Tag: Rafael Brandao
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
Rafael Brandão Withdraws From 2022 Arnold Classic
Rafael Brandão will not be present during the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is set for March 3-6 in Columbus. The lineup is stacked in each division with Men’s Open being the highlight once again. That lineup recently took a hit with Rafael Brandão reportedly pulling his name out of the competition.
Many news outlets have reported that representatives from the Arnold Classic have confirmed Brandão’s exit. Generation Iron has reached out directly and is still waiting for confirmation. Brandão has not made an official statement himself. It is unknown if there will be a replacement for Brandão. If not, the field will be set with 13 competitors.
2022 Arnold Classic Lineup
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (United States)
Brandon Curry (United States)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom
Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (United States)
Cedric McMillan (United States)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (United States)
Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt)
Brett Wilkin (United States)
Akim Williams (United States)
Rafael Brandão has been one of the up-and-coming names in bodybuilding. He has built a massive social media following and fans were looking forward to seeing what he could do during the 2022 season.
Brandão made his debut in 2017 when he took part in the San Marino Pro in Italy. He took home eighth place during this show. This would setup what would be a successful run in 2018. Brandão finished third at the California State Championships before being a top-five finisher during the Toronto Pro Supershow.
Brandão made his Arnold Classic debut in 2019, when he finished seventh. This was when the world got to see his physique against some of the top in the world. He went onto place second at the Arnold South America that same year. Last year, Brandão took home the prize during the Romania Muscle Fest Pro.
The bodybuilding world will have to wait a bit longer to see what Rafael Brandão has to offer this year. He will now have to focus on making his way to the Olympia stage in December in Las Vegas. Either way, this is a disappointment but the Arnold Classic is still set to be an incredible show.
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Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Gallery of Greatness: Rafael Brandao Looks Insane in Lead Up to Return
Rafael Brandao has taken his physique to the next level.
Rafael Brandao is looking absolutely insane in the lead up to his return to action. One of the top talents coming out of Brazil, Brandao is truly loving up to his potential.
There’s no doubt that Rafael Brandao has one of the most impressive physiques in bodybuilding today. He has an incredible amount of musculature and proportions that could easily make him a champion.
In the lead up to his return to action Rafael Brandao has been looking truly otherworldly. That said the Brazilian standout hasn’t competed in quite some time now. Getting sick may have derailed Brandao momentarily, but he’s used his time away from competition wisely.
While many believed in the past that Rafael Brandao needed to gain more muscle in order to compete at the highest levels, Shaun Clarida’s recent win at the Legion Sports Fest has proven that notion isn’t exactly true. Clarida as a smaller bodybuilder was able to outperform top Open Bodybuilding competitors to secure his spot for the 2022 Olympia. It’s quite clear that a smaller bodybuilder can get the job done.
With all that said Rafael Brandao has built up a truly incredible physique during my his extender off season. His recent progress photos on Instagram are nothing short of incredible.
Condition is coming ??
It’s clear that Rafael Brandao has next level conditioning. He’s looking shredded to the bone and not depleted whatsoever. Brandao has been posting quite a few progress photos and videos leading up to his return to the stage. Here are just a few clips and photos of the level Brandao is on leading into his upcoming return.
Gallery of Greatness
A few more days and we’ll be on stage again!Thank you sir for the opportunity to do what I love daily ??
Time for the details to appear and the physique transforming every day!
class with mass
Let’s go ??
At only 28 years of age Rafael Brandao has a ton of upside. With the kind of physique he possesses currently Brandao can clearly become a top contender in just a few years time.
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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.