Tag: GI News
Chris Bumstead Hits “Brutal Leg Day” During Recent Stage Of Olympia Prep
Chris Bumstead hits a quad-pumping leg workout to solidify the entire package.
Chris Bumstead has one of the best overall packages on stage in bodybuilding. His overall motivation and drive in the gym is unmatched. Recently, Bumstead shared a brutal leg workout to pump his quads as Olympia prep continues.
Bumstead is the reigning three-time Classic Physique Olympia champion. He has been at the top of a division that continues to grow and have other competitors breakout. At 27 years old, Bumstead continues to improve and is working toward his fourth consecutive victory come December.
There was a bit of a hiccup in preparation as Bumstead battled COVID-19 at the beginning of the year and was forced to take some time off. He has returned to the gym and continues to build size and strength. Bumstead is back in the gym after five days off and decided to hit a huge quad workout.
Chris Bumstead Leg Day
StairMaster – Warmup
Alternating Single-Leg Extension – 2 sets for 20 or more reps
Hip Adduction Machine – 1 set for 6 reps
Smith Machine Squat – 2 sets for 11-12 reps
Alternating Single-Leg Press machine – 2 sets for 7-10 reps
Seated Calf Raise – 5 sets for 8-10 reps
“I took five days off training or so. I don’t know why but taking time off it should usually leave you feeling rested, but it leaves me feeling tired, tighter and more broken than I was before.”
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Single-Leg Extension
Chris Bumstead begins the workout with a warmup on the StairMaster. This machine gets the blood flowing while activating the quads right away. Following the cardio work, Bumstead jumps right into volume completing 20 reps of single-leg extensions.
“That’s a lot of cardio. First exercise, single leg quad extension. Two sets of 20 reps or more. I hit 23 on the first set, 21 on the second, just trying to get a lot of volume.”
Hip Adduction Machine
Bumstead quickly moves onto the hip adduction machine. According to the video, he is on there for just one set. Bumstead likes to hit this machine before squatting because of the warmup it gives. Bumstead explains how this is a well-kept secret that others should try before attacking the squat rack.
Smith Machine Squats
Chris Bumstead opts for the Smith Machine squats for his next exercise. He hits two sets of 11-12 eps with a closed-stance. This is because it hits harder and gives a deeper burn in the quads.
“Anything over 10 kills me. I was trying to do a front squat closed stance. To really emphasize my quads. Second set was just high volume, closed stance, trying to burn my quads.”
Alternating Single-Leg Press Machine
Bumstead continued the trend of two sets on the leg press machine. He performed 7-10 reps per leg on this machine. Isolation avoids having one leg grow more than the other. This allows Bumstead to work both legs in the same way.
“Very simple, just a straight line movement. I’m doing one leg at a time, partly because I’m too lazy to put that many plates on.”
“I can get a little bit more range of motion to prevent one from being lopsided especially because I have a tight erector on my right side right now, which can cause me to favor my left leg.”
Seated Calf Raise
The final exercise of the workout is seated calf raises. It is important for bodybuilders to not forget about calves and Bumstead focuses on this during each leg day. During this exercise, Bumstead focuses on heavy weight.
“The first two was four plates, really heavy. My goal is to just do some heavy sets. My bro science thinking, if you walk all day on your calves, that’s high volume.”
Chris Bumstead is right on track with where he wants to be heading into July. It will be difficult for anyone to top him at the Olympia after three consecutive victories and another massive summer of prep. It will be interesting to see how he begins to finalize the product as we enter the summer and fall months.
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Larry Wheels Wants To Become “Lightest Man” To Deadlift 1,000 Pounds Using Conventional Stance
Larry Wheels will take on the challenge during the 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man competition.
Larry Wheels has been taking his deadlifts to the next level during recent training sessions. It is clear that he is eyeing a huge number when he takes the stage during the Middle East’s Strongest Man competition in August. Recently, Wheels took on a 72-rep deadlift workout in hopes of becoming the lightest competitor to lift 1,000 pounds.
Wheels was wearing a suit in order to help aid the lifts. He broke it down into nine reps of eight during this particular session. In a YouTube video, Wheels showed off the workout and explained his goals moving forward.
“We are on track for pulling a 1000 pounds at 2022 Middle East’s Strongest Man. On top of that, I am looking to become the lightest man to ever do it with a conventional stance.”
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Larry Wheels’ Back Progression
Larry Wheels is a multi-talented athlete having taken part in powerlifting, bodybuilding, and arm wrestling. He was part of the 2019 Odd Haugen Strength Classic and is looking to compete in another strongman event. This is why he has focused on improving all lifts and it is led by deadlifts.
“If you haven’t noticed, my back is thick as f**k right now. My t-spine area, rhomboids, traps, obliques, everything has gotten substantially thicker.”
It is natural that Wheels has been able to build his back up during these workouts. That will also assist in other lifts during the competition. During this process, Wheels has lost weight and currently weighs 122kg (269lb). This makes his feats of strength even more impressive.
Larry Wheels has been taking his health seriously after a recent string of deaths in strength sports and bodybuilding. He has been getting checked out by doctors to make sure that his heart is healthy. While preparing for this show, Wheels has stopped taking growth hormones and is focused on his meals.
“I’m on just three meals a day. Normal portions, like 800 calories per meal, not force-feeding, and I feel great.”
Larry Wheels crushed a back workout after finishing all 72 reps of deadlifts. He has announced that 1,000 pounds is his goal for the upcoming show in August and he seems on track to getting there at this rate.
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Calum von Moger’s Team Provides Update On “Long Process” After Checking Himself Into Rehab Facility
Calum von Moger checked himself into rehab a week ago and his team provided an update on the “long road” ahead.
Calum von Moger has checked himself into a rehab facility to fight against his drug addiction. After one week, von Moger’s team shared a video to his official Instagram page explaining his current situation and outlining his upcoming journey.
On May 6, it was reported that Calum Von Moger jumped through a second story window while under the influence of methamphetamine. He received many injuries, including lacerations from the glass and spinal damage from the fall. He was hospitalized, received spinal surgery, and was in a coma for many days.
During the first week of June, von Moger shared pictures of his wounds from the jump. He is now out of the hospital and has decided to take the necessary steps to get himself back on the right track.
Calum von Moger Currently Has No Timeline in Rehab
Calum von Moger’s manager Popeye shared a video on the bodybuilder’s Instagram account. He began by introducing himself and discussing the current condition of von Moger in this facility.
“How is Calum doing, is Calum okay? Some great news for you guys. Calum is on the road to recovery. It’s been a week now since he checked himself into a facility. I’m very excited about that. It will be a long road. It’s a long process,” Popeye said.
As Calum von Moger continues to battle drug addiction, it is unclear how long he will have to remain in the facility.
“Right now, we don’t know if you guys will hear from him personally. In eight weeks, 12 weeks, six months, a year. the best thing for him is to recover. Is to go through this process.”
The process for Calum von Moger has been long as he earned his Pro Card in 2020 but has not competed in a show. He is a three-time Mr. Universe winner but has not stepped on stage as an IFBB Classic Physique competitor. He has dealt with different injuries and legal troubles over the course of his career.
The entire journey of his recovery and return to competitive bodybuilding was chronicled in the documentary feature film Calum Von Moger: Unbroken.
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Calum von Moger’s Team Wants To Avoid Clickbait And Remain Positive
As the video went on, Popeye explains that he does not feel it is right to be using Calum von Moger’s name for clicks during this time. He needs to be surrounded with positivity and that is not the way to go about it.
“We will continue to be a positive light and regardless of how dark it’s been lately. I’ll tell you, 60 percent of the stuff that’s out there has no base. It’s idiotic. These idiot YouTubers or Instagramers or influencers that think they’re trying to make their name off Cal. It’s heartbreaking to see people act that way, be that way. Try to get some clickbait.”
The video ends with Popeye thanking von Moger’s fans for the messages and faith. There are many that feel inspired by von Moger and the journey that he is currently on.
“He continues to inspire, and he will continue to inspire regardless of what that ends up being. We thank you guys. Again, we’ll have more news for you guys soon. We apologize that it’s taking this long to get a message out to you guys. I’m happy we were able to now.”
Generation Iron wishes a speedy recovery for Calum Von Moger – and will provide more updates as they become available. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Hadi Choopan Shares Physique Update During Olympia Prep: Can He Take Home The 2022 Title?
Hadi Choopan continues to look extremely conditioned during his prep.
There are many who believe that Hadi Choopan showed up to the Olympia in October in the best shape. It seems as though Choopan is continuing to dominate his prep after sharing a physique update showing off his crazy conditioning and size.
Choopan took to Instagram to share a physique and posing update on Tuesday. In the video, Choopan is seen hitting some of his favorite poses that help him on stage. On stage last year, Choopan made glaring improvements to his physique, which already had him stamped in the top three or four competitors. Now, he is hitting the offseason hard once again in hopes of bringing home the Sandow Trophy.
“My beauty is the creation of God and the help of millions of people”
Is 2022 The Year For Hadi Choopan?
Hadi Choopan made his debut on the Olympia stage in 2019, where he finished third. He returned to the stage in 2020 and dropped one spot before returning to the top-three in 2021. Despite his finish, there are many that believe Choopan should have been crowned champion in October.
Choopan finished third behind Brandon Curry and two-time reigning champion Big Ramy. There is a clear top-tier of competitors and Choopan is part of that group. Hunter Labrada and Nick Walker are looking to insert their names into the conversation after a fourth- and fifth-place finish respectively.
Hadi Choopan shared a physique update back in March where it is clear that he put on some more size. In this update, he has worked on conditioning and is looking absolutely shredded. The work that Choopan puts in cannot be questioned and this puts him in a good position moving forward.
Choopan is coached by Hany Rambod, who has handled some of the top talents in bodybuilding history. This include seven-time Olympia champ Phil Heath. Rambod led the charge of those who believed that Choopan sported the best physique on stage in last year’s competition. Now, the duo will look to take the next step.
Hadi Choopan has remained extremely consistent over the years and continues to make improvements to a championship-caliber physique. It seems as though each physique update shows a competitor getting closer and closer to being stage ready.
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WATCH: Rob Kearney Takes On CrossFitters Mal O’Brien And Jake Marconi In Deadlift Challenge
Mat Fraser hosted an intense battle of strength between Rob Kearney and some elite CrossFit athletes.
The dynamics of strongman and CrossFit are extremely different and it is always interesting to see athletes go up against each other. In this instance, Rob Kearney took on CrossFitters Mal O’Brien and Jake Marconi.
Kearney has been busy competing in strongman fighting for some of the biggest prizes in the sport. O’Brien is coming off a year where she was named the 2021 CrossFit Rookie of the Year while Marconi continues to be an elite athlete. This contest was shown on Fraser’s YouTube page as the three athletes took on deadlifts for reps.
It is clear that Kearney has the largest deadlift of the group given his stance as a strongman. He deadlifted the day before this contest and completed four reps of 805 pounds. Completing many reps for time is not usually what he does during strongman contests.
“It depends on the contest. We have both a deadlift ladder working up to 880 and we’ll also have a deadlift for reps around 750. So typically, eight reps is the biggest I’ve done,” Kearney explained.
Deadlift Challenge
All athletes were tasked with completing the deadlifts and reloading their bars to the appropriate weight for the next lift.
385 pounds for 2 reps
365 pounds for 4 reps
335 pounds for 6 reps
315 pounds for 8 reps
255 pounds for 10 reps
195 pounds for 15 reps
“Rob deadlifted 805 for four reps yesterday. Rob clearly has astronomically high deadlift numbers so it’s kind of like a fun experiment. Jake has a 515 deadlift. Rob has a, best ever was 970. So close to double but I watched him do 805 for four reps yesterday and like, it was cardio,” fraser said.
“So let’s see how he does with way, way lower percentage for him but it’s something that is completely out of his element.”
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Rob Kearney made the first bars look easy given the weight that was on the bar. Fraser said that these lifts were “about 38 percent” of what Kearney can put up. This was referring to Kearney’s max lift of 970 pounds.
As the contest went on, Mal O’Brien finished the workout ahead of both Kearney and Marconi. Once the workout was over, Kearney admitted to liking this method of deadlifting.
“I actually like doing touch-and-go. Like time under tension wise. I feel like it’s a lot more effective. I always get more fried doing dead-stop reps.”
O’Brien took home the victory in this workout ahead of her scheduled appearance at the 2022 CrossFit Games in Madison, WI from Aug. 3-7. Rob Kearney will continue to train in order to compete against some of the other elite competitors in the world.
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Jay Cutler Reflects On Lee Priest At 21 Years Old: ‘I Remember Looking At Him And Saying How Is That Even Possible?’
Jay Cutler believes that no one “could ever blow your mind” like Lee Priest when he burst onto the scene.
Jay Cutler built a resume that has him up there with the best bodybuilders of all-time. He has seen it all in the sport but there is one physique that stood out from the pack. Cutler took some time to discuss how Lee Priest burst onto the scene at 21 years old.
Cutler was one of the true mass monsters during his time and he was able to win the Olympia four times. he displayed great symmetry and conditioning on stage to top plenty of competition. When Cutler gives credit to a young up-and-comer, they must have something special.
That is exactly what Cutler believed that Priest had. He won many competitions, highlighted by a victory at the 2013 NABBA Mr. Universe. Priest enjoyed a successful career that spanned close to three decades.
Jay Cutler On Lee Priest: “Nobody Can Ever Blow Your Mind Mind Lee Priest Looked”
Jay Cutler spoke with Flex Lewis on his Straight Outta The Lair podcast. This is where the two legends broke down some different topics in bodybuilding. When discussing Lee Priest, Cutler brought up the great Ronnie Coleman.
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“Lee Priest was just coming on the scene at that time. I know you guys kind of had this little rivalry because who’s better… dude he was unbelievable. No lie. I’ve seen Ronnie Coleman, I’ve obviously competed with him. Nobody can ever blow your mind like Lee Priest looked when he was 21 years old.”
Cutler remembers seeing Priest walk into the gym and marveled at the pure size that he carried around.
“I walked in the gym and I remember looking at him and saying, ‘how is that even possible?’ He could barely walk his legs were so big. I think he downsized as his career went on but he was massive.”
Lee Priest did not win a Sandow Trophy but he did appear on stage during the biggest show of the year multiple times. Priest remained a competitor because of his eye-popping physique.
Jay Cutler continued to discuss how Priest could look the way he did at 260 pounds. He kept incredible conditioning for the weight that he carried around and was shredded on stage.
“260 pounds but he wasn’t fat. You know he’s shorter, but he was unbelievable. I remember Ed Raven, ‘you gotta see this kid’. I’m thinking gosh this guy is a year older than me, how is this possible.”
Lee Priest was recently inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame because of his work on stage. He gained a massive following because of his physique and it not surprising that many competitors marveled at what he was able to build.
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Mahailya Reeves Sets Unofficial IPF Bench Press World Record In +84kg Division With 363.8-Pound Lift
Mahailya Reeves put on a show during the 2022 AMP Nationals.
If you did not know who Mahailya Reeves was before, you will certainly know soon enough. During the 2022 Powerlifting America Classic (Raw) Sub-Junior, Junior, and Masters Nationals, the 18-year-old powerlifter turned some heads with her performance. In the process, Reeves set a new world record in the +84kg division with a 165kg (363.8lb) bench press.
Reeves showed a great deal of strength at a young age. She was able to burst onto the scene during a competition that is meant for competitors to get their name out on a big stage. Now, Reeves will continue to improve and build upon her record-setting day. While this lift is unofficial, she will have a chance to add to it and potentially set the official mark, which is held by Mierger Amelie. She lifted 163kg during the 2022 IPF World Classic Powerlifting Championships.
This lift was not even the heaviest on Reeves’ ledger. She has showed bigger lifts in practice and will have a chance to show it off once she competes in an IPF event.
Mahailya Reeves at Nationals
During this competition, Mahailya Reeves was able to put up some big numbers all over the board. She entered the event weighing 138.37kg (305.1lb) and was able to compete in the +84kg division. She established a PR in just one event but her overall performance was enough to take home the victory.
Squat
Reeves was successful in two of her three attempts in squat. The first came at 212.5kg (468.5lb) before adding more weight. She was unsuccessful with 26.5 more pounds on the bar before taking it up another notch for her third attempt. Reeves successfully completed a 225kg (496lb) squat on her final attempt. This was 20kg less than her competition PR, which was set at the 2019 USAPL Raw Nationals.
Bench Press
Mahailya Reeves set the unofficial mark on bench press in her second attempt. This came after successfully locking out 160kg (352.8lb). She attempted to add 2.5 more kilograms on the bar for her third lift but was unsuccessful. Reeves set a competition PR on bench during the 2022 FHSAA Class 1A Region 2 Meet with a lift of 172.3kg (380lb).
Deadlift
Reeves set a new competition PR in deadlift. This came on her third and final attempt when she successfully lifted 220kg (485lb). Once again, her second attempt with less weight was unsuccessful. Reeves was perfect on first attempts at this event logging 197.5kg (435.4lb).
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Former MLB Pitcher Kyle Farnsworth Is Jacked Since Retiring: ‘I’m A Bodybuilder Now’
Kyle Farnsworth will go from the baseball diamond to the bodybuilding stage.
Kyle Farnsworth has already showed that he has incredible athletic ability during his years as an MLB pitcher. Now, he continues to show that he is multi-talented building a jacked physique since retiring from baseball. Farnsworth has built up his physique and will now have a chance to compete on stage.
Farnsworth spent 16 years in the Major Leagues as a relief pitcher. He broke into the bigs in 1999 with the Chicago Cubs. He spent six years with the Cubs before playing for eight other teams over the course of his career. This includes both New York squads and the Atlanta Braves. Farnsworth spent most of his career coming out of the bullpen having made just 26 starts in his career, which all came during his first two years in the league.
Farnsworth finished his career with a 4.26 ERA. During his time on the mound, the right-hander became known for his hard-nose attitude. Now, he is showing that he can be successful in many ways.
On Tuesday, Kyle Farnsworth gained the attention of many on social media sharing a picture of his jacked physique in the mirror. Farnsworth said this was a “very rare selfie” but wanted to share his progress just four days away from his first competition.
Kyle Farnsworth Will Compete At The Sheru Classic
Kyle Farnsworth is not slowing down at 46 years old. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Farnsworth will be competing at the 2022 Sheru Classic on June 25 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando.
Farnsworth will be part of the NPC Southern USA National Qualifier over the weekend. In an Instagram post from May 29, Farnsworth explained that he is excited to see what he can do on stage against some other elite competitors.
“Very excited to be apart of the Sheru Classic and to see what I can do. I will be competing in the novice Classic Physique class. I have always wanted to do one and it’s never to old to start. When you are a competitor you have to find things to compete in.”
Kyle Farnsworth last appeared on a Major League mound in 2014 when he threw 11.2 innings for the Houston Astros and New York Mets. Since retiring, it is clear that he has put his fitness first and will now have a chance to show it off on stage.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Arnold’s Son, Joseph Baena Shares Quad-Pumping Leg Day To Start The Week
Joseph Baena shared a post showing off how he starts his weeks off right in the gym.
Joseph Baena was born into bodybuilding greatness and is making sure to keep it in the family. Baena is a multi-talented figure who maintains an impressive physique while working on some projects on the big screen. In a recent social media post, Baena shared how he starts his week with a quad-pumping leg workout.
Baena’s father, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is widely regarded as the greatest bodybuilder of all-time. He is a seven-time Olympia champion and completely changed the sport of bodybuilding over the course of his career. Baena has clearly inherited a passion for fitness and remains active in the gym.
On Instagram, Baena has shared different workouts and even has taken on some poses that his father made famous during his time on stage. This time, it was an Instagram post that showed off a leg day at the beginning of the week.
Joseph Baena Begins The Week By Hitting Quads
Joseph Baena began gaining attention for his physique when he was able to show it off while working on his project, Lava. He has continued to work on his physique and is not shy about sharing some insight.
“It’s Monday! Time to get up and get after it!!!
Started the week off with legs. What are you hitting?”
Joseph Baena shared a squat video on Instagram showing off his quad gains. He is wearing a lifting belt during this lift. It is clear that he has learned plenty from his father about training in the gym and following a strict diet plan. This has helped him become what he is today. The real question is, does Baena have any interest in performing on stage?
Baena has shown interest in bodybuilding in the past but that seems to have taken a backseat to acting in recent years. In any physique updates, he does not have the size yet but it could be added quickly thanks to his genetics. For now, Baena continues to focus on acting, which is another area where his father excelled.
It is always important to hit a Monday hard in the gym and Joseph Baena made sure to do just that.
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Isaiah Miranda To Make Bodybuilding Debut At 2022 Summer Shredding Series
Fitness star Isaiah Miranda makes bodybuilding show debut.
Fitness star Isaiah Miranda is preparing to make his bodybuilding debut. Miranda built his brand on social media totaling nearly 300 million views on YouTube. Now, he is preparing for his debut on stage during the 2022 Summer Shredding Series on Friday, June 24th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
Miranda will look to put on a show for his fans in the insane heat of Houston. Over the years, Miranda has created comedic skits that put his name on the map. Recently, the overall tone has shifted to fitness as he prepares to take the stage as a bodybuilder.
About Isaiah Miranda’s Fitness Journey
Isaiah Miranda might be new to bodybuilding but he is no stranger to fitness and activity. Isaiah hails from Plainsboro, New Jersey. Miranda was a three-sport athlete entering high school in New Jersey. He played basketball, was a national champion track runner and played football at Rutgers University.
Miranda eventually gave up basketball and decided to use the winter season to hit the gym hard. Results came quick as he put on size immediately. Overall, he has shown off a solid physique over the course of his life but has recently taken the next step in the gym and with his diet.
In 2019, Isaiah Miranda began taking his diet seriously. This meant counting calories and measuring portions. Over the early going, there was plenty of trial and error for the influencer. Again, this allowed him to take his physique to the next level.
Isaiah Miranda arrived in Houston during the first week of June to finish off his prep. Not only is he working in the gym, Miranda has been sharing a different YouTube video each day to showoff his workouts and different diets.
Isaiah Miranda Diet & Workout
Miranda has outlined many diets, including his calorie count from each day. This has gone as low as 1,200 in one day as he puts the finishing touches on his physique. Below, you can find an example of one full day of eating by Miranda courtesy of his YouTube page. This video is from Monday, just six days out of competition.
Meal 1
230 grams egg whites
180 grams rice
Meal 2 – Pre-Workout
145 grams protein Tilapia
180 grams rice
25 grams raw honey
Pickles
Meal 3
145 grams ground turkey
180 grams rice
100 grams cucumbers
Meal 4
155 grams beef
180 grams rice
1 whole egg
100 grams cucumbers
Chest Workout
Isaiah Miranda also shares many workouts when he is in the gym. He has taken his lifts to the next level and showed it during this big chest day. The number of sets and reps was not specified but Miranda hit many different areas to add size.
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