Tag: nEWS
After Posting Cryptic Tweet, Is Phil Heath Prepping For a Show?
Phil Heath hints at making a return to action.
The internet is just chock full of surprises. One day you think a respected bodybuilding champion is retired, the next he Tweets something that turns your expectations upside down. Phil Heath dropped a Tweet that now has many speculating on a return to action for the seven-time Olympia champ.
After taking third place at the 2020 Olympia, Phil Heath has been pretty quiet. There has been little in the way of training footage of the seven-time Olympia champ. After all, Heath was never one to put too much of his training online. But it would seem that with the Tweet he made and some subsequent training footage being featured on his Instagram, something is clearly in the works.
Making a Return?
The speculation was sparked after a recent Tweet Phil Heath made last week. In the Tweet, Heath hints at making a return of some kind in eight weeks time.
Had to take it there for this chest workout!!!! Let’s go!!! #8wksOut pic.twitter.com/byP3cLto7H
— PHIL HEATH (@PHILHEATH) June 2, 2021
While this could mean just about anything from a guest posing to an appearance, some have speculated that the former Olympia champ is aiming to compete at the Tampa Pro. The show does indeed line up with the timeline that Heath mentions.
Phil Heath has also been hard at work in the gym. If a competition or a guest posing is in his future it would make sense that Heath would be building his body. Here we can see Phil Heath hitting arms with gusto.
22’s or better! ?????
Good Morning! I’m here at @armbrustprogym finishing up my 1am training?? thought why not come on here and shout out to my brother @armbrustdylan for always bringing in new equipment. If these walls could talk, as there has been MANY crazy training sessions here lol I’m always thankful to call @armbrustprogym my second home. Wishing you all a great day!
While nothing has been confirmed, Phil Heath is certainly getting pumped up about something. We’ll have to wait and see what that something is.
What do you think of Phil Heath potentially making a return to the stage?
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.
Jeremy Potvin Has Decided to Move to the Classic Physique
Jeremy Potvin is making a change in his career.
It appears that changes are on the horizon for Jeremy Potvin. The Men’s Physique competitor has made the decision to switch to the Classic Physique division. This move could completely change the trajectory of his bodybuilding career.
Change can be a great thing. One cannot remain stagnant and hope to get to the next level. In order to do that it requires challenging yourself to do better. That’s exactly what Jeremy Potvin has decided to do.
A staple of the Men’s Physique division, Jeremy Potvin has acquired himself well in the category. With a heavily muscled upper body, Potvin has always cut an impressive frame. But his last few Olympia appearances have seen him place outside the top of the division.
Change Is Coming
Looking to make a change, Jeremy Potvin appears to be making a decision to switch divisions.
It’s time for a new journey and a new challenge. #classicphysique
It’s clear that Jeremy Potvin has given some serious thought to making this change. The Men’s Physique competitor is choosing a different path, one that will prove to be an interesting challenge. Standing out in the Classic Physique division will be no easy task, but Potvin appears motivated.
I can still add 27lbs before I reach the 180lbs weight cap for classic at my height. However, that’s not my goal. I just want to create something that flows nicely.
Now that I can finally train with significantly reduced knee pain, the work will be put in.
I have a lot of ppl in my corner that will be helping with my progress every step of the way.
Mentality and work ethic is everything. I’m going to make it happen.
Clearly Jeremy Potvin has thought this through well. With his mission to make gains, Potvin has some clear goals and looks like he’s well on his way to making his vision a reality.
What do you think of Jeremy Potvin making the move to Classic Physique?
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 Olympia List of Qualified Competitors
Who has qualified for the 2021 Olympia?
The 2021 Olympia isn’t right around the corner which is good news for those who haven’t qualified. The event has been set for October which gives a laundry list of competitors the time to get their body’s in shape and earn points by competing at other shows.
With the Arnold Classic set for September, right before the Olympia, competitors will have the chance to earn their spots at the big show. Currently the points breakdown is as follows.
Athletes still have time to qualify for the 2021 Olympia. Below is a list of the current qualified competitors and the athletes who need to rack up points in order to earn their spot.
Men’s Open Bodybuilding
QUALIFIED
James Hollingshead (UK)Regan Grimes (Canada)Mamdouh Elssbiay (Egypt)Brandon Curry (USA)Phil Heath (USA)Hadi Choopan (Iran)William Bonac (Netherlands)Justin Rodriguez (USA)Nicholas Walker (USA)Patrick Moore (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)Mokhamed El Eman (Russia), 15Hassan Mostafa (Egypt), 10Dorian Haywood (USA), 8Vlad Sukhourchko (Ukraine), 6Theo Leguerrier (France), 6Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt), 4Marc Hector (UK), 3Blessing Awodibu (Ireland), 3Lionel Beyeke (France), 3Jamie Christian-Johal (UK), 2Carlos Chapa (USA), 1Eddie Bracamontes (USA), 1
Men’s 212
QUALIFIEDAngel Calderon Frias (Spain)Shaun Clarida (USA)Kamal Elgargni (Libya)George Peterson (USA)Derek Lunsford (USA)Ahmad Ashkanani (Kuwait)Tonio Burton (USA)Nathan Epler (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)John Jewett (USA), 11Radoslav Angelov (Bulgaria), 10Noel Adame (USA), 8Derik Oslan (USA), 6Naser Mohammad (Kuwait), 5Justin Randall (USA), 5Zoran Kolevski (Madedonia), 4Steve Benthin (Germany), 3Diogo Nunes (Portugal), 3James Llewellin (UK), 2Bryan Balzano (USA), 2Paul Latham (UK), 1
Classic Physique
QUALIFIEDLaszlo Kiraly (Hungary)Peter Molnar (Hungary)Courage Opara (USA)Chris Bumstead (Canada)Breon Ansley (USA)Divine Wilson (USA)Dani Younan (USA)George Kawalawu (USA)Zeek Andrews (USA)
POINTS (top 5 qualify)Tommy Clark (USA), 13Terrence Ruffin (USA), 12Sabur Favors (USA), 12Alex Cambronero (Costa Rica), 10Bryan Jones (USA), 9Mike Sommerfeld (Germany), 5Vahid Badpei (Iran), 5Christopher Hunte (USA), 5Michael Daboul (UK), 4Mikhail Timoshin (Russia), 4Jonathan Pelkey (USA), 4Dimitrii Vorotyntsev (Russia), 4Michael Bell (USA), 4Shane Cullen (Ireland), 3Mohamed Amine Fakhfakh (Tunisia), 3Jarek Crew (USA), 3Marco Ruz (France), 3Arturo Mendez (USA), 3Jonathan Lofthouse (UK), 2Roman Khaliulin (Russia), 2Tomas Adame-Hernandez (USA), 2Traveon Daniels (USA), 2Brandon Kidd (USA), 2Omar Bautista (USA), 2Joseph Wahlberg (USA), 2
Men’s Physique
QUALIFIEDAbisai Pietersz (Netherlands)Riccardo Croci (Italy)Carlos DeOliveira (Brazil)Brandon Hendrickson (USA)Raymont Edmonds (USA)Khali Quartey (USA)Antoine McNeill (USA)Corey Morris (USA)Kyron Holden (USA)Erin Banks (USA)Micah Thomas Jr (USA)Arya Saffaie (USA)Rodrigue Chesnier (France)Jahvair Mullings (USA)Daniel Ammons (USA)
POINTS (top 5 qualify)Jeremy Potvin (USA), 10Luca Bioli (Italy), 9Andrei Marius Lincan (Romania), 9Clarence McSpadden Jr (USA), 9Thomas Kunz (Switzerland), 8Ismael Dominguez (Mexico), 8Emanual Hunter (USA), 7George Brown (USA), 6Reuben Glass (USA), 6Ashley Patillo (USA), 6Diogo Montenegro (Brazil), 5Mike Stripling (USA), 5Joseph Lee (USA), 5Anthony Gilkes (USA), 5Wellington Rodriguez (Brazil), 4Edvan Palmeira (Brazil), 4Ahmed Abdelgalil (Egypt), 4Evan Kanu (USA), 4Matthew Greggo (USA), 4Daniel Stull (USA), 4Mehdi Kabbadj (USA), 4Andrea Mosti (Italy), 3Vinicius Viera Lima (Brazil), 3Antonio Smothers (USA), 3Zach Savioe (USA), 3Michael Mperey (USA), 3Maxime Parisi (France), 2Denis Gusev (Russia), 2Pedro Lima (Brazil), 2Alex Newell (USA), 2Antoine Williams (USA), 2Jonathan Jimenez (USA), 2
Ms. Olympia (Women’s Bodybuilding)
QUALIFIEDVirginia Sanchez (Spain)Andrea Shaw (USA)Margie Martin (USA)Helle Trevino (USA)MayLa Ash (USA)Irene Anderson (Sweden)Leah Dennie (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)Monique Jones (USA), 9Aleesha Young (USA), 8LaDawn McKay (USA), 8Tamara Makar (UK), 7Monica Gioiosa (Italy), 6Anne Sheehan (USA), 6Margita Zamolova (Czech Republic), 5Wendy Sanchez (USA), 5Mona Poursaleh (Canada), 4Anastasia Korableva (Russia), 3
Fitness
QUALIFIEDAurika Tyrgale (USA)Missy Truscott (USA)Oksana Grishina (Russia)Whitney Jones (USA)Ariel Khadr (USA)Jaclyn Baker (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)Layla Mikayla (USA), 6Rene L. Brosch (USA), 5Debbie Fowler (USA), 5Sally Kendall-Williams (USA), 4Jobie Goodro (USA), 3Alison Burns (USA), 3Missy Khasawneh (USA), 2
Figure
QUALIFIEDWendy Fortino (USA)Julia Heerenveen (Netherlands)Carly Starling-Horrell (USA)Cydney Gillon (USA)Natalia Soltero (Mexico)Nadia Wyatt (USA)Nicole Zenobia Graham (USA)Latorya Watts (USA)Bojana Vasiljevic (USA)Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)Shelace Shoemaker (USA), 12Latoyia Farley (USA), 12Christine Stearns (USA), 8Heather Dees (USA), 7Desiree Alferes (USA), 7Anna Banks (Poland), 6Jessica Huete (USA), 6Bahar Ayra (Germany), 5Ivana Ivusic (USA), 4Veronica Gallego (Spain), 4Julia V. Waring (USA), 4Rachel Shoemake (USA), 3Autumn Cleveland (USA), 3Shanice Abrams (USA), 3Catherine Lavoie (Canada), 2Queren Pacheco (Mexico), 2Rori Ross (USA), 1Jill Braxmeyer (USA), 1Rita Villarreal (USA), 1
Bikini
QUALIFIEDStine Hansen (Denmark)Lucia Malavaze (USA)Jourdanne Lee (USA)Francesca Stoico (Italy)Emily Plajer (USA)Angelica Teixeira (USA)Jennifer Ronzitti (USA)Janet Layug (USA)Ashley Kaltwasser (USA)Elisa Pecini (Brazil)Melissa Carver (Australia)Lauren Dannenmiller (USA)Ashlyn Little (USA)Gabrielle Messias (USA)Romina Basualdo (USA)Alessia Facchin (Italy)Chenqi Liu (China)
POINTS (top 5 qualify)Ashlyn Brown (USA), 14Jennifer Dorie (Canada), 12Shelby Pierce (USA), 12Eli Fernandez (Mexico), 12Etila Santiago Santos (Brazil), 11Jimi Marley (USA), 11Jessica Wilson (USA), 10Hannah Ranfranz (USA), 9Daraja Hill (USA), 9Lauralie Chapados (Canada), 9Svetlana Elina (Russia), 8Eszter Oczella (Hungary), 8Sierra Swann (USA), 7Carolina Collazos (USA), 7Phoebe Hagan (UK), 5Allison Testu (France), 5Chloe Margraitner (Switzerland), 5Aleksandra Banda (Australia), 5Cory Hageman (USA), 5Ottavia Mazza (Italy), 4Jessica Johnson (Australia), 4Alyssa Blessing (USA), 4Christina Heath (USA), 4Jade Kelsie Wolfenden (UK), 3Carla Garthwaite (USA), 3Haley Houdyshell (USA), 3Noora Mahonen (Finland), 3Jasmine Gonzalez (USA), 3Breena Martinez (USA), 3Stephanie Kalms (Australia), 3Rudy Guerrero (USA), 3Sonia Lewis (USA), 3Elizabeth Yisrael (USA), 2Sethia Daigle (USA), 2Ivana Escandar Fernandez (Spain), 2Beatriz Biscaia (Portugal), 2Adrianna Kaczmarek (Poland), 2Claire Bonaccorso (Australia), 2Jessica Dolias (USA), 2Hope Harper (USA), 2Emily Plajer (USA), 2Trisha Green (USA), 2
Women’s Physique
QUALIFIEDLenka Ferencukova (Czech Republic)Caroline Alves Dos Santos (Brazil)Emily Renee Schubert (USA)Melissa Teich (USA)Sarah Villegas (USA)Shanique Grant (USA)Natalia Abraham Coelho (USA)Barbara Menage (France)Ivie Rhein (USA)Carli Terepka (USA)Alyssa Kiessling (USA)Ana Harias (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)Elizabeth Bradshaw (USA), 8Sheronica Henton (USA), 8Yuni Kim (South Korea), 7Sheena Washington (USA), 7Oana Marinescu (Spain), 6Patricia Vezirian (USA), 6Julia Whitesel (USA), 6Claudia Arroyo (USA), 5Corinne Ingman (UK), 4Jeanette Johanson (Sweden), 4Brooke Walker (USA), 4Priscila Reis (Brazil), 3Modesta Halby (Denmark), 3Jennifer Faccinto (USA), 3Jeannea Burritt (USA), 2Claudia Diaz (USA), 2Lorraine Gonzalez (USA), 2Amy Ramsel (USA), 2Bian Ruiying (China), 1Teresa Brooks (USA), 1Laura Richards (USA), 1Victoria Flores (USA), 1
Wellness
QUALIFIEDFrancielle Mattos (Brazil)Angela Borges (Brazil)Gisele Machado (Brazil)Maria Paulette (Spain)Yarishna Ayala (USA)Isabelle Nunes (Brazil)Sunny Andrews (USA)
POINTS (top 3 qualify)Renee Harshey (USA), 9Amanda Rezende (Brazil), 7Devone Martin (USA), 7Helena Ordonez (Spain), 5Lorena Ragusa (USA), 5Minna Pajulahti (Finland), 4Susana Rodriguez (Brazil), 3Dani Balbino (Brazil), 2Devyn Cambre (USA), 2Julia Chitarra (Brazil), 1Bruna Ferraz (USA), 1
Who will make the cut?
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.
George Farah: Kai Greene Has Never, Ever, Ever Used Insulin
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George Farah uses Kai Greene as an example to debunk the recent myth that insulin is needed to build a top level mass monster physique.
Last week, we went into detail with George Farah about his thoughts on insulin use in bodybuilding. It’s a topic that he has spoken about before and only seems to have become more strongly against insulin a year later. In this new segment, we discuss further with Farah whether it’s possible to be healthy as a top level pro bodybuilder. Farah certainly thinks it does – and uses Kai Greene as an example. In our latest GI Exclusive, George Farah claims that Kai Greene has never used insulin to build his massive physique.
There is a persistent rumor in the world of bodybuilding regarding insulin. That rumor is many of the pros use this drug to further enhanced their physiques to the next level. This inspires younger bodybuilders to do the same – thinking it’s necessary to succeed at the top level of the sport.
George Farah couldn’t disagree with these rumors more. He is sternly against the use of insulin in bodybuilding. He also thinks it’s dangerous for coaches such as Milos Sarcev to promote them. In fact, Farah believes that it’s incorrect to assume pro bodybuilders must be unhealthy to succeed. It’s a bad thought he’s seeing trend in bodybuilding. It’s causing bodybuilders to make unhealthy decisions. He thinks it’s the reason we have seen so many bodybuilders pass away too soon.
George Farah is a legendary coach in the sport. He has trained many bodybuilders who have stood tall as top tier bodybuilders at the Mr. Olympia. Athletes like Branch Warren and Kai Greene. He uses his experience to definitely tell people today – abusing drugs and using insulin are not necessary. Why? Because these legendary greats he trained didn’t use insulin at all.
The entire topic gets George Farah very passionate. He loves bodybuilding. And he loves the people in bodybuilding. He hates to see them make choices that they can’t take back years down the road.
“You’re gonna tell me Kai’s not a freak? I can put my hand on anything you want and swear to you that Kai never touched insulin,” George Farah states in our interview. He goes on:
“As long as I’ve known him. We’ve been eleven years together. Never, ever, ever. Do you understand what I’m saying? He’s walking around 300 pounds shredded. So you’re not going to duplicate this because you don’t have the genetics or you don’t have the heart or work ethic. Like Branch or all of these guys. Branch used to have no genetics but he proved to everybody hard work can make it. Guess what? Branch never used insulin. Never. Never!”
If you watch George Farah in our interview above – you can see how fired up he’s getting about this. In his later years, Farah has become increasingly more focused on health in bodybuilding. After a cancer scare that he survived and recovered from – he’s seen life through a different lens. You only live once. Bodybuilding is not worth dying over.
You can watch George Farah go into full detail about health in bodybuilding by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Roelly Winklaar Makes Larry Wheels Look Small in Recent Arm Training Video
Roelly Winklaar completely outsizes Larry Wheels.
Roelly Winklaar just proved that there are levels to this bodybuilding game. In a recent training video, Roelly completely outsized the considerably massive Larry Wheels.
To reach the highest levels of bodybuilding one must push their body past their limits. Namely, one must pack on a ton of muscle. You have to so much muscle in fact that you make other extraordinary strength athletes look small in comparison. That’s exactly the case when it comes to Roelly Winklaar.
One of the top bodybuilders in the world, Roelly Winklaar built a stunning physique. His size and muscle quality are on a whole different level than the average human being. That’s what happens when you put your body through hard and consistent training after all. But it’s clear that Roelly has reached new levels. If you’re able to make someone as big as Larry Wheels look small, chances are you’re operating on a insanely high level.
When the powerlifter isn’t battling Thor or beefing with Eddie Hall, Larry Wheels is pumping some serious iron. Over many years of training Larry has built up a pretty powerful and impressive physique. Despite being massive in his own right, there are still levels to this bodybuilding game. Roelly Winklaar proved that during his recent collaboration with the powerlfter.
During arm day training, both Roelly Winklaar and Larry Wheeler did curls together. Larry states in the Instagram post that he used himself as a reference to show his audience just how massive Roelly is. It’s actually quite the sight to behold.
Roelly Winklaar is quite a massive bodybuilder. If you can outsize a massive human like Larry Wheels then you’re definitely on another level.
What do you think about Roelly Winklaar out sizing Larry Wheels?
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.
Victor Martinez Answers: Why Do People Criticize Phil Heath So Much?
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Victor Martinez reflects on the love/hate relationship many fans had with Phil Heath during his Olympia reign.
Phil Heath is one of the most winningest Olympia champions in the history of the sport. With seven Sandow trophies he ties Arnold Schwarzenegger and falls one victory behind Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney. Yet despite this, Phil Heath often received a lot of public criticism. Towards the end of his Olympia streak, that criticism was aimed at his physique – particularly his stomach. But bodybuilding fans also seemed to love to hate on Phil overall as a champion. Many wanted to see him defeated. But why? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Victor Martinez explains why so many fans criticize Phil Heath.
We are still too close to Phil Heath’s reign as Mr. Olympia to know for sure how he will be seen in history. Certainly, he must be placed in the pantheon of greatest Olympia champions of all time at the very least. But what we do know is throughout his career, he faced a large amount of criticism from fans. He in many was was painted as a villain. The longer he continued to win Olympia, the stronger fans wanted to see him taken down.
But why is this? Was Ronnie Coleman seen as a villain during his eight year run as Mr. Olympia? Was Lee Haney? The reaction seems different. Perhaps that is partly because of social media elevating different kind of voices. Perhaps it’s because of Phil Heath’s being seen as a villain compared to Kai Greene in the original Generation Iron.
During our conversation with Victor Martinez, we had these thoughts on our mind, so we decided to ask him why he thought Phil Heath faced so much criticism. Martinez was a fellow competitor in the same era as Phil. He was also in Generation Iron alongside Phil. So perhaps he has a more direct insight into the public reaction to Phil.
Victor Martinez boils it down to one thing – Phil Heath’s major confidence. That confidence borderlines on cocky – which is an easy thing to villainize. Floyd Mayweather also received a lot of criticism despite being one of the greatest boxers of all time. This is likely due to his confident and cocky attitude.
Victor Martinez finds this unfortunate, as he believes that strong confidence is an important factor in a top tier athlete. Whether they telegraph it publicly or not – all great athletes believe deep down that they are the best in the world. Without the belief, they would hold themselves back. This would cause them to never become great. So that near delusional feeling of greatness needs to exist. It eventually makes it a self fulfilling prophecy – at least for a select few.
On top of this, Victor Martinez thinks that a cocky and confident personality helps make bodybuilding more exciting. He points towards the Olympia press conferences. They would be extremely boring, and sometimes are, if there was no drama. The Phil Heath vs Kai Greene rivalry made for some of the most entertaining press conferences in bodybuilding history. It’s good for the sport.
Ultimately, this kind of confidence and drama leads to fans being swept up in the excitement. The fans pick sides and, for some, they start to engage in the drama as well. Social media allows that to happen much more immediately and publicly. The fans who criticize Phil Heath – whether it’s due to his personality or the flaws in his physique – are swept up in the drama. They get emotional. They’re passionate about the sport and take it personal.
Does this make Phil Heath deserving of so much criticism perhaps even border lining on online abuse? Yes and no. Victor Martinez admits that this is all part of being a public figure. Sometimes it can go too far. Martinez believes that it’s not something that can be stopped. Instead, he hopes that someone like Phil understands how to personally deal with it and not become personally affected by the insults. Rather than fight back and try to get fans to shut up – it’s more important for someone like Phil to not be affected by the hate.
You can watch Victor Martinez go into more detail about the criticism of Phil Heath in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
INTERVIEW: Does Mike O’Hearn Prefer Classic Physique Or Men’s Open Bodybuilding?
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Mike O’Hearn reacts to Big Ramy’s Olympia win and addresses which kind of physique he prefers – Classic Physique or Men’s Open.
In December 2020, Big Ramy won the Mr. Olympia. It was an epic moment – but also one that solidified an ongoing trend in the IFBB – rewarding bigger mass monster muscle over more classic aesthetics. In 2018, when Shawn Rhoden won the Mr. Olympia, it seemed that perhaps the tables would turn allowing for lighter weight competitors with incredible conditioning to win the day. Just two years later, Big Ramy seems to reverse the tide back towards the likes of Ronnie Coleman. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, we ask all natural bodybuilder Mike O’Hearn what he prefers – a more Classic Physique or the mass monster look of Men’s Open.
Mike O’Hearn has consistently claimed to be a natural bodybuilder his entire life. This has led to backlash due to his massive and impressive physique. His musculature is so large and sculpted that bodybuilding fans have a hard time believing he could be all natural. Regardless of the controversy – O’Hearn has remained steadfast in being all natural his entire life.
While O’Hearn certainly has a massive physique – his body does fall more in line with the Classic Physique division than the bulky mass monsters seen in Men’s Open. With the recent win of Big Ramy at the Mr. Olympia 2020, we wanted to know what Mike O’Hearn personally though about the direction of pro bodybuilding. Does he prefer the Classic Physique division? Or do the “freaks” in Men’s Open still hold an important place in the sport?
Mike O’Hearn may personally prefer to hold more of a classic physique on his body – but that doesn’t mean he disrespects the Men’s Open competitors. In fact, he still holds them in high regard and looks up to their talents. Not only that, but he thinks that Big Ramy’s Olympia 2020 physique maintained good aesthetic while also being a mass monster. In other words, Big Ramy wasn’t just a bulky mass of muscle – he still had the conditioning, shape, and lines displaying the beauty of the sport.
In Mike O’Hearn’s mind – Big Ramy is exactly the example of what a Men’s Open bodybuilder should be. Yes, his massive weight still puts Ramy in the mass monster category – but he also had wonderful aesthetics. At least according to O’Hearn. It reminds him of the first time he started getting into bodybuilder and saw Lee Haney as Olympia champion. It was the perfect combination of superhuman size and beautiful aesthetic.
Mike O’Hearn also deeply enjoys the Classic Physique division. He sees no reason for controversy. Having both divisions gives everyone exactly what they want. There’s still room for the spectacle of the Men’s Open mass monster freaks. At the same time, fans who prefer smaller classic physiques can watch the Classic Physique division.
Will one ultimately become more popular than the other over time? It’s possible – but popularity does not equal quality. Each division has talented athletes showcasing the kinds of physiques they are comfortable with. There should be respect among all divisions by both fans and the athletes.
You can watch Mike O’Hearn’s full comments on Big Ramy, Men’s Open, and Classic Physique in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Hunter Labrada Reveals Monstrous Legs During Quad Training
Hunter Labrada shows off some massive Wheels.
Hunter Labrada has some monstrous legs. The budding prospect has a ton of potential and could prove to be the future of bodybuilding. His recent prep for the Chicago Pro proves that he has all the right elements of a future top contender for the Olympia title.
There’s no doubt about it, Hunter Labrada is the future of bodybuilding. It may be a bold statement but just looking at the young man you can tell that he has what it takes to be a force in bodybuilding. While he may not have a ton of pro experience, the young bodybuilder has already made it to the Olympia stage. He has competed against the best in the world and tasted what it was like to reach the pinnacle.
Chicago Pro Prep
Now with that memory lodged in his mind, Hunter Labrada is ready to take on all comers at the Chicago Pro. He will face some tough opposition, but Labrada believes he has the goods to win. Really, can you blame him? He has clearly been blessed with some insane genetics and has already proven himself to be world class. With every win and new pro experience, Labrada will become more dangerous.
His recent leg day in prep fir the Chicago Pro shows just how insane Labrada’s physique is. Hunter Labrada is building some insane wheels ahead of the show and his competition should be on notice.
Monstrous Legs
Hunter Labrada broke down his quad training in his recent post and it definitely sounds brutal.
First quad day on the new split and it was a great one! Put split squats back into the rotation for “quads A” and as you can see from the video where I look like I have newborn baby giraffe legs, it’s been a while since I’ve done them! Always will show the good and the bad?
Quads A:
A1 standing calf (no video)- 1 straight set 10-12 reps, 1 triple drop set aiming for 10 reps a stop
B1 seated calf (no video)- 1 straight set 10-12 reps, 1 triple drop set aiming for 10 reps a stop
C1 abductor (no video)- 1 straight set 10-12 reps
D1 adductor (no video)- 1 straight set 10-12 reps
E1 @arsenal_strength pendulum with @elitefts grey band- 1 working set 8-12 reps (all time pr for this, 3pps for 9 + 1)
F1 split squats with @primefitnessusa 15 degree wedge- 1 working set 12-15 reps (first time doing these in forever, definitely almost ate shit?)
G1 @primefitnessusa leg extension (set split into 2 videos)- 1 triple drop set aiming for 10 reps a stop (didn’t happen for me?)
All in all a great session, I’m looking forward to really progressing on the new split, and the new exercises within it! Ill be doing an in depth video in the near future on that for sure??
It’s clear that Hunter Labrada is taking his training to the next level. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes a real threat to the Olympia title.
What do you think of Hunter Labrada and his future in bodybuilding?
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.
Did Sylvester Stallone Just Get Caught Using Fake Weights?
Is Sylvester Stallone using fake weights?
Sylvester Stallone may have just been caught using fake weights. The popular actor posted a video on his Instagram account showing himself trying to lift two 45lb plates while standing up. The video seemed a bit suspect and many on the internet are ripping it apart.
Sylvester Stallone has always been a source of inspiration for others. His roles portraying Rocky Balboa and John Rambo made him famous. Both were iconic from a character stand point but also because of Stallone’s physique. He along with Jean Claude Van Damme and Arnold Schwarzenegger popularized the 80s and 90s action hero who was cut out of granite. It’s one of the reasons Stallone is still popular today.
The 74 year old actor still keeps himself in tremendous shape. That said, there is a certain threshold that he can no longer meet. Perhaps that’s exactly the reason why so many people aren’t buying his latest stunt on social media.
In his latest post, Sylvester Stallone attempts to lift two 45lb plates, gripping them with his fingertips. The plates look suspect and nearly identical to fake weights sold by FakeWeights.com. With that said, it’s unclear if Stallone was being serious or just meant to post the video in good fun. Take a look below and judge for yourself.
Good “heavy” morning! Punching hard till the final bell…
There’s no doubt that Sylvester Stallone has trained hard in the past. In order to have the kind of physique he possesses at 74 years old takes hard work and dedication. With that said, clearly something is up with this video.
Do you think Sylvester Stallone was lifting fake weights?
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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.
Joey Swoll: Blessing Awodibu Is Great For The Sport Of Bodybuilding
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Joey Swoll looks analyzes the most promising young bodybuilders rising in the ranks and highlights Blessing Awodibu’s contributions to the sport.
Joey Swoll might not be a competitive bodybuilder – but he is deeply passionate and involved with the sport. Which is why upon reconnecting with him for an interview, we asked for his thoughts on the Olympia 2020. We also asked for his thoughts looking towards the future. What up and coming bodybuilders seem primed to become a rising star in bodybuilding? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Joey Swoll discusses how Blessing Awodibu has both the physique and personality to bring something great to bodybuilding.
Blessing Awodibu is a bodybuilder who garnered a lot of attention going into the Indy Pro and the New York Pro in 2021. This is certainly due to his physique looking impressive on social media updates. But it’s also because of Blessing’s ability to stir up controversy and hype leading up to the show.
Blessing started up a rivalry with up and comer Nick Walker, who was also set to compete at the New York Pro. The rivalry led to some back and forth trash talk. It lit up the internet in bodybuilding. It was exciting, sometimes controversial, but 100% in the front of everyone’s mind.
Ultimately, Blessing Awodibu fell behind Nick Walker and placed sixth at the New York Pro 2021. Walker landed first place. This was somewhat disappointing to fans fo Blessing. But to Joey Swoll – that’s not too much to be concerned about. Blessing is still relatively new to the competitive world of bodybuilding. His physique shows promise and can always improve.
Joey Swoll believes that Blessing Awodibu is great for the sport of bodybuilding. He’s bringing an element of entertainment and excitement to the sport. If he can continue to combine that with a threatening physique – we can have another Kai Greene type athlete on our hands.
“Blessing, that kid, I think he’s great for the sport. He’s very, how do I say this, he has a lot of personality,” Joey Swoll states in our interview. He continues:
“He brings a lot of character to the stage. He’s not quiet. And I love that. I love that there was a little bit of beef between him and Nick. I didn’t get too involved into it but I like that. It’s good for the sport. It creates some, like you know, everyone is always going to talk about Phil and Kia. When Phil and Kai got beef and got on stage next to each other that was probably the most exciting Olympia finals ever.”
Joey Swoll goes on to clarify that it’s important to know the difference between competitiveness and disrespect. A rivalry and some trash talk is good for the sport, it helps engage the fans, and creates more drama. But if it becomes disrespectful, that’s not professional. That’s not what a pro athlete should represent. It’s a fine line – but Blessing seems to be the kind of guy who knows how to walk it.
Joey Swoll also mentions other standout rising stars such as the aforementioned Nick Walker and also Hunter Labrada. These athletes all show incredible promise that is starting to solidify in recent years. A new generation of athletes are on the horizon and the future looks bright.
You can watch Joey Swoll’s full comments on Blessing Awodibu and other young bodybuilding hopefuls in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!