Tag: nEWS
Wellness Bodybuilder Odalis Santos Mena Dies At 23 Years Old During Surgery To Stop Sweating
Odalis Santos Mena had a poor reaction to anesthesia which led to her death at 23 years old.
Odalis Santos Mena was an up-and-coming name in the bodybuilding world and had already established herself on social media. On July 7, the famous Instagram influencer underwent an operation to fix constant sweating. As reported by the New York Post, a complication with the anesthesia, Mena passed away at the age of 23.
Odalis Santos Mena was a well-known social media presence with 150,000 followers on Instagram. She has landed many endorsement deals and that includes the SkinPiel clinic in Guadalajara. This was to promote an antiperspirant treatment called MiraDry.
This procedure uses heat energy to remove sweat glands from underarms and this controls armpit hair which will lead to less sweat and body odor. Mena was prepared to undergo the operation but went into cardiac arrest after being put under anesthesia. The clinic was unable to revive Mena after performing CPR.
Mena was seen on Instagram promoting the procedure as “safe and effective” after agreeing to a deal. Police have began an investigation on the clinic after hearing that the anesthesia might have been administered by an employee who was not trained to do so. The cause of death was revealed as a poor reaction from the anesthesia paired with a steroid that Mena was currently taking. SkinPiel has claimed that they were unaware of this substance.
Odalis Santos Mena was already established on Instagram and a potential star in the bodybuilding game. She frequently competed in competitions and that was going to continue as she built her brand. Mena picked up victories in the 2019 Miss and Mr. Hercules competition along with the Wellness Fitness Juvenile contest.
Mena frequently posted pictures and videos to show off her progress. This catapulted her to fame as an influencer and was going to go a long way in her quest as a competitor.
Victor Gomez Carreno shared a heartfelt message on his private Instagram account following the news.
“‘Your actions in life, echo in eternity,” he wrote. “I will take you with me forever short, it makes no sense to write here what I feel in my heart @odalis_sm, I love you.”
This procedure is relatively unknown and could have long-term risks. More information on the police investigation will be released as they found out more about the botched operation.
Generation Iron send out condolences to the friends and family of Odalis Santos Mena during this tragic time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jerry Brainum Full Interview | The Truth Behind Body Fat, Biggest Physique Mistakes, & More
Jerry Brainum has been a science writer, researcher and lecturer for more than 30 years in the bodybuilding industry. Throughout those 30 years he’s amassed a superset of knowledge. He’s shared that knowledge in our original series Straight Facts in the past and continues to do so with his Applied Metabolics newsletter.
That’s why we reconnected with Jerry Brainum this past year for a new video interview to discuss the science behind bodybuilding. Jerry Brainum helps shed some light and debunk some myths on bodybuilding training, diets, and trends in the sport.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Jerry Brainum. Now we’re releasing the full length interview including topics such as the reality behind body fat percentages, the biggest mistake that makes bodybuilders look flat, and the best physiques of all time.
Listen To Our Jerry Brainum Interview On The Generation Iron Podcast
Our full length interviews are now also in podcast form! Subscribe to the Generation Iron Podcast for candid, full length interviews with the biggest names in bodybuilding, fitness, combat, and strength sports.
Listen to the full Jerry Brainum interview here:
The Realities Behind Bodybuilder Body Fat Percentage & Cutting Weight
Brainum claims that the usual body fat percentage of a pro bodybuilder falls around 5%-7%. In some extreme cases, a bodybuilder might be able to go down to 3% overall body fat percentage. He stresses that this is extremely rare. He also stresses that any bodybuilder that claims to have less than 3% is lying. Brainum states that it’s humanly impossible to achieve that low of number.
Jerry Brainum also discusses just how vital genetics plays a roll in how a person can gain or lose weight. The unfortunate truth is – some bodybuilders will have to struggle a lot more to bring their body fat percentage low enough to compete successfully. Every body is genetically different. But in a world of bodybuilding where physiques need to all match the same standard, some competitors will struggle much more than others.
Jerry Brainum details the specific genes that determine such fate for bodybuilders (and any person really). He also spends some time debunking popular weight loss tactics such as fat freezing and liposuction. The overall truth is one many probably don’t want to hear. These medical procedures don’t always work. They can also damage your cells permanently. Ultimately, there is no easy way to lose weight. If you are someone who struggles to lose weight – you just have to work harder on good nutrition and exercise.
The Biggest Mistake That Makes Bodybuilder Muscle Look Flat
Jerry Brainum points out that muscle tissue is made of 72% water. So when bodybuilders deplete themselves in the final “hell week” before a show, if they go too far they actually lose the fullness of their muscle. Even furthermore, some competitive bodybuilders don’t even realize that drinking water is in itself a diuretic. Water flushes out a lot of extra minerals in your body the more you drink it. Thinks like sodium. Too much sodium can make you retain more water – which is a big problem for bodybuilders.
So the biggest mistake that bodybuilders make is by often drinking too much water, not drinking any at all, or taking too many diuretics in the final week before the show. With one fell swoop, it can destroy a year’s worth of work. The hard part of course, is to know how much is too much. Each body is different – but the key is for athletes to recognize this is part of the problem first. Then they can start learning their body and how to fix it.
It’s a delicate balance. It’s what makes this sport so challenging. It’s what makes the legends that much more impressive. Never underestimate “hell week” and start taking depletion seriously in order to present the best bodybuilding physique on stage.
Wrap Up
Jerry Brainum is a man who can provide rare in-depth knowledge on all things bodybuilding from a scientific perspective. He has always ensured that his statements are backed by rigorous research and not “broscience” or anecdotal experiences. That’s why our latest uncut interview is essential viewing for anyone looking to take their physique to the next level.
You can watch our full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Jerry Brainum above.
Top 5 Moves for a Totally Shredded Back
Looking to get a ripped back but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered.
The back can be one of the most complicated parts of the body to work on. A lot of the muscles aren’t intuitive, meaning you don’t use them in everyday life that often, so it can be hard to figure out how to get it right. There’s a huge overlap between back and arms, so a lot of these you can expect to help out on arm day as well. Here’s five great exercises to get a totally ripped back.
1. Reverse Lat Pulldown
The reverse lat pulldown is one of the most challenging exercises you can do for your back, but definitely has a high impact and increases muscle gains. A reverse lat pulldown is a regular pulldown with your hands reversed, which increases the amount of work done by your back. It’s also a great workout for your arms because it’s essentially a modified pull-up. This is a great high impact workout that should definitely be included in any back workouts you have planned.
2. Bent-over Barbell Row
The bent-over barbell row is another great back workout. It’s essentially the same as a regular barbell deadlift except you’re bent over at a 90-degree angle. By keeping your back completely straight while you lift, you get a great back workout out of a workout that’s typically just for the arms. Again, another great workout that serves a dual purpose.
3. Rowing Machine
The rowing machine is definitely an underrated piece of equipment in the gym. It’s not a fan favorite, but it gets the job done well. Spending 20 or even 30 minutes on the rowing machine in the gym can really work our your arms and lower back. Just back sure to use proper posture, otherwise the workout will only be in your arms! You should be bending forward and pulling all the way back with a straight back each time.
4. Stiff Leg Barbell Deadlift
Just a modified barbell deadlift — the stiff leg barbell deadlift is a deadlift where you keep your legs completely straight. You bend over at the waist to lower the barbell and repeat. Make sure to keep your back completely straight — that’s the key to a lot of back workouts. Not only is it the only way to make sure your gains are actually in your back, but it’s important to prevent injuries like pulling a muscle.
5. Wide-Set Pull-up
Wide-set pull-ups are another great way to keep your back in shape. It’s essentially just a pull-up where your arms are really far apart. This increases the use of the muscles of your upper back and the area in between your neck and along your spine. It’s definitely an exhausting style of pull-up, but worth it for the killer workout you get through the upper back and arms. When you place your arms on the bar, keep them shoulder-length apart, and then add about four to six inches on either side of that.
Jamal Browner Makes 925lb Deadlift Look Easy In Recent Video
Jamal Browner came up just short of a 1000lb deadlift but made 925lb look like nothing in Instagram video.
Jamal Browner has a reputation of moving massive amounts of weight. He has been making deadlifts look easy for quite some time and that was shown once again in a recent series of Instagram videos.
On Wednesday, Browner posted a video absolutely crushing a 925lb deadlift. The weight seemed to fly up from the floor and the 26-year-old was even able to impress himself.
“Still amazed with how this 925lbs (420kg) deadlift moved,” Jamal Browner wrote on instagram. “What RPE would y’all rate this?
“I think it’s a 7.5 ??♂️”
RPE stands for Rate or Perceived Exertion. This is a scale used by powerlifters to determine how difficult a lift was. Browner rated this deadlift a 7.5 but he made it look a lot easier than that. You will have to be the judge.
Browner made this lift look so easy that he decided to try and kick it up a notch. In a series of videos posted on Friday, Browner shows himself going through a test run of different weights. It begins with a 1000lb and 990lb deadlift, both came close but were ultimately failed. Browner then rebounds by smoking his attempt at 925lbs, 865lbs, and 815lbs.
“Very solid test week. Im not even mad about this miss. Just a learning experience. Strength wise I am there. Hook grip is locked in. Just have to dial in technique and time my lockout better.
We got 11 weeks to build and make this happen on the platform. If all things go as planned, this total is going to be crazy. ???”
Jamal Browner references a competition that he is preparing for that is 11 weeks away. With where he currently is in training, there is a chance Browner steps on stage and does something special when the lights are on. He has turned into one of the best 110kg powerlifters in the world and he is not shy about showing it off on social media.
This will not be the last time we hear from Browner moving forward. His Instagram page is full of updates on different lifts and different weights that he is attempting. There is no doubt that the results will continue to impress.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Blessing Awodibu Does Guest Posing, Vows to Push His Training to Next Level
Blessing Awodibu guest posed at a recent NPC show.
Popular bodybuilder Blessing Awodibu did a recent guest posing at the NPC Southern State Championships. Blessing hasn’t been seen much since his showings at the Indy and NY Pro shows. The bodybuilding prospect started his off season early after addressing that he has a whole lot of things to work on.
Blessing Awodibu is looking extra thick these days. Ever since his disappointing showing at the Indy and NY Pro shows, Blessing has taken a step back from competition. Rather than continue to compete and deplete himself in future shows, Blessing has instead chose to pump the brakes.
Blessing Awodibu got a pretty huge wake up call at the NY Pro. The popular bodybuilder looked to cement himself as an athlete to watch in his first two IFBB Pro League appearances. Instead it became obvious that Blessing still has some work to do before he can challenge the best of the best.
It’s not easy for people to admit they have issues that should be addressed. But once a person accepts that, they can push themselves to the next level. Blessing Awodibu has chosen to acknowledge his faults in order to push himself to become better. As such, Blessing has chosen to take some time away from the game. Which made his recent guest posing a bit of a surprise.
Guest Posing
At the NPC Southern State Championships, Blessing Awodibu stepped on stage to give the fans a show. Blessing looked noticeably thicker in his guest posing. He posted the event on Instagram and was pretty honest about what he’s been doing since pumping the brakes on competing.
@burnaboygram had me going crazy guest posing this past weekend at @npcsouthernstates . This was hella fun ?.
This my current shape rn after 9 weeks completely off , hardly training, and low protein diet .
2 mo weeks and I’m back full ⛽️ no brakes lol.
Blessing Awodibu has come to understand that if he wants to challenge for the top spot in bodybuilding he’ll have to make some changes. His size, particularly his legs, are going to have to increase. He’ll have to get his conditioning in top form as well. Blessing has come to understand this and has decided to work with one of the best coaches in the game.
It’s clear that Blessing Awodibu has some work to do. Blessing himself admitted that he wasn’t doing too much during his self-imposed off season. But what is good to see is that he’s still confident as ever and looking to improve.
What do you think of Blessing Awodibu and his recent guest posing?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
Gunter Schlierkamp: Women’s Bodybuilding Is Impressive But Not Enjoyable To Look At
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Gunter Schlierkamp shares his personal feelings on Women’s Bodybuilding.
For a short while, Women’s Bodybuilding looked to be dead. It was no longer included in the Olympia weekend and only appeared in a very small handful of shows. All of that changed in 2020, with the Ms. Olympia returning and seemingly on track to stay in the future. Compared to other female divisions, Women’s Bodybuilding has often been controversial due to the massive size of the competitors. The battle for “femininity” in the sport has plagued the division since its inception. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Gunter Schlierkamp tries to find balance between the impressive accomplishments of Women’s Bodybuilding vs his personal taste in women physiques.
Gunter Schlierkamp has made his opinions on Women’s Bodybuilding clear in the past. He’s admitted that he doesn’t find the mass monster physiques on Women’s Bodybuilders attractive. That’s why during our recent interview, we wanted to follow up with Schlierkamp about those comments. Does he still feel that way since the division’s comeback? And could he go into more detail about what exactly he meant?
Gunter Schlierkamp doubles down on his original statement. For him, the Women’s Bodybuilding division is just too big and doesn’t have enough femininity. In fact, he believes the division has the same problem that Men’s Open currently has. Namely, that the athletes are putting on too much size and muscle for their frame.
For Women’s Bodybuilding, this increase in mass monster culture combines with Gunter Schlierkamp’s personal taste on women’s physiques. He simply believes they should not be as muscular as men. It’s not something he’s attracted to.
It’s at this point that Vlad Yudin chimes in to point out that an athletic sport is about achievement and not personal taste. A women’s division in a sport should aim to accomplish the same athletic feats as the men’s division counterpart. Gunter Schlierkamp agrees and reframes his initial comments.
Shclierkamp admits that he finds Women’s Bodybuilding extremely impressive. He believes that what the female athletes accomplish in terms of muscle and conditioning is awe-inspiring as the male athletes. He doesn’t want to take away from what they accomplish. That being said, as a fan of the sport and from the perspective of a spectator – he simply doesn’t find Women’s Bodybuilding enjoyable to watch. He doesn’t find it appealing to his personal taste.
“If a woman does it for competing and just placing and winning shows. Is that impressive the work she puts in there? Hell yeah,” Gunter Schlierkamp states in our interview. He continues:
“I mean, it’s ridiculous, it’s insane, it’s dedication, it’s awesome for that. But do I like it for me personally to loo at? I have to say no. That’s not what I like. So how about I say it like that.”
Do you agree or disagree with Gunter Schlierkamp’s separation of personal taste vs achievement in athletic sport? Check out his full comments in our GI Exclusive interview segment above and decide for yourself!
IFBB Pro League Gives Update on Arnold Classic Olympia Qualifications
The IFBB Pro League gives update on the qualification requirements for the Olympia via the Arnold Sports Festival competition.
Some recent news has shook things up for the Arnold Sports Festival. While the show was originally meant to be a qualifier for the 2022 Olympia, an update has now made the Arnold’s a qualifier for the 2021 Olympia. This has shaken things up tremendously. Now competitors have the chance to qualify two weeks ahead of the Olympia.
But there’s a catch.
The first place winner of the Arnold Classic will qualify for the 2021 Mr. Olympia competition, while all other competitors won’t get that privilege. Instead the other winners in their respective divisions will qualify for the 2022 Olympia.
The Arnold Sports Festival official Instagram page posted the below update detailing everything.
IFBB Pro League Releases Official Statement
IFBB PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE NOTICE
2021 ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL OLYMPIA QUALIFICATIONS
July 14, 2021
There have been many questions about the Olympia qualifications for those IFBB Professional League athlete’s competing in the 2021 Arnold Sports Festival and we want to clarify this.
IFBB Professional League President Jim Manion and Vice-President Tyler Manion worked directly with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Arnold Sports Festival staff along with Olympia owner Jake Wood and Chief Olympia Office Dan Solomon to put together the following.
The main point is that the Overall Winner of the 2021 IFBB Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding will qualify for the 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia held 2 weeks later! But he is the Only competitor that gets that privilege.
The IFBB Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th placers receive OQS points for 2022 IFBB Olympia.
All other divisions;
• 2021 IFBB Arnold Classic Physique
• 2021 IFBB Fitness International
• 2021 IFBB Bikini International
The Overall Winner qualifies for the 2022 IFBB Olympia and 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th placers receive OQS points for 2022 IFBB Olympia.
The 2021 Arnold Classic is sure to be an exciting event. With so much on the line, every bodybuilder invited will certainly be giving it their all.
What do you think of these new updates for the 2021 Arnold Classic?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
2021 Arnold Sports Festival Olympia Qualifications
IFBB PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE NOTICE
2021 ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL OLYMPIA QUALIFICATIONS
July 14, 2021
There have been many questions about the Olympia qualifications for those IFBB Professional League athlete’s competing in the 2021 Arnold Sports Festival and we want to clarify this.
IFBB Professional League President Jim Manion and Vice-President Tyler Manion worked directly with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Arnold Sports Festival staff along with Olympia owner Jake Wood and Chief Olympia Office Dan Solomon to put together the following.
The main point is that the Overall Winner of the 2021 IFBB Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding will qualify for the 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia held 2 weeks later! But he is the Only competitor that gets that privilege.
The IFBB Arnold Classic Men’s Bodybuilding 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th placers receive OQS points for 2022 IFBB Olympia.
All other divisions;
2021 IFBB Arnold Classic Physique
2021 IFBB Fitness International
2021 IFBB Bikini International
The Overall Winner qualifies for the 2022 IFBB Olympia and 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th placers receive OQS points for 2022 IFBB Olympia.
For up-to-date information follow ifbbpro.com and arnoldsportsfestival.com
Chris Bumstead Details 5,000-Calorie Diet During Bulking Phase
Chris Bumstead took viewers through an average day of meals during his bulking phase of training.
The 2021 Mr. Olympia is about three months away. The competition will take place from Oct. 5-10 Orlando and participants are beginning preparation. For Chris Bumstead, he has finished his bulking phase and decided to give us an inside look at his diet during this period.
Bumstead posted a video on YouTube giving viewers and fans an inside look at his day-to-day meals during this bulking phase.
Chris Bumstead is the reigning two-time Classic Physique champion at Mr. Olympia. He is going for his third in a row and feels like he has a great chance.
“This is the final full day of eating,” Bumstead said at the end of the video. “Prep starting soon. This is the biggest, strongest I’ve been going into a prep. I’m feeling really good, really excited. Probably going to start prep a bit earlier this year because I’m in such a good spot. Trying to get ahead of the game and get after that three-peat.”
Chris Bumstead gave a full insight to his daily preparation. After a morning stretch and drinking water, Bumstead begins with his vitamins. In the morning, he begins with lipids for heart, liver and kidney health followed by Omega K2 D3 vitamins. This is when Bumstead took to the scale to give a live weigh-in where he checked in at 264.6 pounds.
According to Bumstead, this is a bit higher than usual.
“264.6. Not going to, that’s actually a lot heavier than I thought I was going to be today. The highest I’ve been is 263, so lucky me, the morning vlog is a new morning high.”
After all of his normal morning rituals, Chris Bumstead was ready to get his meals going for the day. Below is a full breakdown of his insane calorie intake consumed during his bulking period.
Meal One (920 Calories)
1.5 scoops of Jacked Factory protein powder (FYI, it’s chocolate peanut butter)
1 scoop UltraInflamX protein
90 grams Oats
Half of a banana
Protein Bar
Meal Two (737 Calories)
575 grams raw sweet potato
160 grand ground turkey
Meal Three (661 Calories)
160 grams chicken breast
280 grams white rice
80 grams avocado
Meal Four (678 calories)
190 grams white fish
300 grams white rice
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Meal Five (1,101 calories)
150 grams raw weight pasta
250ml pasta sauce
177 grams ground turkey
6 ounces cherry tart juice
Meal Six (934 calories)
1.5 scoops iso whey protein powder
2 bagels
1.5 tablespoons ghee butter
2 prunes
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Melvin Anthony: The Ultimate List Of The Best Bodybuilding Posers Of All Time
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Melvin Anthony was one of the greatest posers in bodybuilding history. Here’s his picks for the top 5 best posers of all time.
Melvin Anthony is a bodybuilder who was active during the 90s and 2000s and best known for his incredible posing routines. In the prime of his career, he often placed in the top six at Mr. Olympia. A lot has changed over the past few decades in bodybuilding – that’s why we connected with Anthony to discuss his revolutionary posing routines and his thoughts on posing in the modern era of bodybuilding. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Melvin Anthony breaks down the top five best bodybuilding posers of all time.
It’s often been said that posing has fallen to the wayside in bodybuilding. What was once an art form in and of itself – has now been a simple set of mandatory moves for the judges. While there are some who still value creativity in posing, it’s almost become secondary in today’s era of bodybuilding.
Arnold Schwarzenegger himself warned of this change and urged the Arnold Classic to instate a score for posing as part of the overall results. The change was made and is still active in the Arnold Classic competitions to this day. It has yet to expand to other major competitions such as the Mr. Olympia.
We connected with Melvin Anthony via video chat to reflect on his career and the inspiration behind his posing routines. There really aren’t many bodybuilding posers out there like Anthony. Melvin was meticulous with his prep and practiced each and every move. His goal was for each posing routine to be flawless.
While the focus on posing has dwindled over the years – there is still hope in the form of select bodybuilders with incredible posing routines. That’s why we asked Melvin Anthony to list his picks for the best bodybuilding posers of all time. He mentions younger bodybuilders like Terrence Ruffin – but the biggest standout to him is Kai Greene.
Fans of bodybuilding are no stranger to Kai Greene’s sometimes bizarre but often beautiful posing routines. He would wear costumes and masks (for guest posing) and incorporate interpretive dance into his routine alongside mandatory poses. His entire persona was based in this art. His interviews are often poetic, just like his posing. He has always seen bodybuilding as pure art. This explains his skill and passion behind painting and his recent line of comic books.
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Watch Kai Greene’s posing routine in Brooklyn in this clip from Generation Iron above!
So was Kai Greene the second coming of Melvin Anthony? Was he influenced by Anthony’s career? Anthony will be the first to admit that Kai Greene is one of the greatest, if not the number one greatest, poser of all time. But their styles are very different. Anthony details how his posing came from his street background. He would incorporate hip hop and breakdance style into his routines. Kai Greene feels more like abstract poetry. Two very different forms – but both dedicating to evolving the routine into something more.
Ultimately, Melvin Anthony struggles to come up with even five names for the best posers of all time (he eventually locks a solid five names). This is an example of just how few and far between true elevated posing is in the sport.
You can watch Melvin Anthony go into detail about his posing routines and the best bodybuilding posers of all time in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!