Tag: Bodybuilding
Eddie Hall Shows Off Abs at 385 Lbs in Latest Physique Update: ‘The Cut Starts in 8 Weeks’
Strongman legend Eddie Hall is determined to make a statement in his 2024 bid as a bodybuilder. In a recent Instagram post, Hall shared a cement-cracking 385-pound physique update with visible abs and revealed he will start to cut weight in eight weeks.
Eddie Hall is a man of many talents. He held the heaviest deadlift world record before his rival Hafthor Bjornsson took the honor from him in 2020. Looking to settle their differences, Hall and Bjornsson agreed to a boxing match in 2022. It was a strange but exciting affair that saw Bjornsson get his hand raised via unanimous decision.
Hall, who is known for his eccentric personality and competitive nature, decided to try out bodybuilding. Following the performances of four-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead and former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay at 2022 Mr. Olympia, Hall was inspired to compete.
In preparation for his big debut, Hall has taken part in various training sessions and posing seminars. In May, the famed strongman joined professional posing coach Emma Heineman for a routine. And judging by some of his updates, Hall plans to bring a beastly package to the Classic Physique division soon.
Eddie Hall Tipping Scales at 385 Lbs, Says ‘Cut’ Starts in 8 Weeks: Fans React
The strongman-turned-bodybuilder Hall revealed he was weighing 385 pounds and shared that he will start cutting weight in two months.
“The Cut starts in 8wks⏰ 385lbs@theposingpro ?” Eddie Hall shared.
Fans were immediately taken aback by Eddie’s update, especially considering that he has visible abs at almost 400 pounds.
@eddiehallwsm via Instagram
Surprisingly, Eddie Hall isn’t the only famous strongman to give bodybuilding a try. Larry Wheels will also test the waters in the Classic Physique division. Despite his inexperience in the new sport, Larry’s coach mentioned that he believes Wheels can be competitive against the world’s best using only testosterone replacement therapy.
Eddie Hall has taken calculated measures before stepping on a bodybuilding stage. Earlier this year, he teamed up with seven-time 212 Olympia Flex Lewis for a rare bodybuilding versus strongman collaboration. They trained arms together and shared respective physique updates afterward.
Aside from bodybuilding ventures, Eddie Hall is known for his massively successful YouTube channel and social media presence. He reacts to painful gym fails, and teams up with other fitness influencers. One of the last times fans saw ‘The Beast’ in action, Jesse James West pranked him by pulling a ton of fake weights.
RELATED: 76-YO Sylvester Stallone Launches Eddie Hall Over Bar in ‘Expendables 4’ Trailer
While it certainly looks like an uphill climb for Eddie Hall as far as bodybuilding goes, a competitor of his stature and determination should never be counted out or underestimated. Fans will have a better idea of his targeted physique in eight weeks when he begins cutting weight.
Published: 23 June, 2023 | 4:55 PM EDT
Jay Cutler Says He’s Gained 15 Lbs During ‘Fit-for-50’ Challenge, Reveals New Physique Goals
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler continues to prove why he was such a dominant force in the IFBB Pro League. Having captured four Mr. Olympia titles, his legacy is set in stone yet he still offers fans engaging content on a regular basis. In the latest Cutler Cast Podcast, Jay discussed his physique goals for 2023 and talked about his diet and training en route to turning 50 years old.
During his tenure, Cutler was one of the sport’s biggest faces. When no one thought it was possible, Cutler managed to dethrone the great eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman in 2006. His accolades are on par with some of the best bodybuilders to ever compete. While Cutler was knocked off the throne by Dexter Jackson in 2008, he regained it a year later. He’s the only Men’s Open competitor to win back a Mr. Olympia title.
Cutler retired in 2013 after a decorated career. However, his love for training, dieting, and bodybuilding persists. Late last year, Jay Cutler announced that he planned to undergo a physique transformation. Immediately, fans suspected that a comeback was on the table but Cutler said he was taking on the challenge for personal fulfillment.
From physique updates to training sessions, Cutler has offered fans a consistent look into his transformation process. In a previous Cutler Cast Podcast, the 49-year-old stressed that he would only use testosterone replacement therapy. In addition, he said he planned to avoid more powerful compounds like Trenbolone.
Jay Cutler Reflects on ‘Striving to Be Known,’ & Discusses Diet/Training for 2023 Body Transformation
As of right now, Cutler’s focus is on getting big and lean.
“But at the same time, I always said I was going to get in my best shape in 10 years since I retired in 2013. I was 40. I’ll be 50 here in August. I was kind of contemplating whether I wanted to be super shredded, smaller… I just wanted to have the best version of me with what’s on hand. It’s kind of changed to be honest.
I just want to be able to say I can take my shirt off when I get up on a podium and speak or whatever, and people are like damn that’s an impressive physique which is right now there’s no question but I still wanted to have a point where it’s like okay, my condition is great, the water retention is not super, and the body fat is lower. The whole position is going to be as big and lean as possible but not to have – not to say I won’t, even now I have some striations, but not like toned down, ripped for a contest,” explained Jay Cutler.
According to the bodybuilding icon, he’s gained 15 pounds since starting the fit-for-50 challenge. He specified that his food and training have been consistent. In addition, Jay is incorporating 40-60 minutes of cardio daily, which he says has made his skin feel different.
“I’ve put on 15 pounds, almost 15 pounds of weight,” said Cutler. “I’m getting rounder but you know, remember, I’m still seven and a half weeks, so this is really when the body, I want to start bringing in the shoulders. The training has been super consistent. The food, I ate six meals a day but I honestly missed when we were traveling some. It was very difficult.
As you know, I didn’t train for like four days in a row. I did cardio two of the four days but I realize now how important it is for everyday, especially when you eat six meals, you can’t take four days off in a row or my metabolism just doesn’t keep up.”
“I feel my skin sits differently. I feel – I’m doing cardio twice a day now the last two days I’ve done double. This started at the eight-week point. I started twice a day. So I do at least 20 minutes twice a day or I’m trying for like 30 minutes two sessions plus the training weight sessions so these are separate. Yes, I feel more healthy because I’m more on track.”
As for sustainability, Cutler doesn’t think he can maintain six meals a day for much longer.
“I just don’t think I’ll be able to be that committed to the food to be truthful. The food, six meals a day at 50, I mean, is it healthy long-term eating that much? I’m eating eight ounces of protein and at least 50 grams of carbs for meals, a lot of meals on certain days I cut down on the food. But I still have the carbs pretty much except for the last meal, well I add avocado to my egg whites. I have a strict schedule that I follow. Like I said, I was always cooking the Trifecta.”
Lastly, Cutler emphasized to anyone watching that in order to achieve fame, one must strive for excellence and triumph in their pursuits.
“I remember when I was striving to be known and it wasn’t about being known, it was about being successful competition-wise. What was the only way to get there? It was winning. Right? You had to have a talent where today, now… your voice, your opinions sometimes can be how you gather people’s attention.”
Aside from his own fitness endeavors, Cutler is a huge source of knowledge for those eager to learn training techniques. With summer here, Cutler recently showcased useful tips for sculpting abs. He also named his top three exercises for conditioning the muscle instead of building it.
Fans hope to see Jay Cutler guest pose at the upcoming 2023 Masters Olympia competition. Even without competing, Cutler has inspired millions with his relentless passion for bodybuilding.
You can watch the full video from the Cutler Cast YouTube channel below:
RELATED: 4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler Shares Arm-Building Hypertrophy Workout
Published: 23 June, 2023 | 11:51 AM EDT
Nick Walker Teams Up With Tristyn Lee And Jared Feather To Build A Thick Back
Bodybuilder Nick Walker is all set to start his competition prep for 2023 Olympia and get ready take on the top contenders. He revealed the update during a back training session with Tristyn Lee and Jared Feather.
New Jersey native Nick Walker is one of the most talented bodybuilders in the IFBB Pro League’s Men’s Open division. After earning the IFBB pro card by winning the 2020 North American Championships, achieving the Olympia goal has been the singular focus of Walker’s professional life. He made the pro debut with a fourth place finish at the 2020 Chicago Pro. However, 2021 saw him elevate his career to a whole new year. The Mutant earned a direct qualification with a win at the 2021 New York Pro and also won the 2021 Arnold Classic shortly after. Interestingly, both wins came within a year of him earning the Pro card.
Walker surged past many top contenders en route to a fifth place finish at the 2021 Olympia. However, top five was not good enough for him and he took an extended break from competition to improve his physique further. The results showed when Walker dominated the stage alongside Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan to secure a third-place finish at the 2022 Olympia. He made a quick turnaround and competed at the 2023 Arnold Classic, finishing second. He is now all set to start the 2023 Olympia prep and go after Hadi Choopan for the most prestigious professional bodybuilding title.
For his recent back training session, Walker Partnered with fitness influencer Tristyn Lee. The 20-year-old shot to fame as a teenager. The shredded physique and immersive social media content have made Lee a popular figure in the YouTube fitness community. In recent weeks, Lee shared an insane 17000-calorie Carnivore Big Mac recipe and also appeared on Seth Feroce’s podcast where he teased bodybuilding ventures in 2024 and also reiterated the claim that he has been natty all his life.
Tristyn Lee and Nick Walker went through the back workout under coach and IFBB Pro Jared Feather’s guidance. So let’s see how this passionate trio of bodybuilders tackled the workout.
Nick Walker goes through a back workout with Tristyn Lee
Walker gave a glimpse of his training routine and spoke about the plan of action before starting with the workout. He said:
“This is almost the start of my Olympia prep. Travelling is now done, to my knowledge at least…”
“I was at the Canada tour, I took about four days off, did like two deload days before so now the body’s nice and fresh. So now we’re just gonna ease our way up in training, progress each week as we do it.”
With that, the team jumped right into the workout and performed every exercise with perfect technique and range of motion.
Cable Pullover
Walker and Lee started the training session with a cable lat pullover to get a ‘good nice stretch, nice warm-up’ for the back muscles before delving into the heavier and complex movements. Jared Feather also performed the workout but he watched others carefully to ensure the duo performed each rep with correct technique.
Feather prefers to be in the most disadvantageous position for the lats at the top of the movement. Therefore he bends down more than usual and lets the arms go high above at the beginning of the rep. He does not allow the elbows to sink down to compensate for the lats either.
“Take a bicep curl for example. People will say you should curl here (slightly closer to the body than perpendicular) because you are in the most advantageous position to produce force because the joints are stacked. But you actually get more out of it (the exercise) when you’re in a disadvantageous position. So it’s very similar to this,” He added.
After demolishing some solid sets of the exercise, the trio moved on to the next exercise.
Smith Machine Rows
The trio next took to the Smith machine variation of bent over barbell rows. Considered as the king of back building exercises, bent over rows primarily target the latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, spinal erectors and trapezius muscles. However, they also engage the entire posterior chain of muscles and help with strength and muscle gain. Using the Smith machine eliminates the need to control the weight as the barbell moves along the fixed trajectory. Walker, Lee and Feather performed the exercise with slow and controlled motion. Walker started out light and worked his way up to 275 lbs weight for the top set. Following this, the training partners took to another rowing movement next.
Machine Seated Rows
Walker and team jumped into seated rows on the M-Torture plate-loaded machine next. Seated rows target all the back muscles like latissimus dorsi, spinal erectors, rhomboids and traps. They are an essential exercise to build a thick back. Additionally, seated rows are beneficial in improving the upper body posture. The training partners performed the movement unilaterally to focus on the movement. Feather instructed Walker to move slowly through the eccentric phase of the movement to keep the muscles under tension for a longer duration. After pushing through a few heavy sets of rows, Walker and company wrapped up the training session.
Overall, the workout consisted of following exercises:
The back workout with Tristyn Lee and Jared Feather had relatively fewer exercises than we are used to watching him perform traditionally. However, Walker shed light on Feather’s contribution to his training and spoke about his learnings about training volume.
“Jared helped me a lot with technique again today. Helped me more, you know, in getting the stretch, making sure I’m feeling it in the areas which is, cool. It’s like you realize you don’t need a ton of volume to wreck the muscle. If you directly hit the muscle the way you should be, one or two sets really, you’re good to go,” Walker said after the workout.
Nick Walker has a proven track record of advancing his physique every time he steps on the stage. As he gets ready to start the competition prep for the 2023 Olympia, one can’t help but wonder if this is the year when The Mutant wears the Olympia crown.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Nick Walker’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 23 June, 2023 | 12:26 AM EDT
8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Gives Health & Mobility Update: “My Walking Is About the Same”
Ronnie Coleman, a bodybuilding legend known for his strength and muscle mass, has prioritized his health and well-being in retirement. In a recent Muscular Development interview, Coleman discussed his mobility, his stem cell treatments, leg training, and selling his house in Texas.
During his reign of eight years, Coleman was the undisputed king of the Men’s Open division. He won the Mr. Olympia contest from 1998-2005 and at that time, established himself as an all-time great. His massive physique and near-flawless definition saw him defeat formidable mainstays of the IFBB Pro League such as Flex Wheeler, Jay Cutler, and Kevin Levrone.
After stepping away from the sport, Coleman has remained an ambassador for bodybuilding. In addition to receiving prestigious honors like the Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award, Coleman is held in high esteem for his contributions to the sport both on stage and off.
Whether he’s taking part in a training session with influencers or reacting to epic gym stunts, Coleman is a beloved figure in the fitness community. He’s been subjected to over 10 back surgeries which have left him unable to walk without assistance. Nevertheless, Coleman doesn’t use the setback as an excuse as he still trains regularly.
Ronnie Coleman Says ‘Something Is Off’ with His Quad/Hamstring Atrophy: ‘I Can’t Put My Finger On It’
Coleman feels less pain after the stem cell treatments, but they have not improved his mobility.
“That’s why I was going there [stem cell therapy] because my pain was really high, it was keeping me up at night. I go there every four months and it pretty much alleviates all my pain,” Ronnie Coleman said. “No [it hasn’t helped me walk] I didn’t notice anything, I’m still on the crutches pretty good… my walking is about the same. He was saying maybe it might help regenerate some nerves but nothing yet… you know.”
‘The King’ specified that some of his muscles are not ‘activating’ due to fused discs and hopes a chiropractor will help him fix this problem. Coleman trains his legs twice a week but shared that he loses his pump 15 minutes post-workout.
“I was talking to a chiropractor about a couple weeks ago, he was saying something that I have some muscles that are not activating and he knows a way to help me activate those – but he’s not coming down here until August to help me with that. He was saying that would help my mobility a lot if I can get some of these muscles activated that are de-activated right now, he said that’s probably why I’m having the mobility problems. After all these surgeries and stuff you go through, they fuse your discs, it kind of de-activates some of the muscles.”
According to Coleman, his walking hasn’t gotten any better and he’s concerned with atrophy in his quads and hamstrings.
“I kind of got an idea of what he’s talking about because I have a lot of atrophy in my quads and hamstrings. Something is not right. Something is off. But I just can’t put my finger on it because I train legs twice a week. It ain’t doing hardly nothing. It’s stayed the same. So something is not activating that I need to turn on.”
“Stem cells take a while to activate some of the nerves too. He said maybe a couple of years. But I should be coming up on a couple of years in about another six months or so. I think I’ve been there for about a year and a half now. He said I’ve been down there three times and like I said, I go every four months.”
Even though he deals with numbness in his extremities from time to time, Coleman said his max leg press at 59 is 360 pounds for 15-20 reps.
“I’m not that strong, for sure. The most I can leg press is like 3-4 plates for like 15-20 reps. That’s nothing compared to what I used to do. I can feel – every now and then I feel a little tightness [a pump] but it doesn’t last hardly no time. It goes away really quick. Well, when I say tightness I’m trying to say a pump. I can get a pump in my quads for about maybe 15 minutes or so, 20 minutes maybe. But it goes away really quick. Like I said, something is not activating there.”
Coleman Reflects on Selling Texas House and Upgrading to Bigger Home
Recently, Ronnie Coleman sold his Texas home of 26 years, which was listed at $495,000. He also sold all of the gym equipment and plans to move into a bigger and more kid-friendly house.
“Yeah, it’s [gym equipment from his home] all gone now,” said Coleman. “This house was pretty good for me when I was by myself. It’s five bedrooms, 3,000 square feet, it’s got the gym – another 1,000 square feet. The reason why I’m selling the house is because the kids are getting older. They’re getting where they need their own bedrooms, their own space, their own bathrooms, that’s why I’m moving to a bigger house.”
“The house we found is about 6,000 square feet. It’s got an acre of land. It’s got a pool and everything. Stuff kids really like. This house doesn’t have hardly no land, no pool or nothing. Like I said, it’s 3,000 square – it’s kind of small for a family of what six, seven of us living here now. So that’s kind of small for family of seven people.”
He said there was no point in keeping his old weights as he recently opened a MetroFlex Gym in Tampa, Florida.
“There wasn’t no need to hold on to all this [gym] equipment when I have brand new stuff coming in. I bought that gym back in 2001 and that’s back when I got all that equipment. So it’s pretty old but it’s still in good condition though.”
This isn’t Coleman’s first health update of 2023. In Feb., former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay’s stem cell doctor, Dr. Khan, began treating Coleman. He was quite optimistic about Coleman’s chances of walking again soon. At the time, he said he was confident he could ‘fix’ Coleman’s issues. However, judging by Ron’s recent update, it doesn’t appear the icon is close to walking without assistance or help.
As one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever compete, many have taken inspiration from Coleman’s career. Even though he faces challenges in retirement, he still shows the same passion for the sport that he had when he was champion.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Reacts to Chris Bumstead’s Biggest Feats of Strength
You can watch the full video on the Muscular Development YouTube channel:
Published: 22 June, 2023 | 6:49 PM EDT
Brett Wilkin Eyes Top 10 Olympia Debut, Nick Walker Reveals Plans to Downsize Post-Retirement
American bodybuilder Brett Wilkin is one of the fastest-rising stars in the IFBB Pro League. In a recent appearance on The Mutant and The Mouth, Wilkin shared his ambitions for his maiden Olympia appearance. Fellow competitor Nick Walker opened up about his plans to downsize after retirement and Guy Cisternino revealed the truth behind understanding calcium scores.
Brett Wilkin started out in the Classic Physique division in the early days of his career under the NPC. He earned his IFBB Pro Card as a Classic Physique competitor after a win at the 2018 NPC Junior Nationals. However, he chose to switch to the Men’s 212 class for his Pro debut at the 2019 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro. Then, he made his way to the 2019 Toronto Pro Supershow to make his second and final appearance in the 212 category.
Following the underwhelming performances, Wilkin took to the sidelines and worked hard in the training room to level up his physique. After a two-year hiatus, he returned and switched divisions to make a splash in the Men’s Open group. The decision worked wonders for him as he narrowly missed out on the top prize to Hunter Labrada and placed runner-up at the 2021 Chicago Pro.
Wilkin kicked off his run with a sixth-place finish at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival. He gave fans a look into his gigantic 6,000-calorie diet and supplement stack he utilized to pack on the pounds in the off-season last August.
‘The Butcher’ joined forces with Shaun Clarida for an intense push-day workout in Aug. 2022. He followed that up by partnering with rising sensation Nick Walker for a fierce lower-body training session where they targeted quads weeks later.
Although Brett Wilkin did not earn an invite for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, he continued to work his way up the ranks. He laid out the 4,000-calorie diet he was using to get ready for his next appearance. Then, he collaborated with Hunter Labarda for a sleeve-busting arm workout to get ready for their guest-posing appearance at the 2022 Colorado Cup.
Wilkin amped up his training with a challenging shoulder workout in preparation for earning an invite to the Olympia last October. His hard work paid off as he turned heads with his impressive physique at the 2022 Romania Muscle Fest Pro, where he scored the silver medal. Wilkin finally secured his place in the lineup for the 2023 Mr. Olympia by defeating the competition at the 2022 Bigman Weekend Pro.
Brett Wilkin Shares Positive Update, Says He Never Eats More than 8oz of Protein per Meal
In a recent YouTube video, Brett Wilkin and Nick Walker agreed on their preferred host city for Mr. Olympia contests.
Walker said, “I like Vegas. Now that I’ve done both, Florida and Vegas, I prefer Vegas.”
Wilkin shared positive updates about his health as he gets back to training full force. He revealed he limits protein to 8 oz per meal and detailed his cheat meal philosophy.
“I took the whole week off and now I actually, my body feels good,” said Wilkin. “I went back to the gym today first time. Now going to start doing another push into July and then going down from there.”
“I still do [dirty shakes] just to keep the calories high. It’s not really that dirty. I’m not hungry in the morning even after I do cardio in the morning and stuff. I do a shake in the morning I’ll do like 130 grams of quick oats, 150 grams of blueberries, 35 grams of almond butter, protein powder, water, and then literally just a couple squirts of chocolate to give it more taste. Then the rest of the day is whole foods.”
“I’ve never gone higher than 8 oz of a protein, meats is the highest I’ll go. Just because like my body starts rejecting the protein part of it. So, what I’ll adjust always in the off-season is protein usually stays the same as prep and then I’ll just adjust carbs and fats, just increase those, more so carbs.”
“I’ve never done the cheat day thing. I can’t be somebody that eats like 15,000 calories a day. I would hate that. What I do is I’ll end up having like three or four cheats a week so I just do them on my legs day or my back day. That’s usually like just get Five Guys or some Mexican or something. It’s just I have to stay in caloric surplus.”
Brett Wilkin highlighted the importance of working around the risk of getting injured.
“We also gotta look at injury prevention, not being an idiot, keeping the weight at the point so we can continue to do this week to week because that’s an easy way to shut down the career fast. We’re not Superman anymore.”
Guy Cisternino shares how to understand calcium scores & talks running with Nick Walker
Guy Cisternino shared the truth behind understanding calcium scores properly. He claimed the scores are not a concrete method of predicting issues and explained how the process worked.
“It’s so crazy how the calcium scores go up and down based on… it’s all genetic because I asked my doctor flat out. I’m like doc, listen, is there anything that I’m taking that’s causing the calcium to possibly like, this to happen with bodybuilding drugs and he goes no. He goes, it’s genetic. I asked him if there’s anything I took bodybuilding wise that affected my calcium score, he said no. And I went to two different doctors. Calcium score is not covered under insurance because it’s not a very well-known test. There’s not a lot of research done, it’s a newer test, and they don’t know a lot about it.
“The analogy the doctor gave me, he goes, the problem with the calcium score is we don’t know if the straw is up or down, meaning you could have calcium building up an artery wall but trickling down the side and it could never cause a blockage. Or you could have calcium building straight up that actually is causing a blockage but there’s no real way to tell. That’s the problem. So, the calcium score or the number doesn’t really give any significance.”
Nick Walker revealed his plans to stay around 220 pounds post-retirement. Cisternino recommended he downsize, especially the lower body, to make running easier.
Walker said, “I would like to get more active when I retire.”
“I started running for about three weeks,” replied Cisternino. “I was following a running program, just running a little bit every day. The amount of weight I was dropping just running was f**king absurd. I couldn’t keep weight on just running like intervals in the morning. The weight was flying off me it’s insane. Not only that, trying to run [with big legs] sucks. You’re going to have to downsize a lot if you want to run, run.”
“I’d like to be 220 (pounds),” said Walker. “That would be my goal weight.”
Wilkin targets top 10 finish in Olympia debut
Brett Wilkin expects to go up against a stacked lineup in his first Mr. Olympia appearance and would be content with a top-10 placing.
“Being around long enough now that I’ve learned you also gotta pay your dues man,” said Wilkin. “I can name two guys, probably a few more out there, but I can name two guys that are ever top five in their first Olympia, that’s Phil Heath and Nick Walker recently. It’s one of those things that I got to be realistic and think about last year, Andrew Jacked got what, eighth or ninth place in his first Olympia, things like that. You gotta work your way up. I’m going to prepare. I’m just excited to complete again, go through the diet and then this lineup’s going to be crazy. I don’t think people realize. Last year was what I think 28 to 30 guys. This year there’s only going to be 16 or 17 guys. Think about the shows ahead of us, Chicago, Tampa, Texas, these are going to be stacked. It’s going to be a battle. There’s going to be a lot of guys missing out.”
“I would love to get into the top ten that would be a huge goal for this lineup, first Olympia. I’m not going to be disappointed either way,” continued Wilkin. “It’s just about I need to make a footprint where judges are like oh sh*t, he brought it. And I gotta build from that. First year is about making that footprint, showing that I’m serious, and then I gotta build from that.”
Brett Wilkin collaborated with reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead for a grueling leg workout two months ago. He followed that up by smashing a heavy back workout with renowned coach Joe Bennett last month.
You can watch the full video below.
RELATED: Bodybuilders Brett Wilkin and Iain Valliere Go Through A Killer Quad Workout
Published: 22 June, 2023 | 5:52 PM EDT
Rafael Brandao Flaunts Massive Physique After Destroying Heavy Back Workout with New Coach
Rafael Brandao, one of Brazil’s hottest names in the Men’s Open, has decided to take the year off to transform his body. In a recent YouTube video, Brandao, joined by his new coach Neil Hill, showed off his monstrous off-season physique after completing an arduous back workout.
“It’s not going to happen overnight. What I will say is: next year we will bring the new generation of Rafael to the stage which will be much improved,” Rafael’s coach Neil Hill shared.
The potential of Brandao was evident from the moment he began his bodybuilding career in 2017. However, he became the talk of the town after finishing third in 2020 at the Europa Pro. It didn’t take long for fans to take notice of his unique build on stage. Brandao sports a slim waist, a defined x-frame, and mass on par with his contemporaries in the Open.
In 2021, Rafael’s season was short but sufficient as he proved himself in first place at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro. This victory saw him surpass the now-2023 Mr. Olympia contender Samson Dauda and Quintin Eriya. While it appeared he would test himself at the 2022 Arnold Classic, Brandao pulled out due to health concerns. He made up for lost time at the Arnold Classic South America contest instead, where he handily took first.
Having qualified for the 2022 Mr. Olympia show, Brandao, led by former coach Chris Aceto, brought an impressive look. In his debut, he outperformed nearly 20 competitors to take tenth place. Now, with improvements being his top priority, Brandao decided to suspend his contest plans until 2024 in hopes of bringing his best look ever in the future.
Rafael Brandao Gets Pushed Through Brutal Back Workout By Trainer Neil Hill, Shows Off Huge Physique
Before he began the punishing back workout, Neil Hill talked about the pressure he’s under to bring the best Rafael Brandao to the stage next year.
“Brazil is a very passionate country. There’s so much passion in the fitness industry as well as all of the other industries within health and fitness. There’s a lot of enthusiasm, right… not everybody has that little bit of magic alright? There’s a genetic element, but Raphael has that genetic element and he also has got those lines. For me, shape and structure – it’s something that always draws my attention, do you understand? I’m super excited. I appreciate the opportunity to work with him. He’s going to get so much time and so much of my attention,” said Neil Hill.
Find the full workout list below:
Lat Pulldown Machine – 4 sets
Hammer Strength Front Lat pull Down – 4 sets
Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Iso-lateral Row – 4 sets
Bent Over Dumbbell Rows – 4 sets
Neil Hill offered Brandao some guidance on each exercise as well as tips on improvements and recovery.
Lat Pulldown Machine
“As I said, your arms have to be straight otherwise it’s all biceps. You’re stretching out your lats but you’re also – those bounces are letting you get momentum to pull it here. If you stop, it’s like pulling it dead. So what you’re doing is able to get extra reps and stretch out the lats.”
Hammer Strength Front Lat Pull Down
“The thing is as well while you’re training while we’re trying to force your weight up, recovery is harder as well right. It’s because we’re fighting the weight, you’ve got to this sickness, you’re fighting off, yes. You take the rest.”
Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Iso-Lateral Row
“Your fat levels are okay for the off-season. Not bad, yeah,” Hill shared. “I don’t think you’re going to come in your prime until you’re about 35-37. Then you’re just going hold it hold it and refine refine. As long as your body is healthy and fresh. I don’t think you’re going to hit your peak till 35-37. But when I say hit your peak, you could probably hold your peak for 3-5 years.”
Bent Over Dumbbell Rows
“On average for back, probably four different exercises. Four different exercises, four sets, that’s 16 sets. That doesn’t sound like a lot but when you’re putting everything into working sets, 16 sets is more than enough believe you me. It’s more than enough.”
In a show of transparency, Neil Hill explained that turning Rafael Brandao into a Mr. Olympia winner could take up to ten years. Though, he does expect Brandao to look at his all-time best in two or three years.
“I feel like I’ve got the whole of Brazil looking down on me. This is going to be a work in progress. I personally feel the work that I want to do with Rafael I feel will be a 10-year process. I feel it’s going to take 2-3 years to bring that look where everyone says what the fuck have we just witnessed? Do we understand? It’s not going to happen overnight, it’s going to take time. If you look at some of the greatest athletes of all time.
Okay, Dorian Yates was a one-off, look at Ronnie Coleman, look at Jay Cutler – these guys just to name a few. They didn’t hit the industry in the Mr. Olympia in their first Mr. Olympia and get a top 10 finisher. But they went on to win multiple Mr. Olympias right. Rafael has that ability to win the Olympia but it’s going to take time.”
Brandao’s 2023 bodybuilding season has not been without its fair share of obstacles. In May, the top Men’s Open Pro revealed that he was hospitalized due to a severe case of Dengue fever. The disease, which spreads from the bite of a mosquito, can cause debilitating headaches, diarrhea, body aches, and nausea.
Despite the setback, Rafael appears to be in good spirits given the momentum he picked up at the last Mr. Olympia. Since that fateful night, judges, fans, and bodybuilders alike have suggested that size is no longer being awarded by judges. Even Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy has mentioned that the new wave of aesthetic talent is trouble for athletes who rely on size and freak factor, like Nick Walker.
While Rafael Brandao won’t be competing this year, fans are excited about the next chapter of his career. Under the tutelage of Neil Hill, Rafael hopes to bring his biggest and freakiest physique to the stage in 2024.
RELATED: Bodybuilders Flex Lewis and Rafael Brandao Join Hands For An Intense Back Workout
You can watch the full video from the Rafael Brandao YouTube channel:
Published: 22 June, 2023 | 1:37 PM EDT
Joey Swoll Calls Out Woman Hogging Machines for Supersets: “I’m Sorry You Don’t Own The Gym”
Fitness personality Joey Swoll is gaining momentum on his mission to make gyms more welcoming environments. In a recent Instagram video, Swoll called out a woman who shamed a man for trying to use one of the many machines she was hogging at the gym.
“Here’s an idea, how about instead of taking a video to make fun of this man and call him a clown to make yourself out to be a victim which you’re not, you handle it like an adult,” shared Joey Swoll.
Gym etiquette has become Swoll’s life mission as of late. Over the years, he and many others have observed bullying, harassment, and even violence at local gyms and fitness centers. He coined this problem “toxic gym culture,” and has taken to various TikTok and Instagram videos to spread his message.
In his latest endeavor, Swoll condemned the actions of a female influencer who occupied multiple machines for supersets instead of sharing the equipment in a courteous manner. In the video, a man decides to ‘work in’ and completes a set of back extensions. However, the female believes he not only crashed her video but violated her personal space a handful of times.
Joey Swoll Torches Woman for Bashing Gym-Goer & Hogging Machines: ‘You Make Yourself Out to Be the Victim, Which You’re Not’
Here is the woman’s caption for reference:
“I was using the hyperextension machine and doing sets back and forth & no lie this man was 4 inches from my ass each time I tried to finish my sets bc of how I set up My Little space to film & he so rudely went in my frame. Like sir… you clearly saw me doing something,” the influencer shared.
Swoll believes the man who used the back extension machine did nothing wrong. He added that supersetting with three or four different exercises at the gym is poor etiquette.
“So let me get this straight you’re upset with that man you call him a clown, you say that he’s rude all because he sees the back extension is open while you’re off doing 2-3 different exercises supersetting setting up your camera and he decides to use it… and because he’s in your space while you’re filming as if your video is more important than another member’s workout, it’s not.
I’m sorry, you don’t own the gym. Not to mention it’s not good gym etiquette to do three or four different exercises supersetting and hog a machine,” Swoll said. “Not everything needs to be filmed and posted on social media. The gym is a shared space there’s going to be conflict, sort it out. You need to do better mind your business,” Joey Swoll said via Instagram.
Given the sheer number of conflicts Joey has encountered during his movement, it’s evident there is still a lot of work to be done. However, his efforts got the attention of bodybuilding legend and former seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger. Back in Feb., ‘The Austrian Oak’ praised Swoll for his continued work in making gyms and exercise locations more welcoming for everyone.
Toxic gym culture affects bodybuilders as well. Last September, Charly Young, an NPC athlete, faced verbal abuse from a man who shouted at him for just taking off his shirt and posing in the gym. Swoll commended Young for his calmness and criticized the man’s angry tirade.
RELATED: Female TikToker Snaps on Gym Worker, Accuses Him of Being a Pervert for Staring, Joey Swoll React
This isn’t the first time Joey Swoll has taken aim at filming inside gyms. Last week, the influencer made an example out of a woman for filming a workout without any respect for those around her. Following his latest effort, hopefully, in time, gyms continue to become more accepting places for people of all fitness levels.
Published: 22 June, 2023 | 2:18 AM EDT
Dorian Yates Shares Essential Chest Exercises He Used to Grow Into 6x Mr. Olympia
Legendary bodybuilder Dorian Yates carved out his own space in the sport with unconventional training methods and a massive physique. He reached the highest heights as a pro and keeps stellar level of fitness post-retirement. In a recent post made on Instagram, Yates shared his staple chest workout exercises that helped him win Mr. Olympia.
Dorian Yates stood out from the competition as a Men’s Open competitor with his impressive muscle mass, size, definition, and stellar back development. He emerged as a budding prospect from the UK who took silver in his maiden Mr. Olympia appearance in 1991.
After the exit of eight-time champion Lee Haney, Dorian came back with a vengeance and secured the coveted Sandow trophy at the 1992 Mr. Olympia. He proved to be a dominant champion who racked up six Mr. Olympia titles in a row, essentially going undefeated from 1992-1997, and stepped away after his final win in 1997.
Following his retirement, Yates continued to train regularly and promotes a healthy lifestyle. He often shares his decades of wisdom with fans so they too can level up their physiques. He revealed barbell rows with an underhand grip as his favorite exercise to craft a wide and thick back earlier this year. Then, he detailed tips on how to properly perform lat pulldowns to optimize back gains. He stressed the importance of pulling with your elbows to take the load off your biceps.
Dorian Yates / Instagram
During his career, Dorian Yates went against the grain in training philosophy. While many bodybuilders utilized the traditional regimen of working out for a set number of reps and sets, he pushed himself to near failure in every training session. ‘The Shadow’ offered some valuable high-intensity training (HIT) strategies to maximize the gains two months ago. He recommended using HIT training to push through any points of stalled progress.
Yates advocated for performing hamstring curls to boost muscle growth in the lower-body weeks ago. He focused on the need to use a full range of motion while performing each rep in a controlled manner with a slow negative. He followed up by revealing his training, steroid cycles, and diet while in prep for competition and talked about using TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) after hanging up his posing trunks.
Dorian Yates shares staple chest workout exercises
In a recent Instagram post, Dorian Yates shared some of his staple chest workout exercises that helped him win six Mr. Olympia titles.
He listed decline barbell bench presses, incline presses, and Smith machine presses along with the use of rest-pause reps
“Decline barbell bench press was a staple in my routine, roughly up until 1992
,” he wrote. “After this, I switched to more incline presses and didn’t really go back to decline.
I did do quite a lot of incline smith machine presses and felt a great connection with this exercise. It’s a fixed plane of motion and you can really put a lot of emphasis on your chest here. It’s safer to go to and beyond failure too, especially with rest pause reps where you’d rack the bar and take a few deep breaths, then aim for an extra one or two reps.”
Yates also shared that incline dumbbell flyes on a low incline, incline barbell press, and dumbbell shoulder press are a part of his go-to routine.
“
Incline dumbbell flyes was another tremendous exercise that I did consistently, working up to over 50kg dumbbells! But I always did this on a low incline, about 30 degrees as this puts the chest at the forefront and helps to minimise the delt involvement. I also later did a lot of incline barbell press, you can see the footage in Blood & Guts!
I was pretty much forced to utilise the smith machine for shoulder pressing near the start of my Olympia reign.
“My training partners in the early 90s, usually Kenny and @paulbaxendale, often had a challenge to pass the giant 160lb dumbbells up to me and it was a struggle to get them into position. I scrapped dumbbell shoulder press in favour of the smith machine for shoulder press and this was a lot easier to not only set up, but to go to failure too.
It’s about making adjustments to your training and trial & error… it’s all part of the process.”
Dorian Yates argued that squats are not necessary to build muscle while laying out his four-times-a-week training plan for Mr. Olympia contests last month. He underwent stem cell treatment for his injuries and reported positive updates. Then, he gave fans a look into his two-exercise ab workout routine two weeks ago.
RELATED: Jay Cutler, Milos Sarcev Talk Fantasy Battles: Jay vs Dorian Yates, Phil Heath vs. Ronnie Coleman
His latest offering provides insight into the high-quality training methods of a Mr. Olympia and will inspire fitness enthusiasts to incorporate them into their routines.
Published: 21 June, 2023 | 10:22 PM EDT
‘Bionic Body’ Edgard Augustin Talks Life as Amputee Athlete and His Impact in Classic Physique
Edgard John Augustin, a contender in the Classic Physique division, continues to prove himself after a lengthy hiatus. In a recent Muscular Development interview, the ‘Bionic Body’ shared his inspiring story with Ron Harris, revealing how he overcame the loss of his legs, how he motivates others, and how he adapts to challenges.
Having kicked off his IFBB Pro League tenure in 2017, Augustin started as a Men’s Open athlete. However, that quickly changed. The following year he made the change to Classic Physique, and held his own against tough lineups at the 2018 Toronto Pro (9th) and Veronica Gallego Classic (10th). In 2019, Augustin entered the New York Pro but wasn’t able to finish in the top 15. Then, he took 12th at the Toronto Pro Supershow.
And despite losing his legs in a car accident at four years old, Edgard hasn’t lost sight of his athletic goals and competitive spirit. He was out of action for three years (2020-2022) but made a statement in his return this year. Thus far, Augustin has finished 14th at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, then put on an impressive show at the New York Pro even though he didn’t place. His most recent contest came at the Toronto Pro Supershow in a career-best performance that saw him take fourth.
In his latest undertaking, Edgard Augustin recapped his busy season but also laid out some of the struggles he’s faced while navigating his career as an amputee athlete. In addition, he talked about his future in the sport and training without legs.
Bodybuilder Edgard Augustin Reflects on Becoming Amputee at 4 Years Old, Shares Inspiring Journey
Augustin revealed that he lost most of his legs as a result of a car accident in South America. He said his brother also lost one leg following the misfortune.
“With my family, we had a car accident when I was four years old in South America – my country. And yeah. In the car accident… you know, my legs were cut. My brother’s leg, also just one was cut also. We were so lucky to get someone to bring us to the nearest hospitals.
Then, we – I’m still here today thanks to these guys. So, now I’m 38 years old. All my life [my legs have been amputated]. Especially in America, they used to say thank you for your services because people see that I’m – yeah, like a military guy. Compared to Europe for example,” said Edward Augustin.
Training with partially amputated legs poses a unique set of challenges, especially for those who aim to develop their quads and hamstrings, like Edgard.
“It took me like one year to really practice well [with amputated legs]. You know, I used to say at four years old, it’s hard because you’re still very young but at the same time, you have so much to learn and to discover, compared to someone in my age now, losing his legs… it’s like lost. Because you already lived your life with your legs or your hands or whatever and then today, you need to learn how to [do] life again to live again without.
At four years old, you don’t really care about it. You just want to do what other kids are doing. I learned to walk quickly. I can run today. I can do bicycle, I can do whatever I want, even leg days. It took me one year in France without my family just my brother and thank God he was with me because it was very hard.”
Edgard wants to inspire his followers and fans by showing that ‘everything is possible.’ He shared how he went viral on social media and how he came up with his nickname, ‘Bionic Body.’
“He posted [a photographer] it on my Facebook page. People who didn’t know that were surprised. It’s crazy. They said you should show people that everything is possible. This is how I create my Instagram page. I remember, I was in my office with my colleague and I said okay, now we need to find a nickname. A very strong nickname. I said body… for the body, discipline, and then we said bionic because the legs look like a robot.”
“Everything started from there. And then, when I start to publish my page, it goes viral. People told me there is a disability class in bodybuilding. You should. This is how I said okay, let’s try.”
When he first began in the sport, Augustin said bodybuilding wasn’t on his radar.
“Bodybuilding was no option for me and it wasn’t in my mind. I just saw some guys, some friends of mine, since they are young, they wanted to be professional bodybuilders. It was not my case. My goal was to be fit because at the end I was not happy with my physique. This is what I always thought.”
At 38 years old, Augustin seeks longevity and wants to live a happy life after his bodybuilding career.
“I’m 38 years old. I have three kids. I really don’t care about the Mr. Olympia stage. I just don’t – I want to see my kids grow, you understand? I want to play with them. There is a life after bodybuilding. I don’t want to [build] my physique just for the Olympia stage, then what happens after? He told me we are going to do a very light prep and it was my best prep ever and my best physique ever, more is not always better.”
Even though he’s dealt with surgeries and adversity, Augustin is aiming to be the best amputee bodybuilding athlete of all time.
“My last show in 2019, in my mind, I wanted to be the best amputee athlete bodybuilder biggest everything [ever]. With my coach before, we push. We pushed the physique. Maybe that’s why I had the surgeries and stuff like that.”
In the face of adversity, athletes like Edgard Augustin continue to inspire those around him. Having gathered momentum this year, fans look forward to seeing him back on a bodybuilding stage soon.
You can watch the full video from the Muscular Development YouTube channel below:
Published: 21 June, 2023 | 6:02 PM EDT
Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda Look Huge in Update During 2023 Mr. Olympia Battle Workout
Preparations for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest are ramping up for Open class talent. In a special Olympia TV production, Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda gave physique updates and pushed each other with a back workout battle/posedown.
“We’re going to have – we need some intensity guys. This is not going to be a show for powderpuff training. It’s going to be hardcore, I want to see everybody going all-out. I mean this – we got to bring it today. You guys ready?” Cormier said.
Many fans believe the Men’s Open division has never been more exciting. There have also been major shake-ups in the category over the last several months. At the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest, a new hierarchy was established after Hadi Choopan claimed gold. After receiving a special invite for the Open class, former 212 Olympia Derek Lunsford proved himself with a second-place finish. This event also served as Samson Dauda‘s Mr. Olympia debut where he placed sixth.
While Lunsford decided to sit out the 2023 Arnold Classic, Dauda had other plans. With momentum from Las Vegas, Dauda brought his best to Columbus, Ohio, and ultimately defeated finalists Nick Walker and Andrew Jacked to claim gold. Veterans and figureheads of the sport took notice of his Mr. Olympia-winning potential. Athletes rep Bob Cicherillo has gone on record saying that Choopan’s biggest threats are Lunsford and Dauda.
Ronnie Coleman, a name that carries a lot of weight in the IFBB Pro League, has suggested that Lunsford will become the next Mr. Olympia champion. He specified that the former 212 winner will likely dethrone Choopan later this year. When tasked with choosing his favorite bodybuilder of this generation, Coleman said it was a tie between Lunsford and Dauda.
Meanwhile, Nick Walker, who also aims to win Mr. Olympia, doesn’t see Dauda as a concern despite losing to him in March. In ‘The Mutant’s’ opinion, the next Sandow trophy will be awarded to himself or Lunsford, depending on who brings better improvements in November. Though, for Samson Dauda, he has never been more confident, and believes with a bigger back, he can become the number one bodybuilder in the world.
Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda Give Physique Updates & Test Limits with Back Workout Battle
Led by Chris Cormier, Lunsford, and Dauda pushed each other through a series of back workouts. Lunsford believes his back is currently better than Dauda’s. Samson, on the other hand, said he would have won the 2023 Arnold Classic even if Lunsford entered the contest.
“Yeah man, I mean back has always been my strong point. So, I figured we’d get in here today and have some fun,” said Lunsford. “Like I said, I think my back shots are my strong points, so as of right now, I would say yes [my back shots will beat Samson Dauda at 2023 Olympia] and I’m prepared to improve it for this year.”
“Bodybuilding is judged on more than just a back shot right, it’s about who is the most complete and that’s what I bring. At the same time, I know I can learn a thing or two like I’ve always done in the past, I’ve taken my opponent’s strengths and made them my own, and use the same strengths to beat them,” said Dauda. “Oh yeah [if Derek Lunsford was at the 2023 Arnold I would have beat him] damn right. I don’t back down for no one.”
Cormier predicted that there would be palpable tension during the training session since they share the same goal of wanting to become Mr. Olympia.
“I think they’re going to have to show each other who is going to be the more dominant competitor on stage. And I think it’s all going to start right here with Olympia Battle 3. I think my man [Samson Dauda] is large and in charge and I think being second at the Olympia [for Derek Lunsford] there’s going to be some tension today,” Chris Cormier said.
Find their full back workout list below:
Lat Pulldown Machine – 4 sets
Barbell Rows – 5 sets
Seated Cable Row Machine – 4 sets
Stiff Arms Pulldown Aka Straight Arms – 4 sets
Chest Supported Low Row Machine – 4 sets
“That’s the bodybuilding mentality,” Lunsford shared. “This is fun for me to come out here, train with the Arnold Classic champion Samson. It’s a big back day.”
“This is the off-season. This is bodybuilding. This is a big man’s game,” said Dauda.
Following the workout, Lunsford and Dauda removed their pump covers for a posedown. They both hit mandatory poses on command before ending the battle.
Even though Choopan hasn’t been competing in the U.S. or guest posing doesn’t mean he’s not attacking his off-season with a chip on his shoulder. Last week, ‘The Persian Wolf’ gave fans a sneak peek into the off-season physique he’s been building. In addition, Choopan continues to push himself with heavy workouts posted on Instagram.
As for Derek Lunsford, he joined his coach Hany Rambod for The Truth Podcast recently. They sat down to discuss anxiety, depression, and obstacles in the way of his 2023 Mr. Olympia prep. Despite some setbacks during the off-season, Lunsford assured his fans that ‘everything is good’ as he eyes the next stage of his preparations.
Many believe Lunsford and Dauda cemented themselves as Mr. Olympia favorites during the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro guest-posing event. Given their dedication and work ethic, fans look forward to seeing how they fare in Orlando, Florida this November.
RELATED: Samson Dauda, Milos Sarcev Say Back Thickness Key to Defeating Hadi Choopan: ‘No Breaks from Training’
You can watch the full video from the Olympia TV YouTube channel below:
Published: 21 June, 2023 | 11:28 AM EDT