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Liver King Eats Organs With Logan and Jake Paul, Discuss Steroid Accusations

Liver King addresses steroid accusations while eating raw organs with Logan and Jake Paul.
Brian Johnson, more popularly known as Liver King, is setting the record straight about the steroid accusations brought against him. And what better way to address the issue than discussing it with Logan and Jake Paul while consuming raw organs.
Liver King is operating on a completely different wavelength than most humans. The lifestyle he’s chose to embrace is certainly unusual and harkens back to ancient times despite living in a modern world. Living in this way has helped him gain a tremendous physique and a massive following. But did he attain his physique naturally?
Natty or Not?
There’s no doubting that Liver King is in some incredible shape. A man who has chose to live life like that of ancient human beings, he consumes a diet of raw meat and organs. He believes this is the closest way to living as humans were intended. He also pushes himself physically by performing some intense training.

His primal ways and incredible physique have led many to believe that Liver King is less than natural. Joe Rogan had a fair amount to say about the subject himself.
Eating Raw Organs and Discussing Steroid Claim
To set the record straight Liver King has chosen to address the steroid claims in the last place many would have suspected.
Logan and Jake Paul have an added quite the following on their YouTube channel. With a plethora of different guests and a history of pushing the envelope on the Impaulsive podcast, adding Liver King to list seems on brand for the Paul brothers.
Liver King sat down with Logan and Jake Paul, eating raw organs and discussing the steroid accusations brought against him. He explained why and how he was able to build such a tremendous physique over the years.

“There’s a lot of sub-primals that are convinced that Liver King is taking steroids right. This is one of my favorite fuc**n topics. First thing, I’ll say this. You think if I was on steroids I would have these fuc**n appendages I have down here? These legs. Do you see how fuc**n little my fuc**n legs are? Here’s the thing, when I was in college, I weighed 175-lbs and I was single digit body fat. I started working out at 8 or 9 years old. I already had been working out for 10 or 12 years and now I’m 45 and I’ve gained less than one pound a year for over 25 years!”

Essentially it seems that Liver King is claiming that his physique was cultivated over many long years of arduous training. But he had even more to say to those who think his physique was built on the back of steroids.

“So this is what I say to people that make this accusation: if you don’t believe this is possible, then I suggest that you take that self-limiting belief, you put that shit in a fuc**n box and you bury that next to all your embarrassing shit and don’t open your fuc**n mouth about it. Let that live with you, don’t let that live with someone else. Because the highest and most dominant form that we have to express is in front of us. You hear people talk about peaking in their early 20s, I’m 45! If you look at Liver King at 45 and Brian Johnson at 20, Liver King is going to fuc**n murder that guy.” 

See the full podcast episode here. So do you think Liver King is telling the truth about his natural status?
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.

By Presser
4 min read

6x Natural Olympia Champion Kiyoshi Moody Divulges Battling Cancer and Coming Out of Retirement

Image via Instagram @kiyoshi_moody
6x Natural Olympia champ Kiyoshi Moody opens up about his past battle with cancer and discloses if he plans to come out of retirement in an interview on a podcast. 
6x Natural Olympia champion Kiyoshi Moody opened up about his battle with cancer and how he reached remission on the Longevity Muscle Podcast. Kiyoshi Moody won Natural Olympia for six years, from 2009 to 2014. Moody also discussed many other topics on the podcast, including the IFBB Pro League and the future of bodybuilding. Plus, Moody disclosed if he plans to come out of retirement.
Keep reading to see Kiyoshi Moody’s insight on battling cancer and his future in bodybuilding. 

Battling Cancer 
On the Longevity Muscle Podcast, Kiyoshi Moody discussed being diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer a few years ago. According to Moody, the doctor said he should start getting everything to prepare for the worse (death). Moody’s doctor said he had 5-6 months to live. 
“My weight just dropped. I mean I was about 215, and I just dropped all the way down to 154. And I was going through chemo at the time. So it was a rough battle.”
Advised by his doctor, Moody eventually quit chemo and went to a resort in Mexico focusing on holistic treatments. The nurse recommended Moody start taking CBD. Moody says his health improved within a month of taking a high CBD dosage. He also completely changed his diet and quit eating meat and dairy. Instead, he ate vegetables and fruit. After a little over a year, Moody was in remission. 
Natural Bodybuilding, the IFBB, and the Future of Bodybuilding 

Kiyoshi Moody confesses that natural bodybuilding will never be like the IFBB Pro league because people want to see freaks. Moody stated:
“They want to see guys that are 250 270 pounds that are just shredded. As opposed to a guy that is 170 180 pounds shredded.”
Kiyoshi Moody says that if natural bodybuilding leagues all came together and hosted one big show, the likelihood of big sponsors coming into natural bodybuilding would increase. Moody stated, 
“You have all these qualifiers to go to this one pro show. That’s when you’ll have your bigger sponsors come in.” 
Kiyoshi Moody also claims that women competitors get screwed the most in bodybuilding because the bikini division draws in the biggest crowd but gets paid the least. 
But he does say the INBA PNBA league is growing and pays the most compared to other natural bodybuilding federations (he’s won two cars and $8,000 winning Natural Olympia). In addition, Kiyoshi Moody says Denny Kakos, INBA PNBA founder, plans to bring back natural bodybuilding to the Olympics – drug use in bodybuilding took it out of the Olympics. 
Will Kiyoshi Moody Come Out of Retirement? 
At the end of the podcast, Kiyoshi Moody discussed a possible return to natural bodybuilding. Now that Moody’s daughter has graduated high school and is playing college softball, Moody admits to competing again. Moody said:
“I’ve been getting the itch more and more and more because now I’m more consistently in the gym. And my weight started going back up.” 
Moody acknowledges that his legs have been difficult now that he’s in his 50s and has had past sports injuries. However, if he steps on stage, he doesn’t want to get on stage to be in the limelight. Instead, he says, “I’m stepping on stage to win.” He went on to say that he plans to compete in 2022. 
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more insight from natural bodybuilding legends!

By Presser
4 min read

Why Post-Workout CBD Topicals Are Necessary For Recovery

See why post-workout CBD topicals are necessary for maximizing gains.
Those of us who work out are always looking for that quality post-workout supplement to see the best gains possible and post-workout CBD topicals are here to save the day. CBD is a growing industry as this supplement is beginning to be more widely accepted by the general public and athletes have turned to CBD as a more natural way to recover and improve their overall health. With so many forms of CBD, it can be challenging to choose what is right for you.
Between tinctures, vapes, oils, and edibles, that may seem like enough, however, CBD topicals have come to the fold and work well for those post-workout needs. Able to be gently massaged into the affected area, CBD allows that muscle to get worked while also giving it the benefits of CBD to relieve soreness.

Let’s take a look at CBD topicals and see why these are necessary. Post-workout CBD topicals can work to give you that boost you need most when it comes to seeing great gains and with the right products on your shelf, you can tackle those goals in no time.

Benefits Of CBD
For those post-workout needs, but also working towards relief in general, CBD has the power to do a lot for our gains. While there are plenty of other supplements that can work well, CBD is one of those popular choices that more and more athletes are using.
Benefits of CBD include:

Reduced muscle soreness: Impact receptors of the endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation and soreness in order to provide relief (1).
Promote better sleep: Improve overall sleep quality and work for better recovery, since much of this happens while we sleep (2).
Support immunity: Keep your immune system high on alert and allow antibodies to effectively react to anything foreign (3).
May help with anxiety and depression: CBD serves as a more natural approach and may act on your brain’s receptors to transmit serotonin, which makes you feel good (4).

These are just a few benefits of CBD, but as this gets researched more and more, hopefully more studies find even more benefits of CBD.
Related: Best CBD Roll-On Supplements For Recovery & Relief
Why Use A CBD Topical
A CBD topical is a nice way to massage CBD into the affected or sore muscle in order to see the best gains possible. Using a topical ensures you don’t have to ingest anything, but can rather apply as needed to alleviate soreness and give your muscles some relief. For those who won’t particularly enjoy taking CBD tinctures or oils, and who may not want to vape, topicals allow for great recovery options and will fit in your gym bag nicely.

Why Post-Workout CBD Topicals Are Necessary
By necessary, we mean CBD topicals can provide easy and convenient relief without really any hassle to you. For athletes constantly lifting and working their bodies to the max, having those supplement to promote recovery are important. Much of our growth happens in recovery, but recovery also allows our bodies time to settle, especially after a long workout.

Recovery is, however, something we don’t often take advantage of. We want to lift, get the work done, and move on with our lives. But what we don’t realize is that stretching is incredibly important and when mixed with something like a CBD topical, the results can be game changing.
Related: Best CBD Post-Workout Supplements For Targeted Areas
For us, using a CBD topical is necessary because it allows you the convenience of carrying it in your gym bag for easy access, the ability to massage gently into the spot for some instant relief, and then the effects of CBD to work for longer lasting relief. Plus, it feels good to take care of those sore muscles.
Featured CBD Topical
We wanted to share a great CBD topical supplement to use for your post-workout needs to guarantee you won’t have to suffer from any unwanted soreness after those grueling workouts. While it may be difficult to find high-quality supplements, what you will find is this product is clean and effective while working for your benefit only.
Level Select CBD Level 3 Sports Cream

Level Select CBD Level 3 Sports Cream is a higher concentration for maximum strength to tackle those muscle soreness goals.

Level 3 Sports Cream is a new and improved formula with more CBD at a lower price, perfect for those seeking maximum strength relief when you need it most. With 1,800mg of CBD, and at Level Select’s highest concentration, you will get a non-greasy and fast absorbing formula that can soothe and soften skin while delivering high-quality CBD for soreness and overall relief. A cooling mint scent also accompanies this amazing sports cream.
Price: $49.99

Do CBD Topicals Work?
Anyone looking for fast-acting relief should turn to CBD topicals and this featured product from Level Select is a perfect reason why. Highly concentrated products can deliver a great amount of CBD and something that is fast-absorbing as well is great for those us athletes, bodybuilders, and gym goers who feel they want to tackle those muscle soreness goals better. Providing relief doesn’t have to be a chore.
CBD topicals do work and they offer a nice cooling sensation that can feel nothing short of amazing after a workout. Giving your recovery that extra boost can go a long way, especially for those looking to take advantage of what CBD has to offer. For the benefits and the fact this supplement does work, it is necessary to at least have one of these topicals on standby come time to use.

Check out our list of the Best CBD Supplements for more great CBD products!

Wrap Up
Post-workout CBD topicals are a fantastic supplement to use after your workout in order to see the best results possible. What you will find is a convenient supplement able to give you great benefits in an easy and effective way. On top of that, having a great way to alleviate those post-workout soreness needs in your gym bag will make your life so much easier in the end. At the end of the day, a CBD topical is something to not take for granted and can work wonders for your gains.

Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
*Images courtesy of Envato

References

Boyaji, Shafik; Merkow, Justin; Elman, R. N.; Kaye, Alan D.; et al. (2020). “The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence”. (source)
Shannon, Scott; Lewis, Nicole; Lee, Heather; Hughes, Shannon (2019). “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series”. (source)
Nichols, James M.; Kaplan, Barbara L. F. (2020). “Immune Responses Regulated by Cannabidiol”. (source)
Skelley, J.; et al. (2020). “Use of cannabidiol in anxiety and anxiety-related disorders”. (source)

By Presser
6 min read

Chris Bumstead Focuses On Volume In New Full Chest Workout

Chris Bumstead hit a new chest workout where he is focused on volume.
Chris Bumstead gifted himself with a new truck followed by a chest workout on Sunday. He pulled up to Revive Gym in Stuart, FL in his new 1978 Ford F-150 Lariat edition and got a massive pump using volume on chest day.
Bumstead is the reining three-time Classic Physique Olympia champion. By the looks of his recent workouts, Bumstead looks primed a ready for his fourth consecutive victory. The Classic Physique division is one that continues to grow and there are more elite competitors than there has been in recent years.

Chris Bumstead struggled with COVID at the beginning of the year and he saw a big weight loss because of it. He is now in the bulking phase of his training and has put the weight back on in muscle. It is because of massive workouts like the one he recently shared on his YouTube page.
Check out the full workout below:

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Chris Bumstead Chest Workout

Incline Dumbbell Press – 2 sets of 12
Incline Machine Press – 3 sets of 12
Cable Flyes – 3 sets of 12, drop set on final set
Pec Deck Machine – Sets and Reps unknown

Incline Dumbbell Press and Incline Machine Press
Chris Bumstead began with different stretches to loosen up his shoulder, which has been bothering him recently. He will mention over the course of the video how stretching his shoulder has allowed him to eliminate pain and get a better pump in his chest.
Bumstead begins the workout with two sets of incline dumbbell presses. He is able to get the 140-pound dumbbells up and will work to get back to 150 pounds.
“Only two working sets with the 140’s, hoping to get back to the 150’s soon. Then I come over here and do three sets. Hopefully a little more volume but really focusing on controlling, keeping the weight on my pec, which is easier on a machine.”
Bumstead then moves onto the incline machine press, where he speaks on the importance of machines for bodybuilders.
“Finally, I can push heavy without hurting my shoulders on dumbbells so I’m still focusing on getting some stability. That raw, hard push because there’s still no replacement for free weights at 100% but machines are still the GOAT for bodybuilders. Avoiding injuries, hypertrophy, all that good shit.”

Cable Press
Chris Bumstead continues his chest day with sets on the cable press machine. He performs this exercise sitting down. Bumstead explains how this machine is a cross between a fly and a chest press but it does not hurt his shoulder so he has been hitting it more often.
“I’ve been doing this a lot lately. Again, my shoulder hurts so anything flat press, puts too much pressure on my shoulder but the cables pulling out and back and I can position my body a little differently. I’m getting a combo of like a flat press with a fly on this machine and little to no pain in the shoulder.”
Machine Press and Pec Deck Machine
The final sets come on the machine press and pec deck machine. Bumstead claims that someone hopped on his machine before he was able to get there so he banged out a couple sets on the machine press.
Bumstead ends his workout with multiple sets on the pec deck machine. He did not specify the amount at the time. Once the workout is over, Bumstead reflects on how he is able to get better work in by stretching his shoulder.
“It’s amazing how loosening up my shoulder a bit, I’ve been getting some massages, needles, better warmups, stretching, has really allowed me to have less pain in my shoulder and engage my chest even further.”
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By Presser
4 min read

New Podcast: I Talk With The Manufacturer Of The Growth Factor Line-Up

In this podcast, I have a discussion with the manufacturer of the Growth Factor 250 product series. The Growth Factor series is a lineup of colostrum capsules that are made in Europe and are, in my opinion, of the highest quality in the world. The flagship products GF-250 and ZF-250, and SF-250 contain bioactive nutrients like IGF-1 that have bodybuilding applications.

GF-250 | 120 capsules

Alex Rogers is a supplement manufacturing expert. He has been formulating, consulting, & manufacturing dietary supplements since 1998. Alex invented protein customization in 1998 & was the first company to allow consumers to create their own protein blends. He helped create the first supplement to contain natural follistatin, invented whey protein with egg lecithin, & recently imported the world’s first 100% hydrolyzed whey.

Shaun Clarida Shares Crazy Off Season Leg Day Training

Shaun Clarida pushes through a massive leg day training.
Shaun Clarida shares his intense off season leg day training as he preps for the 2022 Olympia. Looking to pull off a major upset in the Men’s Open division, Clarida is pushing himself hard to pack on some serious muscle.
Shaun Clarida is an absolute beast to say the least. The former reigning 212 champion wowed the bodybuilding world when he took to stage in the Men’s Open division. Not only did Clarida move up, but he won and qualified for the 2022 Olympia. The feat is far from common. With the qualification Clarida is making the case to be a pound for pound great bodybuilder.
Hoping to prove that he can be the next “giant killer”, Shaun Clarida has been hard at work refining his physique. While he says he still may compete in the 212 division, Clarida will still need to build some quality muscle if he hopes to compete against the likes of Big Ramy and Brandon Curry.
How He Can Set Himself Apart
It’s no secret that Shaun Clarida will be one of the smaller bodybuilders to step on stage in the Men’s Open division. Despite that fact Clarida still has an opportunity to pull off a massive upset. But how will he get it done?

Conditioning.
One of the best conditioned athletes in bodybuilding, Shaun Clarida never fails to show up on stage diced and shredded. While he may not be able to outsize the opposition, Clarida has the ability to show up with better conditioning.
Leg Day Training
But while conditioning may be the key for Shaun Clarida to win, that doesn’t mean he isn’t still putting on size. In a recent intense leg day training session, Clarida is looking to pack on some muscle. While he may not be lifting ridiculous weight, his strategy will still prove to be helpful to build quality muscle.

“Leg day. Everyone’s favorite day of the week,” said Shaun Clarida. “We got some new toys in the gym which you guys will see shortly. Pretty basic today. Again, today is my main quad focus day. So you’re going to see a lot of movements for quads, one or two for hamstrings. My second hamstring is later in the week as well. Leg day, not much to say, let’s get going.”

Full Leg Day Training

Seated Calf Raises Machine — 1st set 10 reps, 2nd set 10 reps, 3rd set 8 reps
Standing Calf Stretch
Hip Abductor Machine — 1st set 12 reps, 2nd set 12 reps, 3rd set 10 reps, 4th set 12 reps
Seated Hamstring/Leg Curl Machine — 1st set 11 reps, 2nd set 11 reps, 10 reps
Leg Extension Machine – 1st set 20 reps, 2nd set 25 reps, 3rd set 15 reps 4th set 15 reps with 10 partials
Pendulum Squat Machine — 1st set 8 reps, 2nd set 7 reps, 3rd set 8 reps 4th set 6 reps
Lying Leg Press Machine — 1st set 10 reps, 2nd set 8 reps, 3rd set 10 reps
Stiff-legged Dumbbell Romanian Deadlift — 1st set 10 reps, 2nd set 10 reps
Lunges with Chain — 1st set 18 reps, 2nd set 15 reps, 3rd set 30 reps

To see his full leg day training click here.
What do you think of Shaun Clarida and his intense off season leg day training?
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.

By Presser
3 min read

Straight Facts: Should Competitive Bodybuilders Have Tattoos?

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Jerry Brainum breaks down the risks of having extensive tattoos as a competitive bodybuilder.
Tattoos are far more accepted today than they once were. This is also clear in the world of bodybuilding – where it’s become more common for a competitor to step on stage with more extensive tattoos covering their physique. But do extensive tattoos end up hurting their chances for a victory on stage? And are there other less known risks as a bodybuilder? In our latest episode of Straight Facts, Jerry Brainum discusses the potential health risks and competition risks of extensive tattoos in bodybuilding.
Jerry Brainum doesn’t want to upset people. He also doesn’t want to be overly critical of those who decide to express themselves with tattoos. That’s why before Brainum dives deep into this episode, he makes a point to not condemn those with tattoos. Brainum does not believe that value or personality of a person should be judged based on what someone has on their body.

However, in the world of competitive bodybuilding, tattoos have a more direct effect on how a physique is perceived. So rather than try to judge the morality of tattoos – Brainum wants to focus the more objective effect they can have on competitive bodybuilders. Let’s break it down.
Can extensive tattoos negatively impact competitive bodybuilders?

Jerry Brainum first explains the distinct difference between getting a simple tattoo and getting extensive one. Brainum does not believe having one or two tattoos on your body will have a drastic effect on a bodybuilder. However, extensive ones such as full body or “sleeves” covering large portions of the physique can, theoretically, cause more of a problem.
Jerry Brainum points out that the goal of competitive bodybuilding is showcase your physique and compare it to others. Extensive tattoos can make it harder for a bodybuilder’s definition to be seen. They can hide or obscure muscle definition – especially dark tattoos with plenty of fillings with black ink. This is less a personal taste argument and more a logical one. If a judge cannot see the details of your physique – the judge can’t score you as high as others standing next to you on stage.
Are there possible health risks from tattoos?
Beyond the competitive bodybuilding stage, there are other small but possibly dangerous risks to consider before getting extensive tattoos. Much as Jerry Brainum explained how they can obscure conditioning, they can also obscure or hide early signs of skin cancer. Skin discoloration or moles are warning signs that should always be checked out. This might be harder to notice with extensive dark tattoos obscuring the skin.
Jerry Brainum also points to a study that shows extensive tattoos can decrease your sweat rate by 50%. For bodybuilders, this can be a more damaging issue. Less sweat might make workouts more difficult. Not only that – but on competition day the hot lights and long periods of comparison rounds can become more challenging.
Lastly, Jerry Brainum points out some studies that showcase the toxic risks of tattoos. While Brainum himself points out there are very few anecdotal stories of people getting sick from them – it’s not impossible.
Many studies have shown that risks of infection or disease can occur if the tattoo artist does not follow proper cleaning procedures on the needle while tattooing. In addition to this, other studies have shown certain inks having contaminants including carcinogens. Again, the risk is extremely low for traditional or simple tattoos. But for those covering large portions of their body with heavy filling of color – the risk increases.
Wrap Up
Ultimately, Jerry Brainum reiterates that he doesn’t want to use scare tactics to villainize tattoos. While he thinks society should not consider tattoo inking as benign, it is extremely low risk overall. However, a competitive bodybuilder should think a bit harder as to whether or not to get extensive tattoos. It can potentially affect your sweat rate and make training more challenging. But worst of all, it can make your conditioning harder to see on the stage.
You can watch Jerry Brainum go into full detail about tattoos and bodybuilding in our latest episode of Straight Facts above. Make sure to check back every Wednesday for new episodes of Straight Facts!

By Presser
4 min read

Mark Wahlberg Shows Off Shredded Abs Following Cinco De Mayo Workout

50-year-old Mark Wahlberg continues to look shredded and keep his abs in great shape.
When you think of shredded actors in Hollywood, there are many that come to mind immediately. Mark Wahlberg has to be near the top of that list and has been for years now. The 50-year-old actor continues to keep up with his fitness and recently showed off his abs following a Cinco de Mayo workout.
In a recent Instagram video, Wahlberg took in the holiday with an ab workout followed by a tequila shot. Wahlberg took a sip before taking a swing at a golf ball using his virtual golf screen.

“Happy Cinco de Mayo!
#FlechaAzulPartner”

Mark Wahlberg became extremely active on social media showing off his fitness routines during the pandemic. When gyms were shut down, Wahlberg was able to use his home facilities and share some at-home workouts for viewers to try. He shared many workouts where there was no equipment needed so the average fan was able to get a workout in.

Mark Wahlberg: Career and Fitness

Mark Wahlberg has been one of the chameleons in acting taking on many different roles over the years. He has taken on action in Lone Survivor and 2 Guns. Wahlberg has also made viewers laugh in films like Daddy’s Home and The Other Guys, not to mention the Ted movies.
In many roles, Wahlberg had to sculpt his physique to fit his character. While preparing for his role in Father Stu, Wahlberg admitted to putting on 30 pounds. He had to eat 7,000 calories a day in order to play a former boxer who took on a more fulfilling life as a priest. Following this role, Wahlberg was able to lose the weight and get back to his shredded ways.
From the 90s when Wahlberg was known as “Marky Mark” in Calvin Klein ads, he has been a fitness icon. Over 30 years later, he remains in the same light because of the work he has been able to put in on his abs.
Mark Wahlberg remains one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and that is not going to change. Off the big screen, Wahlberg has been able to share his fitness tips and wisdom with viewers.
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By Presser
3 min read

Julius Maddox Completes Massive 796-Pound Bench Press During Training

Julius Maddox continues to inch closer to his mark of 800 pounds on the bench.
Julius Maddox might hold the all-time bench press world record but he has made it clear that he is aiming for bigger goals. Maddox has been creeping toward an 800-pound bench press and took big steps in a recent training session. Maddox was able to complete a huge 796-pound raw bench press recently.
Maddox set the all-time mark of 782 pounds in February 2021 during the World Raw Powerlifting Federation Hybrid Showdown III. From this moment on, he set his sights on being the first man to bench press 800 pounds raw. On Tuesday, Maddox shared a video on Instagram to show off some recent progress.

“I’ve missed this weight +10 times. Hearing my little girls ask me when I will hit 800lbs is enough for me to lay it all on the line. This is bigger tan a title for me. It’s about the long lasting impact I leave for my kids and family. The times they fall on hard times and need some motivation! God gave me this gift to show the world his power that can take a ol junkie like me and do great wonders! 800+ soon!”

This is clearly not the first time that Julius Maddox has hit some massive bench press accomplishments. In April, Maddox took on 700 pounds and was able to complete four reps. Now, Maddox is battling with Danial Zamani to see who will be the first to reach 800 pounds.

Julius Maddox vs. Danial Zamani
Julius Maddox might hold the all-time bench press world record but this does not seem to be the goal recently. Both Maddox and Danial Zamani have had their sights set on 800 pounds and it will be interesting to see who will reach it officially.
Zamani completed an 804.7-pound bench press in training, becoming the first man to reach this mark and accomplishing the “dream goal.”

This might have added a little more motivation for Maddox. He has attempted 800 pounds on two separate occasions but has been unable to complete the lift. Maddox is continuing to train all body parts in order to strengthen his bench press. This includes a recent 820-pound squat.
Now just four pounds away, Julius Maddox will be pushing hard for 800 pounds. There could be another attempt coming soon but nothing has been announced to this point.
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By Presser
3 min read

How The Reverse Grip Row Builds Bigger Backs and Bis

Row your way to a bigger, stronger back.
Building our backs may seem challenging but it is quite the opposite with exercises like the reverse grip row. Working with those top exercises to build muscle and improve other areas of our gains can make those back building days just a touch easier, especially as you look to improve your overall gains. A bigger and stronger back goes way beyond simply aesthetic.
A muscular back does look good, don’t get us wrong, however, working with a stronger back improves posture and stabilization as you look to perform more efficient functional movements and more powerful sport specific ones. With an effective exercise like the reverse grip row, these can be accomplished in no time.

Let’s take a look at the reverse grip row and see what makes this exercise so great. From what it is, to muscles worked, the great benefits of it, and how best to perform it, this guide will set you up so you can put this into any routine you have. Plus, we will offer up some alternatives and good exercises to pair with to make your entire workout experience with the reverse grip row worth it.

What Is The Reverse Grip Row?
The reverse grip row was made popular by legendary bodybuilder, Dorian Yates, and is often referred to as the Yates Row for this reason. A great strength building exercise using the barbell, this row is typically used for heavy training in order to build back strength, among other muscle groups. It is effective for building both strength and size, while also enhancing those pulling movements, since your lats are crucial muscles used for pulling. This will also enhance power and stability given the nature of this movement.
Related: The Ultimate At-Home Barbell Workouts
Muscles Worked
For this exercise, you will mainly feel your lats and middle back muscles get work done, as this is an effective back builder. However, your biceps and shoulders do feel a burn given the nature of the pulling movement. While shoulders are a “push” muscle, you will still find that these are necessary for added stability and to assist with the overall movement. Your core will see great work done as well given the nature of stabilizing and really feeling grounded and you lift big weight.

Benefits Of The Reverse Grip Row
The benefits of the reverse grip row are great and should reflect what you are looking for if you choose to put this exercise into your routine. It may seem easy to say that this exercise simply builds muscle and call it day. But Dorian Yates used this exercise to continue a dominant bodybuilding career so there must be something up with reverse grip rows.
Benefits of the reverse grip row include:

Works those upper body muscles: By working your lats and biceps, you get a well-rounded exercise to build upper body muscles while also looking enhance overall strength and size.
Build stability: Strengthening your core and working to improve the position of your spine will enhance stability for those more functional movements, as well as any sport specific needs when it comes to other workouts.
Can lift more weight: Using the barbell can allow you to pack on weight so you lift more and see bigger gains to muscle hypertrophy, making this exercise totally worth it.
Offer interesting row variation: This offers a good variation to the row that actually works to build your back more and challenge your biceps in a different, more effective way.

Related: Back At It: Top 3 Back Exercises For Beginners
How To Perform It
Knowing how best to perform this exercise will allow you the benefit of doing so safely while lifting tons of weight. This ensures no unwanted soreness or injury takes you out of the gym. Technique is something real lifters take seriously, but for those who just show up, pack on weight, and start lifting, this can be a disaster if not done correctly.

Here are the steps for performing the reverse grip row:

Stand tall while holding the barbell with your palms facing up.
Bending slightly at the knees, engage your core and keep your back straight. Your arms will be perpendicular to the ground thus making this your starting position.
When ready, lift the barbell by keeping your elbows close to your body as you lift. At the top, you can give your back muscles a squeeze to get the most out of this.
Lower back down to the starting position in a controlled motion while still keeping your core tight and your back neutral.
Repeat for your desired number of sets and reps.

Other Back Exercises To Pair With
As a part of a great back building routine, it is important to know what to look for in order to round out a great workout. Knowing what exercises work best to pair with this can enhance your workouts and take them to the next level as you look to see the best gains possible. Other top back building exercises to pair with the reverse grip row include:

While there are plenty of other exercises, both back-oriented and not, to pair with this exercise, we wanted to share a few to get you started. The more you train with the reverse grip row, the more comfortable you will feel as you start branching out into other areas of back building exercises.
Wrap Up
The reverse grip row is a great back building exercise to enhance your gains so you see the best results possible. As an effective way to build strength and size, while also working to get the most out of working other muscles aside from your lats, this exercise is one to give you the best chance at seeing those results you want most. Dorian Yates became a bodybuilding legend because of his work ethic and this exercise, also known as the Yates Row, is just one of many reasons why. Try this exercise today and see what it can do for your back building gains.

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*Images courtesy of Envato

By Presser
6 min read