Tag: Bodybuilding
Melvin Anthony Defends Chad Nicholls & Other Gurus: It’s Not Their Fault If Bodybuilders Take Too Much
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Melvin Anthony shares his personal experience working with Chad Nicholls and defends against accusations that gurus are killing bodybuilders.
Chad Nicholls and other bodybuilding gurus have been subject to criticism in recent years. There have been claims that the kind of supplementation and protocols they advise is too risky. That gurus are not doctors and should not be providing athletes with drug protocols that could end up endangering the athlete. Melvin Anthony is a bodybuilder who worked directly with Chad Nicholls and believes that these accusations are false. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Melvin Anthony defends Chad Nicholls and other gurus – claiming that the risk comes from bodybuilders not following protocol.
In the world of pro bodybuilding, the human body is like a machine that needs the perfect set of elements to run perfectly. Bodybuilders will spend their entire lives trying to determine what works perfect for their own individual bodies. Not only that – but how to then push the limits and take their mass and physique to the next level. Bodybuilding gurus help aid in that process. They provide knowledgable insight into how to train, diet and supplement.
The unspoken truth is that this also involves advice on performance enhancing drugs and other substances. Over the years, these gurus have been praised for their knowledge and the results seen in their clients. They help bring athletes to new heights. But more recently, criticism has been laid at gurus for the dangers posed by their supplementation and protocol advice. Should a guru be held responsible if a health emergency happens to one of their clients because of the very protocol they recommended?
Melvin Anthony caught word of the recent allegations against gurus like Chad Nicholls. The claims go so far as to say he and other gurus like him are killing people. That they are drug dealers with no real medical experience. That they should be held responsible. Anthony disagrees. In fact, he has directly worked with Chad Nicholls. From his experience, Nicholls was nothing but knowledgable and responsible. He always took health into consideration when putting together a protocol for Anthony.
Melvin Anthony believes that the blame thrown towards bodybuilding gurus have been blown out of proportion. Yes, there is always an inherent risk in being a pro bodybuilder. But he also believes that many of the medical emergencies or tragic deaths are not due to the gurus – but the athletes themselves. A guru can only recommend a training program or drug protocol. When the bodybuilder goes home – there’s no telling whether or not that person really follows it. If the bodybuilder takes more than recommended and something bad happens, the guru is not directly responsible.
More than that, a bodybuilder can also not be transparent or truthful about their own lifestyle. A drug protocol might be recommended based on the current diet and training the athlete is doing. But if the athlete is actually not being truthful about their diet, or perhaps their own medical history, then the recommendation by the guru is based off of half truths. In this case, again, the guru is not responsible.
Melvin Anthony believes that this kind of miscommunication is what is largely to blame for medical issues with bodybuilders. He thinks that the responsibility lies with the athlete at the end of the day. No one is forcing them to do anything and, more importantly, if they don’t follow directions to a tee – it’s beyond the guru’s control.
You can watch Melvin Anthony go into detail about his experience with Chad Nicholls and his opinion on bodybuilding gurus in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Iraqi Heavyweight Champion Bodybuilder Salah Hussein Has Reportedly Died
Salah Hussein, famous bodybuilder from Iraq, has reportedly passed away.
Salah Hussein, the former heavyweight champion in Iraq, has reportedly passed away due to a brain stroke. The news has started to spread on social media and was first reported on Instagram by Bashir.Online.
“Salah Hussein, the famous Iraqi heavyweight champion, died of a brain stroke. He is a familiar name to Iranians because he once came to Tehran for participating in the Asian competition of the year and went on stage in the heavyweight category in freedom hall. Rest In Peace.”
Salah Hussein was one of the biggest names in bodybuilding in Iraq. He began making a name for himself in 2010 and worked his way up to being the IFBB Super Heavyweight World champion. During the Asian Games in 2010 in Tehran, Iran, Hussein helped Iraq place second in the competition behind Iran.
This is where Salah Hussein competed against Hassan Rahnamayyan and it sparked a friendly rivalry. Rahnamayyan, who is a champion from Iran, took to Instagram to tribute Hussein and express sadness.
“I can’t believe it,” Rahnamayyan wrote on Instagram. He continued:
“Our friendship began in 2010 competition on the stage of the Asian competition in Tehran, when I was invited by my dear friend Haitham Musavi and the presidency of Iraqi Federation as a guest to the Iraqi Technical Committee for the National Team Selection Competition. I was added and went to Iraqi Kurdistan in 2017, how much we messed with each other, he said if you are right, put a match again in Iraq, I will catch you this time, I said that I told you to get up for the Diamond Cup competition.”
“I’m writing these, my heart hurts, so that we can appreciate each other as long I will always remember you my friend. Rip my friend.”
Generation Iron will continue to update this piece as more information becomes available as no official source has confirmed the death or details at this time.
Generation Iron send out condolences to the friends and family of Salah Hussein during this difficult time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
George Farah Believes Being Shot Is A Main Reason He Got Cancer
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George Farah recounts the story of being shot and how he believes it relates to his later cancer diagnosis.
George Farah has lived many lives, almost literally. He’s nearly died twice. Once when he was shot in a bizarre wrong place, wrong time incident. And again later when he flatlined during a dramatic moment battling cancer. It’s at once tragic and miraculous what he’s been and survived through. That’s why we asked him to recount the story of being shot – which he surprisingly connects to later getting cancer. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, George Farah explains why he believes beings hot later led to him having cancer.
It’s well known at this point that George Farah was shot in an accidental mishap. It’s also well known that he was diagnosed with cancer and later (thankfully) recovered. He’s been through a lot. What’s great about Farah is that he’s a talker – and he’s completely open about discussing both the shooting incident and his diagnosis and battle with cancer. During our recent video conversation – we asked him to recount the moment he was shot and what that experience was like.
He briefly explained how he was misidentified as someone else – whom the shooter was gunning for. It was a “wrong place, wrong time” kind of situation. He also describes how traumatic the entire fallout was. He wouldn’t wish that kind of near death shooting experience to happen to anyone. Most people watching this video will likely agree. No one wants to be shot.
But the interesting bit of this story comes from what George Farah says afterwards. While he has no direct evidence, he believes that being shot is what eventually led to his later cancer diagnosis. He believes that having led pierce through your body as a foreign object is not good for your health (obviously).
But what he means more specifically, is that small fragments of the lead were most likely not able to be removed. That is then settling and flowing through his body in areas like his intestines. He thinks this kind of toxic and foreign material in his body is one of the main reasons he eventually had cancer.
“Because of that gunshot and because of those bullet fragments they left in me – that’s probably one of the main reasons I got cancer,” George Farah claims in our interview. He continues:
“I truly, truly believe, you know, just like you know lead is not good. That’s why if you have a house with lead, you have to paint it because it’s cancer, whatever, it’s not good… so imagine you have lead in your intestines and your rectum and all those places. They couldn’t take everything out. I think that’s one of the reasons.”
It’s an interesting theory and one that he whole hardily believes. Ultimately he tries not to dwell on it much. As he says it himself, he’s been “dead a couple of times.” He believes that there is a greater plan of fate that brings him through it. He’s grateful to be alive. It’s also a big reason why he’s changed his attitude about health in bodybuilding in our past interview segments. He knows what it’s like to almost lose life. Anything that one can do to extend life and avoid health risks should be taken seriously.
You can watch George Farah go into full detail about being shot and his cancer diagnosis in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Legendary Bodybuilding Photographer Jimmy Caruso Dies At 95 Years Old
Jimmy Caruso, who is famous for his photographs of Arnold Schwarzenegger, passed away at age 95.
Jimmy Caruso, a legendary photographer in the sport of bodybuilding, passed away at the age of 95 on July 18. There was no cause of death released at the time.
Legendary physique photographer Jimmy Caruso died on July 18 at 95. The Montreal gym owner and Weider lensman shot some of the most iconic photos of Arnold Schwarzenegger and others in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s. Here’s a story we did in 2019:https://t.co/yK8OKtnuKn pic.twitter.com/V0iBbbvxWR
— THE BARBELL (@TheBarbell) July 20, 2021
Caruso worked for Joe Weider’s Muscle Builder/Power magazine during the 1960’s. This is where his relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger began.
Hailing from Montreal, Jimmy Caruso is best known for his photographs and relationship with the best bodybuilder of all-time. In 1968, Schwarzenegger would come to America to compete in the 1968 Mr. Universe, where he finished second behind Frank Zane. That same weekend, Schwarzenegger signed with Weider’s and had his first ever photo shoot in America. Caruso was the man behind the camera.
Caruso began showing an interest in photography at 14 years old when he was inspired by the work of Victor Nicoletti. He worked his way up to the top and earned an IFBB Recognition Award as the “greatest physique photographer.”
Schwarzenegger was photographer many times by Caruso and took to Twitter to send his condolences to his family.
“Jimmy Caruso was an artist, a visionary, and just a good man. His photos were beautiful and helped tell the story of the golden age of bodybuilding. You have heard me say I’m not a self-made man over and over – people like Jimmy are a big reason why.”
Jimmy Caruso was an artist, a visionary, and just a good man. His photos were beautiful and helped tell the story of the golden age of bodybuilding. You have heard me say I’m not a self-made man over and over – people like Jimmy are a big reason why. pic.twitter.com/Zw0dTlBegN
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 20, 2021
Caruso was not just a photographer. He dabbled in the bodybuilding game himself, along with being a trainer of many champion boxers and bodybuilders and a personal trainers at his gym. Caruso opened “Caruso Gym” In Montreal in 1954 when he was 29 years old. That was the same year that he finished second at the Most Muscular Montreal competition.
As a trainer, Jimmy Caruso had a big hand in the success of Roy Callender. In 1977, Callender won the Canadian Championships after being persuaded to leave professional wrestling and get back into the world of bodybuilding by Caruso. He would enjoy success during the 1970’s and 1980’s, including winning the 1979 IFBB Pro Universe and competing in Mr. Olympia four years in a row.
Today, Caruso’s gym is now known as “Gym-Zone Decarie.” Caruso stayed active well into the later part of his life. In recent years, Caruso was still actively working as a personal trainer in his gym.
Jimmy Caruso will be remembered as a legendary photographer and figure in the sport of bodybuilding. Schwarzenegger was not the only one to tribute Caruso at this time.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the true gentleman in our sport, Jimmy Caruso. The iconic bodybuilding photographer passed on July 18th, just prior to his 96th birthday. Some of the most legendary photos of Arnold over the years came from Jimmy’s lenses. He will be sadly missed. RIP,” Arnold Sports Festival posted on Facebook.
Jimmy Caruso Death – Obituary, Funeral, Cause Of DeathJimmy Caruso was an artist, a visionary, and just a good man. His photos were beautiful and helped tell the story of the golden age of bodybuilding……click link to learn more https://t.co/mF1SOvZ0l5
— News36Up (@News36U) July 21, 2021
Legendary bodybuilding photographer Jimmy Caruso dies at 95 https://t.co/iNeelzBihq via @evbodybuilding #jimmycaruso #photography @Schwarzenegger @ketch #evolutionofbodybuilding
— evo.bodybuilding-net (@evbodybuilding) July 20, 2021
Generation Iron send out condolences to the friends and family of Jimmy Caruso during this difficult time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
How to Get Ripped Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods
How to Get Ripped and Still Eat Your Favorite Foods
Many people take an extreme approach with their diet to get ripped. They cut out all their favorite foods and go on a very low-calorie diet just to get a shredded physique.
The truth is, you don’t have to do this. If anything, you’re doing more harm than good when you give up your favorite foods.
For most people, this isn’t sustainable, and crash diets are anything but healthy for you.
Is it worth cutting out your favorite foods to be ripped?
Eating chicken and broccoli all day isn’t fun for anyone. I don’t know about you, but you couldn’t trade me the best physique in the world if it meant I had to give up my favorite foods.
Well once you know what it takes to lose fat, you’ll know that you can whatever you want.
To lose fat, it’s about the amount of calories you consume.
Fat Loss
Fat loss always comes down to burning more calories than you take in. If you eat less and exercise more, you’ll lose weight.
Cutting calories out of your diet is what allows you to burn fat.
What you eat doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re in a caloric deficit. You can eat pizza, wings, chips, donuts, you name it if you eat it and you’re still in a caloric deficit, then you’re still going to lose fat.
Now that’s not to say to have a buffet every night and eat whatever you want. That’s because healthier foods are more nutrient-dense and fill you up off fewer calories than unhealthy foods.
But there’s nothing wrong with a little moderation.
Body Fat Percentage
To be ripped, you need to make sure you’re at the appropriate body fat percentage. You’ll need to be under 15% to be lean and under 10% to be ripped.
To me, 10-12% is the sweet spot because you’re pretty lean without taking things to the extreme.
At this body fat percentage, you can be pretty flexible with your diet as long as you’re controlling what you eat, hitting certain nutritional targets, and on a quality workout plan.
But for all you go-getters out there that want to be completely shredded, you’ll want to make sure in single-digit body fat to be ripped and shredded.
Just know it will come with a little more sacrifice.
You Can Eat Whatever You Want
To lower your body fat percentage to get ripped, you’ll need to make sure you’re putting your body in a caloric deficit. This is not going to be fun. You’ll be hungry.
But here’s the catch, you can still eat some of your favorite foods. As long as you make sure you’re hitting your calorie target for fat loss, you’ll be good.
How to Get Ripped With Intermittent Fasting
The best approach to hit your calorie target while allowing some room for bigger meals and your favorite foods is through intermittent fasting.
This is going a time without eating and allowing yourself to eat during a set window or after fasting for a while.
This is effective because it allows you to eat bigger meals, your favorite foods that are likely higher in calories than healthy foods, and still hit a caloric deficit.
But you’ll want to monitor how much of your favorite foods you consume.
Intermittent fasting has also been shown to provide a host of benefits.
Benefits
Increase HGH (human growth hormone)
Suppressed appetite
Bigger, more satisfying meals
More mental clarity and concentration
Increased longevity
HGH plays an important role in muscle growth. Studies link intermittent fasting to increase HGH.
Add intermittent fasting to your lifestyle, and you’ll find fat loss becomes a breeze.
Sometimes you’ll wonder how you indulged in that tub of ice cream last night and woke up the next morning leaner.
How to Get Ripped With Flexible Dieting
That’s where flexible dieting comes in. Flexible dieting allows you to eat whatever foods you want as long as you’re hitting your macros and calories.
If you’re eating the amount of calories, protein, fat, and carbs your body needs, then no food is off the table.
Although, you need to keep in mind that this is very hard to do if you don’t eat healthy most of the time.
So I recommend you eat healthy 80% of the time, and whatever you want 20% of the time.
Healthy foods contain lower calories and are more nutrient-dense then junk food. For example, sweet potatoes only contain 200 calories, but they’re satiating. You would need to eat like 800 calories of junk food to feel the same level of fullness.
There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a little cake here and there though. Just make sure you hit your total daily calories for the day.
Conclusion
You can get ripped and still enjoy your favorite foods.
Fat loss comes down to the calories you eat not the foods you eat.
Eating healthy foods does make your body function better and makes it easier to consume fewer calories, but you can still enjoy your favorite foods in moderation if you’re hitting your nutritional targets that put you in a caloric deficit.
If you want to learn more ways to get ripped, follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Train Right For Your Body Type With These 8 Tips
Train Right For Your Body Type With These 8 Tips
Building muscle and crafting the physique of your dreams demands much more than lifting a few dumbbells and drinking a protein shake. Contrary to what you might think, finding the cable pulley machine vacant is not the most surprising thing that can happen in the gym. The fact that most people follow an unsuitable training program as per their body type and still expect to see results top the list.
Since you are reading this article, chances are you are one of these people. While you might see some positive changes in your body after following a vanilla training program (one program fits all), you will not be achieving your body’s maximum potential.
If you want to put on a freak show every time you take your shirt off, you need to double down on your strengths and work on your weaknesses. You’ll only be able to achieve this feat if you train for your body type.
How To Train For Your Body Type
1. Figure Out Your (True) Body Type
When asked about the body type, most people reply with their desired body structure instead of the actual body type. For example, an ectomorph might choose a training and diet program designed for a mesomorph because he wants to have that body composition.
But why would anyone do that, you ask?
Body insecurities.
If ectomorph and mesomorph sound like characters out of Aquaman, here is a quick introduction to body types for you:
Ectomorphs – Naturally lean with narrow shoulders and hips. Ectomorphs have a fast metabolism and struggle to gain weight.
Mesomorphs – Thin build with narrow hips and clavicles. Mesomorphs generally have small joints, long limbs, and stringy muscle bellies.
Endomorphs – Have heavier bone structure with a squarer torso. Endomorphs have wider waists, larger hips, and a slower metabolism.
2. Check For Hybrids
As weird as it might sound – you probably are not a pure breed. We usually tend to make sense of everything by putting it in linear terms, but the world can be more complex than that.
A majority of the people have a dominant body type with a few characteristics of other types, or a body type that has equal qualities of two different body types – meaning you could be an ectomorph with few qualities of a mesomorph.
And if you are wondering – no, it is not a bad thing. You’ll not end up looking like a monster. A combination of body types means you have the strengths of two different body types. Following the right program for your body type will open doors to unlimited gains.
3. Get Your Diet and Workout Programs In Line
Losing or gaining weight will depend on calories in vs. calories out. If you want to lose weight but eat anything you can get your hands on, no amount of hard work in the gym can get you on the right track.
Your diet will determine your body’s size/volume, and workouts will mold your body shape and muscle composition. With this said, diet alone can’t get you your dream physique.
Following a personalized training program will influence your muscle-to-fat ratio. Lifting weights will help you sculpt the body the Greek God would approve. Designing a calorie and macronutrient-focused diet plan and following the correct workout routine as per your body type will give your transformation wings.
4. Ectomorphs Can Go Easy On The Cardio
We are sure you know people who won’t gain weight no matter how much they eat. These people generally are ectomorphs. If ectomorphs do too much cardio in hopes of shedding the excess belly fat in search of abs, they might end up spiking their cortisol levels.
High cortisol levels make the body store more fat as it signals to the body that it is under stress. The body then bumps up its fat reserves in anticipation of a fight or flight situation.
The primary goal of an ectomorph should be to build muscle mass and strength through resistance training. Performing compound lifts like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses can help kickstart your muscle-building journey.
5. Mesomorphs Do Better With Low-Intensity Cardio
Building muscle or losing the extra kilos can be a little tricky for mesomorphs. Since they are in the middle of the two extremes, figuring out the correct training style can involve trial and error.
If you are a mesomorph happy with his body composition, you should add low to moderate-intensity cardio to your fitness routine.
Mesomorphs have fewer slow-twitch muscle fibers because of which they have lower endurance levels. Getting too comfortable with your workouts and not switching up things can lead to a plateau. Although lower-intensity cardio will get you better results, you should switch your exercises constantly to shock your muscles into growing.
6. Endomorphs Can Get Super Big Super Fast
If you are dominantly an endomorph and don’t care about looking like you’ve been on a carb-restricted diet for 1000 years, you are going to experience the magic of genetics. You don’t have to launch a full-blown FBI-style investigation to figure out the body type of most powerlifters and weightlifters.
Design your resistance training around fast-twitch muscle fibers using heavier weights for fewer reps. Low-intensity cardio for burning stubborn body fat will prove to be most effective.
7. Make HIIT Your Darling
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is an incredibly efficient tool for building muscle mass and losing body fat. HIIT workouts are a form of anaerobic exercise that facilitates the burning of stored body fat as fuel.
A raised metabolic rate is one of the most underrated benefits of HIIT workouts. A high metabolic rate makes you burn calories at a faster rate even after your workouts. You’ll still be burning calories while you’re sitting on a couch after a workout. What else could an endomorph want?
8. You Don’t Need Full-Body Strength Training Workouts
Many people, especially fitness rookies, try to outdo themselves in every training session. They routinely perform full-body workouts assuming it will fast-track their physique transformation.
Your goal should be to achieve greater muscle stimulation which is possible through higher volume and intensity. You would be better off training not more than two muscles in a single training session.
Training up to two muscles in a single day also gives your muscles ample time for recovery. Ectomorphs are known to require more time to recover from intense workouts as compared to mesomorphs and endomorphs.
Are your workouts based on your body type? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Best Fat Burners For Men To Shed Fat & Maintain Muscle (Updated 2021)
If you’re serious about muscle maintenance and weight loss, then you need to cut back unwanted belly fat with the best fat burners on the market today.
A successful weight cut means you’ll feel lean with popping abs and a physique that would fit in with the gods of old and having fat burners in your routine will work for muscle maintenance, weight loss, that desired energy boost, and the chance to burn that belly fat. The best fat burners for men can help get you there. But cutting is hard, and unless you dabble in the dark side of supplements (which we do not recommend) you’ll find you’ll be feeling fatigued, hangry as hell and basically wanting to destroy everything. Cutting can be made easier though, and whilst lots of fat burners are just a load of snake oil and/or horses*it, some fat burner supplements can provide good results that make that dreaded calorie deficit a ton more bearable, especially when looking to burn belly fat and promote muscle maintenance with a great energy boost.
When choosing the best fat burner for men, here is our list of the 8 Best Fat Burners to help change your body composition and get that shredded physique for all your training and performance goals.
Best Fat Burners For Men 2021
Best Overall Fat Burner for Men Overall
When looking for the best fat burners around, it is possible to find the one that will work for all your gains. Great ingredients and a powerful formula matched by a quality company behind it will give you the best chance at growth.
Burn Lab Pro
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
3 NutriCaps
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 3 capsules with water.
Burn Lab Pro is an all-around great fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits to really enhance your results as you seek to burn belly fat. Instead of an unhealthy, stim-driven formula, Burn Lab Pro is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free to give you an effective supplement without any fear of jitters or crashing. Burn Lab Pro allows you to shed more body fat from every workout, gain more lean muscle, see better results from diet and exercise, and give you a safe and natural fat burner supplement to tackle any issues, like muscle maintenance and lack of an energy boost.
With 5 powerful and research-backed ingredients, this is the ultimate fat burner for whatever your needs may be. Forslean works to trigger a hormonal cascade to boost fat breakdown and promote fat burning, while Capsimax regulates hormones to increase body heat to block fat stores and control appetite with food. Along with these other ingredients, this advanced formula is designed to target all of your weight loss needs from a fat burner supplement.
Burn Lab Pro is a great all-around fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits. It is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free giving you the best option on the market.
Pros
Great ingredients designed to tackle weight and fat loss goals
No stimulating ingredients with an advanced formula
Safe and natural supplement for your overall health and wellness
From a reputable and high quality company
Cons
Premium priced option
3 capsules is a lot for serving size
Price: $59.00
Check out our individual review for Burn Lab Pro here!
Best Transparent Fat Burner for Men
Knowing what’s in your fat burner is important as you seek the best for your gains. An honest and transparent label are essential for giving you what you want most, which are results.
Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner
Number Of Servings
60
Serving Size
2 Capsules
Stim Or Non-Stim
Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules with 8-10 ounces of water, twice daily, 30-60 minutes before meals.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner is a great supplement to expedite weight loss by allowing you to shed fat, maintain muscle, and build that ideal physique for whatever comes your way. Working with 3 ways to expedite fat loss, this works to increase loss by determining how many calories you should burn, prevent hunger to eliminate snacking and unwanted calories, and offer an enjoyable weight loss experience so you actually work for your fat loss goal more effectively. This company works to provide total transparency with a 100% honest label so you know exactly what you are getting and how much you are getting from a fat burner supplement while shedding belly fat and avoiding muscle breakdown.
With just 9 ingredients, this formula works to give you everything you need to succeed in your weight loss journey while boosting your metabolism. Forslean allows you to release fatty acids from stubborn tissue to stimulate fat loss while green tea works with Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) to influence fat metabolism so fat loss does occur. A host of other ingredients work to your benefit with this advanced formula to make sure your experience is everything you want out of a thermogenic fat burner for that stubborn belly fat loss.
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner is a great burner to expedite weight loss in 3 ways. A 100% honest label ensures quality ingredients and optimal effectiveness.
Pros
Researched-backed doses and an honest label
Safe and effective to help you lose weight while burning belly fat
No artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
Cons
A premium priced option
Only available through their website
The amount of caffeine may be slightly high
Price: $49.00
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Also, check out our individual review for Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner here!
Best All Natural
Natural supplements are always good ways to go and fat burners are no different. Finding the best options around can prove to be worthwhile with effective and clean ingredients.
Kaged Muscle Clean Burn
Kaged Muscle Clean Burn is a great stim-free fat loss solution to help tackle any and all weight loss needs. Designed with cutting edge and premium ingredients, this will work to offer thermogenic weight loss and is loaded with active ingredients. An effective supplement for losing weight, as well as weight management, Clean Burn offers the best fat burning benefits in a special blend with the right combination of powerful ingredients. Getting lean and ripped has never been more possible with clean burn.
Kaged Muscle Clean Burn is a great stim-free option to help tackle any fat loss needs. Loaded with active ingredients and a special blend, this is a great fat burning solution.
Pros
Clean, fully disclosed formula
Non-stimulant formula
Powerful ingredients in a special blend
From a reputable company in Kaged Muscle
Cons
Stim-free for those who want stimulants
Price: $26.99
Best Fat Burner With Stimulants
While non-stimulant fat burners will do the trick, those with stimulants can give you a serious boost to affect all of your gains. With the right amount of stimulants, it can be safe and effective for whatever your needs may be.
Fighters Core
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
3 Capsules
Stim Or Non-Stim
Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules in the morning with breakfast.
Fighters Core is a great fat burning supplement to cut as much fat as possible while also maintaining and growing as much muscle as possible. This is the perfect fat burner for bodybuilders or anyone who engages in regular exercise often. Fighters Core is designed to promote the breakdown of fat, boost metabolic rate, preserve and build muscle tissue, and improve focus and energy levels for a great energy boost. This supplement is rigorously tested and side effect free while working to boost your metabolism to shed that unwanted belly fat and promote muscle maintenance while avoiding muscle breakdown.
With 8 powerful and natural ingredients, each offers the best chance to see great results to give you the body you want. Calcium HMB is used to promote the burning of stored fat for energy during workouts, while green tea extract offers antioxidants and can increase your daily energy expenditure. Teacrine and caffeine work as clean sources of energy while mixing well with the other ingredients, like green tea leaf extract or green coffee bean, to optimize fat loss and muscle growth from fat burning ingredients.
Fighters Core is a great fat burning supplement for those to cut as much fat as possible. With 8 powerful and natural ingredients, this gives you the best chance at seeing those desired results.
Pros
Made from natural ingredients
Proprietary formula makes this a great fat burning supplement
Promotes fat burn and growth of lean muscles
8 powerful ingredients
Cons
Does contain more than one stimulant
May cause unwanted jitters
Slightly high in price
Price: $49.00
Check out our individual review for Fighters Core here!
Best Stim Free Fat Burner
Of course, there are people who don’t respond as well to stimulants as others. Stim-free options will offer the same benefits without all the added jitters or negative effects of stimulants.
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
Number Of Servings
60
Serving Size
2 Capsules
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 2 capsules with 8-10 ounces of water, twice daily, 30-60 minutes before meals.
PhysiqueSeries Fat Burner Stim-Free offers the benefit of being stim-free while not sacrificing the effect of the intended goal. This product is great for those who are intolerant to stimulants but who are looking to optimize their fat loss efforts and increase those of muscle maintenance. As an effective stim-free fat burner, this product works to burn natural fat, control hunger and food snacking, and increase support for your metabolism from a weight loss supplement that works to burn stored belly fat for men and women.
Stimulant-free fat burners are effective because they can inhibit appetite or decrease nutrient absorption, making you feel full longer and reduce those cravings. With a 100% honest formula, 6 ingredients back by science, and no fillers or additives, these veggie capsules are perfect for those looking to lose fat without dealing with stimulants to burn calories and limit fat absorption throughout the day which could be beneficial for loss while still avoiding muscle breakdown.
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free is a product great for those looking to optimize fat loss with a stim-free option. With 6 ingredients backed by science, an honest label allows for full transparency of the product.
Pros
Great for those looking to optimize fat loss
Effective for burning belly fat, controlling cravings, and increasing metabolic support
Clean ingredients and an accurate formula
Cons
Does contain caffeine or other stimulants
Premium priced, high quality option
Only available directly from their website
Price: $49.00
Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free here! Plus, use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off!
Best Fat Burner for Muscle Retention
While you burn fat, you want to make sure you keep that valuable muscle on. Muscle retention will allow you to drop that stubborn body fat and change your composition for the better.
Enhanced All Day Shred
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
1 scoop
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 1 scoop anytime of day.
Enhanced All Day Shred is a great fat burner with a formula of 15 clinically dosed ingredients with amazing results packed in four blends. These blends include a fat releasing, fat oxidation blend, thyroid support, and a supportive vitamin and mineral blend. Each works together with one another to offer increase metabolism for more calorie burn, the movement of fatty acids into cells for energy, the maintenance of healthy levels of essential nutrients to avoid deficiency, and the promotion of fat loss and lean muscle growth by boosting your metabolism and boosting thermogenesis while limiting your intake.
With 15 ingredients, this powerful formula is great for evening fat loss. Solid ingredients like forskohlii and BioPerine are great and may help for fat releasing and work to increase whole-body energy expenditure for the best in an energy boost. Packed with B vitamins and folic acid, you get a healthy dose of essential nutrients to avoid deficiencies and allow your body to handle the stress of losing that stubborn fat.
Enhanced All Day Shred has a powerful formula with 15 clinically-dosed ingredients. Four awesome blends allow for the best fat burning and support benefits possible.
Pros
No stimulants
15 ingredients offer amazing benefits
Verified by active buyers with a money back guarantee
Cons
The price is okay for the number of servings
Some have complaints about the taste
Price: $39.99
Check out our individual review for Enhanced All Day Shred here!
Best Fat Burner for Suppressing Appetite
One key component of fat burners are suppressing your appetite, which eliminates the need for snacking. Those late night binges or midday snacks can add up and holding our appetites at bay can prove very worthwhile for our gains.
Burn Lab Pro
Number Of Servings
30
Serving Size
3 NutriCaps
Stim Or Non-Stim
Non-Stim
Best Way To Take
Take 3 capsules with water.
Burn Lab Pro is an all-around great fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits to really enhance your results. Instead of an unhealthy, stim-driven formula, Burn Lab Pro is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free to give you an effective supplement without any fear of jitters or crashing. Burn Lab Pro allows you to shed more body fat from every workout, gain more lean muscle and promote muscle maintenance, see better results from diet and exercise, and give you a safe and natural fat burner supplement to tackle any issues, like lack of an energy boost.
With 5 powerful and research-backed ingredients, this is the ultimate fat burner for whatever your needs may be. Forslean works to trigger a hormonal cascade to boost fat breakdown and promote fat burning, while Capsimax regulates hormones to increase body heat to block fat stores and control appetite with food. Along with these other ingredients, this advanced formula is designed to target all of your weight loss needs from a fat burner supplement.
Burn Lab Pro is a great all-around fat burner with an innovative design and research-backed benefits. It is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free giving you the best option on the market.
Pros
Great ingredients designed to tackle weight and belly fat loss goals
No stimulating ingredients with an advanced formula
Safe and natural supplement for your overall health and wellness
From a reputable and high quality company
Cons
Premium priced option
3 capsules is a lot for serving size
Price: $59.00
Check out our individual review for Burn Lab Pro here!
Best CBD Fat Burner
CBD is a popular and growing industry and many benefits have come out around this. Along with great fat burning ingredients, CBD may be a key for you to see the results you want most.
ShredCBD
Type Of Application
Capsule
CBD Dosage
1,200mg
Best Way To Take/Use
Take 1 capsule by mouth 1-3 times daily.
PFX Labs ShredCBD is a brand new design for CBD supplements used to help target body fat while also promoting energy, focus, sleep, performance, and overall wellbeing. With 20mg of premium pure CBD isolate in each capsule, this formula also includes 3 powerful fat burning ingredients to give you the best chance at weight loss. With zero unwanted side effects and a large number of benefits to more than just fat loss, ShredCBD is making waves as an innovative way to get rid of that unwanted fat to start seeing a shredded physique with that hard earned bodybuilding muscle pre, during, and post-workout.
ShredCBD is a new design using CBD isolate in an innovative way to burn fat. Promoting a host of other benefits, this CBD fat burner is an innovative and great option to try.
Pros
CBD isolate and three powerful fat burning ingredients
Great benefits towards fat loss, inflammation, performance, and more
Made in the USA in a GMP certified facility
Cons
Research is still in its infancy
Only available in the USA
Price: $48.00
Benefits Of Fat Burners For Men
When looking at the benefits of fat burners, it is no wonder why these have become more and more popular over time. For men looking to burn that stubborn belly fat, a supplement like a fat burner is truly what you need.
Benefits of fat burners include:
Boost metabolism: Really work to kickstart your metabolism so you start to burn stubborn belly fat and more calories. Using these as energy, it doesn’t have a chance to be stored as fat.
Appetite suppression: Eliminate hunger and snacking by working to suppress your appetite.
Sharp mental function: With fat being used for fuel, your energy levels and cognitive function will improve, allowing more focus and alertness and the occasional serious energy boost.
Maintain lean muscle: Keep on that hard earned lean muscle while shedding fat so you don’t lost those sought after gains through proper muscle maintenance. With this, you will avoid the dreaded muscle breakdown.
How To Find A Good Fat Burner For Men
Finding a good burner should be a priority in terms of safety and effectiveness. Here are some things to look for in a high-quality fat burning supplement.
Natural, safe, and clinically backed ingredients
The ingredients place in a fat burner should reflect the quality of the brand representing the product. You deserve to put the best in your body so don’t settle for poor ingredients.
Visible results within 3-6 weeks of using a supplement
Seeing results should not take forever. A good quality fat burner will take control and give you a chance to start seeing real results in no time.
High reputation & transparency of the company
You want to trust the people designing and creating each product and a company not willing to fully disclose their formula doesn’t deserve your time. Look into what others say about the company and what you know of them because reputation is everything.
Sustainable and long-term effects
The results you see should stay with you as you maintain weight loss, as well as being sustainable towards your long term goals.
Key Ingredients In Fat Burners
Here are a few key ingredients to look for in a quality fat burner.
Forskolin: This will work to lessen hunger and control cravings better for weight management. By releasing stored fat for energy, you will start seeing results (1).
5-HTP: Increases the feeling of fullness and satiety to eliminate unwanted snacking.
L-Theanine: Can work to lower blood pressure and counteract negative effects of caffeine, another ingredient in fat burners (2).
Caffeine: Increases thermogenesis for more fat burn and better energy. This can be in something like coffee bean extract or green tea for example (3).
HMB: Great for cutting calories and aiding in weight loss while working to preserve lean body mass and promoting muscle maintenance (4).
Cayenne Pepper Extract: Works to increase your metabolism to burn more calories and aid in weight loss.
Green Tea Extract: Enhances your body’s thermogenic process and provides powerful antioxidants (5).
Glucomannan: Works to reduce sugar absorption and acts as an appetite suppressant.
How We Choose The Best Fat Burners
A fat burner is something with real potential to help you with all your fat loss goals. Finding the right one can be challenging but we’ve taken it upon ourselves to look for the best products for you. Looking at the reputability of the brand, as well as their ingredients, is important to us because you deserve to put the best in your body. The formula used in each fat burner should be not only effective, but also safe, and this list reflects that. We also know that price can be a deterring factor and we sought the most reasonably priced fat burners that are still at the top of the market in terms of quality.
FAQ Section
What is the best fat burner?
Burn Lab Pro. This fat burner is 100% natural, safe, and caffeine free so you never suffer jitters and crashing. With a great formula and 5 powerful ingredients, this can work to shed more fat, gain more muscle, provide muscle maintenance, and see those desired changes in your body composition come to life from fat burning supplements by boosting the burning production in your body.
Are fat burners safe?
Generally, fat burners are safe to use to lose weight for active people. It is always wise to read the ingredients on each, as well as doing prior research into customer reviews on your desired products. Our list above shows some top-tier fat burners that are reliable and safe for use, but it is a good idea to always read the label.
Why do I need to use a fat burner?
Fat burners are generally for those who already exercise but still may struggle to get their weight down to where they want it to be. Fat burners will help to lower body fat and give the process of natural fat loss a bit of a boost with fat burning supplements to lose weight by raising your body’s temperature and aiding in your body’s ability to lose fat using ingredient such as a root, plant, or extracts, as well as others to produce your desired results.
I’m sensitive to caffeine. Is there a fat burner I can take that is stim-free?
There are many stim-free fat burners now that will provide the same results without the fear of jitters, crashing, raised blood pressure, or other negative side effects from other weight loss pills. Many companies will in fact have a stimulant and a stimulant-free version of the same fat burner so you can compare an individual burner that contains caffeine and one without caffeine. Transparent Labs PhysiqueSeries Stim-Free is a great fat burner with clean ingredients, a transparent label, and stim-free advantages for your weight loss goals with supplements.
Wrap Up
With so many fat burning supplements out there claiming to be the end-all be-all of fat loss products, it can be hard to tell who is actually aiming for your benefit. While there is no secret pill to make fat disappear, fat burners are there to assist in your fat loss goals. Whether they give you those much needed energy boosts, pull from your fat stores to get rid of that excess nemesis, suppress your appetite, promote muscle maintenance, or enhance metabolism, mixed with a healthy diet and exercise, these products can help you achieve that toned physique without compromising that lean muscle mass while increasing energy. Stay on track with your process and give these fat burners a try to finally achieve your goals of looking and feeling great.
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Hursel, R.; Viechtbauer, W.; Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2009). “The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis”. (source)
Nobre, Anna C.; Rao, Anling; Owen, Gail N. (2008). “L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state”. (source)
Tabrizi, Reza; Saneei, Parvane; Lankarani, Kamran B.; Akbari, Maryam; et al. (2019). “The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”. (source)
Portal, Shawn; Eliakim, Alon; Nemet, Dan; Halevy, Orna; Zadik, Zvi (2010). “Effect of HMB supplementation on body composition, fitness, hormonal profile and muscle damage indices”. (source)
Hursel, R.; Viechtbauer, W.; Westerterp-Plantega, M. S. (2009). “The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: a meta-analysis”. (source)
Samir Bannout Shares Old School Stories Of Gold’s Gym And Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Samir Bannout talks about first coming to America, Gold’s Gym, and some early stories he’s heard of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilder who came into his prime during the tail end of the Golden Era of bodybuilding. He’s also a bodybuilder who lived the American dream similar to athletes like Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came to the US with a passion for bodybuilding and became a superstar and Olympia champion. So of course, he has some amazing first and second hand stories of the Golden Era of the sport. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout shares stories about coming to America, Gold’s Gym, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Bodybuilding is a very different sport today than it was in the Golden Era. The core elements of the sport remain of course but it is now an entire business model compared to the fledgling niche sport it was in the past. Many bodybuilding fans today romanticize the Golden Era. A time when Gold’s Gym was an iconic location and not a business chain. A time when Arnold Schwarzenegger was a bodybuilding champion and not a politician or action star. A time before social media and a time when Joe Weider was still alive.
That’s why we asked Samir Bannout to tell us some stories from his time as a bodybuilder coming to America and rising in the ranks. Samir Bannout was present for the tail end of the Golden Era. He saw Arnold Schwarzenegger and other greats. He trained at Gold’s Gym and personally knew Joe Gold. He also made connections with individuals who were there from the very beginning.
Bannout describes reading the famous bodybuilding magazines in Lebanon and dreaming of becoming a bodybuilder in America. He saw how Joe Weider inspired athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger to the USA. So Samir Bannout headed out to the United States. He landed in Michigan originally but eventually had an opportunity to meet Joe Weider. That convinced him to move the California and enter the Mecca of bodybuilding.
Samir Bannout describes it as a dream. He made it out to California and Gold’s Gym in 1978. He describes it as coming there just in time. It was the tail end of the Golden Era and he was able to meet Joe Gold, get a lifetime free membership, and that changed everything. He describes himself as a kid in a candy store.
Samir Bannout also describes meeting a man named Art Seller. This was the man who first picked up Arnold Schwarzenegger from the airport when he arrived in Los Angeles. Bannout ended up becoming close friends with Seller and learned of wonderful early stories about Schwarzenegger. During our interview – he shares a short but funny story of Schwarzenegger when he first landed in America.
You can watch Samir Bannout talk about his journey to the US, his stories of Gold’s Gym and some funny short stories of Arnold Schwarzenegger in our latest GI Exclusive interview above. Bannout mentions that he wants to help continue spreading the passion and love and stories of bodybuilding’s past – especially as many of these greats start to recede into time. This video is a great little oral history keeping the past alive.
Could This Chest Exercise Be Even Better Than The Bench?
Build up your chest with this awesome exercise.
Chest exercises are pretty obvious at this point. When most bodybuilders look to improve their chest development they focus on a handful of exercises that have been popularized over the years. For our money, the bench press and dumbbell flyes are two of the best exercises you can perform to build a massive and strong chest. At least that’s the school of thought from most trainers and experienced bodybuilders.
That’s not to say that bench press and flyes aren’t the answer to improving your chest game, but as the old saying goes there’s more than one, in this case two, ways to skin a cat. One exercise that could potentially prove to be a better chest exercise than the bench and flyes are dips.
Dips have been at times sited as a potentially damaging exercise for the shoulders by some uninformed fitness gurus, but the reality is that it can greatly improve chest development. We’d go as far to say that it may even be better than if not or equal to the bench press and flyes in its importance and usefulness to chiseling the chest. If you have any doubts, then just take a look at the reasons why you should substitute the bench every now and then.
1. It’s a faster option
Dips are great for the chest for a number of reasons, one of them being that the exercise isolates the chest muscles. The motion for performing the dip requires the user to push in a downward motion with the arms while lifting your body up. The shoulders are also engaged in this motion but are under far less stress when with the bench. Since it’s a bodyweight exercise it also requires more tension and strength from the chest muscles in order to perform the motion. All this combines to making quicker chest gains.
2. Build functional strength along with your chest
Like we mentioned before, the chest dip is a bodyweight exercise. The isolation works great for building muscle specifically in the chest. Besides that however is the fact that you must lift your own body through space which will ultimately translate to core strength. Posture is also important with this exercise.
You body must remain static, your legs must be held in the same position, preferably bent at the knee and crossed. This kind of posture ultimately engages the chest, abs, shoulders, and back, meaning you can get major gains in multiple areas. The body working in concert with other muscles means gaining functional strength for other endeavors, lifting or otherwise.
3. Widens the chest
Another great benefit from doing chest dips is the development in chest width. What separates dips from the bench press and dumbbell flyes is that you’re able to not only work the chest, but work the rest of your upper body as well. As we just mentioned before the dip can engage not only the chest, but the back as well. That includes the upper back as well.
The dip can build the lats up nicely which is the antagonistic muscle to the chest. When you work the antagonistic muscle it allows for better development of the opposite muscle, in this case the chest. All in all, the chest dip is a multifaceted exercise that can work wonders for your entire upper body.
Do you perform chest dips in the gym? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Zane Watson: The Most Inspirational Bodybuilders Currently Competing
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Zane Watson talks about his future plans and the current bodybuilders that most inspire him.
Legends never die – which is why most athletes will list bodybuilding greats such as Ronnie Coleman, Dorian Yates, and Lee Haney in their list of most influential bodybuilders. It’s for good reason. But as these athletes recede further into the past, new athletes rise up to inspire a new generation. Zane Watson is a relatively young bodybuilder in his 30s and finds himself inspired by the rising current crop of athletes succeeding today. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Zane Watson lists his picks for the most influential bodybuilders currently competing today.
Zane Watson is looking at a three year plan to success in pro bodybuilding. He’s been competing already for some time now but last year’s pandemic put a halt to his original plans. Now he’s looking to compete in the Arnold Classic 2021 this September. He’s had a routine memorized in his head that he’s excited to finally share with the world. He hopes this will be the first step towards further success and, hopefully, a future Olympia title.
We asked Zane Watson which bodybuilders inspired him most and helped influence his physique and posing routines. He had previously spoke with us about his original influences from past eras – but which bodybuilders currently competing excited him most and affected his approach?
Watson stated that he has multiple influences depending on which area of bodybuilding you are focusing on. For example, John Meadows is a big inspiration. He may no longer compete but now he trains athletes – including current Men’s 212 champion Shaun Clarida. Watson believes that Meadows’ training principles are legendary and have helped shape him into the bodybuilder he is today.
When it comes to pure physiques, he believes that Keone Pearson is a future Men’s 212 Olympia champion in the making. He believes that Pearson has one of the best physiques currently on stage in all of bodybuilding. He uses that as a beacon or goal to reach towards in his own physique.
Zane Watson also has a deep love of posing. He is most inspired at the moment by Terrence Ruffin’s posing routines. He believes that he will also become an Olympia champion in the Classic Physique division one day. Watson is a rare younger bodybuilder who believes posing is equally important as physiques. Without pitch perfect posing – the entire physique wouldn’t come together for the judges to see.
Athletes like Keone Pearson and Terrence Ruffin have been gaining heat for the past few years now. It makes sense that Zane Watson sees inspiration in them as well as motivation to rival them on stage with his own physique. Perhaps Watson will be the next guard of athlete to catch attention alongside these two bodybuilders. Watson’s New York Pro showing in 2018 caught a lot of attention. If he can earn a victory in the next step up such as the Arnold Classic – it can upgrade his status even further. We can’t wait to see his three year plan come to fruition.
You can watch Zane Watson’s full comments about his future plans and his inspirations in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!