Muscle Chemistry Archive
7 AM vs 7 PM: What Your Workout Says About You
7 am vs 7 pm: which is the preferred time to workout?
There are two types of people in this world. Early birds and night owls. Two distinct types of people, and their internal clocks affect their daily lives. I myself am I night owl, and have to drum up enough discipline to not let my mind completely wander and watch movies til 4am. Other people are in bed by 9pm and up at 5am.
I’ve personally never understood the whole worshiping of the early bird, but the old adage the early bird gets the worm does hold some weight.
People like Mark Wahlberg or Mike O’Hearn that get up at 3am are absolute weirdos. Ya, you’re up super early, but you went to bed at 7? I bet you’re a ton of fun…
Being a night owl is like being a pot head. It’s easy to go with the, “they’re lazy and never get anything done” cliché. Nowadays some of the most successful people are potheads. Seth Rogen, Joe Rogan, Brad Pitt, Eddie Murphy, all your favourite pro athletes, and the list goes on.
You can be a person that stays up all night pondering non sense, watching too many Alex Jones videos, and not getting anything done. This decision sabotages your next day to because it forces you to either sleep in late or run off less rest than you need. That definitely is an option and a lot of people do that.
Or, you can be someone who likes to work in the silence and seclusion the night sky provides. My point is, the early bird or the night owl doesn’t really matter. The move is to figure out what times your body and mind work best, and go from there. That being said, let’s see what your workout time says about you.
7am: Early Bird
This person’s a try hard. They’re getting up before their alarm goes off, watching some David Goggins, and running through a wall. They’re determined to make the day. Their feet hit the floor and the devil runs. The coffees ready, the outfit laid out the night before, and they’ve already done a morning mediation and read 100 pages from some super intense book. They go to bed at the same time every night, and rise at the same time every morning. Revolutions.
They sip their coffee and lemon infused water on the way to the gym, and listen to an audio book or in depth podcast. They arrive at the gym ready to conquer. They’re probably fasted and working out on an empty stomach because why not? This person’s a machine, and machines don’t need food.
They do a quick jog, followed by hitting the weights. Super sets of course, lot of reps, really getting the pump and heart rate going. They finish with some core and probably more cardio because why not. They may even ride their bike home or to work. This person gets ahead of the day. They eat the frog. They arrive places early and are ready for anything.
They’re a low carb, low sugar person, but likely high caffeine. They even plan their cheat meals (meals not days) and stick to it. Amazing. Most likely they’ve suffered some intense emotional damage or loss by something in their past and refuse to give in and ever be a loser ever again. Stay hard!!
7pm: Night Owl
This person plays with fire. They’re living dangerously. They finish their normal work day, and expect to muster up enough energy/pre workout high to leave their house again and crush weights at their local pump palace. 7pm turns to 8pm turns to 9pm and before you know it, you’re making Pillsbury cookies and firing up Netflix. This can and has happened…… trust me I know.
Going to the gym anytime past 7 pretty much guarantees you’ll be up all night. The combination of pre workout and endorphins adds a few hours of jitters and energy that you won’t be able to defeat, and get to sleep. 7pm is the last window to get a workout in before sabotaging your night. It’s a good time to go to the gym because the after work rush has left, but there’s still a solid amount of talent in the gym for motivation. And by talent, I mean chicks wearing Lulu’s and Gym Shark gear. Every day is leg day if you’re a gym girl.
I personally love the 7pm workout because it gives me time to eat and digest food all day, so my workouts are much better because I have more strength and energy behind them. I don’t mentally wake up for the first 2 hours I’m awake, (not a coffee guy) so anytime I’ve tried to work out in the morning, the workouts have been absolute dog shit. If you avoid the pitfalls of bailing on the 7pm workout, it can really be the crowning achievement of a day well lived.
If you eat like shit all day, do a physical job, and expect to rip yourself off the couch once you’re comfortable at home, it probably won’t happen for you. Once again, matching your workout with your lifestyle and preferences is huge. The 7pm workout is something I look forward to all day. I like to get as much of my shit done during the day as possible, and have that time to myself at night. It’s my form of meditation.
After my 7pm workout, I come home to shower, eat, and enjoy whatever videos or movies I want before bed because I’ve earned it. All my productive shit for the day is done and I capped it off with a great workout. Day well lived. That being said, I wrote this article after a 7pm workout because I did other stuff during the day. The gym can be a great buffer and mental release. It works as a reset that can make things clearer. You come back invigorated and raring to get one more thing done off your daily checklist before landing the plane.
At the end of the day, find what works for you and do it. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
You can follow Jake Brennan on Instagram.
Michal Krizo Wins Mr. Universe Pro 2021
Michal Krizo continues his dominant rise in IFBB Elite Pro with a big win at the Mr. Universe Pro.
While the biggest event of the weekend was the Arnold Classic UK 2021, this weekend also held the Elite Pro Mr. Universe Pro. Held on October 2nd, Michal Krizo dominated and earned first place in the Men’s Open Mr. Universe Pro. This win comes after an explosion in popularity for Krizo – catching the eyes of many IFBB Pro fans in the process.
Michael Krizo has been on a string of victories in the Elite Pro league as of late – and adds another title to his belt with a big win at the Mr. Universe Pro. His victories have become so eye-catching – that many IFBB Pro fans have been making comparisons of his physique to top athletes in the IFBB Pro league. Many have mused how he would fair if he switched leagues – though it’s rumored he is in an exclusive contract with the Elite Pro league for at least a year.
During his rise in popularity ands shortly before the Mr. Universe Pro competition – Michal Krizo also drew attention for his comments on the Arnold Classic 2021. Krizo took shots at Nick Walker – somewhat jokingly stating that “Nick Walker is no rival for me boys,” and also that, “bodybuilding isn’t only mass.” After receiving some criticism for the comments – he later apologized.
Michal Krizo’s victory at the Mr. Universe Pro seems to solidify his popularity across the globe. He very well may be one of the first Elite Pro bodybuilders to gain this kind of attention crossing between leagues. The Elite Pro league has been in existence since the controversial split between the IFBB Pro/NPC and the IFBB Pro International in 2017.
Second place at the Elite Pro Mr. Universe Pro was Pavel Koukal, presenting an impressive and well balanced physique with some solid conditioning. But could not topple the massive physique of Krizo. Following Pavel was Rene Gorol in third place, followed by Carlos Blanco and Tomas Kaspar in fourth and fifth place respectively.
The Elite Pro Mr. Universe Pro should not be confused with the NABBA associated and historical Mr. Universe competition. Even still, the event in the IFBB Elite Pro is a big event for the league – named in honor of the prestigious respect associated with the title.
Originally launched in 1975 with Bob Birdsong winning the event – the Mr. Universe Pro was run until 1981. It has now been revived by the Elite Pro and returend to big acclaim in 2021. With it’s return, the Elite Pro aims to have the competition be one of the pinnacle events for the league season.
With Michel Krizo’s breakthrough success, we’ll continue to keep an eye on the Elite Pro competitor to see his progress through the league. It would be fantastic to see how he would fair against top tier athletes in the IFBB Pro league – though that seems to be a far ways off if at all possible.
2021 Nashville Night Of Champions Results
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.
2021 Daytona Pro Scorecards
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Official Website of theIFBB Professional League
Universities with Best Gyms In the U.S
Fitness is a phenomenon that not even college students can resist. Apart from keeping form, working out increase the level of understanding among students. It is for this reason that most institutions of higher learning have invested heavily in recreational resources. It is also important to note that some colleges offer diplomas and degrees in sporting activities. However, finding a college with the best resources for your fitness may prove to be difficult. This article will look at some of the universities with the best gyms in the United States. Note that this list has not put the facilities in any particular order.
Ohio State University
The university in Ohio state has a vast recreational center that’s one of the best in the country. Most importantly, the facility offers weight training programs with experienced trainers. Students can choose to train in groups or solo, whichever works best for them.
The institution’s climbing center is one of the most famous among all the states. That is not to mention outdoor recreation which includes yoga and stand-up paddleboard. Finally, Ohio State University gymnasium is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to help you take your bodybuilding to another level.
University of Missouri
This institution boasts of having the best gym facilities in the whole of America. After scrutiny, we have established that indeed this institution is one of a kind when it comes to recreational facilities. The University of Missouri is home to numerous lifehack places you can perform any form of exercise.
The institution did a facelift on its recreational facilities in 2005 that is rumored to have cost $50 million. Most importantly, the gyms are open for a minimum of 16 hours. The facility’s Olympic-size swimming pool has hosted 52 Olympic medalists as of today. The University of Missouri ranks top among universities with the best recreational center not only in the United States but also globally.
Related Article:: Top 10 Sports where Players Use Steroids
Colorado State University
Popular for its Rec Cams, this university allows students to monitor the activities in the gym from any part of the institution. The cameras also show which stations and equipment are not in use at any given time. Colorado State University has invested heavily in physical maintenance equipment such as treadmills, barbells, and more.
Students are also offered a myriad of choices of various training activities. The student recreation center in the institution also offers several outdoor activities such as sand volleyball courts. Colorado State University should be among your top choices if fitness is your priority.
University of Arizona
University Primetime places the University of Arizona at the top of higher institutions with the most impressive recreation centers. The university has been expanding its recreation facilities with the most recent being an addition of 51,000 square feet of space in the fall of 2009.
The most notably gym equipment includes high-quality cardio machines, lifting equipment, cycle studios, courts, among others. Most importantly, the facility offers solo and group training in a wide range of physical exercises. The gym is open for at least 12 hours so you can go there at your most convenient hour.
University of Texas – Austin
The southern university boasts of multifaceted recreation centers that are every fitness enthusiast’s dream. With three outdoor gyms and several other field facilities, the University of Texas recreation center is among the best in the Americas. For bodybuilders, this is the ultimate place to be, thanks to quality training programs and equipment.
Most importantly, gyms at the University of Texas offer personalized regimens to help lifters concentrate on their gray areas. If you’re an aspiring bodybuilder who is about to join college and looking for a healthy training environment, consider this facility among the best.
Auburn University
Auburn University has consistently appeared at the top of the list when it comes to gym facilities. Most importantly, this institution has a culture of promoting physical activity as an integral part of learning. As such, it has equipped its gyms with state-of-the-art equipment to help students in training.
The facility’s most notable programs include the ‘Healthy Weight Challenge” which guides students on weight management. Additionally, Auburn has outdoor facilities such as swimming pools which are aimed at providing students with as many sporting options as possible. This facility boasts of having professional trainers who guide students in various sports. Finally, Auburn has 250-ft climbing walls that cater to all levels of climbers.
UMass – Amherst
The University of Massachusetts in Amherst is a force to reckon with in matters of fitness. It is one of the few higher learning institutions that give students an all-around preparation for what life has in store for them. Most importantly., the institution encourages students to incorporate fitness and wellness in their daily lives. It has one of the most competitive recreational centers you can find globally. Notably, the institution’s gyms are equipped with modern lifting equipment for every physical exercise.
Additionally, students who would like to be trained are assisted by experienced trainers in the facility. UMass also has several jogging tracks, one of them being the 6-mile North Pleasant-Pine’s Peak-East Pleasant track. The institution offers free nutrition sessions to interested students, that is not to mention meditation corners that are open to all students at any time.
University of Maine
MSN places the University of Maine first in its ranking of universities with the best recreational centers. The $25 million New Balance Student Recreation Center building has one of the best college gyms globally. The gym, equipped with modern, high-quality equipment every bodybuilder dream of. The University of Maine also has many outdoor recreation facilities such as jogging tracks and an ice-skating rink.
California State University – Long Beach
This university’s recreation and wellness center are one of a kind. The facility is open to both students and staff members. Notably, the gyms within the facility have the best equipment you can find on the planet. California State University has a pool of professional trainers who assist students and staff members in various training activities.
The institution also praise for its excellent outdoor recreation facilities such as sand volleyball and huge swimming pools. Students in the university have access to a vast beach where they can go for sailing adventures.
University of Pennsylvania
Universities along the east coast continue to do well not only in academics but also in other sectors such as recreation. The University of Pennsylvania is home to many playgrounds and gyms with the best resources you can find.
Apart from its famous Olympic-size swimming pool, the facility also has sophisticated physical training equipment such as cardio machines and unique treadmills. Most importantly, the facility boasts of an extraordinary golf simulator and massage studio that are unmatched by any other institution.
The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA is famous for producing some of the best sporting talents in the country. This has been made possible by the Recreation Department in the institution that is equipped with quality, diversified equipment.
Most importantly UCLA has incorporated a daily fitness schedule in most of its activities to promote health and well-being among its community.
University of North Dakota
Have you heard of ‘Cosmic Climbing’ before? Well, the University of North Dakota is the undisputed home of rock climbing among much other fitness and activity-based events. Apart from beneficial workout programs and modern lifting equipment, the university also offers healthy cooking services in the culinary section. That means bodybuilders can monitor their diet and even have their meals prepared by professional nutritionists.
Most importantly, the university offers special fitness classes for students and members of staff at a time of their convenience. Its most popular sessions include cardio boxing and Bootcamp that are open to any member of the university community.
University of Alabama – Birmingham
Last but not least is the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The recreation center on this campus focuses on bodybuilding and general fitness. Students are offered beneficial training programs and fitness classes in a range of fitness areas. For instance, some fitness classes take students through yoga exercises, Zumba, Pilates, among others.
Most importantly, the institution has come up with several team-building activities to challenge students who wish to push their fitness limits. The fact the institution organizes internal contests in various fitness activities makes it the best for bodybuilders looking forward to participating in IFBB competitions. Finally, fitness rooms at the University of Alabama give students a breath-taking panoramic view of the campus.
Conclusion
Campus gyms are quite instrumental in helping students who want to pursue careers in fitness and bodybuilding. The best thing about these gyms is that most of them are free so you don’t have to pay membership fees. Being a student or staff member in the institution is enough to give you access to all the resources in the recreation center. Most importantly, college gyms create a perfect environment for people to train in groups and to motivate/inspire each other. These are only some of the many well-equipped gyms found in various Universities across the states. We hope you find one that best suits you. Also, scroll through our blogs for plenty of inspiring articles and training programs.
2021 Nashville Night of Champions Scorecards
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Official Website of theIFBB Professional League
2021 Arnold Classic UK Results
Here are the full results from the 2021 Arnold Classic UK.
The 2021 Arnold Classic UK took place on Saturday in Birmingham, England. This comes one week after the 2021 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH saw Nick Walker take home the title in Men’s Open. There were event more titles handed out this time around.
Heading into the competition, Nathan De Asha was the favorite to take home the prize. De Asha is already qualified to compete at the Olympia, which will take place from Oct. 7-10 in Orlando. This is a warmup for the biggest event of the year.
Tim Budesheim and Samson Dauda were dark-horse contenders heading into the show. This show was full of talent all over the stage. There was a clear top-tier of competition and they did not disappoint.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was unable to make the trip to the England because of an apparent leg injury. He was still part of the show in some capacity virtually throughout.
There was a total of five divisions competing in this event — Men’s Open, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Fitness. The results have been announced and they can be found below.
Arnold Classic UK 2021 Winners
Men’s Open:
Classic Physique:
Men’s Physique: Ryan Terry
Fitness:
Bikini:
Arnold Classic UK 2021 Breakdown
Men’s Open
Results coming soon!
First Place –
Second Place –
Third Place –
Fourth Place –
Fifth Place –
Classic Physique
Results coming soon!
First Place –
Second Place –
Third Place –
Fourth Place –
Fifth Place –
Men’s Physique
Full Results coming soon!
First Place – Ryan Terry
Second Place –
Third Place –
Fourth Place –
Fifth Place –
Fitness
Results coming soon!
First Place –
Second Place –
Third Place –
Fourth Place –
Fifth Place –
Bikini
Results coming soon!
First Place –
Second Place –
Third Place –
Fourth Place –
Fifth Place –
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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.
Why Jumping Rope Is A Great Boost For Bodybuilders
Convenient, portable, and effective, jumping rope is a must.
Many of us associate jumping rope with boxers, those quick workouts where it looks like they can go forever. Or our minds jump to the playground as little kids killing time during recess. But what is unknown about this once fun game is that is an excellent source of exercise and can really increase your overall goals and athletic performance.
As a great way to burn calories and aid in weight loss, jumping rope can support your mission of sculpting your body into that perfect physique and work on building muscles in a fun and different way. As an affordable and convenient tool to aid in all of your workout needs, a jump rope is a must have in your home gym or gym bag.
Check out this great jump rope set from QuickFit here.
While running is a great cardio partner for bodybuilding, jumping rope provides an alternative that is easy on your knees to reduce inflammation and injury since each jump is absorbed by both legs. Since the movement requires your upper body as well, it is great for strengthening your arms and shoulders. As a solid exercise for aerobic work and coordination building, jumping rope is a popular exercise for individuals of all athletic activity.
Benefits
Great For Weight Loss
As a cardiovascular exercise intended for longer duration, it allows you to burn more calories and aid in weight loss. With constant movement and calorie burn, your metabolism will kick into gear and that unwanted fat will start to melt away. Jumping rope is also a great exercise for high-intensity interval training which will recruit more muscle activation and allow for a more efficient calorie burn (1).
Enhance Aerobic Capacity and Athleticism
By working for a longer session, your heart rate will increase thus building up a great aerobic base (2). Increased cardio overtime will allow you to work harder and smarter and your endurance will greatly improve. As a solid tool for athletic performance, it will promote power and quickness and it is no wonder by athletes, and especially boxers, love using the jump rope as an exercise tool.
Promotes Strength
Jumping rope is a full body workout so while it works to target your lower body through repeated jumping, your upper body, in particular your arms and shoulders, will get a great workout with the repeated motion of the rope. As a great form of strength endurance (3), you will feel this exercise all over from your calves and hamstrings, to your pecs and delt, as well as your lats, biceps, and abs.
Improve Coordination
Jumping rope is great for coordination because even if you don’t consciously recognize it, your brain always knows what your feet are doing to get over the rope. The repeated motion of the rope traveling around your body forces your brain to think of the exact timing to jump, requiring your whole body to be in-sync to sustain the movement for a longer period of time (4).
Assist Posture And Avoid Injury
This exercise assists posture by forcing you stay upright with your shoulder blades to align your body in efforts to keep you taller. A slouching posture will not allow for full efficiency of this workout and good form is crucial to execute for sustained duration. As an easy alternative on the knees to running, jumping rope is perfect for those just coming back from injury or for those who want to protect their knees from unwanted pain and stress.
Fun Alternative
While other forms of cardio are great and should be included in your workouts, like biking and running, jumping rope provides for a fun alternative to these. With different styles and variations, it allows you to challenge yourself in a different way and still enjoy the process of staying fit.
Techniques
There are many techniques and variations to use to change up your jumping rope workouts and these are just a few to get you started.
Basic Jump
Perfect for beginners, the basic jump is your standard idea of jumping rope. With both feet slightly apart, jump at the same time with both feet over the rope. This should be a staple to master before moving on to other variations.
Alternate Foot Jump
This is slightly more challenging than the basic jump and requires a different level of coordination since you alternate your feet on the ground. It is effective because you will not only double the amount of skips but will challenge your brain to work harder to keep the movement going.
Criss-Cross
The criss-cross approach is a fun variation and is an easy way to show off your jump rope skills. Although it requires some patience to get right, it will really work to target your upper body more efficiently than some others. Similar to the basic jump in movement, the only difference is to cross your hands to the opposite sides of your body while jumping.
Skier Jump
The skier jump is a challenging alternative in that you perform a traditional movement around your body, however, you jump side to side while maintaining good form at the same speed. The lateral jumping motion works muscle you otherwise don’t use.
Wrap Up
Jumping rope is a great way to challenge yourself while also having fun doing it. Cardio can grow to be monotonous and boring at times, but with the right approach, it can make your weight loss and strength building goals more enjoyable. The benefits of jumping rope are amazing for your overall health and will aid in weight loss, improve coordination, promote strength and athleticism, and help you avoid injury. With these variations above, you can really work to challenge yourself and have fun doing so. As an affordable and convenient exercise tool, a jump rope is something to definitely have for whatever your workouts may bring.
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
References
Sung, Ki-Dong; Pekas, Elizabeth J.; Scott, Steven D.; Son, Won-Mok; Park, Song-Young (2019). “The effects of a 12-week jump rope exercise program on abdominal adiposity, vasoactive substances, inflammation, and vascular function in adolescent girls with prehypertension”. (source)
Chen, Chao-Chien; Lin, Shih-Yen (2011). “The impact of rope jumping exercise on physical fitness of visually impaired students”. (source)
Ozer, D.; Duzgun, I.; Baltaci, G.; Karacan, S.; Colakoglu, F. (2011). “The effects of rope or weighted rope jump training on strength, coordination and proprioception in adolescent female volleyball players”. (source)
Trecroci, Athos; Cavaggioni, Luca; Caccia, Riccardo; Alberti, Giampietro (2015). “Jump Rope Training: Balance and Motor Coordination in Preadolescent Soccer Player”. (source)
6 Habits Which Will Make You Fat
Avoid Doing These Six Things If You Want To Lose Body Fat
Contrary to what most people believe, they didn’t put on body fat because of their genetics or heavy bones. The accumulation of fat is a result of the habits they have been following for years.
While there are many lifestyle choices which lead to obesity, we are listing down the top six. The objective of this article is to point out a few habits which make people fat so they can avoid them.
Not Following A Schedule
Most people don’t follow an eating schedule. They eat when they want to eat, what they want to eat and however much they want to eat. It’s a blunder when it comes to staying healthy and in shape.
Following a diet accustoms your body to an eating pattern, and your metabolism stays in top shape. A good metabolism rate ensures that you are burning fat even when you’re sitting ideal. You should be eating 5-6 meals a day to keep your metabolism rate soaring.
Becoming A Couch Potato
With the increase in desk jobs, the time people spend sitting has gone through the roof. It’s no secret that sitting for a prolonged duration can result in obesity. Becoming a couch potato can also lead to diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
If you have a desk job, you need to incorporate NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) in your schedule. NEAT encourages you to add walking, standing to your routine so that you are constantly burning calories.
Eating Too Close To Bedtime
While we can understand having dinner and hitting the sack right after it can be very convenient, it’s also one of the worst things you can do to your health. By eating too close to your bedtime, you don’t give your body enough time to burn off the extra calories.
If you can’t space your dinner and bedtime appropriately, you should add a cardio session between them to boost your metabolism. Letting the digestive process start before you go to sleep is essential in making sure you don’t build up fat reserves.
Not Drinking Enough Water
You should set a goal of drinking 8-12 glasses of water every day. Drinking water only when you’re thirsty can lead to an increase in fat deposits in the body. Headaches, acne, digestive problems are some of the problems which can be caused by a lack of drinking ample amount of water.
Staying hydrated will not only help you in fighting body fat but will also allow the body to flush out toxins, excess fat, promote skin health, and improve brain and memory function. If counting the number of glasses sounds hard, carry a one-gallon water bottle with you to work.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common reasons why many people put on weight and body fat. Studies have shown that an increase in stress can raise your cortisol levels which can lead to hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, and a bulging waistline.
A rise in cortisol levels can also result in the lowering of the male sex hormone – testosterone. Testosterone is the hormone responsible for building muscles mass and all the characteristics associated with puberty in men.
Skipping Breakfast
The first thing many people do when they want to lose weight is to stop eating their breakfast. The breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day as you’re coming off an 8-hour fast (sleeping time).
Depriving your body of the essential calories and macros which you get through the breakfast can result in fat storage in your body. You need to make sure you never hit the starvation phase as it can do more harm than good if you want to lose body fat.
Header image courtesy of Envato Elements
What is your current body fat percentage?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Samir Bannout Full Interview | Golden Era Stories, Thoughts On Big Ramy & More
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Watch the full uncut GI Exclusive interview with Samir Bannout.
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilder who came into his prime during the tail end of the Golden Era of bodybuilding. He’s also a bodybuilder who lived the American dream similar to athletes like Franco Columbu and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came to the US with a passion for bodybuilding and became a superstar and Olympia champion.
Bannout is also a Mr. Olympia champion – falling into a small club of athletes who only won the title once. Despite retiring many years ago, he has remained vigilant in his passion for the sport – providing an entire training program to help improve and educate new generations of athletes.
Over the past few months we’ve released multiple GI Exclusive segments from our interview with Samir Bannout. Now we’re releasing the full uncut interview. This includes topics such as his thoughts on the rise of middle eastern bodybuilders, his first hand account of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s controversial 1980 Olympia win, and more!
Listen To Our Samir Bannout 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 Samir Bannout interview here:
Samir Bannout’s First Hand Account Of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Controversial Olympia 1980 Win
Samir Bannout is a bodybuilding legend in his own right. He is a Mr. Olympia champion and considered by many to have one of the greatest physiques of all time. He was also present at the 1980 Mr. Olympia competition. We sat down with Samir via video chat for our latest GI Exclusive interview. During that conversation, we asked him to reflect on his first hand account of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s return and the drama that ensued at Mr. Olympia 1980.
Arnold Schwarzenegger ultimately was crowned the winner of the Mr. Olympia 1980. This decision was so poorly received that Frank Zane threw his trophy to the ground and multiple athletes stormed off stage. It was clear that many disagreed with the judges decision.
So what about Samir Bannout? Did he disagree with the call? He makes it clear in our conversation that he felt Arnold Schwarzenegger did not deserve to win the Mr. Olympia 1980. In fact, while he does not have confirmation, he has heard many rumors from trusted friends in the industry. Rumors that imply that Arnold Schwarzenegger received help from the judges due to his rising star in Hollywood.
There are those who thought perhaps Arnold was scored more favorably because of how much power he held as a celebrity. Or alternatively, he was so beloved that the judges scored more on Arnold the icon rather than his conditioning.
“Yeah of course so many people got pissed off and I also believe they have the right to get mad,” Samir Bannout states in our interview. He continues:
“I THINK THE ASSUMPTION WAS THEN… DO I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED OR WHY DID ARNOLD WIN? SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, ARNOLD HAD A LOT OF FANS. AND HE’S ARNOLD. EVERYONE LOOKED UP TO ARNOLD. AND SO, I HEARD THAT SOME OF THE JUDGES LOVED ARNOLD. LOVED HIM AS ARNOLD. THEY DIDN’T CARE ABOUT HIS CONDITIONING THAT DAY. THEY VOTED FOR HIM AS ARNOLD AND THAT’S NOT RIGHT. ME PERSONALLY IF MY BROTHER WAS ON STAGE, DOESN’T DESERVE TO WIN, I WOULDN’T LET HIM WIN.”
Samir Bannout makes a point to state he has no proof of this. It’s a rumor he has heard from enough people to trust in the topic. That’s a testament to just how controversial Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1980 victory was. While all of these claims may simply be one day proven false – it’s the optics that led to such fervor.
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