Tag: Bodybuilding
Following Big Ramy Olympia Win, Egyptian Preacher Forbids Bodybuilding
“I am not saying no to sports, but the rules of the Sharia ought to be respected when doing so… Awrah for men includes the body parts between their navel and knees, and it’s the entire body for women, except for their face and hands,” Rushdy said.
“I advise young men not to practice bodybuilding because of this and women should not participate in any competition that requires them to show parts of their bodies.”
While Abdullah Rushdy’s statements and issued fatwa is a very big deal – it’s not representative of all of Egypt. This is clear in the celebration videos that have gone viral upon Big Ramy returning to Egypt. It is also unclear whether or not Rushdy’s statements will affect Ramy’s personal outlook on bodybuilding. But Rushdy’s statements coming so close to an Egyptian bodybuilders iconic pro bodybuilding win has created a mini storm of attention for the time being.
If anything, this just further proves that Big Ramy’s rise to prominence in pro bodybuilding has had a massive impact for the Egyptian community. While bodybuilding might not be a mainstream sport in the United States – it is a deeply passionate sport across the globe. Ramy has stated that he will continue to reign as Olympia for years to come – it will be interesting to see if this brings more controversial attention in the years ahead.
Mohamed El Emam: Ronnie Coleman’s Best Package Would Easily Win Olympia Today
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Mohamed El Emam believes no bodybuilder currently competing would be able to beat Ronnie Coleman at his best.
Whenever we have a chance to interview a pro bodybuilder for our GI Exclusives, we always ask them for their picks of the best bodybuilders of all time. Each person’s list can reveal some insight into their own goals and careers. At the same time, there is also often a commonality between each list. Certain competitors so impressive that they can’t be ignored. Ronnie Coleman is one of those athletes. For Mohamed El Emam, Ronnie is the absolute best of all time. He goes a step further by claiming that no modern bodybuilder today could defeat Ronnie in his prime. In our latest GI Exclusive, Mohamed El Emam claims Ronnie Coleman would easily win the Mr. Olympia today – including against current champ Big Ramy.
It’s no secret that Ronnie Coleman has the reputation as one of the sport’s best bodybuilders. That’s for good reason. Ronnie solidified the mass monster era and displayed a package so massive and so conditioned – that it seemed almost inhuman. To this day, few have been able to match that kind of shocking physique. It’s for this reason that Mohamed El Emam believes Ronnie is the single greatest bodybuilder of all time.
In fact, Mohamed El Emam believes that Ronnie Coleman’s physique is so impressive – that he would easily win the Mr. Olympia today if he were magically in his prime. That’s an example of how legendary Ronnie’s physique has become in bodybuilding. Some believe he has yet to be matched.
Big Ramy, our current and now two time Mr. Olympia champion, has often been compared to Ronnie Coleman. They both bring mass monster size (even compared to an entire division now packed with mass monsters). Both Ronnie and Big Ramy are unnaturally huge compared to the competition. In recent years, Ramy has also gotten his conditioning under control to look even closer to Ronnie’s impressive package during his prime years.
That being said, Mohamed El Emam cannot but Big Ramy on his list of best bodybuilders just yet. It’s only been a short while that Ramy has been champion – and it remains to be seen if he could maintain the conditioning needed to reign in the long term. El Emam believes that in five more years we can look back and more accurately evaluate Big Ramy.
Even still, Mohamed El Emam is very clear in his statement that Ronnie Coleman could “easily win the Mr. Olympia today.” That includes Big Ramy. So despite Ramy often being compared to Ronnie – El Emam still doesn’t quite put Ramy in the same category. In a way, that’s a major factor that’s been missing from the sport the past few years – a new mind blowing step forward in the form of a competitor.
In some ways, this makes for more exciting competitions. We’ve had more Mr. Olympia champions in the past four years than usual. Big Ramy just earned his repeat victory but before that each year brought us new champions including Shawn Rhoden, Brandon Curry, and most recently Big Ramy. There’s been no knockout champion. Even Ramy’s 2021 physique was a slight notch down from 2020. There were those who thought Brandon Curry would rise for revenge and reclaim his title. That didn’t happen – but the fact that it was close showcases how there is no “Ronnie Coleman level” monsters on the stage currently.
You can watch Mohamed El Emam break down his adoration for Ronnie Coleman in more detail (plus his other top bodybuilder picks) in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
How Jordan Syatt Sees Gains With Quick & Effective Workouts
These workouts from Jordan Syatt can influence gains while saving you time in the gym.
Jordan Syatt is a personal trainer, fitness influencer, and bodybuilder with a big presence online seeking to help others achieve their goals. As someone who understands health and fitness, his workouts below are efficient and will seriously influence growth for all your muscle building and body recomposition needs.
While we all know roughly what we need to do to get fit and trim down, it can be hard to put together the most effective training plan possible for ourselves. With so much going on, and our plates full with busy lives, work, and other activities, sometimes having a workout blueprint makes life just a little bit easier. Looking to professional bodybuilders, athletes, and other experts can be a great way to gain knowledge while also working to change our physiques into something to be proud of. With the right guidance, you are well on your way to easy success inside and out of the gym.
As a fitness coach and bodybuilder himself, Jordan knows the dedication and grit it takes to see those desired results and seeks to help others in a comprehensive way to make that happen.
Full Name: Jordan Syatt
Weight
Height
Date Of Birth
130-135 lbs.
5’4’’
05/10/1991
Profession
Era
Nationality
Personal Trainer, Fitness Influencer, Bodybuilder
2010
American
Jordan’s approach to training is one where everyone can be involved. Anyone at any experience level can perform these and see great gains while also doing so safely and effectively. With our busy schedules, sometimes all we need is a little assistance from those who know best to give us the edge we want most.
About Jordan Syatt
Jordan Syatt is a personal trainer, fitness influencer, and bodybuilder with a following on social media that continues to grow every day. As a Precision Nutrition Certified coach with a degree in Health & Behavioral Science, he knows exactly what it takes to see results and change your body composition. He has worked with many major news outlets like CNN, Business Insider, The Huffington Post, and more, and trains notable people of status like Gary Vaynerchuck. Holding multiple powerlifting records himself, he knows just what it takes to not help others see their goals become reality but also what it takes to push himself to reach new heights.
His goal is simple, being to give you knowledge and confidence to help you achieve your goals in a quick and efficient way while also having fun. With the knowledge to put together solid and engaging plans, it is absolutely possible to do with his workouts below.
Jordan Syatt Workouts
While focusing in on one muscle group can influence growth, these workouts from Jordan Syatt work to cover all your bases to give you the best chance at seeing growth without wasting too much time. The perfect number of sets and reps, combined with all-around great exercises, is a sure fire to see those desired gains. Plus, having someone with the knowledge like Jordan guiding these workouts makes all the difference when you actually want results.
Total Body Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Reverse Lunge
3
8 each leg
Elevated Push-Up
3
8
Sumo RDL
3
10
DB Row
3
10 each arm
Side Plank
3
12 seconds each side
Thruster
3
12
Upper Body Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Push-Up
3
10
DB Row
3
10 each arm
Lat Pulldown
3
10
Shoulder Press
3
10
Triceps Kickbacks
3
12
Bicep Curls
3
12
Lower Body Workout
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Goblet Squat
3
8
Romanian Deadlift
3
10
Plank
3
20 seconds
Glute Bridge
3
10
For Jordan’s workouts, he makes it clear that the all or nothing mindset should go away. There are days where you might get just a little out of a workout, but that doesn’t mean failure. Taking the time to see progress relies on patience and it is possible to see those results in due time. Staying hydrated and eating plenty of color in your diet will allow you the proper fuel to stay engaged and powered through any workout.
Featured Supplement For Additional Gains & Support
After a grueling workout like above, you need the right supplements to give you that added boost to grow but also fully recover. Something like a pre-workout or an intra-workout BCAA can offer energy and assist in muscle pumps and recovery to give you the best chance at fully optimizing your workout, as well as things like creatine, testosterone boosters, and fat burners. But protein powders should not be overlooked and can greatly influence your post-workout experience so you see great results.
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Code GENIRON10 For 10% Off
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free, boasting a great formula for a top protein powder. With nothing artificial added, this is a clean protein that is easier on your stomach.
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey boasts an impressive array of eco-friendly accomplishments. It’s organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. There are no artificial sweeteners — a rarity in a world full of whey protein powder, which are almost always filled with chemical flavorings to disguise the chalkiness of protein. There are also no artificial colorings or preservatives added. If you have a sensitive stomach, allergies, or just care about the environment, this is an excellent whey isolate for you and your body weight goals and is easy to digest compared to a whey concentrate.
Use the promo code GENIRON10 for 10% off! Check out our individual review for Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate here!
Check out our list of the Best Protein Powders for more great protein supplements!
Wrap Up
These workouts from Jordan Syatt can offer a great way to see growth in an efficient and effective way. Our lives are busy and sometimes we just don’t have all the time in the world to get a long pump in. Looking to those workouts that can greatly influence our gains from bodybuilders, athletes, and experts who know best is exactly what we need to succeed. Don’t settle for anything less and give yourself the opportunity to learn from the best. Jordan Syatt is one to learn from and you will see that desired change you want most today.
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 Jordan Syatt Instagram
10 Pushup Variations You Need To Try
These are the 10 Pushup Variations You Need To Try
Pushups are one of the first physical exercises most people learn to perform while growing up. Since pushups are a symbol of strength, they are one of the most common physical competitions people engage in around the world.
Although there is a lot more to pushups than many people realize. The traditional pushups target the chest but there are many other variations of this exercise which work other muscle groups.
1. Traditional / Basic Pushups
Everyone needs to start somewhere and the traditional pushups are for the people who are just starting to workout. In this exercise, you lay down facing the floor with your hands placed on the floor at each side of your chest. If this variation is hard for you, you should start with kneeling push-ups or wall push-ups until you build strength.
2. Diamond Pushups
While the traditional pushups primarily work your chest, the diamond pushups are efficient at engaging your triceps more than your chest. In diamond pushups, you form a triangle by joining both your thumbs and index fingers under your chest.
3. Superman Pushups
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Superman pushups are one of the harder forms of pushups. This exercise engages your core and requires shoulder strength. Lie down facing the floor with your arms and legs stretched out. Perform the pushups using your shoulders.
4. Clap Pushups
There are only a few other pushups variations which can increase your strength and explosiveness like the clap pushups. Perform a traditional push-up, explode your way up so your hands are off the ground. Clap your hands while you’re in the air.
5. Spiderman Pushups
You’re wrong if you thought pushups can only engage and develop your chest. Spiderman pushups work your core and help you in developing the obliques. Get into the traditional push-up position, raise your right leg to your right elbow and hold it at this position while you perform a set. Repeat for the left side with your right foot on the floor.
6. One-Armed Pushups
Single-armed pushups have been the symbol of badassery for a long time. One-armed pushups are a unilateral exercise which works one side of your body at a time. Unilateral exercises are great at fixing muscle imbalances and building strength.
7. Incline Pushups
Incline pushups involve the same hand placements as the traditional pushups. This exercise works your lower pecs and triceps. In incline pushups, you have your feets placed on the floor while your hands are placed on an elevated platform like a bench.
8. Decline Pushups
Decline pushups are the opposite of the incline pushups. In this exercise, your feet are placed on an elevated platform while your hands are on the floor. Decline pushups work your upper pecs and shoulders.
9. Weighted Pushups
Weighted pushups can be a variation of all the exercises mentioned in this article. If you find any of the exercises on this list to be easy, feel free to add resistance by using weights.
10. One-Leg Pushups
Single-legged pushups are one of the few pushups variation which involved your lower body. Raise your right leg with your left foot on the floor while you perform a set of pushups. Repeat with the left leg raised and your right foot on the floor. Doing this will recruit your core and abs.
Which is your favourite push-up variation? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
Steal These 3 Strongman Moves And Become A Massive Badass
Strength vs. Size…why you don’t have to choose.
Strongman season has come and gone; and while it was an intense showdown between “The Mountain” Thor Bjornson and 2016 winner Brian Shaw, Shaw takes the prize and now we can all go home…right? Wrong, the “World’s Strongest Man” competition is a display of strength and athleticism, rivaled nowhere else, not only do you have to be big but you have to be able to move.
I don’t know about you but that seems like something tailor made for a SPORT like bodybuilding. “Good artists borrow, great artists steal” – Picasso. Let’s make bodybuilding great again. This is a klepto’s guide to making the world’s biggest men work for you.
Exercise 1: The Sled Pull
We know you’ve heard of it before, but you’re still not doing it. The Sled pull is an awesome exercise because it’s great at building TUT (Time Under Tension). If you’ve read our previous article you know that TUT triggers muscle hypertrophy which is essential for muscle growth as well as strength gains.
What’s also great about the sled pull is that it’s fun. You can perform a myriad of exercises with a a couple of plates and a sled, the gym is your oyster. Lower body, upper body, as a warm up, or as the whole show, the sled pull is limitless and idiot proof.
*The kicker – Not only does this exercise build mass but it raises your heart rate and burns your lungs giving you a sneaky cardio workout.
Here’s a video with Strongman personality Mark Bell showing you how you can get creative.
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Exercise 2: Cheat on your barbell with an Atlas Stone
Training with Atlas Stones can give you the edge in power and strength, as well as the “I’m a badass” feeling after you’re done with a workout.
You can Use these stones to switch it up for a barbell and conduct a multitude of lifts including cleans, shoulder presses, thrusters, shouldering, deadlifts, and front squats to name a few. The form and technique required to lift an Atlas Stone over your head is impressive. It requires deeper squats, recruiting large and small muscles that you don’t normally use in order to keep the constantly shifting surface stable. If you’ve never tried it you should, it will have you feeling like a beast!
Here’s a quick video by our friends at the Onnit Academy
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Exercise 3: Get Farmhand Strong
The Farmer’s Walk is probably one of the simplest exercises known to man. You lift things up and put them down, literally. Oh, you and one more step, the walking. But while it may seem simple on the outside, be sure that you’re body is going through some complex coping methods.
First your forearm muscles are controlling the direction of the weight, then your back muscles are trying to prevent you from having your shoulders ripped off of your body, then your abs are stabilizing as well as trying to prevent you from folding in half. Oh, and did we mention your legs have to make dynamic movements with that weight, which won’t make your cardiovascular system too happy either? Simple, but deadly.
We’ve attached a video from our friends over at Buff Dudes to show you the proper way to perform the farmer’s walk.
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Do you have these strongman exercises in your routine? Let us know by hitting up our comments below or head on over to our official Facebook and Twitter.
The Best Caffeine Pills For Bodybuilders & Weightlifters 2021
It’s no secret that weightlifters and bodybuilders like caffeine.
Just take a look at the supplement facts labels of most pre-workouts on the market and you’ll see dosages of anywhere between 100-450mg caffeine anhydrous in pre-workout supplements (“anhydrous” simply meaning caffeine has been dehydrated into powder form).
Here’s the problem though:
Taking huge dosages of caffeine can cause jittery side effects and energy crashes.
Consuming caffeine too frequently leads to you building a tolerance to it, making caffeine less beneficial long-term.
The good news is that you can enjoy the benefits of this stimulant long-term if you don’t consume caffeine every day and choose to take smaller dosages each time – around 50-100mg instead of monstrous 300-400mg dosages per serving.
In fact, a study found that a total daily caffeine intake of around 200mg or lower has proven to deliver improvements in [1]:
Alertness & Mood
Cognition
Athletic Performance
All the above without side effects.
Since you’re here to learn about the Best Caffeine Pills on the market – whether it’s for weightlifting or bodybuilding, as an alternative to coffee, to boost your energy levels and focus more at work, we’ll show you our favorite product below…
Performance Lab Stim
Performance Lab Stim is ultramodern stimulation for precision and performance to help restore caffeine-depleted brain chemicals for clean energy.
Key Benefits
Enhanced physical and mental performance whether taken pre-workout, as a coffee alterative, or to stay alert at work.
No risks of side effects such as jitters, anxiety, or heart rate issues.
Replenishes B-Vitamins that have shown to be depleted by caffeine intake to keep your body performing at its best.
Quick Summary
Whether you want a coffee alternative, pre-workout energy boosts, or to stay alert and focused at work, Performance Lab® Stim delivers something for everyone.
Delivering a safe-but-effective 50mg natural caffeine dosage combined with 100mg Suntheanine® L-Theanine (to form the optimal smart-caffeine 2:1 ratio), you’ll be sure to experience more mental and physical performance benefits, without the risk of jittery side effects associates with higher caffeine dosages. That means that you can safely “double-up” or even “triple-up” on servings if you have a higher tolerance, while still catering to those with lower caffeine tolerances.
The added 250mg of Ajipure® L-Tyrosine ensures that you benefit from enhanced cognition great to boost mind-muscle-connection in the gym or concentrate at work.
Completing the supplement facts label for Performance Lab® Stim are the highly bioavailable NutriGenesis® B-Vitamins to help restore what caffeine has shown to deplete in clinical studies.
Caffeine Pills for Bodybuilding: Should You Take Them?
Some of the main consumers of caffeine are weightlifters and bodybuilders. After all, caffeine anhydrous is a main ingredient in most pre-workout and fat burner supplements…of course, unless they’re “non-stim”. There’s even many gym goers that drink a cup of black coffee before heading to the gym for a quick energy boost, if they’re not into supplements. So, it’s been a fairly natural progression for athletes to look into caffeine supplements as a way to enhance their performance.
But Do Caffeine Pills Help Bodybuilders, Weightlifters, Or Powerlifters?
Caffeine was actually banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for use in Olympic games until 2004 [2]. This should show you how effective it really is at improving your performance. Let’s get more specific to bodybuilding, though. We found a study conducted in 2018 that proved caffeine’s ability to boost muscle strength and power, after participants consumed caffeine via capsule form [3]. Another clinical report in 2019 found that caffeine is able to improve both bench press and squat performance [4]. For this reason, it seems fair to say that caffeine is indeed beneficial to bodybuilders, casual weightlifters, or competitive powerlifters.
How Much Caffeine Should A Bodybuilder Take?
In terms of consuming stimulants and other nutrients, dosage per serving is extremely important.
Take too little and you won’t feel a thing.
Take too much and you could experience jittery side effects.
You need to get dosage right. But it’s not always easy. Every single person has a different tolerance to caffeine, meaning everyone needs to trial different dosages to see what works best for them. However, studies have shown that the huge dosages of caffeine often found in pre-workouts or caffeine supplements aren’t ideal. One study in particular found that higher caffeine dosages (6-9mg/kg bodyweight) delivered lower benefits than smaller dosages [5]
The above findings corresponded with a study undertaken by Harvard Medical School; it found that more frequent smaller dosages of 0.3mg caffeine per kg bodyweight was sufficient in keeping participants awake and alert [6]. As a result, a product that delivers around 50mg caffeine per serving should be ideal as an “all-in-one” caffeine supplement, whether you’re looking to stay alert and focused at work or enhance your gym workout.
Caffeine Pills vs Pre-Workout Supplements
Large dosages of caffeine (6-9mg/kg bodyweight) have not shown to deliver any more benefits than smaller dosages. Meaning there is a point of diminishing returns – more isn’t always better with caffeine intake. In fact, the very maximum caffeine dosage that delivers increasing benefits seems to be 200mg per serving [7].
But taking 200mg caffeine in one serving may cause those with lower tolerance some issues, such as jitters, energy crashes, or anxiety. Especially if you plan on drinking coffee during your day too. Most pre-workouts contain around 200mg caffeine, but we’ve seen some that include dosages up to 450mg per serving. Due to these monstrous caffeine dosages causing issues, the supplements industry has seen a rise in the number of non-stimulant pre-workouts – for those that want to completely avoid any chances of jitters or anxiety problems.
But Which Is Better: Caffeine Pills Or Pre-Workouts?
Key Point: You shouldn’t really have to choose between a caffeine pill vs pre-workout supplement either – they both should deliver different benefits.
For example, pre-workouts should contain nitric oxide boosters to promote blood flow (and muscle pumps), as well as scientifically proven nutrients to improve your strength and endurance, such as creatine.
If you’re only taking a pre-workout for the energy boost, then you’ll probably be as satisfied with a caffeine supplement such as Performance Lab® Stim. You can then stack a caffeine pill with a non-stimulant pre-workout for times when you want extra performance benefits during your gym sessions.
Are Caffeine Pills Healthier Than Coffee?
First of all, we love coffee. And so does most of the world. Coffee is one of the main reasons why caffeine is one of the most consumed commodities available. Most people simply don’t care whether coffee is “healthy” or not. However, those that do often turn to caffeine supplements as an alternative to coffee. This is because advanced caffeine pills contain B-Complex vitamins, helping to restore your levels of B-Vitamins that caffeine intake depletes [8]. Taking into account the fact that coffee depletes your B-Vitamin levels without replenishing them, caffeine supplements containing B-Vitamins can be seen as ‘healthier’.
Why Performance Lab® Stim Is Our Top Caffeine Supplement
It’s not often we find a caffeine supplement that offers a sensible dosage of natural caffeine (sourced from coffea robusta seeds). A modest 50mg natural caffeine per serving is enough to deliver a small ‘kick’ in energy levels without going overboard – and you can take double servings if you’re looking for a bigger energy boost pre-workout.
A study concluded that 50mg caffeine, paired with 100mg L-theanine, significantly improved performance on cognitively demanding tasks [9]. So Performance Lab® Stim also comes with 100mg L-Theanine – everything is clinically backed.
Performance Lab® Stim also delivers the essential B-Complex Vitamins that are depleted from caffeine intake. As well as L-Tyrosine, which Nootropic Geek considers to be one of his favorite nootropic ingredients.
For us, Performance Lab® Stim is the full package. We call it ‘Caffeine 2.0’.
Performance Lab Stim is ultramodern stimulation for precision and performance to help restore caffeine-depleted brain chemicals for clean energy.
Conclusion
In terms of being a supplement that gym goers, bodybuilders, or powerlifters take, caffeine pills are pretty new to the party (compared to how long creatine and protein powder has been used for). Caffeine supplements were once associated with being synthetic, cheap, white pills that just delivered high amounts of caffeine and nothing else. The good news is that the industry has made huge leaps forward in creating “advanced caffeine supplements”.
Now, we see top quality supplements containing caffeine sourced from completely natural sources (coffea robusta seeds), paired with L-theanine for maximum effect. As well as providing B-Vitamins in the exact quantities that caffeine depletes your body of them with nootropic ingredients to ensure that you experience even more benefits to your mental performance. After trying and testing numerous caffeine supplements on the market, our top recommendation goes to Performance Lab® Stim.
Try Performance Lab Stim Today
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 Performance Lab and Envato
References
[1] Spriet L. Exercise and Sport Performance with Low Doses of Caffeine. Sports Med. 2014; 44(Suppl 2): 175–184.
[2] Aguilar-Navarro M. Urine Caffeine Concentration in Doping Control Samples from 2004 to 2015. Nutrients. 2019 Feb; 11(2): 286.’
[3] Grgic J. Effects of caffeine intake on muscle strength and power: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018; 15: 11.
[4] Grgic J. Caffeine Supplementation for Powerlifting Competitions: An Evidence-Based Approach. Journal of Human Kinetics. 68. 10.2478/hukin-2019-0054.
[5] Graham T. Metabolic, Catecholamine, and Exercise Performance Responses to Various Doses of Caffeine. J Appl Physiol (1985). 1995 Mar;78(3):867-74.
[6] Harvard Medical School. Small, Frequent Doses Of Caffeine Best Strategy For Staying Awake, According To New Study. May 12, 2004
[7] Wildman R. Boost Your Workout with Caffeine. Nutrition; Supplementation. Oct 29 2018.
[8] Ulvik A. Coffee Consumption and Circulating B-vitamins in Healthy Middle-Aged Men and Women. Clin Chem. 2008 Sep;54(9):1489-96.
[9] Owen G. The Combined Effects of L-theanine and Caffeine on Cognitive Performance and Mood. Nutr Neurosci. 2008 Aug;11(4):193-8.
Why Was Cedric McMillan Absent During Finals At 2021 Legion Sports Fest?
Cedric McMillan did not appear in the finals on Sunday after being present during prejudging.
The 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro had plenty of storylines over the weekend and Cedric McMillan was a big one coming in. This event took place on Sunday in Reno, NV with the winner taking home an automatic qualification to the 2022 Olympia.
McMillan was set to make his return to the stage to go up against some of the other top competitors. He made an appearance on stage during prejudging but was not there for the finals at night. There has been no official statement made but it is rumored that McMillan missed the finals because of an illness.
Prior to the finals, it appeared that McMillan was not happy about something that happened. It is unknown if this was about his performance or the bad luck sickness that came over him but the statement is pretty self-explanatory. McMillan took to his Instagram story on Sunday afternoon.
Shaun Clarida finished with the gold in Men’s Open. Clarida made the transition from the 212 division to see how he matched up with some of the biggest competitors in the sport. Clarida ended up taking home the prize but made it clear that he was not leaving 212. This was announced prior to the competition. Clarida was coming off a second-place finish at the Olympia.
Cedric McMillan was one of many notable names, along with Regan Grimes and Sergio Oliva Jr. Fans were excited to see him back on stage after being forced to miss some time with an injury.
McMillan was forced to miss the Arnold Classic this year. This is an event that McMillan has had plenty of success in. He appeared on the broadcast, along with Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, but it was not the same impact. McMillan has finished outside of the top five at the Arnold Classic just once and has totaled three top-three finishes. This is highlighted by a second-place finish in 2016.
Cedric McMillan entered the competition as one of the competitors to watch. It remains unclear why McMillan was not present at the finals but fans can continue to look forward to the next time he will step on stage.
This is a story that will continue to update as more information becomes available. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Lukas Osladil: “Young Bodybuilders Don’t Care About Their Health”
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Lukas Osladil makes a plea for younger bodybuilders to “stop and think” about their future health.
It’s a natural part of the human condition to be somewhat short sighted. Youth is wasted on the young – as they say. This holds true for health in bodybuilding. Young bodybuilders may feel immortal so they are more willing to push the boundaries of what is healthy in hopes of becoming a legend. Sadly, these actions might not have consequences until much later down the line of life. Lukas Osladil is a bodybuilder who has always tried to balance his health with the risks of Men’s Open bodybuilding. He notices many young bodybuilders are taking bigger risks – and fears for what that might lead to in the future. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Lukas Osladil discusses health in bodybuilding and the different perspectives between young and older competitors.
Lukas Osladil made a pretty memorable statement during our video conversation: “I am always concerned for my health.” It’s a sort of self awareness that you don’t always see in competitive bodybuilders. Men’s Open bodybuilding can be risky – like many other pro sports that test the limits of human potential. Osladil has always made sure to put just as much effort into his health as he does into his training and growth as an athlete.
This is why Lukas Osladil takes larger breaks between competition cycles. He learned the trick from Kevin Levrone, who would often takes three months off from heavy bodybuilding training to reset. This is a tactic he’s recently took on after many years of no breaks. Osladil thinks more bodybuilders should do this. He thinks that living the bodybuilding lifestyle 24/7 is dangerous and will lead to health complications.
Lukas Osladil is also happily being trained by George Farah, who in his later years has emphasized health in bodybuilding more than his past self. Osladil would like to think his outlook helped influence Farah’s training style over the years. He’s not sure if this is true – but in either case, he’s happy with the nice fit they have as bodybuilder and trainer.
Osladil also understands the catch 22 of pro bodybuilding. Namely, that younger bodybuilders will always take greater risks. Unfortunately, those risks don’t show health consequences until years later – when it’s too late to go back. Older bodybuilders understand how their health has been effected – and so take more precaution. But for many it’s too late by that point. Is it possible to overcome the confident cockiness of young athletes?
Lukas Osladil isn’t sure if it can be changed but he wants to use his platform as a pro to urge young bodybuilders to be more careful. He sees bodybuilders dying all around him and worries that it will get worse. He hopes young competitors can get a wake up call and start playing it safer with their health.
You can watch Lukas Osladil’s full comments on bodybuilding and health risks in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
2021 Border States Pro Results
Kyron Holden wins Men’s Physique at the 2021 Border States Pro!
Kyron Holden has been one of the top Men’s Physique competitors and he showed it once again at the 2021 Border States Pro. Holden was able to gain early qualification to next year’s Olympia by winning Men’s Physique on Saturday.
The Border States Pro took place in San Diego over the weekend. This was a show highlighted by the Men’s Physique division with some of the top competitors in the world looking for qualification to the biggest even of the year. This is something that Holden is comfortable with and has done in the past.
Holden entered the weekend coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2021 Olympia. This was his lowers finish since 2018. Holden has solidified himself as one of the three best competitors in Men’s Physique and will have a chance to return to that level at next year’s Olympia.
Holden finished third in back-to-back years at the Olympia Men’s Physique in 2019 and 2020. He has victories at some big events such as the New York Pro and Legion Sports Fest Pro. Holden made his first Olympia appearance in 2017 and quickly rose to an elite competitor in the division. There was some competition at this year’s Border States Pro, such as Reynel Chavez Pelido and Andre Smith.
This was a chance for Holden to show that he is a force and will continue to show progress moving forward. The Men’s Physique division was the big prize at the 2021 Border States Pro. The full results have been announced and a full breakdown can be found below!
2021 Border States Pro: All Division Winners
Men’s Physique: Kyron Holden
2021 Border States Pro Breakdown
First Place – Kyron Holden
Second Place – Reynel Chavez Pulido
Third Place – Andre Smith
Fourth Place – Godfrey Sironda
Fifth Place – Rodney Harvey
Sixth Place – Francisco Rodriguez
Seventh Place – William Walker
Eighth Place – Jabbaar Tobias
Official Score Cards
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the 2021 Border States Pro. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
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.
2021 Poland Pro Supershow Results
Mike Sommerfeld wins Classic Physique at the 2021 Poland Pro Supershow!
Mike Sommerfeld showed up the to 2021 Poland Pro Supershow in top shape and was able to win Classic Physique. This event took place on Sunday in Warsaw, Poland with Classic Physique and Bikini competitors looking for qualification to the 2022 Olympia.
In the end, Sommerfeld came out victorious. He earned a victory back in July at the IFBB Xtreme Bodybuilding & Fitness Pro. This punched his ticket to the biggest event of the year where Sommerfeld went toe-to-toe with the top competitors in the world. Sommerfeld finished seventh at this year’s Olympia but can be viewed as an up-and-comer. He will have a chance to prove this once again at the 2022 show after winning on Sunday.
Wiktoria Gasior was victorious in the Bikini division. Gasior was last on stage in September when she finished second at the IFBB Tsunami Cup Pro. Now, Gasior will join Bikini at the Olympia next season. This was the largest division at the Olympia just three weeks ago. It is as competitive as any other division and will feature some new names next year.
The 2021 Poland Pro Supershow was able to crown a champion in two events and give qualification for the 2022 Olympia. The full results have been announced and they can be seen below!
2021 Poland Pro Supershow: All Division Winners
Classic Physique: Mike Sommerfeld
Bikini: Wiktoria Gasior
2021 Poland Pro Supershow Breakdown
Classic Physique
First Place – Mike Sommerfeld
Second Place – Hubert Kulczynski
Third Place – Hany Saeed
Fourth Place – Ruben Lopez Reyes
Fifth Place – Roberto Martinez Pizana
Sixth Place – Yevhenii Mykhailenko
Seventh Place – Denis Romanov
Eighth Place – Piotr Wojtowicz
Ninth Place – Roman Khaliulin
Tenth Place – Aldin Alijagic
Bikini
First Place – Wiktoria Gasior
Second Place – Ana Maria Vintu
Third Place – Adrianna Kazcmarek
Fourth Place – Noora Mahonen
Fifth Place – Aneta Szoltysek
Sixth Place – Eliana Guzman Reyes
Seventh Place – Kristina Alexandrovna Ivanova
Eighth Place – Klaudia Ignasiak
Ninth Place – Renata Nowak
Official Score Cards
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the 2021 Border States Pro. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!
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.