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Grzegorz Szymanski To Compete At 2022 World’s Strongest Man Competition
Grzegorz Szymański will replace Mateusz Kieliszkowski during the event.
The 2022 World’s Strongest Man Competition will take place from May 24-29 in Sacramento. Now, there is a full lineup once again as Grzegorz Szymanski will step in and replace an injured Mateusz Kieliszkowski during the event.
Kieliszkowski recently made an announcement that he will be forced to miss the WSM competition with the same injury that held Jim out of the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic. This is now the third time that Kieliszkowski was forced to withdraw from this event. He finished as the runner-up in 2018 and 2019.
On Wednesday, Grzegorz Szymanski announced that he will now participate in the biggest event of the year.
Of course, this is not the first time that Grzegorz Szymanski will compete in the WSM competition. He has appeared in the show three times, finishing as high as eighth place in 2016. He has not appeared in a competition since 2017, when he was diagnosed with cancer.
In the late 2000s, the Polish strongman burst onto the scene. In 2007, Szymanski appeared in his first major competition during Poland’s Strongest Man. He finished third in a show that was won by Mariusz Pudzianowski. That event put Szymanski on the map and he was able to build off it and finish second during the 2008 Europe’s Strongest Man competition.
In 2014, Grzegorz Szymanski took home the title of Poland’s Strongest Man and appeared in his first WSM event. This is where he finished fourth in group three and was eliminated early. As good as he was in 2014, Szymanski was even better in 2016. He made it to the finals of the WSM competition and finished eighth before winning the Zydrunas Savickas Classic. In 2017, he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatments before undergoing surgery. This will be his return to competition.
2022 World’s Strongest Man Lineup
Rauno Heinla (Estonia)
Pavlo Kordiyaka (Ukraine)
Rob Kearney (USA)
Gabriel Peña (Mexico)
Kelvin de Ruiter (Netherlands)
Kim Ujarak (Greenland)
Maxime Boudreault (Canada)
Mark Felix (UK)
Pa O’Dwyer (Ireland)
Shane Flowers (UK)
Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf (Australia)
Bobby Thompson (USA)
Aivars Smaukstelis (Latvia)
Adam Bishop (UK)
Evan Singleton (USA)
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted (Iceland)
Konstantine Janashia (Georgia)
Trey Mitchell (USA)
Mika Törrö (Finland)
Peiman Maheripourehir (Iran)
Luke Stoltman (UK)
Brian Shaw (USA)
Tom Stoltman (UK) — Reigning WSM Champion
Gabriel Rheaume (Canada)
Martins Licis (USA)
Gavin Bilton (UK)
Oleksii Novikov (Ukraine)
Kevin Faires (USA)
Nedžmin Ambešković (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Grzegorz Szymański (Poland)
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Ben Chow Confirms Retirement, Takes New Path: ‘My Time On Stage Is Done’
Ben Chow discussed health issues that led to retirement decision.
Ben Chow did not spend much time in bodybuilding but he made an immediate impact that will be remembered by those who watched him. After coming into light during the 2020 season, Chow competed in a few shows before calling it a career. Now, he reiterated his decision and spoke on health concerns around the sport.
In a recent Instagram post, Chow explained how he is still retired and taking a new path in life. He also explained some personal health issues that would not benefit from carrying extra weight and taking steroids.
“My time on stage is done.–Something I have spent the last 6-8 months deliberating hard and something that I’ve battled back and forth with. My love for Bodybuilding and challenging myself burns brighter than ever, but I have to be realistic and honest. I have to recognise where I am at in live, what is important in the long run and where I can add value to those around me.As many of you know I had a Kidney infection in 2017/18 which progressed to sepsis, this caused a lot of stress and some damage to my Kidney function, which I have spent the last 4 years being very cautious to my approach in Bodybuilding to allow me to continue to push without regressing further. The reality is, being 290Lbs+, taking PEDs and redlining my body is just not a sensible strategy or something I NEED to do. I am in an incredibly fortunate position in both Life and Business and I am now able to accept this and embrace this new path in my life.”
Ben Chow earned his first victory during the 2021 Lee Labrada Classic. This was his fourth competition of his career. In 2020, Chow finished as the runner-up during his debut at the Texas State Championships. He retired following a third-place finish at the 2021 Texas Classic.
Chow outlined his battle with a kidney infection that turned into sepsis. This was a long road to recovery and Chow even spent time mulling over his decision of retirement. He also acknowledged the recent string of deaths around the sport when discussing his decision.
“This is of course very bitter sweet for me, but I am excited to redirect my time and passion to my Family and clients and be the best man, Husband, Father and coach I possibly can.”
Ben Chow will likely not return to competition but his impact on the sport will be remembered, despite its short tenure. Now, Chow will enjoy retirement by spending more time with his family.
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All Out Fireworks! Errol Spence Jr. vs Yordenis Ugas Analysis
Errol Spence Jr. vs Yordenis Ugas is sure to be a barn burner.
The battle between Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas promises to produce fireworks. Both welterweight boxing champions with great amateur backgrounds, Spence and Ugas hopes to showcase just how incredible both men’s skill sets are.
So who wins come Saturday night? Let’s take a closer look at the two fighters competing on April 16.
Spence vs Ugas Analysis
Errol Spence Jr.
A fighter with incredible fundamentals and genius tactics, Errol Spence Jr has been able to establish himself as one of the best boxers of this generation. Spence has already tangled with some of the best welterweights on the planet in Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia. He was able to secure victories over them by using a technical fundamental jab and superior positioning. He is always in place to throw offense and his pressure is difficult to deal with.
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If Errol Spence Jr. wants to defeat Yordenis Ugas he’ll have to rely on that strong jab of his. Ugas is willing to set his feet and counter and Spence can use that. Having the bigger power and a dedicated body attack, Spence can use Ugas’ willingness to counter against him by baiting the counter and crashing into the pocket before his opponent can strike. Spence should constantly look to take up space, push Ugas back into the ropes then unleash hell when he’s cornered. Spence can use his dedicated jab to occupy space, duck under when the counter is thrown and obtain the clinch. Eventually he can use those opportunities to breakdown Ugas with body shots before stringing together combinations for a potential finish.
Yordenis Ugas
When it comes to brilliant footwork and counter fighting Yordenis Ugas is a master. A Cuban national trainer in the famed Cuban amateur boxing system, Ugas was drilled with the skills that has made that program world renown. His performance against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao opened a lot of eyes. He was able to counter the legends shots and constantly beat him out of critical positions. It was a hard fought victory, one that put Ugas on the map.
Now faced with another monumental task, Yordenis Ugas is set to face the talented Errol Spence Jr. If he hopes to defeat Spence, Ugas will have to use his footwork to stay off the ropes and avoid a fire fight at all costs. While he may have decent pop on his punches and the willingness to throw, Ugas was not blessed with devastating power. He’ll have to look to catch Spence out of position and counter over his southpaw jab. Building off that he should choose to pot shot from the outside and keep his feet moving to avoid an inside fight at all costs. Staying in the pocket is a dangerous proposition for Ugas and if he hopes to attain a victory he’ll need to win this fight from the outside.
Will you be tuning in to watch Errol Spence Jr. vs Yordenis Ugas?
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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.
Hunter Labrada Continues Training With Heavy Squats, Hits 17 Reps Of 495 Pounds
Hunter Labrada feels good in the gym and this means he will continue training with big weight.
Hunter Labrada is working his way back up to moving huge weight in the gym and this will continue as long as he feels good. After a recent leg day, it seems as though Labrada feels just fine after completing 17 reps of 495-pound barbell squats.
Labrada took to Instagram to show off a set during a training session. He took on the squats using a lifting belt, knee wraps, and lifting shoes while resistance bands were wrapped around the barbell rack and looped around the bar.
“Mentioned this the last time I posted a leg day, but 3 leg sessions ago I strained my quad on the 11th rep with 585 on this setup. The next session I did very light loading that didn’t hurt it at all. The session before todays I got back under the bar and did a very cautious/gunshy 10 reps with 495.–Today I was still a little gunshy, not going to lie, but there wasn’t any pain like last session, just a little awareness in the previously injured area. From here I will start to progress the load again as long as everything feels good to go next session!”
Hunter Labrada has built incredible size and is one of the mass monsters in Men’s Open. It is because of workouts like this one. Labrada mentioned that he is working his way back up in weight after straining his quad during a 585-pound squat session. This is why he has been taking it easy for a few days but seems to have full strength back.
Labrada finished fourth during the 2021 Olympia. He entered the competition earning qualification from his victory during the Chicago Pro. Now, he is fully focused on the Olympia in December. This is where he will try to build off a finish where he was defeated by just three competitors — Big Ramy, Brandon Curry, and Hadi Choopan.
While Labrada has not competed officially, he has appeared on stage as a guest poser showing off some gains acquired this offseason. Labrada has focused on his legs along with adding thickness and width to his back.
Hunter Labrada continues to be one of the best in Men’s Open this year and that will be on full display during the Olympia. With the package that Labrada is building, it could be a special show once again.
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Ice Shaker 26oz Flex Bottle Review For Workouts & Everyday Use
This bottle from Ice Shaker is great for quality and durability during all activity.
Product Overview
To keep up with hydration is an understatement. For those of us athletes constantly putting our bodies through the ringer, neglecting hydration can be a huge disservice and can hurt those gains you work so hard for. To make your life just a bit easier, a high-quality water bottle is a must, for not only will this offer durability and longevity, but also great features to add to your workout experience. Ice Shaker 26oz. Flex Bottle is a fantastic option for those looking to enhance their workouts and optimize their hydration for overall gains.
A shaker bottle worth your time and money will work to make your life more convenient and will withstand abuse from everyday exercise and transport. Looking to functionality and how easy it is to use your bottle regardless of the activity is one of the most important factors when considering your bottle. This great design from Ice Shaker allows for ease and convenience to aid in all your workouts.
Ice Shaker 26oz Flex Bottle is a high-quality, sweat-proof bottle with a flex lid great for hot or cold beverages and all your workouts and everyday activities.
Ice Shaker was founded by Chris Gronkowski, former NFL player and brother to Rob Gronkowski, because he felt it was too challenging to find an all-around great shaker bottle product. Working to design and create only the best products possible, Ice Shaker looks towards innovation and quality material to bring consumers something that is unique, functional, and worth their time and money.
Ice Shaker 26oz Flex Bottle Highlights
Ice Shaker 26oz Flex Bottle is a double wall vacuum insulated shaker bottle that can keep your beverages hot for up to 12 hours and cold for more than 30 hours. A tapered design makes this convenient and portable and allows for 26 fluid ounces to fit with ease. Made from kitchen grade premium stainless steel, this bottle is durable and does not absorb any foul odor. The lid on this Flex Bottle is perfect for sipping those hot or cold beverages and allows for use of a straw, or the sipping option, dependent on what you need. Coming in a variety of colors, you can find your desired design with no problem at all.
Product Details
Base: 2.75’’
Top: 3.25’’
Tall with Straw: 12’’
Tall without Straw: 10’’
Overall Quality & Design
Flex Bottle is made from kitchen grade premium stainless steel which allows for durability and no foul odor and the double wall vacuum insulated feature makes this a sweat proof bottle, along with their other great products. The tapered look makes this portable and easy to use while also fitting in a cup holder nicely, something many bottles struggle to fulfill. The best part is this bottle can keep beverages hot for up to 12 hours and cold for more than 30 hours.
Lid Design
The lid design on this bottle is impressive and allows for use with or without a straw. A centered straw hole with an attached rubber stopper allows for easy use and the straw fits nicely inside when drinking cold beverages, or can be left open for better flow and ventilation when the straw is not involved. Dishwasher safe, the lid is easy to clean and will make your life that much easier.
Warranty
All of Ice Shaker’s products come with a lifetime warranty on any defects coming from the manufacturer, including anything that breaks from normal use. This does not include, however, damage done from dropping or other misuse. For lids, there is a one year warranty on any manufacturer defects.
Price & Effectiveness
Ice Shaker Flex Bottle is a great bottle for workouts and everyday activities with a tapered design, well-structured and designed insulated bottle, and convenient lid for use with or without a straw. Able to keep your beverages hot for up to 12 hours and cold for more than 30, this is a great option for those looking to take advantage of their hydration needs.
Pros
Great design
Well-insulated
Easy to use and clean lid design
From a reputable company in Ice Shaker
Cons
Only holds 26oz. for those looking for more
Price: $34.99
Who Is Flex Bottle Great For?
Flex Bottle is great for anyone looking to better their workouts and everyday activities while maximizing hydration. For athletes, this is an easy to use bottle with a great design for easy transport. For other fitness folks or regular active people, you will get a quality bottle with durability and longevity in mind.
Check out our list of the Best Shaker Bottles for more great hydration and workout products here!
Overall Value
Ice Shaker 26oz Flex Bottle is that shaker bottle to maximize hydration and give you the best benefits when it comes to working out and everyday activities. What you will find is a great design with plenty of awesome features and a reputable company in Ice Shaker who knows the needs of athletes backing you. What you are really getting is a great product designed to make your life easy while giving you the best in terms of hydration. Check out Ice Shaker 26oz. Flex Bottle today and get the most out of your fitness equipment and accessories.
Try Ice Shaker 26oz. Flex Bottle Today
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*Images courtesy of Ice Shaker and Envato
How to Bench Without Shoulder Pain
How to Bench Without Shoulder Pain
The bench press. It goes without saying that it’s among the most popular exercises you’ll see in the gym. And with it’s popularity comes a myriad of issues. The most common being shoulder pain.
But rather than training smarter, the typical strategy is to “fight through the pain” and hope it subsides. And more typically than not, this strategy fails.
So instead of benching in pain, here are some suggestions to make your bench press more “shoulder friendly”.
General Guidelines When Benching with Shoulder Pain
Refer out. The longer you ignore pain, the longer you’ll hurt. Get a second opinion from a professional. Because at the end of the day, you’re (probably) not a doctor or a therapist.
If it hurts, stop. Pain is your body telling you something’s off. Your body is smarter than you. Learn how to listen to it.
Do more push-ups. Ah, push-ups. They ain’t as easy as you might think. Do them right and your chest will blow up. And from a shoulder-health perspective, they take the cake over benching. Push-ups are a closed chain exercise, allowing more freedom of movement in the scapulae (shoulder blades). As opposed to benching, which is an open chain exercise where your shoulder blades “hug” the bench. Yes, you need to maintain scapular stability and contact with the bench during the bench press for maximal strength output. That said, overtime this may cause shoulder issues for some lifters if they neglect exercises that allow greater movement in the scapulae.
Train around it. There’s always something you can do. There’s more than one way to bench, and there’s more than one way to build your chest and triceps. Find what works for you.
Always warm up. This is non-negotiable. Think of some of your favourite bodybuilders or athletes. All of them warm up. Every single session. There’s no reason you shouldn’t do the same.
Do more upper back work. Your upper back is the “shelf” the bar sits on during the bench press. A strong upper back maximizes your strength output and minimizes your risk of injury. When it comes to benching, you’ll be able to press more weight while keeping your shoulders happy.
Do more horizontal rows. More often than not, horizontal rows are the missing ingredient in the plethora of programs out there. The general prescription is a 2:1 rowing to pressing ratio. Personally, I don’t think that’s realistic for most people. If you do 8 sets on the bench, do you really think you’re going to do 16 sets of rows? Alternatively, you can just do an extra set of rows vs. presses. For example, if you do 5 sets of bench press, do 6 sets of rows. That’s already more than most people do anyway.
Do more mobility work. Mobility is your joints’ ability to actively travel through their intended ranges of motion. When you can’t get into an optimal position, you compensate your form and your joints suffer. So when it comes to the bench press, mobility work for your shoulders and thoracic spine (upper back) isn’t just recommended, it’s required.
Bench Press Variations to AVOID with Shoulder Pain
Flat barbell bench press and wide grip bench press. The fixed position of the straight barbell on the flat bench press can cause shoulder pain for many lifters. When most people bench, their elbows are “flared” out with about 90 degree flexion. This is generally referred to as the “impingement zone”, which can cause issues if there’s already pre-existing pain/limited mobility in the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint. Generally speaking, dumbbells or the Swiss bar are better options for your shoulders.
Inclined bench press. The greater the incline angle, the more emphasis is put on the shoulders during the bench press. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain when you bench, it’s usually recommended to reduce the incline as much as possible. This way, you minimize the stress placed on your shoulders and emphasize the pecs and triceps instead.
Chest fly variations. No, this isn’t a bench press variation but it’s still commonly seen in the gym and notorious for causing shoulder pain. While chest fly’s are a great way to build a bigger chest, they’re not the only way. Remember…if it causes pain, stop. You’ve got plenty of other options.
How to Reduce/Eliminate Shoulder Pain When Benching
Reduce the range of motion. Most people don’t have the mobility required to do a full range of motion bench press without putting their shoulders in a vulnerable position. Reducing the range of motion will reduce the amount of shoulder mobility needed to perform the press. Some ways you can reduce the range of motion in the bench press include:
Floor press: Same as the bench press, but you’re laying on the floor instead of a bench. You can use dumbbells or a barbell.
Pin press: Place the barbell on a couple of pins in the squat rack and perform presses. This is a great way to not only reduce the amount of shoulder involvement in the press, but to also overload the lockout of your bench. Pin presses allow you to load more weight, increasing your triceps/lockout strength in the bench. So when you go back to regular benching, you’ll be stronger as you lockout your arms.
Board press: This is a powerlifting staple. Have a friend hold a board on your chest and bring the barbell down to the board each rep. Similar to pin presses, this reduces the range of motion in the bench press and increases your lockout strength/triceps engagement.
Use a narrow grip. The closer your elbows are “tucked” into your sides, the less stress is placed on your shoulders. This is typically a harder press variation given the lack of pec involvement and increased emphasis on the triceps. Minimal abduction of the shoulder is generally a safe idea when benching with shoulder pain.
Use a neutral grip. Most people have internally rotated shoulders and a rounded posture. If you’re benching and want to eliminate (or at least greatly reduce) shoulder pain, try using a neutral (palms in) grip. This externally rotates the shoulders at the top of the press, which is generally a “friendlier” position for the shoulders.
Shoulder-Friendly Bench Press Variations
Floor Press Variations
Swiss Bar Floor Press
Dumbbell Floor Press
Close Grip Press
Neutral Grip Press
Flat Bench Dumbbell Press (with External Rotation)
Dumbbell Floor Press (Palms In)
Slight Decline Bench Press
Summary
Shoulder pain sucks, but it doesn’t mean you can’t train around it. Warm up, do more mobility work, train your upper back, try these shoulder-friendly press variations, and see a professional if you need more help.
Dan North is a personal trainer and strength-and-conditioning specialist in Toronto. He writes for several fitness publications and keeps up with his own blog.
Habits of Successful and Motivated Fit People
What Successful and Motivated Fitness Enthusiasts Do Differently
Only the people with the right habits can be successful in building muscle mass, losing weight and reaching their physique goals. It should be no surprise that most successful gym-goers have similar habits.
Many people join a gym but only a few of them stick to the fit lifestyle while the others drop out after not seeing much progress and losing motivation. The article will help you in joining the former group and sticking to your goals.
Start With A Goal
Most people start working out with an end goal (building muscle or losing weight) in mind. They soon start feeling overwhelmed by it and start wasting their time in the gym. While the end goal is crucial, the importance of short-term goals in your fitness journey is indispensable.
If your end goal is to step on a bodybuilding stage after a year, have monthly and weekly goals which help you get closer to the end goal. Checking off these smaller milestones will also help in keeping you motivated.
Prepare and Stick to a Schedule
Some people think that bodybuilders have no other job than working out. While the truth is, people with great physiques are successful in time management and maintaining harmony in their work-training-life.
Devise a schedule which compliments all the three aspects. You shouldn’t be drained out after a workout before you reach office or your family. Your training should fuel your work-life balance and vice-versa.
Be Disciplined
Discipline towards the fit lifestyle is what separates the fit people from the quitters. You need to have a military-like discipline towards your training, diet and recovery program if you want to transform your physique.
It could mean skipping a hang-out with friends because you need to hit the gym. Reaching the gym at the same time every day and following the process day in and day out isn’t easy but will surely get you results in the long run.
Plan in Advance
It’s rightly said, “people who fail to plan, plan to fail.” You aren’t going to be successful in transforming your body if you’re always firefighting. You need to plan your training, diet, meals, and recovery in advance to get the most out of them.
Planning can be easy but sticking to your plans is what matters. You’ll be in situations where you’ll be tempted to make “one exception” and that will soon turn into two and more. Plant your foot down and go with your plan in such scenarios. You’ll thank yourself for it later.
Expand Your Knowledge
To constantly evolve your physique, you need to be on the lookout for new methods and techniques. In bodybuilding, if you’re not going forward, you’re sure to go back in reverse gear.
Once you’ve mastered a training technique or a diet plan, learn a new one. With the advancement in research in training and nutrition science, there are new concepts coming out regularly. Staying up to date with them can keep you motivated to stay ahead of the curve.
What according to you are the other habits of successful gym-goers? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Best Apps for Weight Loss, Fitness Trackers, Diet Plan, and More
There are thousands of fitness apps lately. These apps help you achieve various fitness goals without breaking a sweat. Bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts stand to gain a lot from using these apps. You only need a smartphone to build strength, and you’re good to go. Additionally, weight loss and diet apps go a long way in ensuring you track your fitness helpfully and sustainably. You should also know that these apps are programs you can use instead of the regular ones provided by fitness trainers and experts. Some apps have extra features, including support programs and barcode scanners. Here are the best fitness apps you should consider downloading for your fitness needs today. Please note that we have not arranged the apps in any particular order.
First on our list is this fitness app that has helped many athletes create a better version of themselves. Users can download the app for free, but in-app purchases can cost you $1.99 to $9.99. The app boasts easy-to-follow guides, calorie tracking, and several other features. Customers who are already using the app have praised it for being user-friendly. The audio coaching feature is an attractive feature that makes this app a must-have for every serious bodybuilder. Lastly, C25K works best with experienced bodybuilders; it is relatively intense for newbies. The creators recommend using the app 20-30 minutes a day and three times a week. Also, the user gets a 5 minutes warm-up and 5 minutes rest.
Lose It is a weight loss app that can help you in this journey through calorie counting and tracking. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about the number of calories your body needs because the app will do that. It uses specific parameters such as your weight, age, and overall health to calculate the exact number of calories one needs and the frequency to take them. Moreover, the app samples over 3 million foods and suggests the most appropriate foods for the user. Ultimately, it comes up with a diet plan that helps you achieve your fitness goals. Behind the scenes is a team of experts who ensure that the app is as accurate as possible. There is also the option to sync it with other fitness apps. However, you may not track minerals and vitamins with the app.
Noom is the best fitness app overall, thanks to the unique weight loss features it brings. The app analyses the users’ entire lifestyle and comes up with a plan to help them improve on particulars. Noom provides a comprehensive diet plan that includes a food log and calorie tracker for your bodybuilding needs. However, the app’s great features are worth a fortune as you will part with up to $199 a year. Available on Ios and android, Noom works with a health expert to ensure the plan comes with professional help. New users need to familiarize themselves with the app’s personalized weight loss plan to ensure they have the best experience. People who overlook this aspect of the app find it hard to reap the full benefits.
Sworkit comes with a custom feature that allows users to design their diet plan as per their preference. Although the app is free to download, users can make in-app purchases which cost $9.99 monthly or $59.99 yearly. New users can use a demonstrative video to familiarize themselves with the app. Moreover, Sworkit covers a range of workouts, from cardio, stretches, yoga to strength. It is available for Ios and android. For users who want to set a specific number of reps and areas of focus, the premium option helps with that.
Another great app to monitor your fitness, My Fitness Pal calculates your calorie needs and gives appropriate recommendations. It is popular among fitness enthusiasts due to its effective weight loss plan and other features. Its food database of more than 11 million includes many restaurant meals with great nutritional value. The app analyses every meal one has taken throughout the day and gives accurate calorie intake from each. It provides a calories intake report and a pie chart for all the foods. The app comes with a barcode scanner that analyses the nutritional contents of packed foods. My Fitness Pal is one of the few fitness apps that allow you to connect with a community to share experiences and motivate each other. However, the app’s database information may not be accurate since some come from other users.
It is a favorite for many people who have mastered how to navigate its features. Weight Watchers has been around for some time now. However, its digital version is taking the market by storm. The app’s most important feature allows users to attend workshops and sessions. Additionally, it comes with more than 8000 food recipes for you to choose from them. It also comes with a code scanner for packed foods. All you need to do is enter food, and it calculates its nutritional contents. The app also gives recommendations in the form of a diet plan to help you live a healthy lifestyle. However, the users have trouble logging food from time to time, thus causing inconveniences. You can overcome this small glitch by limiting the amount information you upload. Being true to yourself is the most important thing here because at the end of the day it’s about you and your goals.
Fitbit is an activity tracker you can wear when doing routine workouts. The device monitors the user’s activity level throughout the day, including the heart rate. You will have all your fitness information stored in the Fitbit app and use the wearable device to access it. Moreover, the app also tracks sleep habits among other daily activities and helps balance every aspect of their lives. Fitbit allows you to connect with a community of other users. Those who wish to participate in fitness challenges can do it right from the app. Finally, Fitbit rewards users who achieve set goals. Please note that you must purchase a Fitbit device to access all the app’s features, including heart rate components.
Strava is perfect for monitoring running and cycling. The app can serve both as a GPS device and a fitness tracker. Strava’s premium plan costs $5 a month and $59.99 a year. It is the best app for someone who wants to find new running routes or connect with friends in a new area. The app stores your running or cycling data graphically. Distance, elevation, speed, cadence, heart rate, and power are the things the app tracks. Strava’s biggest shortcoming is it displays all your data, including underperformance, to other users. Not many people feel comfortable with that kind of data shown to everyone.
My Ney Diary is a free-to-download app designed for people who don’t have a problem managing their meals. It offers excellent nutrient tracking and recommends a plan for the user. It also summarizes the analysis graphically, thus making it easy to interpret. Members who want more advanced features can pay for them, but the free ones are just as good. Additionally, the app allows users to interact with an online community where they can seek and give advice. People with diabetes will find this app particularly useful since it provides comprehensive health tracking.
Rise is one of the best food trackers, and it uses the minimal time to give analyzed results and recommendations. The app is unique because it doesn’t require one to scan bar codes or log foods. You should snap a photo of the food you’re eating and upload it to the app. You will know the number of calories and other foods you’ve eaten with the help of a nutritionist. The nutritionist then gives recommendations depending on the data obtained from the food you uploaded, depending on your fitness goals. However, with a monthly subscription of $48, the app is quite pricey for the average earner. But since fitness is part of your wealth, this amount should not trouble you. Moreover, the simplicity it comes with is priceless. Also, you can’t compare using this app with the hassle of finding a nutritionist and remaining on budget.
Digitization has taken over every aspect of our life. It is hard to fit in if you’re still using old methods. These methods are not only time-consuming but also very expensive. The same applies to fitness, especially when circumstances dictate we work from home. With these fitness apps, you can do virtually everything you want without needing the help of a trainer. The apps also expose one to a community of like-minded individuals with the same fitness goals. You can easily find the motivation needed to achieve goals and share ideas. Find yourself an app that is easy to use and one that can help with your fitness goals without hassle. Check out our blog for more inspirational articles to help take your fitness to the next level.
Rudy Kadlub Sets Unofficial World Record With 523-Pound Deadlift On 73rd Birthday
Rudy Kadlub continues to be an elite powerlifter even at age 73.
Another year, another birthday that saw a huge lift for Rudy Kadlub. This time, the powerlifter decided to take on a huge 523-pound deadlift on his 73rd birthday. After pulling the weight, Kadlub set an unofficial deadlift world record, which he already holds in the Masters 70-74 division.
Kadlub positioned himself in a sumo stance before gabbing the bar with a mixed grip. He only used a lifting belt during the lift, which went up with ease. On his 72nd birthday last year, Kadlub completed a 520-pound deadlift. He decided to take it up a notch this time around.
“?? A great birthday session in the @kabukistrength Lab yesterday with a 523 pound heavy single in celebration of turning 73. Coach @brandon_senn was there to oversee this heavier session, and I’d say we chose a good number–anyone catch the significance of the number 5️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ and this particular birthday?”
Rudy Kadlub already holds the world record of 518 pounds in the U110 Masters 70-74 division. This lift is considered to be an unofficial world record and Kadlub could look to make it official during his next competition. As of now, Kadlub is planning to compete at the USPA Drug Tested National Championships on May 27-31 in Atlanta.
Kadlub has not been powerlifting his entire life. He began competing at 57 years old but found success quickly. Kadlub’s first competition came in 2006 and he has been featured in 37 since. Of those 37 competitions, Kadlub has 31 victories and is currently on a 22-event win streak.
Rudy Kadlub is scheduled to appear at the Drug Tested National Championships in May and this is an event where he has three victories. Following his birthday lift, Kadlub went in to celebrate.
“This lift was executed using the PR Deadlift Bar and a little liquid courage ?, birthday-style. Here’s to another year of great lifts and great friends in training and competing!”
Rudy Kadlub has a passion for fitness and he shows this in and out of the gym. He is the Co-Owner of Kabuki Strength, one of the world’s leading production companies of powerlifting equipment.
It would not be a surprise to see Kadlub take on a record-setting deadlift during his next competition. From the looks of this birthday lift, he has plenty in the tank to set some new marks in May.
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The Hulk Inspired Kid Natural INBA Bodybuilder Sojah Jackson to Become Natural Olympia Champion
Image via Instagram @sojahjackson
INBA kid athlete Sojah Jackson discusses superstar vision in a Generation Iron interview.
The Generation Iron team had a phone interview with International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) kid athlete Sojah Jackson’s father, Diontay Jackson. We discussed Sojah Jackson’s rise to 2021 Natural Olympia champion and the big aspirations Sojah Jackson plans to achieve.
Sojah Jackson is an INBA Kids and Teens Fitness competitor. He’s 12 years old and was the gold medal winner in the kid’s class at 2021 Natural Olympia in his second year competing. Sojah comes from a sports background and engaged in various sports before adding natural bodybuilding to his arsenal. He plays football and many combat sports, including boxing, muy Thai, and wrestling.
Sojah Jackson’s father, Diontay Jackson, says he structures Sojah’s training regimen based on the sports season. However, Diontay admits that it can be challenging to structure his bodybuilding training around his sports. For example, he has to be careful with leg hypertrophy during certain parts of the year depending on the sport Sojah is playing because it can affect his performance.
“If I loaded his legs, then it’s going to take away from his speed and agility training. I had to find a way to manipulate his training program with this.”
Segue to Natural Bodybuilding
Sojah’s favorite superhero is the Hulk, which first piqued his interest in bodybuilding. According to Diontay Jackson, Sojah aspired to look like his favorite superhero and was constantly flexing his muscles from a young age.
“Since he was little, his favorite character was Hulk. Ever since he was little we call him baby Hulk.”
Sojah asked his dad, “how can I look like superheroes?” Diontay encouraged his son that he could build the physique of a superhero, although he must do so naturally. That’s when Diontay did extensive research and knew that the INBA PNBA was the right move for his son.
Sojah Jackon’s Training and Nutrition
Below is a training clip of Sojah Jackson.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYFi2z0K3cC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Sojah’s workouts don’t include any weight training and instead have various other resistance training, such as calithenics, tire flips, waterbags, and sandbags. Jackson loads his muscle by increasing his muscle’s time under tension via prolonged reps – one rep will go through a 30-second eccentric (muscles lengthen) and 30-second concentric phase (muscles contract). He keeps in the 6-8 rep range and performs three sets.
Sojah trains about four days a week, but on his off days, he still puts in work in other ways, e.g., meditation and education. And on the seventh day, Sojah and his father have fun. They like to say the catchphrase “load and grow.”
Sojah Jackson limits processed foods and eats a high protein diet of 1.5g/lbs of bodyweight. As a result, he’s more flexible with carbs and fat, but his sugar intake is limited.
Sojah Jackson’s Aspirations and Personal LIfe
Sojah Jackson plans to be a superstar. He wants to be a WWE champion and bodybuilder. And his father told him one way to be a WWE superstar is through bodybuilding.
Sojah already chants the slogan, “Sojah Up.” Sojah’s name is an acronym for Showing Others Joy And Happiness. Diontay’s Jackson hopes his son can inspire other kids to enter the sport of natural bodybuilding.
Sojah Jackson spends his time outside of training and competing, learning about NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and cryptocurrencies. Jackson also likes riding scooters and being in nature. Sojah’s favorite bodybuilders include Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Ronnie Coleman, and Mike O’Hearn.
Sojah Jackson is currently prepping for the INBA PNBA’s upcoming show in May, Pikes Peak Classic, in Sojah’s Colorado home state.
Share this on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to inspire kids and teens who yearn to be the next bodybuilding champion!