Tag: Bodybuilding
Greatest Arms Ever? Chris Cormier Picks Robby Robinson & Olympia Judge Says Phil Heath
Figuring out who has the best arms ever in a sport like bodybuilding is a difficult task. In a recent episode of Prime Time Muscle, Chris Cormier and Terrick El Guindy tackled the challenge and named which bodybuilders they believe possessed the best arms of any competitor regardless of era.
Chris Cormier is uniquely qualified to speak on the matter given his decorated résumé filled with accomplishments. His eye-catching balance of chest fullness, biceps, and deeply separated quads made him a perennial Mr. Olympia threat despite never taking home the prestigious honor. As with most of his contemporaries from the 1990s, Comier competed often and shared the stage with heavy hitters like Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, and Flex Wheeler.
On the other hand, El Guindy is a bodybuilding promoter and judge. He routinely officiates contests and through the years has developed a keen eye for physiques irrespective of category. With regular appearances on the Prime Time Muscle Olympia TV program, El Guindy’s gift of gab makes him a fantastic ambassador for the sport.
In their latest endeavor, El Guindy and Cormier teamed up for a gun show judging contest. They both proposed their picks in the arms race. In addition, they disclosed honorable mentions and named who currently holds the biggest arms in the sport.
Chris Cormier: ‘Robby Robinson Has The Greatest Arms Ever, No One Will Outshine Those Peaks’
Without taking size into account, Cormier credited Robinson’s arms as the best ever given his pronounced biceps peak, which he still displays today well into his 70s.
Robby Robinson / Instagram
“Robby Robinson! The Black Prince is my go-to when it comes to arms. I’ve watched as a kid and training with him personally and I would saw, when he would do a preacher curl, his biceps would come up, over, then, back, and down. Up, over, back, and down, double scoop ice cream scoop on top of an arm [impressive peaks]. That’s what I would see every time on Robby Robinson. He had the brachialis, the triceps, I don’t think anyone outshined those peaks, ever,” said Chris Cormier.
Terrick El Guindy: “Phil Heath, Freakiest Arms I’ve Ever Seen”
Guindy said he was most blown away by the full muscle bellies in Heath’s arms.
“In my opinion to have the best arms in the history of bodybuilding – a lot of us focus on biceps but it’s got to be biceps and triceps… I’m going to tell you that Phil Heath had amazing freaking arms, okay. It was the triceps, the biceps, and it was the muscle bellies on the arms.”
“I could choose one arm to just borrow and go down Santa Monica with a sleeveless shirt, it would be Phil Heath,” argued El Guindy. “Freakiest arms I’ve ever seen. Lee Priest had freaky arms too but they were a little bit too compact. They were impressive but they didn’t stretch so much.”
Phil Heath / Instagram
As for honorable mentions for greatest arms, Cormier and Guindy agree on Roelly Winklaar and Ramon Queiroz. However, in terms of pure size, Nick Walker has the biggest and most impressive arms of any competitor in the IFBB Pro League right now.
“Let me tell you, I saw Roelly Winklaar’s arms, man!” added Guindy.
“Those arms bro… you can’t even – I mean his forearms are about as big as most people’s biceps peaks, alone just the forearms. You can’t go wrong with those guys mentioned already,” The Real Deal shared.
“It was a few months back and shits crazy my man. He [Ramon Dino] had those crazy forearms laying down on the table. They looked like somebody’s legs. I was looking at this guy and going, why do you have such big forearms. And the reality is he did a lot of bars in Ekiti where he’s from. Incredible arm development. Nowadays, the competitor in the Open that has the biggest most impressive arms in my opinion is Nick Walker,” replied El Guindy.
This isn’t the first time competitors from past eras took a closer look at arm development. Months ago, former four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler shared a throwback video of when he and Ronnie Coleman had their biceps measured. While the race was close, Coleman’s were bigger, topping out at a massive 23.5 inches. Meanwhile, Cutler’s were 22.5 inches at the time.
Comparisons of Walker’s arm size and Coleman’s surfaced recently as well. The eight-time Mr. Olympia titleholder found the online discussion funny. After being critical of the Bro Chat Podcast for the comparison, Coleman specified that muscle separation must also be taken into account when measuring arms.
Interestingly, Cormier and Terrick El Guindy left ‘The King’ out of the discussion, despite being known for some of the biggest arms of any competitor. Given the sport’s subjective nature, fans will never agree as a whole on which athlete had the best arms of all time.
Watch the full video from the Olympia TV YouTube channel below:
Related:
Published: 10 June, 2023 | 12:11 AM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger Reacts to Linda Hamilton’s Insane Arms: ‘Son of a B***h is More Cut than Me’
Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger is a man of many talents. After moving on from professional competition, he made a name for himself in the world of entertainment and even found success in politics. In the freshly released Netflix TV mini-series Arnold, Schwarzenegger revealed he was left stunned by Linda Hamilton’s insane arms when the two worked together on Terminator 2.
Arnold Schwarzenegger first rose to prominence for his massive build as an IFBB Pro League Men’s Open competitor in the 1970s. Hailing from Austria, Schwarzenegger found his passion for bodybuilding at a young age and traveled to the US to fulfill his potential in the sport. After falling short of three-time Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva, Schwarzenegger came back stronger than ever to secure his maiden Sandow trophy in 1970. He was a dominant champion who defended the title five times in a row and returned after a five-year hiatus to win his seventh Mr. Olympia title in 1980.
Following a historic career, Schwarzenegger chose to test out the waters of Hollywood. He applied the strong work ethic he developed as a bodybuilder and quickly found success in his new venture. His starring role in the fantasy Conan the Barbarian (1982) skyrocketed his celebrity. He proved to be a certified megastar with several box-office hits under his belt. He established his status in pop culture with a lead role in the sci-fi action film franchise The Terminator (1984), which amassed a cult following.
Schwarzenegger likes to motivate fans with workout updates and tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle. He offered a quick five-minute workout that could be performed anywhere to start your day without the use of any equipment. He suggested performing the workout as a warm-up or first thing in the morning for better blood flow. Then, he detailed an intense workout of the week using cluster sets designed to boost strength gains and get the pump going.
‘The Austrian Oak’ laid out the negative effects of not sleeping enough when trying to lose weight a few weeks ago. He recommended his fans get at least seven hours of sleep every night and ideally aim for about eight hours to aid their weight loss goals based on research by Harvard scientists.
The 75-year-old reflected on the changes in his physique over the years last month. He admitted he didn’t like his physique in old age considering he ‘used to be the best-built man’ on the planet. He declared his plans to stay active forever and indicated no plans to retire anytime soon.
Arnold Schwarzenegger detailed four highly-effective ways to build a custom routine that fits into any schedule three weeks ago. He believes in forming habits one can follow consistently without overcomplicating things.
Last month, Schwarzenegger revealed Dianabol and testosterone as his two favorite PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs) of choice that he utilized during his days of competing on stage. Given the rise in bodybuilders dying from steroid abuse, Schwarzenegger cautioned fitness enthusiasts against taking gear due to the health risks.
Arnold Schwarzenegger reveals first response to Linda Hamilton’s jacked arms
In the Netflix series Arnold, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed his reaction to co-star Linda Hamilton’s insanely cut arms when the pair worked together for Terminator 2 (1991).
He was left stunned after noticing how ripped Hamilton’s arms were and likened it to a bodybuilder.
“A few days before we start shooting, Jim Cameron says to me, let’s all get together and have a nice dinner,” said Schwarzenegger. “Linda comes in and then she takes her sweater off and I’m looking at her arms. Veins on the biceps and then the triceps.
“Everything was like a bodybuilder except miniature. I said, ‘I cant believe that son of a b***h is f***ing more cut than me,” Arnold told Daily Mail.
Arnold Schwarzenegger provided two brutal circuit workouts targeting the upper body last month. He also stressed the need to avoid thinking before workouts to improve consistency. He followed up with a grip strength test and another circuit training routine for longevity.
RELATED: Bodybuilding Icon Arnold Schwarzenegger Set to Release Action Netflix Series FUBAR in May
Schwarzenegger’s latest revelation goes to show how seriously they took the Terminator series back when the film was under production.
Published: 9 June, 2023 | 6:47 PM EDT
Charles Glass Shares ‘German Volume Training’ Lesson for ‘Maximum’ Chest Muscle Growth
As a former gymnast, engineer, and bodybuilder, Charles Glass has a unique understanding of human anatomy. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Glass discussed German volume training which commonly practices 10 sets of 10 reps on three exercises.
Generous with his wisdom, Charles Glass has made a career out of helping people inside the gym. Whether it’s assisting a legendary four-time Arnold Classic winner like Flex Wheeler, a Bikini International Champion or just helping an average gym-goer, his understanding of body mechanics makes him an invaluable resource to the fitness and bodybuilding communities.
Charles is known for his ability to teach fitness education. He has taken part in numerous training demonstrations designed for muscle growth, such as the back and shoulders but also detailed an array of other workouts that focus on areas such as the calves, triceps, and abs.
Charles Glass / Instagram
Sometimes, it’s just about achieving a slimmer waist, and Glass has answers for that too. In his latest undertaking, Glass shared a ‘German Volume’ training routine for maximizing chest muscle growth.
Charles Glass Shows How To Build Chest Using ‘German Volume Training’
With this particular strategy, Charles Glass says he always employs 10 sets of 10 reps on three different exercises.
“German volume training. Which is 10 sets of 10 on three exercises. So, I’m going to use these three,” said Charles Glass. “Once in a while [I deploy this strategy], I wouldn’t do it every time. That’s preference [the wrist wraps]. Me, I like to wear them, it strengthens me and reminds me to keep my wrists tight.”
Aside from training, Glass has also taken aim at counterfeit drugs and fake steroids. He believes the problem has gotten much worse since the 1990s. Moreover, he said competitors need to practice caution because these fake substances can cause considerable damage to health.
Charles Glass isn’t the only seasoned pro who has pointed out steroid use in the IFBB Pro League. Popular 1990s Open bodybuilder Rich Gaspari tackled the subject as well. In a Fitness, Fame & Fortune podcast, Gaspari highlighted that current dosages are ‘way higher’ than what was used during his time on stage.
Other veterans of the sport, such as eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney have said athletes are 60 pounds overweight on stage because they’re pushing too much food. Haney explained that athletes used to fuel their bodies with healthier foods but now resort to ‘garbage’ like cheese and bacon.
Despite his busy schedule, Glass continues to give back to the sport. He’s an asset to anyone willing to learn from the techniques he developed after decades of grinding inside the gym.
RELATED: Godfather of Bodybuilding Charles Glass Shares A Push-Up Hack to Build Chest Muscles
Watch the full video from Charles Glass’ YouTube channel below:
Published: 9 June, 2023 | 2:08 PM EDT
Larry Wheels Crushes 405-lb (183.7-kg) Bench Press For 22 Reps
Larry Wheels recently revealed on Instagram that he is looking and feeling better than ever, and is now proving the statement to everyone. Although Larry is preparing for a bodybuilding competition where he plans to take part in the Classic division, he is still attracted to lifting heavy weights. However, in order to find the right balance, Larry recently loaded up 405 pounds (183.7 kilograms) on the barbell and performed a bench press for a mind blowing 22 repetitions.
Larry Wheels partnered up for a workout with one of the strongest bench pressers in the world currently, Josh Baker, who accumulated fame on TikTok due to his incredible feats. So, with some crowd cheering him on as well, Larry managed to push himself to the limits and squeeze out 22 repetitions on a 405-pound (183.7-pound) bench press with just some elbow straps to aid him in the lift.
Interestingly, Larry Wheels has performed a bench press AMRAP with 405 pounds (183.7 pounds) before, and his greatest result was 26 repetitions. However, as almost everyone knows by now, Larry has stopped using steroids and slimmed down significantly. So, his recent 22-rep set is arguably even more impressive.
Watch Larry Wheels’ lift here:
Related: Eddie Hall and Larry Wheels Crush an Intense Boulder Shoulder Workout
Ever since he stopped using Steroids and PEDs, Larry Wheels has been attempting to reach the peak of his natural strength, performance, and physique. However, he is forced to take TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) since his body does not produce testosterone on its own anymore.
The current goal which Larry Wheels has in mind is to make his debut in the Classic Physique division. He has opted for Classic because he already has the size needed for it. In addition, both Larry and his coach believe that he will not need to take anything except TRT to be competitive.
Larry Wheels has already achieved an extremely shredded physique, with his most recent update displaying an impressive vacuum pose.
Before setting his sights on the bodybuilding venture, Larry Wheels tested to see how strong he could get with just TRT. So, after a few months of training, Larry organized a mock powerlifting meet in his gym and put up impressive numbers. This included a 330-kilogram (727.5-pound) squat, 230-kilogram (507.1-pound) bench, and a 350-kilogram (771.6-pound) deadlift.
So, with experience in powerlifting and bodybuilding, Larry Wheels has also decided to venture into coaching. Most notably, he took IFBB Pro Joe Mackey under his wing to help him accomplish a 1,000-pound (453.6-kilogram) goal.
Related: Larry Wheels Sporting Crazy Bicep Peak in Classic Physique Posing Before Big Debut
Larry Wheel’s Competition History
Personal Bests
Equip
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Total
Dots
Raw
870
645
870
2370
603.87
Wraps
725
500
725
1900
506.81
Competition Results
Place
Fed
Date
Competition
Division
Total
Dots
1
XPC
2020-03-07
Arnold
Pro
2370
603.87
Location
USA-OH
Competition
Arnold
Division
Pro
Age
25
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
283.6
Squat
740
830
870
870
Bench
525
605
645
645
Deadlift
765
855
855
GLP
121.3
1
RPS
2019-11-23
InsurreXtion 8
Pro Open
2285
574.49
Location
USA-NY
Competition
InsurreXtion 8
Division
Pro Open
Age
24
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
296.6
Squat
835
Bench
635
Deadlift
815
GLP
114.81
DQ
USPA
2018-12-01
The Heavy Holiday Open
Open
Location
USA-CA
Competition
The Heavy Holiday Open
Division
Open
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
271.4
Squat
832.2
Bench
600.8
1
USPA
2018-05-12
Kern US Open
Open
2292.8
588.83
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Kern US Open
Division
Open
Age
23
Equipment
Raw
Class
308.6
Weight
276.5
Squat
821.2
Bench
589.7
Deadlift
881.8
GLP
118.62
1
RPS
2017-11-18
Insurrextion VI
Pro Open
2275
590.26
Location
USA-NY
Competition
Insurrextion VI
Division
Pro Open
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
267.8
Squat
810
Bench
610
Deadlift
855
GLP
119.32
DQ
USPA
2017-04-15
CETC US Open Powerlifting Championships
HW
Location
USA-CA
Competition
CETC US Open Powerlifting Championships
Division
HW
Age
22
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
239.6
Squat
777.1
1
SPF
2016-11-05
Reebok Record Breakers
Open
2171.6
585.14
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Reebok Record Breakers
Division
Open
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
240.6
Squat
716.5
755.1
771.6
771.6
Bench
523.6
551.2
573.2
573.2
Deadlift
738.5
777.1
826.7
826.7
GLP
119.47
2
WRPF
2016-08-19
Boss of Bosses 3
Pro MR-O
2090
563.87
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Boss of Bosses 3
Division
Pro MR-O
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
239.8
Squat
705.5
738.5
766.1
766.1
Bench
512.6
545.6
545.6
Deadlift
722
778.2
-804.7
778.2
GLP
115.15
1
SPF
2016-06-18
Gaglione Strength Strong Island Summer Showdown 3
Juniors
1895
487.16
Location
USA-NY
Competition
Gaglione Strength Strong Island Summer Showdown 3
Division
Juniors
Age
21
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
275.6
Squat
685
Bench
505
Deadlift
705
GLP
98.18
1
RPS
2015-11-21
InsurreXtion IV
Pro Juniors 20-23
1280
340.43
Location
USA-NY
Competition
InsurreXtion IV
Division
Pro Juniors 20-23
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
249.2
Bench
515
Deadlift
765
1
USPA
2015-08-29
Boss of Bosses 2
Open
545.6
143.58
Location
USA-CA
Competition
Boss of Bosses 2
Division
Open
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
256.8
Bench
545.6
GLP
105.76
DQ
RPS
2015-03-21
Dominion
Pro Open
Location
USA-NY
Competition
Dominion
Division
Pro Open
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
252
Squat
700
DQ
RUPC
2015-02-07
Raw Unity VIII
M-HW
Location
USA-FL
Competition
Raw Unity VIII
Division
M-HW
Age
20
Equipment
Raw
Class
242.5
Weight
240.3
Squat
688.9
-727.5
-727.5
688.9
1
RPS
2014-07-26
Pennsylvania State Championships
Pro Open
1965
518.07
Location
USA-PA
Competition
Pennsylvania State Championships
Division
Pro Open
Age
19
Equipment
Raw
Class
275.6
Weight
255.4
Squat
700
Bench
540
Deadlift
725
GLP
105.23
1
RPS
2014-01-25
North American & New Jersey State Championships
Pro Open
1900
506.81
Location
USA-NJ
Competition
North American & New Jersey State Championships
Division
Pro Open
Age
19
Equipment
Wraps
Class
275.6
Weight
247.2
Squat
725
Bench
475
Deadlift
700
1
RPS
2013-11-15
InsurreXtion II
Amateur Teen 18-19
1810
479.61
Location
USA-NY
Competition
InsurreXtion II
Division
Amateur Teen 18-19
Age
18
Equipment
Wraps
Class
275.6
Weight
251.8
Squat
635
Bench
500
Deadlift
675
Data Source: Open Powerlifting. Last Updated: April 12, 2023
Analyze Lifts
Larry Wheels gained a massive pump from his 405-pound (183.7-kilogram) bench press for 22 repetitions, as well as a massive confidence boost. Larry also revealed that he is currently weighing 255 pounds. Consequently, he will continue to prepare for his first appearance in the Classic Physique competition.
Published: 9 June, 2023 | 12:11 PM EDT
IFBB VP Tyler Manion Reveals New Height and Weight Restriction Rules for Men’s Physique Division
The Men’s Physique category will undergo major changes in 2023. In a recent NPC News Online YouTube video, NPC & IFBB Professional League Vice-President Tyler Manion announced a new height and weight cap restriction for Men’s Physique, effective at the first contest following the 2023 Mr. Olympia. It should be noted that this rule only applies to Pro Men’s Physique competitors, not amateurs.
The Men’s Physique category has been around for approximately 10 years, and in that time, plenty of stars, icons, and talent have come through the category. Since the division’s competitors wear board shorts, their upper bodies are exclusively evaluated.
In 2013, Mark Anthony Wingson made history after becoming the inaugural Men’s Physique Olympia champion. Following the outcome, fellow competitors had a much clearer idea of what the judges were looking for physique-wise.
The division has never been more compelling. Former four-time Men’s Physique Olympia Jeremy Buendia laid out his firm comeback plan a few months ago. He held the title from 2014-2017. Brandon Hendrickson is a three-time winner and remains the only bodybuilder in his class to have regained the title after losing it.
The category is ultra-competitive and fans realized that in the aftermath of 2022 Mr. Olympia. In the end, Erin Banks upset Hendrickson for gold and became the first competitor from his division to win the Olympia and Arnold Classic in the same year.
Tyler Manion Institutes Height/Weight Cap in Men’s Physique: ‘We Want to Make Sure Athletes Aren’t Getting Too Big’
Tyler’s statement left out details pertaining to the exact height and weight limitations. However, he said that information will be made public two months before 2023 Mr. Olympia in September.
“The reason for this video is because we want to give a heads up to all of our athletes and our coaches that after the Olympia this year, we will be instituting heights and weight limits for our Men’s Physique pros, not amateurs, just the pros. This will go into effect for the first show after the Olympia this year.”
“Why would we do this? We’ve had great success with our heights and weights in Classic Physique so far, we want to make sure our Men’s Physique athletes are not getting too big. This is very important because that’s almost like the go-to saying for a lot of people online that just see the pictures of the shows, really not seeing them in person, but seeing the pictures of the shows and saying a lot of the Men’s Physique athletes are getting too big.”
Given the current crop of talent, Tyler believes most athletes at the top will meet the new height/weight restriction. He shared that officials are recording height and weights at every contest to ensure the new rule is implemented properly.
“I don’t think that’s the case, I think a lot of guys that have been doing well recently are not getting too big but having height and weight limits on these guys will help us control that size. And just so you guys know, the weight limits for your height will be under obviously, the Classic Physique weight limits. So, these next couple of months if you guys are over, or a lot over, or just a little over the Classic Physique weight limits, you should be keeping track of your weight and if you need to, start to downsize a little because while the weights aren’t set yet, they will be lower than the Classic weights.”
“That’s why we are going to continue to height and weight the Men’s Physique pros at most of the shows this year to get data, to help us set the final weights. Giving heights and weights to these athletes is a solution but not the perfect solution because someone can be the same height and the same weight but carry their weight a lot differently.”
“Another important part of this is adhering to our judging criteria and our standards for Men’s Physique which so far this year, I think we’ve done a really good job of. I want to highlight a lot of the athletes who have competed this year that these are what you should be looking for when you look at Men’s Physique pros and what we want to see. It’s also to show you that even though these guys are some of the best guys in the league, they still all have little points of feedback that differ depending on their physiques.”
Manion Names Top Men’s Physique Athletes Who Represent The Look Wanted for Men’s Physique
According to Tyler Manion, the physiques of Emmanuel Hunter, Corey Morris, Ryan Terry, Benquil Marigny, and Sidy Pouye represent the direction in which the division is headed.
Emmanuel Hunter
The first name Manion mentioned was 2023 Memphis Pro winner Emmanuel Hunter.
“One guy that competed earlier this year that I want to highlight for getting into a couple of different shows that just happened the last few weeks is Emmanuel (Emmanuel Hunter) won the show in Tennesee. Probably the best he’s ever looked but he has a great Men’s Physique look. His arms and shoulders flow well with his torso. He has a great back. His upper chest could come up a little bit to match the rest of his chest to give him more symmetry, basically, he has to nail his conditioning. He needs to work on that but a great guy to look for for a Men’s Physique look. A very dangerous guy heading into the Olympia later this year.”
Corey Morris
Morris recently took gold in the Men’s Physique class at Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro.
“Corey Morris. Corey has improved a ton I think on his look over the last few years. Nothing on his torso needs to change. He has a small waist, great chest, full chest, his back has come up considerably, but his feedback that he’s gotten for a while now, and it’s still his feedback, his arms, and shoulders, he needs to work on bringing them down a little bit more for Men’s Physique.”
“Just to touch on mostly everybody I’m talking about from taking heights and weights the last few weeks… these guys would make the new weights that I’m considering right now for Men’s Physique. That’s the other reason I’m highlighting them. Not only do they look the part but they would all make the weight or very close to it.”
Ryan Terry
In addition, Tyler named Ryan Terry who took second in Pittsburgh but first at the New York Pro.
“He [Ryan Terry] has always had a great Men’s Physique look, very balanced physique, exactly what we’re looking for. He still needs a little bit more thickness in his back to really make his back pop the same way as his front. Obviously, he knows from the Olympia till now, he knows the posing has gotten way better. He still needs to nail his posing and work on his posing, especially his back pose. When he gets to the Olympia and to be a threat to obviously Erin and Brandon, just like a lot of these guys, these three guys right here, Emmanuel, Corey, and Ryan brought great looks so far, but it’s not just them.”
Benquil Marigny
Marigny won the 2023 St. Louis Pro and was another physique Tyler highlighted.
“In Pittsburgh, Benquil has competed a lot this year, he won a show he’s qualified. He brings a great look for Men’s Physique too. He still needs a little bit more to his chest and more pop to his back but I thin that will come when he brings his conditioning more.”
Sidy Pouye
Sidy Pouye’s look was highly favored as well. He’s been consistent this year, having earned fourth in Pittsburgh and third at the New York Pro.
“Sidy. Once again, a guy that brought a great look for Men’s Physique with great conditioning, the main factor on him that he needs to fix is posing. He poses himself out of how good he can look. I know because after New York I got the chance to talk to him and work with him. I think he’s going to bringing a look later this year, an even better look for Men’s Physique when he’s posing correctly.”
“All these guys that I just mentioned would most likely make the new weights for Men’s physique. They have a good Men’s Physique look,” added Tyler Manion.
Given Jeremy Buendia’s focus on size for the comeback, it will be interesting to see how the judges evaluate his physique. Buendia aims to dethrone Erin Banks and shocked fans recently with a 4,000-calorie diet he’s using to bulk up.
Rivals Banks and Buendia teased fans of their impending showdown with a special Olympia TV appearance a few months ago. Buendia isn’t taking his nemesis lightly. In a recent appearance in Straight Outta the Lair with seven-time 212 Olympia Flex Lewis, Buendia said he’d have to bring a flawless package to 2023 Olympia if he wanted any chance at taking out Banks.
With the division’s rapid growth and popularity, it’s quickly become one of the main attractions at the annual Mr. Olympia show. As the new rules seemingly favor a leaner look in Men’s Physique, it appears the category is moving away from mass in the future.
RELATED: Jeremy Buendia ‘Hovering Around’ 210 Lbs in Update, Reveals His Steroid Cycle
Watch the full video from the NPC News Online YouTube channel below:
Published: 9 June, 2023 | 12:04 PM EDT
Classic Physique’s Stephane Matala Shares Impressive Update Ahead of 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal
The Classic Physique division is one of the most popular and fastest-growing divisions in bodybuilding. It has attracted a plethora of talent since its debut in 2016. In a recent Instagram post, Stephane Matala shared an impressive physique update four weeks from the upcoming 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal.
Classic Physique was introduced in 2016 to provide a platform for athletes who wish to bring back a Golden Era look. It enables competitors to present a refined blend of muscularity and density without going too far in terms of size, an attribute often favored in the Men’s Open class today. Danny Hester created history by becoming the first-ever Classic Physique Olympia champ. After the crowning of Hester, athletes got a better idea of the physique the judges were looking for.
Former two-time champ Breon Ansley emerged as the second winner after Hester but got dethroned by Canadian bodybuilder Chris Bumstead in 2019. Once Bumstead took the throne, there was no stopping him. The reigning four-time Olympia winner proved to be a dominant champion who has yet to be defeated since taking the throne. He’s also one of the most popular bodybuilders on the planet.
Stephane Matala / Instagram
Bumstead’s fame helped take the division to new heights and attract a ton of new talent. Going into the 2022 Mr. Olympia, German sensation Urs Kalecinski and Brazilian standout Ramon Rocha Queiroz were thought to be major threats to Bumstead. Eventually, ‘CBum’ triumphed over all and won his fourth Olympia title in a row.
Now, another potential future contender Stephane Matala is working his way up and has generated a lot of hype behind him.
Stephane Matala shares an impressive update ahead of the Classic Physique contest
In a recent Instagram post, Classic Physique competitor Stephane Matala shared an impressive physique update four weeks from the 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal, scheduled for July 9 in Estoril, Portugal.
Matala went through a strong posing routine with somber music to paint an artistic picture. He displayed refined muscle quality, shape, and definition along with striations in his upper body. It’s clear Matala is genetically gifted and some argue he has a structure similar to Ramon Dino.
Bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari believes the Classic Physique division is preserving the art of bodybuilding in an era obsessed with mass and size. With the addition of Kalecinski, Ramon Dino, and other rising competitors in the Classic Physique, it’s shaping up to be an exciting time for the division.
RELATED: Chris Bumstead ‘Fell Back in Love With Bodybuilding’ After Winning 4th Classic Physique Olympia
The golden standard Bumstead set for the Classic Physique division has been unbeatable so far and it remains to be seen how Matala will fare in higher-level competitions.
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 11:19 PM EDT
Lee Priest Shares Diet Philosophy in Contest Prep: ‘Always Dieted 16 Weeks Minimum’
Australian bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest rose to the highest level of competition during his days of competition. He presented insane arms and granite conditioning on par with some of the freakiest mass monsters of the Men’s Open class. In a recent episode of IFBB AMA, Priest shared his diet philosophy for contest preps.
Lee Priest first made a name for himself with his impressive muscle mass, size, and detail in the IFBB Pro League in the 90s. Hailing from Australia, he dominated the national circuit before making his way to the most elite fitness showcases in the world, such as the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia contests.
Priest proved to be one of the most disciplined athletes in the sport with six Mr. Olympia appearances against Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, and Chris Cormier. His longevity saw him enjoy an illustrious career that spanned over two decades with his final outing resulting in a win at the 2013 NABBA Mr. Universe.
Since stepping away from competition, Priest has turned into an analyst known for his candid takes on controversial issues. In Nov. 2022, he opened up about gaining 20 pounds of solid muscle by taking Deca (Nandrolone) as a teenager. He credited daily training and proper nutrition for helping him retain muscle mass after coming off his steroid cycles.
Lee Priest / Instagram
Priest gave fans a look into some of his favorite exercises to build jacked forearms earlier this year. To much surprise, he revealed he did not train the muscle group and believes his genetics boosted the growth.
Lee Priest sparked debate about eliminating the Men’s 212 division five months ago. Given the rise in talent from the division, he theorized the elite competitors would be able to hold their own in the Open class and suggested dissolving the category.
As far as training goes, the 50-year-old offered tips on maximizing the preacher curl to get bigger biceps and optimize the pump. Priest laid out the ideal rep ranges along with different techniques and equipment to utilize for maximum gains.
Priest continues to train regularly in his later years. He reflected on the differences in his training and diet plan over the years from when he was competing in his 20s to now. He revealed not much had changed in his regimen except for some workout modifications.
Lee Priest shares diet philosophy in contest prep
In a recent YouTube video, Lee Priest shared his thoughts on the dieting philosophy he used while in prep for a contest.
Priest believes switching to a clean diet after consuming whatever he wanted helped him lean out very quickly. He followed a strict diet for at least 16 weeks and would get in stellar shape about four weeks out from a show.
“The thing was I’d go from eating anything I wanted like sh*t food and come Monday I’d go strict on my diet,” said Priest. “I’d go straight to chicken breast and rice and cardio an hour a day, I got the three hours but the first two weeks of my diet I was that sick because here I am eating fats and sugars and everything.
“Now, I just go super clean. My body would just go into this f**king rebound where I just cut all the bad food out, fats and sugars, two weeks I’d be sick until I started getting into the diet but I always dieted 16 weeks minimum. My first two weeks, people were like oh you lost a bit of weight because I cut out all the preservatives and the sodium. I’ll drop about 15 pounds in two weeks just from water.
“My face would be [shrunken], go in a bit. Almost like I just dropped water weight and then it would slow down. I was always ready about 12-13 weeks and then I did all my photo shoots before the contest so I’d get in shape pretty quick once I turned it on.”
Lee Priest / Instagram
Lee Priest admitted he’d find it more challenging to stick to a diet if he went into prep lighter.
“One year I started my diet I only got to like 250 and mentally hit was harder because if I’m 285, I’m a fat pig I figure f**k Lee, you’ve got to train hard, you’ve got to diet strict, gotta do cardio. When I started with 250 I’m like I’m already 30 pounds ahead I can take it easy. So, I found it actually harder getting ready when I was lighter. When you’re heavy, you got motivation to get in shape.”
He gave his take on eating fruits while in prep for a show.
“I did a lot of [s**t loading]. When I came to America, I didn’t do. But I did it through my whole career. I ate a ton of fruit and now I hear some bodybuilder saying they’re starting to have fruit in the diet I’m thinking I always did that. Because when I went to America people were like, can’t have fruit, it’s got sugar in it. I’m like, I’m training twice a day. I’m doing two to three hours of cardio. I don’t think having a couple of apples is going to do anything to me.”
Lee Priest expressed his willingness to take on bodybuilder Jay Cutler in a guest-posing appearance in light of the upcoming 2023 Masters Olympia. He suggested hosting a Golden Era seminar where he could engage in a friendly battle with the four-time Mr. Olympia.
Earlier this week, Priest called for a superhero showdown with bodybuilding icon Kai Greene to entertain fans, which would surely bring back some fond memories for all parties involved. His latest offering will certainly add more clarity for competitors on how they can improve their diets while in contest prep.
RELATED: Lee Priest Reflects on Maintaining Muscle Mass: ‘Even If I Came Off a Cycle, I Never Really Lost Size’
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 4:39 PM EDT
Bradley Martyn & Jo Linder Talk Drug Abuse, Insulin Scares, and ‘Craziest Cycles’ Ever Taken
Fitness influencer Jo Linder well known as ‘Joesthetics,’ achieved fame with a shredded physique he sports year-round. In a recent episode of Bradley Martyn‘s Raw Talk, Linder reflected on his arrival to America for the first time, insulin, and his craziest steroid cycles.
In fitness and bodybuilding, performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) have influenced athletes’ physiques for decades. Despite their taboo nature, their use, abuse, and mismanagement have become rather interesting talking points online.
Bodybuilders often use PEDs to enhance their already muscle-bound physiques. And the same goes for fitness influencers like Jo Linder, however, some members of these communities claim they have built their physiques through natural means, with hard work, nutrition, and discipline.
Popular names like Mike O’Hearn, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Chirs Hemsworth come to mind. Even though fans have no concrete evidence they use such drugs, many in the community are convinced, including Joe Rogan. He’s taken to multiple Joe Rogan Experience podcasts to urge many of these superstars to come clean.
As for Jo Linder, he takes a more transparent approach regarding PEDs. He is open to talking about his use and even discussed past cycles in the company of respected powerlifting phenom Larry Wheels. This time, he sat down with Martyn and offered him a behind-the-scenes look at building a next-level physique. They also discussed Jo’s arrival in the U.S. and his reaction to the American culture.
Jo Linder and Bradley Martyn Discuss Life in the U.S. + Substance Abuse & Legality
Splitting up his time in Dubai and Thailand, this is Jo Linder’s first trip to Northern America. He was pleasantly surprised by the availability and accessibility of marijuana.
“First time for me in the U.S. I just realized that you know here also weed is legal. So I used that to be able to sleep. It helps me big time. In Thailand, they just recently started to legalize weed, kind of. They’ve been the first Asian country to make it medically prescribed. I actually had a medical prescription license already since a while over there.”
“I never admitted to this ever, I never have said this before that I smoke weed bro, no. Never said it ever anywhere that I would smoke,” Jo Linder said. “Mostly sleep or also when you answer DMs and comments and stuff and you’re just in the zone and I’m so calm bro. Otherwise, I get too high-tempered online right, they say some stupid shit and you just be quiet. It’s easy to react.”
Note: Fitness Volt does not condone and/or recommend the use of recreational or performance-enhancing drugs. This article reports on information relayed by the athlete or subject. FitnessVolt is not a medical resource and the content provided to you is for informational purposes only.
Jo Linder Discusses ‘Craziest Cycle’ & Shares Insulin Health Scare: “Don’t Do It”
Before delving into details about his most intense cycle ever, Jo Linder explained why he’s afraid of diuretics. He said they dry out the body before contests after it’s already in a vulnerable state of dehydration.
“Let’s be honest, the heart is also a muscle and that’s my biggest concern. What if I have such a bad cramp that my heart gets a cramp,” said Linder. “That makes me scared. That’s why I’m also staying away from a bit of bodybuilding competitions too much because I would take all these diuretics.
If I just stopped eating salt and drink a lot, and stop drinking as well, and you pee everything out, and you take a diuretic on top, and then you pee even more so, I cannot exist kind of [when I do that] I cannot walk. That’s what’s been scary. Oh yeah, you have this already and you dehydrate yourself more, maybe your heart will give up at one point,” said Jo Linder.
Linder said he’s experienced with high doses but never went over 600 milligrams of any compound except testosterone. According to Jo, his craziest cycle of all time was 100 milligrams of Primobolan daily, 100 milligrams of Trenbolone daily, and testosterone.
“To be honest, I’ve done all kinds of crazy shit in the past. I’ve tried different dosages, the highest kind of test that I ever ran was 750, 750 and then like, never, I never used a single compound more than 600 milligrams except the 750 milligrams of test.”
“The craziest cycle I’ve probably did this stupid coach back in the day put me on 100 milligrams of prop, and 100 milligrams of tren every day. It was like 700 and 700, that was a sick cycle right there. I was 105 kg at the start of the diet, it went down to 102 just 3kg, then I didn’t even need to do cardio I was just the guy who was getting more saucy more ripped, weight stays the same, and just getting more lean and dry by the day.”
Since Jo adheres to a diet almost year-round, it was very difficult for him to use Insulin effectively in prep. He added that he suffered from a few ‘close calls’ with his health.
“I tried also, people would tell you growth is so good, so good man, obviously I need to try it right? I tried a few times with insulin but as you know, I’m low body fat and I diet almost always, and insulin, if you eat a lot it’s maybe okay, but for me, if I try to do it, let’s say I take 5 IUs pre-workout and I try to do here with a sugar drink, then you do too many sets, then you forget to drink your intra workout, and you’re just dripping. Really man, close calls man, close calls man, don’t do it,” Jo Linder said.
For his last Men’s Physique contest a few months ago, Linder shared that he used 75 milligrams of Tren, 250 milligrams of test, and 100 milligrams of Primobolan.
“I personally, I really experienced it again now in March. I did another show, I tried to get a pro card and I used a bit of tren. I also did not mention this before. Just 75 milligrams of tren, no per week. On top of 250 test, so I did 250 test, I did 75 tren, and 100 primo also. I like primo a lot. Minimum effective dose I always believe is the best. For example, there’s kids just starting to work out and they are taking two CCs of test per week.”
With the sport of bodybuilding growing, conversations about PEDs have become common. In fact, Arnold Schwarzenegger recently unveiled the two-compound cycle he used to sustain himself as a dominant seven-time Mr. Olympia.
In an age where content is king, some worry that steroids and social media make for a dangerous combination. As for Jo Linder, he hopes to encourage young people to realize that the “minimum effective dose is always the best” should they choose to go down the route of enhancements.
RELATED: Kali Muscle Gets Honest About 13 Years of Heavy Gear Use: ‘I Really Didn’t Stop Till the Heart Attack’
Watch the full video from Bradley Martyn’s Raw Talk YouTube channel:
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 2:10 PM EDT
Hunter Labrada Shares Stacked Physique Update 8-10 Weeks from 2023 Tampa & Texas Pro
Hunter Labrada, son of bodybuilding icon Lee Labrada, is ready to set the record straight on the Mr. Olympia stage later this year. However, to accomplish that goal, he must qualify, thus his focus is on the 2023 Tampa Pro in eight weeks. In a recent Instagram video, Labrada shared a detailed posing routine, as well as the diet and training changes he’s employed for future success.
“Feeling focused and ready to push,” Labrada shared.
From the moment he entered the IFBB Pro League, lofty expectations were the norm for Hunter Labrada considering his father Lee’s legacy. Nevertheless, it didn’t take long for Hunter to establish himself in the Open class. His breakout year came in 2021 when he snagged the Chicago Pro title before finishing a career-best fourth at the Olympia competition.
Given his performance, he started 2022 as a leading favorite heading into the next Mr. Olympia show. With time to focus on progress, size, and other improvements, Hunter used the majority of the year for preparations but also made guest posing appearances. On the big O stage, however, he found himself in seventh. He was devastated by the result, though he vowed to return better than ever.
In February, news surfaced that Labrada would enter the upcoming Tampa Pro and Texas Pro. He also said regardless of the first contest’s outcome, he still intended to compete in the Lone Star State. Labrada, who appears more fired up than in past seasons, is ready to once again insert himself in the Olympia title discussions.
Hunter Labrada Promises ‘Overhauled Presentation’ at 2023 Tampa & Texas Pro In Recent Update
In his latest post, Hunter admits he reduced his meals from six a day to five. He says the change has allowed him a better night’s sleep. As for training, Labrada is following a split of two days on, one day off, three days on, and one day off. It appears his efforts are paying off as his arms and legs look bigger.
At 273 pounds fasted, Labrada mentioned ‘his look is changing daily.’ With extra sleep and less food, Labrada feels energized heading into the next stage of contest prep approaching.
Find his post below:
“8 & 10 weeks out from the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro 273lbs fasted–Well, the proverbial hammer got dropped this week! After a week of deload-ed training while in Florida with my family last week, I hit the ground running this weekend/week, and am watching my look change daily!–One of the biggest changes I want to highlight is I went from 6 meals a day to 5! Reason: I get 2 hours more sleep! I found myself just staying up to eat a lot recently, and now that the food was low enough for it not to mess with my digestion, I told @squatlikechow I wanted to give it a try and I’m glad I did! The meals are more satiating, and I’m recovering even better with the extra sleep!–Also started posing with @kj_centerstage / @joey1belt twice a week, and I’m sure y’all can see the difference that’s made already. Looking forward to my presentation being completely overhauled for this season
Nutrition:
Meal 1220g Lean Beef180g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 2220g Chicken Breast180g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 3- Post260g Lean White Fish/Cod180g Rice50g Green Veg
*On rest days please repeat MEAL 5 here instead of post*
Meal 4220g Chicken Breast180g Rice50g Green Veg
Meal 5260g Lean White Fish/Cod110g Rich70g Avocado50g Green Veg
Cardio:
40 min level 5 stairmaster fasted20 min level 5 stairmaster PM–Training:
Back and hamsPush aOffLegsBack and bisPush bOffRepeat, Labrada wrote
Labrada has not been idle in-between shows, as he has graced the stage as a guest poser at a number of contests around the United States. He first flew to Washington to wow the crowd at the Emerald Cup and then joined a star-studded lineup of Men’s Open pros at Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro. At the gathering, he posed alongside Olympia-runner-up Derek Lunsford, 2023 Arnold Classic champ Samson Dauda, Nick Walker, former two-time Mr. O Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, and reigning two-time 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Hunter Labrada Shares Detoxifying ‘Gut Health Drink’ for Optimal Digestion
If his growing strength is an indicator of his progress, Labrada is on track for an explosive season. Time will tell if he can take down other athletes entering these contests like Blessing Awodibu (in Tampa, Florida) and Andrew Jacked (in Texas).
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 11:28 AM EDT
Bodybuilding Legend Dorian Yates Discusses 2-Exercise Ab Routine That Led to 6 Mr. Olympia Titles
Bodybuilding icon Dorian Yates reached the top of the Men’s Open division with hard work and a granite physique. In a recent Instagram post, Yates laid out the two-exercise abs routine that helped him achieve six Mr. Olympia titles.
Dorian Yates was a trailblazer in the Men’s Open division mostly throughout the 1990s. He was next to take the throne after the great Lee Haney, who left the sport as an eight-time titleholder. While dominating his class, Yates had a major influence on the overall look. As time passed, bodybuilders with overbearing size continued to find success years after his departure.
Yates followed an unconventional training style on his way to becoming one of the world’s best bodybuilders. He ignored commonly used practices regarding reps and sets in the weight room. Instead, Yates trained to the brink of failure regularly and pushed his body to extremes whenever he decided to train.
Dorian Yates / Instagram
In retirement, he’s an open source of bodybuilding knowledge for everyone. Whether he’s talking about the mindset it took to reach the top or reliving a hallucinogenic ayahuasca journey, Yates leads a busy and exciting life. This time, he’s offering fans two of his favorite abs exercises he used during the prime years of his career.
Dorian Yates Reveals Mr. Olympia-Winning Ab Routine: “I Usually Trained Abs Once Per Week”
Yates said ab training was typically included after a ‘heavy-duty shoulders and triceps session.’ His two-exercise routine consisted of two sets of bodyweight crunches to failure and two sets of bodyweight reverse crunches to failure.
“I usually trained abs once per week.
They were usually done after my heavy duty shoulders and triceps session. This was because I felt that shoulders and triceps was probably the ‘easiest’ workout of the week (well, easier than the others!) and didn’t take as much out of me, so I added them on to the end here.
My abs routine was simple:2x bodyweight crunches to failure2x bodyweight reverse crunches to failure
The six-time Mr. Olympia shared that he completed these exercises with hard contractions and a big exhalation of air at the peak of each movement. Personally, Yates never found ab training ‘that important’ because he was usually keeping a low body fat percentage during days of active competition.
But these were done with a hard contraction and a big exhalation of air at the peak contraction. We would squeeze our abs so hard that they’d be on the verge of cramping almost!
The physique that inspired me when I was younger, especially abs wise, was Bruce Lee’s, he had great abs. In my youth, I’d always be doing bodyweight exercises like sit-ups and pushups, with a poster of Bruce Lee watching over me!
As far as I remember, I always had a visible set of abs. In my early bodybuilding days, I would train them with weights but I noticed that they would grow fairly quick and would potentially look quite ‘blocky’.So I switched to contraction work with just my body weight.
In my opinion, it wasn’t really that important to train my abs as they were always visible due to my low body fat year round and my genetics did play a part here in helping me stay lean.Everyone has abs… it’s just a case of revealing them by lowering your body fat.” Dorian Yates shared.
In addition to maintaining his own health, Yates loves to offer wellness advice to his followers. He routinely offers guidance and tips on building muscle. One of the last topics he approached was training time. The legend explained that he preferred to keep his body guessing by training at times it wasn’t accustomed to.
Dorian has long been respected for his nuanced training methods and tactics. He’s learned and drawn from a number of legends such as Mike Mentzer and Tom Platz, who is highly regarded for his advanced, intense, and downright gritty leg training workout strategies. Last year, Platz extended his gratitude for Yates and was proud Dorian took his teaching seminar to heart decades ago.
At 61 years old, longevity has become a priority for Yates. Just last week, ‘The Shadow’ shared that he recently underwent a stem cell therapy procedure. After the treatment, Yates says he has more energy and mentioned his nagging shoulder pain is feeling better.
RELATED: Dorian Yates on Building Legs with Hamstring Curls: ‘Use a Full Range of Motion & Slow Negative’
Given his contributions to the sport, the bodybuilding community is fortunate to have a figure as forthcoming as Yates. Even in retirement, he continues to influence generations of bodybuilders after him.
Published: 8 June, 2023 | 1:18 AM EDT