Tag: Bodybuilding
Jay Cutler, Milos Sarcev Talk Fantasy Battles: Jay vs Dorian Yates, Phil Heath vs. Ronnie Coleman
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler left a storied career behind but still serves as a visible ambassador for the sport. In a recent Cutler Cast Podcast, Cutler and Milos Sarcev discussed past Mr. Olympias and how they’d fare against each other in hypothetical match-ups.
The Men’s Open division has undergone immense changes since the 1990s, which saw six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates‘ successful reign. He ushered in an era of mass monsters, a valuable blueprint that athletes have followed decades after his exit from the sport.
In 1998, Ronnie Coleman shocked the bodybuilding world. He brought an unparalleled level of size, conditioning, and vascularity. Not to mention, he’s considered one of the strongest bodybuilders to ever compete, having been made famous for his epic 2,300-pound leg press and 800-pound squat for two reps.
In 2006, Jay Cutler was the chosen one, after almost a decade-long reign, the Massachusetts native did the impossible: he took out his rival Coleman. Cutler held on to the title in 2007 in a controversial contest. Eventually, Cutler would lose his championship honors in 2008 to Dexter Jackson, only to become the first Open athlete to ever win back the Mr. Olympia title a year later.
In the mid-2000s, Phil Heath established himself as a champion under the guidance of Hany Rambod. With cartoonish muscle density and three-dimensional fullness, Heath tied Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s record of seven Mr. Olympia titles.
All of these Mr. Olympias took drastically different paths to establish their dynasties. In their latest offering to fans, Cutler and Sarcev looked closely at how these champions would have fared against each other had they shared the stage.
Jay Cutler & Milos Sarcev Talk Dorian Yates vs. Cutler/ Ronnie Coleman vs. Phil Heath
According to Milos Sarcev, he underestimated the hardness and completeness of Yates’ rugged physique. However, he believes “any version” of Cutler could stand against Yates had they competed.
“Dorian never had good arms but has lines… you know. I don’t think Dorian had the greatest arms, greatest shoulders, greatest chest, greatest abs, greatest legs but put it all together it’s like holy moly. Lat spread, he was killing everybody. Side chest and side triceps, I really didn’t think he’d look as good when I watched the thing, but then I was like what am I talking about he’s good.”
“They say it’s not even fair to compare [past champions from different eras]. Jay said you have to really see it to believe it and appreciate the kind of hardness and dryness, the fibrotic tissue, would 2009 Jay be overwhelmed by any version of Dorian? No. Dorian would not overwhelm you, right, for sure, right.”
“I didn’t have the crazy back and the hardness,” added Cutler.
“Your shoulders are wider, your arms are better,” replied Sarcev.
Even though Heath possessed a freakish and one-of-a-kind physique, Cutler believes Coleman would have defeated ‘The Gift.’
“It’s like arguing Phil Heath versus Ronnie Coleman. Phil had a lot of things going on, but I think if you put him next to Ronnie in his prime he would get overwhelmed a little bit, you know. I’m asking you for the greatest physique ever,” Jay Cutler said.
Before ending the discussion, Sarcev and Cutler agree the greatest physique of all time belongs to Ronnie Coleman.
“’98 Ronnie for me, yeah,” stated Sarcev.
“I think a lot of people would say that same thing,” Cutler said. “I’m a little disappointed people forget about those guys [Lee Haney] and we never talk about Arnold how he was great or how Sergio was great. Even Frank Zane and all these guys, the early guys, you have to take into account the era, the equipment they use. Think about how advanced everything is now.”
This isn’t the first time that Jay Cutler praised Coleman’s prime physique. He joined the Don’t Be Sour podcast recently, where he laid out why Ronnie’s physique has yet to be matched by a contemporary competitor. He specified that Coleman’s combination of crazy muscle density and conditioning made him an extraordinary talent in the sport.
Coleman’s body stands out as the best ever for Sarcev and Cutler. Though, the debate as to who possesses the greatest physique is never truly over.
RELATED: Dana Linn Bailey Joins Jay Cutler, Defends Natural Status, Talks Health Scares & Thyroid Issues
You can watch the full video from the Cutler Cast YouTube channel below:
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 7:21 PM EDT
The Rock Takes on Bulgarian Split Squats And Gets a Beating
Hollywood star Dwayne ’The Rock’ Johnson is a man of many talents who first rose to prominence for his athletic abilities inside the wrestling ring. He boasts a huge build and never fails to get a workout in despite maintaining a packed schedule. In a recent post made on Instagram, Johnson shared Bulgarian split squats as an effective lower-body workout for muscle growth.
The Rock is widely considered to be one of the most popular professional wrestlers of all time. He grew up playing football but decided to follow in the footsteps of his father and become a legacy wrestler under the WWF/WWE banner. He pioneered the Attitude Era of promotion and is credited with helping elevate the company to new heights. While competing in the wrestling ring, Johnson got the chance to make his acting debut in The Mummy Returns (2001).
Following a decorated run in the WWE, Johnson chose to step away to explore his passion for acting. He applied the same work ethic he developed as an athlete to become a global superstar with several blockbuster hits under his belt. He boasts an insane following of 383 million on the photo-sharing platform and regularly encourages them to lead a healthy lifestyle with motivational workout posts often filmed in his home gym called ‘Iron Paradise.’
In Nov. 2022, The Rock gave fans a look into his leg day finisher workout made up of five monster sets. Johnson held a 100-pound dumbbell with just his fingertips (to build grip strength) and performed sumo squats in a slow and controlled manner at the end of leg day.
Although Johnson has a busy schedule he never fails to get a workout in. He showed off his massive legs in a brutal late-night training session earlier this year. He used four sets of an intense muscle-building squat variation to boost leg gains.
The Rock detailed a fierce upper body workout targeting the chest and back for optimizing the pump three months ago. The routine consisted of only supersets with moderate weight and a five-second hold on the last rep of each exercise. He offered another superset training plan focusing on lower body muscle development weeks later. He performed leg extensions with two drop sets till failure to close out the workout.
The 51-year-old laid out a grueling chest and body workout two months ago. He stressed the importance of performing each rep in a controlled and slow manner and encouraged his fans to focus on the movement.
Johnson revealed the core exercise he utilized to regain strength in his abdomen after suffering an injury last month. He advocated for incorporating abs workouts in any routine to boost gains.
The Rock shares Burning Lower Body workout for muscle growth
In a recent Instagram post, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson shared a brutal lower body workout designed to build muscle and feel the burn.
“Still finding my groove & balance on these Bulgarian split squats,” wrote The Rock. “
I started implementing these as my last exercise of 4 giant sets (4 leg exercises in a row 4x’s)
Haven’t done these in years due to my 4 knee surgeries and I tore the top of my quad off my pelvis (in a wrestling match) so deep single leg movements like this can be a burning bitch.
But we gotta get consistently push and challenge ourselves daily or else life ain’t no fun ..gettin’ my ass kicked in the iron paradise.”
The Bulgarian split squat is an absolute game-changer when it comes to improving your athletic abilities and sculpting powerful legs. Not only does it give your quads and glutes a serious workout, but it also has a host of other fantastic benefits that can take your fitness to the next level. It primarily targets the quadriceps and glutes, leading to significant gains in both muscle size and strength.
The Rock gave an effective high-volume workout routine for chest and back muscle development last month. He believes in taking advantage of the full range of motion and holding at the bottom to get the best results. He followed up with a laborious arms day finisher routine to get jacked biceps weeks later.
His latest offering will serve as a dose of motivation for those wanting to skip leg day and provide an effective plan for others to get bigger legs.
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 3:10 PM EDT
Frank McGrath Shares How to be a Bodybuilder on Dialysis
Canadian bodybuilder Frank McGrath has an inspirational story, unlike any other competitor in the sport. Although he stepped away from professional competition years ago, he maintains a high level of personal fitness and stays engaged with the community online. In a recent episode of IFBB AMA, McGrath shared tips on how to be a bodybuilder on dialysis.
Frank McGrath found his passion for fitness after coming across legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger in his teenage years. He was a relatively smaller kid and started weight training to pack on the pounds. While studying at university, McGrath won his debut contest in 2000. He participated in other regional shows before securing his Pro card by handily dispatching the competition at the CBBF Canadian Championships in 2003.
During his days of competing on stage, McGrath gained attention for his unreal arm/forearm muscle development with insane vascularity, muscle detail, and proportions. Besides his competitive career, McGrath made a name for himself as a fitness model gracing several magazine covers, including Muscle and Fitness, Flex magazine, and Sports Illustrated. His celebrity skyrocketed after he signed a deal with Universal Nutrition for the Animal Training Series brand. His work with the company helped him break into the mainstream beyond bodybuilding.
Frank McGrath / Instagram
McGrath showed a lot of potential from the start. He turned in a strong performance at the 2011 Tampa Bay Pro where he took bronze and followed up with a fourth-place finish at the 2011 Toronto Pro Invitational. He earned an invite to the Mr. Olympia competition and finished on the periphery of the top 15 in his maiden showing.
The 44-year-old was forced to the sidelines due to multiple injuries and a car crash. He managed to make a comeback but eventually moved on from competition after a final outing at the 2015 IFBB Ferrigno Legacy.
In Aug. 2018, Frank McGrath collaborated with iconic bodybuilder Flex Lewis for an intense lower-body workout. The seven-time Men’s 212 Olympia champion blasted his legs with McGrath in preparation for his final win at the 2018 Mr. Olympia show. The duo appeared to get along well and regrouped for another brutal arms workout in honor of the late Dallas McCarver.
McGrath teamed up with fitness sensation Tristyn Lee for a sleeve-busting arms training session in Dec. 2021. He guided the youngster through the challenging workout targeting the biceps, triceps, and forearms. Lee lauded McGrath’s stellar arms and revealed he got to cross one item off his bucket list.
Frank McGrath shares how to be a bodybuilder on dialysis
In a recent YouTube video, Frank McGrath shared some of his best tips on how to be a bodybuilder on dialysis.
He recommended focusing on recovering properly and not overdoing things in the gym.
“I was born with one kidney, never really had any problems my entire life. I still continue to do bodybuilding even though I knew the risks and I was very lucky that I didn’t have any serious problems until I got a little bit older,” said McGrath. “You can still be a bodybuilder, still do all that stuff but you have to take time off and that’s hard for a lot of people to do. Come off gear, you’re going to get smaller, weaker, not as strong, not going to feel as good but that’s part of the game. You’ve got to give your body a break, time to recover, and not overdo it. That’s one of my biggest tips.”
McGrath cautioned against eating too much junk food.
“Also, your diet. I’m known for eating a lot of junk food and junk food isn’t always the best for your organs. Don’t go crazy with that stuff and you still enjoy your food.”
He stressed the importance of not overexerting your body and suggested training three to four times a week with adequate rest.
“Understanding that to continue doing what you love to do you need to adapt to new situations. You can’t stay the same person forever so I’ve learned to train less and save my energy for the days that I can’t train. There’s times when I train seven days a week. Now, I probably train three to four times a week and I’ve still been able to maintain 245 pounds. Dorian Yates used only trained three to four times a week and Mike Mentzer. You can do the same workouts just more condensed and more time to rest. I realize too there’s times that I can train and the best thing for me to do is just to back off let my body rest, get the energy back, and hit the gym when you feel good again.
“It’s definitely been a struggle more mentally than anything knowing that you’ve got a machine that keeps you alive. It was a lot to do at first and didn’t talk about it to anybody for over a year. I don’t know if I felt embarrassed or ashamed or whatever but I was definitely afraid of how people would judge me. It was difficult.”
Frank McGrath’s latest offering will certainly provide a lot of value for those in a similar spot. He’s living proof that any hurdle can be overcome no matter what and his guidelines on how to train will likely inspire the next generation.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 12:13 PM EDT
Jeremy Buendia Shares 4,000-Calorie Bulking Diet in Preparation for 2023 Mr. Olympia Comeback
Preparations for Jeremy Buendia’s anticipated return to action are heating up. In a recent YouTube video, Buendia showcased his massive seven-meal diet consisting of over 4,000 calories as he inches closer to 2023 Mr. Olympia.
Competing actively, Jeremy Buendia reached the top of the sport with exceptional balance, conditioning, and a symmetrical upper body. At the time of his reign, he was known for his confidence and outspoken nature, which was often misinterpreted as arrogance.
“I don’t have any excuse this time, I better be in shape,” shared Buendia.
The fan-favorite dominated the Olympia stage in his respective category for four years straight from 2014-2017. He made a play for a fifth Men’s Physique title in 2018 but was unable to stop three-time winner Brandon Hendrickson.
While he’s remained away from the stage, Buendia never took his foot off the gas, especially in the training room. Comeback rumors swirled for years, and in 2020, it appeared fans were on the brink of seeing Jeremy compete again. However, the return never materialized.
Last September, Buendia announced that he would finally return to the Mr. Olympia stage. Before last year’s mega-event took place, Buendia and Erin Banks got into a heated argument on Olympia TV. Suffice it to say, cooler heads did not prevail. Angst, aggression, and hostility took over their discussion, further exciting fans about their impending showdown in Orlando, Florida this Nov.
Jeremy Buendia Talks 2023 Mr. Olympia Comeback Progress, Sitting at 201 Lbs, Shows Off 7-Meal Diet
According to Buendia, he and his team are now pushing hard to ensure he consumes seven meals a day. His latest diet saw him consume over 4,000 calories in a 24-hour period.
“Slowly [I’ve] increased the calories as we go along. I started at 3,500 calories, worked to 4,000 calories, now past the 4,500 calories. Been watching my weight go up and down slightly, woke up about 201 this morning. That’s actually the same weight I was four weeks ago but my body fat is significantly less.”
“Today, we’re really going to push to get that seventh meal in to really get all those calories in to help put me in that surplus to help me pack on some quality muscle.”
Find the full seven-meal plan below:
Meal 1 – 88.2 grams carbs, 75.6 grams protein, 18.25 grams of fat
10 oz of liquid egg whites
2 whole scrambled eggs
50 grams of chicken breast
1 slice of sourdough
85 grams of oats
100 grams of strawberries
2 packets of Stevia
Energy Drink
Green Tobasco hot sauce
margarin
total: 785.5 calories
Meal 2 – 108 grams carbs, 65.2 grams of protein, 11.5 grams of fat
200 grams of chicken breast (seasoned with garlic, salt, onion powder, and barbecue sauce)
yams sweet potato
pickle
total: 796 calories
Meal 3 – 91.3 grams carbs, 60 grams of protein, 11.2 grams of fat,
Rice
200 grams of lean red meat
2 whole eggs
8 oz of pineapple
total: 706 calories
“I don’t have any excuse this time. I better be in shape. I’m my toughest critic, I never think I look as good as I actually do and I think people like to tell me what I want to hear,” said Jeremy Buendia. “I’m not going to get that one in before leg day, so we’re going to switch it up.”
Protein Shake
Bagel
Tablespoon of peanut butter
Meal 4 – post-workout – 108 grams carbs, 59.5 grams of protein, 23.9 grams of fat
300 grams of sweet potato
egg white
chicken breast
total: 885.1 calories
Meal 5 – 88 grams carbs, 47.5 grams of protein, 17.9 saturated 17.95 grams of fat
Flank steak
white rice
one whole egg
total: 703 calories
Meal 6 – 88 grams carbs, 66.5 grams of protein, 25 grams of fat
garlic salt
onion poweder
chicken breast
barbeque sauce
white rice
total: 843 calories
Meal 7 – 57 grams of carbs, 33.8 grams of protein, 9.5 grams of fat
Cream of rice
chocolate brownie
5 oz of egg whites
total: 449.5 calories
Buendia touched on his upcoming back workout in an Olympia TV collaboration with reigning Men’s Physique Olympia Erin Banks. After traveling internationally, Buendia says his focus is on a ‘body recomp’ and getting his diet locked in on a more consistent schedule.
Months ago, Buendia appeared in a Straight Outta the Lair podcast with seven-time 212 Olympia kingpin Flex Lewis. During the open and honest discussion, Jeremy said the only way he overtakes Banks on the Olympia stage is if he brings a ‘flawless package.’
“I’m in preparation for my Olympia battle with Erin Banks next week in Phoenix, Arizona. We’re doing a back workout for Olympia TV. I was doing a body recomp, taking some time off a few months ago, cleaned up, and really healthy to prepared for my Olympia prep.
Had a trip international with one of my sponsors, came back and my physique was not where I wanted it to be or where I needed it to be. My metabolism wasn’t operating very efficiently, I wasn’t eating regularly. The past four weeks has been a body recomp, trying to re-establish the food in my diet and get back on a consistent schedule.”
With less than five months until the biggest event of the year, Buendia is wasting no time during preparations. In addition to showing off impressive physique updates, the 32-year-old continues to turn heads with extreme training sessions. The last time fans saw him pumping iron, he annihilated a push-day workout.
With one of the most exciting rivalries in the sport against Erin Banks, Jeremy’s comeback could end up being the most memorable affair at 2023 Mr. Olympia. Should he upset Banks and take home the title, it would bolster Jeremy’s status as the greatest Men’s Physique competitor of all time.
RELATED: 4x Physique Champion Jeremy Buendia Gives Tips For Rear Delts
Watch the full video from Jeremy Buendia’s YouTube channel:
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 12:00 PM EDT
Chris Bumstead Unveils Private Gym In-the-Making, Talks 2023 Olympia Diet & Battling Anxiety
Classic Physique kingpin Chris Bumstead is already laying the foundation for his next title defense in November. In a recent YouTube video, Bumstead detailed his new four-meal nutrition plan and discussed his experiences battling anxiety. Chris Bumstead has quickly become the most successful Classic Physique Olympia of his era. In 2019, he dethroned the two-time champ, Breon Ansley. Since then, no one has challenged his dominance in the category, which has grown tremendously since its inception in 2016. Bumstead’s journey to a fourth title was met with adversity and obstacles. For starters, he and his brother-in-law/long-time coach Iain Valliere parted ways so they could each give their own careers equal focus. At a crossroads, Bumstead teamed up with decorated guru Hany Rambod, who also coaches Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford.
His next roadblock took place on the Olympia stage, as Bumstead was forced to compete with a torn bicep last December. Following his decisive victory, Cbum revealed that with the help of his new coach, he was able to overcome the setback. As a four-time Classic Physique Olympia, fans are eager to see the sport’s most popular man perform once again. He recently took part in Q & A to discuss his current season and further preparations.
Bumstead Says He’s Down to 4 Meals Instead of 6 & Shows Off New Gym Location In the Works
As part of Bumstead’s new four-meal diet, he intends to consume roughly 260 grams of protein daily, roughly 1 gram per pound of body weight.
“How many meals a day do you eat? Basic question but I’m answering this because I recently changed it. I’ve touched briefly on it in my last video but I used to always consistently push myself to eat six meals a day or at least five meals and a shake but now it’s reduced to now four meals and a shake, so I have breakfast, two meals at work, and then a shake, and then one meal before bed. Because I’m still trying to get the same amount of protein content, I’ve just increased the amount of chicken, fish, or whatever I put in my meals. Honestly, my digestion has been so much better. The key to sleeping is not having a full belly when you go to bed,” said Bumstead. “As I always say, there’s no perfect way to do anything, experiment with what works best for your body. But I would say a minimum of four [meals] if you’re a bodybuilder because there’s just too big of a gap between it.”
Next, Cbum offered fans an early look at his private gym, a project he hopes to have completed 18-20 weeks from 2023 Mr. Olympia.
“Here we are. This is the future home of the 2023-2024 and beyond Olympia Prep series. The Bum lifting club if you will. My private little gym. Something everybody dreams of when you start working out, having your own gym. But even more so, having a private gym.” “Just me here if I want to train later at night, other people can come. Being at Revive, a lot of people come to visit, a lot of people come from my work and sometimes it’s hard to be there and get in the right mindset, not my music playing, so it’s just being able to control the environment and I can set my own tone to the workouts. I think it’s going to help me excel into this prep. The goal is to build this thing out 18-20 weeks from the Olympia.”
Bumstead Talks Habits, Mental Struggles, and Stress: “I’m Still Fuc*ing Battling It”
According to the 28-year-old, he suppressed his emotions for most of his life. However, he’s now learning to communicate as a means of mitigating stress and anxiety.
“That’s what I tried to do my whole life, I tried to control certain habits of mine and that’s when you’re fuc*ed. Because when you’re trying to control anxiety you have anxiety about the control you’re putting on it because anxiety is usually from putting pressure on things outside of your control. So now you’re putting more control on your anxiety and you don’t have any help over it and it creates more stress.”
“I’m still fuc*ing battling it. Learning how to relax when it comes. Accept that it’s there and not be too hard on myself. Just understand that it’s part of life whatever I’m doing there’s probably a reason it’s making me anxious because it’s probably important.” “Also, something that took me a long time to learn and still learning is communicating about it. My whole life I’ve fuc*ing held stuff in and I didn’t feel like I should talk about my stuff and felt like I could handle it on my own and thought it would be a burden if I shared it with anyone, and that made my anxiety grow and get bigger.”
This isn’t the first time Bumstead has been open and honest about his competitive spirit. In a recent episode of the Don’t Be Sour Podcast, Cbum reflected on the burden of being a reigning champion. He hopes to leave the sport on top and the dread of losing his status as champion fuels him at each competition. RELATED: Rich Gaspari: ‘Chris Bumstead Needs 40 Lbs to Win Open Mr. Olympia, No One Is Close to Him in Classic’ The stage is set for Bumstead to defend his title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia showdown, happening Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, Florida. Fans are excited to witness another clash with rising star, 2023 Arnold Classic winner, Ramon Queiroz.
You can watch this full video on Chris Bumstead’s YouTube channel:
Published: 7 June, 2023 | 12:06 AM EDT
Iain Valliere Fires Back at Critics after 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow Win
Canadian bodybuilder Iain Valliere is coming off a sensational performance at the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow, which wrapped up this past weekend. After dropping a step at the last Mr. Olympia, he managed to get back to his winning ways. In a recent Instagram story, Valliere issued a fiery response to critics for taking issue with his latest win.
Iain Valliere first gained attention for his impressive muscle mass, size, and symmetry as a Men’s Open competitor in 2015. He kicked off his run in the IFBB Pro League with a top-five finish at the Toronto Pro Supershow and continued to work his way up the ranks. In 2020, Valliere scored his first win at the 2020 New York Pro and cracked the top ten at the 2020 Mr. Olympia. He extended his run further by securing back-to-back gold at the 2021 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro en route to taking seventh at the Mr. Olympia competition.
Last year, Valliere missed the mark at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and fell out of the top ten. Following the contest, he revealed there were problems peaking for the show, which resulted in his physique looking visibly off on the stage in Las Vegas last December.
Valliere was determined to turn things around and got to work in the off-season. He parted ways with former coach Patrick Tuor to reunite with coach Matt Jansen for the season. Then, he targeted a return at the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow earlier this year.
Iain Valliere / Instagram
Three months ago, Valliere gave fans a look into the changes and progress he made under Jansen. He revealed he tipped the scales at a lean 280-pounds. Also, he incorporated deadlifts and started following a high-protein diet in prep for the contest.
Iain Valliere reported positive updates nine weeks from the Toronto Pro Supershow. He was following a low-calorie diet in prep and was confident he could shed over 25 pounds in four weeks as he inched closer to the event since he kept his off-season weight at a reasonable level.
Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy heaped praises on Valliere’s immense potential in the sport last month. Guindy called on him to work on his back and calves development to improve his chances of being a major threat at any competition.
Valliere laid out the diet and supplements he utilized to get ready in the final two weeks before the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow. Then, he sent warning shots to his competition with a ripped physique update days later.
In the end, Valliere’s hard work paid off as he came out on top of the contest with a stunning performance on June 4. He managed to defeat the likes of Hassan Mostafa and Ross Flanagan to punch his ticket to the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia show.
Iain Valliere fires back at critics after the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow win
The organizers of the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow uploaded the results on Instagram. Many took to the comments section to voice their disapproval of the outcome and criticized Valliere.
“Hassan was robbed of this one,” wrote a user.
Another chimed in, “Hassan looked way better and I’m an iain fan. Of course they’d give it to the Canadian if it was close though.”
“Hassan should be the winner wtf,” commented another.
“Wow.. i am a fan of Iain but I really thought Hassan would take the W. I do think Iain makes a better competitor for the Olympia though,” a user wrote.
“Okay he won because he is a canadian ! no calves no lower lat no chest no tricep!!???” responded another.
In a recent Instagram story, Iain Valliere issued a fiery response to haters criticizing his victory at the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow. He followed up with another story showing the scorecards and declared his ambitions to get back in the top eight at Mr. Olympia.
Credit: Iain Valliere (via Instagram story)
Credit: Iain Valliere (via Instagram story)
Iain Valliere’s coach Matt Jansen gave his take on the result and his student’s progression on Instagram.
“I want to put this weekend for @iainvalliere into perspective,” wrote Jansen. “
Iain and I started first working together first with training only in the fall of 2015, this then transitioned into full coaching in early 2016.
When I recall Iain’s goals at that time, sure he wanted to be an Olympian…go on to place well there and all that but I clearly remember his main goal being to win Toronto one day.
2016 his physical body wasn’t yet there and I believe he placed 7th that year in our first attempt.
2018 was Iain’s first pro win but still no Toronto pro title.
In 2019 we returned now with a pro win and an Olympia under his belt and he placed second. Here I fumbled the peak and this loss I hold on me, one that eats me up to this day or at least through this past weekend knowing we left one on the table and more importantly one that was very important to Iain.
Shortly there after Iain and I stopped working together, athletes come and go but I’ve had a few athletes leave that really stung and this was one of them. I was going through some personal things at the time and I really felt us no longer working together could have really been avoided if I were able to be more present but I just simply wasn’t.
Now we enter into this season, after the Olympia Iain and I spoke and we committed to getting back to what we used to do that worked so well. We discussed two qualifiers for this year pros and cons of both (the biggest con being less time to improve as we took a true health phase) but in my heart I knew what Iain’s choice would be. So about 12 weeks out of Toronto we committed to this show after a very brief off season.
This win wasn’t just another win. It was accomplishing a goal, checking off a mark that we set out to do in 2016 that was left unfinished and also building back confidence in an athlete whose confidence had been lost. Iain has won bigger shows than what was won this weekend, he’s placed high at the two most important bodybuilding shows of the year, but sometimes you just can’t put a price on what accomplishing a goal to do for an athlete regardless of how long it took. Iain you did it this weekend and you did it with straight 1s.”
RELATED: Samir Bannout: Iain Valliere Denying Calf Injections Is ‘Bullsh** It Totally Damages The Area’
Whether some agree with the decision or not, Iain Valliere has guaranteed his right to perform at 2023 Mr. Olympia where he will look to redeem himself among the very best of the Men’s Open category.
Published: 6 June, 2023 | 4:09 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Names Derek Lunsford As His ‘Favorite’ Bodybuilder of This Generation
Ronnie Coleman, a living legend with eight Mr. Olympia titles, has seen talent come and go since stepping away from the stage. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman named Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda as his favorite two bodybuilders.
While making history as one of the winningest Mr. Olympia athletes to ever take part in the sport, Coleman built a massive physique that has stood the test of time. En route to defending his title for almost a decade, he battled on stage with fellow icons such as Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, and Flex Wheeler.
Since retirement in 2007, Coleman has been open about his career. He credits Flex Wheeler for helping him win his first Mr. Olympia after connecting with coach Chad Nicholls. The sport has certainly undergone changes since Ronnie’s time on top, but that doesn’t mean he’s stopped sizing up the Men’s Open.
Weeks before last December’s 2022 Olympia event, Coleman predicted Derek Lunsford would serve as Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay’s greatest threat. However, the contest’s outcome saw Hadi Choopan reign supreme against a stellar lineup. Coleman was blown away by Lunsford’s runner-up appearance though, so much so, he is now predicting the former 212 champ will win 2023 Olympia this November.
Ronnie Coleman Discusses New Era: Names Derek Lunsford & Samson Dauda As His Favorite Athletes
Coleman named Derek Lunsford and 2023 Arnold Classic winner Samson Dauda as his favorite bodybuilders of this generation.
“My favorite bodybuilder at the moment, let’s see… hmm, Derek Lunsford, probably the number one favorite. Probably my number two favorite… I kind of like that guy that won the last Arnold Classic, name is Samson Dauda. If I had to pick a favorite, it’d be those two.”
After taking a closer look at today’s Open class, Coleman praised athletes for hard training and strict dieting.
“I see every generation has its own era. Mostly all of us have to work extremely hard and diet extremely hard and make the biggest sacrifices ever. So, I think that the next generation of bodybuilders is a pretty good class of guys. They work extremely hard. They train hard. They diet hard. So, I think the new generation is a pretty good generation,” said Ronnie Coleman.
Lastly, an optimistic Ronnie Coleman gave fans an update on his health.
“Well, I’m doing pretty good. I’m in great health and my last check-up was back in March. I had a really good clean bill of health as far as my last check-up goes. Now, I have another one probably in a couple of months. So, we’ll see how that goes. But for now, I’m doing pretty good.”
In addition to backing him as a title threat, Coleman recently collaborated with Derek Lunsford. They took part in a grueling back and biceps-focused training session. During the workout, Coleman introduced Derek as the next Mr. Olympia champion.
Whether Hadi Choopan defends successfully has become a topic of debate. William Bonac who decided to take the year off for improvements, believes Choopan will handily retain gold in a few months. However, 2022 third-place Olympia finisher Nick Walker doesn’t see ‘The Persian Wolf’ repeating as champion. Therefore, he predicted the outcome will be determined following a showdown between himself and Lunsford.
Meanwhile, former champ Big Ramy has set his sights on redemption. He finished fifth at the last Olympia and fourth at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Having received a stem cell treatment, fans are hopeful that Ramy will win back his title in Nov. but questions about his commitment to the sport continue to swirl as of late.
There’s no denying that the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest is shaping up to be even more unpredictable than the previous year’s edition. Fans look forward to seeing their favorite athletes back on stage, including Ronnie Coleman.
RELATED: Chris Cormier Reflects on Gunter Schlierkamp Almost Defeating Ronnie Coleman at 2002 Mr. Olympia
You can watch the full video from Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 6 June, 2023 | 1:06 PM EDT
Trans Fitness Coach Says “Bodybuilding Is The Perfect Sport for Trans Men”
Trans Men’s Physique competitor and coach Cody Harman is no stranger to the bright lights of a bodybuilding stage. In a recent Men’s Health interview, he shared why bodybuilding is the “perfect’ sport for trans men because it serves as an excellent confidence booster.
“I haven’t personally come across a ton of transphobia within the bodybuilding community, but it’s definitely out there,” shared Cody Harman.
Many lives have been transformed by fitness in various ways. Fitness can enhance one’s physical and mental well-being. For Cody Harman, it also helped him embrace his identity as a transgender man and helped him discover the benefits of bodybuilding for trans people.
Harman started lifting weights in his mid-20s and fell in love with it. As he transitioned, he explored bodybuilding which afforded him the luxury of pursuing his passion with more confidence and joy. His last competition saw him finish fifth at the 2020 NPC Sacramento Championships.
“I can’t grow any taller but I can grow out.”
With a dedicated effort to training, health, and wellness, Harman parlayed his passion for fitness into a career. The 37-year-old is a nutritionist and fitness coach, responsible for preparing a number of athletes for competitions. His career choice was inspired after he trained with several coaches throughout his journey of self-discovery.
Trans Coach Says Bodybuilding Helped ‘Him Feel Comfortable in His Own Skin’
Cody Harman believes bodybuilding is an ideal sport for the transgender community as it promotes body positivity, inclusion, and hard work.
“I had a few awesome coaches growing up who helped me see what I was capable of and pushed me to keep improving and believing in myself, even when I was going through some really dark times. I want to have that same positive impact on others.”
“When you think about it, bodybuilding is the perfect sport for trans men.
“Bodybuilding was a way for me to take control [of my life], and start my journey of feeling more comfortable in my own skin. As I progressed, and started taking part in physique competitions, it became a celebration of my journey and how far I had come, from not even wanting to wear a swimsuit and wearing a baggy T-shirt at the beach, to stepping out on a stage with hardly any clothes on. I am also a pretty routine-oriented, structured person, so bodybuilding is a fit for me. I love getting up to train every day and seeing my progress over time.”
“A lot of trans guys and trans people in general come from this place where they’ve felt uncomfortable in their own skin their whole lives. So, this kind of training helps boost their confidence and what they believe they can accomplish.”
While Cody hasn’t encountered transphobia too often, he accepts that it’s ‘definitely out there,’ especially online. Oftentimes, when he meets someone who doesn’t agree with the LGBTQ+ movement, they are unaware that he’s a part of that community.
“I haven’t personally come across a ton of transphobia within the bodybuilding community, but it’s definitely out there. We get these little keyboard warriors, but generally they’re people you never see in real life because they don’t actually compete, and they suck at bodybuilding anyway.
Largely with bodybuilding, the greatest part is the shared focus,” said Cody. “It doesn’t matter how you were born, or how you identify, it’s [about] how we can all get bigger biceps. We’re in the gym, we’re having fun, that’s it.”
“I’ve had a guy at the gym casually tell me that he doesn’t “agree” with trans people or same-sex marriage and stuff like that, and I just sat there thinking to myself, wow, obviously he has no idea [I’m trans]. And that’s the majority of people; they have no idea they can be talking to a trans person about how they don’t agree with people transitioning, and you just have to laugh inside.”
Transgenderism’s impact on the fitness, bodybuilding, and powerlifting communities has been widespread. The USA Powerlifting (USAPL) federation was recently involved in a court hearing regarding a transgender inclusion policy in Minnesota. Having banned trans athletes from competing in women’s divisions, they eventually lost the court case. Even though the USAPL revised its transgender policy, they were still banned from conducting business in Minnesota.
Given the sensitive and controversial nature of the subject, some athletes have remained quiet on the issue. However, that’s not the stance bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest took. He went off on the aforementioned trans-athlete ruling and called it ridiculous. Overall, he doesn’t believe people born as males should have the opportunity to face naturally-born females in sanctioned competitions.
RELATED: Transgender Powerlifter JayCee Cooper Sues USAPL After Getting Banned From Competition
Cody Harman hopes to make the world, and especially places of fitness, a more welcoming place for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender. Given the wide-ranging benefits he’s taken from bodybuilding, Harman encourages his audience to give the sport a try.
Published: 6 June, 2023 | 11:11 AM EDT
Former Mr. Olympia Dexter Jackson Shares a Girthy Arm Workout
Veteran bodybuilder Dexter Jackson has chosen longevity over the massive build and shed quite a few pounds over the past couple of years. However, he still belongs in the top 1 percent of the populace in terms of fitness. The former Mr. Olympia recently showed how he maintains his massive arms in retirement.
Jackson’s IFBB Pro career lasted nearly 22 years. He competed in the Men’s Open division and peaked in the 2000s. He is hailed among the greatest competitors in the history of the sport. The 53-year-old presented several hurdles to dominant champions like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. His resume includes five Arnold Classic titles (2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, and 2015).
The biggest achievement of Jackson’s career is winning the 2008 Mr. Olympia title by defeating Cutler. Since retiring from the sport after a ninth-place finish at the 2020 Olympia, Jackson’s potential return has made several rounds in sports media. However, he is dedicated to health and family, having no interest whatsoever in wearing the posing trunks again.
Jackson has gotten fairly active on the internet in recent months and routinely posts his workouts to his YouTube channel. He acquainted the fans with his arms workout in the most recent video. So let’s check out how “The Blade” maintains his massive arms.
Dexter Jackson goes through an arm workout
Jackson originally intended to train his chest on the day of recording the video. However, he experiences recurring pain in the wrists. It usually lasts for a couple of weeks and restricts him from lifting heavy weights during this time.
“That’s been going on for like 10 years of my life. So we’re going to switch things up. We’re going to go ahead with arms instead of chest,” Jackson explained.
As a result, he chose to train his arms instead of his chest, as arms typically respond to moderate weights and higher volume, putting less stress on Jackson’s wrists.
Drag Curl
Jackson hails drag curls as one of his favorite arms exercises. Drag curls are a variation of the straight bar curls, and Jackson explained the correct technique to perform them.
“The reason I call them drag curls is because you wanna drag the bar up your stomach, okay? And you’re curling like this (with the bar really close to the front of the body)… Elbow is way back as far as it can go. You’re squeezing it up top… You want that good peak exercise? This is it right here…” He said.
He maintains an 8 to 12-rep range for each one of his sets and cranks out four sets of drag curls to work the biceps.
Seated Cable Overhead Curl
Jackson then takes up the cable machine variation of biceps curls. Cable machines keep the muscles under tension throughout the range of motion. This helps bring about hypertrophy more effectively. This is especially beneficial for bodybuilders as hypertrophy and muscle gain are the primary goals. Additionally, working the biceps in an overhead position puts more emphasis on the short head of the biceps, which results in epic guns. (1)
Once again, Jackson performs approximately four sets of this exercise and takes up the dumbbell hammer curls next.
Dumbbell Hammer Curl
Hammer curls are an excellent way to work on the overall girth of the biceps. A very simple variation of the standard dumbbell curls, this exercise works the elbow flexors — biceps brachii, brachialis, and the brachioradialis muscles in the arms. (2)
Jackson wraps up the biceps segment of his workout with four sets of dumbbell hammer curls as he shifts his focus on the triceps.
Quad Set: Cable Triceps Pushdown, Seated Dip Press, Pushdown on Assisted Dip Machine, and Rope Triceps Pushdown
Jackson has been following this triceps training method for nearly a decade to get a good pump, and by the looks of it, it has undoubtedly benefited him. Jackson performs one set of all four exercises in rapid succession. He repeats this circuit three or four times, depending on how he feels on a particular day.
He starts with cable triceps pushdowns and follows up with seated dip presses on a Matrix selectorized machine. After this, Jackson does triceps pushdowns on an assisted dips machine. He uses the knee pad of the dip press machine as a handle and pushes it down to stimulate the triceps. The final exercise in the quad set is the triceps rope pushdown.
Jackson suggests twisting the wrists outside while pushing the weight down to create the full elbow flexion necessary for triceps activation. He repeats this circuit three times to finish off the arms workout.
Overall Workout:
Biceps
Triceps
Jackson is happily living his retired life and has nearly abandoned pharmacological assistance to build and maintain his physique. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and focuses on staying healthy at this stage of life. During this workout, Jackson reiterated that he would not return to competition under any circumstances.
“I would not be stepping on stage again. People think your body is back on sh*t again. And I am like, no TRT, no HRT, none of that crap. Just keeping my meals to about three meals a day. Anything more than that, and my a** gonna go up in weight. I am content with only two. But if I want to do it two (meals per day), my weight will drop. I am between 200 and 205. Perfect weight, feeling good, and looking good.”
A jacked physique constitutes a huge part of a bodybuilder’s identity and self-image. As a result, many retired bodybuilders find it difficult to let go of it and drop to average size, even if it means health and longevity. Jackson is one of the few men who made that transformation and set a positive example for other bodybuilders to follow after they hang up their posing trunks.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Dexter Jackson’s YouTube channel:
References:
Overhead Cable Curl – Variations, Benefits, Form and Techniques (Author – Dr. Malik, Tom Miller CSCS)
Hammer Curls: How-To and Variations (Author – Travis Edwards, PT, MPT, Medically reviewed by Jake Tipane CPT)
Published: 6 June, 2023 | 9:11 AM EDT
Calum Von Moger ‘Finding His Own Place Back in World’ Talks Bodybuilding and Future Plans
Influencer and bodybuilder Calum Von Moger is still finding his footing in life after suffering from a series of setbacks. In a recent YouTube video, Von Moger discussed his late brother Eddie passing away, his thoughts on bodybuilding, and what’s to come next on his journey of self-discovery.
“I’m a fitness influencer, I also used to do a lot of bodybuilding competitions back in the day. I’ve had a lot of setbacks recently but I’m also very well known for my comebacks and this is a part of my story,” Von Moger shared.
Von Moger became an instant sensation in fitness and bodybuilding following his portrayal of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the thrilling docudrama, Bigger. Having displayed a striking resemblance to the legend, fans expected that it was only a matter of time until Von Moger was dominating the bodybuilding stages.
However, on his way to superstardom, he encountered adversity that would derail his career. Last January, Calum slashed the tires of a man’s car in a fit of road rage. The situation escalated after police found several weapons in Von Moger’s vehicle, such as brass knuckles, a tomahawk, and a hunting knife. Even though he admitted to the offense, these troubles were just the tip of the iceberg.
Von Moger had close-call with death when he leaped out of a second-floor window. While he recovered fully, Von Moger was in a coma for six days. He later attended rehab for a drug problem. With time to reflect, the Australian native decided to change his life for the better.
He started posting regular YouTube videos again, where he showcased his training sessions. In March, tragedy struck. His brother, Eddie Von Moger, had gone missing and was later found dead off the coast of an Australian beach. Von Moger is still in a state of mourning but hopes to embark on a new journey in life. In his latest endeavor, he updated fans on his mental outlook, struggles, and plans for the future.
Calum Von Moger on Future: “I’m Not Really Worried About My Fitness Goals or Ambitions Anymore”
The 32-year-old said he’s still trying to wrap his head around the sudden loss of his brother.
“The biggest adversities that I’ve had to face this year have certainly been losing my little brother Eddie. That was and still is the toughest thing that I’ve had to deal with. It came really suddenly and unexpectedly and it’s something I’m still trying to process. It’s not easy. It’s not something I’ve ever experienced before having lost someone.”
It’s been a difficult year for Von Moger, and he’s unsure what the future holds for him.
“That and also finding my own place back in the world, back online, social media. I’m having to work on getting a lot of self-confidence in myself again, accepting who I am today and what my goals and future are going to look like. This is something that I’m discovering as I go along. I just hope that in time that it’s going to reveal itself to me. I’ve got to have faith.”
“It’s been really hard. I won’t lie. It’s been really hard. I’ve struggled a lot with depression following the events of this year and yeah, I’ve found myself in like a lot of times of weakness and vulnerability, and just a lot of times where I’m by myself and just asking what am I doing, what’s my purpose, what am I here for? Where are things going to lead to next for me?
Yeah, it’s hard because it’s something that I have to figure out on my own I feel. It’s not something that you know… feels like Im in a jungle and I’ve got a machete and I have to hack my way through all these obstacles and there’s no clear path. It’s not like this is the way out, I have to make my way out and find a way through it all. That’s the struggle and the difficult part.”
Looking back on bodybuilding, Calum said the sport influenced the way in which he judged himself and his appearance.
“Bodybuilding is a very how do you say – it’s a very critical sport, a very judgmental sport and I am hyper-judgmental of myself. If I’m not confident in myself and my appearance, it’s hard to share yourself with others and be open and stuff.”
His future plans involve growing a number of business ventures.
“Right now, I’m working on myself as well as getting back online and working with these companies. Boxed Up, Young LA, my own brand, I’m hoping to find yeah stability and I want to find myself in a place where I’m comfortable and I can work.”
Additionally, Von Moger intends to reconnect with his son. In 2020, Von Moger was accused of keeping this child a secret. He later set the record straight and confirmed the child was his.
“I’m thinking that also something I haven’t touched on. I do have a son, a three-year-old son, who I haven’t been able to be in his life very much. That plays in my mind a lot now. He’s in California. I think that I’m thinking it would be good for me to be closer to him and be and it would be nicer to be closer to him and see him regularly and be in his life.”
“I think that would help me find my purpose again, in life as well,” Von Moger added. “I used to always focus everything on me and what am I doing, what are my goals, my ambitions, but that focus has really shifted. I’m not really too worried about my fitness goals or ambitions or my appearance anymore. I’ve accepted that I am how I am.”
Lastly, Von Moger talked about the scars on his arm, which he presumably received after jumping out of the two-story window.
“I have these scars, I have 87-something stitches in this arm. So I’m changed and I’m still accepting this who I am today. I know that I’m not going to be who I once was but it doesn’t matter . I don’t have to be that, I’ve already been it.”
This wasn’t the first update from Calum regarding family matters. In April, the fitness star opened up in an emotional interview about his brother’s death. Von Moger explained that his mind is constantly elsewhere and was thankful for fans at the 2023 Arnold Classix Expo who were considerate of his feelings.
Calum looks to be done with bodybuilding, but his love for training continues to draw him to the gym. Despite an uncertain future, Von Moger appears to be in a more tranquil state considering the events he’s endured lately.
RELATED: Calum von Moger Issues Statement Regarding Recent Troubles: “I’m Sick of Fake People. Period.”
You can watch the full video from Calum Von Moger’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 5 June, 2023 | 7:08 PM EDT