All Posts By Presser
How To Spot, Stop & Avoid Invisible Lat Syndrome
Let’s get rid of this ridiculous syndrome.
You have seen invisible lat syndrome before. Those wannabe Olympia bodybuilders and meatheads “unable” to put their arms down by their sides because their lats are so “big”. Sound familiar? It’s awkward, annoying, and just flat out embarrassing, for the wannabe that is.
Invisible lat syndrome has unfortunately plagued gyms everywhere with those seeking to look bigger than they actually are. And the worst part is, it doesn’t even make you look bigger.
So, what causes this and why do people have it? How can we spot it and hopefully try to stop it? Let’s jump right into this and answer all of these questions for you. Next time you are in the gym, keep an eye out for those meatheads that just can’t seem to make their arms go down. Trust us, you can’t miss them.
What Is Invisible Lat Syndrome?
Invisible lat syndrome (ILS), also referred to as imaginary lat syndrome, is the idea that your pump was so big, and that your lats are so wide, that you can’t return your arms to your side like normal. This typically happens after a someone lifts massive weights and has that inflated feeling in their muscles. Their armpits will be open wide and their arms will awkwardly look as though they don’t know where to go. Think about if you had basketballs or volleyballs under your arms. That’s what it would feel like.
The ironic thing is, we have most likely all felt this feeling. It is normal to have that inflated feeling after a massive lift. But the difference is we tend to recognize we are not Ronnie Coleman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, or Dorian Yates and quickly return our arms to their respective resting positions; down by their sides, where they should be.
Why Do People Have It?
Why people have invisible lat syndrome is a mystery and all that we could truly gather are a few superficial reasons for potentially why someone would subject everyone else in the gym to look at that foolishness. While we can do our best to spread awareness about this issue, unfortunately we leave it in the hands of those individuals who suffer from it to make the choice to stop. Some possible reasons people have ILS are:
A genuinely massive pump where they physically can’t put their arms down by their sides- this is highly unlikely, but to be fair, it needed to be on the list.
Idolizing their favorite bodybuilder and seek to mimic how they look. Typically, professional bodybuilders will pose with this look to impress the judges. But look at those same bodybuilders in the gym on a normal day and they wouldn’t dare walk around with watermelons under their arms.
Want attention and need people to know they are working out. How annoying is that? You are at a gym, of course we know you are working out. Unless they are looking to find their soul mate and feel this is how to portray dominance or a sense of control over the gym. Try throwing a punch in the invisible lat syndrome position. Trust us, it won’t go well.
How To Stop Invisible Lat Syndrome Of Others
It is up to us humble gym goers and athletes to try and put an end to invisible lat syndrome as best we can. Even if we don’t fully understand what causes it, we need to stay focused in our mission to end this ridiculousness. If you see someone suffering from invisible lat syndrome, avoid eye contact. Don’t give them the attention they so desperately seek and let them waddle around alone, admiring themselves in the mirror until it’s time to go home. The more you look and draw attention to this, the more they will do it and it will never end.
Another way that may work well is to lift equal amounts of weight or perform the same exercises and when finished, don’t look like that. This will show them that there is absolutely no reason to look like that and if you can lift that weight and perform that exercise without it, then people know it is all for attention’s sake.
How To Avoid It For Yourself
To avoid invisible lat syndrome on your own is not that difficult. Just lift, enjoy your workout, and don’t try to be someone you are not. By allowing yourself the freedom to lift big, look great, and see that shredded and massive physique unfold, you will be well on your way to seeing huge gains and won’t look like a fool whose head is too big for their body.
Actually Building Your Lats
Your lats do matter and having strong lats work to assist with a larger physique, that V-shape look, and any pulling motion that comes your way. As one of the largest muscles we have, maintaining good form and giving your body the best chance at success requires knowing what to do to really build strength and size.
Knowing which exercises can increase lat development is important and looking to the right exercises will get you seriously wide lats. The barbell pullover is a great exercise for massive growth while the underhand lat pulldown will build those wing-like lats. Looking to the idea of the lat pulldown vs. pull-up, both are great for offering functional and sport specific gains all while building that stronger, more defined back. Whatever your intended exercise is, place these into your routine and see what they can do for you. You absolutely won’t be disappointed by the results.
Wrap Up
Invisible lat syndrome is that unfortunate thing we see in the gym all too much. As upstanding members of the gym going community, it is our place to take a stand and stop it. Do your part, don’t pay attention to these wannabe’s, and hopefully we can eradicate invisible lat syndrome for good. Although this uphill battle is going to take all of us.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
Gym Crush – Karina Elle
Images courtesy of Instagram @karinaelle
Kariana Elle is a true Cali girl who loves the beach and gym life. Elle is a former competitive cheerleader and a cross country runner. After college, Karina devoted most of her free time to fitness and started competing in bikini shows.
The half Vietnamese – half-French beauty is a fitness model, a personal trainer and was named the most “in-demand” fitness model by a popular magazine in 2014. Elle won the World Fitness Federation Pro Bikini Championship amongst many others.
Hotness Overload – Karina Elle
While attending the University of Florida, cheerleading and cross country running was replaced by being a part-time group fitness instructor. For Karina, the transition from cheerleading to fitness came naturally as she liked her fitness instructor job so much.
Karina isn’t your average fitness girl who is always on the lookout for the right lighting for the perfect booty shots. Elle is comfortable sweating and having messy hair as she goes about doing her thing.
Squat Rack is the Altar
Elle likes to squat heavy and can put many men to shame with the depth and form of her squats. Karina prefers using heavy weights as it helps in fully engaging all her muscle fibers and maximizes muscle growth.
After winning the overall title in her first bikini show, Karina started modeling for the top agencies in the country. Elle has featured in several minor TV commercials, has been featured on the cover of one of the most renowned magazines in Singapore in 2013, and she achieved all this at the age of 26.
Get the Best of Everything
The 5’11” internet fitness celebrity is into yoga and can turn the world into her yoga mat. Karina says her addiction to endorphins which she gets after a good workout helps her stay motivated to hit the gym and be in shape.
Elle is a Gym Shark athlete who is always making a style statement in and out of the gym. Karina doesn’t hold herself back from having some fun while she’s working out. Follow her on Instagram to keep up with her.
Karina has one of the most chiseled midriffs on a female fitness model. Her washboard abs are the proof she loves to stay in top shape throughout the year. Although Karina sticks to her healthy diet, she likes to have a juicy hamburger and french fries once in a while.
Bikinis are Life
Elle undoubtedly has one of the most exotic wardrobes with some of the most beautiful bikinis you’ll ever see. Her pictures will glue you to your phone and you’ll find yourself scrolling through her timeline for hours.
Karina loves taking her workouts outdoors. Elle often does her cardio and bodyweight workouts in the wild. She is the perfect example you should never miss a workout even if there are no gyms around you. Make the world your gym.
Karina trains at the Mecca of Bodybuilding, Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. Her impeccable physique is the result of using every machine in the gym from the free weights to the cardio equipment.
What do you think about Karina’s abs? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Instagram
5 Big Rocks of A Fit Life
Foundation of A Fit Life
Most people never see results in the gym because they have been lied to, and they have been doing things incorrectly. Gym bros mislead unsuspecting people into following useless programs that get them nowhere.
If you can’t see any progress or have hit a plateau, this article is for you. We’ll be decoding five things you’ll need to get right if you want to see perpetual gains. Read the article carefully and assess which of the five areas you lack and need to improve in.
Training
Today, many people don’t see any results because they rely too much on their diet while undermining the importance of their training program. If your body gets used to your training routine, your progress will stall.
You need to be shocking your muscles in every workout. Using advanced training principles like supersets, drop sets, intraset stretching, BFR training are incredibly effective ways of taking your gains to the next level.
Nutrition
Even though people are better aware of the importance of the right diet, they make fatal mistakes while designing their nutrition program. People have been misled into believing that eating fats makes them fat, and consuming carbs won’t let them shed weight.
Consuming the macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats) in the right proportions is a must if you want to see results. Getting professional help in building your diet plan can help you save time, money and hard work.
Recovery
Contrary to what many people believe, you break down muscles in the gym, and they only grow back bigger and stronger when you’re resting. If you feel sore even after three days of a workout, you need to improve your recovery program.
Supplements are fantastic recovering tools and should be a part of every serious lifer’s routine. Make sure you’re sleeping for at least 6-8 hours every night and are stretching, foam rolling regularly.
Consistency
Consistency is key when it comes to living the fit life and crafting your dream physique in the process. If you’re one of the people who can only hit the gym twice a week, save yourself the trouble of signing up for a gym membership.
Consistency isn’t limited to training. You can’t afford to miss a single recovery session or meal. The day you fall off the consistency train, you give up the right to complain about not seeing any progress.
Fun
Most people quit the fit lifestyle because they find it boring. This might come to you as a surprise, but you don’t have to jump onto a treadmill every day if your goal is to lose body fat.
You could sign-up for dance, swimming, MMA classes or any other physical sport to keep things interesting. Find a sport which you’re interested in learning about because curiosity and fun are great consistency enabler.
Who is your favorite exercise? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
5 Bodyweight Exercises to Build a Ripped Chest
Build a Shredded Chest with these Bodyweight Exercises
A broad and muscular chest has been the symbol of masculinity for a long time. Most people think benching heavy weights is the only way to build a chiseled chest. This is as far away from the truth as it can be.
Your body doesn’t know how much weight you’ve loaded onto the bar. All it knows is the amount of muscle fiber recruitment and tension placed upon it. Calisthenics athletes are a great example of using your own bodyweight to build a ripped chest.
Parallel Bar Dips
Parallel bar dips are a bad-ass exercise and will fill up your pecs with blood and lactic acid. We prefer the parallel bar dips over the bench dips as your lower body weight adds resistance in the bar dips whereas the bench dips take it off.
While performing the parallel bar dips make sure you bend forward a little as it will put more tension on your pectoral muscles and will eliminate the recruitment of the triceps. Maintaining a full range of motion in the bodyweight exercises is critical for the development of the muscles.
Barbell Rollout Flyes
Barbell rollout flyes aren’t for the faint-hearted. The rollout flyes are for the advanced lifters and include the use of a couple of barbells and weight plates. Don’t worry, you won’t have to lift any of it.
Get into the push-up position and place a barbell at each side, so one end of the barbells are next to your feet and the other is next to your shoulders. Grab the barbells at the start of the grip area and push them apart so your chest is almost touching the floor. Pull the barbells to the starting position where they should be under your shoulders and squeeze your pecs.
Push-Ups (Different Variations)
There are enough pushup variations that you can try a new one in every workout for months. Pushups are one of the basic functional exercises and are one of the first exercises people learn to perform.
You can perform the incline pushups if you want to train your upper pecs, decline pushups for the lower chest, normal pushups for the middle and overall chest mass. Advance forms include superman pushups, clap pushups, one-hand pushups etc.
Resistance Bands or TRX Flyes/Presses
TRX and resistance band flyes and presses are isolation exercises which can target the pecs from specific angles. Resistance bands are incredibly portable and can be taken along in a backpack or a suitcase while you’re traveling.
You can decrease the resistance on the bands by holding them close to the bottom or add resistance by grabbing the bands farther away from the ends. Tie the bands to a straight pole or hang them from a bar near the ceiling if you don’t have an access to a gym.
Isometric Exercises
Isometric exercises are one of the most underutilized exercises and don’t get their fair share of credit when it comes to building muscle mass and definition. The isometric exercises are a great way of building a mind-muscle connection. If done at the end of a workout isometric exercises can give you a muscle-ripping pump.
Isometric exercises are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length don’t change during contraction. Isometrics are done in static positions, rather than being dynamic through a range of motion.
Which is your favorite bodyweight chest exercise? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
This is How Your Training Should Change as You Get Advanced
How to Take Your Workouts to the Next Level
Sticking with the same training program for a long time is a sure shot way of hitting a plateau and stalling your gains. To get the most out of your workouts, your training techniques should develop and advance with you.
Improving your physique with every passing year is a constant quest for which you’ll have to work hard. Shocking your muscles is the only way to make them grow. If you follow the same training program in every workout, your muscles can get used to them and will refuse to grow.
Advanced Training Techniques
Advanced training techniques like the super, drop, giant, rest-pause sets, forces, cheat, 21 reps are a great way to shock your muscles and force them into growing. As you get advanced, you’ll have to be on the lookout for how to make your workouts harder.
Bodybuilders are always chasing the pump and you should be willing to leave your comfort zone and try new things. Changing the rep tempos and increasing the time under tension can do wonders for your muscle growth.
New Training Equipment
Use of new training equipment can be instrumental in sparking new muscle growth. Using an arm blaster, fat grips for your arm workouts, elastic bands for supersets or adding resistance, or using assistance tools like slingshots, knee, elbow sleeves can take your workouts to a whole new level.
If you have been working out at the same gym for a year or two, your body might get familiar with the machines. Changing gyms can help ignite muscle gains as the ergonomics of the machines will be new for your body.
Change Training Splits
Switching up your training days can be a good idea. If you train your chest on the international chest day, i.e. Monday, move it to the end of the week. Doing this can keep your muscles guessing.
You could also train two muscles groups in a single workout. Training two muscles in a single day allow you to train one muscle group twice a week which is a great way of bringing up lagging muscles.
Start a New Training Program
You’ll know your body is adapting to your training program when you stop getting a pump and see no positive changes in your muscles. Every training program intends to develop your muscles by following certain principles.
You can’t follow the same training program for building muscle, losing fat or toning your muscles and expect to see results. Make sure you don’t jump the gun and start an advanced program if you’re a beginner.
Time
As you advance in your training, the time you spend in the gym shouldn’t increase. Most people think spending more time training will get them better results. Your muscles don’t grow while you’re working out, they develop when you’re resting and are following a diet.
Incorporate advanced training techniques and make your workouts more intense so you can get a lot done in one hour at the gym. After the one hour mark, the time you spend in the gym will be inversely proportional to the effectiveness of your workout. Most people will do better by keeping their workouts short, intense and explosive.
When did you start training? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Why Your Calves Aren’t Growing And How You Can Fix Them
Calves lagging behind? Here’s how to power through.
One of the most complained about muscles are the calf muscles. Men (and women) everywhere lament at the work they’ve put in with less than ideal results when it comes to the calf muscle. While genetics play a large factor in how your muscles will show up, there are certain things you can do enhance what you’ve already got.
One of the most basics concepts you need to learn…is more! While body weight training can definitely keep your muscles pumped and fairy toned, for calves that really pop you’re going to need more. But what does that mean exactly, more reps? more weight? well both of these are true…to a point.
Weight
As far as weight is concerned, you definitely want more of that. Body weight isn’t going to provide the necessary resistance needed to break down muscle, causing it to recover stronger. Next time you’re doing your seated calve raises try throwing some more weight on there. You can use a traditional machine or try it using dumbbells for an alternate variation.
Reps
When it comes to reps, you’ve got to find that perfect balance. While you don’t necessarily need to be doing a hundred reps as you would with bodyweight, you also don’t want to be only doing 4 or 5. If you can do heavy weight for as many as 25 reps per set then you’re in the sweet spot range. As with anything, feel free to tweak the rep ranges depending on your ability and goals.
Contraction
This one really hit home for me as I was working on my chest. Jay Cutler always goes on about concentrating on the muscle when you’re hitting your pecs and I thought it was all hocus pocus. I was wrong.
Concentrating on the contraction of any muscles while performing an exercise not only brings more blood to the muscle but also eliminates useless movement. Perform your calf raises in a controlled manner, when you get to the top make sure to squeeze for extra emphasis.
On the way down you also want to concentrate the negative portion of the exercise as putting the weight back down in a controlled manner is the other 50% of your TUT (time under tension. Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself.
Extra Calf Day
Why not? If your muscles can handle the extra day and you’ve been giving your body accurate rest, then top off those calves with an extra day. Most people work their calves during leg day, which is fine.
But you have to remember your calves are tired from doing other exercises (squats, deadlifts, leg curls, etc.), having a separate day lets you attack them while they’re fresh. This leads to more output and hopefully greater gains.
While all these tips can help get you the swollen calves you want and deserve, you’ve got to have your core principles in check. This means your sleep and nutrition. Without adequate rest and nutrient dense foods you deplete your T-levels and in general reek havoc on your body.
So pay attention to both sides of the sport for healthy and positive gains. What are your problem areas? Let us know by hitting up our comments below or head on over to our official Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
10 Daily Habits of Successful Bodybuilders
The Most Common Habits of Successful Bodybuilders
Of all the people working out to get a better physique, only a few can be deemed successful. Most people blame their genetics for not seeing results in the gym while the real problem lies elsewhere.
Being successful at bodybuilding takes a lot of self-discipline. If you follow fitness athletes on social media, you would have seen a common pattern in their days. There are certain things accomplished bodybuilders do every day which makes them the best at what they do.
1. Wake Up Early
We’re sure you would have never seen a professional bodybuilder wake up late and social media is a proof for this. Successful people wake up early and get to work. Most of the successful bodybuilder workout early in the morning.
2. Follow a Schedule
Top bodybuilders follow a schedule. They don’t go to the gym when it is convenient for them. They have a fixed schedule which they follow. Your muscles respond better to your workouts when you hit the gym at the same time every day.
3. Eat Frequently
Following a healthy diet is a must. It doesn’t end there, you have to eat frequently and on time. Feeding your muscles at regular intervals helps in the recovery process. If you’re looking to build muscles, you should be eating anywhere between 6-8 meals a day.
4. Set Goals
You should have short-term and long-term goals. You can’t expect to see results in the gym if you go there without a goal. All the successful bodybuilders have a goal in their minds when they step into the gym and they will do anything to achieve it.
5. Plan in Advance
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” You need to have a workout, diet, and a day plan ready in advance. When you have your workout plans ready in advance, you can focus on the workouts instead of thinking of exercises to do next.
6. Visualise
Visualisation is made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. He used visualisation techniques to imagine his dream physique and then worked in the gym to achieve it. Visualisation combined with the mind-muscle connection can take your gains to a whole new level.
7. Work on Something Bigger
While you might enjoy your time in the gym, don’t get absorbed by it. Take out the time to work on something bigger. Most of the famous bodybuilders spend short but effective time in the gym and work outside the gym to build their empires.
8. Share
In today’s era, you will hardly find a successful bodybuilder who lives in isolation. If you’ve achieved a goal, share it with the world and motivate them. On the other hand, if you’re working towards a goal sharing it with your friends and family can motivate you to work harder for it.
9. Have Fun
Not seeing results can lead to frustration and anxiety. It is important you have fun in and out of the gym. Don’t let go of a chance to have fun. Follow a hobby or spend some time with your friends and family.
10. Sleep Well
No matter how hard you work in the gym, deep sleep is where all the magic happens. Your muscles need at least six hours of sleep every night to rest and repair after your workouts. It is time you stop wearing sleep deprivation as a badge of honor.
Which of these habits do you need to form? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
*Header image courtesy of Envato Elements.
Make A Change To Make Some Gains
There are plenty of ways to make changes for some massive gains.
So with the new year creeping up on us now, change is imminent, and change for many of us, tends to be a positive thing.
So why not start your new year with a bang by changing up your routine and kicking your own butt in the process! Trust me, you will thank me for it later.
I have listed some exercises that are not necessarily ones that will promote hypertrophy but they will elevate your heart rate and help you add something different into your armory, as every workout routine needs a change.
So here we go!
Tyre (Tire) Flips
For those of you whose gym has a tyre, then great as this is a perfect compound movement that mimics the deadlift but also adds the explosive element of pushing the tyre.
Start by standing over the tyre
Employ similar stance as you would in a deadlift
Place hands under tyre
Lift up, using the legs to explode up and flip the tyre over
The power generated should flip it exactly over to the over side
Alternative Option
For those of you that do not have a tyre and want to do this in your gym, a great alternative to use is a soft plyo box. It won’t land the same but it will still give you a great workout.
Half Turkish Get Ups
This workout is one you may not see that often in your local gym but it is great exercise for developing a strong core, improving shoulder strength and stability, honing your coordination skills.
Here is how it is done:
Lie on your back
You can use either a kettlebell or dumbbell
So start with the weight in your right hand
While lying on your back, the right hand should be extended upright
The right leg should be bent with the heel touching the floor
Left leg straight, left arm extended out to your side
Then lift the right shoulder off the ground, while keeping the core tight, and right elbow straight.
Use your other arm as leverage and to ensure you stay balanced.
Then push the right foot into the ground and push the hips ups creating a bridge.
Hold that then slowly come back down to beginning
Always ensure you have control of the weight throughout the whole movement
Then complete the other arm accordingly
Full Turkish Get Ups
Now the full version means you get to stand up, so complete the half version and instead of thrusting into a bridge position, simply
Slide your left leg underneath you towards you so it is bent and on the floor under you
This will then automatically convert your right leg into a right angle and your right heel will be firmly planted into the floor
Then come to an open half kneeling position
And ensure you are facing straight ahead
Then slowly come into a standing position
Ensure the weight in your hand never deviates
Then reverse the movement and slowly come back down, performing each step in reverse
Key thing when going back is to reverse lunge and get into the half kneeling position
And slowly go back down from there
KB Waiters Carry
This is a great workout for again increasing core strength and stability, here is how it is done:
Begin by holding a kettlebell in your right hand
Extend that arm all the way overhead
The elbw should be locked out
While ensuring everything is tight and posture is upright
Begin to walk from one side of the room to the other
The key thing here is to ensure stability while moving
Alternatives
Suitcase Carry – Again with one kettlebell, this time it will be by your side mimicking that of carrying a suitcase.
Ensure core stability and ensure you keep your torso vertical and both deltoids level. If you feel the side with the weight dropping down then compensate accordingly so both sides are level.
Again walk to one side of the room, switch hands at the hand then walk back accordingly.
Farmers Carry – This time you get to a kettlebell in each hand.
Similar to the suitcase carry, core strength and stability is crucial and keeping the torso vertical.
Ensure both deltoids are level on either side also.
Similar to the other two exercises, walk in a straight line with perfect from then repeat again accordingly.
Sledgehammer Tyre Slams
So for this you will need a tire and a sledgehammer.
This exercise is great for coordination, and a great compound movement and a perfect way to release any anger of frustration.
Simply hit the tyre with the sledgehammer, that is as simple as it gets.
Discus Twist
This is my own workout and is similar to the low to high cable woodchopper, and it is great for the obliques and promoting explosiveness.
Simply grab a small plated disc
With your right hand place two fingers into the hold of the plate and grip tightly, with the left hand there as support
Then with the plate in your right hand
Stagger your stance so your right leg is behind you and left leg is slightly forward
Then have hands ahead of you in front of your face
Then rotate your hands with the plate to your right hand side towards the back of your right foot
Then explode up back to the starting position, mimicking that of throwing a discus
So there you have it, a few new exercises to keep you entertained and some you may want to add to your routine permanently.
So until next time, keep pumping and happy holidays!
Learn the Movements That Pushed Natural Bodybuilder Danairo Moore to Wild Transformation
PNBA Men’s Pro Physique competitor Danairo Moore completely transformed his body.
Anyone who’s lost a lot of weight knows the dedication and commitment it takes. It’s a long road, but you can completely transform your body with the right tools. Danairo Moore is a prime example of this. He put in the work to completely change his physique and is now shredded! Now, he’s a Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Men’s Pro Physique competitor. On Instagram (IG), Moore shed some light on his transformation, stating:
“I’ve study and learn from the best.
Now it’s my turn to help you and if your looking to start the year off right.
Not just physically but o [sic] adapt to a mindset that’ll take you to the next level
Let’s get this work and start the year off”
You can see Danairo Moore’s transformation from start to finish below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYUYGArl02f/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Danairo Moore is ready for the 2022 International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) PNBA season. He uploaded a short clip to IG showing his progress and commitment. More said, “just ready to bust everyone ass this coming year.”
LA’s Comic-Con best-dressed Vegeta, William Long, was the Men’s Pro Physique champion at 2021 Natural Olympia this past year. But as all sports go, each year is an opportunity for contenders to write different stories.
Natural Olympia
Natural Olympia’s been the only competition Danairo Moore placed outside the top 3. That shows you how competitive The Pinnacle of Natural Bodybuilding is. Natural Olympia is where the top natural athletes in the world meet to compete for trophies and lavish prizes. In the Men’s Pro Physique division, the competition is tough with elite athletes, including Colin Congo – 2018 Natural Olympia champion, William Long – the first natural athlete to sign a multi-media deal in natural bodybuilding, and Jon Tsiu – former champion and Hall of Fame Inductee. On top of that, other hungry competitors like Luke Francis Trainor are eyeing the same division.
If you scan Danairo Moore’s IG page, one thing you’ll notice is that he’s a “Black Mamba” fan. And if he has a fraction of Kobe Bryant’s work ethic, the Men’s Pro Physique division better watch out.
On January 29, 2021, he uploaded an IG video of him working out a 3:43 am! He’s no doubt a hard worker – not only is he a bodybuilder but a healthcare professional.
Workouts
Danairo Moore engages in various movements as part of his training plan to build the body he has, including back squats, front squats, barbell deadlifts, and ab wheel rollouts.
He’s built up a pretty strong lower body with his routine. You can find him pause squatting 315 lbs! No wonder natural bodybuilder Mati Scopinaro says you should never skip leg day.
If there’s anything we can take away from Danairo Moore’s journey, it’s that you can get ripped with the right mindset, work ethic, and training plan, no matter where you start. If you push yourself enough, you can even build one of the top natural physiques in the world! Moore said, “We all start from somewhere…the key is never rest in the middle.”
Generation Iron is excited to see what the year has in store for Danairo Moore!
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to learn how natural bodybuilders transformed their physique!
WATCH: 62-Year-Old David Ricks Crushes 606-Pound Raw Deadlift
David Ricks completed five reps of 606 pounds in a recent training session.
They say that age is just a number. For David Ricks, this is especially true. The 62-year-old powerlifter recently shared a video of himself completing five reps of a 606-pound raw deadlift.
Ricks took to Instagram to share his extremely heavy workout. He has been a big name in powerlifting for over 40 years now and is continuing to show that he can still get it done in a big way. Ricks makes sure to get prepared at the beginning of the video and maintains perfect form throughout.
“First Heavy Workout of 2022606 x 5 (reps). I have been on this Powerlifting Journey for over 40 years at age 62. You have to continue to challenge yourself towards greater goals.
I don’t own the rights to this song
#kingofthelifts #ipf #83champion#boyntonbarbellcenter #titanpower81#tharris220 #barbend“
David Ricks shares that this is his first heavy workout of the new year. This means he could be in for something special sometime soon. This would be nothing new for Ricks, who is one of the best powerlifters of all-time.
Ricks has continued to compete at 62 years old. In 2021, he managed to break even more records and he might not be done just yet. Ricks was seen competing at the USAPL Nationals in the Masters Over 60 division. He put on quite a show breaking records in squat and on the bench. These records did not last long as Ricks was able to build on his own numbers later in the year.
Powerlifting is not a sport where you see many put together a career that lasts as long as David Ricks. What he is able to do is incredible and he is not shy about showing his most recent accomplishments. After what was a strong 2021, Ricks is back in the gym preparing for another record-breaking year.
Ricks makes the reps of 606 pounds look easy in his video. This is where years of practice comes into play because of the form and control that he has over the barbell. He has routinely shared big lifts to Instagram and it will be exciting to see which he takes on next. Overall, Ricks has made fans excited for what could be in store this year.
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