diet program, the food items mentioned above can provide you with a balanced blend of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats.
Also, when we say “good stuff,” we are not just referring to healthy food (or weed), but other areas of your life as well, including mental and social. Replace the negative self-talk with positive statements and watch your body transform.
The company you keep during your transformation period can also influence your results. So, surround yourself with people who are on a similar path as you, and maybe avoid your buddies who like getting shit-faced every weekend.
Watch: The Best And Worst Bodybuilding Foods
2. Find the Motivation Within
Crushing on a gym girl can only take you so far. You cannot achieve (and maintain) your dream physique if you lack intrinsic motivation. Figure out why you want to transform your body, plan how you will do it, and act on it. That is how you can stick to a fit lifestyle in the long run.
Related: The Best Gym Motivation Videos of All Time
i. You are Your Own Competition
Many newbies make the mistake of comparing their progress with other people. While Instagram can be a great place to seek gym girl inspiration, it can also be the biggest source of discouragement.
Remember: No two people are the same. Different people will take different amounts of time to show similar progress. Stay patient, and you are bound to see results.
ii. Injuries Should Not Hold You Back
Injuries are a common excuse for delaying one’s transformation journey. Make no mistake, if you are suffering from a serious condition, you should listen to your doctor and follow her advice. But if a muscle sprain or popping joints are your excuses for missing your workout, you are not fooling anyone.
If you follow pro bodybuilders, you would know that many of them train through injuries while prepping for a show. If you are a noob, you should take a professional’s help to train around your injuries.
iii. Start With Light Beginner Workouts
Remember what we said about easing in and not diving in?
The fitness lifestyle is not a sprint. It is more of a marathon. If you want to transform your physique with a focus on improving your health and longevity, you should focus on sticking with your training and nutrition program for the long term.
Since most pro athletes and gym girls post their workout routines online, many beginners follow them in hopes of speeding up their transformation.
If you are a rookie, following Kris Gethin’s 12-week transformation program or any other advanced program is not the best idea. Following an advanced program increases your odds of getting injured while training.
3. Plan to Succeed
As Benjamin Franklin rightly said, “If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail.”
Body transformation is serious business. You need a solid plan to achieve your goals.
Disclaimer: “I will build abs in 4 weeks because my favorite gym girl said she likes them” is not a valid plan.
While planning your transformation, you need to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
Related: 7 Changes Everyone Should Make To Their Training Programs – Today
4. Set Goals
The scale and mirror are good, but they do not tell the whole story. Fitness is about more than looking good. Your goal should be to be healthy and functional at optimal levels.
Apart from setting monumental goals for yourself, have small goals that you can tick off every week. The feeling of achieving your goal can motivate you to stay on track.
For example, do not limit your goal to “reach 10% body fat in 6 months”. You might lose motivation after a few weeks as there is no urgency involved. Instead, set smaller goals like “run 1K and plank for 5 minutes every day for 1 week.”
5. Go For the Kill
Once you have all the pre-requisites in place, you need to put in everything you have got. Discipline and persistence are key ingredients for a successful physique transformation.
You need to ensure that you never miss a meal or workout session. While training hard and eating right are important, pros value their recovery program just as much. You break muscle in the gym and put on size and strength during deep sleep. You need to sleep for at least six hours every night to ensure optimal recovery after your workouts.
Check Out: 5 Recovery Tips To Help You Build Muscle Faster
6. Access and Reassess
Accessing your progress after every few weeks is indispensable for staying on track with your goals. If you feel you are on the right path, keep going. On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with your results, evaluate your transformation program and make necessary adjustments.
Over and above that, there is a constant inflow of new information in the fitness world. New experiments and studies are being conducted routinely. Limiting yourself to a few training techniques can result in you hitting a plateau or getting bored and quitting the fit lifestyle.
To sum it up, always be on the lookout for new ways to achieve alpha in the gym.
10 Instagram Hottest Fit Girls | Gym Girl Inspiration
These 10 gym girls rule Instagram:
1. Michelle Lewin
Michelle Lewis is the Instagram gym girl OG. She has over 14 million followers and shows no signs of slowing down. Lewin has her roots in modeling and realized her full potential after starting training. From winning IFBB shows, featuring in music videos to being on the cover of magazines, Michelle Lewin has done it all.
Check Out: How Michelle Lewin Works Out For A Perfectly Sculpted Physique
2. Krissy Cela
Krissy’s girl-next-door looks and perfectly toned physique make her one of the most popular gym girls on Instagram. She regularly posts her workouts on her page for others to follow.
3. Yanet Garcia
“The Mexican Weather Girl” is an actress, model, certified health coach, and trainer. There is nothing Yanet cannot do. She is also on Onlyfans if that’s what you were wondering.
Check Out: WCW: Bask In The Beautiful Glory of the Fit and Sexy Yanet Garcia
4. Lauren Simpson
Lauren Simpson posts one of the most detailed workout videos and posts on the list. The fit gym girl’s Instagram handle is a must-follow if you are always short on workout ideas or recipes.
5. Caitlin Turner
If you are into yoga, you cannot go wrong with following Caitlin Tuner. She is an avid traveler who will get you trying new asanas in no time.
6. Anllela Sagra
Anllela Sagra is probably the most ripped gym girl on the list. Her shredded abdomen can put many pro bodybuilders to shame. Sagra has multiple figure contest wins under her belt.
Related: The Anllela Sagra Diet For The Perfect Physique
7. Emily Skye
Skye is the founder of the F.I.T. (Fitness Inspiration Transformation) program, and her Instagram feed is full of how-to workout videos and photos of her chiseled physique. The Australian fitness model is well-known for her no-nonsense approach to dieting, training, and living a healthy life.
Also, for people looking for pregnancy-friendly workout routines, Emily has got you covered with her recent journey to motherhood.
8. Jen Setler
Jen Setler rose to fame with her belfies. She has one of the best buts on the internet. Setler routinely puts out glute training videos for her fans to follow.
Next Read: 10 Best Butts On The Internet 2021
9. Ana Cheri
Ana Cheri is one of the hottest gym girls of all time. Her drop-dead gorgeous looks, hourglass physique, and intense workout videos make her one of the most popular fitness celebrities on the internet. Ana is a former Playboy Playmate and has been featured in many big publications.
10. Karina Elle
Karina was a competitive cheerleader and Cross Country runner for the majority of her life. She’s also a winner of the World Fitness Federation Pro Bikini Championship.
Conclusion
While we can understand gazing at the goddesses on your phone might be the best part of your day, but do not use that as an excuse to stay in bed all day long.
Channel that energy and motivation, and use the steps mentioned above to achieve the physique of your dreams. We cannot promise that carving your goal body will be easy, but it will totally be worth it.
Who is your favorite gym girl? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Sonia Isaza Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Sonia Isaza
Photo via @niaisazaoficial Instagram
Sonia Isaza is a Colombian bodybuilder and fitness model with an amazing physique. Starting out as a model, she transformed her physique to competition ready and shares her journey with her massive following on social media.
Below is a complete breakdown of her profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Sonia Isaza
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
115-125 lbs.
5’3”
09/24/1988
Profession
Era
Nationality
Bodybuilder, Fitness Model
2010
Colombian
Photo via @niaisazaoficial Instagram
Biography
Born in Colombia, Sonia was always active and stayed as healthy as she could. Throughout her teen and high school years she was content with life, but her early-20’s saw a change in that mindset. She wanted more. She wanted to push herself to see just how far she would go. She began going to the gym and slowly over time transformed her physique.
In the mid-2000’s, she moved to the United States and settled in California. Her lifestyle was that of a competitive bodybuilder and she sought to always try and perfect her fitness and lifestyle routines. Fairly soon after, she started on social media and without even trying, began to build a larger following. She now uses her platform to motivate others so they too can have a physique like Sonia herself.
Training
Sonia’s training revolves around using a variety of exercises. For those lower body muscles, she puts an emphasis on her quads and glutes while upper body is abs with a focus on building those surrounding muscles. A favorite machine of Sonia’s is the smith machine, for she can perform many exercises while also focusing on toning.
Abs are a key part of her routine and she believes in a traditional approach to a strong core. For reps, she will do around 10-15 per exercise and really push the variety, either focusing on crunches or other bodyweight exercises, but also working with cables and machines as well.
Photo via @niaisazaoficial Instagram
Nutrition
Sonia puts an emphasis on whole foods and works incredibly hard with her diet. Balancing out her macronutrients is key in staying on track and she will indulge in a cheat meal here or there. For the most part, her diet is clean, whole, and one to keep her moving at maximum capacity.
Supplementation
Along with a solid training routine and nutrition plan, Sonia focuses on supplements to give her that extra boost. While she uses her own supplements of choice, some key products to note are protein powders, pre-workouts, and BCAAs. These will ensure a well-rounded routine for pre-, mid-, and post-workout gains. To optimize health and wellness, a multivitamin and omega-3 supplements are key for ensuring you stay in the gym and grinding away.
Abby Pollock Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and accomplishments of Abby Pollock
Image via Instagram @abby
Abby Pollock is a social media fitness celebrity born on 15 October 1994 in Toronto, Canada. Her not-so-humble fan following (710K followers on Instagram and 898K subscribers on YouTube) is a result of her motivational and instructional posts, humility, and total transparency with her followers.
Below is a complete breakdown of Abby Pollock’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Abby Pollock
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
150-160 lbs
5’7″
15/10/1994
Division
Era
Nationality
Physique Competitor
2010
Canadian
Image via Instagram @abby
Biography
Abby Pollock was not always the fitspo people know her as today. She suffered severely from under-eating while growing up. Although Pollock was always active and involved in sports, she wanted to be skinny.
By the time Abby Pollock entered grad school, she was 20 lbs underweight and was struggling with symptoms of anorexia (lack of appetite) and bulimia (binge eating followed by purging; and excessive concern with body shape and weight).
Abby was struggling in school at the time and was in a bad relationship. As a result, she used food as a “safe space.” Without any prior dieting knowledge, Abby decided to limit her daily calorie consumption to 1,000 kcal with the goal of remaining skinny.
Abby Pollock used MyFitnessPal to track her diet and calorie intake and ensured she did not eat more than the bare minimum required to function throughout the day. Meaning – despite her hectic study schedule and regular cardio training, Abby restricted her diet to 900-1000 calories per day.
As Pollock lost weight through her restrictive diet program, she became obsessed with losing more. In the process of losing more weight, she progressed from simply eating “clean,” to eating a paleo diet of raw foods.
Entering The Fitness Lifestyle
Her typical diet routine included having a vegetable smoothie for breakfast and then eating a small salad for lunch and dinner. After following the calorie-restrictive diet plan for a while, Abby Pollock realized she was always tired and running low on energy. It was then she realized she needed a lifestyle change.
The final nail in her old diet plan’s coffin came when, in 2013, she found out that her father had terminal cancer. This terrible news, combined with issues in her love life caused Abby to look for a way out of her suffering (both emotional and physical).
On being asked about this period, Abby says, “I was done playing the victim.” She decided to turn her life around and planned to make big modifications to her diet and training routine.
Being a fitness noob herself, Abby Pollock hired a personal trainer and nutritionist to create a workout routine and high protein diet to help her physique transformation.
To kickstart her transformation journey, Abby increased her calorie intake to 2,000 kcal per day. Her workout program was focused on adding muscle mass to her thin frame.
Lifting weights and eating right helped her carve the physique of her dreams.
Becoming a Social Media Sensation
While undergoing her transformation, Abby Pollock started posting about her journey and experiences on her social media channels. Unexpectedly, her story resonated with a lot of people, and she started attracting attention.
Abby also landed interviews with some big women’s lifestyle magazines – talking about her story and explaining how she changed her life around. This took her fan following to the next level.
Once she built a decent following on Instagram, she began posting motivational videos and photos. Abby wanted to use her platform to help other women struggling with their weight.
Her soaring popularity led her to start a YouTube channel. Abby Pollock started making training, nutrition, and lifestyle videos to reach out to a larger audience. Abby’s videos were warmly received, and she turned into a fitness sensation.
Image via Instagram @abby
Training
Before Abby Pollock started following a personalized training program, she was doing two hours of cardio a day. The high cardio activity combined with her low-calorie intake put her in a calorie deficit. Abby was burning more calories in a day than she was consuming, meaning – she could not build the body she wanted.
After discussing her goals with her trainer, Abby switched to doing two shorter cardio sessions per week instead of the two long hours of cardio every day.
Pollock also added resistance training to her workout regimen to help her build muscle mass. Abby performs four weightlifting workouts per week. Her training philosophy includes lifting as heavy as possible without compromising her form.
Once she put her new training program and approach into motion, she noticed impressive gains in her glutes and quads. According to her, she was building the body that she had always dreamed of, with the weighted exercises she had always feared.
Training Routine
Abby Pollock hits the gym four times a week and her workouts last anywhere between 45-60 minutes. Her four-day training routine includes:
1. Lower Body
Squat: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Step-up: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Hip Thrust: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Dumbbell Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Reverse Lunge: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Standing Smith Machine Calf Raise: 3 sets of 15-20 reps
2. Back and Biceps
3. Shoulders and Triceps
Seated Dumbbell Press: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Lateral to Front Raise: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
EZ Bar Upright Row: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Dumbbell Shrugs: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Cable Press-down: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Diamond Push-up: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Dumbbell Kickback: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
EZ Bar Skullcrusher: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
4. Lower Body
Barbell Squat: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Lunge: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Cable Pull-through: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
GHD Extension: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Hip Thrust: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Seated Calf Raise: 3 sets of 12-15 reps
Image via Instagram @abby
Nutrition
After following a balanced diet for years, Abby Pollock has arrived at the ideal calorie value she needs to consume every day to keep her physique in shape.
Abby follows a flexible diet that allows her to eat whatever she wants as long as it fits her daily calorie needs. She also focuses on her daily macronutrient needs and consumes a healthy dose of carbs, protein, and fat in each meal.
Apart from flexible dieting, Abby also incorporates intermittent fasting into her regimen. She fasts for 16 hours a day which is said to increase the body’s capabilities of using stored energy.
Abby Pollock’s four meal diet program includes:
Meal One
Scrambled eggs with ground turkey and vegetables
Snack: An apple with baby carrots
Meal Two
(‘Chocolate oats’) Oatmeal, egg whites, almond milk, cocoa, and stevia mixture
Meal Three
Spaghetti squash with ground turkey, vegetables, and cheese sauce made from almond milk and cheddar
Meal Four
Protein ice cream made with protein powder, a banana, almond milk, and ice.
Terry Crews Workout & Diet Program
Look like a Hollywood superstar with the Terry Crews Workout & Diet Program!
Terry Crews is an actor, TV presenter, and former NFL football player. He first earned acclaim as an actor for playing Julius Rock in Everbody Hates Chris and Terry Jeffords in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Also, who can forget his classic Old Spice commercials?
Apart from being known for his impeccable sense of humor, acting, and football skills, Terry is an advocate for women’s rights and an activist against sexism. In 2017, ‘Time‘ magazine featured him in the ‘Person of the Year‘ list for his courage in sharing his experience of sexual assault.
Growing up, Terry Crews enjoyed expressing himself through art and earned a sponsored art scholarship at the Center for Arts in Michigan.
Related: Terry Crews Claims He Was Groped By A “High-Level Hollywood Executive”
After finishing high school, he earned another scholarship in Art Excellence. We bet you did not know this about the pec popping star.
Apart from his artistic passions, Terry is a skilled football player. Although arts was his favorite hobby for the majority of his schooling days, a growing passion for football soon took over.
Terry played as a linebacker for WMU broncos, and his outstanding performances earned him and his team All-Conference honors and the 1988 Mid-American Conference Championship title.
Terry Crews Stats
Name: Terrence Alan Crews
D.o.B.: 30 July 1968
Birthplace: Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 245 lbs
Profession: Actor, TV Presenter, ex-Football Player
Watch: Conor McGregor Does His Best Terry Crews Impression After Autograph Signing
Terry Crew’s Transition From Football to Acting
During his six-year pro football career (1991-1997), Terry played for some of the top NFL teams, including Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Diego Chargers.
Terry Crews Career NFL Statistics
Games played: 32
Tackles: 57
Assists: 38
After retiring from NFL in 1997, Crews moved to LA to pursue a career in acting. His first film was ‘Young Boys Incorporated‘ – that he had also co-produced.
Terry Crews made his Hollywood debut in 2000 with the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, “The 6th Day.” Although Crews started his career with a big film, he failed to land a single gig for the following two years.
After spending a couple of years searching for work, Terry finally made his first big breakthrough. He got a role in the movie Friday After Next, playing Damon.
Trivia: In his autobiography ‘Manhood: How to Be a Better Man or Just Live with One,’ Terry Crews revealed that he was addicted to pornography. He underwent rehabilitation in 2010 to overcome his porn addiction.
Related: TOP 30 MUSCLE MOVIES
Terry Crews Fitness Principles
Crews is a hardcore Hollywood action hero. He spent four years as an NFL linebacker and still lifts with a dedication that would put many pro athletes to shame.
Here are some fitness principles Terry Crews swears by:
1. Do Not Be Scared of Failure
Terry Crews is not scared of pushing his boundaries, whether in a gym or on a movie set. Talking about comedy, Terry said, “Comedy is all about failure, and you need to learn how to fail because jokes don’t always work.”
The same could be said for working out as well. You would never realize your true potential until you go all-out in the gym. Bump up your training intensity, and you will be surprised by how much your body can endure.
2. You Get Better With Age
With age comes experience. Crews still trains with ridiculous intensity but has tweaked his workouts to better suit his busy schedule, age, and joints.
“As a young man, I could jump off a roof, fall on my back and get up without a problem. But now, if I stub my toe, I’m out for two weeks. It made me realize that instead of just working harder, I needed to work smarter. I used to lift lots of heavyweights for lots of reps, but it would wear me down. So I tried lowering the reps, and I found that if I just got two heavy reps in per set instead of five or six, I’d get more benefit from it. Plus I’d recover better, and I wouldn’t feel as tired.” – Terry Crews
According to The Expendables actor, you should experiment with different training techniques and figure out what works for your body. He believes that your workouts should always make you feel better, not worse.
Related: Benefits of High-Intensity Interval Training For Bodybuilders
3. Experiment With Food
Crews has been making adjustments to his diet regimen as he has gotten older.
Like many pros, Terry Crews used to eat five to six times a day when he was younger. But he eventually realized that he was eating too much and had to work out even harder to burn off the excess calories.
Terry is currently following an Intermittent Fasting (IF) diet that seems to be working wonderfully for him, but more on this later.
4. Run For a Better Physique
Terry Crews is an avid runner and runs four miles (6.5 km) a day. He claims to cover the distance in less than 30 minutes. On being asked about his running routine, Crews says, “I really notice the difference when I don’t run – I become irritable. I’m not the same person.”
Related: Why Running and Bodybuilding Are A Great Combination For Gains
5. Believe in Yourself
You need to set big goals for yourself and then have the faith and courage to pursue them. Terry believes in having people who want the best for you and see you succeed in your corner. You need to share your goals and progress with them. This close circle will keep you accountable in your transformation journey.
Check Out: Terry Crews Faces Off With CT Fletcher In This Intense Gym Session
Terry Crews Diet Program
Terry Crews does not believe in bulking or cutting. He believes in looking good all the time.
“I always stay about two weeks out from being able to take my shirt off.” – Terry Crews
Terry does not follow a typical Hollywood action star diet program. You will not see him gulping down 6-8 meals every day. And no, chicken breast and rice are not on his menu.
Crews follows a 16:8 Intermittent fasting (IF) diet. Meaning – He fasts for 16 hours straight and eats anywhere between 3-4 meals in an eight-hour window.
Terry eats his first meal at 2 pm, and his biggest meal comes at around 10 pm. During his fasting periods, he only drinks green tea and amino acids.
As per Terry, eating his biggest meal at night helps his body produce more testosterone and growth hormone while he sleeps – giving him more fuel for his workout for the next morning.
Related: Do Carbs at Night Make You Leaner or Fatter?
Terry Crews Diet Regimen
Meal #0 (5 am): A glass of amino acids. He drinks a gallon of amino acids a day.
Terry might also have a cup or two of coffee in a day, but with coconut oil and no sugar or cream. The oil provides healthy fats that his body needs in a fasting cycle.
Meal #1 (2 pm): Eggs and bacon with a salad, or a charcuterie board filled with salami, cheeses, bread, and of course, almonds.
Meal #2 (5 pm): Protein shake.
Meal #3 (8 pm): Bread, pasta, bison ribeye, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
Snack (10 pm): Cheesecake/Pudding/Pie/Pinkberry
Terry Crews is a self-proclaimed dessert guy. He does not end his day without a slice of cheesecake or two. Terry being Terry uses almond flour as a base for the cheesecake as it provides him with essential healthy fats.
Cheat Days
Terry Crews follow the IF diet six days a week and allows himself one cheat day. On his cheat days, the Hollywood star eats whatever he wants – pizza, ice cream, pancakes, you name it.
Related: This Is How You Can Overcome A Cheat Meal
Terry Crews Workout Program
Terry’s athletic background and years of training experience weigh heavily in his training regimen. He prefers compound exercises such as power cleans and deadlifts as he believes these build “total-body power” and thicken his muscles.
After completing his functional routine, Terry focuses on specific muscle groups using isolation movements. Crews is an advocate of lifting heavy (especially for men in their 40s and 50s) as he believes it helps boost testosterone levels naturally.
Next Read: Isolation Vs. Compound Exercises: Strength, Weight Loss & More
Terry Crews Training Routine
Terry follows a five-day training routine and gives his body two days off to rest and recuperate from his workouts.
Monday: Legs
Warm-up: 5 minutes
Leg press: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Standing calf raise: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Hack squat: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Leg extension: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Hanging leg raise: 4 sets to failure
4-mile run
Terry Crews starts his workout routine with a leg workout. Unlike most lifters, Crews trains his calves in the middle of his leg training session. Remember: Figure out what works for you and stick with it. It is the fastest way of making progress in the gym.
Tuesday: Chest and Arms
Warm-up: 5 minutes
Push-up: 4 sets of 15 reps
Incline bench press: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Barbell bench press: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Pull-up: 4 sets of 25, 18, 15, 10-12 reps per set
Dumbell curl: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Bicep curl 21s: 4 sets of 7 reps per set
Push-up and dip superset: 3 sets to failure
4-mile run
On Tuesday, Terry trains his chest and arms. The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star does not spend more than 1.5 hours in the gym. He keeps his rest duration between sets limited to 60 seconds. So, focus on keeping your intensity high throughout the workout.
Wednesday: Stretch, Abs, and Cardio
Warm-up: 5 minutes
Push-up: 4 sets of 15 reps
Stretching exercises
Shoulder Side lateral raise: 1 set of 10 reps
Reverse fly: 1 set of 10 reps
Hanging leg raise: 1 set to failure
Crunch: 1 set to failure
4-mile run
The third day of the week is a relatively easy day for Crews. He performs a series of stretching exercises to loosen his muscles and improve his mobility. He finishes the workout with a couple of ab exercises done to failure.
Thursday – Back
Warm-up: 5 minutes
Barbell deadlift: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Pull-up: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Side to side chin-up: 1 set per side at 6 reps per set, and 1 set in the middle at 3 reps
Reverse-grip bent-over row: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Smith machine bent-over row: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
Seated cable rows: 4 sets of 10, 8, 6, 4 reps per set
4-mile run
Terry follows a high-volume routine on his back day. He starts his back workout with deadlifts and then moves on to pull-ups for building width and ends with rowing exercises for thickness.
Friday – Shoulders and Plyometrics
Terry Crews includes a variety of exercises in his workouts to ensure he is targeting his muscles from every angle. Although his shoulder workout is short, he makes sure he has annihilated the muscle group by the end of the session.
Check Out: Top Hollywood A-Listers With Awesome Physiques
Supplements
Terry Crews relies on supplements to recover after his workouts and power him through his days. He uses the following supplements:
1. Multivitamins: Terry Crews takes vitamins thrice a day. It ensures that he is meeting his daily micronutrient goals.
2. Amino Acids: Crews wakes up at 4:45 am every day and eats his first meal nine hours later. He sips on amino acids throughout the day to keep his energy levels high.
3. Whey Protein: Protein is the building block of muscle. Terry has a protein shake between his lunch and dinner to ensure he is not burning off any muscle mass.
Next Read: TERRY CREWS’ SECRET UPPER BODY WORKOUT
Conclusion
Terry Crews know a thing or two-thousand about fitness. He has managed to maintain a ripped physique for 20 odd years. The Expendables star proves that age is just a number on your driver’s license.
If you were to internalize one thing from the Terry Crews workout and diet program, it should be this – experiment with a lot of new things and stick to what works for you – even if it means going against the grain.
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