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Sierra Skye Profile & Stats
The biography, life, and routine of Sierra Skye
Sierra Skye is a swimsuit model and Internet celebrity who has taken the world by storm with her amazing figure and fun lifestyle. Her attention to training and nutrition are what drive her to continued success.
Below is a complete breakdown of her profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimens.
Full Name: Sierra Egan (aka Sierra Skye)
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
125-135 lbs.
5’7’’
11/06/1995
Profession
Era
Nationality
Swimsuit Model, Internet Celebrity
2010
American, Italian
BIOGRAPHY
Sierra Skye was born in California to Native American and Italian parents. From an early age, they taught her the value of hard work and that to love something is the only way to live your life. From a very early age, she knew she wanted to be a model. After falling in love with both modeling and fitness as a child, the choice seemed very clear.
As that passion grew over the years, Skye found a routine both in terms of dieting and training that would soon become the foundation for her success as a model. Eventually, her passion allowed her time to become a full-time swimsuit model, a luxury she had been waiting to have. Once she started working with high-profile companies, her social media began to boom and her celebrity on the Internet became more and more clear.
She is now a worldwide-known model and Internet celebrity adored by people everywhere for her killer body and ability to work hard to maintain it. Due to her strict attention to detail and determination for making this reality she has continue, people have latched on to that as they look to better themselves.
TRAINING
For Skye, staying fit involves lifting, as well as cardio. Her cardio routine typically is only three days out of the week while her lifting routine is about five days. Her workouts are fairly short, but in that time she makes sure to seriously focus on what she needs to accomplish to make maximize her time in the gym. Her lifts usually take around 45-90 minutes and her cardio is typically no longer than 30 minutes.
Legs, Glutes & Abs Workout
This can be done with heavy weight for around 10-12 reps. For rest in between sets, 30-45 seconds is ideal, but two minutes tends to be her max.
Warm-up on a leg extension machine, 3 sets x 20 reps
Squats, 1 set warm-up with just the bar, then 3 sets x 10 reps
Leg Press, 3 sets x 10-12 reps
Lunges, 3 sets x 8-10 reps
Leg Extension Superset With Leg Curls, 3 sets x 10-12 reps
Glute Kickbacks, 3 sets x 10-12 reps
NUTRITION
For Skye, she really only eats clean, nutrient-rich foods and doesn’t leave much space for cheat meals. Through her extreme discipline, she has been able to thrive professionally and continue to see modeling success.
Breakfast
Typically, a smoothie to start off the day. This could include anything from almond milk, banana, cacao nibs, hemp seeds, maca powder, or a host of other nutritional foods. A protein powder to add in is perfect as well.
Lunch
Lunch tends to be heavy on the vegetables, and veggie wraps are a great lunch option for Skye. With a whole grain wrap, she will warm that up and spread some vegan mayo on it. Adding things like avocado, cucumber, and tomato, along with black and cayenne pepper, this wrap is the perfect lunch time meal.
Dinner
Dinner can consist of anything like fresh vegetables to protein of some kind, most likely chicken. If she really feels up for a change, Skye will indulge with Mexican tacos made with corn tortilla, coconut oil, ground turkey, iceberg lettuce, salsa, and cheese.
Dessert
If Skye is feeling something sweet with a just a bit of sugar, ice cream is her go to treat.
5 Gym Habits You Should Follow Post COVID
Gym Hygiene Habits To Live By
As much as it might sting, the fact is COVID-19 is here to stay. We should make peace with it and develop healthy habits to combat it. If you think you’re safe from the deadly disease because you’ve got the shots, think again. The effectiveness of the vaccines lasts for a year at max.
The novel coronavirus has permanently changed personal hygiene and how we interact with each other. We’ll soon see the vaccine shots taking the form of antibiotics and face masks becoming a norm.
On top of that, gyms aren’t the most hygienic places. It’s not uncommon to see a sweaty bro covering the benches and equipment with his bodily juices. It has also been found that viruses like corona can spread through the air. The proximity of people in the gyms and ample respiratory droplets in the air make it a fertile breeding ground for the virus.
5 Gym Habits You Should Follow Post COVID
Carry a Towel
If you weren’t carrying a towel already, you are a part of the problem. After the pandemic, you should ideally carry two towels to the gym. One for your face and the other for wiping down the gym equipment.
A very common mistake that most people make is that they keep their towels at random places while they’re doing their set. You don’t want other people touching and handling your wipes. If a single person has touched your towel, it beats the purpose of carrying it in the first place.
Also, for the love of God, stop using your t-shirt to wipe your face. Your t-shirt is full of germs by the end of the day, and then you wear it to the gym and use your sleeve to wipe off the sweat. If you’re so keen on getting an infection, you should rather ask someone to sneeze in your face.
Don’t Use The Gym’s Waterbottles
Many gyms provide you with water bottles and hand towels when you walk in for your workout. Although these gyms might be following the safety precautions, you shouldn’t push your luck too hard.
You should also avoid using your gym’s water cooler, toilets, saunas, and spas. Hit the gym for weight training and leave at the earliest. While you’re on your way out, make sure you don’t stop at the gym’s cafe.
A study conducted by Nature found that gyms are among the four riskiest places for transmission. They acted as “super-spreading” sites for COVID-19 transmission last spring, accounting for the majority of new infections in large U.S. cities. Good luck getting this out of your head the next time you step inside a gym.
Sanitize
Sanitization is the name of the game when it comes to keeping your hands clean of any viruses and bacteria. You should train at a gym that has dedicated staff for sanitizing the equipment every time someone uses it.
Carrying a hand sanitizer to the gym is also a good idea. If your gym doesn’t have staff for sanitizing the equipment, limit your workouts to a minimum of equipment and do the dirty work of cleaning the machines yourself.
Many people have a habit of touching their faces and wiping off sweat with the back of their hands. You should make sure you don’t touch your face without sanitizing your hands. After you’re done with your workouts, wash your hands thoroughly for at least one minute without fail.
Wear Masks
Wearing masks can be irritating, we know, but nothing is more effective at blocking contagious viruses, and it should definitely be a part of your gym habits. There are many kinds of masks in the market these days – designer, artistic, and whatnot but the most effective ones are surgical and N95s.
Surgical masks are a great fit for the gym as they are light and stretchable. On the other hand, working out in N95s can give you the experience of training in an elevation mask.
Many people have the habit of wearing the same masks for weeks. Once their mask gets visibly dirty, they wash it and start wearing it again. You should use a new mask every day. Surgical masks are great for this cause because they are budget-friendly and effective.
Select Your Gym Timings Wisely
You don’t want to be hitting the gym at the peak hours which usually are 5-9 am and 6-10 pm. If your schedule allows, ask your gym management when the iron paradise is the least crowded and book a training session at that time.
Another benefit of training at a ‘quiet’ time is that your workouts will be shorter as you won’t have to wait for your turn at the busy machines. Plus, you don’t have to worry about making sweat babies with the “corona is a scam” guy.
If you go to the gym just for cardio, you should probably explore other options like hitting the track or buying cardio equipment for home. Considering the current situation, if you can do something out in the open, you don’t want to be doing the same thing in a room full of 50 people.
Bonus: Choose Your Gym Carefully
Covid-19 has changed how you should choose a gym. Except for the usual machines, equipment, free weights, you should now also check if the gym has proper ventilation and if they have air purification systems installed at the facility.
We saw a rise in the pod-gym culture after the gyms started opening up after coronavirus. Expect this to become a new standard in one form or the other. Boutique franchises that offer classes to a fixed number of people at a time like Rise Nation, DanceBody, SoulCycle will be big beneficiaries of this culture.
You should opt for the gym which avoids cross-contamination with the right capacity, cleaning, and ventilation. A gym that makes temperature checks, wearing masks, using sanitizers mandatory, and requires you to pre-book your workout time slot should be preferred.
Do you follow any of the gym habits mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
New Supplement Brand UNBOUND is Looking to Take Over the Game
The supplement world just got another contender.
The supplement game is a difficult one to navigate. In order to set yourself apart and really establish your worth on the market it takes a number of things. Namely you have to have quality products as well as trusted voices backing your brand. For new supplement brand UNBOUND they have both of those covered.
Looking to set itself apart as superior supplement brand, UNBOUND prides itself on producing the highest quality supplements. The brand which just launched has come out the gate hot. This press release from their website sums up the brand and it’s mission.
UNBOUND™ is for those who set standards, rather than follow them. It is a call to reject limitations in the pursuit of what’s ours. UNBOUND™ is a demand to ourselves not to be bound by the restraints of others; to be UNEQUALED in a world of mediocrity. Together we are UNBOUND™. Together, we are UNEQUALED.
UFC Athlete Approved
UNBOUND has been endorsed by professional athletes like UFC veteran Lyman Good. One of the most talented fighters on the planet, Good has established himself through a trial by fire.
Lyman Good has built an impressive physique and fighting skills by long hours of training, quality supplementation giving him an extra push. Without the proper diet and nutrition, you can never achieve ultimate greatness as an athlete.
Some people don’t believe in supplementation. Many would rather get all their nutritional needs from food rather than any supplementation. While that may not be the worst thing in the world, there are a ton of positives to utilizing supplementation in your diet.
Depending on your diet and nutritional needs, some protein supplementation or pre-workout can really change the game. Protein is a necessity in muscle building and recovery. Getting in your protein from food only is possible, but it also requires more preparation. A quick protein shake can take care of things in a fraction of the time.
Pre-workout can push your training to new levels. If can give you that extra edge in performance that can mean massive gains or just a mediocre workout. This alone is a great reason to add supplements to your game.
UNBOUND supplements looks to provide all those needs and more as they set themselves as the new kid on the block. If you’re interested in giving UNBOUND a shot head over to the official website, Instagram, and YouTube.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Big Ramy Calls for All Arabs and Muslims to Show Solidarity with Palestinians
Big Ramy calls for solidarity with Palestine.
Big Ramy is calling for the Arab and Muslim community to show solidarity with Palestinians. The conflict in the Middle East has been a truly harrowing one to say the least. The loss of life has been tragic. While Israelis have lost lives during the recent conflict, it pales in comparison to the amount of Palestinian lives taken. Men, women, and children have all perished during this conflict, the death toll rising all the time.
In the wake of so many Palestinian lives being lost the international community is speaking out. At this point it is clear that what is occurring simply isn’t right.
Now it appears that 2020 Olympia champion Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay has some words to offer on the situation.
A Call For Solidarity
Only the second Middle Eastern bodybuilder to earn the title of Mr. Olympia, Big Ramy is hoping to use his platform to address the situation at hand. A recent Instagram post by the Olympia champion expresses his feelings on the conflict in the Middle East.
Forgive me for my words only. The horror that our young children, our mothers and brothers are experiencing in Palestine is a terrible and humiliating thing to us as Arabs and Muslims. Our Lord is sure to help them, but the rest is on us that we are living, seeing and hearing, and our hearts are not excited for what happens only a few seconds if that happens. I am thinking about you and I am thinking about myself, the case is the case of a mother, not just Palestine. Oh God, grant us your victory that you promised ?
(translated by google translate)
It’s clear that Big Ramy feels for those suffering in Palestine during this terrible conflict. So many lives are being needlessly snuffed out and destroyed. Children are being killed or traumatized by all this death and destruction. It must be put to a swift end.
Big Ramy is imploring others to join in solidarity with the Palestinians suffering these atrocities.
Big Ramy isn’t the only bodybuilder calling for solidarity. Kai Greene also was clear on his stance when it comes to Palestine.
What do you make of the conflict currently escalating in the Middle East?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Victor Martinez: Hollywood Embraced Massive Muscle Only When They Ran Out Of Ideas
Victor Martinez reacts to Chris Hemsworth’s recent comments about being typecast because of his physique.
Chris Hemsworth recently made headlines by stating that he often gets overlooked for certain roles due to his impressive physique. Basically, he’s being typecast for action and comedy roles base more on his body than his acting ability. The intersection between massive muscle and movies have been a rollercoaster ever since Arnold Schwarzenegger burst onto the scene and became a star. In our latest GI Exclusive, pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez reacts to Chris Hemsworth’s recent statement and reflects on muscle in Hollywood.
For many bodybuilders, movies provided a first glimpse into seemingly impossible mass monster physiques. It inspired an entire generation to become professional bodybuilders. But muscle in Hollywood has risen and wained over the decades. Today we seem to be at an intersection. Superhero movies are bringing bigger physiques back after nearly a decade of slimmer more conditioned bodies.
However, a massive physique seems to still be seen as more of a gimmick. Something that gets headlines due to an impressive transformation. Or worse, something that typecasts certain actors into only action roles. Chris Hemsworth is an actor who spoke out about this recently.
During our new interview with Victor Martinez, we asked for his reaction to Chris Hemsworth’s statements. In some ways, massive muscle is back as a selling point in Hollywood. Actors like The Rock are garnering in millions of dollars. Hemsworth himself is likely doing financially very well after starring as Thor in multiple Marvel movies. Is this typecasting? Or just playing to the actor’s strengths?
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Check out our GI Exclusive segment with Victor Martinez above!
Victor Martinez thinks that Hollywood still sees massive muscle mostly as a gimmick. In fact, Martinez believes that the only reason Hollywood even hires massive muscular actors is due to the fact that big studios have run out of ideas.
“Hollywood embraced muscular physiques when they ran out of things to do and Marvel comics and DC took over,” Victor Martinez claims in our interview. He continues:
“That’s when they embraced it. But Hemsworth being Thor and getting too big, you know, like bodybuilders in the past like Arnold was. You get typecast. You become a bodyguard, you become a bad guy, you die in the first scene.”
While Victor Martinez doesn’t mention more about Arnold Schwarzenegger. In some ways, Hollywood had never embraced massive muscle the same way again after Schwarzenegger’s heyday. Predator comes to mind as a movie that combined so many massive physiques together. They weren’t villains. They were heroes. And they could all damn well act.
Even today in Hollywood, with 20 superhero movies releasing per year, there are very few physiques that match the kind of mass monster size seen in the 80s. Perhaps that is why actors like Chris Hemsworth feel typecast. Muscle is still seen as an oddity – even after so many years of it rising in popularity.
You can watch Victor Martinez go into more detail about Chris Hemsworth and muscle in Hollywood by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Guy Cisternino Explodes, Yells at Gym Members During Legday Training
Guy Cisternino exploded in anger during a recent training session.
Guy Cisternino has recently gone viral as he was caught yelling at gym patrons during his training. The video clip of the 212 bodybuilder has been making the rounds and many people have different opinions on the issue.
Bodybuilding at the highest levels requires a great deal of focus and dedication. You can not expect to be one of the best in the world and half ass your training. You have to be willing to push yourself to the limit. The intensity required in training is on a whole other level. It’s what veteran bodybuilder Guy Cisternino understands well.
During a recent legday training session, Guy Cisternino exploded in anger at two gym patrons. The reason for his explosive rage was due to the other gym goers breaking his concentration during his set. Cisternino confronted the two male patrons as the confrontation intensified.
Angry Moment at the Gym
WATCH THE END!!!Lift with purpose and passion! Not everyone is here for the same reason, but gym etiquette and respect these days with cell phones, people with camera crews, fucking around, only training hard when the cameras rolling, isnt training. Have a dam purpose, go there with your purpose to better yourself, the whole “if it’s not filmed, it didn’t happen” mentality is complete bullshit. Train hard, let your hard work show the results and success will follow.
It’s clear that Guy Cisternino was distracted by the actions of the patrons. What’s unclear is exactly what the two men were doing that was so egregious that Cisternino needed to confront them.
More to the Story
As it stands, Cisternino released a follow up video explaining the situation in detail. It’s a pretty long video, clocking in at one hour and twenty minutes. You can take a look at the full video below.
Clearing the air about the hack video!
Had a long conversation and not only that my man @davidmstrongg the kid involved in the incident and came on towards the end. Everyone who was pointing the finger thinking this was some out rage out of the blue, well I won’t say I’ll wait for the apologies but let’s see how many of y’all are real men/woman and can say that. And the dude Dave I got nothing but respect for that dude for coming on. Next time we’re at @destinationdallastexas him and I are getting a training session on camera #Quadro style! Remember don’t assume and there’s always 2 sides to every story.
What do you think about Guy Cisternino and this recent incident?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
The HGH Bubble Gut: What Causes Abdominal Distention In Bodybuilders?
The reason for abdominal distention and how bubble gut affects bodybuilders.
Anyone following professional bodybuilding will have noticed the recent trend of stomach distention in bodybuilders, particularly in recent history. The trend has become even more pronounced over the last 5 years, with images of Mr. Olympia contestants like Kai Greene, or current champion, Phil Heath, and even previous champions like Ronnie Coleman showing signs of excessive stomach distention despite having extremely low body fat.
Many spectators and fans have been left wondering what causes the appearance of a ‘bubble gut’ on these athletes and why has it become so common. Stomach distention has become known as a variety of names in bodybuilding circles as “HGH gut” or “insulin gut,” or more simply, “bodybuilder belly” and “muscle gut.” As these names suggest, the stomach distention in bodybuilders is believed to be caused by insulin and human growth hormone (HGH) abuse.
Let’s dive into HGH bubble gut and why bodybuilders are willing to go through this in order to achieve their desired results. Does the human drive to win outweigh the health consequences of something like bubble gut? We’ll check this out and see why this is such a big deal, especially for bodybuilders at the top of their game. We’ve all seen it, so let’s find out what it is, what causes it, and ways to prevent it to avoid that bloated, rounded physique.
Anatomy Of The Abdomen
The human abdomen can be broken down into 3 layers. There is the musculature including the rectus and tranverse abdominus and the internal and external obliques. These are of course essential for providing balance and stability during those massive lifts, while also popping out to give you an absolutely shredded aesthetic people will envy.
Then there is the fascia involved which is basically a casing for the muscles to sit in that offers protection and connects your skin to the tissue that is directly underneath it. But deeper is the extraperitoneal fat, omentum, and the actual organs inside the peritoneum. This is the real stuff we want to protect, but using HGH and other substances can greatly affect what we seek to so desperately keep healthy and intact.
What Is Abdominal Distention & Bubble Gut?
Abdominal distention occurs when substances, like air or fluid, accumulate in your abdomen and cause the expansion of your stomach to move past a normal level, being your waist. In bodybuilders, this is known as bubble gut, and it gives off the appearance that they have excess fat and heavy bloating around the gut (1). We’ve all seen it. Although they still have those six-pack abs popping through, the mid section is very much rounded out leaving us wondering just what is going on. Well, it is the effect of HGH and other substances bodybuilders use to get that extra leg up on the competition, and while it may seem to work, it certainly doesn’t look as good as a leaned out flat stomach.
Causes of Bubble Gut In Bodybuilders
When it comes down to it, knowing what causes bubble gut will prove to be important when looking to avoid it. Common causes of bubble gut include:
Human growth hormone (HGH) abuse: A common side effect is excessive growth of certain tissues and this can really make that stomach bulge pronounced.
Insulin abuse: Typically stacked with HGH, insulin can increase fat storage behind the stomach giving off that rounded look.
High Calorie & Carb Diets: Those on high calorie diets most likely have food staying in their stomach for longer periods of time. As for those with high carb diets, the increase in glycogen increases water retention and this can offer a bloated look.
HGH & Effect On The Abdomen
When combined with proper training, multiple supplements, and a diet that is extremely high in protein, the use of insulin and human growth hormone leads to considerable and significant increases in muscle mass (2). This causes not only an increase in mass in the rectus abdominis, or “the six pack” musculature itself, but also in the muscles that lie underneath it, including the muscular layer of the abdomen.
The combined growth of these muscles in turn causes the entire midsection to grow and eventually protrude, giving a ‘blocky’ appearance and contributing to stomach distention. Many bodybuilders also combine HGH, along with other substances, with insulin use – a practice known as “stacking” – which can further increase these effects.
Over time, insulin use can cause increased fat storage behind the abdomen, known as visceral fat contributing to the omentum, which can also contribute to a larger abdomen. With plenty of androgens and Insulin-like Growth Factor floating around in the circulation, internal organs can also be affected. They, like muscles, also have receptors for these hormones albeit in lower concentrations than skeletal muscle.
Why Bodybuilders Still Use HGH
Despite the unfortunate side effect of bubble gut, bodybuilders continue to use HGH and other substances. For many, the obvious choice would be to stop using such substances as they will only hurt in the long term. But with such a competitive mindset, it just isn’t that easy. What HGH use does is it will work to increase muscle mass, enhance bone density, promote better performance, and offer less body fat. Now, as a bodybuilder, that sounds pretty good.
The mindset around simply dealing with the repercussions in order to hold that Mr. Olympia trophy seems like a no brainer. But at the end of the day, bubble gut comes back to haunt many and using HGH and other substances to gain that extra edge is proving to be more detrimental than originally thought. Don’t let you hard work slip away with a rounded, bloated physique come competition day. The drive to win is great but getting there efficiently, safely, and in a healthy way is more important than just taking the victory as is.
How To Prevent Bubble Gut
Bubble gut is not necessarily one isolated problem, especially for those in the bodybuilding community. Let’s say you take HGH and insulin, but also are working with a high carb diet as you look to bulk up. Right there are three things potentially causing your bubble gut, so working in tandem to make those changes is important, especially as we seek to see some real changes that we want most (3). Some ways to avoid and prevent bubble gut are:
Limit HGH and insulin use: As you get closer to competition and performance time, start to taper off your use of these substances. Since they will continue to help you bulk as you get closer to competition time, you want to be shredded, not rounded. Work to limit the use and avoid gut distention.
Reduce carb intake: This seems like a relatively easy fix and will help you avoid bloating and bubble gut. Your intake of protein can be high, but just work to lower the carbs a bit. With higher protein intake, you will feel more full and work to boost that muscle growth anyway.
Try other forms of dieting: This may help your body adapt better to these sudden changes and something like intermittent fasting can greatly affect your ability to cut. By limiting your caloric intake and doing so safely, you give yourself the best chance at seeing those desired changes while doing so in a safe and healthy way.
Wrap Up
Abdominal distention, or bubble gut, is a wild phenomenon that makes us question just what is going on. But there is an easy answer and potential fix if a bodybuilder so chooses to partake. Using HGH and insulin, while matched by a high calorie or high carb diet, can simply cause problems that you just don’t want or need. That massive physique is already big enough and bubble gut can give off an appearance of stored fat or bloating that no bodybuilders wants. Looking at ways to change these habits can help you avoid bubble gut so you no longer deal with that rounded physique once competition time rolls around. On top of that, your overall health and wellness will greatly improve.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Malagelada, Juan R.; Accarino, Anna; Azpiroz, Fernando (2017). “Bloating and Abdominal Distention: Old Misconceptions and Current Knowledge”. (source)
Harvard Health Publishing (2018). “Growth hormone, athletic performance, and aging”. (source)
Lacy, Brian E.; Cangemi, David; Vazquez-Roque, Maria (2021). “Management of Chronic Abdominal Distention and Bloating”. (source)
Hell Raiser Training Will Pulverize Your Muscles Into A Pulp
Put your muscles through hell.
We’ve covered a lot of different training methods, all of them hardcore in their own right. The Hell Raiser Training program sounds like it could be one of the most brutal workout plans out there. If you haven’t heard of Hell Raiser Training then listen up. It’s a twelve week program meant to give you some massive muscle gains by putting you through some sweet, sweet torture.
The Gist
Invented by Tom Fuller, the idea behind the whole program is to push your muscles past their limits by performing a hell-centric rep. Yeah we know, you’re probably saying what the hell is a “hell-centric” rep. We’ll get to that in a moment. To begin with, you have to start by finding out what 80% of your 1 rep max weight is.
For example, if you normally max out with a 70 lb one rep curl – then you have to find 80% of that weight. You then perform curls with that 80% max weight (in this case 56 lbs) for 8 reps. This is when things begin to get interesting. After your regular reps you perform four additional reps. So what makes those extra 4 so special? Well, your training partner offers resistance by pulling down the weight you lift. You then slowly descend while your partner keeps light pressure for about five seconds.
The idea is to put your already burning muscles through that extra bit of torture. Fuller emphasizes that during the resistance phase that it is essential to allow for a steady descent on the way down. This way you’ll get the added burn. Once you’ve gotten through the first twelve weeks of training, Fuller suggests that you switch things up and perform the training every other week, incorporating different techniques in the interim for variety.
Day 1: Arms
• Close Grip Bench – 2 sets, 8 reps + 4 Hell-centric reps (HR)• One Arm Machine Triceps Ext – 2 sets, 8 reps + 4 HR• Lying DB Triceps Ext – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Standing DB Curls – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• DB Preacher Curls – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Reverse Curls – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Forward and Reverse Wrist Curls – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR
Day 2: Legs
• Leg Press – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Leg Extension – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Hack Squats – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Hamstring Raises – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Standing Leg Curls – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR
Day 3: Rest
Day 4: Chest and Shoulders
• BB/Smith or DB Press – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Incline Smith or DB Flyes – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Pec Dec – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• DB or Smith Military Press – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Side Laterals – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Barbell Shrugs – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR
Day 5: Back/Rear Delts/Calves
• Wide Grip Pull Ups – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• T-Bar – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Narrow Grip Pull Downs – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Reverse Pec Dec or Bent Laterals – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Calf Extensions – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR• Calf Raises – 2 sets x 8 reps + 4 HR
Day 6 & 7: More Rest & Relief
Have you done Hell Raiser Training before? Let us know your results in the comments below and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Master The Power Snatch and Watch Your Gains Skyrocket!
Developing Max Power
For many athletes and sportspeople, being powerful is absolutely crucial and can prove to be the difference between success and failure. This article will break down one of the greatest power-based exercises that can be performed for athletic development – the power snatch.
The Benefits of the Power Snatch
The power snatch is an exercise that is typically performed by Olympic weightlifters looking to improve their snatch performance. However, nowadays Olympic lifting is being performed more frequently by athletes from other sports as it is a method for increasing overall power output (1).
There are a number of specific benefits associated with the power snatch and therefore, for any individuals looking to improve power, it is worthwhile considering incorporating the power snatch into their training.
Bar Height
In the power snatch, it is not necessary to drop down into a squat in order to catch the bar. As a result of this, the bar must be pulled higher and with more power to allow it to be caught in a more upright position. Those who particularly struggle with final phase of the snatch or with the high pull will find this exercise to be of great benefit and it may improve their overall snatching ability.
Second and Third Pull Power
In a similar vein, the power snatch is an excellent developer of the second and third pull. The power snatch forces the lifter to pull maximally and “throw” the bar overhead. With a full snatch, dropping down quickly and deeply into a squat can compensate for a poor or inefficient pull.
Being capable of pulling powerfully and extending quickly through the hips will cause the bar to accelerate faster and facilitate a more efficient snatch (2). Therefore, practicing the power snatch regularly and improving one’s rate of force development will help to accelerate the bar to a greater extent and improve overall snatch performance.
Learning the Snatch
The snatch is a highly technical lift that takes time to learn properly – it is very important that time is taken and progress is gradual. Typically, coaches will start with the block or hang power snatch so that the individual can begin to learn the movement patterns and requirements for the snatch. Once this has been established, they can then be progressed to the floor. When pulling from the floor, a specific emphasis should be placed on developing both the 1st and 2nd pull (3).
The power snatch tends to be slightly easier to instruct than the full snatch due to the fact that the barbell can be caught in high and there is no need to drop into the overhead squat position. Once the power snatch has been perfected, then the overhead squat position can be taught through exercises. such as snatch balance, to gradually advance them to the point where they are eventually ready to perform a full snatch.
Snatching with Limited Mobility
Snatching with poor mobility is a recipe for disaster. Every single joint must be utilized during the snatch and must therefore be supple and be capable of moving through a great range of motion (4). For every serious lifter mobility should be a priority and should be worked on frequently.
However, for those who have restricted mobility, performing the power snatch is recommended. The full snatch is a lot more demanding on the joints as they are required to move through a larger range than the power snatch.
Increased Technical Training
For the Olympic Lifter, it’s unwise to practice heavy lifts with every session. With any type of physical training, it’s essential to program in a tapering period to allow for recovery.
Regularly performing technique-focused power snatches with moderate loads will not be overly taxing on the body and can therefore be performed very regularly without impacting the recovery process. Additionally, this may refine technique, enhance power and therefore improve one’s overall snatching ability.
How To Power Snatch
As mentioned, the power snatch differs from a full snatch in during the power snatch the bar is caught relatively high and a deep squat is not required. The full snatch involves driving the bar up and overhead but then rapidly dropping into a deep squat in order to catch the bar.
The main benefit of the power snatch is that, because the bar must be caught high, the lifter must generate maximal power in order to get the bar directly overhead and establish a strong and stable overhead position.
The following number of points run through how to appropriately and effectively complete a power snatch.
1) Assume the snatch position
Feet slightly wider than hips, toes pointed out, bar in close proximity to the shins, gripping the bar with straight arms and hands wider than shoulders. The way in which a lifter sets up is determined by their physical attributes and therefore, there is not a “universal” snatching position.
2) Perform a standard snatch pull (first, second and third pull)
This involves initially lifting the bar from the floor, bringing the bar up to the thighs, extending powerfully through the hips and pulling aggressively upward on the bar.
3) Catch the bar high
Look to “catch” the bar high and do not not allow it to push the body down into a deep squat – the lifter should not drop beyond parallel with the floor. Catching high will ensure that maximal power is produced during the pulls and lead to an efficient turnover and strong overhead position (5).
When performing a power snatch, it is essential that the lifter does not change anything about their snatch technique or adjust their mechanics to allow them to complete the lift. For example, a common error is to jump the legs out wide when catching the bar overhead to give them an advantage and prevent them from dropping too deep.
Adjusting movement patterns and mechanics for the power snatch may cause movement problems with the full snatch. Therefore, if movement begins to break down or inconsistencies begin to creep in with the power snatch, consider reducing the weight on the bar so that proper movement is restored.
Power Snatch Programming
Power snatches can be incorporated into many different training regimes but should only be included if it aligns with the individuals goals and targets. If a lifters goal is to improve their snatching ability, then it would make a great deal of sense to program in regular power snatches to improve their bar speed and pulling power.
It may be the case that an individual is already efficient at the power snatch, if this is the case, it would be worthwhile spending a greater amount of time on the full snatch to allow them to become more accustomed to handling heavier loads.
Testing a lifters one rep max can be beneficial for consequent programming to ensure that the correct weight and intensity are prescribed (6).
For developing bar speed and technique, it is recommended to perform 1-3 repetitions using 50-75% of the lifters full snatch 1 rep max.
For developing strength speed and for lighter training days, it is recommended to perform 1-2 repetitions using 70-85% of the lifters full snatch 1 rep max.
While improving the power snatch can certainly be beneficial, it should not be more important than improving the full snatch. Therefore, it is worthwhile assessing one’s full snatch regularly and look to pinpoint weak areas that can be improved.
Those who can power snatch a great deal of weight (more than 85% of their full snatch), may be stronger pullers already and therefore should focus more on the transition and getting under the bar quickly.
Conversely, those who can already rapidly drop under the bar and catch, may be better suited to concentrating on the power snatch for a period of time in order to develop their power generation and technique.
Final Word
There is no denying that the power snatch is one of the best exercises that can be performed for developing speed and power. Therefore, this exercise is highly recommended, not only for Olympic lifters, but also for athletes, sportspeople and lifters looking to develop their overall power.
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References:
1-Hackett, Daniel; Davies, Tim; Soomro, Najeebullah; Halaki, Mark (2016-7). “Olympic weightlifting training improves vertical jump height in sportspeople: a systematic review with meta-analysis”. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 50 (14): 865–872. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094951. ISSN 1473-0480. PMID 26626268.
2-Hornsby, W. Guy; Gentles, Jeremy A.; MacDonald, Christopher J.; Mizuguchi, Satoshi; Ramsey, Michael W.; Stone, Michael H. (October 13, 2017). “Maximum Strength, Rate of Force Development, Jump Height, and Peak Power Alterations in Weightlifters across Five Months of Training”. Sports. 5 (4). doi:10.3390/sports5040078. ISSN 2075-4663. PMC 5969034. PMID 29910439.
3-Harbili, Erbil; Alptekin, Ahmet (May 1, 2014). “Comparative Kinematic Analysis of the Snatch Lifts in Elite Male Adolescent Weightlifters”. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 13 (2): 417–422. ISSN 1303-2968. PMC 3990899. PMID 24790499.
4-Gourgoulis, V.; Aggelousis, N.; Mavromatis, G.; Garas, A. (2000-8). “Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of the snatch of elite Greek weightlifters”. Journal of Sports Sciences. 18 (8): 643–652. doi:10.1080/02640410050082332. ISSN 0264-0414. PMID 10972413.
5-“Power Snatch Technique”. educ.jmu.edu.
6-Faigenbaum, Avery D.; McFarland, James E.; Herman, Robert; Naclerio, Fernando; Ratamess, Nicholas A.; Kang, Jie; Myer, Gregory D. (2012-2). “RELIABILITY OF THE ONE REPETITION-MAXIMUM POWER CLEAN TEST IN ADOLESCENT ATHLETES”. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 26 (2): 432–437. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318220db2c. ISSN 1064-8011. PMC 3561668. PMID 22233786.
Melle Mel: Dexter Jackson Should Have Won Mr. Olympia 2020
Melle Mel doesn’t believe any of the bodybuilders were vastly superior at the Olympia 2020 and that Dexter Jackson should have won
By and large, the Mr. Olympia 2020 was not a very controversial one. After many years of close calls and fans contradicting the judges’ decisions – this past Olympia was pretty straight forward. Most fans and experts agree that Big Ramy was the clear cut victor. And that’s exactly what the judges gave him. But hip hop artist and bodybuilding enthusiast Melle Mel doesn’t quite agree. He doesn’t think Big Ramy looked vastly superior to anyone else in the top 10 on that stage. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Melle Mel explains why he believes Dexter Jackson should have won the Mr. Olympia 2020.
Most fans of bodybuilding didn’t argue with Big Ramy winning the Mr. Olympia 2020. By most accounts, it was clear that he was the superior athlete on stage. Melle Mel isn’t a man who falls in this category. In fact, he thinks that Big Ramy’s excellence was a bit overrated.
This isn’t to say that Big Ramy didn’t bring his A game. Far from it. In fact, Melle Mel believes that most of the bodybuilders in the top 10 had incredible physiques. His problem is that not one of them stood out from the other clearly. It was so close in his mind – that any of the top 10 could have been claimed champion and no one would have a problem with it.
With that in mind, Melle Mel believes that Dexter Jackson should have been claimed the champion of the Mr. Olympia 2021. He has two reasons for this belief. First, it was Dexter’s last show and sending him off with a victory would have been a nice bookend to his career. Second, his aesthetic represents the true goal of bodybuilding more than anyone else on stage. At least, that’s what Melle Mel believes.
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive segment with Melle Mel above!
Bodybuilders like Big Ramy, Brandon Curry, and even Phil Heath certainly have more mass than Dexter Jackson. But Melle Mel doesn’t see Men’s Open bodybuilding as a battle of mass. The goal is to bring in mass, conditioning, and aesthetic into a perfect package. He believes most bodybuilders today fall short on the aesthetic side of things. Everyone except for Dexter Jackson.
“How many of those guys gave a better body than Dex?” Melle Mel states in our interview. “They don’t. But they’ll [the judges] find reasons to not give it to Dex.”
Melle Mel goes on to explain how Dexter Jackson won the Mr. Olympia one time previously by beating Jay Cutler. And Jay Cutler became Mr. Olympia after defeating Ronnie Coleman. So if Dexter was able to be Cutler – how was he not able to beat Ronnie before Cutler became champion? In Melle Mel’s mind it’s because the judges didn’t want to give Dexter Jackson the victory.
Of course, it must be said that bodybuilder’s physiques change year after year. Just because Jay Cutler beat Ronnie Coleman one year (after Ronnie had already been slowly fading), doesn’t mean Cutler was the same quality years later when he lost to Dexter Jackson.
And that brings up the ultimate disconnect that can happen with bodybuilding fans, judges, and athletes. Bodybuilding is ultimately subjective. Even with a set of rules and standards. Even with images of past champions to give a benchmark for what excellence is – the mind’s eye sees what it wants to see. We all walk through life with different perspectives. It flavors our judgement.
So maybe Melle Mel is right. Maybe we’ve all bought into the size game and the narrative that Big Ramy was vastly superior at the Olympia 2020. Or perhaps Melle Mel is simply falling victim to his own subjective viewpoints. At the end of the day, it’s that kind of debate that can make the sport of bodybuilding so exciting and dramatic.
You can watch Melle Mel’s full thoughts on the Olympia 2020 in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!