Tag: nEWS
Samir Bannout: Bodybuilders Are Rushing To Build Muscle Too Fast
Samir Bannout stresses that bodybuilding is a marathon, not a sprint.
Pro bodybuilding, like any other professional sport, requires a certain level of sacrifice. Everyone knows that football isn’t 100% healthy. The same holds true for bodybuilding. But can pro bodybuilding be healthier than it is today and maintain its prestige? Is it impossible to be Mr. Olympia and still be healthy? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Samir Bannout explains that a bodybuilder can be 100% healthy and become Mr. Olympia… but too many are rushing to gain muscle.
Samir Bannout agrees that pro bodybuilding can be an extreme sport. But he also thinks that the idea that top level bodybuilders must be unhealthy is overstated. Yes, carrying massive amounts of muscle over long periods of time can put strain on the body – but it doesn’t have to be as unhealthy as it has become today.
Samir Bannout believes that the only truly unavoidable unhealthy part of pro bodybuilding is contest prep. Specifically, the dehydration that is required to have paper thin skin and a conditioned physique. The process of dehydration before a show is unhealthy. There’s no way around it. This same risk is present in other sports that require a weight in – such as MMA or boxing.
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive with Samir Bannout above!
That being said, Samir Bannout does observe that the new generation of bodybuilders are taking unnecessary health risks. Most of this has to do with PEDs. The reason for this – is that bodybuilders are looking to get to the top tier level too fast. Some bodybuilders hope to compete in the Olympia and place high all in the same year that they earned their pro card. According to Bannout, that’s a big mistake.
The desire to rush to greatness leads to making risky choices. Far too often bodybuilders abuse steroid use and other PEDs. This is in the hopes of building more muscle faster. Samir Bannout stresses that bodybuilding is meant to be a marathon not a sprint. If you gain eight pounds of muscle in a year – that’s more than enough.
“Several guys told me what they are using. They didn’t really do well with their coaches, but they are still having health issues. And when I found out what they take… oh my god,” Samir Bannout states in our interview. He continues:
“You know this is the difference. For me, I’d rather drive to New York in three days, four days instead of rushing to be there and getting into an accident. This is my idea. Just be patient. Gaining seven or eight pounds of muscle per year is plenty of muscle. Mr. Olympia cannot happen in one to two years.”
Samir Bannout doesn’t outright condemn steroid use. But he thinks the level of which bodybuilders use steroids and other PEDs is too much. He thinks this isn’t because bodybuilders can’t succeed without an increase of drug use. Far from it. He thinks it’s all due to impatience.
Many Mr. Olympia champions where first awarded the title in their late 30s or early 40s. But there are young bodybuilders in their 20s hoping to become Mr. Olympia champion right away. Samir Bannout thinks this leads to drug abuse in the hopes that they can skip ahead of the line.
You can watch Samir Bannout’s full comments on health in pro bodybuilding by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview above!
American Strict Curl Record Has Been Broken By LeRoy Walker
LeRoy Walker demolished the American strict curl record.
It appears that there’s a new American strict curl king. LeRoy Walker just crushed the American strict curl record with an impressive 226lbs/102.5kg lift.
The strict curl has become extremely popular over the past year. Many strength athletes have been pushing themselves to conquer the lift and cement themselves in history. From Larry Wheels to Arnold Schwarzenegger, everyone has been trying their hand at the strict curl.
LeRoy Walker is another strength athlete looking to take his strict curl game to new heights. The powerlifter is aiming for the world record, but before that decided to start at a lower weight. Walker just recently took on the American strict curl record. He smashed it with a 226lbs/102.5kg lift. You can see him conquering the feat below.
Smashing The American Record
??226LBS/102.5KG ??American record. Previously it was posted about the failure. This was true. In this particular federation 212 was the attempt for the national record. I missed it. Then came redemption. I made it. Then I took 226 fo a ride. Usually I like a traditional grip. A week ago however I had a really bad tendon strain and caused me to have to use a variety of grips. Fortunately I made an in meet adjustment to a close grip that put less stress on the forearm. It paid off. Most of my heavy overload training I did both traditional and wide. The rules state that you can use EITHER.
I’ll do a post with the full version tomorrow night. This is just a glimpse of the finish that set the tone for bigger badder things to come. Stay tuned for the next meet!!! ILL BE READY FOR SEPTEMBER.
LeRoy Walker made that look easy. There’s no doubt that he has plenty left in the tank and more to sure. As he eluded to in his post, Walker is looking to improve upon the strict curl. He’s looking forward to the next meet in September and is gunning hard for the strict curl world record.
Do you think LeRoy Walker can conquer the strict curl world record?
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.
Stefi Cohen Wins Her Boxing Debut By Knockout
Stefi Cohen impressed in her pro boxing debut.
Stefi Cohen just scored a knockout victory in her professional boxing debut. The powerlifter has made the transition well to the squared circle and is just getting her boxing journey started.
It seems that everyone is getting into boxing these days. Logan and Jake Paul have made the transition over to the squared circle fairly well. Their presence there isn’t without its criticism though. Much of their exposure and notoriety comes from the fact that they’re social media personalities. But not everyone entering boxing is created equal.
Powerlifter Stefi Cohen has made the leap over to boxing herself, but she’s doing things the old fashioned way. Rather than face off against another powerlifter, Stefi has chosen to fight other women boxers with some experience and boxing knowledge under their belt.
At a recent boxing event in the Dominican Republic, Mundo Boxing’s “Night of Knockouts”, Stefi made her pro boxing debut. Stefi has decided to forgo amateur boxing and get right into the nitty gritty. She faced off with an experienced boxer in Haydee Zapa who had a 4-3 record heading into their contest.
A Successful Debut
Stefi Cohen would prove that she belongs in the ring.
After three rounds of battle, Stefi Cohen would close the show with a wild flurry of punches, bringing her opponent down and forcing her corner to throw in the towel. Below you can see how the end unfolded.
Stefi Cohen will next do battle in the undercard of Hafthor Bjornsson vs Eddie Hall. There she will face off against undefeated boxer Avril Mathie who holds a 5-0-1 record.
Stefi Cohen will have her work cut out for her in this match. The confidence of an undefeated fighter with six bouts under their belt cannot be underestimated. If Stefi isn’t prepared she could face some serious consequences against Mathie. That said, it’s great to see that Stefi is taking her boxing journey seriously and doing things the right what.
Will you be tuning in to see Stefi Cohen fight on the Hafthor Bjornsson vs Eddie Hall undercard?
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.
Danny Hester: The Biggest Mistake People Make Trying To Get Shredded Abs
Danny Hester cuts through the fat and gets real on how to truly get six pack abs.
With summer just around the corner, people are starting to focus again on obtaining the perfect beach body. For many, shredded six pack abs are the ideal. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the hardest things to obtain even for people with a focused fitness routine. Why is it so hard? And what are some tips to help achieve the goal of a shredded abs? In our latest GI Exclusive, Danny Hester shares the most important factor for getting shredded six pack abs.
Obtaining sick pack abs is probably one of the hardest things for most people right next to building up legs. This is largely due to your belly being one of the core places fat stores when you start gaining weight. Even for a typically healthy and fit individual – shredded abs can be hard to come by.
That’s why we connected with pro bodybuilder and former Olympia champion Danny Hester. Hester is the kind of bodybuilder who stays lean all year round. You’ll rarely ever see him with bloated bulk. And you’ll almost always see him sporting a six pack. So what’s the secret? Why is it so hard for even fit individuals to showcase conditioned abs?
While there is no trick to get shredded abs fast, there are some key tactics that must be done in order to succeed at earning that six pack. Danny Hester wants to make it clear that there is no way to spot check fat away from your abs. Doing 100 crunches per day can certainly be helpful – but it won’t cut more fat in your stomach area.
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Check out our GI Exclusive segment with Danny Hester above!
It goes without saying that a very strict and clean diet are essential to getting a six pack. On top of that, cardio is a must. As we mentioned, you can’t spot check fat but you can reduce fat overall by upping your cardio. As Danny Hester states, “You can’t see abs if you have fat on them, no matter what you do.”
But there are, in fact, ways to train abs to really bring them out and make them pop. One of the biggest mistakes that people make while training abs is doing too much weight. This ultimately makes your waist thicker. You don’t want that. It makes it harder to see your abs.
Danny Hester explains that you want your abs to be really strong and really deep. So training specifically with that in mind and avoiding massive weight will help bring out your abs alongside a good diet and cardio. For example, range of motion is key to really stretching abs. Hester often recommends his clients do crunches beyond the typical range of motion for a longer and harder stretch. Over time, this helps really build your abs into deep cut muscle.
Danny Hester suggests this tip alongside higher reps with less weight. He also explains that whenever doing any sort of ab exercise, it’s important to keep your stomach sucked in and your abs flexed tight. That way you’re guaranteeing that your abs are doing the work. Avoid momentum or other parts of your body doing the heavy lifting. That won’t help your abs.
You can watch Danny Hester explain in deeper detail the biggest dos and don’ts about getting shredded six pack abs in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Floyd Mayweather Out Duels Logan Paul
Who won the Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul match?
Floyd Mayweather versus Logan Paul. It’s something most never could have imagined coming to fruition, yet here we are. Mayweather and Paul locked horns and put on a bit of a show for the fans.
While it may have been a exhibition match, both Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul gave it their all. The experienced pugilist against the popular YouTube star. The undefeated premier boxer against the brash upstart. There were many labels you can put for this showdown. Perhaps the most accurate though is David vs Goliath.
At the weigh in tester we saw that Logan Paul outweighed Floyd Mayweather by a considerable margin. Mayweather tipped the scales at 155lbs while Paul weighed 190lbs. Talk about a weight discrepancy.
But boxing is about skill, technique and strategy more than brute strength. Floyd Mayweather understands the game well and it showed in this bout. Logan Paul gave a great effort but in the end, Mayweather was the one who stood victorious.
The boxing veteran overwhelmed Paul who gassed out after the third round. Floyd Mayweather had his way with the inexperienced boxer in the latter half of the bout.
Logan’s brother Jake Paul has his own meeting with a former UFC champion scheduled. Jake Paul will face off against Tyron Woodley in a bout that could prove to shit down the social media boxing hype train for good. While Jake certainly has skill, Tyron Woodley has devastating power in his hands and the confidence and experience to give the younger Paul brother problems.
Did you watch Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul?
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.
IFBB Mile High Pro 2021 Results
Full results for the IFBB Mile High Pro 2021.
Saturday, June 5th, held the IFBB Mile High Pro 2021. The event took place in Denver, Colorado at the Denver Airport Convention Center. In the highlight category of the night, BLANK won the Men’s Physique division. Read on for a full breakdown of the Mile High Pro 2021 results.
The Mile High Pro 2021 featured three divisions in competition including Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Men’s Physique Masters. While the first place winner does not receive automatic qualification for the Olympia, the top three earn points towards overall qualification.
The full results have now been announced. Check out our full breakdown of the Mile High Pro 2021 results below.
Mile High Pro 2021: All Division Winners
A quick breakdown of the winners in each division from the Miami Muscle Beach Pro 2021. The top three placing winners earn points towards qualifying or the Olympia 2021 weekend.
Men’s Physique: Jahvair Mullings
Bikini: Ashley Kaltwasser
Men’s Physique Masters: Napoleon Amos
IFBB Mile High Pro 2021 Breakdown:
Men’s Physique Results
First Place – Jahvair Mullings
Second Place – Joseph Lee
Third Place – Corey Morris
Fourth Place – Ismael Dominguez
Fifth Place – Jonathan Jimenez
Bikini Results
First Place – Ashley Kaltwasser
Second Place – Cory Hageman
Third Place – Jimi Marley
Fourth Place – Shelby Pierce
Fifth Place – Eli Fernandez
Men’s Physique Masters Results
First Place – Napoleon Amos
Second Place – Dani Dal
Third Place – Jermaine Jenkins
Fourth Place – Terrell Robertson
Fifth Place – Joshua Ohashi
Mile High Pro 2021 Official Scorecards
Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
The GI Team is here to provide top news and original content for the new generation. The generation of bodybuilders who are pushing the sport to bigger and better places. Join The Movement. Become a part of Generation Iron!
IFBB Miami Muscle Beach Pro 2021 Results
The GI Team is here to provide top news and original content for the new generation. The generation of bodybuilders who are pushing the sport to bigger and better places. Join The Movement. Become a part of Generation Iron!
Talking Huge With Craig Golias | EP 1: Dirty Bulking, Guy Flips Out, & Fasting Sucks
Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin discuss health in bodybuilding and how to build muscle without getting fat.
Welcome to Talking Huge – a new weekly digital series in which Craig Golias talks in-depth with Vlad Yudin on the latest trending topics in bodybuilding. Raw, honest, and uncut – Craig Golias shares his opinions on all things bodybuilding. In our premiere episode, Craig and Vlad discuss Guy Cisternino’s angry gym outburst, dirty bulking vs clean bulking, and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a mass monster bodybuilder.
Craig Golias only has one goal in life, to be as huge as possible. His obsession with being huge has made him a popular figure in the world of bodybuilding. Not only that, but it earned him a featured spot in our recent film Bigorexia – exploring the mindset of those who never feel big no matter how large they become.
But what is refreshing about Craig Golias is that he’s honest about his journey towards getting huge. He no longer competes in pro bodybuilding and is open to discussing more taboo topics about the sport. He’s also very open about the realities of his massive size when it comes to health and fitness.
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Watch the first episode of Talking Huge with Craig Golias above!
How To Be Healthy In Bodybuilding When Weighing Over 300 Pounds
Craig Golias is a true mass monster and aims to hover at around 300 pounds. With that amount of weight being carried on his body – does he fear long term health ramifications down the road? This is something that originally didn’t concern Craig, but as he’s gotten older, he has become more responsible in managing his health.
He visits a doctor regularly for bloodwork and an overview of his health. He recommends that any bodybuilder putting on large amounts of mass do the same. He’s focusing on taking care of his liver with medication – but beyond that he’s maintained a healthy lifestyle. This is largely due to him changing his habits after consulting a doctor more regularly.
He is honest about one painful detail. No matter what, when a person is carrying 300 pounds of weight – it’s a strain on the heart. Whether it’s fat or muscle – the human body is not meant to be so large. This is part of the reason why Craig takes going to the doctor regularly seriously. He knows it’s a risk. So being proactive with doctor visits can help in the long run.
How To Build Muscle Without Gaining Fat
Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin also discuss bulking. How does one build massive amounts of muscle like Craig without earning fat. The key is to make sure you do a clean bulk. The kinds of food you eat will effect how you gain wait. Yes, a bodybuilder needs to consume a massive amount of calories to build muscle. If you eat lean clean foods, that will turn into more muscle and less fat. If you’re stuffing your face with dirty foods – this will turn into muscle along side the fat.
Craig Golias also shares some stories of some of the worst dirty bulks he has ever seen in bodybuilding. He’s seen bodybuilders bulk so dirty that their waist goes up to 40 inches or more.
Guy Cisternino’s Gym Outburst
Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin also touch base on the viral video of Guy Cisternino. The video blew up and made headlines in May 2021. We also interviewed Cisternino about it to get his take on the whole situation. Ultimately, Cisternino admits he overreacted – but also believes that context matters.
Craig Golias agrees with this sentiment. Pro bodybuilders are in the zone when they are training in the gym. It’s their job. It’s not just a hobby like it is for most gym patrons. While Craig believes that positivity is always the better option – sometimes people overreact. This is especially true when a bodybuilder is training seriously in the gym.
Ultimately, it seems as if both parties overreacted. The younger men filming in the gym were being disrespectful and defensive. After Guy Cisternino asked for them to give him space politely – they got even more defensive. This caused Cisternino to go off the handle. It’s an unfortunate situation but not a damning one. The video itself removed context and led to some false conclusions. Sadly, that’s simply the nature of the internet attention span.
Wrap Up
You can watch Craig Golias and Vlad Yudin discuss bulking, health in bodybuilding, and the entire Guy Cisternino viral video in our premiere episode of Talking Huge above. Make sure to check out Talking Huge every week on Friday – only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
Milos Sarcev Full Interview | Steroids, Insulin, & PEDs In Bodybuilding
Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Milos Sarcev.
Milos Sarcev is a former competitive bodybuilder turned coach who has had significant sway in the industry over the past few decades. He has been open about steroid use in the sport (even calling it healthy). He was also the first big proponent of insulin use in bodybuilding. This arguably was responsible for a massive shift in the sport – making the drug more commonly used in the industry.
That’s why we connected with Milos Sarcev for a long form interview to discuss in-depth all things bodybuilding including his controversial views on steroids, insulin, and synthol. Typical to Milos, he holds nothing back and gives his full in-depth opinion.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Milos Sarcev. Now we’re releasing the full length interview including topics such as whether or not steroids are healthy, the proper use of insulin in bodybuilding, and the moment he almost died from using synthol.
Listen To Our Milos Sarcev 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 Milos Sarcev interview here:
Milos Sarcev: “Steroids Are Healthy For Bodybuilders”
When asked about the health of bodybuilders and their ability to recover from illness – Milos Sarcev jumped straight into the conversation about steroid use. He explains that steroids are used, when prescribed, for an amazing amount of things that help people become more healthy. Help them recover after major accidents. Help them maintain testosterone levels when they drop as they get older. They are used to help fight certain infections and illnesses. So Milos argues – why are steroids being called unhealthy when used for sports?
Milos goes on to argue that the side effects listed for a wide variety of other drugs available at pharmacies match if not exceed the kind of risks steroids might bring. But for some reason steroids are villainized. Athletes who use them are seen as druggies or dope fiends. Milos Sarcev finds this reputation unfounded. He thinks that bodybuilders and athletes who use steroids are likely healthier than most people.
Of course, Milos does concede that overuse can be dangerous. But this is true of any drug. It can be true of headache medication you get over the counter. And that’s part of the problem. By regulating and banning steroid use in sports – it makes information harder to find. It makes young athletes use these PEDs incorrectly and risk their health. If it was allowed for open use – athletes would be even healthier. There would be no increase in deaths or serious health issues.
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Check out the full uncut GI Exclusive with Milos Sarcev above!
Insulin Isn’t Dangerous, Uninformed People Are Dangerous
Milos Sarcev claims to be the man who brought insulin into the sport of bodybuilding. And he still stands by its use today. He believes it is a vital part of evolving the sport and allowing athletes to push the bar to the next level. In regards to health, he thinks the drug isn’t dangerous so long as the person using it is informed and educated about its use.
We’ve interviewed other coaches and gurus who disagree with Milos’ sentiments. In our previous conversation with George Farah – he admits that he regrets jumping on the insulin bandwagon when it was first introduced. Now looking back, Farah believes that insulin shouldn’t be used at all by bodybuilders.
Of course, it must be made clear that the way insulin is being used by bodybuilders is not how it was intended to be utilized. Insulin as a drug has very specific uses that can be prescribed by a doctor. Becoming a mass monster bodybuilder is not one of them.
Milos Sarcev couldn’t care less about what doctors believe. Milos used insulin throughout majority of his competitive career. He’s suggested it to many athletes as well. He understands that doctors must lean on the safe side when condoning or endorsing drugs for casual use. But Milos believes the reality is that it makes perfect scientific sense for a bodybuilder to use the drug. But like with any drug, it must be used correctly.
Wrap Up
Our conversation with Milos Sarcev covered far more topics than could be discussed in this article. We also discuss the dangers of diuretics, his near death experience with synthol, and the topic of bodybuilding gurus. You can watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Milos above!
Eddie Hall Claps Back at Thor and Larry Wheels After Recent Post
Eddie Hall fires back at Larry Wheels and Thor Bjornsson.
It appears that Eddie Hall has clapped back at Hafthor “Thor” Bjornsson and Larry Wheels. His vitriol was in response to a recent demeaning piece of artwork of the 2017 World’s Strongest Man has made the rounds.
The artwork definitely caught the attention of Eddie Hall. It has become obvious over the last several weeks who Larry Wheels is supporting in the battle between Eddie Hall and Thor Bjornsson. Larry Wheels made it a point to throw his support behind Bjornsson.
Brutal Artwork
But he didn’t do it in a particularly neutral manner. On the contrary. Larry Wheels let his support for Thor be screamed from the rooftops. A recent post on the powerlifter’s Instagram showcases a work of art that depicts Thor Bjornsson holding the severed head of Eddie Hall. You can see in the image below that the artwork leaves no room for interpretation.
*Viewer Discretion Advised
My prediction for the match
Suffice it to say, Eddie Hall wasn’t impressed by the post at all. The 2017 World’s Strongest Man had some choice words for the powerlifter who showed his support of Thor.
Eddie Hall followed up with another response, this time taking aim at Thor himself.
Great artwork from Thor and also great to see his professionalism and sportsmanlike behaviour has transferred over from strongman into boxing ?Iv never felt so confident over an upcoming fight in my life so stuff like this just makes me laugh. Il be sleeping like a baby after what I just saw at the weekend and that deluded numb nuts hasn’t a clue what’s coming ?
Clearly there is no love lost between the two World Strongest Man champions. Both men are itching to throw down at this point and with so much preparation, as well their natural dislike of each other, things are beginning to boil over.
Pay-Per-View Details Revealed
Besides these three trading barbs, insults, and artwork depictions of each other, it appears that more news about the fight has come out. A new poster was recently released revealing the other fights that will be on the Thor vs Hall card. It also gives details on how much the pay-per-view will cost.
Early bird PPV tickets are now on sale for $9.99. If you like extreme plastic surgery, you’ll love watching me give Eddie a much-needed facelift–maybe a nose job as well if he can stay standing long enough. In-house seats go on sale July 5th.
What do you think of this latest beef between Eddie Hall, Larry Wheels, and Thor?
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.