Tag: Bodybuilding
Derek Lunsford Shares Health Update 16 Weeks from 2023 Olympia, Expects Baby in 2024
Bodybuilding star Derek Lunsford is entering his latest prep with a little extra motivation. In a recent YouTube video, Lunsford showed off his physique, shared a health update, and revealed he’s expecting a child in 2024.
“Probably not too much more size. We just started prep. I’m going to start re-comping at this weight. Right around 260 or right under that in the morning. So, I’ll probably stay at this weight and slowly bring it down,” Lunsford shared.
Last year, Lunsford dominated headlines following the statement he made guest posing at the Pittsburgh Pro. He held his own standing against major names in the category such as Nick Walker, Hunter Labrada, Brandon Curry, and Quinton Eriya. His exciting appearance in Pittsburgh in part convinced Olympia to extend him a special invite to compete in the Open division, which he accepted.
When the smoke cleared on Mr. Olympia’s stage last December, the finals saw Nick Walker, Lunsford, and his teammate, Hadi Choopan battle for gold. Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay was dethroned in a shocking upset. This paved the way for Choopan to win his first Sandow trophy.
Unlike in 2022, Lunsford was able to dedicate an entire off-season to his Olympia prep this year. He’s been open about his mindset heading into the show and is confident he has the tools and work ethic to take down the champ.
Derek Lunsford Shares Blood Work, Physical Therapy Session, Expects Baby in 2024
Lunsford received a blood screening to ensure his health markers were on point before his prep ramps up.
“I’m just starting my prep for Olympia officially, officially. I’ve been training hard all year you know, it’s the lifestyle so it’s year-round but now we’re about to really ramp things up for the Olympia. We’re just over 16 weeks out. I hit up Jimmy, I was like, ‘Hey man, I need to get my blood work done, and make sure my health markers are good.’ I feel good, but I want to know internally that I’m 100%,” said Derek Lunsford.
Lunsford underwent physical therapy next, which he said improved his overall mobility.
“Man my arms move way further than I thought they were going to,” shared Lunsford. “Already feeling better, for real. Listen, I know it doesn’t take just one time to fix a problem, because like I said, I’ve been feeling a little bit of – I need to increase my range of motion doing overhead presses, bicep curls, triceps extensions have kind of been bothering me and stuff lately. The thing is, first and foremost, you got to get it addressed. Preferably ASAP.
Me, I’ve kind of been letting it linger a little bit over these last couple of months. It’s not getting any better and it’s not getting any worse. I was like listen, enough is enough, let’s go see Tara and get it addressed immediately. I don’t expect it to be 100% perfect after one time. I think it’s important you consistently come back and get it worked on and stuff.”
Before the video concluded, Lunsford and his partner shared a touching moment on the beach where they announced that they are expecting a baby in 2024.
In addition to health and training updates, Lunsford has kept fans in the loop on his nutrition as he enters contest prep. He recently showed off a full day of eating and supplements. To ensure his physique is Olympia-ready, Lunsford is consuming five whole food meals a day with protein shakes.
Active bodybuilders and retired Pros have been vocal about their favorites ahead of 2023 Olympia. Nick Walker doesn’t believe Choopan will be a problem this year. He underlined that the next title will be claimed by either himself or Lunsford.
However, if you ask eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman about his biggest frontrunner, he’d say Derek Lunsford. Not only that, but Coleman dubbed Lunsford as his favorite bodybuilder of the current era. Meanwhile, William Bonac, who is taking a year off to focus on improvements, is confident Choopan will repeat as champion this Nov.
Given his ability to improve year-to-year, Lunsford remains committed to his goal of becoming the only man to win both the 212 and Open Bodybuilding Mr. Olympia titles.
RELATED: Derek Lunsford Builds Huge Back and Biceps With Legend Ronnie Coleman
You can watch the full video from Derek Lunsford’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 14 July, 2023 | 3:55 PM EDT
Flex Lewis Takes Strongman Mitchell Hooper Through Insane Shoulder Workout for Max Gains
Despite his retirement from bodybuilding, Flex Lewis‘ love for the sport is undeniable anytime he’s inside his home gym, The Dragon’s Lair. In a recent bodybuilding/strongman collaboration, Lewis led the reigning World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper through a challenging shoulders training session.
Lewis is a decorated IFBB Pro and the most successful 212 Bodybuilding athlete of all time. From 2012-2018, ‘The Welsh Dragon’ dominated his class at the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. During his tenure, Lewis managed to defeat Hadi Choopan (current Mr. Olympia), Derek Lunsford, Shaun Clarida (current two-time 212 Olympia), and other veterans en route to building his legacy.
Last May, Lewis decided to retire. The decision was difficult for Lewis to accept considering he had been teasing a move into the Men’s Open division for some time. Instead, Derek Lunsford received a special invite last year, which he cashed in to take second place in his Open debut on the Olympia stage.
In the strongman world, Mitchell Hooper reigns supreme. Hooper won 2023 Arnold Strongman gold in March. Riding high, he took that momentum to the crown jewel of strongman competitions – The World’s Strongest Man. At the event in April, Hooper won first and defeated Tom Stoltman and Oleksii Novikov in an exciting battle. Currently, Hooper is in preparations to compete at the upcoming 2023 Shaw Classic, taking place Aug. 19-20.
This isn’t his first interaction with Flex Lewis either. Hooper joined Lewis for a deep Straight Outta the Lair Podcast earlier this month. Hooper was candid and spoke honestly about mental health. Switching gears, Lewis gave Hooper a look into the bodybuilding world with a brutal workout.
Flex Lewis Puts Strongman Mitchell Hooper Through Shoulder-Blasting Workout
Find a list of the exercises used by Lewis and Hooper below:
Standing Lateral Raise machine (dropset to failure)
Seated Shoulder Press Machine (2 sets to failure)
Forward Lean Pec Deck Fly (superset/ with Reverse Pec Fly)
Standing Lateral Raise machine (dropset to failure)
For machine standing lateral raises, Lewis said ‘spike at the top’ of the movement and prioritize control. He shared that bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates taught him that neglecting the negative is one of the biggest mistakes lifers make.
“Spike at the top, there we go. It feels like you’re driving through. There’s somebody inside that shoulder that’s trying to fucking punch through. That’s the connection at the top. Yes, control,” Flex Lewis explained.
“No [these are not working sets]. A lot of guys in general when they come to the gym it’s not me saying anything about, we’re talking about generalizations of guys that want to progress in bodybuilding. Almost always, they neglect the negative. There’s zero control. Dorian Yates told me that is going to be one of your best friends. Control the negative. You’re truly fighting that negative mindset of zoning out. In this case, sideways, up, hold, control, 3, 2, 1, up.”
Lewis believes ‘fighting the negative’ is essential to unlocking shoulder gains.
“I’m zoned out completely and truly fighting the whole negative and I can feel everything fighting themselves, every little muscle tissue,” added Lewis. “Let’s do a little drop set, we’ll do 200, down to 140, down to 100 [pounds].”
Seated Shoulder Press Machine (2 sets to failure)
On the seated shoulder press machine, Hooper was impressed with Lewis’ endurance and strength. He believes strongmen can ‘take a page’ from bodybuilders inside the gym.
“You guys [bodybuilders] when you take everything and make it strict. You would beat us [strongmen] in a lot of things. That would beat anyone in strongman but if you took it and put it to a log where you actually use your body to drive,” said Mitchell Hooper. “There’s a page we can take from your guys’ book though. If you get that strong training bodybuilding. You train bodybuilding as a 10-15% of your workout, there’s good evidence to say that muscle thickness is just going to win at a certain stage.”
“I was going to help you, but he didn’t fucking help me so I thought fuck this guy. What I find is what a lot of people do especially with rear delts, they will put an ungodly amount of weight on and everything just goes to shit. You’ll see there’s no correct form. Everything is not fluent,” said Lewis.
Forward Lean Pec Deck Fly (superset/ with Reverse Pec Fly)
Lewis and Hooper finished with a forward lean pec deck fly before calling it a day. Hooper was toasted after the workout and impressed with the pump.
“For us bodybuilders when we are doing a back double biceps, this is what’s going to be lighting up every last separation. Superset. Killer,” said Lewis. “Squeeze the front delts and drive, and squeeze.”
“It’s amazing how you lean into and there’s no chest at all,” said Hooper.
“You feel it in the front delts?” asks Lewis.
“Yeah, it’s lighting up,” responded Hooper. “I’m burnt.”
Hooper isn’t resting on his laurels despite having nailed down two of the most prestigious titles in strongman. He continues to showcase his strength in preparation for the Shaw Classic. The last time fans saw him in action, Hooper turned heads with a 463-pound bench press for a three-rep personal record.
Even outside of strongman, the wins for Hooper keep stacking up. Months ago, he broke Tom Platz’s legendary 1992 squat-off record, which stood at 525 pounds for 23 reps. Hooper surpassed him by one rep for a total of 24.
This wasn’t the first bodybuilding/strongman workout collaboration. Last year, Men’s Open talent Nathan De Asha joined former WSM champs/brothers Tom and Luke Stoltman for a special training session. In addition, Flex Lewis teamed up with Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall for an arms workout. Hall is currently in preparation for his move to bodybuilding in the Classic Physique division. He’s shared physique updates ahead of his anticipated debut.
While bodybuilding training differs from strongman training, Hooper was blown away by the intensity of Lewis’ workout in the end.
RELATED: A Look into World’s Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper’s Day
You can watch the full video from Mitchel Hooper’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 14 July, 2023 | 11:08 AM EDT
Larry Wheels Announces Launch of His First ‘No Budget’ Public Gym
Fitness sensation Larry Wheels is known for his crazy feats of strength and impressive muscular build. While he’s gearing up for a move to bodybuilding, he has experience in multiple strength-based sports, including strongman, powerlifting, and arm wrestling. In a recent video uploaded on YouTube, Wheels announced the launch of his first public gym.
Larry Wheels first rose to prominence for his unique blend of insane strength and his aesthetic look in powerlifting. He set the World Record of 2,275 lbs on the squat, bench, and deadlift without wraps in the 275-lb weight category, which stood till last month. Besides his extraordinary strength, he displays a jacked physique more reminiscent of a competitive bodybuilder. His potential in bodybuilding was evident from the start as he scored gold in his debut at the NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic in Feb. 2018.
Wheels decided to discontinue steroids after suffering a back injury in Aug. 2022. Having been a nearly decade-long user, he couldn’t go off gear instantly and switched to TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) exclusively. He declared his ambitions to move to bodybuilding and make a splash in the Classic Physique division earlier this year.
Following the conclusion of the 2023 Arnold Classic, Wheels enlisted the help of Men’s Open standouts William Bonac and Andrew Jacked to work on his posing skills ahead of the highly anticipated debut four months ago. He followed up with a ripped physique update showing off his lean frame.
Wheels believes he can be competitive in the Classic Physique division using only TRT. He left the fans stunned with a shredded physique update boasting his unreal bicep peak in a posing session two months ago. Then, he crushed a heavy set of 150-lb incline dumbbell shoulder presses along with an impressive physique update.
Larry Wheels gave fans a look into his preparations for his Classic Physique debut with a lean physique update last month. He also smashed past a taxing set of 150-lb incline dumbbell bench press for 25 reps. Additionally, Wheels teamed up with powerlifting legend CT Fletcher for a brutal round of 500-pound paused bench press workout two weeks ago.
Larry Wheels Announces Launch of His First Public Gym
In a recent YouTube video, Larry Wheels announced the launch of his first public gym.
Wheels partnered with coach Ryan Benson of Team Zero Gravity for the project. The name of the gym is ‘OG Gym’ as in One Generation, with a focus on blending bodybuilding and powerlifting.
The main gym area had a 35-ft tall ceiling and 8,000-9,000 square feet with an additional area outside the dome structure of 6,000 square feet bringing the total space to roughly 14,100 square feet. They are waiting for the current tenant’s lease to end to start building it up according to their needs. They will demolish most of the space and start with everything brand new.
There’s a second-floor upper-level area reserved as the cardio room. Other areas were planned for posing, merchandise, recovery (cold plunge, sauna), and a meal prep service.
They don’t have a budget and are willing to spend as much as needed to build the most epic gym. Benson estimated the renovation would cost about $2 million and $1 million for equipment.
“It was always a dream of mine to open a gym,” said Wheels. “However, when I contacted people that have opened gyms, I didn’t hear the most inspiring stories. I usually heard of gyms struggling with members, struggling to make ends meet, and for a long time I was really apprehensive because I didn’t hear any success stories. All I heard was it’s not a good idea, it’s a low profit margin business, don’t do it.”
“We want the $5 million gym,” said Benson.
Larry Wheels crushed a massive 405-pound bench press in a collaborative training session with Stefi Cohen last week. He opened up on his reasons for preferring the Classic Physique division over the Men’s Open, which hosts some of the freakiest mass monsters in the world.
Wheels’ latest acquisition is an exciting idea and many fans are looking forward to visiting it.
RELATED: 73-Year-Old Strongman Legend Beats Larry Wheels In Grip Strength: “Honestly, Blown Away”
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 13 July, 2023 | 11:31 PM EDT
Seth Feroce Reacts to Death of Jo Lindner aka ‘Joesthetics’: ‘Another Good Guy Gone Way Too Soon’
German bodybuilder Jo Lindner, popularly known as ‘Joesthetics,’ was celebrated for his insanely shredded physique and crazy striations. His tragic passing rocked the bodybuilding world earlier this month. In a recent video uploaded on YouTube, Seth Feroce shared his reaction to the death of ‘Joesthetics.’
Canadian IFBB Pro Seth Feroce first gained attention for his impressive muscle mass, size, and build in the early 2000s. While he hasn’t competed in several years, he still has his finger on the pulse of bodybuilding. He’s known for his outspoken personality and isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers with his hot takes on a range of topics related to fitness, especially steroid use.
In Sep. 2022, Feroce issued a stark warning against the overuse of Trenbolone by younger bodybuilders, with some taking upwards of 1,000 milligrams of the harsh substance. He reported positive updates about his health and admitted he regrets not competing more, leaving the door open for a potential comeback. Then, he crushed a brutal arm workout showing off his jacked package in Oct. 2022.
Earlier this year, Feroce opened up on his ambitions to cut down the fat he had put on over the last three years. He expressed his affinity for bodybuilding and declared plans to get back to his best form by getting super shredded. Next, he collaborated with Fitness Olympia winner Missy Truscott for a challenging shoulder workout two months ago.
Social media sensation Joesthetics gained attention for his symmetrical package with a ripped midsection and freakish striations. He offered fitness-based content infused with a touch of comedy. His training clips and skits lifting weights quickly gained him over 9 million followers on Instagram.
Joesthetics opened up on a health scare he faced after taking diuretics and his experience using insulin last month. He reasoned that diuretics could result in extreme dehydration and revealed the craziest steroid cycle he ever used in competition. He joined forces with powerlifting sensation Larry Wheels weeks later to help Wheels sharpen his posing skills ahead of his highly anticipated bodybuilding debut.
On July 1, Lindner’s girlfriend announced he passed away at 30 years old because of an aneurysm. Members of the community rushed in with their support and paid tributes online. There was speculation about what caused Lindner’s death at such a young age with some blaming it on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine after Lindner revealed ‘heavy metals,’ ‘particles,’ and clots were found in his blood.
Seth Feroce Reacts to Death of ‘Joesthetics’ aka Jo Lindner
In a recent YouTube video, Seth Feroce reacted to the passing of ‘Joesthetics,’ aka Jo Lindner.
Feroce was on vacation when he heard the news and although he did not know him, he felt the impact Jo had.
“Another bodybuilder’s dead, Joe Lindner, Joesthetics, another one that sucks. Another guy gone way too soon, another good guy gone way too soon,” continued Feroce. “I never met Joe. I didn’t know him personally but I never met one person that had anything bad to say about that man.
“We were on vacation when he passed. I’m not going to lie, it stopped me in my f**king tracks like oh b***h, Joe was 30 years old.”
He doesn’t believe there’s reason to speculate whether steroids had anything to do with it.
“I don’t care what you do it’s your life. But what I do care about is whenever people talk sh*t, make a bunch of claims that they don’t know f**k all about about another man’s life whenever he’s passed.
“I don’t know if [steroids] had anything to do with his death, not going to speculate because I haven’t heard anything behind the scenes.”
“People can speculate all they want. They can say there’s a reason that he passed and is that reason ever going to be found out? We don’t know nor does it really matter because there’s another good man gone from the planet.”
Feroce lauded Joesthetics for being one of the nicest people in the industry and inspiring others to better themselves.
“We are in this community to become better people. We don’t pass judgment on other people because of what they do with their lives. When someone chooses to do whatever they want to in their life, that’s what they do. With Joe like I said I never heard a bad thing about that man. In an industry full of fake, ignorant, dick, douchebag people, to not hear one bad thing about that man, says a lot about his character and the people he influenced and why so many people loved him.”
“A lot of young men want to become better versions of themselves because of Joe.”
Feroce paid his tributes to Jo with some of his favorite things about him.
“What boggles our mind is people that don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t ever do anything bad, they do exactly what they are supposed to, they are perfect in every sense of the word, they eat healthy and do all these things, and then somehow come down with breast cancer or lung cancer or get hit by a train or a bus, something just takes their life way too soon. These things happen in life.
“One thing guaranteed is we’re going to die in life. Just a matter of if there’s any cool stories to tell about you when you’re gone. With Joe, I’ll remember Joe for his alien gains and wow’d look, for his funny comedic videos, and also for giving sound bro science advice.”
“Whenever bad sh*t happens because of some of the things you do that’s just how it goes. You can’t cry about it. It’s sad, it’s gut-wrenching especially because death does not care whether you are a good person or not.”
Joesthetics served as an inspiration to millions of younger fitness fans and his legacy will continue to live on the internet.
RELATED: Fitness Community Reacts to Jo Linder’s Mysterious Passing at 30, Questions Raised About Cause of Death
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 13 July, 2023 | 7:56 PM EDT
Erin Stern Shares Modified Low-Impact ‘HILIT’ Workout for Building Muscle Without ‘Wear & Tear’
IFBB Figure/Bikini Pro Erin Stern continues to give back to fans with easy-to-understand workout demonstrations. In a recent YouTube video, Stern discussed her alteration to high-intensity interval training, where she promoted low-impact activities, but at a rigorous pace. While Erin Stern appreciates the benefits of HIIT workouts, she believes her low-impact variation will benefit those who are getting older, and lack the ability to recover like they used to.
“It can be done pretty much anywhere depending on what type of equipment you have. Let’s say you have a pool, you can go swim once or twice for me. For me, I have my assault bike in the backyard,” Erin Stern shared.
Stern began her career in 2008 and took first place at the NPC National Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. She leads an incredibly active schedule and routinely competes in multiple Pro competitions a year. In her first Olympia appearance in 2009, she took sixth place but went on to correct her mistakes.
The following year (2010), Stern reached the pinnacle of her career, having laid claim to a prestigious Olympia title in the Figure category. While she was unable to fend off Nicole Wilkins in 2011, Stern exacted revenge in 2012, when she took out her rival in a close show. Erin has also made numerous appearances at the annual Arnold Sports Festival.
Stern is well-respected in the community for her training knowledge and work ethic. Her last Figure competition came in 2021 at the GRL PWR in 13th place. Stern transformed her physique for the Bikini division and later earned the right to compete at Bikini Olympia in 2021 and 2022. In addition, she now spends her time offering advice to fans online with a YouTube channel of over 292,000 subscribers.
HIIT ‘Low-Impact’ Takes 1/10th of the Time Traditional Cardio Takes, Says Bodybuilder Erin Stern
Erin Stern maintains that high-intensity interval training is anabolic and helps grow muscle. However, since the intensity can cause damage to the body over time, her solution is to perform HIT workouts with low-impact exercises.
“By now you’re probably very familiar with HIT or high-intensity interval training. It’s one of my favorite forms of cardio. It takes an eighth to a tenth of the time of the amount of time that traditional cardio takes. Of course, it’s super intense and it’s anabolic, it can help you build muscle. It’s going to boost your metabolism for 24-48 hours after training, also known as the after-burn effect.
But there are quite a few drawbacks to HIT, especially if you’re weight training, you’re looking to really gain muscle and you are on a structured lifting program. HIT especially, things like sprinting, there’s a lot of eccentric force, a lot of wear and tear on the joints and on the muscles. You can lessen your recovery ability meaning the next time you’re looking to weight train, you’re going to be sore from HIT. So training with HIT and weights. It can be really really tough.”
Next, Stern highlighted the importance of choosing a movement/exercise that is either ‘concentric or push-based.’ In addition, she named a few workouts that fall into those parameters, such as sled pushing, kettlebell swings, and swimming.
“We tend to recover a bit more slowly as we age. What is the solution? It’s high-intensity low-impact training,” said Stern. “Now, for high-intensity low-impact training, what you’re looking for is an exercise that concentric or push-based.”
“Now, I’ll explain this: With HIT, you’re typically looking at something like sprints and for each step that you take when you’re at full speed, you might put 500-600 pounds of pressure on your foot as you land and you’re experiencing a tremendous amount of eccentric force with traditional HITS. Now, take this exercise, a sprint for example, and put yourself on an assault bike or get on stairs.
Push a sled. Anything where you’re limiting that negative aspect or the eccentric force on your joints is going to qualify as HITS, or high-intensity low-impact training. Other exercises can include kettlebell swings, the rower, swimming, so think about that when you’re structuring a 1-2 time per week high-intensity training session.”
Stern’s High-Intensity Low-Impact Training Guide
According to Erin Stern, a high-intensity low-impact workout should consist of 3-4 rounds of 15-30 seconds of all-out effort. Once the heart rate lowers, repeat the workout. In total, the training session should add up to 20-25 minutes.
“We’re looking at to start three to four rounds of between 15-30 seconds of all-out effort. And also keep in mind that as you do these intervals it’s going to have a cumulative effect on you. So after you do the first interval, it might take you a minute to a minute in a half to get your heart rate back down to that 60% each successive interval though. It’s going to take you a little bit longer and a little bit longer each time and that is totally fine.”
“We’re looking at 20-25 minutes max as far as your workout goes. So if someone tells you that they’re able to do HIT or high-intensity low-impact training for an hour and that is the working time and they’re not taking 10 minutes in between each sprint, I would highly doubt that. You do want to keep that training time pretty short, 20-25 minutes total, not including your warm-up or cool down which could be 5-10 minutes depending on what you like to do before/after training.”
She believes eliminating eccentric or negative force is essential to limiting wear and tear on the body.
“Eliminating that eccentric or negative force on the muscles which is going to limit the wear and tear on the joints, it’s going to improve recoverability so you’re able to get a lot more volume in and you’re going to get the benefits of HITs without the wear and tear that HITs bring along.”
It’s no mystery that fans and athletes alike have gotten a lot of out high-intensity interval training. Just look at six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates. HIT workouts were a staple part of his Olympia training routine. He recently mentioned that these workouts have helped him maintain mobility and flexibility in retirement. Most importantly, Yates stressed warming up properly to avoid injuries.
Historically, Yates has been a supporter of HIT-style training regimens. In 2021, he emphasized that taking part in regular HIT workouts can promote positivity and confidence. And judging from the physique he’s carrying today, those techniques appear to be paying off.
Erin Stern’s low-impact HIT variation is a great alternative for people getting older and looking to stay in shape. It minimizes stress on the tendons and joints while still reaping the benefits of a traditional HIT workout.
RELATED: 6x Figure Olympia Cydney Gillon Shares Ab Workout & Tips
You can watch the full video from Erin Stern’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 13 July, 2023 | 5:13 PM EDT
Samir Bannout Talks Good Vito’s ‘Disgusting’ Hernia, Guest Posing Injury & Michal Krizo’s Cycle
Samir Bannout is back to discuss two of the IFBB Pro League’s hottest Men’s Open contenders. In a recent Old School Labs Podcast, Bannout took a closer look at Michal Krizo’s 2023 Mr. Olympia potential and Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov’s recent injury from guest posing at the 2023 Musclecontest International Brazil.
Bannout was an elite Men’s Open competitor throughout his career and reached the top of the sport in 1983 when he claimed his lone Mr. Olympia title. This event was packed with bodybuilding stars like Robby Robinson, Frank Zane, and Lee Haney, but they were unable to match the detail of Bannout, especially from the back.
In retirement, Bannout has proven to be a valuable member of the bodybuilding community. He routinely discusses current events happening in the sport as well as the Men’s Open class he once ruled over. One talent in particular caught Bannout’s attention last year, and that was Slovakia’s Michal Krizo.
Krizo moved quickly in 2022. He switched from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the NPC, and then from there, won an IFBB Pro card and placed 12th at 2022 Olympia in his rookie season. Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov used Krizo’s blueprint to make his respective splash as well.
Good Vito switched to the NPC and later earned his Pro card in dominant fashion at the 2022 Musclecontest International Brazil Nationals. Other veterans of the sport took notice of Good Vito too, such as 1990s standout Chris Cormier. In an Olympia TV interview, Cormier praised Vito for his upside and predicted he would be a problem for other competitors in the future.
Samir Bannout Torches ‘Good Vito’ After Injuring Knee Guest Posing: “The Whole Act Was Stupid”
After witnessing Good Vito’s untimely accident while currently in prep, Bannout emphasized that he’s being misled by a coach/trainer.
“Good Vito, Good Vito, what’s wrong – Oh my God. This guy has so much potential Nick. It’s fucking pissing me off to see someone with such great potential acting kind of goofy. Let me just say it this way: this guy is Mr. Olympia material. But whoever is leading him in the wrong direction, it’s truly sad. I look at it from my perspective. You have all the fucking tools to be great and look at what he’s doing now, what the hell is he doing?” asks Samir Bannout.
“What do you think about the [umbilical] hernia?” asks Nick Trigili.
As for his umbilical hernia, Bannout found it disgusting. He added that Vito’s posing was miserable.
“Honestly, it looks disgusting. Disgusting,” said Samir Bannout. “This guy has the potential to go very far. Young kid, what 25 years old, what the hell is he doing. This is wrong, this is wrong, everything he’s doing, that act, it’s like fucking goofy. He has everything necessary to be great.”
“A terrible way to do those four poses, sorry, seriously. I’ve been talking positively about his genetics and potential. No doubt, he’s good but posing is disgusting, miserable. The act – and this crazy act like that is really not — it’s not something that I would promote or I would approve.”
With improved presentation and a proper coach, Bannout believes Good Vito can return better than ever.
“The presentation, showing it the right way. Like what’s his name, the Russian guy, Good Vito, it’s really shameful what he was doing. His act was not acceptable, to me, it looks like a joke. To me, it’s embarrassing. It’s a joke, it’s embarrassing. You [Vito] need to hire a coach that’s well-rounded, that understands how to present that body how to show that great body that you have. And he has the body. But the whole act was stupid, honestly. This is how I say it: stupid, retarded.”
“He’ll recover, he’ll be back. He’s learning the hard way, evidently. He needs to find someone to show him better presentation that will also be concerned about his health and well-being. Because that thing in his belly button looks totally not good. He’s doing something not right, look at the poor guy. 25 years old and he’s so eager to good.”
“He’s a happy camper, he’s got a good personality,” said Bannout. “He’ll be okay. He’ll come back and learn. He’s learning,” shared Bannout. “He’ll recover and he’ll be back, and hopefully he’ll make some adjustments to his presentation,” added Samir Bannout.
Bannout Guesses Michal Krizo’s Cycle: ‘I Guarantee You, It’s Not Excessive’
Given Krizo’s muscle fullness, size, and quality, Bannout is highly curious about what he’s taking to maintain his physique.
“I still want to know what guys like Krizo is doing, I would like to know because he’s got that muscle fullness, muscle size, muscle quality, and he seems to be doing it comfortably. I would like to know and I guarantee you, it wouldn’t be an excessive amount of drugs.”
I don’t think so. But I would like to know, this would be a major – I can tell when someone is doing too much drugs. I can tell right away on the skin but for Krizo to look this sharp while he’s training, he looks almost like contest ready, it’s amazing. I would like to know how much he’s using for let’s say tren and stuff like that.”
Bannout believes Krizo’s potential steroid cycle consists of approximately four compounds with a ‘very small amount’ of androgens.
“I’m thinking about Krizo’s quality when we saw that video tape doing the last podcast we did. I’m still in my head, saying, ‘That guy has the kind of quality away from the contest, huge, and he’s got that onion skin. I would like to know what the hell is he really doing. I would like to know.”
“I’m thinking he’s taking about 75 milligrams of oxandrolone, he’s taking maybe one winstrol 50 milligrams daily, and he’s taking a very small amount of androgen, something like 400 milligrams or maybe 5, not more than that. That’s my guess.”
This isn’t the first time Bannout has offered his take on Michal Krizo’s Mr. Olympia-winning potential. In a previous podcast, Samir suspected that Krizo’s posing abilities were holding him back from bringing his best. To remedy this issue, Bannout advised Krizo to seek out Frank Zane for some posing instructions. During his tenure, Zane was known for blending aesthetics and artistic posing on stage, which led to three Mr. Olympia titles.
Unlike last season, Krizo will have more time to prepare his body for the Mr. Olympia contest in Nov. Last month, Michal took first place at the 2023 Empro Classic Pro. This victory set him up with another invitation to the sport’s biggest event taking place later this year.
Fans look forward to seeing Krizo perform on the Mr. Olympia stage. As for Good Vito, Bannout is confident he’ll be back despite the knee injury.
RELATED: Samir Bannout Urges Big Ramy to Get Healthy & Backs Derek Lunsford as Most Dangerous at 2023 Mr. Olympia
You can watch the full Old School Labs Podcast below:
Published: 13 July, 2023 | 1:57 PM EDT
Bodybuilding Veteran Gustavo ‘The Freakin Rican’ Badell Dead at 50, Community Reacts
It is with great sadness that we report the death of bodybuilding star Gustavo ‘The Freakin Rican’ Badell at age 50. At the time of this writing, his cause of death is uncertain, although RX Muscle’s Dave Palumbo and Nick Trigili suspect it was caused by a stroke.
“Gustavo battled with kidney issues for several years,” shared Dave Palumbo. “Whatever caused his death was something that was not expected.”
In 1997, Badell earned his Pro card at the Caribbean Championships and never looked back. He always brought great conditioning to the stage and was known for his detailed striations. En route to finding success, Badell received help from bodybuilding veteran Milos Sarcev, who currently coaches Mr. Olympia contender Samson Dauda and other top names.
As an IFBB Pro, Badell was a mainstay of the Open class during the 2000s. He took part in numerous Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia competitions and pushed some of the world’s best such as Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, and Dexter Jackson. Every time Badell graced a stage he brought electric energy and built a legacy off the back of hard work.
Some of Gustavo’s best victories include the 2006 Ironman Pro Invitational, the 2006 San Francisco Pro Invitational, and the 2009 Atlantic City Pro. His final competition would come in 2012 at the Arnold Classic, where he finished 13th. Though, perhaps Badell’s biggest claim to fame was defeating Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler during the 2005 Mr. Olympia Challenge Rounds.
While Badell was a recipient of a kidney transplant, it remains unclear if that contributed to his sudden passing. It’s early to speculate, though some industry experts have done their best to explain what happened.
Bodybuilding Community Reacts to Tragic Passing of 50-Year-Old Gustavo Badell
According to Nick Trigili of Bodybuilding and BS, Badell was trying to bulk up again. He said he was unsure if Badell was using performance-enhancing drugs at the time of his passing. Trigili specified that the cause of death appears to be a stroke.
“Got an update on Gustavo Badell, it looks like he did have a kidney transplant several years ago, he had his sister’s kidney, and he was doing fine. It looks like he was trying to bulk back up again. I don’t know if he was using performance-enhancing drugs or not. It looks like they found him today, he had a stroke and passed away,” Nick Trigili revealed.
Details are limited, but Dave Palumbo of RX Muscle also mentioned that a stroke was the likely culprit.
“We lost another great one, Gustavo Badell, the ‘Freakin Rican’ one of the best bodybuilders of the early 2000s. His claim to fame, beating Ronnie Coleman in the challenge round. A round they used to hold at the Mr. Olympia competition where they would compare various poses and get judged by former Mr. Olympias like Lee Haney and Dorian Yates, Samir Bannout. Gustavo defeated Ronnie in that challenge round and that was during Ronnie’s reign when he was supremely dominant winning Olympias. In the challenge round if you picked the right poses to go against different competitors you could strategically win that round, and so, so did Gustavo. I think that was the last time they held it after that.”
“Gustavo’s motta was ‘I work hard.’ I interviewed him numerous times back in the day and he used to,always tell me that,” Dave Palumbo shared. “Prayers out to his family. This has got to be a really tough one. From what I hear, I’m hearing stroke as a cause of death. I don’t like to give cause of deaths without autopsy reports or definitive you know confirmations from doctors, but that’s what I’m hearing from people who are close to him. It’s not confirmed but I did hear stroke.”
Gustavo Badell’s Competition History
1991
Junior Caribbean Championships – Overall Winner
1997
World Amateur Championships – IFBB, HeavyWeight, 10th
Caribbean Championships – Overall Winner (Earns Pro Card)
1998
Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 9th
1999
Grand Prix England – IFBB, 17th
Night of Champions – IFBB, Did not place
World Pro Championships – IFBB, 14th
2000
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 18th
Night of Champions – IFBB, Did not place
Toronto Pro – IFBB, Did not place
World Pro Championships – IFBB, 11th
2001
Grand Prix England – IFBB, Did not place
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 16th
San Francisco Pro – IFBB, 11th
2002
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 13th
Night of Champions – IFBB, 10th
Olympia – IFBB, 24th
Southwest Pro Cup – IFBB, 6th
Toronto Pro – IFBB, 3rd
2003
Night of Champions – IFBB, Did not place
2004
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 7th
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 3rd
Olympia – IFBB, 3rd
San Francisco Pro – IFBB, 4th
Show of Strength Pro Championships – IFBB, 3rd
2005
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 3rd
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
Olympia – IFBB, 3rd
2006
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 4th
Olympia – IFBB, 6th
San Francisco Pro – IFBB, Winner
2007
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 4th
Olympia – IFBB, 8th
2008
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 6th
Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
Olympia – IFBB, 10th
2009
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 11th
Atlantic City Pro – IFBB, Winner
Olympia – IFBB, 13th
2012
Arnold Classic – IFBB, 13th
This comes as a great loss after what has already been a difficult few months for the bodybuilding community. Less than two weeks ago, fitness influencer/Men’s Physique competitor Jo Linder passed away at just 30 years old. His girlfriend said he died from an aneurysm, but some fans are hoping for closure with an autopsy report.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Catalin Stefanescu, 30, also met his untimely fate after drowning in just a three-foot-deep river. In light of the odd circumstances, police are investigating the matter to find out exactly how he died.
RELATED: IFBB Pro Bodybuilder ‘Mighty Mike Quinn’ Dead at 61 After Suffering from Illness
Gustavo Badell will always be remembered in the bodybuilding community for his work ethic and perseverance. He leaves behind his loving wife and children. We at FitnessVolt send his family, loved ones, and friends our deepest condolences during this trying time.
Published: 13 July, 2023 | 10:37 AM EDT
IGF-1 Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Bodybuilding
Unleash the power of IGF-1 in bodybuilding to maximize your muscle growth, recovery, and performance. Discover the benefits of IGF-1 LR3, the recommended dosages for beginners, intermediate, and advanced bodybuilders, and how to safely incorporate this potent growth factor into your bodybuilding journey. Unlock your full potential and achieve optimal results with the help of IGF-1.
Dorian Yates Shares ‘Blood & Guts’ HIT Training Tips: “It Is Crucial to Be Properly Warmed Up”
Dorian Yates still attacks his workouts with the same grit he displayed throughout his IFBB Pro League career. He is revered for his intense training methods which centered around achieving failure. In a recent Instagram post, Yates emphasized the importance of a warm-up with mobility and flexibility work.
As mentioned above, Yates made a name for himself with exhaustive training strategies. Having led veterans of the sport such as Chris Cormier to complete exhaustion, Yates’ all-out approach saw him push his body to the absolute limits. While most bodybuilders stuck to set numbers of reps and sets, Yates valued quality over quantity to reach the top of the bodybuilding world.
From 1992-1997, Yates, labeled ‘The Shadow,’ worked in silence to produce six Mr. Olympia titles. During his reign, he shared the stage with Ronnie Coleman, Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, and countless others. Though, Yates is celebrated for more than just a near-flawless bodybuilding record, as he’s also maintained a stellar physique in retirement.
At 61 years old, Yates is thriving with many fans taking notice of his longevity. He credits regular exercise, meditation, yoga, and out-of-body experiences for his renewed health and happiness. Yates has taken fans on hallucinogenic trips while using ayahuasca and DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine).
During his prime, Yates followed the high-intensity training philosophy of the late Mike Mentzer and Arthur Jones. The thought process behind the strategy was stimulating maximum muscle growth, rather than achieving hypertrophy with long and leisurely workouts. Yates also took training principles from Tom Platz, who remembers Dorian attending one of his workout seminars years before he became a Mr. Olympia.
Dorian Yates Reflects on HIT Training, Says Flexibility & Mobility Keys to Proper Warm-Up
According to Yates, a proper warm-up is imperative for anyone attempting high-intensity interval training. To get the blood flowing to his legs before a training session, Yates utilized a stationary bike.
“A good warm up is imperative, especially for HIT.
Here’s a clip from Blood & Guts, my legs session.
I always spent a few minutes on the stationary bike to get the blood flowing. This was followed by an array of both static and dynamic stretching to get the muscles warm and ready for the poundages to come.
Mobility and flexibility work was something that I always did both throughout my competitive bodybuilding career and to this day.
It is crucial to be properly warmed up in whatever form of training you choose to pursue,” Yates shared.
Living a long, productive, and happy life is paramount for Dorian Yates. He recently offered fans a look into some of his go-to techniques for promoting longevity. He swears by an inversion machine which helps with spinal decompression. In addition, Yates has begun implementing Pilates which he says should help heal a body that’s endured ‘wars’ on stage.
Despite a career filled with sacrifice and strenuous work, Yates’ body has seemingly recovered well. At the beginning of the year, Yates underwent a VO2 Max and biological age assessment. The results were astounding as the bodybuilding legend’s markers were in the 30-39 age range.
READ MORE:
Yates’ health at 61 is great news for any athlete aspiring to follow in his footsteps. He remains a visible and healthy ambassador for the sport of bodybuilding.
Published: 13 July, 2023 | 8:09 AM EDT
Larry Wheels On Not Doing ‘Extreme’ Men’s Open: ‘Classic Physique Feels Like an Art Form’
Multi-talented Larry Wheels is a popular figure in the fitness space with experience competing in multiple strength-based sports. He is gearing up for a move to bodybuilding in the Classic Physique division. In a recent post made on Instagram, Wheels revealed why he didn’t choose the Men’s Open category.
Larry Wheels first gained attention for his incredible feats of strength as a budding powerlifting sensation in 2017. He set the World Record of 2,275 pounds on the squat, bench, and deadlift without wraps in the 275-pound weight class, a record that was broken by Zac Meyers last month. In 2018, he made his amateur bodybuilding debut at the NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic and scored gold overall.
Following a back injury, Wheels decided to quit steroids in August 2022. He chose to get on TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) as he slowly cut down on other performance-enhancing drugs. He revealed he’d switch to the Classic Physique division earlier this year. Open sensation Andrew Jacked and William Bonac partnered with Wheels to help him sharpen his posing abilities after the conclusion of the 2023 Arnold Classic.
Wheels left the fans stunned with a shredded physique update in prep for his highly awaited move to the Classic Physique division four months ago. He believes he’s already packing enough muscle on his massive frame and could hold his own with the use of TRT alone. Wheels showed off his insane bicep peak in an impressive physique update and posing session ahead of the transition.
The 28-year-old smashed a heavy set of 150-pound incline dumbbell shoulder presses and posted a ripped physique update two months ago. He added he was not lifting heavy weights in an effort to get his waist down. Then, he performed a massive 405-pound bench press for 22 reps.
Larry Wheels crushed a 150-pound incline dumbbell bench press for a taxing 25 reps last month. He also gave fans a sneak peek at the package he would bring in his Classic Physique debut.
‘Classic Physique Feels Like an Art Form’: Larry Wheels on Not Doing ‘Extreme’ Open
In a recent Instagram post, Larry Wheels revealed his reasons for choosing Classic Physique over the Men’s Open division. He favored Classic Physique due to its artistic touch and less extreme requirements.
“I’m trying to break into the Classic bodybuilding division so I’m dropping some weight, trying to get a bit healthier, get that tight snatched waist,” said Wheels. “It’s a big change from being a powerlifter, strongman, strength athlete, where being lean was just a byproduct of good genes and hard training but it was never a priority until now.
“The shift, because that’s just the direction the industry is going and also people like Joshua Manoi who lives out here in LA, very beautiful physique, very graceful when he poses. It feels more like an art form versus Open bodybuilding it feels like mass monsters. And I say that with respect to them because I know what it takes to get that far. It’s just I can’t put myself to that extreme to be where they’re at. And that’s not what I want for myself nor the message I want to pass on to my audience.
“I find that with Classic bodybuilding, I can use far less PEDs such as just TRT for example, and I can still be competitive, have a beautiful physique, still be super strong, and it’s still enhanced lifting and an enhanced lifestyle but a much healthier approach.”
Larry Wheels demolished a huge set of 500-pound paused bench presses with the encouragement of powerlifting legend CT Fletcher two weeks ago. Then, he collaborated with Stefi Cohen for an intense training session where he crushed a 405-pound bench press.
RELATED: Eddie Hall and Larry Wheels Crush an Intense Boulder Shoulder Workout
Based on his track record, Wheels has a good chance of finding success and fans are excited to see how he looks on stage.
Published: 12 July, 2023 | 9:42 PM EDT