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Arnold Classic 2022 Fitness International Prejudging Report & Analysis
Highlights from the Arnold Classic 2022 Fitness International prejudging.
The Arnold Classic 2022 Fitness International prejudging has just come to an end and we now have a clear idea of who is leading the pack going into the finals later tonight. Missy Truscott returned to the competition looking to make it three wins in a row in Columbus, OH.
Truscott has been a force in this division for three years now. Along with two straight Arnold Classic titles, Truscott won the 2020 Olympia but was bested by Whitney Jones in October. Ariel Khadr and Jaclyn Baker were also top-five finishers from the Olympia in 2021. With Truscott returning to the stage at the event, there was an immediate intrigue for competitors to knock off the champion.
This is the group that headlined the first callout. Truscott and Baker were placed in the middle with Khadr and Tamara Vahn on the outside. During movements, Khadr was given a chance in centerstage. After the first group of four, judges brought out the other six competitors. This gave them a chance to see if they would be compared against the top group.
The final callout featured Truscott and Khadr. This is the same pair that was featured in the third callout of the Arnold Classic last year. Truscott and Khadr seem to be the competitors to beat but Baker could make a jump in the final round on Friday night.
This division could come down to the wire on Friday night but there has been a clear top-tier released. Make sure to keep a close eye on comparisons and the rest of the results leading into the night portion of the event. Stay tuned to Generation Iron Fitness Network as we continue to provide coverage.
Fitness International Callout Report
First Callout
Missy Truscott
Jaclyn Baker
Ariel Khadr
Tamara Vahn
Second Callout
Allison Kramer
Kate Errington
Sara Kovach
Aurika Tyrgale
Minna Pajulahti
Amanda Ciani
Third Callout (Top 2)
Missy Truscott
Ariel Khadr
Generation Iron Fitness Network will provide full coverage of the Arnold Classic 2022 event including pre-juding reports, analysis, and results updates. Stay tuned to Generation Iron and visit out official Arnold Classic 2022 coverage hub right here!
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.
Dr. Testosterone Answers: Do Bigger Physiques Always Mean More PED Use?
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Dr. Testosterone discusses the amount of PEDs used in bodybuilding today – and if bigger size always means more drugs.
While it’s not openly discussed by untested leagues or active pro athletes, it’s a common understanding that PED use is common in the sport. The concept of mass monsters, to many, seem only possible by taking PEDs such as steroids. But with many different divisions and physique sizes across the sport – do bigger physiques always mean more PED use? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Dr. Testosterone explains why the biggest Men’s Open bodybuilder might not always be use the most PEDs.
The common argument that PED use is common in untested bodybuilding leagues comes down to a simple comparison. If you look at a natural bodybuilding league’s best athletes vs an untested league’s best athletes – the size difference is astronomical. Of course, this also has created a common perception about PED use in bodybuilding. The bigger the mass monster, the more PEDs used. But is that always true?
Dr. Testosterone answers this very question during our video conversation. He admits that in general, this is true. A Men’s Physique bodybuilder would need less drugs to obtain the comparatively smaller size of their division. It would essentially be a waste for a Men’s Physique athlete to take as many steroids as a Men’s Open competitor. That being said, this is just a broad stroke statement. Exceptions always exist.
For example, genetics play a huge role in the capability of a bodybuilder. Regardless of drug use, some individuals need to work harder than others to build up muscle size. Dr. Testosterone uses Lee Haney and Rich Gaspari as an example. Lee Haney can grow to an impressive size very quickly with less effort than a bodybuilder like Rich Gapsari. That’s not to say that Haney put in no effort. It just means that his extremely hard effort goes a longer way.
So if you add PEDs into the mix – the same rules apply. It’s possible for the biggest mass monster on stage to be using less drugs than a smaller bodybuilder standing next to him. This is largely due to genetics and what each individual needs to reach their goals. How much work is put into training also affects this as well. While most elite pro bodybuilders certainly train their asses off – there is still variety in work ethic. It’s unavoidable.
So what’s the bottom line? Perhaps it’s less helpful to comment on drug use based on someone’s size. Just because a bodybuilder is the biggest mass monster on the planet doesn’t meant they are a steroid junkie. The fact of the matter is – as audience members watching, we have no clue what the truth is behind the physique. It’s all speculation.
You can watch Dr. Testosterone go into more detail about the amount of PEDs used in modern bodybuilding right here. Make sure to check out our latest GI Exclusive interview above!
Brian Shaw Gives Update on Hamstring Injury, Thoughts on Thor vs Eddie Hall
Brian Shaw gives update on hamstring, thoughts on Hafthor Bjornsson vs Eddie Hall.
Four-time World’s Strongest Man champion Brian Shaw recently gave an update on his hamstring injury. The veteran strongman competitor and champ also touched on the upcoming Hafthor Bjornsson versus Eddie Hall match up taking place later this month.
Brian Shaw is one of the best strongman to ever compete in the sport. Even in recent times the now 40 year old Shaw is still acquitting himself well in competition. He even came in second place at the 2021 World’s Strongest Man competition.
Injury Update
The strongman recently updated his fans and followers on his current health standing. Recently suffering a hamstring injury, Brian Shaw is now on the mend and looking to get back to training and competing. The strongman standout had this to say about the state of his injury.
“I feel really, really good about where I’m at after that treatment,” said Brian Shaw. “I am so thankful that Jerry recommended that. I’m so thankful to the clinic down there, and if you guys haven’t seen that video make sure to go back in the channel and check it out because I describe the treatment, what went on, and the update I guess, this is a great time to do the update. I gave it some time to kick in and I got back to work and I have not had one issue whatsoever. I haven’t felt my hamstrings with going back in and having them trained and loading them more. I’m very thankful for that. I’m thankful for Jerry. I’m thankful for Dr. Lundqvist for doing a great job on me.
“She has checked in a couple of times since the procedure, and this is something that will continue to work for what I understand for 6-12 months. So, this is an incredible thing, and I can’t recommend it high enough. If you’re having an issue or something that’s going on like I was, if you have an injury, literally. It’s insane what the healing potential is of that. So, I feel great. Knock on wood.”
While his hamstring may be damaged, Brian Shaw is still working his upper body hard in the gym.
Thoughts on Bjornsson vs Hall
Brian Shaw didn’t just stop there. Shaw also touched on the upcoming boxing bout between Hafthor Bjornsson vs Eddie Hall. Having experienced competing with the two rivals in the past, Shaw has a special insight into both men’s personalities.
Here’s what Shaw had to say about whether he’ll watch his former strongman rivals duke it out.
“Well, I would say for me that I do plan on trying to watch it,” said Shaw. “I’m not sure how exactly I’m going to watch it or where I’m going to watch it but I’m curious about what is going to happen. I’m glad they finally picked a date, and it looks like it’s finally going to happen, so good for them. I feel like, quite literally, I guess we are coming up on 2-years since that was first announced. So, there’s been a lot of changes, venue changes, date changes, you know a lot of different things that have gone on that have been kind of hard to follow, to be fair. But it looks like they have a date, and it looks like they’re going to do it. So, yes, I’ll be tuning in.”
There’s no doubt that Brian Shaw will be tuning in to watch Hafthor Bjornsson and Eddie Hall throw down. The match is set for March 26 and the four-time World’s Strongest Man champion isn’t the only one likely to tune in for the bout.
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.
Flex Wheeler To Have Difficult Back Surgery: ‘They’re Not Even Sure I’ll Make It Through’
Flex Wheeler shared the news from the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival.
Flex Wheeler has dealt with health issues recently and he recently gave an update on his latest hurdle. The bodybuilding legend is present at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival launching Bullfrog Nutrition, his signature nutrition series. This is where he shared that he will have to go through a difficult back surgery with many complications.
In a recent Instagram video, Wheeler explained the current situation. He went through rotator cuff surgery on Thursday and will now need to have back surgery, which is a complicated procedure that brings many risks.
““I’ve a major back surgery coming up and that’s going to be pretty intensive. I’ll be really cutting clear about it. They’re not even sure if I’ll be able to make it through that surgery or the recovery. But it’s something I have to do because I can’t endure the pain anymore,” Flex Wheeler explained.
Flex Wheeler continued by explaining his recent path. He was rushed to the hospital on Monday morning due to complications of the rotator cuff surgery. He was discharged that same day and was able to make it to the Arnold sports Festival on Tuesday. This was one day later than he was supposed to travel but he was thankful to make it out there at all.
“The tube that they put down your throat to help you breathe while you’re unconscious, unfortunately did a lot of damage to my throat. So, Monday morning I had to call emergency. They brought me in and immediately the EMT said you’re not going to make it tomorrow. We’re definitely going to keep you for 24 hours.
I appreciate all you guys support. Thank you everybody who came out to support Bullfrog Nutrition… Thank you very much Bullfrog for my line. I’ll look forward to seeing you all tomorrow and throughout this weekend.”
Flex Wheeler was in the hospital for 14 days and this is how the doctors pinpointed his back issues. At 56 years old, Wheeler is continuing to fight against multiple issues and keeping a positive attitude.
Wheeler was forced to spend time in the hospital with a severe case of COVID-19 in the fall. He was released from the hospital in November after a month of fighting the disease. Even during that fight, Wheeler remained in god spirits providing updates to fans on his condition.
“So I’m going through that with my will and all that stuff. So, what’s the lesson behind all this? Never give up, man! Simple as that. Never ever give up.”
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Best CBD Gummies For Muscle Recovery Post-Workout
See how the best CBD gummies work for better recovery and allow for better health and fitness.
CBD is one of those supplements growing in popularity and as a natural supplement, it is no wonder why the best CBD gummies are taking center stage. For many athletes, and everyday folks for that matter, seeing your health and fitness take priority is important.
You deserve the best supplements and knowing what to look and what is best to take can greatly improve all areas of your overall health and fitness as you look to see the best gains possible. Thankfully, CBD companies understand that and seek to produce the best products out there.
Let’s take a look at the overall best CBD gummies and see why these supplements are so great. As a popular choice by many who use, the best CBD gummies can provide what you need and allow for the best in terms of increasing gains and boosting your overall health.
Benefits Of CBD For Muscle Recovery & More
Regardless of what form of CBD you take, the benefits of this supplement are something to absolutely know, for this supplement can give you that boost to health and wellness you need most. For our purposes here, high quality CBD gummies allow for great gains along with other forms, regardless of CBD potency.
Benefits of CBD include:
Help Relieve Muscle Soreness & Joint Aches
Working to alleviate that muscle soreness and joint aches, CBD binds to cannabinoid receptors which can fight inflammation and work to aid in your recovery goals so you feel better and perform better without muscle aches (1).
Related: Top CBD Workout Products For Ache-Free Gains & Recovery
Reduce Anxiety & Stress
CBD offers a natural approach to helping your mental state and treating your mental health by acting on the brain’s receptors to serotonin, the feel-good hormone, so you work to reduce stress and anxiety that can be debilitating (2).
Better Sleep
Sleep is crucial when it comes to recovery and helping us operate better throughout the day. When we sleep, it allows our bodies to reset and recover and CBD is a supplement to aid with this (3).
While there are many more benefits to CBD and each respective CBD product, knowing at least some of these can better prepare you when it comes time to seeing those gains to health and fitness that you are looking for most out of the highest quality CBD gummies.
Why Take High Quality CBD Gummies
Taking the overall best CBD gummies has its perks and with so many CBD infused gummies out there, it is important to explore all possible options. Many people like CBD oils, for example, for they are fast acting drops that go well with many things, like a beverage or as a stand-alone supplement. Bodybuilders and athletes may also gravitate towards topicals, like a cream, for these can be applied directly on the sore or uncomfortable spot and will alleviate aches and soreness.
Related: Best CBD For Muscle & Joint Recovery After A Workout
But for those looking to edibles, CBD infused gummies are a great choice and consist of amazing flavors so you get taste and benefits all in one supplement. While they may take a little longer to act, for they need to be digested, don’t let that deter you. The benefit of a good CBD gummy cannot be ignored and will work wonders for all your needs.
Taking high quality CBD gummies allows for:
Ease and convenience for use: All you need to do with a CBD gummy is follow the serving size instructions and take them. With no prep time or anything, they are easy to take for travel and are perfect for any on-the-go needs.
Great taste: CBD companies have put an emphasis on adding great flavors to CBD gummies so users can enjoy them and not have to deal with a hemp-taste or something that is unenjoyable all while having natural ingredients.
Properly dosed: CBD gummies are properly dosed and will work well for those needs by giving you the right amount of CBD able to help with any and all of those soreness, focus, and energy wants and needs.
Offers CBD diversity: As mentioned before, many options exist for taking CBD and by working with the choice for an edible that is effective, you won’t be disappointed by the results.
On the whole, natural CBD gummies are a great go-to choice for CBD supplements and will work wonders for those wants and needs when it comes to you increasing focus and energy and working towards a supplement that can really benefit you in a number of ways.
Featured CBD Gummies
With so many choices and CBD companies out there, the market and CBD industry has become a bit saturated for those who consume CBD. However, there are companies that stand out amongst the rest and will work to only give you the best supplements around as you look to boost all areas of your gains.
We wanted to share a great choice from Level Select that puts a focus on energy so for athletes and everyday folks looking for that effective option, you can find it all right here with the best CBD gummies as you look to consume CBD that works efficiently for your gains.
Level Select Focused Energy CBD Gummies
Level Select Focused Energy CBD Gummies are formulated to help you fight fatigue, stay more mentally sharp, and feel more awake.
Level Select Focused Energy CBD Gummies are designed to help you fight fatigue and stay more mentally sharp, while also helping you feel more awake. In these great gummies are 20mg of caffeine works to keep you more alert and awake, while 100mg of ginseng works to fight fatigue and give you more mental clarity and sharpness. With no THC in these gummies and a natural Tropical flavor, this CBD supplement is exactly what you need to see the best when it comes to focused energy.
Price: $49.99
Check out our list of the Best CBD Supplements for more great energy, focus, and soreness relieving products!
Wrap Up
The best CBD gummies can work wonders for you and are convenient and easy to take so all of those health and fitness wants and needs can be covered. By knowing which supplements are the most effective, you get the best chance at seeing gains to your overall health and wellness with the right approach to CBD and the CBD market. Check out some of the best CBD gummies and work to boost your overall health and wellness, while also staying on track and giving yourself the best gains. CBD is popular for a reason and knowing what to take and how it can affect you, you better set yourself up for success when buying CBD gummies.
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, S.; et al. (2020). The Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence”. (source)
Blessing, E.; et al. (2015). “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders”. (source)
Babson, K.; et al. (2017). “Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Sleep: a Review of the Literature”. (source)
Build Massive Forearms with this Workout
Workout for Building Big Forearms
Forearms are right beside the biceps but don’t get nearly the same love as the big guns. Most people do a couple of wrists curls to train their forearms in every few weeks. The overlooking of training the forearms is a big reason many people have skinny forearms.
Muscular forearms are a symbol of strength and can add functionality by improving your grip strength. Not to mention, chiseled forearms can add to the symmetry and aesthetics of the physique.
Behind the Back Wrist Curls – 3 Sets 15-12-10 Reps
Since your forearms are a small muscles group, they will take relatively less time to recover from a working set as compared to your bis or tris. You should be able to complete your forearm workouts in 25-30 minutes.
Grab the barbell behind your back with an underhand grip. Maintain a full range of motion and curl up the barbell using your wrists. Let the barbell roll out to your fingertips at the bottom of the movement. Doing so will recruit all the muscle fibers in your forearms.
Superset
– Reverse Grip Wrist Curls – 3 Sets 10 Reps
– Wrist Curls – 3 Sets 10 Reps
The reverse grip wrist curls train the top of the forearms while the underhand grip wrist curls train the bottom of the forearm. Use a monkey grip while performing the reverse wrist curls to recruit higher muscle fibers.
Most people make the mistake of lifting too heavy weights in the wrist curls. Leave your ego out of the exercise and use weights you can lift with a full range of motion. You can perform both the superset exercise with your forearms placed on a flat bench or on your quads. Use the wrist curl machine if you have access to it at your gym.
Farmer’s Walk – 3 Sets Failure
You can do the farmer’s walk using dumbbells or a trap bar. In the farmer’s carry, you need to lift a couple of heavy dumbbells and walk around until you can’t hold onto the weights anymore.
The farmer’s carry is a great exercise to develop muscle mass and strength in your forearms. You can also perform the dumbbell or barbell holds to train your forearms. In these exercises, all you have to do is hold onto the bar for the longest time possible.
Wrist Roller – 3 Sets Failure
The wrist rollers look easier than they are. Maintaining a strict form throughout the exercise is an important factor in targeting your forearms. Extend your arms straight forward so they’re parallel to the floor while holding the wrist roller with both your hands.
Roll the weight plate up by rolling the bar towards yourself. While rolling down make sure you don’t let the weight drop by itself. Use a slow and controlled movement to lower the weight. Don’t let your arms lower down while performing the exercise.
Use Oversized Grips
One great way of targeting your forearms in every biceps exercise is to use oversized grips. Using oversized grips make it harder for you to hold onto the barbell or dumbbell and recruits your forearms into action.
If you don’t have oversized grips at your gym, you can wrap around towels around the bars to thicken the grip. If you have weak forearms, you can train them before you start your bi and tri workout as it will recruit your forearms in the arm exercises.
How often do you train your forearms? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Feeling Dizzy After Working Out? Here Are 5 Tips
If you’re feeling dizzy or light-headed after a workout, you could be over-exerting yourself.
It’s in the nature of a bodybuilder to push himself past his limits. But we should never get too comfortable in the gym, no matter how much time we spend there. The truth is working out can be extremely dangerous if we don’t make sure to take the proper safety measures.
Feeling dizzy or light-headed after a workout can be caused by a number of factors. Usually the culprit is dehydration, but sometimes it can be something more serious, such as a heart condition. Here are our top 5 tips for working out smarter, not harder, and taking care of your body even as you push yourself for maximum results:
5. Stay Hydrated
This one may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how easy it is to forget to hydrate, especially if you’re someone who spends a long time in the gym every day and start to move out of habit and repetition more than actual thought. You should always hydrate before and after a workout. Depending on the exercise, drinking small amounts of water throughout can also be beneficial, and keeps your muscles from dehydrating.
4. Warm Up Before You Work Out
It can be jarring to the body to suddenly leap into motion after a long time being still. This tip goes out especially to those of you who work out first thing in the morning, right after your body was essentially motionless for 8 hours! Think about it. Warming up helps ease the body into movement and it reduces the risk of injury, so, there’s really no reason ever not to do it.
3. Try Yoga, Hiking, or Swimming
Dizziness after a workout is sometimes caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. This could be because your lungs aren’t working at full capacity and can’t keep up with the stress of an intense workout. Low-intensity activities like yoga or a going for a gentle hike have been shown to help regulate and strengthen breathing over time. If you take up a practice like this alongside doing heavier workouts in the gym, it will make you a much better athlete all around.
2. Don’t Smoke or Drink Too Much
Again, this one seems obvious, but you’d be surprised. Smoking is bad for you and hangovers leave you dehydrated and depleted. Take it easy on both, even on the weekends, if you’re serious about your cardiovascular health and avoiding dizziness in the gym.
1. See a Doctor if Something Seems Serious
You should never experience dizziness after working out consistently, even if you do sometimes over-exert yourself. If you feel dizzy and light-headed every single time you work out, consult with a doctor immediately. Many heart conditions go undiagnosed because the symptoms are hard to tell apart from the regular fatigue that sets in from working out.
Tyson Fury Says He Is Retiring After Next Fight: ‘$150 Million In The Bank. I’m Done.’
Tyson Fury says he will call it a career following bout with Dillian Whyte.
Tyson Fury quickly worked his way up the ranks in the ring and currently holds the WBC heavyweight championship. Could the 33-year-old boxer be ready to call it a career after his next fight?
Fury is preparing to take on Dillian Whyte on April 23. This fight will take place at Wembley Stadium in London. He recently told reporters that he is ready to retire following the fight.
“This is the final fight of my career. I’m retiring after this. $150 million in the bank, good-looking, healthy, young. I’m going to buy a massive yacht abroad. Got loads of cars and properties all over the world. Just going to sit back with a hot blonde and piña colada. I’m retiring, I’m out. This is my final fight. The final countdown. I’m done.”
Is this a legitimate option? Coming from Tyson Fury himself, there is a chance but it remains hard to believe that he will hang it up just yet. If he does, Fury would retire at the top of the sport and this is the intrigue, along with the money he has made. Fury is currently 32-0-1 in his career with 22 victories by knockout.
Fury burst onto the scene in 2015 when he took down Wladimir Klitschko. He then had to take a break from boxing due to mental health issues before returning to face Deontay Wilder. This fight caused some drama after a draw was determined but Fury won the final two fights of the trilogy.
So if Fury does retire, what would this mean to the heavyweight division? We do not know exactly but we do know that it would complicate the chance of a unified champion.
Anthony Joshua held the other major heavyweight titles before his loss to Oleksandr Usyk. A rematched was scheduled but Usyk has been back in his home country of Ukraine fighting against the Russian attack. It is unknown when the match will take place but Joshua and Usyk will step into the ring eventually. With Fury on his way out, this would leave an opening as to a potential opponent for the winner.
There has not been an undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. He defeated Evander Holyfield to earn the honor and there might not be another one for quite some time.
Tyson Fury has had an incredible career and will go down as one of the best to ever do it. Will April 23 actually be the last fight of his career? It is something to keep an eye on as the date approaches.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Natural Bodybuilder Adrian Pietrariu Reveals Secret Oblique Exercise
Image via Instagram @adrianironman
INBA PNBA athlete Adrian Pietrariu shares his secret oblique exercise.
Everyone wants washboard abs, but anyone who’s been training in the gym for years knows that getting abs is no easy task. It takes a disciplined diet and the correct movements. Some key muscle groups of your abdominals are your obliques. These muscles on the side help give you the awe-dropping V-taper. International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete Adrian Pietrariu shared his secret exercise for obliques on Instagram (IG).
In 2018 Adrian Pietrariu was the INBA PNBA’s Athlete of the Year. In addition, he was inducted into the INBA PNBA Hall of Fame in 2020. On IG, Adrian said:
“This Exercise is one of my Secrets to getting those Obliques to show like the Shark Gills
I do 4 to 6 sets of 30 reps each side.”
Below is a video of Adrian Pietrariue performing this movement.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9uXWEAAVSH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The exercise Adrian Pietrariue is doing is known as oblique extensions. Oblique extensions target your obliques. You can add weight to them as well.
Key To Abs
Of course, everyone wants chiseled abs, but it’s imperative for a competitive bodybuilder. The right exercises can help tone your abs. As the adage goes, abs are made in the kitchen.
A lot of people think that by doing more exercise, they’ll get abs. However, it’s cutting body fat via a caloric deficit that truly give you washboard abs. Although, the correct movements will make your abs stronger and help them be more noticeable once you get down to lower body fat levels. But you must have low body fat levels if you want your abs to show. We recommend between 10-12% body fat for visible abs.
Other Ab and Oblique Exercise
Of course, nutrition is essential to get low body fat levels, but critical exercises are also crucial. Aside from oblique extensions, there are a variety of other exercises you can do to target your core. To name a few, we create a list of a few abs exercise you can try next time you workout.
Ab Movements
Natural Bodybuilding
As the name suggests, natural bodybuilding is a sport that prohibits drugs. Bans against drugs are especially true in the INBA PNBA league. That’s because this natural bodybuilder league vets every athlete through the utmost drug testing standards – the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Competitors that fail a WADA-compliant drug test at any point during the year – the INBA PNBA does both in-season and off-season testing – will be stripped of their title and banned from competing. And instead of earning a spot on the Hall of Fame as Adrian Pietratiue has. They’ll be ridiculed on the Hall of Shame.
Below is a Generation Iron exclusive interview with Pietrariu on his perspective on whether he thinks a bodybuilder is natural if they used to take steroids but don’t now.
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If you’re looking to develop your obliques and get one step close to a Greek-God V-taper, give Adrian Pietraiu’s secret ab exercise – oblique extensions – a try next time you’re in the gym.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more workout tips from natural bodybuilders!
Boost Your Bench Press With A Pair Of Weightlifting Gloves
How weightlifting gloves can boost your bench press and increase gains.
When it comes to your bench press needs, we often neglect what a good pair of weightlifting gloves can do. We all love to bench, right? It’s become something of our gym calling card. But knowing the right way to bench and the approach to lifting accessories can take us a long way, especially as we seek to lift the most amount of weight possible.
The bench press is thar exercise we all know and love and can greatly influence our growth and development. What weightlifting gloves can do are offer support and protection while also enhancing grip, so you feel more supported and can better tackle any and all of those lifting needs you want to most.
Let’s take a look at the bench press and see what this is all about. We’ll talk about what it is and what it’s known for, what muscles are worked, the benefits of it, and how weightlifting gloves can be a game changer for your ability to perform this exercise.
What Is The Bench Press Known For?
The bench press is an effective chest building exercise as we all know, and is known for its ability to increase strength and size in your upper body (1). One of those three powerlifts that everyone loves to perform, the bench press has become that thing we all compare amongst ourselves.
Similar to the mile for the runner, a common question of how much do you bench is asked around gyms. But the bench press isn’t something to be taken lightly and while athletes of all experience can perform it, when it comes to lifting big weight, it shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Muscles Worked
The main muscle group worked in the bench press is your chest. What you will find is your pecs will feel a serious burn and those muscles will be fired up for growth. Your triceps and shoulders do get work done as well given the nature of the movement and your abs, since they are engaged to keep your back against the bench, will also get a little work done for what their need to stay tight.
Benefits Of The Bench Press
Benefits of the bench press cannot be ignored and this exercise will work wonders for you and your ability to see only the best gains. While it is important to have the best form so you reap these great benefits, don’t neglect what this workout can do for all your goals.
Benefits of the bench press include:
Increased chest growth: This exercise can work those chest muscles so they increase in strength and size for the best gains (2,3).
Works tris and delts: It can also work your triceps and shoulders as a result of the movement so you see good gains to these muscles as well.
Increases pushing power: This exercise is perfect for increasing pushing power and allowing for you to maximize any pushing movement, whether it be sport specific or more functional.
Counteracts pulling muscles: This exercise can help you counteract those pulling muscles, since this is a pushing exercise, allow for better muscle balance.
Plenty of variations: With plenty of variations, you can diversify and add variety to your workout so you work the same muscles but in a different way to increase muscle confusion.
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How To Perform It
Lie on the bench with your feet planted on the floor.
Grab the bar with your hands a little more than shoulder-width apart. Arch your lower back slightly. While this is debated, an arched lower back can help keep the spine neutral and the back tight.
Lift the bar off the rack and gently lower to your chest as you breathe in. Your forearms should be about 90 degrees from the ground as you touch your chest.
With your feet planted on the ground, initiate the upward movement to return to the starting position.
Repeat for your desired number of sets and reps.
Related: Why You Should Use Lifting Gloves In Your Workouts
What Are Weightlifting Gloves?
Weightlifting gloves are a great piece of workout equipment able to improve grip strength (4), add wrist support (5), provide palm protection, and add an overall better sense of feel for your workouts. The choice to wear weightlifting gloves is a personal one, but one worth considering for what these can do for your overall sense of comfort, support and protection when lifting big weight.
Benefits Of Weightlifting Gloves For The Bench Press
What you will find with the bench press is an exercise that puts a lot of strain and potential stress on your hands and wrists. Given the load of this exercise and the beating your hands take, on top of the movements your wrist must do, weightlifting are the perfect piece of equipment for you and your long-term bench press goals.
For those who feel they need wrist support and better palm protection, these gloves are perfect for improving your bench press. The constant wear and tear of our hands on the grip of the bar can be uncomfortable and that unpleasant feeling is just something we can’t have.
With the bench press, grip strength is incredibly important as well for with so much weight under you, the last thing you need is to lose your grip. By working to provide for better grip and allow yourself the opportunity to feel mor supported under all that weight, you will feel as though you have what it takes to succeed and see those bench press PRs in no time.
Check out our list of the Best Weightlifting Gloves for the best in support, protection, and grip!
Wrap Up
The bench press is a monster lift and with weightlifting gloves, you can feel more supported and protected for whatever comes your way. Weightlifting gloves have the ability to offer better support and protection so you can reap the benefits of increase strength and size that the bench press has to offer. Consider weightlifting gloves today and don’t sacrifice any of your bench press gains.
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*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Algra, B. (1982). “An In-Depth Analysis of the Bench Press”. (source)
Saeterbakken, A.; et al. (2011). “A comparison of muscle activity and 1-RM strength of three chest-press exercises with different stability requirements”. (source)
Kikuchi, N.; et al. (2017). “Low-load bench press and push-up induce similar muscle hypertrophy and strength gain”. (source)
Lee, J.; Sechachalam, S. (2016). “The Effect on Wrist Position on Grip Endurance and Grip Strength”. (source)
Buhman, D.; Cherry, J.; Bronkema-Orr, L.; Bishu, R. (2000). “Effects of glove, orientation, pressure, load, and handle on submaximal grasp force”. (source)