Tag: Neil HIll

Rafael Brandao Flaunts Massive Physique After Destroying Heavy Back Workout with New Coach

Rafael Brandao Flaunts Massive Physique After Destroying Heavy Back Workout with New Coach

Rafael Brandao, one of Brazil’s hottest names in the Men’s Open, has decided to take the year off to transform his body. In a recent YouTube video, Brandao, joined by his new coach Neil Hill, showed off his monstrous off-season physique after completing an arduous back workout.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. What I will say is: next year we will bring the new generation of Rafael to the stage which will be much improved,” Rafael’s coach Neil Hill shared. 

The potential of Brandao was evident from the moment he began his bodybuilding career in 2017. However, he became the talk of the town after finishing third in 2020 at the Europa Pro. It didn’t take long for fans to take notice of his unique build on stage. Brandao sports a slim waist, a defined x-frame, and mass on par with his contemporaries in the Open. 

In 2021, Rafael’s season was short but sufficient as he proved himself in first place at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro. This victory saw him surpass the now-2023 Mr. Olympia contender Samson Dauda and Quintin Eriya. While it appeared he would test himself at the 2022 Arnold Classic, Brandao pulled out due to health concerns. He made up for lost time at the Arnold Classic South America contest instead, where he handily took first. 
Having qualified for the 2022 Mr. Olympia show, Brandao, led by former coach Chris Aceto, brought an impressive look. In his debut, he outperformed nearly 20 competitors to take tenth place. Now, with improvements being his top priority, Brandao decided to suspend his contest plans until 2024 in hopes of bringing his best look ever in the future. 
Rafael Brandao Gets Pushed Through Brutal Back Workout By Trainer Neil Hill, Shows Off Huge Physique 
Before he began the punishing back workout, Neil Hill talked about the pressure he’s under to bring the best Rafael Brandao to the stage next year. 

“Brazil is a very passionate country. There’s so much passion in the fitness industry as well as all of the other industries within health and fitness. There’s a lot of enthusiasm, right… not everybody has that little bit of magic alright? There’s a genetic element, but Raphael has that genetic element and he also has got those lines. For me, shape and structure – it’s something that always draws my attention, do you understand? I’m super excited. I appreciate the opportunity to work with him. He’s going to get so much time and so much of my attention,” said Neil Hill.  

Find the full workout list below: 

Lat Pulldown Machine – 4 sets 
Hammer Strength Front Lat pull Down – 4 sets 
Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Iso-lateral Row – 4 sets
Bent Over Dumbbell Rows – 4 sets

Neil Hill offered Brandao some guidance on each exercise as well as tips on improvements and recovery. 
Lat Pulldown Machine
“As I said, your arms have to be straight otherwise it’s all biceps. You’re stretching out your lats but you’re also – those bounces are letting you get momentum to pull it here. If you stop, it’s like pulling it dead. So what you’re doing is able to get extra reps and stretch out the lats.” 
Hammer Strength Front Lat Pull Down 
“The thing is as well while you’re training while we’re trying to force your weight up, recovery is harder as well right. It’s because we’re fighting the weight, you’ve got to this sickness, you’re fighting off, yes. You take the rest.” 
Hammer Strength Plate-Loaded Iso-Lateral Row 
“Your fat levels are okay for the off-season. Not bad, yeah,” Hill shared. “I don’t think you’re going to come in your prime until you’re about 35-37. Then you’re just going hold it hold it and refine refine. As long as your body is healthy and fresh. I don’t think you’re going to hit your peak till 35-37. But when I say hit your peak, you could probably hold your peak for 3-5 years.” 
Bent Over Dumbbell Rows 
“On average for back, probably four different exercises. Four different exercises, four sets, that’s 16 sets. That doesn’t sound like a lot but when you’re putting everything into working sets, 16 sets is more than enough believe you me. It’s more than enough.” 

In a show of transparency, Neil Hill explained that turning Rafael Brandao into a Mr. Olympia winner could take up to ten years. Though, he does expect Brandao to look at his all-time best in two or three years. 

“I feel like I’ve got the whole of Brazil looking down on me. This is going to be a work in progress. I personally feel the work that I want to do with Rafael I feel will be a 10-year process. I feel it’s going to take 2-3 years to bring that look where everyone says what the fuck have we just witnessed? Do we understand? It’s not going to happen overnight, it’s going to take time. If you look at some of the greatest athletes of all time.
Okay, Dorian Yates was a one-off, look at Ronnie Coleman, look at Jay Cutler – these guys just to name a few. They didn’t hit the industry in the Mr. Olympia in their first Mr. Olympia and get a top 10 finisher. But they went on to win multiple Mr. Olympias right. Rafael has that ability to win the Olympia but it’s going to take time.”

Brandao’s 2023 bodybuilding season has not been without its fair share of obstacles. In May, the top Men’s Open Pro revealed that he was hospitalized due to a severe case of Dengue fever. The disease, which spreads from the bite of a mosquito, can cause debilitating headaches, diarrhea, body aches, and nausea. 
Despite the setback, Rafael appears to be in good spirits given the momentum he picked up at the last Mr. Olympia. Since that fateful night, judges, fans, and bodybuilders alike have suggested that size is no longer being awarded by judges. Even Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy has mentioned that the new wave of aesthetic talent is trouble for athletes who rely on size and freak factor, like Nick Walker. 
While Rafael Brandao won’t be competing this year, fans are excited about the next chapter of his career. Under the tutelage of Neil Hill, Rafael hopes to bring his biggest and freakiest physique to the stage in 2024. 
RELATED: Bodybuilders Flex Lewis and Rafael Brandao Join Hands For An Intense Back Workout
You can watch the full video from the Rafael Brandao YouTube channel: 

Published: 22 June, 2023 | 1:37 PM EDT

Flex Lewis Reunites With Neil Hill Who Vows He Will Bring Something Special

Flex Lewis Reunites With Neil Hill Who Vows He Will Bring Something Special

Flex Lewis and coach Neil Hill vow to bring something special to the stage in 2022.
It appears that Flex Lewis and his coach Neil Hill are back together and looking to bring something special to the stage in his return. The former 212 champ is looking to make his case for Mr. Olympia.
The Open Bodybuilding division has been getting much more interesting these days. Not only is the division getting some new young blood to compete, it’s also drawing the attention of champions from other divisions. While Shaun Clarida has declared his intentions to move to compete in the Men’s Open division, another former 212 kingpin had made it clear he wanted to make the step up to the bigger category.

James “Flex” Lewis was angling to compete at the 2020 Olympia in the Men’s Open Bodybuilding. Unfortunately Flex Lewis was injured ahead of the show. Further complications led to the former 212 champion missing the 2021 show as well.
It’s clear that Flex Lewis already had the goods to become a top contender in the Men’s Open Bodybuilding division. But without being able to step on stage to prove that point, the notion still lingers. While 2021 may have been a bust for Flex Lewis, 2022 could prove to be much more promising.
Bringing Something New

After being away from his coach Neil “Yoda” Hill for several months it appears that Flex Lewis is ready to get back on the horse. The former 212 champ posted the below on social media featuring coach Hill.

After several months of separation we are back with Chest day @the_dragons_lair so happy to train again with Coach @neil_yoda_hill1 excited for all that’s to come.

In the video the famed coach stated that Flex Lewis would be bringing something special to the stage in 2022. With that said, Lewis has been unable to make good on his promise to compete in the Men’s Open division for years now. At this point it’s possible that Shaun Clarida could beat Lewis to the punch in being the first 212 champion to become a legit contender in the Open. But coach Neil Hill has all but confirmed that Flex Lewis is definitely itching to come back in 2022.
“There’s been a lot of challenges over the last three years since Flex Lewis has been on stage,” said Hill. “I know there’s a lot of excitement and anticipation, and people keep asking ‘When is Flex Lewis back on stage?’ … Like everything in life, you have to look at longevity and you also need to prioritize what’s more important. There’s been a lot of things taking place in Flex’s life… we are officially back in official off-season training. So our eyes are firmly on the prize.”
You can see the full video of their training together here.
Do you think Flex Lewis can become Mr. Olympia in 2022?
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.