Tag: GI News
Guy Cisternino: Love For Social Media Is Replacing Love For Training In Bodybuilding
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Guy Cisternino shares one of the biggest things he hates about bodybuilding today.
Guy Cisternino is a pro bodybuilder who is not afraid to speak his mind – even if it’s not what people want to hear. That’s why we asked him to share one thing he loves about modern bodybuilding… and one thing he hates about modern bodybuilding. In our latest GI Exclusive, Guy Cisternino details how he loves the camaraderie of bodybuilding but hates how social media has changed training.
In our first GI Exclusive segment with Guy Cisternino, we discussed the viral video showcasing him confronting people at the gym. He was in the middle of a set and was angry due to younger gym patrons filming aggressively close to the current exercise machine Cisternino was using. Ultimately, he was able to explain himself and patch things up with the young gym-goers.
But the problem that started it, filming constantly in the gym during training, is the biggest thing that Guy Cisternino dislikes about modern bodybuilding. In his own words, he believes that, “the love for training is becoming more a love for social media.” What he means by this is that young bodybuilders see training more as “content” rather than a means to improving their physique.
This is, of course, a very generalized statement. But it tracks with what Guy Cisternino was telling us in a previous segment as well. Cisternino loves hardcore focused bodybuilders. Branch Warren is one of his biggest inspiration. Today, he sees less of that and more young bodybuilders constantly filming their training and filming random content in between sets. Cisternino worries that young bodybuilders are trying to skip the line and become famous before they accomplish major victories as a competitive bodybuilder.
Social media has also proved that you can be successful without ever competing. Influencers like Rich Piana, Bradley Martyn, and Craig Golias find success through social media without having to compete on the pro level. Guy Cisternino argues that those individuals are the outliers. The problem is everyone wants to be the outlier instead of doing the hard work of becoming a successful pro.
“They’re trying to be in our shoes as professionals before even stepping on stage. And it’s frustrating,” Guy Cisternino states in our interview. He continues:
“And yeah, in my eyes, and I don’t think it’s bad to say But for me to say it’s not disrespectful to think that a 20 year old kid has a camera crew filing himself working out because he thinks… he’s trying to be somebody on the same level as somebody like me? What I do? It’s crazy. It’s like, I would never act like I’m a professional football player on social media because I’m not a professional football player. But you’re going to act like you’re a professional bodybuilder or professional trainer and you’re 20 years old and have a camera crew? Like work for what you have.”
This is a divide between generations that exists beyond bodybuilding. A portion of millennials and Gen Z grew up a world where it feels like anyone can become famous because sites like YouTube and Instagram have a low bar for entry. Namely, it’s free to upload and broadcast content. Once that content became monetizable – newer generations discovered there was money to be made via influencer success.
But much like fame in any era – it can only be a small percentage who actually achieve it. Now with the bar for entry lower, it at least seems like more individuals are attempting to pursue it. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this. But when it enters tried and true traditions or public spaces – it can clash with the old way of doing things.
Is one inherently worse than the other? Time and reflection on an entire generation will be the true teacher. But for Guy Cisternino, it’s simply something he hates about the current state of bodybuilding. It’s not wrong. It’s not right. But it’s something that clashes with what he loves about bodybuilding – the passion for training above all else.
You can watch Guy Cisternino explain his full comments in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Sarah Robles Wins Bronze At 2020 Olympic Games
American weightlifter Sarah Robles took home the bronze medal in Tokyo.
Sarah Robles went into Monday’s final in the Women’s +87-kg category at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo looking to return to the medal stand. After a strong performance, Robles earned bronze for the second-straight Olympics and became the first U.S. woman to win two Olympic weightlifting medals.
It was a competition full of storylines, headlined by Laurel Hubbard and her journey to become the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic Games. By the end of the day, Robles had stole the show.
Robles successfully completed five of her six lifts to total 282-kg (621.7lb). She went three-for-three on snatches, with her final attempt being 128-kg (282.1lb). Robles then completed a clean & jerk of 154-kg (339.5lb). She missed on her sixth and final attempt of the day. This allowed British weightlifter Emily Campbell to erase a deficit and earn silver. China’s Li Wenwen took home gold in the competition.
Sarah Robles has been one of the best powerlifters for the U.S. for nearly a decade. At 33 years old, Robles became the oldest American woman to medal at the Olympics and the second-oldest to compete. She finished sixth at the 2012 London Olympics and earned bronze during the 2016 Rio Games.
The success for Robles has not just taken place at the Olympics. Since 2009, she has represented America at the World Weightlifting Championships. This includes three gold medals in 2017 in the snatch, clean & jerk, and total. Robles has also seen great success at the Pan American Championships, where she has won overall four years in a row from 2017-2020.
Robles took to Instagram to celebrate her medal. Her performance came just one day after her birthday.
This victory solidified Sarah Robles as one of the all-time greats in American powerlifting. It is unknown if she will compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris but if this performance was any indication, it looks like there are plenty of good years of competing left in the tank for Robles.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Laurel Hubbard Out Of Olympic Games But Continues to Make History
Laurel Hubbard put on a groundbreaking performance and made history at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She became the first transgender athlete to complete at the Olympics but her journey came to an end on Monday.
Hubbard failed to complete a single lift in her three attempts during the 87-kg finals. The New Zealand weightlifter failed her first attempt of a 120-kg snatch when the bar went over her head and behind her neck. Hubbard then completed what she thought was a successful lift of 125 kg but the judges did not agree. They ruled it a no-lift and Hubbard was down to her final attempt. The bar went over her head once again on attempt three and Hubbard was eliminated.
Laurel Hubbard did not earn a medal at the Olympic Games but she was still a major topic of conversation. There was plenty of debates about whether or not she should be able to compete.
In the end, the International Olympic Committee believed that Hubbard met all requirements for trans athletes and fair competition. The debate continued throughout the games but Hubbard was able to compete in Tokyo without any further issues. Before making her exit, Hubbard made sure to gesture to the crowd and did so by patting her chest and making a heart with her hands to show appreciation.
“I would particularly like to thank the IOC, for I think really affirming its commitment to the principles of Olympism and establishing that sport is something for all people, that it is inclusive and is accessible,” Hubbard said the the media.
Laurel Hubbard began her gender transition at the age of 35. She did not compete as a weightlifter at the international level up until this point. At 43 years old, Hubbard was able to make it to the Olympic Games. Hubbard’s testosterone levels were still greater than the standard for biological women but the IOC gave her approval and she was able to make a statement with her performance.
“I see the Olympic Games as a global celebration of our hopes, ideals and values and I would like to thank the IOC for its commitment to making sport inclusive and accessible,” Hubbard said in a statement provided by the IOC on Friday.
Hubbard was the oldest competitor in the finals. Sarah Elizabeth Robles was the closest to Hubbard in age at 43. Before going through her transition, Hubbard took some time away from lifting. What she was able to do will spark plenty of conversation but Hubbard is hoping to be an inspiration to many and make a change moving forward.
George Farah: How To Travel Before A Competition Without Ruining Your Physique
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Traveling takes away from a normal bodybuilding routine. Here’s how to avoid ruining your physique.
While a bodybuilder might first compete in their local state pro shows, eventually all pro bodybuilders must travel to compete. This presents an interesting challenge. Competition prep is a very delicate and specific time for pro bodybuilders. Traveling can disrupt that routine. So how do pro bodybuilders prevent ruining their physique while traveling to a pro show? In our latest GI Exclusive, George Farah explains how to properly travel without ruining your bodybuilding physique.
At some point or another, a successful bodybuilder will have to jump onto a plane to compete at a major pro show. It might be the New York Pro, Chicago Pro, Arnold Classic, or Olympia. In either case, long term travel will be involved. How do bodybuilders successfully travel so close to a competition without disrupting their prep diet and training?
We asked this very question to legendary bodybuilding coach and guru George Farah. His advice, while aimed at competitive bodybuilders, can also be very insightful for anyone looking to travel living a bodybuilding lifestyle. A massive and shredded physique requires a very strict diet and training. That goes out the window when you’re stuck on a plane for six-twelve hours being fed airline food. It’s never perfect – but George Farah has key tips to keep you on point.
While it may seem the biggest challenge is not getting the proper diet, the truth is that water weight is your biggest enemy while traveling. This is due to staying still for so long in one place sitting up. Whether it’s a car, a plane, or a train – sitting still for so long will cause your body to look “soft” due to water weight. That’s why George Farah stresses the importance of getting up and walking every 45 minutes of traveling.
It’s essential to getting blood flowing and preventing your water weight from going out of whack. In addition to this, if you are going to a show or someplace to showcase your physique – make sure to arrive 48 hours beforehand. This give you extra time to adjust once you land if anythings starts to look off.
It should also be noted that George Farah’s walking advice is a great tip for anyone traveling long distance – not just bodybuilders. Taking some time to stretch and walk every 45 minutes helps prevent the possibility of blood clots. While rare – if this does form it can eventually dislodge and flow to vital organs such as your heart. That can ultimately cause serious damage.
So George Farah’s advice is powerful on two fronts. It helps maintain your physique while traveling and also can help prevent blood clots. It’s a win/win situation. So make sure to take Farah’s advice seriously. It may sound simple and ineffective – it can actually make a big difference.
You can watch George Farah go into more detail about the key rules of traveling without ruining your physique in our latest GI Exclusive interview above!
2021 Vallarta BodyFit Contest Results
Complete results from the 2021 Vallarta BodyFit Contest.
The 2021 Vallarta BodyFit Contest saw two competitors gain qualification to the 2021 Mr. Olympia. On Saturday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Noel Adame and Francesca Stoico finished at the top of their respective divisions and will have a chance to compete at the biggest event of the year.
Adame will prepare for his second Olympia appearance. The first came in 2019 where he finished 16th. Adame gained qualification by winning the Indy Pro 212. For Stoico, this is her fifth victory since 2018. She will also be making her second-straight appearance at the Olympia.
There were two divisions at the 2021 Vallarta BodyFit Contest that allowed winners to qualify for the Olympia. The full results have now been announced. Check out our full breakdown of the 2021 Vallarta BodyFit Contest results below.
Vallarta BodyFit Contest: All Division Winners
A quick breakdown of the winners in each division from the 2021 Vallarta BodyFit Contest. All winners are now automatically qualified to compete in the Olympia 2021.
Men’s 212: Noel Adame
Bikini: Francesca Stoico
Vallarta BodyFit Contest Breakdown
Men’s 212 Results
First Place – Noel Adame
Second Place – Esteban Bravo
Third Place – Leonardis Cardoza
Fourth Place – Victor Eric Lopez Garcia
Fifth Place – Christyan Gomez
Bikini Results
First Place – Francesca Stoico
Second Place – Eli Fernandez
Third Place – Jasmine Gonzalez
Fourth Place – Pricila Rodrigues
Fifth Place – Jodie Yunker
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the Vallarta BodyFit Contest. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
2021 Asian Pro Grand Prix Results
Complete results from the 2021 Asian Grand Prix.
There were more automatic qualifications to the 2021 Olympia handed out on Saturday. The 2021 Asian Grand Prix took place over the weekend in Seoul City, Korea. The division winners will now have a chance to compete in the biggest competition of the year.
There was plenty of talent in this competition and it was led by the likes of Dongsik Shin and Simoon Kim. Shin has been a force in the Men’s Bodybuilding division and will now have a chance to compete at the 2021 Olympia.
These five divisions at the Asian Pro Grand Prix handed out qualifications to winners for the Olympia. The full results have now been announced. Check out our full breakdown of the competition results below.
2021 Asian Pro Grand Prix: All Division Winners
A quick breakdown of the winners in each division from the 2021 Asian Grand Prix. All winners are now automatically qualified to compete in the Olympia 2021.
Men’s Bodybuilding: Dongsik Shin
Men’s Physique: Simoon Kim
Classic Physique: Dongho Kim
Figure: Jiyoon Seo
Bikini: Yuna Kang
2021 Asian Pro Grand Prix Breakdown
Men’s Bodybuilding
First Place – Dongsik Shin
Second Place – Yonghan Yoo
Third Place – Beom Oh
Fourth Place – Seungjong Park
Fifth Place – Sundown Lee
Men’s Physique
First Place – Simoon Kim
Second Place – Jinwoo Jung
Third Place – Gyesu Jeong
Fourth Place – Seongjae Lee
Classic Physique
First Place – Dongho Kim
Second Place – Dogeom Hong
Third Place -Seungmoo Lee
Fourth Place -Yongseung Lee
Fifth Place – Ikjin Park
Bikini
First Place – Yuna Kang
Second Place – Songhee Han
Third Place – Nayoung Choi
Fourth Place – Jaein Song
Fifth Place – Dabin Yoon
Figure
First Place – Jiyoon Seo
Second Place – Youngju Han
Third Place – Youngsuk Choi
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the 2021 Asian Grand Prix. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
2021 Battle of the Bodies Results
Complete results from the 2021 Battle of the Bodies.
There are still plenty of automatic qualifications left to be handed out for the 2021 Mr. Olympia. This continued on Saturday with the 2021 Janet Layug’s Battle of the Bodies. This competition was held in Coral Springs, FL and competitors from eight divisions were able to qualify for the biggest competition of the year.
Janet Layug is one of the stars of the bikini division in women’s bodybuilding. She is the reigning Olympia Bikini champion and this is just one of her many accomplishments. Layug burst onto the scene in 2013 and since then, she has totaled five victories and 15 top-five finishes.
Maureen Blanquisco took home the victory in this competition and will have a chance to compete at the 2021 Olympia. This is her fifth victory since 2018. Blanquisco qualified for the 2019 Olympia with a victory at the Tampa Pro 2019. She finished ninth in the bikini division and will have a chance to return this season.
There were a total of 30 competitors at the Battle of the Bodies with the winner vying for a qualification to the Olympia. The full results have now been announced. Check out our full breakdown of the 2021 Battle of the Bodies results below.
2021 Battle of the Bodies Breakdown
Bikini Results
First Place – Maureen Blanquisco
Second Place – Daraja Hill
Third Place – Cristobalina Pajares
Fourth Place – Reijuana Harley
Fifth Place – Ivanna Escandar Fernandez
Sixth Place – Carolina Collazos
Seventh Place – Erin Stern
Eighth Place – Danielle Combs
Ninth Place – Isha Barrow
Tenth Place – Alecia Verrone
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate Maureen Blanquisco, who earned a win at the 2021 Battle of the Bodies. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Iain Valliere Gives Physique Update Ahead Of Tampa Pro 2021
Iain Valliere has been active on social media showing progress ahead of the Tampa Pro 2021.
Iain Valliere has been on a roll over the last few years. He has been a force in the bodybuilding game and it seems like that is going to continue moving forward. Valliere has been active on Instagram posting updates on his physique ahead of his next major competition.
The Tampa Pro 2021 is less than two weeks away. It will begin on Aug. 5 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Valliere has been giving his 245k followers on Instagram an update on his progress ahead of the competition for nearly two months now. It has intensified recently and Valliere looks ready to go.
“Save a spot for me ? @mrolympiallc #2weeksout @ptuor”
The Tampa Pro is a show that Iain Valliere has had success in. He placed third in 2019 and earned a second-place finish at the show in 2020. Valliere looks primed to get his first victory at the Tampa Pro 2021.
Iain Valliere burst onto the scene with his pro card in 2014 and began competing in 2015. He has earned 10 top-five finishes since becoming a pro. This was highlighted with a victory at the New York Pro 2020. This earned Valliere an automatic qualification for the Olympia. He has appeared just one time at the biggest competition of the season. This came in 2018 when Valliere finished 14th.
The Tampa Pro 2021 will be the 14th anniversary of the competition. Hunter Labrada, who just took home first place at the Chicago Pro 2021, was the only competitor to beat out Valliere at last year’s competition. Labrada has earned his qualification to the 2021 Olympia with his victory in Chicago.
Iain Valliere will enter Tampa Bay as one of the favorites in the competition. If Instagram is any indication, he certainly looks ready to make a splash on Aug. 5 and in future competitions.
Make sure to check out the full results of the Tampa Pro 2021 next weekend at Generation Iron. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Gunter Schlierkamp Debates: Sylvester Stallone Movies Vs Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies
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Which muscle action star has better movies: Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger? Gunter Schlierkamp answers.
There was a golden era of muscle-bound action movies in the 80s. Two of the biggest stars from that era were Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Both brought powerful physiques to the mainstream via blockbuster films. But of these two shredded actors – who had the best movies? We asked that very question to Gunter Schlierkamp. In our latest GI Exclusive, Gunter Schlierkamp makes his pick between Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger movies.
While majority of our interview segments deal directly with bodybuilding and strength sprots trends – we sometimes like to throw a few curveball fun questions into the mix. That’s why during our conversation with Gunter Schlierkamp we asked him to pick his favorite action star – Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Both of these actors were significant in bringing chiseled muscle onto the mainstream blockbuster circuit. Schwarzenegger was, of course, a pro bodybuilder himself. While Stallone didn’t match his size – he brought an unprecedented amount of muscle to the screen compared to majority of Hollywood actors. It was a golden era of sorts for muscle in Hollywood.
So who does Gunter Schlierkamp prefer more? He was torn – he didn’t want to directly choose one over the other. Instead, he focused on the things that made each actor different and why he liked those qualities.
For Sylvester Stallone, Schlierkamp felt that his films brought more of a message behind the stories. Films like Rocky and First Blood had something to say beyond being fun action films. On the other hand, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s films focused more on flash and bang. The cartoonish nature of his action films are entertaining in their own right.
Gunter Schlierkamp also makes mention of Schwarzenegger’s comedic side. With films like True Lies, Jingle All The Way, and Kindergarten Cop – Schwarzenegger showcased that he had comedic chops to match his action muscle. It’s a big part of what allowed him to stay relevant in Hollywood. While he was not a Shakespearean level actor – he had true versatility in his roles.
Ultimately, Gunter Schlierkamp enjoys the work of both actors equally. He finds a different thing to enjoy about each muscle-bound actor’s films. Which films do you prefer? You can watch Schlierkamp go into full detail by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Adaptive Athlete Logan Aldridge Deadlifts 502 Pounds During 2021 CrossFit Games
Logan Aldridge put on a show during day one of the 2021 CrossFit Games.
Logan Aldridge can be viewed as motivation and an inspiration to many in all walks of life. On Tuesday during the 2021 CrossFit Games at the Allianz Energy Center in Madison, WI, Aldridge continued to show his incredible strength by performing a 502-pound deadlift as part of the Adaptive Division.
Aldridge, who is missing most of his left arm, completed the lift with a strap around the bar that connected to his left shoulder. This was a PR-best by 12 pounds for Aldridge and he did it on day one of the competition. Aldridge set a new personal best for the second time in the span of one month. In June, Aldridge completed a 225-pound clean and jerk at the 2021 Bacon Beatdown competition.
“This is the way: deadlift PR of 502 babyyyyyyy!! HYPED UP AGAIN!! ??,” Aldridge wrote on Instagram.
Not only is Logan Aldridge a competitor but he is the Director of Training at the Adaptive Training Academy. He played a big role in an Adaptive Division being added to the CrossFit Games. This is the first year that it has been included in the Games. In December, CrossFit announced some significant changes and that included the addition of the Adaptive Division.
Adaptive athletes across eight classes, for both men and women, were cleared to compete in the Open but would have to wait until 2022 to compete in the Games. That notion was softened on May 5 when CrossFit announced that the top five men and women from the Open would have a chance to compete in the Games. These five men and women were spread out over three categories in the Adaptive Division. These divisions are Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, and Neuromuscular.
The 2021 CrossFit Games will take place from July 27-Aug.1. After the first three events, Logan Aldridge currently sits in third place. He is behind Casey Acree and Jose Maldonado.
Aldridge has had a big hand in progressing CrossFit to include many athletes in many different situations. He is proving that anything is possible and there should not be excuses made. In fact, Aldridge used the hashtags “YourExcuseIsNotValid” and his saying “ThisIsTheWay.”
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.