Blog
Larry Wheels Crushes 15 Reps Of 495-Pound Squats While On TRT
Larry Wheels continues his new fitness journey and gaining strength in different ways.
Larry Wheels has made a successful career for himself showing off different feats of strength. He was not shy about his use of steroids over the years but has recently transitioned off the substances. Now, he is on Testosterone Replacement Therapy to keep his muscles in shape. Recently, Wheels went through a fitness test and continues to build strength in many ways.
In a recent training session, Wheels loaded 495 pounds on the squat bar and decided to go for as long as possible. He was able to complete 15 reps with the weight on his back. Wheels shared the video to Instagram on Monday.
In April, Larry Wheels decided to get his health checked out by a doctor. He was concerned with his heart after “abusing PEDs for 10 years.” Wheels checked out well and began to focus more on his health as time went on. Recently, he made the switch off steroids to TRT.
Larry Wheels Remains Extremely Strong In Video
Larry Wheels used knee wraps and a lifting belt while completing the reps. He also used a safety bar in order to protect his joints.
“Kicking the week off with a 495lb Ssb squat amrap.This bar is great if you have any aches or pains in your arms. In my case I get brachialis inflammation from arm wrestling and straight bar low bar squat. I kept a few reps in the take to be cautious as I haven’t done SSB squats in a while.”
Larry Wheels shared a physique update after one month of being off steroids. In the picture, he has slimmed down noticeably but remained shredded. This led to Wheels sharing his numbers following the month using different substances.
Wheels is using 175mg of TRT each week. This is far less than dosages that he is used to but Wheels has maintained his physique and strength. It is normal for his numbers to diminish a bit but he has been able to accomplish great things since transitioning off steroids.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
PNBA Derek Joe’s Training Update a Week Out From Team USA
Image via Instagram @djoe.hype
PNBA Derek Joe focuses heavily on posing a week out from Team USA.
Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Derek Joe has been honing on his posing a week out from Pro/Am Team USA, in Las Vegas, NV, on September 24, 2022. Derek Joe has been preparing for this show, which will be his final one before the king of all natural bodybuilding competitions takes place in Las Vegas on November 10-13, 2022–Natural Olympia.
Derek Joe is the reigning Classic Physique Natural Olympia champ. And he also has a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA.
Derek Joe competed at Natural Universe, which took place in Tampa, FL, on September 3, 2022, and was the winner of the Classic Physique division.
To prep for Team USA, Derek Joe has been practicing his posing thoroughly, a crucial part of the Classic Physique division. Derek Joe uploaded an Instagram clip of him posing and working with IFBB Pro Classic Physique competitor Stanimal De Longeaux. Joe said:
“The last couple weeks I’ve had the opportunity to work with IFBB Pro bodybuilder and Classic Physique competitor Stanimal De Longeaux and get some critique and feedback on my poses leading into Team USA with the INBA/PNBA this coming weekend on 9/24 in Las Vegas. I’m extremely grateful for him taking the time out of his day while he’s also in prep to share his knowledge and help me continue to improve my posing skill. Since we both train at @the_dragons_lair already it’s been that much easier to link up.”
Derek Joe’s Physique Update and Training
Before INBA Colorado State on August 13, 2022, Joe finished his peak week weighing 176.6 lbs. And he said he might come in a couple of pounds lighter on the Natural Olympia stage.
Joe’s training has switched from three days on/one day off, doing legs every eight days, to a modified German volume training.
Before Natural Universe, Joe performed a massive leg workout, which included squats, Romanian deadlifts (RDL), and Bulgarian split squats.
Classic Physique Division Training
The Classic Physique division is a competitive one. Not only will Derek Joe be trying to retain his Natural Olympia title, but 3x Natural Olympia Classic Physique champ Brandon Lirio is vying for retaking the thrown. Moreover, William Long plans to compete in this division in 2023. Long said to prepare for the Classic Physique division; he turned his attention to his legs. That’s because legs weren’t essential to the Men’s Physique division (they wear board shorts). Men’s physique is the class Long dominated before transitioning to the Classic Physique division, which explains why Derek Joe places a heavy emphasis on training legs.
Natural Olympia is less than two months away. Last year, Paul Krueger was the Men’s Bodybuilding champ. Of course, each natural athlete has their unique training regime. And it will significantly depend on what division each competitor competes in. Nevertheless, according to Krueger, bodybuilding has five crucial pillars: training, nutrition, supplementation, recovery, and mindset.
Life Outside of the INBA PNBA for Derek Joe
Besides competing in the PNBA, Derek Joe works part-time at Lifetime Athletics in Las Vegas. He offers in-person personal training and posing and online coaching and virtual posing sessions.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more updates on natural bodybuilders!
Former UFC Champ Georges St-Pierre Shows His Training for One-Arm Pull Ups
This is how Georges St-Pierre is training to accomplish the one arm pull up.
Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is training to perform a one-arm pull up. The former MMA kingpin is always looking to challenge himself and post retirement he has shifted his focus new endeavors including strength training.
A martial artist trains both the physical and the mental in order to grow stronger. Georges St-Pierre is most certainly a true martial artist and is looking to improve himself after hanging up the gloves. But while he may not have an opponent to fight these days, his new challenge is pushing himself in new and intriguing ways.
These days when he’s not playing a Marvel supervillain, Georges St-Pierre is pushing his body to new physical extremes. Self-improvement is the hallmark of dedicated martial artist and St-Pierre is keen on discovering how far he can push himself. If he’s not training in the martial arts, acting, or lifting, you can be sure to find St-Pierre testing his will as he jumps into an ice bath.
In recent months Georges St-Pierre has been pushing himself to accomplish a one-arm pull up. Up until September he had been training to succeed at the feat. Unfortunately for the former UFC champ his first attempt was unsuccessful.
I had given myself an ultimatum until September to succeed in a one Arm Pull Up and I failed. I will analyze what I did wrong in my progress to not reach my goal and continue to work hard. I will not give up and give myself until the end of the year to get it.
One Arm Pull Up Training
Despite the setback Georges St-Pierre isn’t deterred. He is still planning on accomplishing the one arm pull up and he plans on doing so by the end of the year. Before that day, St-Pierre decided to show his fans and followers the kind of training he undergoes to prepare himself for the challenge.
“Alright guys, the challenge of the week. You know I’m working on doing a one-armed pullup and one of the basic exercises to do before being able to do a one-armed pullup is a dead hang for 30 seconds without letting yourself rotate. You have to always face the same direction.”
What do you think of Georges St-Pierre and his new one arm pull up endeavor?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Big Ramy Discusses Competition, Shares His Top Three Heading Into 2022 Olympia
Big Ramy shared who would be in the top-tier of his Olympia score card.
Big Ramy is at the top of the bodybuilding world after two consecutive Olympia titles. He will be fighting for his third in a row come December. During a recent conversation, Ramy took some time to discuss the competition and who he believes could finish top three at the show.
In 2020, Big Ramy dethroned Brandon Curry to win his first Olympia title. He successfully defended his title in 2021 and many believe he is the odds-on favorite to three-peat. Curry finished as the runner-up in each of the last two years.
Big Ramy began his training for the 2022 show shortly after winning in October. He admitted to not bringing his best package to the stage his last time out and it was because his prep began late. Now, he will not have that problem and will likely hit the Olympia stage shredded at an incredible size. Ramy has appeared as a guest poser sparingly over the last year but missed the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro.
There are few who can contend with the overall size of Ramy and that is why he is considered the favorite once again. So, who does Big Ramy think can finish in the top three?
Big Ramy Shares His Top Three
Big Ramy joined Dennis James on The Menace Podcast on YouTube for a conversation. He was asked by Milos Sarcev who his biggest rival is. The question changed to who would be his top three if Big Ramy was not competing in the show.
“I have to say William, Brandon, Hadi,” Big Ramy answered.
Hadi Choopan finished in third place last year and has been one of the top competitors in recent years. There are many veterans who believe that Choopan showed up in the best shape last year and could have won the title.
“I respect all of them. Hadi, his shape and conditioning is really good,” Ramy said.
William Bonac impressed many during the 2022 Arnold Classic, as he finished second to Curry. Bonac put himself in position to reclaim the Arnold Classic title and put a winning package together. He will look to keep it together heading into the Olympia.
Big Ramy continued to explain who his biggest rival is. He did not single out an competitor but focused on himself.
“Dennis asked me this question, and it’s not a political answer, I say this for a long time. It’s one words. It’s Ramy. If I am not 100%, I would be f***ed up,” Big Ramy said.
[embedded content]
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Chris Bumstead Discusses Retirement, Taking “Year-By-Year” Approach: ‘My Answer Always Is That I Want One More Olympia’
Chris Bumstead admits it was “a little foolish” to try and predict when he will retire.
Chris Bumstead has created a brand for himself and has become one of the biggest stars in bodybuilding, despite of his division. Classic Physique continues to grow and Bumstead has a lot to do with it. In a recent interview, Bumstead explained how he has changed his views a bit on retirement and is now taking a “year-by-year” approach.
Bumstead was able to take the Classic Physique Olympia title from Breon Ansley in 2019 and has not relinquished it since. He is the reigning three-time champion and will be looking for his fourth in a row come December.
On social media, Bumstead has shared many videos of diets and workouts that he uses during his prep for the biggest show of the year. In the past, Bumstead has discussed retirement but he recently changed his tone and has taken on a different approach.
Chris Bumstead Taking “Year-By-Year” Approach
Chris Bumstead was asked about his retirement during a recent interview with Muscular Development Magazine. He admitted that he is not putting a timeline on his career.
READ MORE: Why Does Chris Bumstead Take Multiple Ice Baths Per Week?
“You talked a couple years ago about retiring by 30…You’ve got a good handle on your health now. Three titles already. You’re still only 27. Do you still think ‘I need to retire by this with this many titles’ or is it more year-by-year?” Bumstead was asked.
“I’m definitely taking it more year-by-year, for sure. I think it was a little foolish to try and predict the day that I would be ready to be done. I think it’s more something now, where I’m more genuinely, my answer always is ‘I want one more Olympia.’ So people will say ‘oh, so you’re done this year?’ And I’m like ‘no. I just want one more.’”
Then depending how this year goes and I feel, mentally and physically, and afterwards if I’m excited and hungry for more, I’m going to do another. If I don’t, I won’t,” Bumstead said.
Chris Bumstead continued to explain how this mindset has allowed him enjoy competing and enjoying the moment rather than setting goals and limits.
“Having that kind of detachment that I don’t have to do it has allowed me to fall into a mindset where I get to compete and I’m more excited to. It’s something that I’m grateful for being able to do instead of something that I have to do saying ‘I have to compete and be a five-time, six-time champion.’ I get one more year at least. I’m going to give it my all. Depending on that, I might give it another one. Just enjoying the minute.”
Chris Bumstead leads the way for a division in bodybuilding that is growing, both in size and in talent. The expectations from the public can put pressure on competitors and Bumstead believes that this is one of the biggest challenges each year.
“It’s more of a mental challenge to continuously stay on top and keep doing things, and when there’s a lot of outside noise coming in constantly, the eyes are on you, expectations are on you, and that can change things for sure.”
What we do know is that Chris Bumstead will be on stage come December looking for his fourth consecutive title. Following the 2022 Olympia, we will learn a bit more about the future of Bumstead on stage.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
[embedded content]
William Bonac Shares Impressive New Physique Update
William Bonac looks impressive in his most recent physique update.
Top bodybuilder and two-time Arnold Classic champion William Bonac gives physique update. Bonac is looking to reclaim his top three spot at the Olympia and his been putting in some serious work to do so.
It wasn’t long ago that William Bonac was considered arguably the top bodybuilder in the world. His many triumphs on the Olympia stage included an impressive second place finish at the 2019 show. Since then however the talented Bonac dropped a few placings to fifth and sixth place in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Now Bonac is looking to bounce back and show the bodybuilding world that he has plenty left in the tank. From what we can see, Bonac has packed on some quality muscle and is looking chiseled with just weeks to go before the Olympia.
Looking to make a return to top form this year, William Bonac has been hard at work. The veteran bodybuilder is ready to hush the naysayers and prove that he has what it takes to break into the top five at this year’s Olympia.
Impressive Update
A recent post by Chad Nicholls shows a very impressive William Bonac looking stage ready. This physique update should give bodybuilding fans a picture of how much work he’s been putting in.
TEAM MAYHEM UPDATE: Wanted to give everyone a quick update on The Conqueror. @william_bonac We are at the end of the off season phase. Everything is right on target. Our goal was 120kg and, in this photo he is 120.3kg (264.6lbs)! This will, without a doubt, be the best William Bonac we’ve ever seen. I know everyone always says that, but get ready for something crazy in Vegas!!
William Bonac is nowhere near done in this game. With his incredible physique and resolve to constantly improve, Bonac appears to be as hungry as ever.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
PNBA Mitch Jarvis On Why You Shouldn’t Blame Genetics for Skinny Legs
Image via Instagram @mitchjarv
PNBA bodybuilder Mitch Jarvis refutes blaming genetics for tiny legs.
Omitting leg day is a newbie gym-goer mistake. Leg day is imperative to build a strong, muscular physique. But gym rats often claim that bad genetics are responsible for their lack of muscle growth (not skipping leg days). However, Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) British bodybuilder Mitch Jarvis explains why genetics aren’t to blame for your lack of leg growth.
Mitch Jarvis was the 2020 UKDFBA Overall UK Champion, 2021 PNBA Pro UK Champion, and Pro World Runner-up. A few months ago, Jarvis garnered much attention on social media after uploading his massive leg transformation. Jarvis says that as a former gymnast, his legs were small. During a Longetiviy Muscle Podcast interview, Mitch Jarvis detailed how he got his legs to grow and rebutted, blaming poor genetics for lack of leg muscle growth. Jarvis stated:
“In gymnastics, obviously, I still had quite small legs compared to some of the other guys. And growing up, my dad would always say, “uh, it’s just our genetics; we can’t grow big legs. He said I’ve tried. I’ve squatted, I’ve done leg press, I’ve done all sorts over the years. We just can’t do it.” And that kinda that got me going. And I was like, well, well, I’ve gotta have big legs. You have big arms. You might as well have big legs as well.”
Training at a High Intensity Trumps Genetics
Mitch Jarvis credits consistently squatting at a high intensity for his massive leg transformation. He claimed he was squatting 3x a week from 2015 to 2017. And Jarvis would start with squats every gym training session–this was when Jarvis was still doing gymnastics before he transitioned into bodybuilding.
Jarvis said he tried many different training approaches, including German volume training. However, it was through Mitch Jarvis’ training intensity that bolstered massive leg growth. Doing more volume wasn’t the primary factor in Jarvis’ leg transformation.
Low Volume to Avoid “Junk Volume”
Mitch Jarvis described how he’s been getting better results in the gym after reducing his training volume. Jarvis describes this extra volume as “junk volume.” Jarvis describes junk volume as:
“Those sets that you’re just not really do anything with. It’s just it’s just filling up time in the gym. And it gives you a nice pump, and it makes you feel good. But they don’t really build the muscle. And I think that’s what I learned a lot. It’s, it’s all about the intensity.”
You can see a clip of Jarvis explaining this phenomenon below.
Natural Bodybuilding Training Volume
Mitch Jarvis says his training is focused on lower volume at a higher intensity, which is why he reduced his training volume to four days a week and cut “junk volume” training. Jarvis says that his body struggled to recover from training five days a week, even with proper nutrition and sleep.
Of course, natural bodybuilders won’t be able to train with as much volume as performance-enhanced lifters can since their bodies will take longer to recover.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more workout tips from bodybuilders!
2022 South Korea Pro Classic Physique Results
Denis Romanov wins the 2022 South Korea Pro Classic Physique Show!
The 2022 South Korea Pro Classic Physique show took place on Sunday in Gyeonggi State, Korea. The Classic Physique division was on display with a winner gaining qualification to the 2022 Olympia. In the end, Denis Romanov was crowned champion.
Romanov will make his first appearance on the biggest stage since earning his Pro Card. He finished seventh at the 2022 Thailand Pro in March and was able to make improvements in order to punch his ticket to the Olympia.
The full results from the event have been announced. Checkout the full breakdown from the show, along with na official score card.
2022 South Korea Pro Classic Physique Breakdown
First Place – Denis Romanov
Second Place – Seong Hun Park
Third Place – Hyoung Joo Kwon
Fourth Place – Jang Sung Yong
Fifth Place – Jun Seok Yoo
Sixth Place – Chan Young Kim
Seventh Place – Jin Ho Seok
2022 South Korea Pro Classic Physique Official Score Card
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.
2022 Janet Layug’s Battle of the Bodies Pro Bodybuilding Results
India Paulino wins the 2022 Battle of the Bodies!
The 2022 Janey Layug Battle of the Bodies took place on Saturday, highlighting the Bikini Division. The event was held in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In the end, India Paulino was crowned champion and will have a chance to compete at the Olympia.
Paulino is no stranger to the Olympia stage. She has competed at the biggest event of the year six times in her career and has three finishes in the top five. Paulino competed four time this season thus far and has finished in the top five in each event. This includes the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro.
The full results from the show have been announced. Checkout the full breakdown from the event, along with the official score card.
2022 Battle of the Bodies Breakdown
First Place – India Paulino
Second Place – Brittany Hamilton
Third Place – Alessia Facchin
Fourth Place – Maia Gordon
Fifth Place – Erin Dennis
Sixth Place – Elizaveta Shmukler
Seventh Place – Ashley Smith
Eighth Place – Misty Gauthier
Ninth Place – Soily Rivadeneira
Tenth Place – Leslie Billups
2022 Battle of the Bodies Official Score Card
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.
Shaquille O’Neal Shares Physique Update Showing Off Abs Following Workout
Shaquille O’Neal continues to transform his physique.
Shaquille O’Neal enjoyed a career on the court that landed him in the Hall of Fame. Now, he continues his career in basketball as an analyst. In retirement, O’Neal has found a passion for fitness and continues to transform his physique. He recently shared a physique update showing off his defined abs following a workout.
Shaq is considered one of the most, if not the most, dominant player in NBA history. He averaged 23.7 points and 10.9 rebounds during a career that included four NBA Championships and an MVP award following the 1999-2000 season. O’Neal even has a passion for bodybuilding and has followed the sport over the years.
Shaquille O’Neal was named an honorary ambassador for the 2020 Olympia. In 2021, he attended the Arnold Classic and took some time to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is clear that O’Neal has put in some work in the gym following his latest update.
Shaquille O’Neal Continues To Make Changes In The Gym
At 50 years old, Shaquille O’Neal is making some changes to his lifestyle. Last year, he revealed his diet and workout plan. It consisted of protein shakes and a complete change to his diet. In the gym, O’Neal works out an hour a day and has incorporated cardio.
The results are clear as Shaq showed off his defined abs to his 26.9 million followers on Instagram.
In 2018, Shaquille O’Neal jokingly called out Phil Heath and shared a posing routine of his own. Shaq has been knowledgable about the bodybuilding world for years now and that is going to continue as he is a fan of the sport.
During his NBA career, Shaq used his incredible size and strength to dominate opponents down low. He built an NBA career that has him as one of the best of all-time and now, the changes to his routine are paying off.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
