Tag: Bodybuilding
Chris Bumstead Builds Girthy Legs With This Off-season Workout
Chris Bumstead is inching towards the fifth Classic Physique Olympia title slowly but surely. The reigning champ went through an off-season leg workout to add strength and size to his already impressive physique.
Bumstead is one of the most famous active bodybuilders and a global superstar. He is the posterboy for the Canadian bodybuilding community and has proven his worth by establishing dominance over the IFBB Pro League’s Classic Physique division. His resume includes a whopping four Classic Physique Olympia titles. After snatching it from the former champ Breon Ansley at the 2019 Olympia, Bumstead has defended the Classic Physique Olympia title at the 2020, 2021 and the 2022 Olympia.
Having reigned supreme over the division for a long time, the 28-year-old bodybuilder intends to defend the strap a few more times before calling it a career. Olympia is Bumstead’s primary focus and he is not keen on competing at other Pro shows. Having recovered from the bicep tear he suffered ahead of the 2022 Olympia, Bumstead has eased his way back into training. He recently unveiled a private gym in-the-making and shed light on the 2023 Olympia diet.
Bumstead is on the mission to win his fifth Classic Physique Olympia title in 2023. He went through a leg training session as a step in the direction of achieving the goal and posted the video on his YouTube channel. So let’s delve into the champ’s workout and see how he is building the tree-trunk legs this off-season.
Chris Bumstead goes through a full leg workout
CBum targeted all the major muscles – quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves as well as the adductor group of muscles with this training session for overall leg development. He admitted that bringing big adductors is one of the goals of his preparation this year. As a result he is putting emphasis on working the adductor muscles.
Leg Extensions
This quad isolation movement served as the beginner to the training session. Knees are without a doubt the most crucial joint for most of the lower body movements. Therefore, it is essential to maintain healthy knees to avoid subsequent derailment of your training journey. Sufficiently warming the knees up before heavy workout is one of the key elements of staying injury free.
Apart from building the quads, leg extensions are an excellent way to warm up the knee joints. However, this exercise can also be harsh on the knees if done with heavier weights without caution. CBum performed three sets of 12 reps of leg extensions to get the party started and took to the next exercise.
Hack Squats
This compound movement followed up the leg extensions in Bumstead’s leg workout. He performed hack squats on the Cybex hack squats machine. Hack squats target the same primary muscle group that the traditional barbell squats do. While quadriceps are the main target muscle of the movement, the posterior chain of muscles are heavily involved in the movement. But what separates hack squats from barbell squats is the fact that it is generally a lot safer for most people to perform as it puts far less stress on the lower back due to the angle of movement as well as the set-up.
Hack squats are not a replacement to the barbell squat but a great addition to the leg training routine. The Classic Physique king annihilated three sets of the exercise maintaining a 12 to 15 rep range and took to the next exercise.
Leg Press
To stimulate the quads and other leg muscles further, the 28-year-old phenom performed the leg press next. One of the most effective ways to build muscle and strength in the lower body, leg press compliments primary leg exercises like barbell squats really well. This compound movement targets the quads as well as hamstrings, glutes, adductors and abductors.
Leg press offers increased safety compared to free weight exercises and its variations can help emphasize different parts of the muscles. CBum cranked out three working sets of the exercises and wrapped up after doing a double drop set to failure.
Walking Lunges
This walking variation of the static lunges helps strengthen the leg muscles as well as core, hips and glutes. Additionally, this exercise can help increase the range of motion by increasing flexibility in the glutes and hamstrings. It also improves functional strength as the movement pattern resembles everyday movements like walking, sitting down, ducking down to pick an object etc.
Bumstead pushed through two sets of the exercise and shifted his focus to working the calves next.
Seated Calf Raises
While the standing calf raises work the gastrocnemius muscles in the calf region, the seated variation of the exercise works the soleus muscle which lies underneath it. CBum performed two sets of seated calf raises to failure and took to the final exercise of the day.
Hip Adduction Machine
Adductors are a group of muscles that lie on the inner side of the thigh that helps adduct (bring together) the legs. Bumstead did two sets of hip adduction on the machine to work these muscles and called it a day in the gym.
Overall, the workout included:
Chris Bumstead has fended off the competition successfully so far. While experts within the bodybuilding community predict that he can have a great run in the Men’s Open division, Bumstead does not see it as an effort that is worth making. It will be interesting to see how the remainder of his career unfolds.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Chris Bumstead’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 21 June, 2023 | 10:33 AM EDT
Frank Zane Explains How to Use Stretching as the ‘Ideal Recovery Tool’
Legendary bodybuilder Frank Zane enjoyed an immensely successful career as an IFBB Men’s Open competitor. He transformed the division’s look with his insane aesthetics. In a recent post made on Instagram, Zane explained the importance of using stretching between sets to improve results.
Frank Zane first gained attention for his stellar blend of muscle mass, detail, symmetry, and proportion. He presented one of the most aesthetic physiques in the history of the division. His narrow waist and clear v-taper helped him stand out from the competition along with his training methods of using light weights. In 1977, Zane finally managed to secure his first Mr. Olympia win and successfully defended the title two times in a row.
Zane stepped away from professional competition due to injuries after a final appearance at the 1983 Mr. Olympia. Besides bodybuilding, he graced the covers of several magazines and went up against the likes of bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robby Robinson, and Samir Bannout.
Zane did not lose his passion for fitness and continued to train in his later years. He offered some of his favorite exercises to build strong biceps and optimize tricep extensions in his late 70s in Aug. 2021. He followed up by detailing his technique for properly performing single-arm dumbbell bicep curls for maximum gains.
The 80-year-old collaborated with fitness sensation Mike O’Hearn for a Golden-era-inspired training session in Nov. 2021. He revealed the favorite exercises that he liked to utilize in his prime and took issue with the lack of focus on posing in contemporary bodybuilding. The duo reunited for another workout months later where Zane mentored O’Hearn through unconventional techniques to enhance results in the gym.
Eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney praised Frank Zane for his longevity and maximizing his genetic potential last October. He backed Zane’s training methods as proof that competitors need not focus on lifting heavy weights to build muscle. Zane’s impact on the sport is palpable to this day. Former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout invoked Zane’s example to inspire budding Open competitor Michal Krizo to work on his posing months ago.
‘The Chemist’ voiced his disapproval of modern bodybuilders overdoing steroids and using Synthol to improve their chances on stage in Dec. 2022. He revealed he stays away from using TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) and cautioned against taking too much gear.
Read also Frank Zane Growth Program
Frank Zane explains the importance of stretching
In a recent Instagram post, Frank Zane explained how to use stretching as the ideal recovery tool between sets.
“When training a particular body part, you should do roughly ten different stretches for it during the rest periods between your sets,” wrote Zane. “Each stretch should last 15-20 seconds. After a set, you want to rest and drop your heart rate. This is the ideal recovery tool as you relax into the stretch; it saves a lot of time and keeps you warm.”
Read also: The 9 Best Morning Stretches for Men
While many competitors focus on muscle size alone, Frank Zane believes adding extra weight can destroy the symmetry and proportions of a physique. He encouraged developing muscle in extremities like calves and forearms instead of rushing to enlarge the bigger muscle groups.
Zane opened up on the low-carbohydrate diet and training he utilized during his days of competition last month. He revealed he never went over 200 pounds in the off-season and avoided using diuretics due to the risk of losing too much water.
His latest offering will certainly come in handy for competitive bodybuilders and fitness fans looking to level up their aesthetic quality.
Published: 21 June, 2023 | 2:16 AM EDT
Larry Wheels Smokes 150-Lb Incline Dumbbell Bench Press for 25 Reps, Shares Ripped Update
Larry Wheels continues to make strides inside the gym ahead of his anticipated bodybuilding debut in the Classic Physique division. In a recent Instagram post, Wheels demolished 25 reps of 150-pound incline dumbbell bench press and then revealed an impressive physique update.
At just 28 years old, Larry Wheels’ strength and athletic abilities have seen him test the waters of different sports such as strongman, powerlifting, arm wrestling, and bodybuilding. And while he set his sights on a strongman return last year, Larry was forced to remove his name from the 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man roster due to a back injury.
Last August, Wheels made a bold choice: he quit all performance-enhancing drugs and switched to only testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). He’s been honest with fans about the transition, having kept a record of his mental health, physical health, strength, and endurance while relying on TRT alone. Despite giving up a handful of compounds, Larry says his strength and moods haven’t fluctuated much since making the change.
Larry admits he was headed down a dark path nearly a decade ago when he dabbled in recreational drugs. He was introduced to TRT at 17 years old and said it saved him from experimenting further with elicit substances. Though, Wheels understands that PEDs can have a negative impact on the body as well. He showed off a photo comparison of himself using TRT versus the peak of his steroid use. The results left Wheels surprised at how the compounds seemingly aged his face.
In a change of pace, Wheels decided to dedicate his workout efforts solely to bodybuilding. Back in March, the popular influencer announced his plan to compete on stage. According to Wheels, he currently has enough size but will need to cut around 20 pounds to make the limit for Classic Physique. Looking ahead, Wheels believes he has what it takes to be competitive with some of the top names in the category.
Larry Wheels Smashes Workout, Shares Latest Physique Update
You can find Larry Wheels’ 150-pound incline dumbbell bench press video below:
“150×25!Changing the rep from 1-5 reps to now 8-25 has really helped my develop fullness in my chest. I stopped doing flat bench to create a better balance. I only do flat once in a blue moon nowRed and black wraps from @teampersonalrecord” Larry Wheels wrote.
Larry Wheels Via Instagram @larrywheels
In a special interview on Bradley Martyn’s Raw Talk Podcast, Wheels discussed potentially competing against the four-time Classic Physique Olympia king Chris Bumstead. While Larry tried out the Open class years ago in 2018, he mentioned that he was simply too small for the division. He doesn’t believe his size will hold him back in Classic Physique, however. And Larry’s coach is a believer. He told Wheels that he’d be competitive with top names in the category using only TRT recently.
Considering his steady physique updates and training sessions, Larry is determined to leave his mark on another sport. Wheels isn’t the only strongman veteran amid a physique transformation either. Eddie Hall, the 2017 World’s Strongest Man, has also announced his foray into the sport.
With a pair of strongmen eying the Classic Physique division, perhaps this is the start of a new trend. Regardless of his future ambitions, fans are happy to see Larry Wheels looking youthful, healthy, and energetic.
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Published: 20 June, 2023 | 10:53 PM EDT
Bob Cicherillo Talks Official Men’s Physique Judging Criteria, Says Thin Legs ‘Can Hurt You’ on Stage
Bob Cicherillo has taken issue with Dave Palumbo over his interpretation of the Men’s Physique rules set to go into effect following 2023 Mr. Olympia. In the latest Voice of Bodybuilding Podcast, Cicherillo shared evidence that the Men’s Physique judging criteria takes legs into consideration.
Judging and officiating have taken center stage since last year’s action-packed Mr. Olympia contest. In the end, Hadi Choopan hoisted gold above his shoulders, a victory he earned after years of placing in the top four. Derek Lunsford, meanwhile, also made a statement in his Open class debut by placing runner-up. Given the success of two former 212 competitors, some believe the judging criteria underwent a shift to favor balance, proportions, and conditioning over size and freak factor.
Concerns about judging once again dominated discussions online following Nick Walker‘s loss to Samson Dauda at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Factoring in Walker’s conditioning levels, some veterans of the sport thought ‘The Mutant’ should have earned first. When the dust settled, even Walker expressed doubts about the judging process as he thought he was the rightful winner.
With fan backlash at an all-time high, athletes rep Bob Cicherillo stepped in. He’s taken to multiple podcasts to explain the fair and proper ways to judge a bodybuilding contest. Bob also provided reasons for why the judges awarded Dauda the victory in Ohio instead of Walker.
Weeks ago, IFBB Vice President Tyler Manion announced new changes to the Men’s Physique division. Specifically, the category will impose a weight/height restriction in the coming months. In light of the new statute, Dave Palumbo worried that competitors would ignore leg training in order to game the weight cap. However, in Bob’s opinion, Palumbo couldn’t be more wrong.
“Dave, You’ve Made a Whole Career Out of Lying,” Bob Cicherillo Blasts Dave Palumbo Over Men’s Physique Ruling
According to Cicherillo, competitors could hide their legs 10 years ago but not anymore because the board shorts have changed and now fit tighter on the legs.
“What is it about [Dave] Palumbo that I just have to constantly, constantly correct what he puts out there? So now the big thing is, all this Men’s Physique back and forth is that I’m a liar! And Dave is even mean when he says I’m lying to the athletes, and damn it, he’s not going to take it anymore because he cares so much about the athletes, so much, that he doesn’t even go to the shows. But we’re going to stick with the plot here and actually prove to everybody that I am indeed not the liar. Dave, you’ve made a whole career out of lying.”
“You insist that you do know what’s going on but you really don’t. We’re going to put up a graphic right here and show you how much it’s actually changed. In this picture you’re going to see, this is an actual 10-year difference from your first-ever champ in Mark Anthony to Brandon Hendrickson and you could see – the shorts have changed dramatically.
Yes, you could hide some leg development or lack thereof 10 years ago, but as you can see in the photo, the shorts they wear today are more spandex, they are tighter hugging to the legs because the athletes like to show off their leg development to go with their upper bodies even though it’s Men’s Physique,” Bob Cicherillo explained.
Citing an official IFBB Pro League document, Cicherillo underlined that the whole body is taken into account when judging bodies in the Men’s Physique category.
“We have found the actual written criteria. This is where you’re going to have a problem my friend. The written criteria, now this is from many many years ago but this still holds true, what it means to assess a Men’s Physique physique. I’ll paraphrase, you can see the part right here where it says, and I’ll quote: ‘Assessment should begin at the head and extend downwards, taking the whole physique into account. Whole Dave. W-H-O-L-E- that would mean in its entirety. The whole physique is taken into account.”
“I know who your top head judge is I actually talked to him today. That’s not actually what he said. Even though what you put out there and this is what you do. You try to stack the deck in your favor to try to make your case. But you get caught every single time because you’re not as smart as you think you are.”
Even though an official score isn’t given for leg development in Men’s Physique, Bob shared that it’s still factored into the end result.
“There’s no specific score that goes to leg development as I just read the criteria. The whole body is assessed, okay? And, I do have an actual quote from the same said person that we could put up right now that actually says there’s a little bit more involved isn’t there? The whole physique should be assessed. We look at the physique as a whole. We look at the silhouette of the physique. If you’ve got thin legs, okay, if your legs don’t match your upper body, it will hurt you.”
“Don’t listen to this idiot [Dave Palumbo]. That’s my advice to all the people out there. He has absolutely no idea what he’s talking about and we just proved your wrong once again. Top judges, you can catch anyone of them, any one, go out and get a consensus Dave, talk to 10 of them, they are all going to tell you the same thing I did. The entire physique is taken into consideration in Men’s Physique.”
This isn’t Bob Cicherillo’s first time dropping knowledge on Palumbo over the new rules. In a Voice of Bodybuilding Podcast last week, Cicherillo stressed that competitors in Men’s Physique still need to train their legs otherwise they will appear imbalanced on stage. In addition, Cicherillo mentioned that he’s seen Physique competitors lose shows due to a lack of leg development.
The bodybuilding community is unsure how the new Men’s Physique height/weight cap will affect the growing class. As with any division, Bob Cicherillo made it clear that the ‘entire physique’ is taken into account during the judging process.
RELATED: Jeremy Buendia Shares Massive 4,600-Calorie Bulking Diet That Helped Him Gain 19 lbs in 2 Weeks
You can watch the full video below from the Voice of Bodybuilding YouTube channel:
Published: 20 June, 2023 | 7:49 PM EDT
Kai Greene Shows Off Beastly Physique in Guest Posing Appearance in India
American bodybuilding icon Kai Greene is widely recognized as one of the best IFBB Men’s Open competitors to have never won the Mr. Olympia contest. Although he hasn’t competed since 2016, he maintains a high level of personal fitness. In a recent post made on Instagram, Greene showed off his monstrous physique in a guest posing appearance at the 2023 Sheru Classic Pro in New Delhi, India.
Kai Greene found his passion for bodybuilding as a teenager. He emerged as a budding prospect in the mid-2000s when he joined the IFBB Pro League. In 2008, he came out on top of the New York Pro and placed third at the Arnold Classic. Greene dominated the 2009 Arnold Classic to take home gold and rounded off the season with a fourth-place showing at Mr. Olympia. He continued to work his way up the ranks and claimed another Arnold Classic title in 2010.
During his days of competition, Greene developed a fierce rivalry with fellow bodybuilding legend Phil Heath. The seven-time Mr. Olympia kept Greene at bay and outmuscled him for the win in three consecutive events (2012-2014). Greene stopped participating in the competition following his third silver medal and took to the sidelines for a period of time. His final season (2016) saw him clinch three victories at the Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic Australia, and Arnold Classic Brazil.
Greene teamed up with rising Open sensation Blessing Awodibu for a taxing arm workout in July 2022. He mentored ‘The Boogieman’ through the training session focused on building the mind-muscle connection with some of his favorite exercises. Then, Greene partnered with Blessing again for a fierce upper-body workout in preparation for the 2022 Mr. Olympia. The duo went through a challenging shoulder training routine six weeks out from the show.
‘The Predator’ strengthened his partnership with Blessing with a brutal back and hamstrings workout days out of the Olympia contest. He offered his best superset to enhance neurological awareness for improving rear poses.
Earlier this year, Kai Greene opened up about his 15-year-long experience competing as a natural bodybuilder. He stressed the importance of reaching your genetic limit before taking gear and laid out his current diet which can go up to 6,000 calories per day. He also weighed in on the prevalence of TRT use (testosterone replacement therapy), which he considers a steroid.
Greene praised his old foe Phil Heath for his amazing career three months ago. While Kai Greene hasn’t competed in seven years, he left the door open for a potential comeback and made it clear he did not formally retire.
Kai Greene shows off Monstrous Package in guest-posing appearance in India
In a recent Instagram post, Kai Greene looked enormous in a guest-posing appearance at the Sheru Classic Pro in New Delhi, India.
Greene donned his signature superhero-style mask and robe to kick off the guest posing. He went through a series of poses before taking the robe off and continuing his performance.
Kai Greene gave fans a look into his intense shoulder workout routine two months ago. He utilized supersets and trained his back in order to work on a better sense of mind-muscle connection.
Australian bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest called for an Olympia-themed superhero showdown with Greene earlier this month. He recommended performing a skit together at the bodybuilding show to entertain fans while playing characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Kai Greene and Will Tennyson Demolish a High-Volume Chest Workout
Greene may not have any plans for a comeback but he could surely give many competitors a run for their money if he decided to return based on the latest update.
Published: 20 June, 2023 | 4:46 PM EDT
Dana Linn Bailey Discusses Steroids and Potential Comeback: “Maybe Just One More”
Dana Linn Bailey continues to flirt with the idea of a potential comeback. In a recent Muscular Development interview, Bailey teased a return and defended her position as a lifetime natural athlete who has never touched steroids.
“I love training. I love volume. So, yeah, those lateral raise sets where I’m doing like 40 reps. People are like what… I think if I even touched a little bit of drugs, I would have been on the same stage as Iris Kyle the way I train,” Dana Linn Bailey shared.
Bailey faced many obstacles on her way to finding success in the IFBB Pro League. However, she never gave up on her dreams and in 2013, reached the height of her career after winning the inaugural Women’s Physique Olympia title. Even though she surrendered gold a year later, she remains a trailblazer in the division – and has yet to officially retire.
Having stepped away from the bright lights, Bailey grew her legacy online with platforms like YouTube and Instagram, where she routinely influences millions of followers. She is known for her strenuous and rapid workout intensity. This was on full display in sessions with top names in the sport such as coach and FST-7 training founder Hany Rambod and four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler.
In a recent Cutler Cast Podcast, Dana shared that she was a lifetime natural athlete, devoid of all performance-enhancing drugs. At the time, Bailey said if she chose to compete again, she’d volunteer for weekly blood tests leading up to the competition. Given her ability to stay shredded year-round, fans are convinced Bailey could shock the world if she mounted a comeback.
According to Dana Linn Bailey, she never used the word retirement after she stopped competing.
“You know, that’s why I’ve never said the retired word. Because there’s a silly part of me – because I do look at myself now – fu** man, you’re in better shape now than you’ve ever been. I would love to see what I look like because I have – I’m going to be 40 in a couple of weeks. I’m an ’83 so I’m going to be 40. The kids on stage now are in their 20s. There’s a silly little thing in my head that’s like maybe just one more. So I’ve just never said anything.”
Bailey said she’s not lying about being natural despite the differing opinions of fans online. She added that she’d never look like reigning Women’s Physique Olympia Natalia Coelho or Sarah Villegas if she eventually returned. And if a comeback was in the cards, Dana said she would need at least a 30-week camp to develop her legs without steroids.
“It used to affect me I used to get really upset. I just – because I’m not lying. I’m just being honest. People would literally get hate me. Then, throw me everywhere, I’m lying, I’m a fake natty, this and that. It used to really bother me. Then I switched, and it’s like you know, I must be doing something right obviously.”
“No, no one reached out [Masters Olympia]. I heard about it but for me to prep I need like 30-something weeks to prep for a show. Yeah, 30 weeks. Dude, yeah. 30 weeks out,” said Lin Bailey. “For me to get my legs out, yeah I need time. We can talk about the natural not natural, I’ve been competing natural my entire life. So for me to get my legs to come out, it takes like 25 weeks.”
“There’s no way I would look like that [Sarah Villegas and Natalia Coelho]. I’m also very realistic with myself. I’m not crazy. I understand: there’s a part of me that would just love to go up there and not freakin’ care and I would be the smallest, may not be the most shredded but I would love to see what I could do.”
Even though Dana doesn’t use steroids, she understands why men do. In addition, she shared that very few men can keep up with her training intensity but Kai Greene was one of them.
“I’ve trained with some of the top bodybuilders in the world. Jose Raymond, he quit on me halfway through. The only one that like – it’s not even that he trains at my intensity like Kai trains for a very long time. He’s probably the one person that can, ‘Cool, this guy can hang with me.’ But no other, especially no other dude has hung with me. Generally, girls can hang because we just have more endurance.”
“I don’t care if guys do it. It works with your bodies. I want to see the freaks, I want to see Kai Greenes and Ronnie Colemans,” added Bailey.
Linn Bailey Reflects on the Evolution of Women’s Physique Class and Winning 2013 Olympia
At first, Bailey was afraid of losing on the Olympia stage because she thought fans would no longer follow her. However, after losing in 2014, she said her following stuck around.
“Obviously once you go pro, you kind of space things out. But, yeah, won the first Olympia, got second at the second Olympia. I tell people this all the time, getting second place was probably one of the best things that ever happened. It sounds weird obviously. I love winning. Being first was awesome. It was really cool. But there was so much pressure – unneeded pressure that I put on myself.
And when I got second, I will say I looked better the second year. I’m just saying, I looked better. Just saying. I looked better the second year and got second but that’s fine. Afterward, I thought everything was over. I thought my whole world was going to fall apart. Still second place, I just thought, ‘Okay, everyone is going to go follow that one person now. I thought everything revolved around being on stage and winning,” said Dana Linn Bailey.
“I think I had a very strong head on my shoulders. I never did anything weird. I never – my diet was actually very very healthy. I did everything super healthy but there was a little bit of crazy.”
Dana announced a recent fitness challenge she’s aiming to complete in the coming months, titled the ‘Summer shredded 4.0 body transformation challenge.’ She invited her fans to tag along while she aims to add muscle and lean down at the same time.
The Women’s Physique division has evolved significantly since Bailey’s reign. She remains undecided about a comeback but still hasn’t completely abandoned the idea of gracing the Olympia stage one more time.
RELATED: Video: Bodybuilder Dana Linn Bailey Goes Through A Gains Unlocking Push Day Workout
You can watch the full video from the Muscular Development YouTube channel below:
Published: 20 June, 2023 | 12:12 PM EDT
Andrew Jacked Looking Huge and Shredded in Update 9 Weeks from 2023 Texas Pro
All systems are a go for Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, who is eying his 2023 Mr. Olympia invitation in just over two months. In a recent Instagram post, Andrew Jacked shared a physique update ahead of his anticipated return to the 2023 Texas Pro, scheduled for August 18-19.
Andrew Jacked is a rising force in the Open class. His rookie year was astounding as he went on to earn his IFBB Pro card at the 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur and then from there, entered and won his first pro show at the Texas Pro. Despite boasting less experience than his rivals, Jacked appeared at ease on stage, and his posing routines have only strengthened over time.
At his debut Mr. Olympia competition in 2022, Jacked proved himself in eighth place while Hadi Choopan claimed gold. Having looked back on the show, Jacked’s former coach, George Farah, mentioned that he overcame adversity on stage with a 102-degree fever. Jacked also managed to defeat some stellar names in the Open such as Michal Krizo, Rafael Brandao, and William Bonac.
Andrew Jacked posing at the 2022 Mr. Olympia (Image via Andrew Jacked Instagram)
Forging ahead, Jacked decided to switch coaches and joined the late Shawn Rhoden‘s former brigade: Chris Aceto and Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis. Jacked competed at the 2023 Arnold Classic, which served as his one-year anniversary since becoming a pro.
At the event, he pushed Nick Walker and Samson Dauda before finishing third. Even though he didn’t earn gold, Andrew left the show with the Arnold Classic Best Poser Award. And while he’s certainly enjoyed success thus far, Jacked will have to earn his invite to this year’s Mr. Olympia if he wants another shot at the sport’s most celebrated event.
Andrew Jacked Looking at His All-Time Biggest, Shows Off Physique 9 Weeks from Next Show
You can find Jacked’s impressive posing routine from Instagram below:
“Post Cardio Checkin with @therealtechnician and @psychofitness21Few weeks left to resume Camp PsychoLet Them Cook!Yesszzziirrr !!!” Andrew Jacked shared.
As the Texas Pro draws near, the lineup of contenders is coming together and the fans anticipate a thrilling contest. Hunter Labrada, the son of bodybuilding legend Lee Labrada, is eyeing the show as a chance to redeem himself after taking home the lowest Olympia placing of his career in seventh.
Jacked, meanwhile, has shared some optimistic news online after getting his blood work done. The Men’s Open star says his health metrics are on point and actually better than ever. He is confident he can secure his Olympia qualification after falling short in Ohio back in March.
Jacked’s and Samson Dauda’s recent performances have sparked a debate about whether aesthetic physiques are gaining an edge over mass monsters in the sport. Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy argued that competitors who rely on freak factor might get left behind in the years to come.
According to IFBB head judges Steve Weinberger, Andrew Jacked needs work on his lower body. In a special Olympia TV appearance, Weinberger mentioned that if Jacked improves his legs, he will likely be fighting in the first call-out at the next Mr. Olympia. He added that Jacked looked flat at the 2023 Arnold Classic.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Andrew Jacked Teams Up With Vlad Suhoruchko For A Rigorous Arm Workout
With just a few weeks until Andrew Jacked ramps up training with Chris Lewis, the 2023 Texas Pro is shaping up to be one of the most exciting contests of the year. Time will tell who comes out on top between Hunter Labrada and Jacked.
Published: 20 June, 2023 | 12:21 AM EDT
Samson Dauda Shows Off Monstrous 327-Lb Physique Guest Posing at 2023 USA Fit Games
Samson Dauda continues to gain momentum in the viciously competitive IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division. Over last weekend, Dauda shocked his fans while guest posing at the 2023 USA Fit Games and revealed he’s weighing 327 pounds.
The potential of Dauda was evident from the start of his bodybuilding career. Though, in 2022, he gained considerable momentum. Fans saw him claim a pair of fourth-place finishes at the Arnold Classic and Boston Pro. Making his way to the Olympia for the first time, Dauda exceeded expectations and finished sixth. During the event, he proved himself standing against the former two-time champion Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, who ultimately slid to fifth.
Without an invite to this year’s Olympia event, Dauda returned to the 2023 Arnold Classic. He faced stiff competition from fellow frontrunners Nick Walker and Andrew Jacked. While some in the sport found the results controversial, Dauda won and earned his way to this year’s prestigious show.
Dauda understands getting past Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford, and champ, Hadi Choopan will be no easy task. In a Muscular Development interview, Dauda explained that the only way he could win 2023 Mr. Olympia gold was by thickening his back. And if his latest guest posing appearance is a sign of his progress, it appears Dauda is in a favorable position to do well at this year’s Olympia.
Samson Dauda Staying Active With Guest Posing in 2023 Off-Season, Shows Off Physique at 327 Lbs
‘Everything is bigger in Texas,’ as was the case with Samson Dauda’s latest guest posing appearance at 327 pounds.
“Guest posing today at @usafitgamesIn Dallas Texas327lbs” Dauda wrote.
In May, he joined a star-studded lineup of Men’s Open guest posers at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro. Samson shared the stage with Walker, Hunter Labrada, Big Ramy, Shaun Clarida, and Derek Lunsford. In the aftermath, most fans agreed that Dauda and Lunsford stood out as favorites ahead of the next Mr. Olympia.
A month later in April, Dauda took over the stage at the 10x Ben Weider 2023 to guest pose. He looked incredible and still conditioned despite enjoying a rebound period. Given the artistic nature and detail of his posing routines, it’s safe to say his busy schedule is paying off.
Even though he defeated ‘The Mutant’ in Columbus, Ohio, Nick Walker doesn’t seem to be concerned with Samson Dauda ahead of Olympia this year. He has no crystal ball but Walker predicted that 2023 Mr. Olympia will see either himself or Derek Lunsford win gold. It should be noted that eight-time winner Ronnie Coleman believes Lunsford will end Choopan’s reign when they rematch.
Steve Weinberger, who often serves as the head judge for Arnold Classics and Mr. Olympias, said that Dauda could push into the top three this year with added back improvements. He specified that Dauda will also need to keep a similar level of size that he presented last December.
RELATED: Samson Dauda ‘Fired Up’ to Bring Shock Factor at 2023 Mr. Olympia: ‘There’s Only 1 Result Left to Get’
Meanwhile, other competitors in the Open, such as William Bonac, believe Choopan is likely to defend successfully in November. Nevertheless, should Dauda thicken his back and add more detail, he and his coach Milos Sarcev are confident they could disrupt the lineup and win the 2023 Mr. Olympia show.
Published: 19 June, 2023 | 3:40 PM EDT
2023 Sheru Classic Pro India Results and Scorecards
The 2023 Sheru Classic Pro India went down from June 16-18 in New Delhi, India. This show is a 2023 Mr. Olympia qualifier and it features four divisions: 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, and Bikini.
2023 Sheru Classic Pro India Winners
212 Bodybuilding: Andrei Melnikov
Classic Physique: Vahid Badpei
Men’s Physique: Bhuwan Chauhan
Bikini: Jil Meret Schmitz
With the next Mr. Olympia show approaching, athletes are on the hunt for their respective invites. This year’s annual event takes place from November 2-5 in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center.
Athletes have until October 9 to guarantee their spot on the Olympia stage. Unlike in 2022, there are fewer months and events available to qualify for the prestigious show. The 212 Bodybuilding winner at the 2022 Sheru Classic India Pro was Hameed Juma, but he’s opted not to compete. Therefore, a new champ will be crowned in the 212 category.
Heading into the contest, fans immediately took notice of three names in the 212 category: Andrei Melnikov, Iran’s Morteza Mashayekh Kordkola, and Edward Kargbo. During prejudging, they all stood out, which left fans very excited to see how the action would unfold in the finals.
2023 Sheru Classic Pro India Pro Results
212 Bodybuilding
Like the prejudging segment of the show, the finals were fiercely competitive. Edward Kargbo and Morteza Mashayekh Kordkola made a play for gold with shredded physiques. In the end, the balance, symmetry, and conditioning of Andrei Melnikov earned him victory. He is 2022 Olympia-bound where he will later get a chance to face the reigning two-time champ, Shaun Clarida. In addition, Morteza Mashayekh Kordkola was second.
Winner — Andrei Melnikov
Second Place — Morteza Mashayekh Kordkola
Third Place — Edward Kargbo
Classic Physique
In Classic Physique, Sunmeet Singh Gill, Mikhail Timoshin, and Vahid Badpei battled for supremacy. While Gill and Timoshin brought impressive packages, the proportions of Vahid Badpei sealed the deal as he walked away victorious with the 2023 Sheru Classic title. Mikhail Timoshin finished runner-up.
Winner — Vahid Badpei
Second Place — Mikhail Timoshin
Third Place — Sunmeet Singh Gill
Fourth Place — Deepak Nanda
Fifth Place — Denis Romanov
Sixth Place — Manoj Sarangapani
Seventh Place — Parmeshwar Sharma
Eighth Place — Chand Mondal
Ninth Place — Mehmet Emin Baydilli
Tenth Place — Kirk Anderson
Men’s Physique
Given the skill level of the participants, fans were in for a treat from the Men’s Physique division. During prejudging and the finals, Ali Bilal, Bhuwan Chauhan, and Raj Kumar Paswan dominated the center stage. They took part in a series of comparisons. Even though all men brought impressive physiques, the upper body of Bhuwan Chauhan stole the show. He is now qualified for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest in November. Meanwhile, Raj Kumar Paswan took second.
Winner — Bhuwan Chauhan
Second Place — Raj Kumar Paswan
Third Place — Ali Bilal
Fourth Place — Anik Ghosh
Fifth Place — Gijo John Kurian
Sixth Place — Ajith Raja P.
Seventh Place — Mohammad Javad Sadeghi
Eighth Place — Tua Anh Tran
Ninth Place — Dilip Kumar N H
Tenth Place — Maxime Parisi
Bikini
In the Bikini division, competitors put on a show. There were several contenders in the running for the first call-out. However, during finals, three women stood out on paper: Rukiye Solak, Elizaveta Dementera, and Jil Meret Schmitz. After a few comparisons, Jil Meret Schmitz won the Bikini title with Elizaveta Dementera taking silver.
Winner — Jil Meret Schmitz
Second Place — Elizaveta Dementera
Third Place — Rukiye Solak
Fourth Place — Laura Martinez Manrique
Fifth Place — Dunaevskaia Ekaterina
Sixth Place — Liana Moroz
Seventh Place — Bunluek Sanguanlikhitkun
Eighth Place — Kristina Ivanova
Ninth Place — Karina Aleksashina
2023 Sheru Classic Pro India Scorecard
Sheru Classic India 212
Sheru Classic India Classic
Sheru Classic Mens
Sheru Classic Bikini
FitnessVolt congratulates the winners!
Published: 19 June, 2023 | 2:11 PM EDT
Urs Kalecinski ‘Pumped’ for 2023 Olympia Showdown w/Ramon Queiroz, Says He’ll Cut to 1,800 Calories Daily
German native Urs Kalecinski is determined to bring a bigger and better physique to the 2023 Mr. Olympia stage. In a recent HD Muscle Podcast, Kalecinski discussed the game plan for his next appearance in November and life at 275 pounds.
“It would be cool – the first Classic guy at 300 pounds just for like clickbait reasons. It’s crazy, I don’t remember the last time when I wasn’t hungry,” shared Urs Kalecinski.
Kalecinski, one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars, continues to make strides as a competitor in the Classic Physique division. Fans quickly took note of his tight waist, symmetry, and lower body detail, which are weapons he’s already used to find success in the IFBB Pro League.
In 2021, Kalecinski won the 2021 Tampa Pro, and that victory paved the way for his first Olympia appearance. He was awarded fourth in his debut, something many took as a promising sign of his future. A year later, the 25-year-old earned third at the Arnold Classic, trailing behind two-time winner Terrence Ruffin and his rival, Ramon Queiroz.
Undeterred by that showing, he won the Boston Pro to earn a 2022 Olympia invite. Again, Urs set his sights on Brazilian powerhouse Queiroz and Chris Bumstead. While he brought an impressive physique to last year’s Olympia (2022), Kalecinski finished third. Kalecinski had another shot at taking down Queiroz in Columbus, Ohio, but was unable to claim Arnold Classic gold. With time to prepare for the year’s biggest event, Kalecinski sat down to discuss progress and preparations.
Urs Kalecinski Talks Struggles of Preps, Rivalry with Ramon Queiroz, & Diet Plan for 2023 Olympia
Kalecinski said his prep for 2022 Olympia was one of his easiest but encountered problems turning around two months later for the 2023 Arnold Classic. He mentioned that a bout of food poisoning affected his performance in Ohio.
“This prep [2022 Mr. Olympia] for the Olympia was so easy. You know those preps which doesn’t feel like prepping at all. I had energy till peak week. I was feeling bad because I’m not suffering so hard. I had cheat meals every four days because my metabolism was fire and no problem at all going to the weight limit. And then, what fuc**d up my whole life was the Olympia to the Arnold.
Because it was back-to-back I would say. It was only six or seven weeks. And I can’t do any breaks between it, so I had to keep continuing. My hunger and everything went skyrocketing. Then, imagine, you work your ass off and you don’t have a social life during prep, that’s normal, but then not only the social life but also feeling like dog shit every day. I didn’t have that in my whole life before. When you work so hard and then at the very end, you get fuc**ng food poisoning from chicken when I was flying,” said Urs Kalecinski.
After going to the hospital for blood work, Kalecinski said his coach warned him that a few markers were off. However, the problem was ultimately resolved.
“I went to the hospital, and did my blood work because my coach luckily he has a medical background and he’s very very good with those health things and he knows exactly how to handle this and he says, ‘Okay, some points are not good, like of course, your liver enzymes are not good and your cholesterol is not that good at the end of your prep.
The magnesium and other minerals are not in a good range then we need to stop this.’ Then, I prayed to God, ‘Please let it don’t be like this.’ At the end, it was good. We nailed it perfectly to the weight limit and then to filling back up. I had like three days with 1,000 grams of carbs for the carb-up. And I still wasn’t full at the prejudging.”
To combat Ramon Queiroz and Cbum on stage in November, Kalecinski shared that he bulked up to 275 pounds and looks forward to another meeting.
“It’s so crazy in Classic. It’s all about this one day or one two or three hours. Also in bodybuilding but I think in Classic it’s – it’s a bit harder,” said Urs Kalecinski. “My weight, yeah it’s 275 [pounds].”
“I can battle him [Ramon] and that’s what I’m pumped for this year. The fans and the people are going to see some good battle between us and that’s what I’m shooting for. Getting bigger and better. We’ve made some good improvements and also here – got some motivation back.”
Eventually, Kalecinski plans to cut his diet of 3,500 calories to only 1,800.
“Officially 16 weeks out but I tried to bring my weight down right now because where I want to go,” said Urs. “It’s crazy. I’m always hungry. I’m fuc**ng – yeah it’s crazy [I go from 3,500 calories] to 1,800.”
“That’s like a Bikini girl diet,” replied Antoine Vaillant.
According to Kalecinski, bodybuilders who want to make improvements sometimes need to ‘look like a bag of shit’ in the off-season.
“That’s like I said, that’s always what the people say, [switch to the Open] I swear to God, eight or 10 weeks, you’re going to see it everywhere, Urs is too shredded to be ready on stage. That’s what I like about the old days. Dorian Yates didn’t give a fuc*. I get tons of messages, ‘What happened to your fuc**ng face it’s blown up.’
I’m like, ‘Bro, back in the day everybody looked like this. Come on. It’s just Instagram where you see all the influencers being shredded all year-round but they don’t make improvements. To make improvements you need to look like a bag of shit in my opinion. Not the body, but when your face blows up,” said Kalecinski.
In a recent Olympia TV edition of Prime Time Muscle, esteemed Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy talked about the rivalry between German standouts Kalecinski and Mike Sommerfield. El Guindy went as far as to say that Urs wants to ‘beat the hell out of’ Mike when they meet again on stage.
There’s no denying ‘The Miracle Bear’s’ popularity in the IFBB Pro League. With a new and improved 275-pound physique, fans are curious how Kalecinski will compare to Ramon Queiroz and Classic Physique Olympia king Chris Bumstead later this year.
RELATED: Urs Kalecinski And Jay Cutler Wreck A Potent Back Workout
You can watch the full video from the HD Muscle YouTube channel below:
Published: 19 June, 2023 | 11:53 AM EDT