Tag: Bodybuilding
Legendary Bodybuilder Eddie Giuliani Has Passed Away At 87
Eddie Giuliani became known for his passion for training in the gym.
Legendary bodybuilder and physique competitor Eddie Giuliani has passed away at 87 years old. Giuliani enjoyed a career that spanned over four decades where he was able to compete in over 35 competitions. There has been no cause of death revealed at this time.
Joe Wheatley announced the news in a Facebook post:
Just received the devastating news Muscle Beach Hall of Famer, EDDIE GIULIANI, passed away yesterday at the age of 87. Eddie was IFBB 1975 World. Inducted into the Muscle Beach Hall of Fame by Oscar award winning actor AL PACINO in 2012, a ceremony none of us will ever forget.
Please keep both his daughters Maria Giuliani Farley, Andrea Giuliani Gonzales and their families in your prayers.
He was a very dear friend of mine. Spoke to him everyday, sometimes three times a day. I’m going to miss him dearly. One of the greats in our industry.
About Eddie Giuliani’s Legacy
Giuliani began competing in 1951. The Brooklyn native eventually made the move to California in order to focus on his bodybuilding career. As an AAU competitor, Giuliani won shows such as Mr. New York City and Mr. Atlantic Coast. He also saw great success on the other side of the country with victories in shows like the Mr. Pacific Coast and Mr. Western America.
At 5-foot-6, Giuliani was one of the top competitors in his height category. He made the move to IFBB in 1964 and earned his first victory the very next year at the 1965 Mr. Northeastern States.
In 1974, Giuliani hit his stride racking up victories at the Mr. America and Mr. Western America in his division. He was also named the overall winner during the Mr. Western America show. Giuliani would compete in his last show in 1982, finishing fifth during the Mr. Universe competition.
Eddie Giuliani quickly became known for his training style over the course of his career. He enjoyed a great passion for fitness and training. During his peak years in the sport, Giuliani was training six days a week for up to three hours a day. Giuliani often dedicated 15-20 sets to each body part and did not rest much between sets.
Giuliani’s workouts often changed when preparing for a show. He would reduce the number of sets he would do to around five per body part. The sets might have been down but the workouts were more intense. The weight would be high but Giuliani would really focus on concentration and focus during this preparation.
Eddie Giuliani Competition History
1951 Mr. New York Metropolitan – AAU, Junior, 8th
1953 Mr. New York Metropolitan – AAU, Junior, 2nd
1958 Mr. New York City – AAU, Short, 2nd
1958 Mr. New York Metropolitan – AAU, 1st
1959 Mr. New York City – AAU, Short, 6th
1961 Mr. Eastern America – AAU, Short, 2nd
1964 Mr. East Coast – IFBB, Short, 5th
1964 Mr. New York State – IFBB, 2nd
1964 Mr. Northeastern States – IFBB, Short, 2nd
1965 Junior Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 2nd
1965 Mr. Northeastern States – IFBB, Short, 1st
1965 Mr. Northeastern States – IFBB, Overall Winner
1966 Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 3rd
1966 Mr. East Coast – IFBB, Short, 2nd
1967 Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 3rd
1967 Pro Mr. America – WBBG, 6th
1967 Junior Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 3rd
1968 Pro Mr. America – WBBG, 5th
1968 Junior Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 1st
1968 Mr. Western America – IFBB, 3rd
1969 Pro Mr. America – WBBG, 5th
1970 Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 3rd
1970 Mr. Western America – IFBB, 4th
1971 Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 3rd
1971Mr. International – IFBB, Short, 3rd
1974 Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 1st
1974 Mr. Western America – IFBB, Short, 1st
1974 Mr. Western America – IFBB, Overall Winner
1975 Mr. America – IFBB, Short, 2nd
1975 Mr. World – IFBB, Short, 1st
1977 Mr. America – IFBB, LightWeight, 2nd
1979 Canada Pro Cup – IFBB, Did not place
1980 Grand Prix California – IFBB, 10th
1981 Grand Prix California – IFBB, Did not place
1982 Mr. Universe – NABBA, Short, 5th
Eddie Giuliani dedicated his life to fitness and bodybuilding. He was able to build relationships with many and left a positive impression on all he encountered. The entire staff at Generation Iron sends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of Cedric McMillan at this time.
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How PNBA Bodybuilding Hall of Famer Michael Ferencsik Lost 40 Pounds
Image via Instagram @michael_ferencsik
Michael Ferencsik was 40 pounds heavier at 40 than at 59.
Typically, as we age, we lose muscle mass and gain fat – it’s a law of nature. However, you can still be in fantastic shape with the proper diet. Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Hall of Famer Michael Ferencsik went to social media to demonstrate how good nutrition can transform your physique (he lost 40 pounds), no matter how old you are.
Michael Ferencik competes in the PNBA Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters division. He’s been a PNBA athlete for 20 years in the PNBA Hall of Fame. Also, Ferencik is an overt vegan and animal rights activist. In an Instagram post on March 18, 2022, Ferencsik shared an inspiring transformation photo detailing the difference between his physique at age 40 versus age 59. Ferencsik claims he’s forty pounds lighter now and attributes his diet. Ferencsik asserted:
“Nineteen years separates these two pictures. Picture on left was me at forty years old, on the right me today at 59 and forty pounds lighter.
Believe it or not, at forty years old and forty pounds heavier my workouts back then were just as insane, intense and consistent as they are today, I never missed a workout, EVER! The difference, a ton of alcohol and a conventional diet.”
Michael Ferencsik’s transformation photos and complete statement on IG are below.
Michael Ferencsik’s Lost 40 Pounds Via Diet
Michael Ferencsik said his workouts didn’t change during this nearly twenty-year age difference. As Ferencsik confessed, he kept his workout intensity and consistency the same, but it was straying away from a conventional diet and avoiding alcohol that paved the way for him to lose 40 pounds.
Michael Ferencik eats a vegan diet. On social media, he’s made clear that no matter what diet you follow, being in a caloric deficit is imperative to improve your body composition. He says you can do all of this without animal products. Ferencik affirms that you can get all the protein, calcium, and omega-3 you need without meat, milk, or fish.
Michael Ferencik isn’t the only top natural vegan bodybuilder. 2021 Natural Olympia Classic Physique Masters champ and the first vegan to sign a multi-media contract, Tamerk Barakat, is also a blatant vegan.
Natural Bodybuilding Reverses Aging
Studies show that the older you get, muscle is replaced with fat. The phenomenon is known as sarcopenia. (1) Nevertheless, natural bodybuilders in the INBA PNBA league prove that age is just a number when you structure your workouts and diet correctly and, above all, swear off doping.
Natural bodybuilding leagues like the INBA PNBA ensure the safety and health of their competitors by drug screening each competitor. Any INBA PNBA athlete who fails to adhere to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines will be stripped of their title, banned from competing, and thrown into the Hall of Shame.
Recap
Ditching a conventional diet and going vegan helped PNBA Hall of Famer Michael Ferencik lose 40 pounds, despite being 19 years older. Ferencik attests that even though losing muscle mass and gaining fat is inevitable as we age, adequate nutrition can counterbalance the effects.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more natural bodybuilding diet secrets!
Reference
1 – Walston J. D. (2012). Sarcopenia in older adults. Current opinion in rheumatology, 24(6), 623–627. https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0b013e328358d59b
What Can The Best Greens Powder Do For Your Gains?
The best super greens powder can enhance gains and keep you healthy overall.
For those of us athletes, we are constantly pushing our bodies to the max and with great supplements out there to help, the best greens powder can do a lot for our gains. What you will find is that even with a well-structured diet, often times those vital nutrients can be missed which can negatively affect our health and performance. But not anymore. With a quality super greens product those needs can be taken of with no problem.
The right nutrients can be hard to come by and with our diet, we may find ourselves constantly chasing various vitamins and minerals. But having them all in one place can be a game changer and that is why athletes and fitness folks alike gravitate towards multivitamins and super greens supplements.
Let’s take a look at what makes the best super greens powder so you can enhance those gains and stay healthy overall. With the right supplement on your shelf, you will tackle those goals in no time. Plus, you will never be short on any nutrients again.
Benefits Of Super Greens
The benefits of super greens are important to know for these can ensure no nutrient deficiencies and will work to provide optimal health and performance. By knowing what you will get out of super greens, you may feel more inclined to give the best greens powder a try.
Help weight loss: Work to suppress appetite and cravings while still giving your body the energy it needs to perform and stay healthy overall (1).
Increase energy levels: Consisting of slow-release carbs and proteins, super greens can provide consistent energy supply throughout the day for the best results.
Improve gut health: Provide necessary enzymes to aid in digestion and help your gut break down food for more maximum nutrient extraction and absorption.
Fill you with antioxidants: Help fight oxidative damage in the body from free radicals by pumping you with antioxidants (2).
Act as a vegetable substitute: While you should always try and eat whole foods, super greens can act as a solid substitute for vegetables missed in your diet so you get all those vitamins and minerals.
Why Use A Super Greens Supplement
Using a super greens supplement will provide the above benefits while also filling in any nutrient gaps missed with whole foods. As athletes always pushing our bodies to the limit, what you will find is your body is quickly depleted of necessary fuel to power you through the day. Working with supplements like multivitamins and super greens ensures those valuable nutrients are never forgotten about.
Related: Top Reasons Why You Should Use Super Greens Supplements
As bodybuilders looking to shred and cut down fat, we often structure our diets in such a way that may miss a vital nutrient or two. By working with the best greens powder you will optimize performance and improve your overall health.
The best greens powder can really enhance your gains by pumping you with often missed nutrients and offering benefits like energy and improved gut health to not only improve performance, but also increase your overall health. And as bodybuilders and athletes constantly pushing the limits, this is never a bad thing.
How To Find The Best Greens Powder
Finding the best greens powder can be challenging, but it is not impossible. It takes knowing what to look for and what can best help tackle those goals. The best greens powder will first come from a reputable company, for this ensures quality and a trusted source, considering it is affecting your health and performance.
Like any supplement, you want to make sure the ingredients are from only best sources and that the nutrition label properly reflects what is in the product. This keeps transparency high so you know exactly what is in your super greens product. To go with this, some companies will offer great flavors, but it is important that you check the sugar content and make sure nothing artificial is in there to ruin what would be otherwise a great product.
Related: Best Muscle Building Fruits & Vegetables For The Best Gains
Also, make sure you know what you are looking for out of your super greens supplement. If your goal is weight loss, look to see if there is a company making a greens powder targeted for that. If it is even more energy, maybe look in that direction. It helps knowing your goals and having the right blueprint for these supplement can go a long way in the end as you look to improve training and see those results you want most.
Featured Super Greens Supplement
We wanted to share a top greens powder so you can feel confident in your ability to perform inside and out of the gym without worrying about a poorly made product. This supplement is trusted and produced with the highest quality ingredients to only impact you in a positive way.
Transparent Labs WellnessSeries Prebiotic Greens
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs WellnessSeries Prebiotic Greens is a mineral rich and nutritious prebiotic greens supplement. Two parts to this formula works to maximize nutrient utilization as effectively as possible.
Transparent Labs WellnessSeries Prebiotic Greens offers a solid mineral rich and nutritious prebiotic supplement to maximize nutrient utilization. With two parts to this formula, their Algae Greens delivers much needed vitamins and minerals to aid in detoxification and their Prebiotic Fibers will provide healthy gut fibers to maximize this nutrient utilization. With clean ingredients and a transparent formula, Transparent Labs takes pride in knowing their product is geared towards the needs of the consumer with no ulterior motive.
Price: $39.99
Check out our list of the Best Super Greens Supplements for more great products!
Wrap Up
The best greens powder doesn’t have to be hard to come by if you look in the right spot. By putting an emphasis on what matters and giving yourself the best chance at seeing success, the best super green supplement will work to kill any deficiencies and give you the best chance at health and performance success. Give a good greens product a try and see what it can do for all your goals today as you look to optimize both health and performance.
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
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. “Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss”. (source)
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. “Antioxidants: In Depth”. (source)
Straight Facts: Pros and Cons Of The Most Popular Bodybuilding Diets
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Jerry Brainum shares the straight facts on the most popular diets in bodybuilding – which is the best?
The benefit of living in a true information era is the vast amount of variety we can access. Today, the average person is able to know so much more about nutrition, health, and diets than ever before – if they choose to. The downside, of course, is that there can be too much information. The boom of diet trends begs the question – which are legit and which are the best? In our latest episode of Straight Facts, Jerry Brainum uses a combination of vigorous research and personal anecdotes to break down the pros and cons of today’s most popular bodybuilding diet systems.
The common perception is that dieting is easy in theory but hard in practice. The key aspect of losing weight is to consume less calories than your resting metabolic rate. But the hard part is to actually pull it off and not lose your willpower. Even worse, this simplified mentality turns out to be not necessarily true. Modern nutrition science has shown that losing weight can become vastly complicated depending on your genetics. Many struggle to eat well and not give into cravings – but there are also those who diet correctly but seem to still struggle.
In today’s internet era, it’s easier to research and discover a wide variety of diets. Many of them work – but only when done correctly. Others are scams looking to take a dollar out of your wallet. It can be hard to decide what works and what doesn’t. That’s why we turned to Jerry Brainum to break down and rank the most popular diet trends currently in bodybuilding and fitness. Let’s jump into it.
Paleolithic Diet
The Paleolithic diet is a bit of a gimmick named diet plan. The goal is to “eat like the cavemen did.” Jerry Brainum explains that the reasoning behind this diet is that the human race, despite its many evolutionary accomplishments, are still very similar genetically to the cavemen of eras past. So if we go back to the simplicity of a caveman diet – we’ll be healthier and leaner.
Despite the gimmick of it’s name, Jerry Brainum believes that this diet is actually pretty decent in keeping you health and lean. The diet focuses on meat, nuts, and berries. Foraging foods plus hunting foods. No grain. No wheat. No diary. No processed foods.
Jerry Brianum explains that the biggest downside is getting the full spectrum of nutrition for your long term health. Calcium can be hard to come by without dairy, for example.
Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet focuses on only eating protein. No fruits or vegetables. Jerry Brainum points out that the biggest issue with this diet is the lack of dietary fiber from veggies. Fiber is a big part of our microbiome in our stomach. While this was less considered in decades past, modern science has shown that our microbiome plays a massive role in our health and our weight loss/gain.
Jerry Brainum explains that most recent studies have also drawn a direct link between a healthy microbiome and immunity to illness. Healthier stomaches have been proven to show more resiliency against disease and getting sick.
Low Carb/High Fat Diet (Keto Diet)
This diet focuses on cutting carbs from your diet and increasing dietary fat. While this might sound wrong (where do you get your energy? Isn’t fat bad?). Ultimately this is a rather powerful and successful diet.
Jerry Brainum has gone into extreme detail in a previous episode discussing keto diets. Keto diets are an extreme form of a general low card/high fat diet. The key here is that with a lack of carbs in your system, the extra fat is transformed into energy. Thus this is not stored as fat in your body and you lose weight.
Jerry Brainum believes this to be a strong diet – but only in the short term. He does not recommend this kind of diet to be year-long. It can also be a hard diet for bodybuilders looking to bulk up. Rather, this diet is best for bodybuilders in contest prep mode looking to get lean.
Jerry Brainum believes that the keto diet is likely the best diet for losing body fat percentage.
Vegan Diet
Growing extremely in popularity over the past decade, the vegan diet has many positives in terms of ethical food choices and healthy food options. The only problem, as Jerry Brainum explains, is that a vegan diet can be very unhealthy if you don’t do it right. There are many vegan friendly foods that are simply empty of nutrients. So it’s important that a person interested in veganism focuses on doing it the right way.
On top of this, many supplements are needed to further get the full spectrum of nutrients for long term health. Jerry Brainum explains that avoiding all meat with no supplements is ultimately bad for your health.
In addition to this, a vegan diet can be very challenging for bodybuilding. Jerry Brainum does not find it impossible, but it adds a new level of challenge that can put you at a disadvantage against others not on the same diet.
Mediterranean Diet
A mediterranean diet has a focus on extra virgin olive oil in meals and cooking. It also focuses on moderate drinking of red wine. In addition to this – the main food courses are usually fruit and vegetable heavy with only minimal fish and meat.
Jerry Brainum beileves that the mediterranean diet is the healthiest diet you can commit to in the long term. It’s a realistic year-long diet providing a full spectrum of nutrients to keep you health and, if done correctly, you’ll stay lean and heart healthy as well.
The mediterranean diet can also work for bodybuilding if adjusted to include more protein.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is what you likely hear a lot about in commercials. It’s the recommended diet by most doctors. Basically, it asks that you ensure you have a healthy dose of each kind of food type to accrue all the necessary nutrients without needing supplementation.
However, Jerry Brainum points out that a balanced diet is so inclusive that it can be hard to stick to. In theory, this diet is perfectly healthy, but it’s rare for a person to regularly fit the entire food pyramid into their daily diet without issue.
Meal Replacement Diet
This last one is a bit extreme, but Jerry Brainum wanted to touch upon it as he also tried this kind of diet when he was younger. A meal replacement diet is when you replace all of your meals with a meal replacement product. This is usually some sort of shake or a diet bar.
Jerry Brainum explains that there are many meal replacements out there that can be scams or crammed with sugar. So research is necessary to find a more formidable healthy option. But on top of this, replacing all of your meals (or even consistently some of your meals) with a product like this is not advised in the long term.
Jerry Brainum explains a product he tried when he was younger which lost him 40 pounds very quickly. It was effective – but to use this as a forever diet is extremely ill advised. Brainum also jokes that the version he took decades ago was likely pumped with an appetite suppressing drug that was not allowed to the larger market.
A meal replacement can be good for short term crash dieting or for moments when you are traveling and need a quick but healthy option for eating on the go. But it should not be seen as a viable diet in the long run.
Wrap Up
The key takeaway here is that no diet is perfect. But most importantly, the biggest error that happens with diets is on the user side. It’s very easy to commit to a diet and not follow it fully. Some even cheat on their diets without realizing it. Jerry Brainum’s breakdown of the biggest diets in bodybuilding today can help you stay more focused and find the right diet that works best for you.
You can watch Jerry Brainum go into full detail in our latest Straight Facts episode above. Make sure to swing by each Wednesday for new episodes every week!
Chris Bumstead Hits Leg Day With Men’s Physique Competitor Christian Guzman
Chris Bumstead joined Christian Guzman for a massive leg day workout.
Chris Bumstead continues his Olympia prep by hitting all body parts in hopes of bringing his fourth consecutive victory in December. Recently, Bumstead was joined by Men’s Physique competitor Christian Guzman for a leg day workout in Stuart, FL.
Guzman shared the workout to his YouTube page as part of a series called “Summer Shredding.” Before the workout, Guzman took a trip to pick up more supplements and enjoyed a meal of egg whites, onions, salsa toast, and coffee. From this point on, the duo traveled to Revive Gym in order to hit a lower body workout.
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Chris Bumstead & Christian Guzman Leg Workout
Warm-Up
Single-Leg Extensions
Standard Leg Extensions
Hamstring Curls
Workout
Hack Squats
Bulgarian Split Squats
Seated Calf Raises x Hamstring Curls
Chris Bumstead and Christian Guzman began the leg day with warm-up sets of three different variations. It began with single-leg and standard leg extensions. The duo then hit some hamstring curls to really get the blood flowing into the legs. Guzman quickly learned how Bumstead trains and said it was refreshing to see a different style.
“Out of everyone I have trained with, Chris is calm. It’s like a very, very composed, calm, this is what we’re doing, tempo. Like, I haven’t heard him make a noise. It’s awesome. It’s refreshing to see. It’s not what you think and this is from the f***ing number one Classic Physique competitor to ever be in this world,” Guzman said of Bumstead.
Once the warm-up was finished, Bumstead and Guzman continued onto hack squats. they were both wearing leg sleeves and Bumstead added a lifting belt during his sets. Both athletes were exerting great amounts of energy by the look of the video.
The exact amount of sets and reps was not revealed. Guzman added a final set on this machine with resistance bands. For his final set, Bumstead reached 630 pounds with seven plates on each side.
“I feel like I’m having a heart attack on this machine every time,” Bumstead said.
Chris Bumstead and Christian Guzman moved to the dumbbell rack to perform Bulgarian split squats next. Bumstead began his sets with 150-pound dumbbells and no straps. Not only is Bumstead one of the best competitors on stage, he is also one of the strongest. Guzman opted for 90-pound dumbbells and the duo performed at least three sets.
The workout ended with a superset of seated calf raises and more hamstring curls. It is clear that both competitors were able to get the most out of leg day by the looks of it. For Chris Bumstead, this is part of a bulking phase that is meant to put on size in order to win the Olympia once again.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Every Winner Of The New York Pro Bodybuilding Show
Photo via @philheath Instagram, @big_ramy Instagram, and @nick_walker39 Instagram
Get all the winners of the New York Pro below!
Many people know some of the big names in bodybuilding contests, however, there are those important events that can make athletes’ careers that people may not know about. The New York Pro is one of them and this event has helped spring many bodybuilders into the spotlight while earning them qualification for a host of other big-time events, like Mr. Olympia.
The New York Pro contest will take place on May 21, 2022 in New Jersey in what is stacked up to be an exciting event. With most divisions present, fans will get to see their favorite bodybuilders hit the stage in efforts to take home the top prize.
We put a list together of the past winners for this event so everyone can see some of the legendary names in the record books. And maybe we’ll have a new addition come the end of this contest.
New York Pro Winners
Darrem Charles – 2005
Phil Heath – 2006
Branch Warren – 2007
Kai Greene – 2008 & 2011
Evan Centopani – 2009
Roelly Winklaar – 2010
Cedric McMillan – 2012
Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay – 2013 & 2014
Juan Morel – 2015 & 2019
Dexter Jackson – 2016
Sergio Oliva Jr. – 2017
Nathan De Asha – 2018
Iain Valliere – 2020
Nick Walker – 2021
Darrem Charles – 2005
Darrem Charles won 14 pro shows and competed at Mr. Olympia 14 times throughout his career. His first IFBB competition was in 1989 and from there, he would go on to win events like the Toronto Pro, Atlantic City Pro, Puerto Rico Pro, and this New York Pro contest in 2005.
Phil Heath – 2006
This New York Pro event, along with the Colorado Pro Championships, were the first two professional wins for Phil Heath. Over the next couple of years, he would train hard and continue at Olympia’s doorstep where in 2011 it finally happened. For the next six years, there was no stopping him and he went on to tie Arnold Schwarzenegger for the second most wins of all time. He also earned the reputation of being one of the most muscular men on the planet.
Related: Complete List Of Masters Olympia Winners Through The Years
Branch Warren – 2007
Coming into this New York Pro win, Branch Warren was just getting his footing in the pro circuit. He had won a couple shows, but finished 8th and 12th at Mr. Olympia thus far. This show seemed to be a turning point for Warren, for after this win he would place in the top 3 a number of times at Olympia, win the Arnold Classic on numerous occasions, and continue to have a dominant bodybuilding career.
Kai Greene – 2008 & 2011
Kai Greene took on the pro circuit in 2004 and had a string of success leading into the earlier 2010’s, including his first win at the New York Pro contest. He continued training with a prep coach and would see another victory here in 2011, but this time he had his sights set on Mr. Olympia. He finished second at the Mr. Olympia contest in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Despite falling just short, Greene’s 2016 was a great year and he would take the Arnold Classic South America crown, as well as Arnold Classic and Arnold Classic Australia. He has not competed since then.
Evan Centopani – 2009
Evan Centopani earned his pro card in 2007 and quickly took this New York Pro contest in 2009. While his pro career may not have been as long as some of his fellow competitors, he competed at some of the biggest competitions and held sponsorships with some of the top brands in the industry.
Roelly Winklaar – 2010
Roelly Winklaar turned pro in 2009 and won this New York Pro contest the following year. Those in the community were stunned and this accomplishment gave him his chance to compete at Mr. Olympia. With wins at contests like the Yamamoto Pro, Prague Pro, Arnold Classic Australia, and Chicago Pro, he continued to fight for that Olympia title, finishing third in 2018.
Cedric McMillan – 2012
Cedric McMillan was one of those bodybuilders seeking to bring back that golden era look of old school bodybuilding. He earned his pro card in 2009 and has been a real contender in the pro circuit. With wins at events like the Arnold Classic, Levrone Pro Classic, and this New York Pro event, he continued his dominance against the best in the sport. McMillan passed away in 2022.
Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay – 2013 & 2014
Mamdouh Elssbiay, better known as Big Ramy, earned his pro card just three years after he started training. His pro debut was at this New York Pro event, which he won in both 2013 and 2014. Entering the Arnold Classic South America contest, Big Ramy was the next new guy, the one who bodybuilders were looking towards to see what would happen. And he didn’t disappoint. A great career has most recently seen back to back first place finishes at the Mr. Olympia contest in 2020 and 2021.
Juan Morel – 2015 & 2019
This boxer turned bodybuilder, Juan Morel made his amateur debut in 2007 and earned his pro card in 2011. He was constantly battling among the best in the field and finished in the top ten at Mr. Olympia in 2014. Things slowed a bit after for Morel, despite his 2017 New York Pro win, and it wasn’t until 2019 when he strung together three huge wins at his second New York Pro, Japan Pro, and the Arnold Classic South America contest.
Related: Complete List Of Arnold Classic South America Winners
Dexter Jackson – 2016
Dexter “The Blade” Jackson took the 2008 Olympia contest after having a great year including wins at the Arnold Classic and Australian Pro Grand Prix VIII. He continued to have an amazing career and added the New York Pro win in 2016 to the list. He has competed in 20 Mr. Olympia contests and is the only bodybuilder to win the overall title at Mr. Olympia and Masters Olympia. He started his own bodybuilding competition called The Dexter Classic in 2009.
Sergio Oliva Jr. – 2017
Sergio Oliva Jr. is the son of multi-time Olympia winner Sergio Oliva. He earned his pro card in 2015 and this New York Pro win was his best finish so far. He continues to compete at top bodybuilding shows as he follows his father’s footsteps.
Nathan De Asha – 2018
Nathan De Asha hit the stage at his first event when he was 21-years old and although it took a little while, he earned his pro card in 2014 at the British Championships. He would go on to have some top 10 finishes at Mr. Olympia and this New York Pro is one of a few shows that De Asha can add to the list.
Iain Valliere – 2020
Earning his pro card in 2014, Iain Valliere competed in various professional shows leading up to this New York Pro event. This win, however, is his most notable win. Despite some controversy at this event, he powered through and has won other events like the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro
Nick Walker – 2021
Nick Walker, also know as “The Mutant”, turned pro in 2020 and in less than a year, took home this New York Pro win, giving him an Olympia spot. He also won the Arnold Classic in the same year and took home 5th at Olympia, setting his career up to be something special.
Wrap Up
The New York Pro contest is an exciting event that can help rising bodybuilders, and already established ones as well, cement their place in the bodybuilding world. With another exciting event already taking shape, maybe another winner will be added to the list and the New York Pro history books.
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 Phil Heath Instagram, Big Ramy Instagram, and Nick Walker Instagram
PNBA Bodybuilder Amanda Martin Unfolds the Repercussions of Contest Prep
Image via Instagram @xx_amandamartinfitness_xx
PNBA Bikini pro Amanda Martin recounts the adverse effects of prepping for a bodybuilding show.
When bodybuilders pose on stage, we see the tip of the iceberg but not all the groundwork for developing their physique. Prepping for bodybuilding competitions puts your body under a lot of stress. Bodybuilders follow rigid diets as competition approaches to hold the muscle mass they do at such low body fat levels. Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) bikini athlete Amanda Martin shared many repercussions of contest prep.
Amanda Martin competes out of INBA Australia in the bikini category. She also has a coaching service specialing in helping others prep for competitions. In a recent social media post, Amanda Martin was open about the side effects of contest prep. Amanda Martin stated:
“Throughout contest prep we are focused on one goal, to get on that stage in the best possible conditioning.
What can happen in the process of achieving this are many things – Increase in Irritability, Potential Loss of Menstrual Cycle for women, Lowered Testosterone in Men, Sleep Disruption, Mood Disturbance, Strength losses in the gym, Increased Food Focus, Low Energy Levels”
Reversing the Repercussions of Contest Prep
According to Amanda Martin, bodybuilders suffer many health consequences when conditioning their bodies for competition. However, although side effects such as low energy levels, disturbed sleep, and hormone issues are prevalent for bodybuilders during in-season, Martin says the aftermath is reversible.
Martin says that you can reverse the effects of contest prepping through a recovery diet. She says to implement a recovery diet you need to bring your calories back up to gain weight. Which Martin claims is different from slowly raising your calories to avoid gaining fat. Amanda Martin says fat gain is the goal during this period.
That’s because Martin indicates that the level of body fat bodybuilders has for shows is not healthy or sustainable. As stated by Amanda Martin, a recovery diet is:
“A structured and monitored approach to coming out of a Deficit, reducing negative adaption’s as fast as possible, get back to a healthy state, get our menstrual cycle back, and get back to making progress in your off season.”
You can see Amanda Martin’s full post on the side effects of contest prep and how to reverse the impact on Instagram below.
Amanda Martin isn’t the only natural bodybuilder to disclose the dark side of contest prepping. PNBA natural bodybuilder Ben Howard exhibited how his body suffered after over-dieting for a competition.
Body Fat Levels to Prevent Repercussions of Contest Prep
Healthy body fat is vital for your body to function correctly. The American Council of Exercise (ACE) says that 2-5% body fat is essential for men and 10-12% body fat is necessary for women. Bodybuilders hover around these numbers for shows. Although, sustainable and healthy body fat is much higher than that. For men, 10-20% body fat, and for women, 20-30% body fat is healthy, fit, and sustainable body fat for most people.
Recap
Bodybuilders have low body fat during contest prep, which is unhealthy and causes many side effects. Incorporating a recovery diet – a period of higher calories with intentional fat gain – will offset the side effects.
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Chris Cormier, Flex Wheeler, and Milos Sarcev Share Thoughts On PEDs In Bodybuilding
Some of the best minds in bodybuilding decided to discuss the impact of PEDs in the sport.
The sport of bodybuilding has been hit hard by a string of deaths over the last year. This has caused some of the biggest names in the sport to speak out on different issues. Recently, the trio of Flex Wheeler, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier got together for an interview to discuss PEDs in bodybuilding along with the deaths that have hit the sport hard.
The deaths of 2018 Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden and George Peterson hit the bodybuilding world hard at the end of 2021. In April, Cedric McMillan tragically passed away and this continued talk of how to better the sport overall.
In a recent interview with Muscle & Fitness, the three great bodybuilding minds were asked what they think is going on in bodybuilding and would could be done to make it better moving forward.
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Flex Wheeler
Flex Wheeler is one of the top bodybuilders of all-time and continues to be an influential voice in the sport. During this conversation, he discussed how the use of different drugs has changed since his days on stage.
“Parabolan was our go-to drug. You can take it for extensive times, it didn’t have any heart damage and it didn’t have all these crazy side-effects like Tren. With Tren you can only run it for four weeks and then you have to get off. Flex said. I’m like ‘why?’ And they say because it’s toxic and I’m like ‘what!’. There were some things back in our day that you knew that you could only take this for 2-3 weeks and then you have to get off.”
Wheeler continued by stating that people are not as interested in the workout plan and diet of the athletes anymore. They are focused about hearing about their cycle.
“I think it’s obvious that it’s more of a drug world now. Because we traveled the world, and what was some of the first questions we get from all around the world: “What drugs do you take?” It’s not about back in our era when we were going to seminars, we want to know about their diets and training.”
Chris Cormier
Chris Cormier started off the conversation by discussing heart health of bodybuilders nowadays. He believes that there is too much stress on the heart due to the overall size of bodybuilders and the work that they have to put in.
“These guys are pushing a lot more, not how it is in the gym, but they’re putting a lot more stress on the heart. I feel like these bodybuilders are way bigger than what they were.
READ MORE: Chris Cormier On 90s Bodybuilding: The Best In The World Changed On Any Given Day
I just feel like pay close attention to that heart. You’re pumping it and putting a lot of stress on the heart. I feel like that’s going to be the biggest thing, is wise guys, you’ve been pumping for a lot of years.”
Since McMillan passed away, there has been an emphasis on heart health and Cormier believes this is the problem today.
Milos Sarcev
Last week, Charles Glass spoke on the dangers of drugs today because bodybuilders do not know what they are taking. There are counterfeit drugs out there being pawned off as something that they are not.
READ MORE: Milos Sarcev Lists The Most Shocking Pro Bodybuilding Transformations Ever
Milos Sarcev backed up this notion with his recent comments during this interview. This is becoming a growing problem in bodybuilding and it is dangerous for all involved.
“Back in the 90s, it was pharmaceutical grade. You get something that is from the pharmacy. You know what you’re taking. Now, it’s underground, god knows. Like Chris said, you have some names that you can’t even pronounce.
There are many issues that athletes believe need to be fixed when it comes to bodybuilding and PEDs are at the forefront. It will be interesting to see if these problems can be fixed and the overall health of the competitors can improve.
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Can A Healthy Cereal Really Affect Bodybuilding Goals?
Is cereal an under-rated food in your diet?
We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you are someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy eating early in the morning, a healthy cereal may just change your mind. As bodybuilders, we are mindful of what we eat. Traditionally, cereal has that reputation of being either dry and bland, or jam-packed with sugar. And both of those sound miserable.
But companies have begun to produce cereal that can actually work for your gains and taste great. A healthy cereal doesn’t have to be boring. It can be something that you will want to enjoy at any time of day, whether that be for breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or something even pre- or post-workout to give you fuel and fire you up.
But what do you look for in a healthy cereal? How do you decide what is best for your bodybuilding gains when you think so hard about what you consume? A healthy cereal that is actually worth your time and money may seem difficult to find, but it is easier now more than ever. As companies have evolved, so too have their products to match your intended goals.
Let’s take a closer look at cereal. The benefits of it, what to look for, how it can help your bodybuilding goals, and we will even offer up one of our favorites so you can get started without the hassle of having to look.
Benefits Of Cereal For Bodybuilding
A good cereal will provide for load of benefits and aid in those bodybuilding goals. But knowing the benefits may just change your mind if you feel unsure about what a healthy cereal can actually do for you.
Aid in muscle growth: Something high in protein with a good ratio of carbs and fat will give your body the necessary tools to boost growth and increase overall size.
Pump you with nutrients: Give your body the proper nutrients including things like protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients to stay healthy overall and make sure you get that daily intake of everything (1).
Keep you full: With the right balance of macronutrients, a good cereal will keep you full and improve gains all while helping you manage your weight better.
Enhance recovery: Work to replenish glycogen stores after workouts and fuel your muscle cells to bounce back faster to ensure a more efficient recovery (2).
What To Look For In A Healthy Cereal
Knowing what to look for in a healthy cereal can make or break your gains. Ingredients matter and the nutritional label cannot lie. Something that is healthy will actually be healthy and not just some marketing ploy. Here are some things to consider when looking for your healthy cereal:
Amount Of Protein
Protein is obviously essential for seeing great gains and a cereal worth you time will be packed with protein to not only help keep you full, but continue to pump you with protein as you seek to hit your daily limit. Plus, this is a good source of fuel if you are taking this pre- or post-workout.
Other Macros
The ratio to other macronutrients is something to consider as well for something high in fat and carbs will derail the amount of protein. Carbs may be a given, which is okay within reason, but for those following certain diets, like keto, ensuring low net carbs will keep you on track.
Amount Of Sugar
So many of those fun cereals are packed with sugar which is obviously a gains killer. By working with something low in sugar, yet still great tasting, you can find a healthy cereal you will enjoy. Don’t settle for something just because your experience in the past may have not been great.
Going off taste, make sure you have a great tasting cereal to aid in all your goals. To tie into sugar, it is possible to find something tasty without it being pumped with sugar. A variety of flavors will keep you coming back for more and you won’t be disappointed by the results.
How Cereal Can Help Those Bodybuilding Goals
Ultimately, a healthy cereal will offer nutrients and a great balance of macronutrients to help those bodybuilding goals so you see the best gains possible. With great taste and the ability to provide for a host of benefits, you will find that a healthy cereal is what you need to feel good and perform even better.
Featured Cereal For Bodybuilding
We wanted to share a great cereal so you can get started on your way without the fear of having to comb through an endless amount of products. Knowing what to look for and having a product to compare to, you can better tackle those goals for the better.
Magic Spoon
Magic Spoon is everything you want out of your cereal in terms of taste and texture. With 11g protein, this low carb cereal has 0g sugar to provide a healthy option.
Magic Spoon is everything you want out of your fitness cereal as it looks and tastes like all your favorites. Packed with 11g protein per serving, this cereal is perfect of breakfast or a post-workout meal. Being low carb and keto-friendly, you have 0g sugar per serving making this cereal conducive to virtually all diets. With all ingredients being non-GMO and gluten-free, as well as being free from anything artificial, you know exactly what is in your cereal so as to not ruin a great product.
Price: $39.00/4 Boxes
Check out our list of the Best Cereals for more great healthy cereal options!
Wrap Up
A healthy cereal has the ability to take your gains to the next level and with the right approach, plus knowing what to look for, you can better tackle any and all of those goals. Your gains matter and you as a dedicated bodybuilder and athlete know what it takes to succeed. By putting a priority on your health and wellness, a healthy cereal is exactly what you need for breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or for that pre- and post-workout fuel to keep your powered for any workout.
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
Fayet-Moore, Flavia; McConnell, Andrew; Tuck, Kate; Petocz (2017). “Breakfast and Breakfast Cereal Choice and Its Impact on Nutrient and Sugar Intakes and Anthropometric Measures among a Nationally Representative Sample of Australian Children and Adolescents”. (source)
Kammer, Lynne; Ding, Zhenping; Wang, Bei; Hara, Daiske; et al. (2009). “Cereal and nonfat milk support muscle recovery following exercise”. (source)
Phil Heath Looks Huge In Workout Video, Says Chance Of Return ‘Staying At 5%’
Phil Heath continues to train in retirement and does not see a return coming.
Fans have been hoping to see Phil Heath return to the stage for quite some time now. After seeing workout videos of Heath recently, there is no question why fans believe that he can still dominate on stage. According to the legendary bodybuilder, a chance of a return is still slim.
Heath ranks second all-time with seven Olympia victories. He won the competition each year from 2011-2017 and is behind just Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney, who are tied with eight victories. In 2018, the late, great Shawn Rhoden defeated Heath. He returned to the 2020 Olympia, finishing third, and has not competed since.
Despite being retired, Heath has been able to maintain an elite physique and recently showed it off during a workout. In a recent interview, Heath revealed some secrets to his success.
“My mind was thinking like a boxer, this guy has got a great jab man and my jab may not have to be as good as his but I have to be able to move accordingly just to do the counter. If I can neutralize his strength, how is he going to deal with mine?” Phil Heath explained.
Phil Heath continued to explain how he was able to build a mentality and physique that made him a seven-time champion. It all began when he won his first title in 2011. Heath saw his competitors in a different light after finally reaching the pinnacle of the sport.
“I had arrived. That’s how I felt. It was all worth it. This is your new start. Because now you’re Mr. Olympia, you’re not these guys. You’ve already beat them. That’s in your rearview and fans may look at that like that’s cocky, no man, I did the work. I know the secret to my own success.”
Over the course of his early career, Heath used performances where he did not show his best to better him for the future. This includes a fifth-place finish at the Arnold Classic, which he referenced personally. Heath aimed to finish top-three and ended up in fifth place.
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This is when he decided to set new goals and just build the best version of himself. Heath was able to make the necessary changes and become a champion.
“It comes from hard work, discipline, and all that but when I recognized that I could do this better. Again, I talk about video games. The best thing is not just to get, you know I’m like old school arcade games. You go to an arcade, and you’re like I got my name in the game but you’re 10th dude. Don’t you want to be a number one, and that’s how I looked at it. I have an opportunity if I choose to play that game again and just challenge myself. How big can I go. It can be in anything. Literally anything.”
Despite remaining in top shape, Phil Heath does not see a return to the stage coming. Close to two years after Heath was last on stage, fans are holding out hope that one day he will attempt to win that coveted eighth Olympia title.
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