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Larry Wheels Gives Up Steroids, Goes On Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Larry Wheels announces that he has stopped using steroids after his recent back injury.
Larry Wheels has released a new YouTube video announcing that he has decided to stop using steroids. The announcement comes after news of Wheels suffering a back injury. Wheels is known by many to be one of the strongest men in the world with epic lifting videos never fail to motivate. He has also been very open about his steroid use in the past. Which is why he decided to be transparent about his decision to give up on steroids.
Earlier this summer, Larry Wheels set a goal to be the lightest person to deadlift 1,000 pounds. In his training towards that goal, he recent suffered a back injury. He admits that this injury was due to rushing the training process towards his goal. The injury has also led to Wheels withdrawing from the 2022 Middle East Strongest Man competition. The injury was an eye opener for Wheels about his personal health. The fallout from the injury and path to recovery became the biggest factor in Wheels deciding to quit steroid use.
You can watch Larry Wheel’s video where he makes the announcement below:
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In the announcement video, Larry Wheels reflects on having used steroids for over a decade. And how his consistent use of PEDs has made it impossible for him to know what kind of lifting he is capable of off-cycle.
“Much like you don’t know, I don’t know what I am capable of off-cycle. Now, going completely off isn’t an option for me. I cannot produce testosterone naturally. So, I am going to be on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I tried pull cycle therapy several times when I began cycling and I was unable to recover.”
Larry Wheels mentions a big caveat here. He cannot completely go off of steroid use – because his body is no longer capable of producing testosterone naturally. This is a well known side effect from prolonged steroid use. So when Larry Wheels says he is quitting steroids – he is still going to be implementing testosterone into his system via TRT.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy is a very different “cycle” compared to traditional steroid use as we know it in bodybuilding. TRT is a medical approach to simply bringing testosterone levels to normal – since the body cannot do this on its own anymore. So while Larry Wheels will be using testosterone drugs – it will only be to bring him to a “natural” state.
Larry Wheels continues to explain the process:
“TRT for me would be anywhere from as low as 70 milligrams per week, as high as 175… I think 175 is a good place for me to start. If I speak with my doctor and we get my bloods done and we see that it’s more than what’s necessary then I will decrease it, but I certainly won’t increase it.”
That last comment in the quote above is a key statement. Larry Wheels wants to keep his testosterone levels as minimal as possible while still staying in normal levels. He does not want to abuse TRT to bring his testosterone to more enhanced levels. After some initial bloodwork – Larry Wheels will lower his t-levels as far as he can while staying healthy.
So what does this mean for Larry Wheels’ 1,000 pound deadlift?
Now that Larry Wheels has realigned how he wants to handle his health – will he still be aiming for a 1,000 pound deadlift? The short answer is yes but not anytime soon. Wheels comments that the deadlift goal will always be a passion of his. But he also knows that there is no way he would be able to accomplish the feat without using steroids in his current transition.
It was seem, in fact, that Larry Wheels isn’t planning to stay steroid free forever. He hints at the notion of returning to steroid use after stabilizing his body, learning his off-cycle limits, and solidifying his overall health.
“I am not calling quits on it, but I am putting the brakes on attempting PRs like that at the moment”
Despite this hint, Larry Wheels seems to have no plans to switch back to steroid use anytime in the near future. After rushing over the past year and leading into injury, Wheels is ready to take it slow. He wants to focus on training, diet, and recovery off-cycle. Learn his new limits, learn where he can push the. And improve his overall health before taking any unnecessary risks.
Larry Wheels promises that his new regimen will also be the subject to new videos and updates on social media. So that his fans can get an insider look into transitioning away from steroids and onto TRT. Wheels expects to take on new training regimens to best align with his new lifestyle. It will be interesting to follow along as he remains transparent with his life both on and off steroids.
Only time will tell if he maintains this longterm goal. But much like many of his impressive lifts over the years, there’s no challenge that Larry Wheels gives up on. This new challenge may be different from his past endeavors – but it will be exciting and motivating to watch him face a new kind of challenge.
Stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network for updates on this story and more news on all things bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports.
Seated Lateral Raises for Big Delts
Boulder Shoulders Start with Seated Lateral Raises
What is a key component in creating the iconic v-taper physique? Shoulder size. So you want to give your shoulders that 3-dimensional look, you want broad rounded shoulders, you want them to really stand out to make your physique look complete. Without those big shoulders, what will you look like? Sure your arms can be big, but without Death Star delts, they will not look fully developed. But, how do you build them?
The shoulder is composed of three different parts, the anterior deltoid, lateral deltoid, and posterior deltoid. The anterior is your front, lateral, is your side, and posterior is the rear.
There are so many exercises to do to blow your shoulders up like barbell military press, the Arnold press, rear delt flies, but you cannot forget to throw in the classic and simple, but largely effective exercise: the seated lateral raise.
In this article we are going to cover just exactly how to properly perform the seated lateral raise; what you need for the exercise, sets and reps, everything you need to know to build that broadness.
Table of Contents
How to perform the seated lateral raise
Benefits of the seated lateral raise
Who should use the seated lateral raise
FAQs
How to do the Seated Lateral Raise
There are a few things to cover as far as completing the exercise. Let’s start by checking out what you need.
The Tools
Starting off with the equipment you need to complete the seated lateral raise, there are a few simple things on the list. For starters, you need a bench. It is a seated exercise, so the bench is key here, because well, that is what you’ll be sitting on during the exercise. Next, you’ll need some dumbbells, or kettlebells if you so desire.
The Setup
Setting up the Seat: You can put the bench vertically so your back will rest against it, or you can lay the bench flat so you will be sitting upright with no back support.
Grab Your Dumbbells: You can do this exercise one handed or use both
Sit Upright: Place your feet flat on the floor and arms at your sides. Your body should be in an L shape
Raise the Weight: Raise the dumbbells, or dumbbell if you are doing a single arm variation. Bring them up to shoulder height, your hands should be level with your shoulders
Reset and Repeat: Control the weight back down to your sides and repeat this motion.
Pro Tip: For a visual representation of the exercise check out this video from Tiger Fitness on the seated lateral raise:
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Sets and Reps
The seated lateral raise is not a lift to be going too heavy on. It is something you want good form, and controlled reps (for the most part but we will cover this later). In fact, it is more often recommended to go lighter, with higher reps and more controlled form. The medial head of the deltoid is not a large muscle, so it does not require massive loads to grow.
Simply put, you can try out 3-4 sets of 15-20 controlled reps. If you are more experienced and have a good mind to muscle connection, you can increase the weight and focus on sets of 12-15 reps.
If you are more advanced, you can maybe even kick it up a notch and do sets of 10-12, then take your sets to failure, or do partial reps after your full reps are completed. It all depends on your goals as far as strength and hypertrophy.
Benefits of the Seated Lateral Raise
There are plenty of benefits that stem from such a simple movement. The seated lateral raise brings not only size and isolation, but also health benefits to the table. Let’s dive in.
Muscular Hypertrophy
As stated before, if hypertrophy is your goal and you want to build boulder shoulders, the seated lateral raise is a great incorporation. There are so many exercises that blast the front and rear delts, but seated lateral raises build up that middle part of the delt, the part that is heavily associated with creating a more v-tapered look in the physique.
Specific Muscle Targeting
Being that the shoulder is made up of three distinct parts, all of them need to be hit individually in order to grow. The seated lateral raise is a great isolation exercise for the middle part (lateral deltoid) of the shoulder, which can be tricky to hit sometimes. If you are performing your seated lateral raises properly, that middle part of your delt will get absolutely demolished and have no choice but to grow.
Shoulder Health
You always want a healthy body. Healthy shoulders are a huge plus because you use your shoulders for so much throughout the day, maybe even without realizing it. Someone with perfectly healthy shoulders is able to perform all ranges of motion painlessly and with stability.
The seated lateral raise challenges and stimulates shoulder stability, in the rotator cuff in particular, as well as the range of motion. This contributes to overall shoulder health.
Who Should Use the Seated Lateral Raise?
Quite honestly, there is no real limit or restriction on who should or should not incorporate this exercise into their regiment. Still, let’s explore the different demographics.
Bodybuilders
A bodybuilder is judged on their physique, and if that physique is not complete, then the judging will more than likely not be in their favor. One thing sought after in the sport of bodybuilding is the v-taper, and as discussed before, the v-taper is greatly contributed to through developed shoulders. The seated lateral raise can be a key component in developing the hypertrophy of the shoulders and pushing them to become more filled out to achieve that iconic v-shape.
Weightlifting Athletes
The weightlifting demographic can be comprised of powerlifters, crossfitters, Olympic lifters; athletes that are overhead pressing weight in some way. Being that the seated lateral raise can contribute to overall shoulder health, it could be a good idea for athletes that focus on heavy overhead presses to incorporate these into their programming. The seated lateral raise can also serve as a nice alternative to overhead pressing to still gain/maintain muscle in the shoulders without beating down the shoulders as much as a movement like an overhead press.
The Average Gym Goer
Sure, athletes like bodybuilders and weightlifters can benefit from the seated lateral raise, but what about the people just in the gym to stay in shape, be healthy, or look good? Yes! The seated lateral raise is something that everyone can benefit from, no matter your status in the gym. Training shoulders can be intimidating to some as there are so many movements to hit all three heads. The lateral raise is great, simple movement for getting started and getting those shoulders pumped up and developing the overall muscle.
Seated Lateral Raise FAQs
The seated lateral raise is a relatively simple exercise, yes, but you still may have some questions surrounding the movement that you want answered. So, let’s take a look.
Partial Reps and Sets to Failure
Is it a good idea to perform partial reps, or even take your sets to failure when performing the seated lateral raise? Actually, on this movement, it could be beneficial to perform partial reps and sets to failure.
Once you are fatigued from completing the movement with a full range of motion, you can perform partials. This is done by moving the weights six to eight inches from your sides but keeping the tension on the lateral head of the shoulders. You can do this for a set number of reps, or do it until you cannot anymore.
Training Tip: Check out this video from the late John Meadows on doing partial reps during side lateral raises:
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How Often can I do Seated Lateral Raises
This is heavily dependent on your experience in the gym. If you are new to the gym, one to two times per week for the movement is plenty of stimulation to a muscle that is rather small. As you grow more experienced in the gym, you may need to increase frequency to see progression. But, if you are too sore, it is best to rest before hitting some seated lateral raises again!
More on Shoulders
Seated lateral raises are only one movement for your shoulders, but there are plenty more to choose from! Don’t miss out on the rest of our shoulder workouts:
Side Lateral Dumbbell Raise – Exercise Guide
Front Dumbbell Raise – Exercise Guide
Seated Dumbbell Shoulder Press – Exercise Guide
References
Deltoid muscles: What are they, anatomy, Location & Function. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21875-deltoid-muscles
Ferri, B. (2022, July 4). The anatomy of the deltoid muscle. Verywell Health. Retrieved August 18, 2022, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/deltoid-muscle-anatomy-4688693
INBA PNBA Will Be Offering First Ever Vegan Division at Natural Universe
The INBA PNBA will offer an exclusive category for vegans at 2022 Natural Universe.
The International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) will offer an exclusive category for vegans at Natural Universe in Tampa, FL, on September 3, 2022.
Michael Ferencsik, a devoted vegan and animal rights activist who competes in the PNBA Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters category, went to Instagram to express his gratitude. Ferencsik stated:
“I honestly could not have ever imagined a day that a category would be set aside for vegan athletes in one of the preeminent natural bodybuilding competitions in the world.
The @inbapnbaglobal_official INBA / PNBA NATURAL UNIVERSE has always held a special place in my competitive career.
It is the first international title that I won and have been blessed to win several times over the years.
I wanted to thank the INBA / PNBA for once again being a leader in the natural bodybuilding and fitness industry by offering yet another exclusive, a VEGAN DIVISION.”
You can see Michael Ferencsik’s full post below.
Veganism in Natural Bodybuilding
Michael Ferencsik isn’t the only vegan INBA PNBA athlete. 2021 Natural Olympia Classic Physique Masters champ Tamer Barakat is also an avid vegan. Of course, a vegan natural bodybuilder’s diet will look much different than other natural athletes who eat meat. But Ferencsik and Barakat prove that you can still build the physique of an elite natural bodybuilder without eating animal products.
Tamer Barakat’s diet is 90% plant-based foods and includes spinach, mushrooms, quinoa, and oatmeal. And Ferencsik lost 40 pounds from his vegan diet. Ferencsik says you can get all the protein, calcium, and omega-3 you need without meat, milk, or fish.
Veganism isn’t the first new category. The INBA PNBA added a new division earlier this year for women, Wellness, and they’ve continued to innovate the world of natural bodybuilding.
INBA PNBA Pioneers in Natural Bodybuilding
The INBA PNBA has been leading the way in the sport of natural bodybuilding. They are the most prominent league in natural bodybuilding, with competitors from over 60 countries. They also payout the most considerable cash and prizes and host the most significant natural bodybuilding event, Natural Olympia.
The INBA PNBA has been growing steadily since 1990, when Kenny Kakos, the American Bodybuilding Association (ABA) co-founder, aspired to create a natural bodybuilding organization for athletes who qualified for professional status. That’s when the PNBA came to life. Four years later, Kakos wanted to merge natural bodybuilding worldwide, birthing the INBA in 1994.
The INBA PNBA has continued to do everything it can to grow and give natural bodybuilders professional growth and recognition. One thing they’ve implemented is signing athletes to multi-media contracts with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA. And recently, three INBA PNBA athletes were selected to appear in an upcoming bodybuilding movie starring Kristen Stewart, Ed Davis, and Dave Franco, Love Lies Bleeding.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay up to date with the latest INBA PNBA news!
Sylvester Stallone Shows Off Biceps In Meaningful Post: ‘You Keep Chipping Away Until You Stand At The Top’
Sylvester Stallone sends a message to those who are struggling.
Sylvester Stallone has made a name for himself for decades because of his acting ability and shredded physique. He has been apart of some legendary movies and continues to work on projects to this day. Stallone remains active, both on the big screen and in the gym. Recently, he shared an inspiration message along with a throwback picture showing off his biceps.
Stallone burst onto the scene during the Rocky series in the 70s. He has been a superstar since then, known for his moves and build. Along with being apart of some great films, Stallone has written different projects himself. Over the course of his career, Stallone has faced many obstacles and wanted to share some wisdom with the next generation.
Stallone has a massive following for decades now and has 15 million followers on Instagram. This is where he shared the picture, along with some special words of encouragement.
Sylvester Stallone: “The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall”
Sylvester Stallone built an impressive physique over the years for certain roles, such as Rambo. After building a legendary career for himself, Stallone remains an inspiration to all.
“The bigger they are the harder they fall that’s how you face what appear to be overwhelming obstacles. You keep chipping away until you stand at the top of all that rubble and say… “I am…””
Sylvester Stallone worked to catch his big break for years out of Manhattan. To get to this level, it takes some time to fully make it in the industry and Stallone was able to do it in many ways. Arnold Schwarzenegger is another example of an actor being known for his physique as well. In the case of Schwarzenegger, he became known as the best bodybuilder of all-time before taking on acting.
Stallone continues to make an impact on the big screen, including a role in Expendables 4, where he is one of the star with strongman Eddie Hall. Stallone continues to keep himself in shape at age 76 and is as busy as ever.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Golden Era Bodybuilding Legend Steve Davis: “Even the Mr. Olympias pose like sh*t” | The Mike O’Hearn Show
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Mike O’Hearn talks with iconic golden era bodybuilder Steve Davis about training lessons learned from over 50 years of experience and hindsight.
Steve Davis is a bodybuilding legend – best known for his legendary physique transformation. Davis went from a powerfully strong 285 pound weightlifter into a 200 pound champion bodybuilder. Training alongside the Golden Era greats such as Vince Gironda, Frank Zane, and Arnold Schwarzenegger – Davis is a wealth of history and knowledge for bodybuilding superfans. That’s why on this week’s episode of Generation Iron and Barbend’s The Mike O’Hearn Show, special guest Steve Davis reflects on 50 years of bodybuilding and the biggest lessons he’s learned.
To say Mike O’Hearn was excited for this week’s special guest is an understatement. Steve Davis is a bodybuilding legend from an era that inspired O’Hearn himself to become a bodybuilder. So being able to sit down with a living legend and pick his brain about all things weightlifting, nutrition, and fitness was a truly special opportunity.
The Golden Era of bodybuilding as a very different beast than the well worn systems and media in the sport we have today. Information on how to build up muscle was far less prevalent – and many of the Golden Era icons learned through trial and error – and of course pushing each other to new levels.
Steve Davis was one such bodybuilder. A man who started with a love of weightlifting and really didn’t know the “rules” of how to properly lift for bodybuilding. For example, he claims to have never done a deadlift during his prime bodybuilding years. He had no clue it was considered a “core requirement” of bodybuilding basics. Despite this, he became an aesthetic marvel and eventually became the Mr. World champion.
That’s why the most important aspect of this week’s episode was breaking down the bodybuilding tactics from Steve Davis’ era, what he learned to do different with decades of hindsight, and what things changed for the worse as information (and misinformation) became more prevalent int he sport. Let’s jump into it.
“Never did a deadlift in my life.”
– Steve Davis
Steve Davis wishes he trained less during his prime years of bodybuilding
During the conversation with Steve Davis, Mike O’Hearn asked a key question – if you could go back, what would you change about your bodybuilding strategy? Davis was quick to answer with a key lesson he’s learned throughout decades of weightlifting. Steve Davis wishes he trained less.
That might sound like a shocking statement. But as he breaks it down he reveals a vital strategy that should be listed to by all aspiring bodybuilders today.
Steve Davis explains how many Golden Era bodybuilders believed “more is better” when it came to bodybuilder. The more time you spend in the gym, the more results. The more steak you eat during the offseason, the more bulk and eventual muscle you could build. Davis himself would do 30 sets three times per week.
“It’s the idea to crush the muscle, feed the muscle, let it rest,” Steve Davis states in the conversation. But the problem was – the rest part was not being properly focused on. When you are trying to do too many sets and too many reps per day – there’s no way a night’s rest was enough time to recover. Davis believes that if he trained less, focused on heavier weight, and rested more – he would have been able to put on even more size and become more dangerous as a competitor.
Steve Davis describes bodybuilding like lighting a match. The most important thing is maintaining intensity – not how many sets you do. When you light a match – the most powerful moment is that first spark. You want to harness that spark instead of letting it burn slowly and have it fizzle out.
Reflecting on ways bodybuilding has changed for the worse
Steve Davis is truly appreciative at how much bodybuilding and fitness science has improved over the years. How much more mainstream it has become. And how much more information athletes can get today. It’s through those changes and his own personal experience that he learned how to train less to gain more.
However, he is also aware that some of these changes have led to negative shifts in the sport as well. Steve Davis and Mike O’Hearn touch on the fact that years of history, rules, and systems embedded into the sport might have led to close-minded thinking. Bodybuilders are too busy trying to lift “the right way” that they don’t listen to their body, push limits, or think outside the box.
For example, Mike O’Hearn points out how many online experts warn against lifting too heavy – due to risk of injuring joints that will hurt in later age. But O’Hearn believes that lifting heavy weight (with smart strategy) is key towards strengthening joints and ensuring you battle decay as you age. Medical professionals have even pointed out that weightlifting, not just cardio, is vital for over-the-hill individuals to prevent joint issues that might end you up in a walker at older age.
Steve Davis agrees, and is shocked to hear that certain heavy movements are seen as “dangerous” in modern society. He thinks that this way of thinking has led to less originality in bodybuilders and their physiques. You used to be able to look at a sillhouette and know exactly which bodybuilder you were staring at. Today, you wouldn’t be able to tell them apart.
Steve Davis also thinks this is true about posing. With less importance put on posing and no scoring round – most bodybuilders are encouraged to simply hit the mandatories and move on. Davis is shocked that even the best in the world – Mr. Olympia champions – have lackluster posing routines.
“Even the Mr. Olympias pose like shit.”
– Steve Davis
Wrap Up
Steve Davis wraps up the conversation by bringing up the myth of Milo. In the myth, Milo would cary a calf up a mountain every day. Each day, the calf would grow older and eventually larger in size. But he kept carrying the cow up every day. As the cow grew larger, so did Milo.
That, in essence, is true bodybuilding. It’s progressive training – and the key element that all bodybuilders should fall in love with if they want to truly live the lifestyle. Davis even spent his masters degree thesis on how progressive training can be used to improve the image of mentally abused children. While he never completed his masters program – it’s a core attitude he still believes in today.
You can watch Mike O’Hearn’s full conversation with Golden Era legend Steve Davis in our latest episode of The Mike O’Hearn Show above. Make sure to check out brand new episodes every Friday only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
Terrence Ruffin Shares Retirement Plans, Wants To Win Arnold Classic Three Times
Terrence Ruffin plans to defend his Arnold Classic title and win once again before taking a break from competition.
Terrence Ruffin has emerged as one of the top competitors in the Classic Physique division. At 29 years old, he is a two-time Arnold Classic champion and has finished as the runner-up at the Olympia. Recently, Ruffin did a Q&A on his Instagram story, answering some hard-hitting questions like when he plans to retire.
Ruffin was able to reach the pinnacle at the Arnold Classic in 2021, after finishing second to Alex Cambronero the year before. He has now won back-to-back titles in Columbus but has yet to lift the Sandow Trophy. Classic Physique star Chris Bumstead has completed the three-peat and will be looking for his fourth consecutive title.
Ruffin has defended his Arnold Classic title successfully on one occasion and plans to do it again. He recently shared that he wants to win the competition three times before taking a break from competition.
Terrence Ruffin Gives Timeline On Retirement
The Classic Physique division continues to grow in popularity, led by Bumstead and Ruffin, among others. This is not something that Ruffin is shying away from as he plans to compete at the biggest shows of the year once again.
During a session of answering questions on Instagram, Ruffin was asked if he plans on defending his title during the 2023 Arnold Classic.
“I want to win 3. So that’s the plan. That would be my last one though. Then I would love to commentate it.”
Of course, a common question around bodybuilders is when they plan to retire. The recent string of deaths in the sport have made competitors think about their status and monitor their health carefully. Terrence Ruffin is still a young athlete but that does not mean he is not thinking about the future.
Ruffin was asked how many years he has left to compete and he gave some insight on his plan.
“2-3 years then. Idk if I’ll be retired for good but I’ll definitely take some time off from competing.”
This means that Ruffin would be in his early 30s when he decides to step away from bodybuilding. It is unknown if he will follow through with this plan or if he will retire for good.
What we do know is that we can plan to see Terrence Ruffin on the Arnold Classic stage next year as he looks to win his third consecutive title.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jay Cutler And Milos Sarcev Discuss Michal Krizo, Draw Comparisons To Phil Heath
Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev believe Michal Krizo has a chance to be something special.
Jay Cutler knows a thing or two about building an elite physique in bodybuilding. He continues to share different opinions about the current state of the sport. Recently, he ran into Michal Krizo in the gym and raved about his physique. Cutler and Milos Sarcev share the opinion of Krizo and drew some big-time comparisons during an interview.
Krizo made the jump from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the NPC in July. He was one of the biggest stars in the league and will now be able to compete to earn his Pro Card. Both Cutler and Sarcev have seen Krizo in-person since he made the switch and believe that he could make an immediate impact as a pro.
During an episode of Cutler Cast on YouTube, both Cutler and Sarcev had some incredible things to say about the future of Krizo.
Jay Cutler Compares Michal Krizo To Phil Heath
Between Jay Cutler and Phil Heath, there is a lot of experience and success on the Olympia stage. Cutler is a four-time champion and has an eye for talent. With Krizo, he drew some comparisons to the seven-time champion.
“When I told his trainer, I said, you don’t see the fibers like this anymore. When he did his side triceps, you’re going to see the shoulder fibers and all that. We haven’t seen a lot of that, but I compare Phil Heath when I say that because Phil just had the tie ins and the thinner skin,” Cutler said.
Jay Cutler saw Michal Krizo in-person at Gold’s Gym when he was making a video of a workout. He led the NPC bodybuilder through some bodybuilding poses and had plenty to say about his look. He believes he could upset some people if he was to make it to the Olympia stage.
Milos Sarcev was the first to make these claims. There is plenty of hype around Krizo and the renowned coach believes that there is a good reason.
“Krizo has some of the craziest arms you’ve ever seen in your life. The front double bicep is almost impossible to achieve. Round shoulders, round arms, very good legs, decent chest, good chest, we talked about it when he looked pumped, the chest looked good. I still think he can still build up a little bit more size,” Sarcev said.
The 2022 Olympia is already full of some elite talent and it will be interesting to see who could compete with two-time champion Big Ramy. This is not to say that Michal Krizo will immediately win the Olympia but he has a chance to jump into the top 10.
“We just saw two guys that have not hit the Olympia stage yet but can 100% be in the top ten if they show up in condition. Now that’s the big question mark. Can they show up looking like this. How many times have we seen guys that are Mr. Olympia in the gym and then they just don’t show up,” Cutler said.
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For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Is 165lb PNBA Brandon Lirio the Lightest Man to Lift the Legendary Húsafell Stone?
Image via Instagram @bgf_lirio
3x Natural Olympia champ Brandon Lirio may be the lightest natural athlete to lift the Húsafell Stone.
The Húsafell Stone is a stone weighing 186kg (410lb). And this behemoth weighing nearly half a ton is no easy feat to lift as you’d imagine. Especially for a natural athlete, not to mention one that stands 5’5″ and weighs 165 pounds. Well, the natural bodybuilder who fits these criteria and may be the lightest to lift this monumental stone is Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete Brandon Lirio.
Brandon Lirio is a 3x Natural Olympia champion in the Classic Physique category. And he also has a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA.
Is This 165lb Natural Bodybuilder the Lightest Man to Ever Lift the Húsafell Stone?
The Húsafell Stone is located in a sheep and goat pen in Húsafell, Iceland. This stone has felt the grips of many strongmen worldwide trying to lift it for over a century. Unfortunately, this rock is separated from a standard 400-pound barbell because it’s unbalanced, uneven, and compact, making it much more challenging to lift.
Lirio recently went on a quest with Iceland’s Strongest Man (Stefan Torfason) and Solvi Fannar (retired strongman and agent of Icelandic Strongmen, including Hapthór Björnsson) to attempt to lift the legendary Húsafell Stone. According to Liro, the men there to witness the lift said they’d never seen anyone Lirio’s size do it before. Brandon Liro stated:
“All of the people who witnessed the lift and the training for it in Iceland said I was the shortest and lightest person they have ever seen lift the stone at 165lbs.”
Whether Brandon Lirio was the lightest ever to lift the stone or not doesn’t take away the fact that it’s an awe-inspiring feat for someone of his stature. Lirio expressed:
“Traveling to Iceland to lift the Húsafell was an absolute dream of mine.”
Below are videos of Brandon Lirio’s entire weightlifting experience with Iceland’s Strongest Man at Thor’s Gym. Iceland is known for its bread of strong, gigantic men, and the training Brandon Lirio endured with Stefan Torfason was what you’d expect in the land of the Vikings. Lirio did a mix of the bag over the bar, log press, and circus dumbbell press movements.
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The video below is a complete in-depth capture of Brandon Lirio’s experience lifting the Húsafell Stone.
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What’s Next for Brandon Lirio?
Next, Brandon Lirio plans to film a food challenge of him eating triple the calories of “The Rock’s” cheat meal he posted recently. So stay tuned to Lirio’s YouTube channel. He plans to undertake this challenge soon. He also plans to upload his leg training to prepare for Natural Olympia in a couple of weeks.
And, of course, Brandon Lirio is eager to take back his thrown of the Natual Olympia Classic Physique division after Derek Joe won at 2021 Natural Olympia, leaving Lirio with a silver medal. Reclaiming the title won’t be an easy task, though. Derek Joe recently spoke with us about his recent physique update in preparation for Natural Universe held in Tampa, Florida, on September 3, 2022.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay tuned to Brandon Lirio’s next adventures!
INBA/PNBA World Championships 2022 Inside Look | Posing Routines & Awards
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A visual recap of the INBA/PNBA World Championships competition – part of the Road To Natural Olympia.
This summer held one of the biggest natural bodybuilding events of the year – the INBA/PNBA World Championships in Florence, Italy on June 25, 2022. The competition is a truly vital one for the league – part of the Road To Natural Olympia series – competitors have a chance to qualify for the Natural Olympia competition later this year. It’s also a major opportunity for amateur athletes to earn their pro cards.
The World Championships is also notable for bringing together a truly diverse and powerful line up of competitors from across the globe. Each athlete representing their nation to further place it on the map in the sport of bodybuilding.
Denny Kakos, INBA PNBA’s founder, has high hopes for natural bodybuilding. Bringing bodybuilding to the Olympics is his ultimate goal. The Olympics also abides by WADA regulations and prohibit drugs.
Generation Iron was behind the scenes at the event capturing the full house event in and the epic battles that ensued on stage. You can watch our full recap sizzle reel from the INBA/PNBA World Championships 2022 above.
2022 World Championships Athlete Highlights
Generation Iron (GI) interviewed a few key contenders participating in the weekend show. Below are the competitors we talked to, and they gave us some insight into what they look to achieve.
Kayla Rowling
3x Bikini Divas Natural Olympia champ and multi-media athlete Kayla Rowling is one of the most prominent INBA PNBA competitors competing at the 2022 INBA PNBA World Championships. Rowling’s excited about this competition exceptionally because it will be her first international bikini competition of the year. To prepare for the show, Rowling shared her pre-contest breakfast nutrition plan. Rowling has been eating five egg whites, asparagus, and mushrooms for breakfast to prep for the event.
Veronica Malloy
2x Natural Olympia champ and Hall of Fame Inductee Veronica Malloy placed well at 2021 Natural Olympia, receiving third place in Bikini Angels and a top-five placement in the Figure class. GI recently spoke with Malloy about strategies to find WADA-compliant supplements. According to Malloy, WADA doesn’t have a compliant supplement list, so INBA PNBA athletes must do their due diligence to learn what supplements will pass screenings. Malloy agrees that although Florence, Italy, is beautiful, she’s there for work–she does admit to probably indulging in pizza and other Italian cuisines after the show, though.
Tommi Thompson
Tommi Thompson’s been competing with the INBA PNBA since 2017 in the Men’s Bodybuilding Open category. He’s also been serving in the military for over 20 years. Thompson gave GI a dive into his contest prep for the show in Florence, Italy, and ways Thompon’s conditioning his body to burn fat without losing muscle. Plus, he’s being trained by Natural Olympia champ Philip Ricardo Jr. Thompon’s been keeping his weights heavy during the cutting process to show up on stage in Florence at his best conditioning.
“Toughest Fitness Test On Earth”: Fitness Stars The Buff Dudes Attempt The Hotshot 500
The Buff Dudes take on one of the toughest fitness challenges that they have faced.
Fitness superstars The Buff Dudes have become extremely popular thanks to their YouTube channel showcasing different athletic challenges. From insane workouts to long-term projects, brothers Hudson and Brandon White have pushed themselves to the limit many times. They might have found a new level after taking on a workout they have deemed “the toughest fitness test on Earth.”
In their recent video, The Buff Dudes take on The Hotshot 500.
What Is The Hotshot 500?
We have seen some intense workouts that challenge the body in everyday possible. Liver King has introduced his Barbarian workout where you wear a 70-pound backpack and 20-pound ankle weights, hold 70-pound kettlebells, and pull a 120 pound sled for one mile.
The Hotshot 500 was created by the Interagency Hotshot Crew, which is a group of woodland firefighters who work in some of the most remote parts of the nation.
The workout is a six-mile hillside hike that features 100 push-ups, 100 squats, 100 flutter kicks, 100 shoulder presses, 50 rows, 50 curls, and 50 burpees. If this is not enough, you must complete all of this while wearing a 50-pound backpack.
“You can take the Buff Dudes out of the gym but you can’t take the gym out of the Buff Dudes,” Brandon White said.
The Buff Dudes Take On The Hotshot 500
The Buff Dudes begin their journey with a half-mile hike before hitting 50 push-ups. After another half mile, they bang out the 100 squats and continue on. The White brothers went into this mission with strategy as they know it is going to be one of the most difficult things they have done while exercising.
“I’ve done heights. I’ve done elevation. Of course, I’ve done squats but I’ve never done both at the same time,” Hudson White said.
The hike continues as the brothers take down the final 50 push-ups, along with the flutter kicks and shoulder presses. Once they reach the peak, The Buff Dudes take a short break to look out at the view before knocking out the 50 burpees. Finally, they begin heading back down to the bottom.
“This is taxing, man. I am hitting muscle fatigue. My muscles are burning, they’re failing. It really pushes you to the limit. My chest feels like it is tearing in half,” Hudson White said.
The Buff Dudes have built impressive physiques and endurance thanks to a lot of training in unique ways. After watching them take down the Hotshot 500, it is clear that this is no ordinary workout.
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