Tag: Bodybuilding
Terrence Ruffin And Urs Kalecinski Get Together For Massive Arm Workout
Terrence Ruffin and Urs Kalecinski continue to be contenders in Classic Physique and showed off a massive arm day.
Classic Physique has quickly turned into one of the most popular divisions in bodybuilding. The talent has gone beyond three-time Olympia champion Chris Bumstead. There are many who can contend on a year-to-year basis and this is why Classic Physique has a chance to take over the sport. Recently, two titans of the division, Terrence Ruffin and Urs Kalecinski, got together for a massive arm workout.
Ruffin is coming off his second-consecutive Arnold Classic title. Kalecinski was crowned champion at the 2022 Boston Pro. It is likely that both competitors will now focus on Olympia prep after top-five finishes in 2021 — Ruffin (runner-up) and Kalecinski (4th).
The workout video was shared to Terrence Ruffin’s YouTube page. Along with Urs Kalecinski, there was a huge workout put in at The Pro’s Gym in Columbus, OH.
“We got goals — Olympia December 2022, and I’m really excited to start making the improvements I need to make to be at my best at that show,” Ruffin said.
Terrence Ruffin and Urs Kalecinski kept it short and simple during this workout. It began with cable lateral raises to warmup. The bodybuilders did not reveal the number of sets or reps they completed during this workout.
The duo continued with triceps extensions. This exercise looked like an overhead cable triceps extension. This is because Ruffin and Kalecinski kept their elbows in front of their bodies and their arms were parallel to the floor. The workout ended with a superset of chest-supported biceps curl and seated biceps curl. The final set included a drop set on each exercise along with a static hold on seated bicep curls. And of course, the workout cannot be completed without a posing session where the bodybuilders conditioned their muscles for competition.
Bodybuilding in all divisions is about mass but Classic Physique includes other elements as well. They focus on conditioning along with symmetry of the muscles, including V-taper and a marrow waist.
Terrence Ruffin and Urs Kalecinski are reasons why Classic Physique is in an incredible spot moving forward. After victories this season, the sights are set on the 2022 Olympia, which will take place from Dec. 16-18 in Las Vegas. This workout is one example of the work that is being put in already.
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Branch Warren Defeated Reigning Champion Dexter Jackson In 2009 Olympia, Lost To Jay Cutler: ‘I Would Of Rather Got Third’
Jay Cutler recently sat down with Branch Warren, who he defeated at the 2009 Olympia.
It is the age-old question, would you rather lose a close game in the championship or get blown out early? Answers will be different depending on who you ask but in the case of Branch Warren, he would have rather come in third in the 2009 Olympia rather than runner-up to Jay Cutler.
On a recent episode of Cutler Cast, Warren decided to sit down with the man who defeated him at the Olympia in 2009. At this time, Cutler had already solidified himself as one of the best bodybuilders in the world and will be known as one of the best ever. He was crowned champion in 2006 and 2007 before Dexter Jackson dethroned him in 2008.
When Jackson was announced this, Warren was confident that he was going to win the show.
“I would of rather got third,” warren said.
You know, they called me, they called your name one, and I got second. It’s the worst though. Getting second place at Olympia is the worse. People saying, ‘oh that’s awesome’ and saying, ‘no that sucks. The second place in Mr. Olympia is the worst place in all of bodybuilding because you’re one small step from the grand prize but you didn’t make it.”
At the 2009 competition, Warren went through his emotions as the results were being announced.
“I remember they called Dexter in third place, and I’m like ‘oh shit I’m about to become Mr. Olympia. Then, I’m like I beat Mr. Olympia and I still haven’t won the show yet how does that happen.”
Branch Warren believes that he entered the 2009 Olympia at his absolute best. Jay Cutler agreed with this notion but also made the necessary improvements needed to get back on top.
During his reign, Cutler was a mass monster. This is when bodybuilding really started focusing on overall size, along with conditioning. This might have played a factor in the 2009 show.
“People say that because, first of all I was 242, and you were almost 260 at the show. Bigger is better in bodybuilding. You get two guys that are equal in conditioning, or close in conditioning, the bigger guy usually wins. That’s just the way it is.”
Branch Warren was an elite bodybuilder during his career and he was able to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Cutler and Jackson. The 2009 Olympia is one that will stick with him and also one that will be remembered by fans for the pure excitement of the top three competitors.
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Zac Aynsley: The Best Drive In Bodybuilding
Zac Aynsley has a future in long drive after a 425-yard drive at Morpeth Golf Club.
Zac Aynsley is a British model and bodybuilder known for his massive biceps and incredible physique. He might be able to add his long drive on the golf course soon enough.
Aynsley was recently playing a round of golf at the Morpeth Golf Club in the United Kingdom when he decided to air it out with his driver. Aynsley stepped up to the fifth tee and sent a drive 425 yards to the green. Head greenskeeper John Scurfield, along with Aynsley’s team and three other witnesses, saw the incredible shot live.
Morpeth is a golf club that has been open since 1906. In 116 years, Aynsley is the only person to ever reach the green on this hole in one shot.
Aynsley used a 7.5 degree face on a 2x stiff shaft when he made the shot. Aynsley had a long-drive driver in his bag but decided to use a legal club. He took his shot from 25 yards closer than the competition tees, which are 450 yards out. Aynsley thought that this would be a bit out of range with the legal club that he used.
Zac Aynsley played golf growing up but it took a backseat to fitness once he began training. Now, he only plays casually for fun but it is clear that he has not lost his swing. Aynsley’s strength has translated into his golf game and this could lead to a new venture.
After seeing how far he can hit a ball now, Aynsley might contemplate taking up long drive. This would be a chance to take on some of the world’s best long-drive golfers to put on a show for the public.
“Everyone likes to see people hit a ball far but when you hit it over 400 yards, it’s just insane. It really is incredibly rare to see anyone hit a ball like this. It really is entertaining to see.”
Zac Aynsley grew up suffering from depression and anxiety. He was able to overcome issues within his diet and become successful in the fitness industry. The story of Aynsley is incredible and he has built a massive social media following because of it. Aynsley has appeared on many TV shows, along with magazine and book covers.
You can watch Zac Aynsley’s epic drive below:
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Aynsley has a plan to bring the world’s best long-drive champions to Morpeth Golf Club for a competition. This would put on a show for the public and see how they all stack up. This would be an entertaining event for both the fans and golfers.
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Bodybuilding Legend Bill Pearl Recovering From Back Surgery After Scary Accident Involving Riding Mower
91-year-old Bill Pearl was in a dangerous accident when he flipped on his Craftsman riding mower.
Bodybuilding legend Bill Pearl enjoyed great success over the course of his career on stage. At 91 years old, Pearl remains active in retirement and enjoys doing daily tasks to keep living a healthy lifestyle. Recently, Pearl was working outside and had a scary accident that left his face down under his Craftmans riding mower.
A recent Facebook post shared a story of the accident. Pearl was working outside when his riding mower got caught in the grass. After backing it up, the mower flipped and landed on Pearl’s back. After help was called, the mower was removed from Pearl’s back without any further damage. At the hospital, X-Rays revealed that Pearl suffered fractures in his back and required surgery.
Bill Pearl has recovered from his operation and will be able to return home soon.
“The article I just posted was prepared by Bill on Tuesday morning. It had rained the night before, but the sun had come out, and he decided to go up the hill and mow around the barn. He was using the smaller Craftsman riding mower and it got stuck on a squirrel mound, so he put it in reverse to back off of it and it kind of jumped, and being close to an embankment, rolled over the edge and came to rest against the barn, on top of Bill’s back.”
Bill Pearl began competing on stage in 1952 and enjoyed great success early on. Over the course of his career, Pearl won multiple Mr. Universe titles, along with Mr. America and Mr. USA. During his final Mr. Universe victory, Pearl defeated the likes of Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva.
Pearl retired from competition in 1971 but continued to make goes posting appearances until 1989. He has also written many books on fitness and continued his passion and love for bodybuilding even in retirement.
“after x-Rays a cat scan and an mri, a neurologist determined that he had a compression fracture of his t-10 vertebrae, among other things.
he was scheduled for surgery the next day. he endured six hours of very complicated surgery and praise the lord, he is resting un comfortably in the hospital, and should be home in a few days.
it may be awhile ’til he can sit at a computer again, but he’ll be back !!! we have many friends and family to thank fo their prayers and good wishes, we are so grateful.”
Bill Pearl continues to live an active life at 91 years old and nothing is going to change that. he is expected to recover and will be able to do so in the comforts of his own home.
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4 Awful Strength Training Mistakes You’re Making That Cost You Muscle
Have you been working out for a while now but have seemed to hit a plateau? Perhaps, it’s because you’re making one of the common muscle growth mistakes below.
Initially, when you start working out, you may see a lot of muscle development. That’s due to the “newbie” gains everyone sees when they’re not used to lifting weights. Unfortunately, many people eventually stall out after this initial beginner phase. They’re in the gym consistently, yet they’re not moving the needle forward when it comes to making actual progress.
If that’s you, fortunately, it’s an easy fix once you cut these mistakes out below.
1. Not following a plan
If you’re going into the gym and doing random workouts every time, then you’re missing out on muscle for sure. It may seem beneficial to mix up your workouts as often as possible, but it’s actually counterproductive. A lot of the progress you’ll get from the gym comes from a structured and strategic plan (1).
random actions lead to random results.
Some people may not know which workouts to do, so they just go into the gym and pick movements on the fly, or maybe they’ve heard of the term “muscle confusion” which means that you want to mix up your movements for your body to continue to grow without adapting to the same movement.
Although part of this is true, you don’t want to mix up your movements as often as claimed. Yes, your body will eventually adapt to the workouts you’re doing, which is why it’s good to switch up your workouts periodically. However, it takes time before your body adapts and you’ll want to utilize this time to maximize muscle growth.
Master a Few Key Movements
Muscle growth is the byproduct of how strong you’re getting. The stronger you are, the more muscle you’ll have. And for you to get really strong on a movement, you’ll need to stick with the same exercise for enough time to build adequate strength. For your body to grow, you’ll want to master just a few key movements and stick to those same movements for 6-8 weeks. That’s the sweet spot.
That’s enough time for you to build as much strength and muscle as possible targeting key muscle groups, while also not too long for your body to become stagnant to the movements. After about 6-8 weeks though, you’ll want to switch up your movements to target muscle you aren’t hitting and to make sure your body doesn’t become too accustomed to the same movements.
Of course, it’s important that you mainly do compound movements, including barbell shoulder press and barbell squats for the best results.
2. Not tracking your workouts
Not only do you want to follow a training plan, but you also want to track the workouts you’re doing. This is important. You don’t want to go into the gym every time not knowing the weight, reps, and sets you did the time before. This makes your workout regimen disorganized and leads to less muscle growth.
That’s because you won’t be able to push yourself to your fullest capability if you aren’t doing weight and reps you should be doing necessary for muscle growth. Without knowing what you did in your prior workouts, you’re leaving muscle on the table. If you bench pressed 225 pounds for 5 reps last time, but you didn’t log it so you don’t remember, and this time you only bench pressed 215 pounds for 5 reps, it’s going to be much harder to build muscle.
We recommend you log your workouts through a notepad or training app. Just using a fitness tracker is linked to an increase in activity (2). This will ensure you remember everything you did in your workouts so that you can build a Greek God/Goddess physique.
When it comes to muscle growth, every rep, set, and weight you use is vital, especially if you’re past your “newbie” gains. Your muscle only grows when you place a stimulus on it greater than what it’s used to.
3. Omitting the progressive overload principle
According to legend, there was a fella named Milo of Croton who was a champion wrestler of ancient Greece; he was known for his incredible strength and athleticism. One day when he was roaming the hills of Italy, he stumbled upon mankind’s greatest secret to muscle growth. He found a calf near his home and decided to carry it on his shoulders every day for four years. Each day, the calf got bigger until it grew to a full-blown bull. Since the weight Milo carried increased each day — due to the growth of the calf — he became incredibly strong and muscular. This is all because of the potent effects of the progressive overload principle.
Tracking your workouts go hand in hand with this principle. Basically, the progressive overload principle is increasing the overload you place on your muscle.
In order for your muscle to grow, it must be forced to adapt to a tension it has not yet experienced.
You can do this by increasing the reps, sets, or weight (or the size of your pet you haul around town) (3). For example, if the previous time you did barbell bench press you did 3 sets of 225 pounds for 5 reps, next time you do them you’ll want to aim for 6+ reps with 225 pounds, or you’ll want to increase the weight to 230 pounds.
Of course, if you don’t track your workouts, you won’t be able to practice the progressive overload principle though.
4. Doing too much volume
This may sound contrary, but the reason doing too much volume is bad for muscle growth is twofold. For one, you risk overtraining and not getting the recovery your body needs to grow. For two, typically, when you’re doing too much volume it means you aren’t doing enough weight and focusing on strength. As aforementioned, how strong you are is directly related to how much muscle you have.
So you don’t want to focus on doing more volume for your muscle to grow, you’ll want to focus on getting stronger. And when you’re focusing on strength, you’ll want to keep your volume lower. That’s because for you to use the most weight you’re capable of using each set, you won’t be able to do too many reps or sets.
Training for volume has its time and place and is especially beneficial for bodybuilders and for that final layer of muscle that you want, but it’s not where the majority of your muscle growth comes from. It comes from strength training.
Funny enough, this study shows that high volume training and low volume training provide similar improvements in body composition (4).
There are sarcoplasmic muscle growth and myofibril muscle growth. Myofibril muscle growth gives you the bulk of your muscle and builds dense muscle. It comes from strength training. The last 10-20% of muscle growth comes from training for volume — sarcoplasmic muscle growth. You’ll mainly want to focus on myofibril muscle growth for a well-developed and athletic physique.
In order to do this, I recommend you lift weights in the 5-8 rep range and do 2-4 sets per exercise. This will ensure that you’re using heavy enough weight to spark muscle growth while making sure you’re able to push yourself each set and not overtrain.
Conclusion
After your beginner gains start to stagnate, many lifters plateau since they’re making one of the common mistakes above. Cut these lifting mistakes out and your body will continue to grow again.
For optimal muscle growth, it’s important to follow a structured workout plan, track your workouts, increase the weight you lift as often as possible, and not overload your muscles with too much volume.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more training tips.
References
1 – Strategic Planning: Why It Makes a Difference, and How to Do It. (2009). Journal of oncology practice, 5(3), 139–143. https://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.0936501
2 – Laranjo L, Ding D, Heleno B, et alDo smartphone applications and activity trackers increase physical activity in adults? Systematic review, meta-analysis and metaregressionBritish Journal of Sports Medicine Published Online First: 21 December 2020. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-102892
3 – Evans JW (2019) Periodized Resistance Training for Enhancing Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength: A Mini-Review. Front. Physiol.10:13. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00013
4 – Thomas, M. H., & Burns, S. P. (2016). Increasing Lean Mass and Strength: A Comparison of High Frequency Strength Training to Lower Frequency Strength Training. International journal of exercise science, 9(2), 159–167.
How To Get A Better Chest Day Pump
Tips for a Better Chest Day Pump
Almost all men who workout desire a wider chest. A broader and fuller chest can make you stand out of the crowd other than the fact that it adds a dash of masculinity to your personality.
A muscle pump is critical to the development of your muscles. The pump is when blood rushes to your working muscles and carries lactic acid and nutrients along with it. Developing your chest can be hard if you’re unable to recruit all your pectoral muscles during your workouts.
Pre-Exhaust Your Pecs
Most people start their chest workouts with the good old barbell bench press. While there is no denying the fact the bench press is a great exercise, performing an isolation exercise like the cable flyes can result in a better chest pump.
Performing the cable flyes at the beginning of your workouts will exhaust your pecs and you won’t have to lift as big weights as compared to what you would’ve to lift if you started off with the bench press.
Use a Pre-Workout Supplement
Pre-workout supplements can be incredibly effective in helping you get a pec pump during your workout. Pre-workout supplements have ingredients like nitric oxide, beta alanine, caffeine, beetroot extract, etc. which can help in achieving and amplifying muscles pumps.
Not only will the pre-workout supplement help you get a muscle-ripping pump but will also improve the quality of your workout by delaying fatigue, improving your focus and mind-muscle connection.
Add Isolation Exercises To The Mix
Compound (multi-joint) exercises like the bench or dumbbell presses are great at building muscle mass and strength. On the other hand, isolation (single-joint) exercises like pec deck fly, cables, chest machines are effective in getting you a better muscle pump and developing muscle conditioning.
Make sure you don’t rely too heavily on the isolation exercises as they might feel easier and quicker to perform. Maintain the right balance between compound and isolation movements to get the best of both worlds.
Increase Intensity and Change Rep Tempos
If you’ve been performing the 5 exercises of 3 set and 12 reps training routine and are not getting a muscle pump anymore, it’s time to spice things up. Pump your workout intensity by performing higher reps (15-20) to take your workouts to the next level.
Changing your rep tempos can also help in inducing better and nastier muscle pumps. An example of the rep tempos could be to slow down the negatives (eccentric movement) and fasten up the positive (concentric movement).
Use Advanced Training Techniques
Hitting a plateau can be one of the biggest factors for not getting a pump. Using advanced training techniques like the supersets, drop sets, intraset stretching, etc. can be an incredibly effective way of breaking through the overhead glass ceiling.
Try to incorporate at least one advanced training techniques in your workouts for getting a muscle-scorching pump. There are numerous training techniques to keep you entertained while ensuring muscle growth and development.
Which is your favorite chest exercise? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Natural Bodybuilder Joseph Ortiz Shed Light on Body Dysmorphia Post-Competition
Image via Instagram @fit_fluential
Former Natural Olympia Men’s Physique champ shares how to have a healthy relationship with food and your body post-competition.
It’s unrealistic to maintain bodybuilders’ body fat levels as they perform during a show. Gaining weight and body fat back after competition can take a toll on bodybuilders’ mental health, though. It’s easy for them to develop body dysmorphia when incorporating more foods and not being as shredded as when they walked across the stage. International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) natural bodybuilder Joseph Ortiz shed light on many bodybuilding competitors’ struggle with food and their body image post-competition.
Joseph Ortiz was the Men’s Physique champion at the 2019 Natural Olympia. He knows that it’s easy to have an unhealthy body image in the sport of bodybuilding after the competition. And that competitors can be too hard on themselves for the extra fat they’ve gained from incorporating more foods.
In a social media post on December 27, 2021, Ortiz was vocal about bodybuilders’ struggle after shows. He voiced:
“A good handful of competitors struggle to maintain a healthy relationship with food and their physique after their competition is over. Once the body fat % starts to trickle up they begin to beat themselves up, some can even develop body dysmorphia.”
Body Dysmorphia in Bodybuilding
Body dysmorphia is a mental illness when you have excessive shame over your body image. Even when you could be outstanding and healthy on the outside, someone with body dysmorphia only recognizes their flaws obsessively.
Many athletes suffer from bigorexia in bodybuilding, which is muscle dysmorphia – constantly thinking about building muscle. (1) This is no surprise since to do well in bodybuilding shows, often, more muscle is better. However, bodybuilders can battle this mental illness with the right strategies.
Prevent Body Dysmorphia With a Healthy Relationship With Food and Body Fat Post-Competition
After bodybuilding shows, Joseph Ortiz suggests a few strategies for healthy relationships with food and body fat. Below is what Joseph Ortiz recommends.
Prepare yourself before starting a cut that weight gain after shows is normal, healthy, and necessary.
Have the proper plan in place for a reverse diet after your show so that weight gain is controlled and moderate.
Know that if you go overboard with the weight gain, it can be lost and isn’t going to stick around forever if you don’t let it.
It’s absolutely OK to seek professional help (therapist) if needed.
Joseph Ortiz states that it’s essential to recognize that weight gain is normal and healthy after the competition. He recommends you have a plan to gain weight in a controlled manner. He also says that weight gain can be lost. And there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you need professional help.
Below you can see Ortiz’s full Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXz8_9gr2qQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Recap
Body dysmorphia is a mental illness that is a negative obsessive thought pattern over your body image. And it’s common in bodybuilding, especially after a competition. However, gaining weight after a bodybuilding show is entirely normal and healthy. Have a plan in place, and don’t feel embarrassed if you need to seek professional help.
Share this on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to help people struggling with body dysmorphia!
Reference
Mosley P. E. (2009). Bigorexia: bodybuilding and muscle dysmorphia. European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association, 17(3), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.897
Iain Valliere And Brett Wilkin Share Crushing Leg Workout
Iain Valliere and Brett Wilkin got together for what was a massive leg workout.
If you are not a fan of leg day, you have to take a look at some of the workouts that Open bodybuilders put themselves through. Iain Valliere and Brett Wilkin recently joined coach Matt Jansen at Revive Gym in Stuart, FL for a crushing quad workout that is destined to build size.
Valliere is more proven in Men’s Open at the moment. Wilkin has transitioned from Men’s 212 by putting on the necessary size needed to compete. At 27 years old, Wilkin is one of the most-promising up-and-comers that has built a great following. This workout took place in Florida, where Wilkin plans to move in the near future.
Leg Extensions
Leg extensions began the workout. This is a good exercise to begin leg day because it can pump blood into the quads to prepare for the rest of the workout. Brett Wilkin and Iain Valliere worked up to the heaviest top set. they began completing 10-12 reps before resting 15 seconds then going until failure. After this, they rested 15 more seconds before another set to failure.
Inner Thigh Squeezes
Inner thigh squeezes are also important to do early to get a good stretch in the legs. Wilkin and Valliere did not spend much time on this machine but made sure to put in work. Just a few quick sets working adductors was needed before moving onto some bigger weight.
Leg Press
Brett Wilkin and Iain Valliere then moved onto the Cyber leg press machine. They stressed the importance of flexing your knees to get the best stretch possible in the quads. They added 10-11 plates on each side for 20 reps during the top set. After performing a few sets, the bodybuilders continued to the next workout.
“Quad day! You know we made it hurt!@brett_wilkin”
Hack Squats
The weight used performing hack squats is not as heavy as that of a regular squat or leg press. Iain Valliere and Brett Wilkin paused at the bottom of the rep to gain control before exploding up. This adds a new dynamic to hack squats rather than performing a continuous motion.
Bodyweight Walking Lunges
The final workout of the day was bodyweight walking lunges. This is an exercise that can build strength in the quads but is also used frequently as a stretch. The bodybuilders performed these lunes with bodyweight to finish the day.
Both Iain Valliere and Brett Wilkin have high hopes for the bodybuilding season in 2022. After looking at some of the work they have done in the gym, they will certainly be competition ready next time out.
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Generation Iron Network Expands Media Brand To Central Asia
Introducing Generation Iron Central Asia.
Generation Iron Network is excited to announce the expansion of our media brand coverage further across the globe. Generation Iron Central Asia will be a hub for news and entertainment content focused towards our central asian audience – including countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This expansion continues our network’s mission statement of bringing bodybuilding coverage and entertainment across the globe.
With the same kind of production quality, original videos, and news breaks that you come to expect from the Generation Iron Network – GI Central Asia will feature exclusive interviews, contest coverage, share workout guides & tips, and produce and distribute local programming for digital, mobile and linear platforms.
This expansion comes after the successful launch of our other international local language editions in 2018 including GI Brasil, GI Russia, and GI Persia. Creating an ever growing interconnected digital media network, the New York City based media company focused on high quality media content, bodybuilding news, and entertainment is reaching many millions of enthusiast. Setting a new standard for bodybuilding as a sport and how we engage with it.
You can subscribe on Instagram right here.
Bodybuilding both as a sport and a lifestyle is a truly international pursuit. The Generation Iron Network reaches over millions of individuals globally. Our specialized sister networks are formed to bring more localized content to our global audience and are run by passionate and local members of the community.
This announcement also comes after the success of the first ever Generation Iron Personal Training Facility – which has recently opened up to expanding into the franchise marketplace. With the Generation Iron brand recognized across the globe – passionate gym owners and entrepreneurs may not apply to become part of the GI movement and give back to the bodybuilding community with our proven and personalized personal training facility system.
For more information, visit our Generation Iron Personal Training Facility franchising page right here.
About The Generation Iron Network
Hardcore Truth: Olympia Is Telling Shaun Clarida He Can Only Compete In One Division
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Johnnie O. Jackson connected with Shaun Clarida – who told him that currently he is being asked to only compete in one division at the Olympia.
Late last year, Shaun Clarida made headlines by winning a Men’s Open bodybuilding competition at the Legion Sports Fest Pro. With his win, he is now qualified to compete in both Men’s 212 and Men’s Open. Since then, Clarida has signaled that he desires to possibly compete in both divisions at Olympia 2022. As this is a rare occurance, he planned to speak further with the Olympia team to figure out his options. Since then we have heard little on this story. In our latest episode of Hardcore Truth, Johnnie O. Jackson gets an update from Shaun Clarida – learning that as of now, the Olympia is only letting him choose one division.
Every once in a while, there are rare moments that occur in the world of pro bodybuilding that require a deeper glance at the league rule books. Shaun Clarida qualifying for the Mr. Olympia in two divisions is one such occasion. It led both Clarida himself and fans to wonder if he could compete in two divisions at the Olympia concurrently. Seemingly, there would be no reason not to – other than his own personal preference to not have to compete double the amount in one weekend.
However, Johnnie O. Jackson reconnected with Shaun Clarida this week to get an update on his Men’s 212 vs Men’s Open Olympia plans. From what he was told by Clarida himself, it seems the Olympia is making him choose just one division to compete in. While no details were given as to why this is the case – it seems as if perhaps the double qualification might conflict with some lesser known guidelines for the Olympia weekend. Jackson also reached out directly to Dan Soloman for comment – who has yet to respond since the time of this writing and recording.
If we’re speculating, it seems that this might fall under some sort of technicality. Similar to the small uproar that transpired after it was revealed that Flex Lewis was not technically qualified for the Men’s Open Mr. Olympia this year. According to the Olympia team earlier this year, Lewis would either need to directly qualify or receive a special invite. As of now, he has yet to officially receive such an invite – though it seems inevitable this will happen.
However, Johnnie O. Jackson thinks that whatever guideline that is requiring Shaun Clarida to choose one division is foolish. Jackson points out that Clarida is not asking for a favor or a handout. He fair and square qualified for two different divisions. In Jackson’s mind, the only reason he should not be allowed to compete in both is if both events happened at the same exact time. But we know from past years that this is not the case.
Now is it a good idea for Shaun Clarida to split his energy into two divisions? That’s up for personal debate. But if Clarida desires to do so – he should not be held back since he earned both with his own effort. Jackson points out that in the past when the Master Olympia still existed (which might return, by the way), a bodybuilder was allowed to compete in both the Masters division and the Men’s Open division at the Olympia. So why can’t Clarida do the same?
Ultimately, things may change. While Shaun Clarida confirms that he is currently being asked by the Olympia to only choose one division – an exception might later be made as we get closer to the show. Much like how we assume Flex Lewis will eventually receive his official special invite. Since Dan Soloman has yet to respond back to Johnnie O. Jackson, we don’t have a definitive statement on the subject other than Clarida’s word. Time will tell how this unfolds.
Until then, what side of the decision to you fall on? Do you think it’s fair to only let Shaun Clarida compete in one Olympia division? Let us know in the video comments or on our social media channels! You can watch Johnnie O. Jackson’s full comments in the latest episode of Hardcore Truth above!