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Hunter Labrada Reveals Eight-Week Training Split That Will Lead Into 2022 Olympia Prep
Hunter Labrada shares an eight-week split that will help him get close to the Olympia title.
Hunter Labrada celebrated the Fourth of July by sharing his newest eight-week split in the gym. Labrada finished fourth in the Olympia last year and is looking for a better result this time around.
Labrada took to his YouTube page to share a video of the eight-week split he will be using to close out the summer. Once this split is complete, Labrada will fully enter his Olympia prep to put the finishing touches on what he hopes will be a championship come December. In 2021, Labrada finished behind Brandon Curry, Hadi Choopan, and reigning two-time champion Big Ramy.
This split features compound movements on different days, including legs, to “build work capacity.” He also decided to get rid of cable presses as he felt the weight was causing a difference in form. Labrada decided to substitute additional incline and shoulder presses.
Over the course of the next eight weeks, Hunter Labrada will work legs once every nine days. This is supposed to take pressure off his knees in an attempt to keep them healthy.
Hunter Labrada’s Full Eight-Week Training Split
Hunter Labrada wrote out his entire plan for the next two months on a board and walked his viewers through the plan. Below, you can find an outline of the entire workout plan that Labrada put together.
Pull A
Push A
Cable Flye – 2 sets
Prime Incline Press – 2 sets
Prime Shoulder Press – 2 sets
Supported Y-Raise – 2 sets
Dense Metabolic Circuit Work For Both Muscle Groups (presses and flyes, lateral raises and push-ups) – 2 sets
Arms
Legs
Standing Calf Raises – 2 sets, second set drop-set
Seated Calf Raises – 1 set
Seated Hamstring Curl – 2 sets
Banded Hack Squat – 1 set
Unilateral Hip Press – 1 set
Leg Extensions – 1 set
Adductors – 1 set
Off Day
Pull B
Unilateral Supported Straight Arm Row – 2 sets
Unilateral Cable Pulldown (lat focus) – 2 sets
Unilateral Rogers 3-Way Row – 2 sets
Arsenal T-Bar – 2 sets
Prime Row – 2 sets
Rear Delt Flye – 2 sets
Push B
Pec Deck Flye – 2 sets
Reverse Band Smith Machine Incline Press – 3 sets
Supported Y-Raise – 2 sets
Prime Shoulder Press – 3 sets
Dense Metabolic Circuit Work For Both Muscle Groups – 3 sets
Arms
Strive Biceps Curls – 2 sets
Cuff Triceps Extension – 2 sets
Seated Cable Curls – 2 sets
Unilateral Overhead Cuff Extensions – 2 sets
Abmat Crunches – 3 sets
Hanging Leg Raises – 3 sets
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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.
PNBA Luke Francis Trainor’s Pro Bodybuilding Tips to Develop a Fuller Chest
Image via Instagram @luketrainor33
PNBA athlete Luke Francis Trainor shares barbell incline bench press tips to build a well-developed chest.
The barbell bench press is the king of all upper body exercises. And although the barbell bench press should be a staple exercise in anyone’s bodybuilding routine, the barbell incline bench press is a chest movement that will give you a fuller, more muscular chest. That’s because bench pressing at an incline targets your upper chest–a muscle men neglect–which will add mass to your chest. Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete Luke Francis Trainor dives into full detail on performing the barbell incline bench press to build a muscular chest.
Trainor competes in the PNBA Men’s Physique and the Classic Physique divisions. He has high hopes for 2022 and plans to win seven titles to bring his total gold medal count to 50, matching the age he’ll turn in August–50. Luke Francis Trainor said this about the incline barbell press:
“If you want a nice full developed chest stop neglecting the upper chest when you train. For me I make sure the bar always touches my chest for maximum stretch and i never lockout at the top. I also prefer i wider grip for me as I feel the pecs do a lot more of the work during the set. Grip too close together and locking out at the top involves way too my shoulder and triceps.
Only going down half way with the bar by clearly going way too heavy not only again uses too much shoulders and tri but you are also getting half the load at best in your pecs Stop doing all this core Bull. hit [sic] and having your legs up in the air or on the bench its a bloody chest exercise if you want to train your core do it elsewhere.
Focus on continuous tension throughout the pecs by getting that full stretch and stopping short of a lockout and your pecs will explode with strength and gains.”
You can see a clip of Luke Francis Trainor performing the barbell incline bench press below, along with his complete statement.
Barbell Bench Press Vs. Barbell Incline Bench Press
The barbell bench press and barbell incline bench press both target your chest muscles. The barbell bench press targets your mid-chest, and the barbell incline bench press engages more of your upper chest muscles. Because of the incline of the flat bench, you won’t be able to use as much weight on the barbell incline bench press. However, the barbell incline bench press will work more of your shoulder muscles.
And many experts and athletes say the barbell incline bench press is the safer movement. Professional bodybuilder Dorian Yates asserted, “I don’t even include flat benching in my pec routine because I think it stresses the front deltoids far too much to be an effective exercise for building the chest. Also, the angle of the flat bench press puts the pec tendons in a vulnerable position. Most shoulder injuries and overuse injuries can be stemmed from flat benching. Many torn pecs in bodybuilding have been the results of heavy flat bench presses.”
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Liver King Doubles Down On Natty Status Following Joe Rogan’s Claim: ‘Him Saying That Is Dangerous’
Liver King continues to preach his natural status amid his ancestral way of living.
There are very few who could live the life that Liver King has decided to take on. Aside from living the lifestyle, there are many who probably struggle to understand it fully. Liver King has preached the nine ancestral tenets and has built a physique that has made many questions on if he has ever touched steroids.
Liver King has shown off his unique diet of raw meats that include liver, brains, testicles, and much more. The social media sensation has also shared some wild workouts that have helped him build a shredded physique. It is not crazy to assume that he is taking some sort of substance but Liver King has shut down the rumors on many occasions.
Liver King Speaks On Joe Rogan’s Claim
Joe Rogan became one of many to question whether or not Liver King is actually natural. Rogan claims that Johnson has got “an ass filled with steroids.” Liver King has spoken on this claim before but took another swing at it during an appearance on Mark Bell’s Power Project’s YouTube page.
“Look at how many people that have never heard of me have now heard of me. It’s one of the greatest feelings. I also just do want to say that him saying that is dangerous.
“I would love the opportunity to talk to him face to face and rally get deep into the nine ancestral tenets. I’ll face it head on. I don’t touch the stuff. I’ve never done the stuff. I’m not going to do the stuff.”
Not only did Liver King completely shut down the notion, he expressed interest in appearing with Joe Rogan on his podcast. The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the biggest podcasts in the world and Rogan himself is considered the king of the industry. This appearance would allow Liver King to teach many about his lifestyle and defend himself against any steroid allegations.
“Never taken steroids. I’ve never done PEDs. Other than prioritize, execute, and dominate in life. The other day, someone said something about growth hormone. Someone said something about insulin. Somebody keeps going off on the deep end and saying ‘what about designer drugs that nobody can f***ing detect?’ There’s all peptides too. Oh my goodness. I didn’t know how deep this could possibly go.”
Liver King takes offense to these claims because of the work he has put in day after day to achieve the level of fitness that he has.
“He said that I had an ass full of this. What I want to say this, is what I have is 35 years of hard f***ing work. Since I was 10 years old, I’ve been training. I’m proud of that.”
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Regan Grimes is Looking Massive in Recent 290Lb Physique Update
Regan Grimes is tipping the scales of 290lbs!
Stand out Men’s Open bodybuilder Regan Grimes is apparently sitting at 290lbs. The popular bodybuilder revealed his recent weight in a physique update. In his post to social media Grimes made his intentions known as he aims to bring a new and improved version of himself to the Olympia stage.
These days it’s hard for a bodybuilder below 250lbs to make waves in the Men’s Open division. While there are plenty of incredible bodybuilders on the lighter end of the Open division, the men in the top ten all carry a considerable amount of muscle on their frame. Considering that the current reigning Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay routinely tips the scales at over 300lbs, logic determines that many athletes are looking to replicate the champ’s approach.
With all that said, if a competitor hopes to become Mr. Olympia then they must aim to bring something new to the table. But size will still be a requirement to get the job done. That is something that Regan Grimes has come to learn.
After a stint in the Classic Physique division, Regan Grimes has doubled down on his Open bodybuilding aspirations. Teaming up with the likes of veteran bodybuilder and coach Milos Sarcev, Grimes has shown a considerable amount of improvement. He has gained a great deal of size while maintaining a svelte waist and great conditioning. He’ll need those qualities as he takes on the best bodybuilders in the world.
Jacked at 290!
Knowing he needed to bring something new to the table, Regan Grimes has been hard at work in the gym. The talented bodybuilder has packed on the muscle and shows no signs of slowing down. A recent post to his Instagram account shows Grimes in top physical condition as he weighs in at a massive 290lbs!
290lbs with 24 weeks left @mrolympiallcEveryday is a chance to be better! Let’s Work!!!
It’s clear that Regan Grimes has been putting in some quality work. All his recent updates are proof of that.
First time using the TRU SQUAT! + @andyvelcich has me hooked up with 4 pads on each leg with the @neufitrfp ??
What do you think of Regan Grimes and his latest physique update?
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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.
Straight Facts: The Truth Behind Nutrient Timing Before & After Workouts
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Jerry Brainum breaks down the straight facts behind nutrient timing. When does it matter and when is it BS?
It’s generally known that a person’s diet and nutrition are equally, if not more, important than workouts for meeting your physique and fitness goals. What you put in your body directly effects the “fuel” used during workout and recovery. But beyond general diets – there is a concept known as nutrient timing. Does the timing of when you consume certain nutrients and supplements vastly affect the results of our workout? In our latest episode of Straight Facts, Jerry Brainum separates fact from fiction with a complete breakdown of nutrient timing before and after your workout.
We all have limited time in a day. So for those fitness obsessed, it’s important to best optimize a workout to save time and reach goals as fast as possible. In terms of diets and supplementation, this is where the concept of nutrient timing comes in. Can a person perfectly target a window of time for supplementation and nutrition in order to get a boost to their workout? Whether that be more energy, more optimized protein synthesis, or better rest for recovery?
According to Jerry Brainum, the answer is that nutrient timing can help improve the results of your workout – but only slightly. At the end of the day, nutrient timing will not be a make or break aspect for those looking to upgrade their health and physique to the next level. Let’s break it down in detail.
The Two Hour Window: Should You Take Protein Supplements Right After A Workout?
When the fitness community talks about nutrient timing – the most popular consensus is a two hour window before and after your workout. When it comes to consuming protein or protein supplements after a workout – many believe that it’s vital to consume protein within that two hour window to help optimize protein synthesis.
However, according to Jerry Brainum, recent studies show that protein synthesis reaches it’s peak between 24-48 hours after a workout. Essentially this debunks any importance of consuming protein immediately after a workout. So long as you are getting the amount of protein you need every day – your body should be putting it to best use.
On the flip side, it does not hurt to take protein supplements right after a workout. So there is no reason to avoid the two hour nutrient timing window. With science changing and updating all of the time – you can choose to still take protein right after a workout just to be safe.
Carbohydrate Replenishment After A Workout
So we covered protein synthesis after a workout – but what about carbohydrate replenishment? During your workout, your body will use glycogen (from carbs) for energy. Because of this, many fitness enthusiasts would also use the two hour nutrient timing window to restore on carbs.
Jerry Brainum states that while it’s true that glycogen is burned during a workout, resistance training typically does not burn all of your glycogen stores in on session. So can consuming carbs immediately after a workout help? Yes – but only in slightly. It’s not a game changer for your physique, strength, or fitness levels.
However, if you are someone who does long endurance workouts – then carb replenishment after a workout can be vital. Longform exercise and endurance training will typically burn through your entire glycogen stores. So it’s extremely important for someone like a long distance runner to beef up on carbs right after a long training session.
Overall, Jerry Brainum explains that studies have shown that the body has a hierarchy of demands after a workout session. When your body is depleted in glycogen stores after a workout – it will prioritize replenishing glycogen before turning carbs into fat stores in your body. So yes – eating carbohydrates immediately after a workout is effective. How effective depends on the kind of training you are doing.
Nutrient Timing Before A Workout: Things To Consider
So we discussed at length nutrient timing after a workout – but what about before? Typically nutrient timing before a workout comes down to ensuring you have enough energy to put up your best training. A pre-workout supplement or caffeine can be helpful raising energy levels. Typically, caffeine takes about an hour to kick in – so consider this with your nutrient timing before a workout.
On the other hand, caffeine also stays in your system for about six hours. So if you are a night trainer, consider this fact when timing your caffeine intake for a workout. You don’t want to be unable to sleep and recovery later in the night.
Hydration is also extremely important before a workout. While the timing of consuming water comes down to how hydrated you are during the full day – the most important thing to consider is to stay hydrated by the time you train. Studies show that being dehydrated can lead up to a 4% decrease in strength – according to Jerry Brainum.
Wrap Up
So is nutrient timing a magic bullet that will transform your fitness regimen? No, not really. But there are some true valuable aspects to nutrient timing that should be considered. Nothing will be a game changer – but small things can all add up to a better fitness lifestyle. Each individual is different. Whatever ultimately helps you become a more focused and successful person in fitness should not be avoided.
You can watch Jerry Brainum go into complete detail about all aspects of nutrient timing in our latest episode of Straight Facts above. Make sure to check out new episodes every Wednesday. Only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or where ever podcasts are downloaded.
Big Ramy Shuts Down Rumors Of Being Smaller, Shares Current Weight Of 335 Pounds
Big Ramy joined Dennis James to discuss his current weight.
Big Ramy has been back in his home country training and preparing to compete for his third consecutive Olympia title. The Egyptian bodybuilder has brought an insane physique to the stage, with great muscle mass and conditioning, over the previous two competitions. This time around, Big Ramy looks on pace to be even bigger.
There have been some rumors out there that Big Ramy has looked smaller this offseason. He joined Dennis James for a conversation on Instagram live on Monday to discuss many topics around bodybuilding. This includes Big Ramy’s current weight of 335 pounds.
“You don’t even fit in the frame anymore. You’re too big for the camera.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with my camera,” Big Ramy responded jokingly.
It was clear by the first look in the video that Big Ramy did not lose much size this offseason. In fact, he continues to sculpt his physique in a big way. James decided to ask Ramy what his current weight was.
“People think you’re smaller now. What’s your current weight?”
“152,” Big ramy responded.
Big Ramy responded in kilograms before Dennis James got the exact translation into pounds.
READ MORE: Chad Nicholls Believes Big Ramy Will Be Even Bigger At 2022 Olympia
“For all the people who think he’s smaller now, he’s about..let me get the exact number. 334.4 pounds.”
Current State Of Bodybuilding In Egypt
The conversation turned to how Egyptian bodybuilders are becoming more prevalent on stage. Big Ramy reflected on a time where he was the only competitor in a given show. Now, there are many that will be competing in the Olympia.
“We have three in Open, one in Physique,” big ramy said.
“That’s got to be great for Egypt. You got the home team representing the country,” dennis james responded.
Competitors like Hassan Mostafa and Ahmed El Wardany have been representing Egypt, along with Big Ramy, over the years. Both Ramy and James believe that the overall knowledge of the sport has gone up and this has helped sculpt some elite competitors.
“They needed the knowledge. Before, they had the genetics and the strength. Now, they have the knowledge and you are starting to see it.”
Big Ramy has been hard at work training to take home yet another Olympia title. If he continues on this path, he will have an even bigger physique to show off come December.
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Calum von Moger Makes Statement On Faking Emotions: ‘They Will Be This Entirely Different Person When You’re Not Around’
Calum von Moger makes statement amid recent troubles.
Calum von Moger entered a rehab facility in June after being released from the hospital following an incident where he jumped from a two-story window. On Tuesday, von Moger made a statement on social media explaining his feelings on people being fake around him following his recent struggles.
Following checking himself into rehab, von Moger’s team made a statement on Instagram sharing an update on his situation. It was regarding his health and feelings on being used for clicks within the media. von Moger seemed to take another angle when sharing his thoughts on people faking emotions.
“It bothers me that people fakes their true emotions. They will be this entirely different person when you’re not around, but the moment you show up they put on a facade and arouse their inner thespian.To express my feelings in the most simplistic terms I can say “I’m sick of fake people. Period.
Sometimes it seems that the louder someone claims sainthood, the bigger the horns they are hiding.Throughout my life, I have seen people play the role of different characters around their peers. At times, they could be the worst of people.People happily wear these metaphorical masks depending on who they are with. “
Calum von Moger: “I Don’t Like Being Fake”
Calum von Moger pleaded guilty to possession of drugs during a recent court appearance. He was stopped in an unregistered vehicle with testosterone, prescription drugs, cannabis oil, and needles in the car. This appearance came when he was still recovering from his injuries.
During this time, von Moger believes that people should not be using his name in a negative way and should not change how they act.
“Instead of embracing their true personality, they change who they are around select people.. It frustrates me when people would rather keep their mask on, instead of taking it off and revealing their true colors.I don’t like being fake. You may not like what I say but you’ll always know where you stand with me.”
Calum von Moger has been an inspiration to many who have been following his story. He continues to write his next chapter and looks as though he is working to get better.
“If my actions tell you that I like you then I’m not acting. I’m a genuine person. It hasn’t always been that way but people learn and they grow.I don’t understand being nice to someone’s face and then shit talking them behind their back. I don’t understand not being upfront and forthcoming about your feelings of others.”
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INBA Danny Ghiglieri Shares 16-Week Natural Bodybuilding Contest Prep Transformation
Image via Instagram @dannyghigs
INBA athlete Danny Ghiglieri shares a 16-week natural bodybuilding transformation from day one of contest prep to show day.
Before natural bodybuilding shows, competitors undergo a contest prep, cutting calories to get as lean as possible. But, of course, every competitor’s training, diet, and contest prep look different. International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) athlete Danny Ghiglieri shared what it looks like to go from day one of contest prep to the day of a show 16 weeks out.
Danny Ghiglieri recently received his PNBA pro card after performing well in his natural bodybuilding debut show. At Ghiglieri’s INBA PNBA debut, he received second place in Amateur Novice Physique and second place in Amateur Open Physique. On Instagram, he compared a side-by-side photo of how he looked on day one of contest prep and show day 16 weeks later. Ghiglieri stated:
“My 16 week transformation in Natural Bodybuilding; Day 1 of prep — > Show Day. To boot, check out my 1 day transformation in not-so-natural tanning lol”
See Danny Ghiglieri’s full 16-week contest prep photos on Instagram below.
Contest Prep
Contest prepping is imperative for natural bodybuilders who want to outshine their competitor’s on show day. It’s a short cycle before a show when athletes will diet hard and cut weight to be as lean as possible for the competition their preparing for. Some bodybuilders will start their contest prep sooner or later than others. For example, Danny Ghiglieri started his prep 16 weeks out, while others may wait until 12 before a show.
And many athletes will follow a similar approach in terms of being in a caloric deficit and following a strict diet while prepping for shows, although each contender’s routine varies. For example, Kayla Rowling was eating five egg whites, five asparagus spears, and a handful of mushrooms for breakfast to prepare for the Worlds Championships in Florence, Italy, on June 25, 2022.
One thing a few natural bodybuilders have described during contest prep is the intensity and potential health consequences that follow. For instance, Amanda Martin said it leads to irritability, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances. And Ben Howard detailed his sleep disturbance after following a strict diet to prep his physique for the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) lightweight division.
Natural Bodybuilding
Natural bodybuilding has many different federations, but the INBA PNBA is the largest federation and the only one to abide by the strictest drug testing standards–the World Anti Doping-Agency (WADA). Having WADA metrics ensures athletes’ safety–for those who obey the guidelines–and makes competition just for bodybuilders. Those who don’t are stripped of their title and prize money. Plus, they’re ridiculed in the Hall of Shame. Many natural bodybuilders in the INBA PNBA joined because of the fair and strict drug testing guidelines.
For example, PNBA Hall of Famer Chad Martin began competing in bodybuilding in 1999, but he quickly caught onto the fact that guys were starting to dope, giving them an unfair advantage. That’s when he did some research and found the INBA PNBA.
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Iain Valliere Defends Hadi Choopan On Synthol News, Alleged Hany Rambod Texts Emerge: “Don’t Inject The Shoulders”
Iain Valliere commented on a recent Instagram post to defend fellow bodybuilder Hadi Choopan.
On Friday, pro bodybuilder Hadi Choopan’s former manager, Hadi Parsafar, claimed that Choopan has injected his muscles with synthol over the course of his career. Parsafar described Choopan as the “Synthol People’s Champion.” Now it seems like fellow pro bodybuilders are reacting to the claims. In a recent comment, Iain Valliere seems to be defending Choopan amid the synthol rumors.
Parsafar, and his brother Mahdi, made statements on Friday regarding this topic. Choopan and the Parsafar brothers parted ways when they were fired by the bodybuilder. Bi’s and Tri’s Instagram shared a post explaining the incident and a comment from Valliere can be found defending Choopan.
“Lol like all everyone’s favourite 90’s bodybuilders weren’t filled to the absolute gills with esisclene, nolitol and SEO’s. This is bodybuilding, literally nothing about it is natural, and even lots of guys who aren’t obviously using it, still likely are.”
Iain Valliere has not earned his qualification to the 2022 Olympia just yet but is preparing to take the stage at the Vancouver Pro on July 17. He finished seventh in October at the biggest competition of the year. Valliere continues to explain in his comment how bodybuilding is a visual sport and Hadi Choopan is one of the best there is.
“This is a visual sport, there’s no bonus points for how hard you work or how you attain the look. Hadi is clearly one of the top bodybuilders on the planet, and one of the most popular. An ex manager trying to ruin his good name with this nonsense is petty and pathetic.”
Hadi Choopan has been a threat to the Olympia title since 2019, when he earned third place. He finished with the bronze once again last year, despite some believing he arrived with the best conditioning. There were many who believed that Choopan should have been crowned champion and he will work for that goal once again this year.
Hany Rambod Allegedly Tried To Stop Synthol Use
Hadi Parsafar also shared alleged messages between Choopan and Hany Rambod showing the coach asking to stop injecting the bodybuilder with this substance. Rambod has been quite instrumental in Choopan’s career as of late as his training coach – which coincide with his latest string of high placing Mr. Olympia showings.
“Team, Please tell Hadi to stop injecting his shoulders!
His right shoulder looks very swollen and bad.
The judges will mark him down!,” Hany Rambod wrote.
Rambod continues to ask to stop injections because the look will force the judges to deduct points. This comes after a response, which looks like an audio message.
“I have said this so many times. Don’t inject the shoulders.”
This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Trenbolone Results (With Before and After Pictures)
Disclaimer: The following article is for educational purposes only and NOT to promote the use of illegal steroids. If you have any questions or concerns, Dr. Touliatos is currently available for consultations.
Trenbolone is an injectable anabolic steroid, commonly nicknamed the ‘monster steroid‘ in bodybuilding circles. This is in reference to its incredibly powerful nature, producing exceptional results (and equally as harsh side effects).
Tren can be used as a potent bulking or cutting steroid, due to its lipolytic (fat burning) and anabolic (muscle-building) properties.
Because of its versatility, Trenbolone is in a league of its own when it comes to simultaneous muscle gain and fat loss. Other anabolic steroids may be able to match Trenbolone’s anabolic nature or fat-burning attributes alone; but not simultaneously.
Thus, Trenbolone is considered the best steroid for transforming a user’s physique as quickly as possible.
However, because of Trenbolone’s high toxicity, beginners seldom cycle this steroid; with it instead being utilized by intermediate and experienced steroid users.
Thus, overly dramatic Trenbolone before and after pictures are uncommon, as most of a steroid user’s results occur in the first few cycles (typically on Testosterone, or milder compounds such as Anavar).
Therefore, by the time a user’s body is primed for taking Trenbolone there is little potential for huge gains in muscle hypertrophy or/and strength. Despite this, Trenbolone certainly will take a first-time user’s physique to the next level; with greater muscle mass and reduced subcutaneous body fat.
Trenbolone Before and After Pictures
Disclaimer: There is no proof that the above bodybuilder has used Trenbolone. However, the changes in body composition are typical of Trenbolone-use.
The above transformation is the level of change users can expect after taking Trenbolone for the first time. They will experience: enhanced fat loss, increased muscle mass, more prominent vascularity and greater muscle definition.
Also notice how the deltoids and trapezius muscles ‘pop’ more in the after picture, which is typical due to Trenbolone’s high androgenicity. These two muscle groups have a high number of androgen receptors, thus making them more susceptible to growth.
Trenbolone also creates a dry look to the muscles, due a lack of aromatization; producing a diuretic effect. This causes a photoshopped-like appearance to the body, due to minimal amounts of extracellular fluid surrounding the muscles — increasing the likelihood of prominent vacularity and muscle striations.
Experienced steroid-users who have taken several cycles before and then choose to use Trenbolone, can expect to gain a further 10-15lbs of muscle. Users can also typically lose 5-7lbs of fat on Trenbolone (almost irrespective of calorie intake).
How to Maximize Results on Trenbolone
A person’s results on Trenbolone will be determined by their genetics, diet, lifestyle, workouts and cycle protocol.
Thus, if someone is a hyper-responder to Trenbolone, they naturally may gain more muscle and burn more fat than someone that is a hypo-responder.
Equally, a person’s diet can maximize results from a cycle. For example, if someone is taking Trenbolone to bulk up and combines such ‘supplementation’ with a calorie surplus diet — they will gain more muscle than someone else eating maintenance calories (with all other factors being equal).
Furthermore, a small calorie deficit will maximize fat burning when cutting on Trenbolone.
Getting enough sleep, minimizing stress and generally living a healthy lifestyle will also aid your results on Trenbolone.
A user’s dosage and the duration of cycle will also determine the results. Users should understand though that there is a cut-off point and dosage, thus if you go beyond this point it is futile (yielding diminishing returns).
Therefore, a higher dosage doesn’t necessarily produce better results on Trenbolone; and thus a moderate dose is optimal — especially for controlling side effects and making long-term gains.
Trenbolone Cycles for Maximum Results
A person’s physiological and psychological health is most likely going to take a downturn from cycling Trenbolone, thus a cautious dosage should be taken to begin with.
However, if a person genetically less vulnerable to this compound, or has built up a comfortable tolerance to this anabolic steroid — it can be stacked with other potent AAS for enhanced results.
Trenbolone Stacks
Trenbolone can be stacked with virtually any anabolic steroid with great success, due to its versatility in regards to bulking or cutting.
Thus, if a user was taking Trenbolone predominantly for muscle gain, it could be combined with Testosterone or Anadrol for greater muscle hypertrophy and strength.
In such a scenario, where a user wants to add mass, Testosterone would be the mild stacking option; with Anadrol having notably increased toxicity.
Testosterone complements Trenbolone well, being another injectable compound and thus not posing any additional risk to hepatic (liver) health. Furthermore, Testosterone has only subtle effects on cholesterol values, and thus it is perhaps the least dangerous anabolic steroid to combine with Trenbolone.
Although a Trenbolone/Anadrol stack could be considered the most potent duo for promoting muscle mass, it could also be considered the most toxic — particularly to the heart and liver. Thus, such a stack would be considered unsuitable and unnecesary to health-conscious bodybuilders.
If a person wanted to prioritise fat loss and muscle retention when cutting, Trenbolone could be combined with Anavar, Winstrol or Clenbuterol.
Anavar and Winstrol will increase anabolism, thus preserving/building additonal lean muscle tissue; whilst enhancing fat burning.
Anavar should be considered the more preferrable compound due to its more mild nature vs Winstrol — with cholesterol and liver values typically prone to less fluctuation.
However, it can be argued that Winstrol will produce slightly better results — albeit at a cost.
In contrast, Clenbuterol will solely reduce adipose tissue, due to its potent thermogenic effects on the metabolism. There is some evidence for Clenbuterol having anabolic properties in animal studies (1), however such effects are unlikely to render in humans (at least to a significant degree).
Strength Gains on Trenbolone
Trenbolone is one of the most potent steroids for strength, despite it not causing large amounts of weight gain, due to a lack of aromatization and thus water retention.
Non-drug tested powerlifters will almost certainly cycle Trenbolone prior to a competition. Intermediate steroid-users taking Trenbolone for the first time can expect approximately a 20lb increase on main compound lifts.
These are dramatic results, considering most intermediate steroid-users will most likely have used several potent bulking steroids before taking Trenbolone — such as Testosterone or Dianabol.
Summary
The results on Trenbolone are exceptional, especially considering its synergistic anabolic and lipolytic effects — making it a potent compound when bulking or cutting. Its ability to transform a user’s physique is largely unmatched by its anabolic steroid counterparts.
However, Trenbolone is not a compound suitable for beginners and its effects will surely have a negative effect on the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis), whilst increasing the risk of arteriolosclerosis (2).