Tag: Bodybuilding
Jay Cutler Talks Nutrition: ‘My Appetite Is Through the Roof Without Using Heavy Anabolics’
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler is back with another ‘Fit-for-50’ workout and health check-in. In a recent JayCutler TV YouTube video, Cutler opened up about his nutrition and shared a brutal arms-focused training session five weeks from his physique goal.
Competing mostly in the 2000s, Jay Cutler cemented himself as an all-time great with sheer willpower, tenacity, and some of the best legs in the IFBB Pro League. His attention to detail during training sessions paid dividends as he later became the man to dethrone eight-time Mr. Olympia titleholder, Ronnie Coleman. Cutler took second to Coleman four times before exacting his revenge.
Jay Cutler competed against the world’s best and remains the only bodybuilder from the Open to win back a Mr. Olympia title. He accomplished this historic feat after defeating Branch Warren and Dexter ‘The Blade’ Jackson at the 2009 Mr. Olympia show. Jay’s last Olympia contest came in 2013, where he finished sixth before announcing his retirement.
While he has no intentions of returning to compete, Jay Culter mapped out a physique transformation late last year. He’s been open with fans about the process, having shared workouts, physique updates, and even thoughts on his supplements and nutrition. In his latest ‘Fit-for-50’ update, Cutler showcased an impressive physique just seven weeks from his birthday.
Cutler has taken various measures to sculpt his body over the past few months. He’s made it clear that his goal is to get bigger and leaner at the same time. And he believes this can be accomplished mostly with nutrition. Jay said ‘keeping the metabolism guessing’ has always been key for getting in optimal shape. In his latest video, he walked fans through a brutal arms workout.
Jay Cutler Shows Off Arms Workout 5 Weeks from ‘Fit-for-50’ Goal
Check out Cutler’s workout below:
Seated Dip Machine – 4 sets
Rope /bar Triceps Pushdown – 4 sets
Lying French press w/barbell – 4 sets
One Arm Cable Tricep Extension – 4 sets
Atlantis Biceps Curl Machine – 4 sets
Preacher Curl Machine – 4 sets
Dumbbell Biceps Curl – 4 sets
Fat Grip Barbell Curls (22’s) – 4 sets
Kneeling Rope crunches – 4 sets
Power tower Leg Raises – 4 sets
Abdominals Machine – 4 sets
Cutler Sticking to 1 Hr 30 Min of Cardio Daily, Shares Sleep Schedule
Cutler said he’s aiming for an hour and a half of cardio per day. He also looked back on training in the middle of the night during his Olympia preps.
“So I did cardio last night at 3 was my last session. And that’s not good. So, basically, I’m going to do 30 minutes this morning and I’m going to do 30 minutes after training. I’m going to take you guys through another arm day because that seems to be everyone’s favorite day, arm training. So we’re Jay Walking right now, as you guys know, we love our Jay Walks right? I’m feeling good.
As you can see my mood is good. Only slept about four hours, I sleep mainly about five hours a night, everyone says you got to sleep more than that but honestly, that’s what I’ve been used to even when I was prepping. Many of you guys know from following the old videos, I used to train in the middle of the night. In a way, I did it as kind of a mind f to the other guys. Because they used to see me training in the DVDs and all that stuff. We didn’t have social media,” Jay Cutler shared.
Jay’s Typical Breakfast, Talks Greatest Challenges Before Turning 50
Cutler shared an average breakfast with fans. Then talked about the biggest obstacles he’s facing before turning 50.
“A couple whole eggs. The egg whites are from International Egg Whites Mac. I got a couple slices of Ezekiel raisin bread. I’m going to have a half a cup of low-fat cottage cheese. That much pineapple [few pieces]. And a cup of coffee, and I’m going to have a little I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. And that’s it..”
whole eggs
Ezekiel raisin bread
low-fat cottage cheese 1/2 cup
pineapple
coffee
margarin
According to Cutler, his toughest challenge is transforming his physique without the use of performance-enhancing drugs, other than testosterone replacement therapy.
“I’m doing this transformation – and I think I’m pretty good at what I did for 20 years. We still have people that try to tell me that, ‘This is what you need to do!’ No, just people are always giving opinions, you know. ‘This is what you need to do, this is how you need to look.’ You know what I say… the same thing I said when I was training for every Olympia.
I don’t think any Olympia ended exactly the same, right? It’s all circumstantial, it’s all trial and error. You think that – okay, this weight looks good, this amount of food you eat looks good, this amount of cardio, this is where I train harder, train less. There’s no formula that’s perfection because variables take place right? The body is the most complicated piece of machinery ever. So, it’s going to be reactive differently under different situations.”
“The biggest obstacle I have is training without all the extras, we know what we’re talking about. So, I’m in uncharted territory to carry muscle and get as lean as possible,” said Cutler. “My appetite is through the roof, that’s one thing I can tell you guys without using any heavy anabolics and stuff, my appetite is just crazy.”
Before ending the video, Cutler mentioned that he has avoided fat burners but may consider them at the four-week mark.
“I mentioned in the beginning of this video, I don’t necessarily take fat burners, although maybe the last few weeks. We’re at five weeks, so at four weeks I need to re-evaluate the body and say, okay, do I need to hustle? I felt like at seven weeks out I had a hustle, I’ve now upped the cardio to one hour and thirty minutes a day.”
This isn’t the first time Cutler has brought up anabolics. In a Cutler Cast Podcast, Cutler took issue with new-gen bodybuilders openly discussing steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. He believes talking publicly about the matter could end up hurting athletes down the road with other opportunities.
Whether it’s training for 20-inch arms or fasted cardio, Cutler is a valuable resource for the bodybuilding community. He hopes to display his best physique in 10 years in just over one month in celebration of his 50th birthday.
You can watch the full video from the JayCutlerTV YouTube channel below:
Published: 12 July, 2023 | 4:07 PM EDT
Bodybuilder Robert Taylor Fainted After 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Prejudging, Suffers Severe Skin Reaction
Popular 212 Bodybuilder, Robert Taylor, will need to take some much-needed time off following some bad luck at the 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro last weekend. In posts made to Instagram, Taylor revealed that he passed out after one round of posing and developed a severe skin reaction.
“Don’t know what has happened to my body – There are other big reasons too but for everyone who is wondering why I never came back out for routine and finals,” Taylor shared.
Taylor continues to gather steam in the IFBB Pro League. Last year, he claimed gold at the 2022 Musclecontest Ireland Pro, where he defeated contenders Pasquale D’Angelo and David Henry. This win earned him an invitation to the Olympia contest. He used the momentum at his next show, which came months later at the NPC Pennsylvania Muscle in third place.
Robert Taylor opened up about a back injury that prevented him from making it to the sport’s biggest stage. Last year, he shared that days were hard to get through without the use of prescription painkillers. While it would have been his first Mr. Olympia appearance, Taylor instead had to watch the event from the sidelines.
As of this year, Taylor wasted no time in going after his Olympia qualification. He brought his best to the recent 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro, though problem after problem arose. And while his skin irritation seemed unusual, retired Pro, Guy Cisternino, shared a near-identical photo of one such reaction he had in 2017. He called it ‘a fixed drug eruption mixed with a phototoxic reaction.’
Robert Taylor Shares Health Scare, Skin Reaction: “Nearly Ended Up In Hospital”
Below you can find Taylor’s statement and a video of him struggling to stay conscious after posing last weekend. Fortunately, he wasn’t hospitalized but reported feeling sick as the events unfolded.
“The bits people didn’t see –Passed out after stageWas in and out of consciousness for 3hrsNearly ended up in hospitalI did 1 round of posing on stage then I left the stage and refused to go back out (so no I didn’t finish last for all you nuggets out there) – I felt sick / poorly and could get zero pump + the flare up on the skin which I’m still confused over and trying to get answersPortugal has been the worst experience of my life which has left me deflated and going to take a long time to re build my confidence backI worked my absolute bollocks off for this prep and it should have been so smooth at the end but god had other plans for me – it’s going to take time to get the old me back but if there’s 1 man for the job it’s the Pitbull ?My health will always be priority and I will never ever repeat Portugal againWake up and smell the cookies guys please look after yourself ?Currently treating my skin issues and getting back into routine that’s my only goal right now ❤️” Robert Taylor shared.
In a separate post, Taylor showed off the severe skin reaction he’s suffering from. Currently, it’s being treated and his hope is to get back into a healthy routine soon.
Guy Cisternino’s Cautionary Tale: ‘Do Not Tan While on Diuretics’
With absolutely no idea how it happened, Taylor understandably had a lot of questions. Fans quickly took note that Guy Cisternino dealt with a similar ailment. Cisternino warned that he’s not a doctor but suspected that Taylor’s symptoms were caused by a ‘phototoxic’ reaction from diuretics. Cisternino went on to say that most diuretics come with a label that says users are advised to avoid sunlight/UV light or risk adverse reactions.
Guy shared that the condition produced a burning sensation. He underlined that he was forced to take Morphine and Dilaudid to stave off the pain, adding that he was poked with needles, and even had doctors mention it could’ve been a rare type of skin cancer.
Considering the nature of the sport, adverse skin reactions have become a more common problem among athletes. They can range from minor to quite severe, as displayed by a TikToker known as John Joshua James. He suffered from severe back acne as a result of using steroids for four months. Even though he’s suffered from widespread sores/scars on his back, James has no intention of stopping gear. He invited fans to join him on his journey to 180 pounds.
RELATED: Guy Cisternino Fires Back At Critics Over Viral Gym Fight Video: ‘I Felt Disrespected’
Fans are eager to see Robert Taylor make it to the Mr. Olympia stage, but recovery is his top priority in the meantime. As for Guy Cisternino, he hopes his message helps prevent others from going through similar situations.
Published: 12 July, 2023 | 11:34 AM EDT
Chris Bumstead Details His Recovery Routine for ‘High Performance,’ Talks 2023 Olympia Prep
Canadian bodybuilder Chris Bumstead has proven to be one of the most commanding champions in the sport. With four Classic Physique Olympia titles under his belt, he will target adding the fifth later this year at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. In a recent interview with Chris Williamson, Bumstead shared his morning routines, the most important factors for recovery, and building a ‘champion mentality.’
Chris Bumstead first rose to prominence for his refined muscle mass, detail, and symmetry as a Classic Physique competitor in 2017. He worked his way up the regional circuit and took silver in his Mr. Olympia debut. After missing out on the top prize to former two-time winner Breon Ansley for the second year in a row, Bumstead finally secured his first title at the 2019 Mr. Olympia. Since taking the throne, he has managed to ward off budding contenders, having won his fourth title at last December’s Olympia show.
Given his invincible aura in the Classic Physique, Bumstead raised speculation among fans about his chances in the Men’s Open division. IFBB Pro League athletes’ representative Bob Cicherillo backed him to be a top-10 contender in the Open and even believes he would hold his own against some of the freakiest mass monsters in the world if he packed on 15-20 pounds.
Bodybuilding veteran Chris Cormier believes there’s a demand to see ‘CBum’ pose next to top Open talent last month. He recommended Bumstead get a special invite to compete in the Open Olympia like Derek Lunsford received last year. In contrast, Rich Gaspari sees a long road ahead for Bumstead if he decided to make a splash in the marquee division of bodybuilding.
Bumstead opened up on the updated diet he’s using in the 2023 off-season and offered a sneak peek at his private gym, which is under construction. Then, he crushed a heavy legs workout en route to the 2023 Mr. Olympia later this year.
On the horizon, Chris Bumstead will likely be tasked with facing new contenders on the Olympia stage. Rising sensation Stephane Matala has emerged as a potential threat with his insanely shredded and aesthetic physique, though he’s yet to earn an invite to the show. Renowned bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev admitted Bumstead had a better structure but favored Matala to eventually outshine him one day.
Chris Bumstead shares his morning routines
In a recent YouTube video, Chris Bumstead shared how his morning routines vary in prep and during the off-season throughout the year.
He likes to do cardio after waking up and keeps meals light early in the morning.
“Off-season, I wake up and usually just do a bit of light cardio. I’ve been in different time zones for the last six months so it’s just whatever time zone I’m on,” said Bumstead. “I normally wake up and do a little bit of cardio just like 20 minutes to make sure my appetite’s going and then I have a cold plunge. I usually dip my legs in there at least if not my full body, up to my waist then shower, eat, go to work. [Breakfast] varies consistently. I get sick of food really quick especially breakfast foods so I don’t like eating eggs when I’m eating a lot of food so I normally just make a smoothie and then I’ll have oatmeal blended into the smoothie and some Ezekiel bread toast and almond butter.”
As for prep, Bumstead ramps up the cardio and incorporates breath work.
“Prep evolves. I’m very fluid. My routines, depends on the time of the year, it’s just wherever I feel natural. I just kind of flow into that state, do what I can, and kind of thrive in that structure rather than really regimented. But in prep, I’ll wake up in the morning and usually do breath work thing because I get sucked in that. At first I tried to do it for the mental and now it’s just to oxygenate my body before waking up doing cardio. After that I’ll usually sauna, cold tub, or combine it. Then cardio will be higher at that point and then I’ll go shower and eat.”
Bumstead shares his best tips on recovery & rest
Chris Bumstead listed his best tips on optimizing recovery and rest. He stressed the importance of sleep and laid out the other techniques he uses to boost recovery.
“Sleep is probably the number one thing. Whether it’s brain health, aging, or just high performance, sleep is one of the most important aspects anyone can have. You lose any bit of sleep you’re used to and your body just suffers more than you can even understand. Being super regimented on sleep and that’s why when I’m in different time zones I don’t set an alarm. Some people believe you should create your circadian rhythm as fast as possible. I’m like na I’m going to get eight hours in no matter what. I let myself get eight hours and I usually aim for nine because I don’t sleep the whole night fully. Sleep has been absolutely huge.
“At a point in my career when I was 21, started to get more injuries, like adrenal fatigue almost, I trained six-seven days a week for three hours, I felt like I needed to tone it back a bit. Then I started training five days a week for three hours I had a little more progress. I noticed as I was pulling away from the volume essentially I actually started to progress more and feel better. So, allowing myself to have more time to recover made me stronger.”
“Obviously basic sh*t like protein intake is huge, timing of it I really don’t think matters. Ice baths, saunas helped me a lot. Stretching, active recovery, doing cardio and stretching immediately after so you’re a little bit warm, and I do a lot of soft tissue work. When I’m in prep I probably do a week or two.”
“Hyperbaric chamber’s the next step. I need one of those in my house.”
‘CBum’s principles for a champion mentality
Chris Bumstead gave fans a look into the principles of having a champion mentality.
“Originally it was just winning and it evolved into like a no quit mentality. It’s accepting these fears, doubts I have, and everything that goes through my mind but regardless of that not quitting and not giving up on myself. No matter how hard the time or what I’m going through, I’m still going to put in the same work regardless of how I feel. That’s a champion mentality. Champions are not controlled by the circumstances. They control their own mind inside and then the world gets on around them. I really think greatness in champions not only elevate themselves but the people around them.
“You’re put into a position where you can help others. When you’re in a position of greatness, you can elevate others to a higher level and being able to inspire and bring them up to be better people is part of what makes you great rather than just the selfish act of being you.”
Chris Bumstead smashed a brutal back workout to build muscle in the off-season earlier this month. He followed it up by revealing his top ten exercises to induce hypertrophy a week later.
Bumstead revealed Trenbolone as the most toxic steroid he stays away from last week. And he’s not the only bodybuilder to say as much. Larry Wheels has also stated that his time on Trenbolone was a ‘living hell.’ Meanwhile, other competitors like Nathan De Asha have sworn by the compound, mentioning that its helped give him strength year-round.
RELATED: Chris Bumstead’s Arm-Blasting Training Regimen for Massive Gains in the 2023 Off-Season
Chris’ latest offering provides insight into the Olympia-winning techniques of a champion and will help fans level up their fitness game.
You can watch the full video below:
Published: 12 July, 2023 | 8:38 AM EDT
Michal Krizo Blitzes Through Triceps And Shoulders Workout
Bodybuilder Michal Krizo is keeping himself busy in the gym during the off-season. Having earned the qualification to the 2023 Olympia already, his singular focus now remains to get his physique ready for the grandest stage of bodybuilding. He recently went through a short triceps and posterior deltoid workout in the gym.
Michal ‘Krizo’ Krizanek is the foremost flagbearer of the Slovakian bodybuilding scene at the moment. The 33-year-old competed in the IFBB Elite Pro League until recently. However, he made the switch to NPC in late 2021 to kick off the Olympia campaign. This was one of the highly anticipated crossovers in recent times. Krizo’s insanely muscular physique and massive size created a lot of hype around his name.
Krizo earned the IFBB Pro card with a dominant win at the 2022 Amateur Olympia Italy. Admittedly, he did not beat the most elite competition. However, the Slovak made a quick turnaround and competed at the 2022 EVLS Prague Pro.
He registered a win and also got a direct invitation to the 2022 Mr. Olympia. But the chinks in Krizo’s armor showed up at this point. His conditioning was nowhere near what it should be for an elite Olympia challenger. But Krizo brought an improved physique to the Olympia stage. However, it wasn’t enough to break through the higher ranks and he placed 12th at the 2022 Olympia.
Krizo last competed at the 2023 Empro Classic Pro Spain and emerged victorious, earning a direct qualification to the 2023 Olympia. He is now in the off-season before starting the Olympia prep.
Michal Krizo trains triceps and posterior deltoids in the gym
After winning the Empro Classic Pro in June, Krizo is taking a step back to allow his body to rest well. He will continue to put in light work until the end of July. Starting in August, he will be on a strict diet to get ready for the 2023 Olympia. The triceps and shoulder training session aimed at keeping his body active and ready for action until it’s time to switch the gear.
Triceps Dip Press
Krizo kicked off the training session with a few sets of triceps dip presses. It is a machine variation of regular bodyweight dip. It helps adjust the resistance above or below the resistance offered in a bodyweight dip.
The 2023 Empro Classic Pro winner pushed through a few solid sets of the exercise with controlled and slow motion. He then took to another triceps movement.
Cable Triceps Pushdown
One of the most effective and simple ways of working all three heads of the triceps, cable triceps pushdown is a widely used exercise around the world.
Krizo performed a few sets of pushdowns using straight handle attachment and jumped into the only posterior delt exercise of the day.
Reverse Pec Deck Flyes
Posterior deltoid is a relatively small muscle. It gets activated during many back exercises. However, it is essential to directly target it with specific movements. Krizo performed reverse pec deck flyes to stimulate the posterior deltoids and wrapped up the training session.
Overall, the workout included:
Michal Krizo has fixed a glaring flaw in his physique – conditioning. He achieved this through significant changes to the diet and cardio. It remains to be seen if the improvements made over the next few months will be enough to break into the top echelons of the Men’s Open division.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Michal Krizo’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 11:08 PM EDT
Frank Zane Discusses Competing vs Sergio Oliva & Longevity Tips: “Don’t Stay Peaked”
Bodybuilding legend Frank Zane still inspires fans at 81 years old. In a recent YouTube video on Mike O’Hearn’s channel, Zane looked back on competing against Sergio Oliva in 1967 at the Mr. Universe. In addition, he opened up about his best tips for longevity, where he advocated against peaking for long periods of time.
Zane, one of the most iconic bodybuilders of the golden era during the 1960s and 70s, cultivated a strong mental game en route to becoming a three-time Mr. Olympia champion. His unique ability to utilize meditation, visualization, and positive affirmations no doubt assisted him along his journey as a Pro.
Nicknamed ‘The Chemist,’ Zane is celebrated for his calculated approach to the sport. He left nothing to chance in his quest for a perfect physique. From muscle development, skin tone, posing, and workout routines, Zane developed a remarkable body that combined elements of artistry and hard work. During his storied career, Zane went toe-to-toe against legends such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robby Robinson, and Franco Columbo.
While building a successful legacy, Zane maintained low body fat and exceptional conditioning. In an appearance on The Menace Podcast, Zane told Dennis James that he used a low-carb diet year-round during his prime. Additionally, Zane said that he preferred to use sunbathing as a natural diuretic.
In retirement, Zane still offers the bodybuilding community a helping hand from time to time. He recently guided fans who were looking for useful stretching and recovery strategies. In a previous meeting with Mike O’Hearn, Zane also shared some uncommon exercises he used to fuel his Mr. Olympia title reign. Now, he’s back to discuss his career with O’Hearn.
3x Mr. Olympia Frank Zane Looks Back on Career, Competing vs Sergio Oliva: “He Blew Everybody’s Mind”
According to Frank Zane, at 81 years old, ‘all you have left’ is pictures because ‘the body fades.’
“You know that’s all you have [is pictures] in the end. That’s all you have because the body fades. You can hold on. You’re what Mike, 52?” asks Frank Zane.
“Yeah, 53,” O’Hearn said.
“Well, you’re doing good for that age. I was in decent shape in my early 50s too. But the older you get the harder it gets. The less motivated I was to keep doing it because there’s no good reason to keep up keep doing this.
Zane underlined that he modeled his career after the late Bill Pearl. His last competition came in 1983 at the NABBA Mr. Universe.
“My last show I think I was 41, 1983. I sort of looked at Bill Pearl’s career and the way he did things, his last competition he was 41, the NABBA Universe, I was actually in that against him. And of course, I always had my complaints about him because he was always smooth he was never really cut. He knew how to work that. He did that really well,” said Frank Zane.
In another blast from the past, Frank remembered losing to Sergio Oliva at the 1967 Mr. Universe, a show he said he wasn’t quite ready for. Oliva told him that he would one day win the sport’s top title, which later came true.
“That reminds me of a ’67 Mr. Universe contest in Montreal. I went up there. You know I really wasn’t ready for it to tell you the truth. I was saving for you know for a little bit into the future. And Sergio shows up at the last minute and he just psyched everybody out. And he was in shape too of course. But he just blew everybody’s mind. He looked incredible.”
“Oh, I knew what he had looked like. I had seen him before. I was friends with Sergio. He told me, he says, how do I put it, he says, ‘You’re going to win one of the top titles because you know how to do.’ You know how to do, you know, how to pose and all that stuff. So, I put a great deal of stock into that.
Zane Gives Crucial Tip for Longevity: “Don’t Stay Peaked, Stay Less Than Your Best”
Zane’s best piece of advice for athletes aiming for a long and healthy life is not to stay peaked for an extended period of time. As time passed, Zane realized he could only peak at his best one time a year.
“Yeah, I don’t get sick,” said Zane. “I always had this in mind, basically, don’t stay peaked. Stay less than your best. Always stay under. I always looked at the 94% number.”
“If you’re climbing Mt. Everest, you don’t stay up there do you? You can’t stay up there. You come down to base camp. You can live in base camp but you can’t live at the top. It’s too much sacrifice to keep doing that. You know what you have to do with the dieting and mental framework, you’re not meant to do that.”
“I always put in the work, it wasn’t like things came naturally to me. I always did the work,” said Zane. “It’s what sustains you. The thing is, I realized that I could only peak one time a year. Even doing it twice was too much. One time a year in the Autumn. I looked at it this way.
Frank doesn’t believe it’s healthy to sustain low levels of body fat for months or years at a time. Zane also mentioned that it was natural for him to peak in July, August, and September since those months were close to his birthday.
“I was born late June, so my periods of most growth in my life were July, August, September and that paralleled my competitive career. I was always in shape in the fall. That’s what was natural for me. If I tried to do more than that I wasn’t as good. Some of that is physical, a lot of it is mental,” explained Frank Zane.
“Don’t spend it all,” said Zane. “Don’t stay peaked. To be peaked, you have all this gold: if you want to stay deep, you have to keep spending it spending it spending it, you’re going to run out. You got to save some. Keep some in reserve.”
Before wrapping up the discussion, Zane told O’Hearn that bodybuilders need to achieve a ‘great unveil’ to find succes. He believes athletes hinder their chances on stage by offering fans consistent looks at their physiques before contests.
“Yeah, I never exposed myself in the gym. Well, you know, it’s like the great unveil. You don’t walk around that way. The whole thing about it is you have to shock people. When you go into the show, the unveiling should be exactly that, they should be astonished you look so good. The way you do that, is you don’t give it away ahead of time. You don’t do all this publicity where you’re posing in public where everyone sees you and knows what to expect.”
This isn’t the first time Frank Zane has taken a closer look at bodybuilders competing today. In January, the former three-time Mr. Olympia warned that competitors who rush to gain extra weight will ruin their symmetry and proportions in the long run. He also specified that building mass in extremities like the forearms and calves can help a body look more symmetrical.
There’s no denying that Sergio Oliva was a dominant force on stage. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger has looked back on competing against Sergio Olvia, and he described him as the toughest foe of his entire career.
RELATED: 8x Mr. Olympia Lee Haney Talks Dorian Yates Rivalry and The Longevity of Frank Zane
You can watch the full video on Mike O’Hearn’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 7:16 PM EDT
Fitness Influencer Jesse James West Teams Up With Bodybuilder Jeremy Buendia for Shoulders Workout
American bodybuilder Jeremy Buendia set the gold standard for the Men’s Physique division before taking to the sidelines in 2018. In a recent video uploaded on YouTube, Buendia mentored social media fitness influencer Jesse James West through a brutal Mr. Olympia shoulder workout 23 days from his next show.
Jeremy Buendia gained a passion for working out early in life and started competing in bodybuilding competitions in his teenage years. He first rose to prominence for his insane upper body development, conditioning, and symmetry as a Men’s Physique competitor in 2013 when he took silver to Mark Anthony in the division’s inaugural Mr. Olympia event.
Buendia returned the next year sharper than ever and took home the top prize at the 2014 Mr. Olympia. He went on a dominant run that saw him win the Men’s Physique Olympia title four times in a row. After dropping the crown to Brandon Hendrickson in 2018, he stepped away from the competition.
In Oct. 2022, Buendia offered the huge 4,600-calorie bulking diet he utilized to pack 19 pounds in two weeks. Having teased the possibility of returning to the stage with a more jacked physique, he took full advantage of the off-season. Following the crowning of Erin Banks at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Buendia confirmed his plans for a comeback and declared his ambitions to reclaim the Olympia title.
Buendia gave his take on the current crop of talent in the Men’s Physique category earlier this year. Given how stacked the division is, he believes he would need to bring a flawless package to contend with the most elite competitors.
Jeremy Buendia left the fans stunned with a ripped physique update four months ago. He revealed he’s taking TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) along with peptides and weighed around 210 pounds lean ahead of his anticipated comeback.
Social media sensation Jesse James West has carved out his own space in the fitness community with his athletic and entertaining content. He often collaborates with some of the biggest names in fitness for pranks and insane workout sessions, such as former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall, and bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman.
Jesse doesn’t shy away from any sort of workout challenge. In the past, he adopted the lifestyle of Liver King for 50 hours before partnering with four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler for a chest training and posing session.
Fitness Influencer Jesse James Team Up with Bodybuilder Jeremy Buendia for Shoulders Workout
In a recent YouTube video, Jeremy Buendia guided Jesse James West through a challenging shoulder workout session to help him get ready for an upcoming show in 23 days.
Buendia revealed he’s around 200-205 pounds, eats 350-400g of protein, and consumes 5,400 calories a day to gain muscle.
Buendia Shoulder Workout:
Hammer Strength Shoulder Press: 2 warm-up sets, 3 working sets
Dumbbell Lateral Raise: triple drop set 4 times.
Cable Front Raise /Supersets With Plate Overhead Press
Cable rear Delt Fly/ Supersets Bent Over Dumbbell Rear Delt Raise
Jeremy Buendia gave fans a look into his preparations with a push-day workout update showing off his jacked physique last month. He credited the modern Men’s Physique contenders for evolving the division and hinted at bringing a revamped package in his return. Buendia followed that up detailing the 4,000-calorie bulking diet he’s utilizing to enhance his physique weeks ago.
Based on the latest update, Buendia looks to be well on his way to a successful comeback. His tips will greatly benefit West as he enters the final stages of his prep for an upcoming show.
RELATED: Jeremy Buendia Announces Bodybuilding Comeback: ‘The Goal is 220 Pounds, Expect to See My Biggest and Best Ever’
You can watch the full video below:
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 5:04 PM EDT
Nick Walker on Track for 2023 Mr. Olympia: “My Quads Have Grown Quickly In a Short Amount of Time”
Nick Walker is gearing up for contest prep ahead of this year’s Mr. Olympia competition, taking place Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. In a recent Mutant and the Mouth Podcast, Walker received advice on his front double biceps pose from Jose Raymond and discussed his quad growth over the last several weeks.
Last December, Walker witnessed a seismic shift first-hand in the Open class as the former champion, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay was knocked off his throne by Hadi Choopan. Walker took third and the Olympia People’s Champ Award while his rival, Derek Lunsford, took silver in a nail-biter finale.
Walker used the momentum from Las Vegas at the 2023 Arnold Classic show in March. He battled with finalists Andrew Jacked and Samson Dauda for the second most prestigious title in the sport as well as a $300,000 check. In what many deemed controversial, Dauda was awarded first place and Walker finished runner-up. Dauda’s win sparked debates online and even got the attention of athletes rep Bob Cicherillo.
Cicherillo has gone on record sharing insight on how to judge contests. In addition, he laid out why Samson defeated Walker in Columbus, Ohio. Cicherillo contends that Dauda presented a better combination of factors such as shape, symmetry, proportions, and balance. Walker has been open about his future plans. He intends to show up this year on the Mr. Olympia stage and win the show.
Walker connected with Jose Raymond in his latest undertaking. Raymond led a successful 212 bodybuilding career. During Jose’s tenure, he won several Pro shows and pushed himself against greats of his category like seven-time 212 Olympia Flex Lewis and Hidetada Yamagishi, who is currently in preparations for the upcoming Masters Olympia contest.
Nick Walker Takes Posing Advice from 212 Veteran Jose Raymond, Talks 2023 Mr. Olympia + Quads
Jose Raymond asked Walker how he planned to hit his front double biceps pose moving forward. He believes when Walker opens up more as opposed to crunching and performs a vacuum pose, his waist is slimmer and he has a more impressive v-taper.
“Are you going to implement that front double with more of a vacuum as opposed to crunching down? Do you intend to master that pose? Do you like the ab crunch better, do you think it looked better… I know that it was – it made a big change in your physique when you hit the Arnold and won the Arnold and did that. But I just wonder, because I know when you do open up and do it, you look gigantic. Absolutely. It changes the flow of your physique. There’s more taper,” said Jose Raymond.
“When I did that before, the more [open front double] at North Americans before I turned Pro. You know, I know it makes my waist look smaller and everything a little wider but I was told it makes my legs look shorter. That’s why I went with the crunch,” replied Walker.
Walker seemed receptive to the new changes and Raymond mentioned it would give him comparable shape to Derek Lunsford.
“Yeah, that’s something [vacuum poses] I need to work on to get the feeling down of it,” Walker added.
“I think if you master that pose, you will have a size and shape not unlike Lunsford with how it just opens up, it’s so crazy,” said Raymond.
Before his efforts ramp up for the contest, Walker is taking a break from all stimulants including coffee.
“I haven’t even drank coffee in like three to four weeks, I’ve taken a full break from any type of stim,” said Walker. “Nothing. I haven’t had it. I’ve noticed I sleep better.”
“I would only do one [cup of coffee]. I’d go to Starbucks. Like a normal day, not now – because I have cardio at the house but I’d normally drive to the gym up the street. Do cardio, then right after drive to the Starbucks drive-thru and get a Venti Cold Brew.
Then I’d come home and mix like the pump products with the stim products together as a pre-workout but I haven’t done any of that for like four weeks. Yeah [I’m going to go back to it]. Once I’m deep into prep and tired and need a little pick me up I’ll start adding those back in again. But I do feel like every once in a while, you need a break.”
For his latest Olympia campaign, Walker specified that he developed better mind-muscle connection by using a full range of motion on movements like the incline dumbbell press.
“You have to be very intuned with this type of training like you have to – pay very close attention to it. I also think me training less volume is – I just feel like I’m so intuned with how much I can connect with the muscle that I don’t need to do three or four or five sets for an exercise.
I like to go where I feel I have the most pump within whatever that exercise I’m doing. Get the most out of it and move on. I just, I feel like when you’re able to connect so well with the muscle you can certainly get away without doing so much volume over time,” said Nick Walker. “No, for today, I did incline dumbbell. I’ve been working on full full full range of motion which is something Jared did teach me. I wasn’t doing full range.”
“The more frequently I’m able to hit a body part, I grow faster. I’ve found my quads have grown very quickly in a short amount of time so I kind of want to keep that going,” said Nick Walker. “No I don’t think so [they won’t be flat].”
Prime Shaun Clarida versus Prime Flex Lewis?
While Clarida is one of the freakiest bodybuilders Walker has ever seen, he’s unsure how he’d fare against a prime Flex Lewis. Raymond, on the other hand, believes Lewis would overwhelm Clarida with size and shape.
“Listen, Shaun in person is… it’s freaky as fuck. Because now, every – the week before the Olympia we pretty much stay together. I see how his body changes… by the day. It’s insane. It’s incredible. It really is.”
“Who would win peak Shaun or peak Flex Lewis? asks Jose Raymond.
“That’s a really good question. I plead the fifth,” said Walker.
“I’m going to go with Flex, and I’ll say this, I’m going with Flex because of the simple fact that they both have a lot of factors that go into it and both I can argue, I can argue Flex and I can argue Shaun. However at the end of the day if they’re both 100%, Flex is that much bigger, period,” Guy Cisternino said.
“Yeah. I will say though, Shaun almost beat Big Ramy,” added Walker.
Looking ahead to the next Mr. Olympia, Nick Walker has been open and honest about his competition. In late June, he appeared in an HD Muscle video and doubted the potential of Big Ramy, Andrew Jacked, Regan Grimes, and Samson Dauda.
Walker has publicly stated that Hadi Choopan will not successfully defend his title later this year. He believes the finals will see either himself or Derek Lunsford taking gold. Veterans of the sport have placed their bets as well. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman predicts Lunsford will become the next champion in Nov.
With the right balance of freak factor, mass, and conditioning, many believe Walker to be a future Mr. Olympia winner. Time will tell if he’s able to secure the prestigious title this year, but he’s more confident than ever as he inches closer to the show.
RELATED: Nick Walker Gets Pushback on Transformation: ‘Look How Much HGH Has Enlarged His Organs’
You can watch the full video from The Mutant and the Mouth YouTube channel below:
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 2:50 PM EDT
30-Year-Old Bodybuilder Catalin Stefanescu Dies Mysteriously After Drowning In Shallow Lake
Romanian bodybuilder Catalin Stefanescu mysteriously passed away in a shallow lake while he was on a boating trip with a friend. According to Targoviste News, he was found submerged and lifeless in a 3-foot deep lake in Dambovita County, Romania, on Sunday.
Authorities found a 30-year-old man drowned in a lake in Lazuri, where he had gone fishing. While the ambulance quickly arrived, Catalin was pronounced dead at the scene. The police are conducting investigations to determine how the events unfolded.
Catalin Stefanescu was a Romanian bodybuilding talent who finished first in the 80-kilogram category at the National Fitness and Bodybuilding Championship. He was a Classic Bodybuilding competitor, who took part in shows in the over 180 cm category.
(Photo Credit: Dailymail.uk.co)
Police Issue Statement on Catalin Stefanescu’s Obscure Shallow Drowning
Representatives from the Dambovita County Police had the following to say about the incident:
“The police were notified by the administrator of a lake about a deceased person.”
“Upon arrival at the scene, the police found that a 30-year-old man, while fishing on a lake in Lazuri, had been found drowned.”
“Investigations are underway to establish precisely all the circumstances of the event,” the representative said.
In addition to his bodybuilding career, Stefanescu was a personal fitness trainer in Targoviste, the town he grew up in. His death is the latest to shake up a community that can’t seem to catch a break. Less than two weeks ago, popular bodybuilder/fitness influencer Jo “Joesthetics” Linder passed away at 30 years old. His girlfriend believes his death was caused by an aneurysm, but the autopsy results have yet to be made available.
Similar to this case, there is considerable curiosity and confusion as to how Jo Linder passed away. It was known that he suffered from Rippling Muscle Disease. However, some suspect that his use of performance-enhancing drugs contributed to his death.
Weeks before his passing, Linder appeared in a Raw Talk podcast with Bradley Martyn and shared his regret for having gotten four COVID-19 vaccine shots. He said doctors found ‘particles’ in his blood after the vaccines which prompted him to receive regular treatments of plasmapheresis.
The dangers of the sport have become a hot topic as of late. In 2021, former Mr. Olympia Shawn Rhoden and George Peterson both died from suspected heart complications. The trend continued last year as fans grieved over the passing of Cedric McMillan, who was only 44 years old.
RELATED: 21 Bodybuilders Who Died of Heart Attack
There are certainly unanswered questions regarding the mysterious death of Catalin Stefanescu. If more details about his drowning become available, Fitness Volt will keep you updated.
Catalin Stefanescu leaves behind a great bodybuilding legacy, a wife, and a loving daughter. We send our best wishes to his family and all who have been affected by this unexpected tragedy.
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 1:28 PM EDT
Chris Bumstead’s Arm-Blasting Training Regimen for Massive Gains in the 2023 Off-Season
Chris Bumstead is building ‘joocy’ arms this season. The Classic Physique Olympia champion is gearing up for the 2023 Olympia prep and recently posted an intense arms workout on YouTube.
Bumstead is arguably the most famous active bodybuilder in the world right now. He competes in the IFBB Pro League’s Classic Physique division. The Canadian bodybuilder has become the most successful competitor in the division’s history with four Olympia wins to his record. After becoming the Classic Physique Olympia champion in 2019, CBum has defended the title successfully at the 2020, 2021 and the 2022 Olympia.
A living example of discipline and undeterred focus, Bumstead has achieved this feat in spite of several adversities. He suffered a knee injury heading into the 2022 Olympia prep and also pushed through a quad injury. Last minute coaching changes did not make his path easier either. However, under the tutelage of new head coach Hany Rambod, Bumstead achieved the desired results.
After the event concluded, the 28-year-old revealed that he entered the 2022 Olympia with a torn bicep. After recovering fully from the injury, he is now increasing the intensity in his training.
Recently, Bumstead went through an arms workout and posted the video of this training session on his YouTube channel. So let’s delve into the world of Classic Physique bodybuilding and see how Bumstead builds his massive arms.
Chris Bumstead pushes through an arms workout in the gym
Superset – Banded Cable Triceps Pushdown and Overhead Cable Triceps Extensions
Triceps pushdowns are a great way to train the triceps and also warm up the elbow joint. Therefore they make for an excellent first exercise on arms day. Chris Bumstead superset this movement with overhead triceps extensions, which work the triceps from a stretched position and target the long head of the triceps.
Chris Bumstead used banded attachment for both exercises initially and then switched to the rope attachment. He cranked out solid sets within the superset to start on a high note.
Smith Machine JM Press With Slight Incline
JM Press is an arms exercise that can be best described as part skull crusher and part close-grip bench press. Bumstead slightly modified the form and did the exercise on a slightly inclined bench using Smith Machine. According to him, this is one of the exercises where he can use a decent amount of load without stressing the shoulders. The Canadian bodybuilder got a few sets of the movement under the belt and took to an isolation movement next.
Dumbbell Curls
The Classic Physique Olympia champion worked the biceps next with dumbbell curls. This isolation movement primarily targets the biceps brachii muscles. CBum cranked out a few sets of the movement to build massive biceps and jumped into a superset next.
Superset – Preacher Curls and Spider Curls
Supersets are a great way to increase the aerobic intensity of the workout and get more work done in a shorter amount of time. Chris Bumstead performed preacher curls next. It is arguably the best bicep isolation movement. Since triceps are firmly against the pads and the shoulder is neatly tucked in, biceps lift the weight totally unassisted resulting in strength and muscle gain.
CBum superset this exercise with spider curls. Variety in exercise selection is an important factor for complete growth in terms of muscle mass and strength gain. Spider curls belong to the category of exercises that offer great variety. They target the short head of biceps. After doing all the sets within this superset with short rest periods, Bumstead shifted his focus to working triceps.
Cross Cable Triceps Extensions
Full elbow flexion and stability in the shoulder joint are the two most important criteria for triceps activation. Cross cable triceps extensions are perfect to achieve both and hence they are an excellent way to build triceps strength and size. Bumstead annihilated some solid sets of the exercise and took to a forearm-focused isolation exercise next.
Dumbbell Hammer Curls
Hammer curls primarily target the brachialis and Brachioradialis muscles in the arms. As a result, it is a great option for those looking to build massive and strong forearms and biceps. CBum pushed through a few sets of hammer curls and took to the final exercise of the day.
Reverse Grip EZ Bar Curls
CBum rounded off the training session with reverse grip EZ bar curls. Similar to hammer curls, this isolation exercise also works the brachialis and Brachioradialis muscles in the arms. However, it is best performed with moderate weights to prevent forearm/wrist injuries.
Bumstead put up with a few hard sets of the exercise and called it a day in the gym.
Overall, the workout included:
CBum answers fan questions
In between exercises, Chris Bumstead answered some popular fan questions pitched to him. One of the fans requested to give his take on the Tren Twins. CBum stated that he watched the influencers and shared his opinion on PED use in the bodybuilding industry:
“Regardless of the use of PEDs in the industry that’s blatantly obvious, I don’t like promoting it or using it at the forefront. I truly believe that as I have lowered it and focused more on more important (things) like training and nutrition, I’ve become a much better bodybuilder. So that’s what I try and preach. So I don’t really appreciate people preaching drugs to the community,” Bumstead stated.
Having said that, CBum agrees that the Tren twins are characters played to entertain people. He feels that they’re not necessarily trying to promote PED use in any way.
CBum is fascinated by ‘cocky’ athletes
When asked if he has seen the Conor McGregor and Shaq documentary on a popular OTT platform, Bumstead shared his opinion on some of the outspoken but elite athletes and said:
“There’s always something about those arrogant little dudes that people just love to watch. Like Michael Jordan… Unless people just love to hate him and he was cocky… But he was the GOAT and he backed it up and people just love to watch that. I’m fascinated by it because it’s far polar opposite of my personality trait. But something to admire that they just don’t give a s**t about what people think about them.”
Bumstead is set to go after his fifth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia win in 2023. If we know anything about the reigning champion, he is not the one to be stopped by adversities. It will be interesting to see how the division levels up at 2023 Olympia to present a formidable challenge to the champion.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Chris Bumstead’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 11:37 AM EDT
Hidetada “Hide” Yamagishi, 50, Shows Off Ripped Physique 6 Weeks from 2023 Masters Olympia
Hidetada Yamagishi is hell-bent on delivering an Olympia title to his home country of Japan. In a recent Instagram post, “Hide” revealed a ripped physique update less than two months from his anticipated return to the 2023 Masters Olympia show, Aug. 25-27, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
During the 2000s, Yamagishi was a trailblazer in the IFBB Pro League, having made a name for himself in not one but two divisions during his prime. While building a career in the Open and 212 Bodybuilding, his blend of conditioning, fullness, and balance propelled him to some of the sport’s biggest stages, like the Mr. Olympia.
Despite his inability to win an Olympia title, Yamagishi pushed some of the best. That includes seven-time 212 Olympia kingpin Flex Lewis. In 2015, Hidetada took third to fellow standout Jose Raymond and Lewis at the Mr. Olympia show, which serves as the highest placing of his career. Some of Yamagishi’s best career victories include the 2010 Europa Show of Champions, the 2014 Tampa Pro, the 2016 Arnold Classic 212, and the 2019 Europa Dallas.
Yamagishi is no stranger to the spotlight. He’s graced the pages of various magazines, such as Weekly Playboy, Tarzan, and Ironman Japan, where he showcased his muscular build. Hidetada has also appeared in workout demonstration videos and has taken part in Japanese-aired TV shows.
Last year, Yamagishi decided to step away from the sport. During his hiatus, he built a successful YouTube channel. In Yamagishi’s opinion, the stars aligned for his comeback this year. The 2023 Masters Olympia contest announced its return following an 11-year absence. And coincidentally, Yamagishi just turned 50 years old. With that in mind, Yamagishi is more motivated than ever to finally nail down a coveted Olympia title.
Hidetada Yamagishi Looking Incredible 6 Weeks from 2023 Masters Olympia
Check out Yamagishi’s latest posing session below:
“6 weeks out @mastersolympiaofficial” Hide Yamagishi shared.
Initially, fans had hoped to see former four-time Mr. Olympia icon Jay Cutler compete at Masters Olympia. Over the course of several months, Jay has taken steady measures to transform his physique. While he is aiming to get in the best shape of his life since 2013, he stressed that he had no desire to return to a competition stage.
Longevity in bodybuilding has become a major talking point, and fans take notice when they see athletes who have succeeded in preserving their bodies. One such talent is Golden Era’s Tom Platz. He recently wowed fans online with a look at his ripped quad development at 68 years old.
Other veterans of the sport have done a stellar job of staying in great condition as well, like Lee Labrada. Labrada routinely shares training advice, strategies, and tips for longevity. He believes bodybuilding is the closest thing athletes have to a ‘fountain of youth.’ To this day, fans can’t believe Lee Labrada’s youthful appearance at 63.
RELATED: 65-YO Bodybuilder Reflects on 36-Year Long Career Ahead of 2023 Masters Olympia
This isn’t Hidetada’s first progress update in preparation for the Masters Olympia event. In April, he showed off the physique he was working with ahead of his rigorous prep. With the contest taking place in late Aug., Yamagishi is working relentlessly to bring his absolute best in his return.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 7:21 PM EDT