Tag: Inspiration
Canadian Bodybuilder with Down Syndrome Inspires Fitness World
Working out can seem like a daunting task for some who may have special needs. While it’s not common everywhere, there is no shortage of inspirational stories in the fitness world. Canadian bodybuilder Kyle Landi, who has Down syndrome, is one such story that continues to inspire the community with his insane resilience.
Hitting the gym is not simply about lifting weights or burning calories on the treadmill. Improving one’s fitness levels or enhancing their physique is a desired goal but for some, it’s a lifestyle, that demands dedication and discipline.
In Oct. 2019, Shirley Webb made headlines for her incredible feats of strength at the age of 82. Although she struggled with daily life tasks before joining the gym at age 77, Webb gained a passion for lifting weights and got into powerlifting. She left the fans stunned by scoring gold with her age-defying strength at the 2015 USAPL MO State/Midwest Open.
Legendary strongman Eddie Hall has cemented his status as one of the strongest men on the planet but his journey wasn’t always smooth. The former World’s Strongest Man winner opened up about his struggle with depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction in Apr. 2020 to motivate fans for turning their life around no matter what.
Even Tom Stoltman has been transparent about the obstacles he faced at World’s Strongest Man competitions. He remembered using the power of his autism diagnosis to help him through some of the more difficult aspects of the events.
A high school student with Down syndrome, Garret Alcaraz, went viral for crushing a heavy 355-pound (161-kg) bench press in May 2020. Alcaraz proved no obstacle is too big as he recorded the heaviest bench press at his school.
Former Ms. Bikini Olympia Elisa Pecini is renowned for her insane symmetry and overall physique. As incredible as her physique is, her story of overcoming an eating disorder to secure the most prestigious Bikini title in the world is even more impressive. She laid out her battle with the disorder and credited the sport for helping turn her life around. Powerlifting sensation Serena Abweh detailed a similar challenge in her journey of beating anorexia to become a powerlifting champion in her teenage years.
Legendary bodybuilder Flex Wheeler reached the highest heights in the sport and continued to inspire the fans even after a leg amputation. He was honored with the first-ever Olympia Inspiration and Courage Award for his positive spirit despite the challenges. He also received the 2022 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award.
Canadian Bodybuilder with Down Syndrome Inspires Fitness World
Kyle Landi has inspired the fitness community several times in his journey of becoming the first-ever Canadian bodybuilder with Down syndrome. He gained attention for his impressive condition and unmatched resilience. He even got the chance to display his physique as a special guest at the 2023 Arnold Classic four months ago. Then, he turned heads with another incredible showing with Nick Walker and Antoine Valliant at the Pure Muscle Championships.
Landi has teamed up with some notable figures in the industry, including Larry Wheels and Tristyn Lee. He also got the chance to interact with legendary bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, and Breon Ansley.
The 23-year-old Ontario native grew up with a passion for working out and started lifting with the goal to become a pro in his early years. His priority is to compete on stage next year. Besides bodybuilding, he’s working on earning a black belt in karate in the same timeframe.
Landi’s parents, Joseph and Kimberley, opened up about the benefits Kyle reaped from training regularly.
“Prior to bodybuilding, Kyle walked with a slouch with his head down,” Joseph told Daily Mail. “Today, he carries himself differently. He is humble but very confident in himself and his mindset is that of a champion.”
Iconic bodybuilder Kai Greene is another inspiring tale in the sport. He was a perennial contender at Mr. Olympia competitions and connected with fans courtesy of his muscle mass, size, and posing finesse. Having grown up in an institutional facility, he credited his success to the challenge he faced early in life.
Legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger took notice of Kevin Cantrell’s insane deadlift of 501 pounds at the 2022 Special Olympics. He amplified Cantrell’s message to his audience and lauded him as his inspiration.
RELATED: Mitchell Hooper Speaks Out About His Struggle With Mental Health And Suicidal Thoughts
Kyle Landi has proved that nothing is impossible and one can achieve anything they put their mind to. It’s only a matter of time before he steps on stage for competition and adds another feather to his cap.
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 3:55 PM EDT
‘Bionic Body’ Edgard Augustin Talks Life as Amputee Athlete and His Impact in Classic Physique
Edgard John Augustin, a contender in the Classic Physique division, continues to prove himself after a lengthy hiatus. In a recent Muscular Development interview, the ‘Bionic Body’ shared his inspiring story with Ron Harris, revealing how he overcame the loss of his legs, how he motivates others, and how he adapts to challenges.
Having kicked off his IFBB Pro League tenure in 2017, Augustin started as a Men’s Open athlete. However, that quickly changed. The following year he made the change to Classic Physique, and held his own against tough lineups at the 2018 Toronto Pro (9th) and Veronica Gallego Classic (10th). In 2019, Augustin entered the New York Pro but wasn’t able to finish in the top 15. Then, he took 12th at the Toronto Pro Supershow.
And despite losing his legs in a car accident at four years old, Edgard hasn’t lost sight of his athletic goals and competitive spirit. He was out of action for three years (2020-2022) but made a statement in his return this year. Thus far, Augustin has finished 14th at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, then put on an impressive show at the New York Pro even though he didn’t place. His most recent contest came at the Toronto Pro Supershow in a career-best performance that saw him take fourth.
In his latest undertaking, Edgard Augustin recapped his busy season but also laid out some of the struggles he’s faced while navigating his career as an amputee athlete. In addition, he talked about his future in the sport and training without legs.
Bodybuilder Edgard Augustin Reflects on Becoming Amputee at 4 Years Old, Shares Inspiring Journey
Augustin revealed that he lost most of his legs as a result of a car accident in South America. He said his brother also lost one leg following the misfortune.
“With my family, we had a car accident when I was four years old in South America – my country. And yeah. In the car accident… you know, my legs were cut. My brother’s leg, also just one was cut also. We were so lucky to get someone to bring us to the nearest hospitals.
Then, we – I’m still here today thanks to these guys. So, now I’m 38 years old. All my life [my legs have been amputated]. Especially in America, they used to say thank you for your services because people see that I’m – yeah, like a military guy. Compared to Europe for example,” said Edward Augustin.
Training with partially amputated legs poses a unique set of challenges, especially for those who aim to develop their quads and hamstrings, like Edgard.
“It took me like one year to really practice well [with amputated legs]. You know, I used to say at four years old, it’s hard because you’re still very young but at the same time, you have so much to learn and to discover, compared to someone in my age now, losing his legs… it’s like lost. Because you already lived your life with your legs or your hands or whatever and then today, you need to learn how to [do] life again to live again without.
At four years old, you don’t really care about it. You just want to do what other kids are doing. I learned to walk quickly. I can run today. I can do bicycle, I can do whatever I want, even leg days. It took me one year in France without my family just my brother and thank God he was with me because it was very hard.”
Edgard wants to inspire his followers and fans by showing that ‘everything is possible.’ He shared how he went viral on social media and how he came up with his nickname, ‘Bionic Body.’
“He posted [a photographer] it on my Facebook page. People who didn’t know that were surprised. It’s crazy. They said you should show people that everything is possible. This is how I create my Instagram page. I remember, I was in my office with my colleague and I said okay, now we need to find a nickname. A very strong nickname. I said body… for the body, discipline, and then we said bionic because the legs look like a robot.”
“Everything started from there. And then, when I start to publish my page, it goes viral. People told me there is a disability class in bodybuilding. You should. This is how I said okay, let’s try.”
When he first began in the sport, Augustin said bodybuilding wasn’t on his radar.
“Bodybuilding was no option for me and it wasn’t in my mind. I just saw some guys, some friends of mine, since they are young, they wanted to be professional bodybuilders. It was not my case. My goal was to be fit because at the end I was not happy with my physique. This is what I always thought.”
At 38 years old, Augustin seeks longevity and wants to live a happy life after his bodybuilding career.
“I’m 38 years old. I have three kids. I really don’t care about the Mr. Olympia stage. I just don’t – I want to see my kids grow, you understand? I want to play with them. There is a life after bodybuilding. I don’t want to [build] my physique just for the Olympia stage, then what happens after? He told me we are going to do a very light prep and it was my best prep ever and my best physique ever, more is not always better.”
Even though he’s dealt with surgeries and adversity, Augustin is aiming to be the best amputee bodybuilding athlete of all time.
“My last show in 2019, in my mind, I wanted to be the best amputee athlete bodybuilder biggest everything [ever]. With my coach before, we push. We pushed the physique. Maybe that’s why I had the surgeries and stuff like that.”
In the face of adversity, athletes like Edgard Augustin continue to inspire those around him. Having gathered momentum this year, fans look forward to seeing him back on a bodybuilding stage soon.
You can watch the full video from the Muscular Development YouTube channel below:
Published: 21 June, 2023 | 6:02 PM EDT
Gym Girl Inspiration: How To Jumpstart Your Transformation (+ 10 Instagram Hottest Fit Girls)
If it weren’t for the fit girls, Instagram wouldn’t be what it is today. In other words, Mark Zuckerberg owes a lot of his success to female fitness Instagram celebrities. Maybe he too gets in a little gym girl inspiration before heading to work every morning, who knows?
The best part about fit gym girls on the Gram, you ask?
Not only are the female Instagram athletes aesthetically appealing and a treat to look at, but most of them are constantly putting out content to motivate their followers to kickstart their own transformation journies.
Beginning Your Transformation Journey
For most people, scrolling through Instagram can lead to sensory pleasure. According to research, it is one of the reasons why it can be so addictive.
On the other hand, Instagram can also have a negative psychological impact. As per a study, looking at photos of perfectly chiseled goddesses can hurt your body image and self-esteem. We are sorry to report this but your favorite Instagram gym girl is causing this too.
Let’s take a quick test to check if fit girls are causing you to procrastinate your body transformation, shall we?
Open the Instagram app on your phone and scroll for 10-seconds. Was most of your feed graced by photos and reels of bikini-clad gym girls? Is “train regularly” a constant on your new year’s resolution every year, but you cannot find the time or motivation to work out?
If you found yourself nodding to both the questions above, fit girls are probably one of the reasons behind your inaction.
Related: The Hottest Legs on Instagram
How To Jumpstart Your Transformation
Looking at picture-perfect gym girl physiques can be intimidating. It can leave you feeling hopeless. Many people never start their body transformation because the workouts they see online look terrifying.
At the same time, you might feel ready to begin a body transformation but not know where to start. If you are one of these people, the buck stops for you today.
Feeling unprepared and anxious before starting a physique transformation is normal. Every pro athlete had to start somewhere. In fact, many successful bodybuilders started lifting because of their body insecurities.
As they say, the best time to start working out was five years ago. The second best is now.
Must Read: 5 Reasons Why Your Transformation Isn’t Working
This is how you can achieve your dream physique:
1. Get the Fundamentals Right
Do not worry. We will not ask you to get under a bar and squat on your first day. In fact, it is the most common rookie mistake. Instead of “diving right in,” you should “ease into” the fitness lifestyle.
i. Check-Up
Before you start training and gulping down fancy supplements, you should invest in learning more about your body. We highly recommend seeing a doctor for a complete physical and blood work-up.
While your physician might not be the best person to recommend a physique transforming diet or training plan, she is the best person to consult about things you should stay away from.
Keeping a record of your cholesterol and triglycerides, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and bone density can go a long way in helping transform your physique.
ii. Clean Your Cupboards
While your gym girl fitspo might enjoy a glass of red wine and pizza every once in a while, you should know that she probably does not have that stuff stocked at her home.
There is a famous saying in the fitness industry, “what is in your cupboard will eventually end up in your stomach.” So, give away all the sodas, cookies, candy, ice creams, and snacks and stock up on healthy whole foods.
Having junk food around in your house can tempt you into making poor food choices. Delete the food ordering apps from your phone and distance yourself from unhealthy eating as much as possible.
Next Read: Your Transformation Can Never Be Successful Without These 6 Things
iii. Stock Up on the Good Stuff
If you are serious about transforming your physique, stock up on the following food items:
a. Pantry
Nuts
Olive oil
Quinoa
Oats
Sweet potatoes
Spices
Whole-grain cereals
Natural nut butter
Sesame seeds
Brown rice
Canned tuna
Salmon
b. Fridge
Water
Chicken breast
Greek yogurt
Low-sodium soy sauce
Egg whites
Low-fat milk
Fresh fruits
Turkey
Salsa
Mustard
Although your specific grocery items can vary depending on your diet program, the food items mentioned above can provide you with a balanced blend of proteins, carbs, and healthy fats.
Also, when we say “good stuff,” we are not just referring to healthy food (or weed), but other areas of your life as well, including mental and social. Replace the negative self-talk with positive statements and watch your body transform.
The company you keep during your transformation period can also influence your results. So, surround yourself with people who are on a similar path as you, and maybe avoid your buddies who like getting shit-faced every weekend.
Watch: The Best And Worst Bodybuilding Foods
2. Find the Motivation Within
Crushing on a gym girl can only take you so far. You cannot achieve (and maintain) your dream physique if you lack intrinsic motivation. Figure out why you want to transform your body, plan how you will do it, and act on it. That is how you can stick to a fit lifestyle in the long run.
Related: The Best Gym Motivation Videos of All Time
i. You are Your Own Competition
Many newbies make the mistake of comparing their progress with other people. While Instagram can be a great place to seek gym girl inspiration, it can also be the biggest source of discouragement.
Remember: No two people are the same. Different people will take different amounts of time to show similar progress. Stay patient, and you are bound to see results.
ii. Injuries Should Not Hold You Back
Injuries are a common excuse for delaying one’s transformation journey. Make no mistake, if you are suffering from a serious condition, you should listen to your doctor and follow her advice. But if a muscle sprain or popping joints are your excuses for missing your workout, you are not fooling anyone.
If you follow pro bodybuilders, you would know that many of them train through injuries while prepping for a show. If you are a noob, you should take a professional’s help to train around your injuries.
iii. Start With Light Beginner Workouts
Remember what we said about easing in and not diving in?
The fitness lifestyle is not a sprint. It is more of a marathon. If you want to transform your physique with a focus on improving your health and longevity, you should focus on sticking with your training and nutrition program for the long term.
Since most pro athletes and gym girls post their workout routines online, many beginners follow them in hopes of speeding up their transformation.
If you are a rookie, following Kris Gethin’s 12-week transformation program or any other advanced program is not the best idea. Following an advanced program increases your odds of getting injured while training.
3. Plan to Succeed
As Benjamin Franklin rightly said, “If You Fail to Plan, You Are Planning to Fail.”
Body transformation is serious business. You need a solid plan to achieve your goals.
Disclaimer: “I will build abs in 4 weeks because my favorite gym girl said she likes them” is not a valid plan.
While planning your transformation, you need to set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals.
Related: 7 Changes Everyone Should Make To Their Training Programs – Today
4. Set Goals
The scale and mirror are good, but they do not tell the whole story. Fitness is about more than looking good. Your goal should be to be healthy and functional at optimal levels.
Apart from setting monumental goals for yourself, have small goals that you can tick off every week. The feeling of achieving your goal can motivate you to stay on track.
For example, do not limit your goal to “reach 10% body fat in 6 months”. You might lose motivation after a few weeks as there is no urgency involved. Instead, set smaller goals like “run 1K and plank for 5 minutes every day for 1 week.”
5. Go For the Kill
Once you have all the pre-requisites in place, you need to put in everything you have got. Discipline and persistence are key ingredients for a successful physique transformation.
You need to ensure that you never miss a meal or workout session. While training hard and eating right are important, pros value their recovery program just as much. You break muscle in the gym and put on size and strength during deep sleep. You need to sleep for at least six hours every night to ensure optimal recovery after your workouts.
Check Out: 5 Recovery Tips To Help You Build Muscle Faster
6. Access and Reassess
Accessing your progress after every few weeks is indispensable for staying on track with your goals. If you feel you are on the right path, keep going. On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with your results, evaluate your transformation program and make necessary adjustments.
Over and above that, there is a constant inflow of new information in the fitness world. New experiments and studies are being conducted routinely. Limiting yourself to a few training techniques can result in you hitting a plateau or getting bored and quitting the fit lifestyle.
To sum it up, always be on the lookout for new ways to achieve alpha in the gym.
10 Instagram Hottest Fit Girls | Gym Girl Inspiration
These 10 gym girls rule Instagram:
1. Michelle Lewin
Michelle Lewis is the Instagram gym girl OG. She has over 14 million followers and shows no signs of slowing down. Lewin has her roots in modeling and realized her full potential after starting training. From winning IFBB shows, featuring in music videos to being on the cover of magazines, Michelle Lewin has done it all.
Check Out: How Michelle Lewin Works Out For A Perfectly Sculpted Physique
2. Krissy Cela
Krissy’s girl-next-door looks and perfectly toned physique make her one of the most popular gym girls on Instagram. She regularly posts her workouts on her page for others to follow.
3. Yanet Garcia
“The Mexican Weather Girl” is an actress, model, certified health coach, and trainer. There is nothing Yanet cannot do. She is also on Onlyfans if that’s what you were wondering.
Check Out: WCW: Bask In The Beautiful Glory of the Fit and Sexy Yanet Garcia
4. Lauren Simpson
Lauren Simpson posts one of the most detailed workout videos and posts on the list. The fit gym girl’s Instagram handle is a must-follow if you are always short on workout ideas or recipes.
5. Caitlin Turner
If you are into yoga, you cannot go wrong with following Caitlin Tuner. She is an avid traveler who will get you trying new asanas in no time.
6. Anllela Sagra
Anllela Sagra is probably the most ripped gym girl on the list. Her shredded abdomen can put many pro bodybuilders to shame. Sagra has multiple figure contest wins under her belt.
Related: The Anllela Sagra Diet For The Perfect Physique
7. Emily Skye
Skye is the founder of the F.I.T. (Fitness Inspiration Transformation) program, and her Instagram feed is full of how-to workout videos and photos of her chiseled physique. The Australian fitness model is well-known for her no-nonsense approach to dieting, training, and living a healthy life.
Also, for people looking for pregnancy-friendly workout routines, Emily has got you covered with her recent journey to motherhood.
8. Jen Setler
Jen Setler rose to fame with her belfies. She has one of the best buts on the internet. Setler routinely puts out glute training videos for her fans to follow.
Next Read: 10 Best Butts On The Internet 2021
9. Ana Cheri
Ana Cheri is one of the hottest gym girls of all time. Her drop-dead gorgeous looks, hourglass physique, and intense workout videos make her one of the most popular fitness celebrities on the internet. Ana is a former Playboy Playmate and has been featured in many big publications.
10. Karina Elle
Karina was a competitive cheerleader and Cross Country runner for the majority of her life. She’s also a winner of the World Fitness Federation Pro Bikini Championship.
Conclusion
While we can understand gazing at the goddesses on your phone might be the best part of your day, but do not use that as an excuse to stay in bed all day long.
Channel that energy and motivation, and use the steps mentioned above to achieve the physique of your dreams. We cannot promise that carving your goal body will be easy, but it will totally be worth it.
Who is your favorite gym girl? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Method Man Looks Absolutely Ripped After Triple Bench Press
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
Method Man shares his workout to get absolutely ripped as he sees fast moving results.
Method Man is a rapper, songwriter, and producer best known for his involvement with Wu-Tang Clan. A Grammy-award winning artist, Method Man posted a video of his incredible triple bench press and fans saw how jacked he now is. His workouts reflect the work he’s put in at the gym giving fans something to rave about.
When it comes to working out and finding the right plans for us, it is important for us to realize that looking to bodybuilders and other strength athletes is a great way for us to see huge gains. They have done the exercises before and are living proof of what can happen when you grind in the gym. But other celebrities work hard as well and it would be a disservice to neglect taking advice from them for they too know the right workouts to tackle. Using others as a source of knowledge can better prepare us for what really matters as we seek results.
As an accomplished musical artist, Method Man sought to get as jacked as possible and this workout played a massive role in that.
Full Name: Clifford Smith, Jr. (a.k.a. Method Man)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
200-205 lbs.
6’3’’
03/02/1971
Profession
Era
Nationality
Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, Actor
1990, 2000, 2010
American
This workout from Method Man earned him massive gains and proved why he was able to tackle the triple bench no problem. Using this workout will allow you to see a serious shred as you seek growth with Method Man as the model.
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
About Method Man
Clifford Smith, Jr., also known as Method Man, is a rapper, songwriter, music producer, and actor known for his role in the popular hip hop group, Wu-Tang Clan. Performing with Wu-Tang Clan throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he was constantly putting out records and growing his fan base with the increased popularity. He soon transitioned to acting and has had recurring roles on shows like The Wire and CSI.
Now, Method Man loves lifting and his post about his triple bench has fans going crazy for the amount of weight this famous rapper could lift. Focusing his attention to health and fitness, Method Man handles his professional side and personal side as best he can, continuing to put out great records and act in popular TV shows, while also taking his health and fitness seriously.
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
Method Man Training Routine
Method Man used working out as an escape from gaming and other activities that were not progressing him forward. As a coping tool to deal with his insomnia, he took this as an opportunity to change his life, be productive, and get fit in the process.
Method Man just goes to show us that it’s never too late to get serious about the gym. After rapping and producing for Wu Tang for over a decade, he got serious about acting and had regular roles on HBO’s The Wire and The Deuce. If a man that busy can find time for the gym, so can you. There’s no such time as no time for the gym — there are only people who can’t make time.
Let’s take a look at this workout from Method Man and see just what makes this such a great workout. Higher in reps allows for more time under tension and more intensity.
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Deadlifts
3
8-10
Bent-Over Rows
3
10-12
Seated Cable Rows
4
10-12
Straight-Arm Pulldowns
3
8-10
Weighted Neck Extensions
3
8-10
Ab Rollout
3
10-12
Cable Crunches
3
10-12
Close-Grip Chin- Ups
3
10
Wide Grip Pullups
3
8
Lots of high-profile musicians and entertainers get really into fitness when they make the transition into acting, and clearly Method Man is no exception. It’s amazing what you can accomplish with the right mindset, although the personal trainers provided to the very rich definitely don’t hurt their goals. Whatever the case may be with Method Man, he’s made enormous strides in the gym, and that achievement rests entirely on his own hard work and determination to get things done.
Photo via @methodmanofficial Instagram
Diet & Supplementation
These insane fitness updates would not be possible without some serious attention to his diet and supplements. He is a big fan of plant-based foods and is always ready and willing to munch on some vegetables. He is also a big fan of meat-alternatives like veggie burgers and loves to pair with nutrient-filled greens like edamame. No fast food and processed meals is a great way he manages to stay in shape as well.
While a healthy diet is exactly what is needed to get shredded like Method Man, supplementation is something to heavily consider as well. Pre-workout is a great way to boost your energy and stimulate your mind before those big pumps, while protein can aid in recovery and really give your muscle what they need to grow. Placing a BCAA supplement in the mix will help enhance protein synthesis to really see those big gains. For those struggling to look like Method Man because of unwanted fat, try a fat burner and see the effects transform your physique.
Wrap Up
Method Man has entertained audiences since the 1990’s and is part of an iconic rap collective in Wu-Tang Clan. Taking his health and fitness seriously, Method Man has since taken fans by storm with his shredded aesthetic and proved why this workout was so great. With a post of him performing a triple bench, you too can see massive gains with a workout like this. From the booth to the gym, Method Man knows how to make hit records while also smashing expectations of his physical ability. Give this workout from Method Man a try and see what it can do for all your gains today.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Method Man Instagram