Tag: Bodybuilding
Hadi Choopan & Andrew Jacked Give Huge Off-Season Updates, Jacked Reveals Weight of 301.6-lb (136.8-kg)
Reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan and rising sensation Andrew Jacked are some of the biggest names in the Men’s Open division. Choopan created history by winning his maiden Sandow trophy at the 2022 Mr. Olympia while Andrew Jacked, real name Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, took the bodybuilding world by storm last year. In a recent Instagram post, Jacked shared an impressive physique update revealing he’s tipping the scales at a gigantic 301.6 pounds (136.8 kilograms).
Andrew Jacked emerged as a promising Men’s Open prospect with an incredible combination of muscularity, shape, and proportions. Dubbed the ‘Mona Lisa of bodybuilding,’ Jacked kicked off last season with a dominant win at the 2022 Texas Pro, beating the likes of Martin Fitzwater, Steve Kuclo, and former 212 Olympia champ Kamal Elgargni. He followed up with another impressive performance at the 2022 Arnold Classic UK to score back-to-back wins. Though, it only took his win in Texas to guarantee his spot on the Olympia stage.
There was a lot of hype behind Andrew going into the 2022 Mr. Olympia. He presented a stellar package and cracked the top ten in his maiden performance, finishing eighth. Following the result, his coach George Farah revealed that Jacked nearly withdrew from the contest due to illness.
Specifically, George Farah explained that Andrew was suffering from bronchitis and a 102-degree fever but refused to use it as an excuse while performing atop the Olympia stage. Instead, Jacked fought through adversity and finished 8th. Fellow Men’s Open standout Nick Walker later praised Jacked’s performance and backed him as a potential title contender in the future.
Earlier this year, Jacked signed up for the 2023 Arnold Classic. He enlisted the help of renowned gurus Chris Aceto and Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis to get ready for the competition. Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler extended his support for Andrew to come out on top of the contest. In the end, Andrew finished third behind Walker and champ Samson Dauda.
Andrew Jacked shares a massive physique update weighing 301.6-lb (136.8-kg)
In a recent Instagram post, Andrew Jacked shared a gigantic physique update where he tipped the scales at a shocking 301.6 pounds (136.8 kilograms).
“10days into the offseason,” wrote Andrew. “301.6Lbs/136.8kgs still maintaining leanness whilst putting on decent mass.”
Two months ago, Andrew Jacked reported positive results after getting his blood work completed. He also spilled the beans on his first meeting with IFBB head judge Steve Weinberger, who regularly officiates the biggest contests in the world such as the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic shows.
Jacked announced his return to action for the upcoming 2023 Texas Pro, where he will look to win and earn an invite to the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia. He plans to defend his title successfully as this contest served as his first pro show victory in the IFBB Pro League.
Meanwhile, Iranian bodybuilder Hadi Choopan first gained attention for his insane muscle mass, definition, and conditioning in 2019. He won the Vancouver Pro and secured an invite to the Mr. Olympia show, where he made a statement with a third-place finish. He has proven to be one of the most consistent athletes in the sport as he never placed below fourth in any of his Mr. Olympia appearances.
Last season, Choopan dethroned former two-time champ Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Former 212 Olympia champ Derek Lunsford came close but fell to Choopan, who became the first Iranian-born champion in the history of the sport. Upon his reentry back home, he received a warm welcome back as a ten-foot-tall statue was built to honor Choopan’s achievement.
After Dauda’s win at the 2023 AC, coach Milos Sarcev backed him to potentially beat Choopan and Lunsford if he kept improving. IFBB athletes’ representative Bob Cicherillo voiced a similar sentiment in his analysis of the frontrunners for the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia. Legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman picked Lunsford to win the title as well. On the other hand, bodybuilding veteran William Bonac is confident Choopan could add a second Sandow trophy to his collection.
Hadi Choopan shares jacked off-season physique update
In a recent Instagram post, Hadi Choopan shared a shredded physique update in the off-season.
“Run go home run,” cautioned Choopan.
Hadi Choopan gave fans a look into his training in the 2023 off-season two weeks ago. He laid out an intense lower-body workout routine that he’s utilizing to get ready for the next Olympia.
RELATED: Samson Dauda, Milos Sarcev Say Back Thickness Key to Defeating Hadi Choopan: ‘No Breaks from Training’
Choopan is leaving no stone unturned to defend the title successfully when he returns to the stage. However, it will be no easy task as he faces danger from Lunsford, Jacked, Dauda, and a slew of other hungry contenders.
Published: 16 May, 2023 | 7:04 PM EDT
2023 New York Pro Preview, Competitors List & Top Names to Watch
The 2023 New York Pro takes place this weekend and serves as the third most significant event of the IFBB Pro League calendar. With Blessing Awodibu away from the stage, a new champion will be crowned on May 20. This contest will feature a total of nine divisions: Men’s Open, Classic Physique, 212 Bodybuilding, Men’s Physique, Women’s Bodybuilding, Women’s Physique, Figure, Bikini, and Wellness.
In addition to 2022 champion Blessing Awodibu’s absence, the 2021 New York Pro winner, Nick Walker, has opted to use the extra time to prepare for 2023 Mr. Olympia. Whoever claims Steve Weinberger’s New York Pro title over the weekend will gain substantial momentum in their quest to shine on the Mr. Olympia stage in November.
With the event set to kick off Saturday in Teaneck, NJ., fans are eager to see their favorite athletes vie for gold and a coveted 2023 Mr. Olympia invitation. Find a full competitors list and names to watch below:
2023 New York Pro Lineup
Men’s Open Bodybuilding
Heading into New York, fans expect Tonio Burton to make a statement. Having competed in 212 and the Open, Burton continues to make strides and sports a freaky physique. Last year, he won a Men’s Open show at the 2022 Legion Sports Fest Pro and plans to secure another title this weekend.
However, Burton will have to get through a couple of threats, such as veteran Maxx Charles and Nate Spear. At the 2022 New York Pro last year, Charles took third and intends to inch closer to gold in his next appearance.
On the other hand, Stuart Sutherland has shown promising updates during prep for his New York debut, weighing as much as 253 pounds. Spear, who last competed at the Boston Pro (7th) appears to have added size as well. Other notable standouts include Joe Seeman and Slavoj Bednar.
Slavoj Bednar
Tonio Burton
Maxx Charles
Lionardis Cardoza Delfino
Walter R. Debbs
Jason Hebert
Mike Hulusi
Josef Kveton
Keunwoo Park
Joe Seeman
Nathan Spear
Robin Strand
Stuart Sutherland
Brent Swansen
Mariusz Tomczuk
Eric Wood
Classic Physique
Having just claimed gold at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, Michael Daboul is an obvious favorite heading into this weekend’s event. Considering he’s already in shape and riding momentum, it will take a massive effort to overshadow him on stage. As a former Men’s Physique competitor, fans expect a big turnout from Matthew Greggo in his debut for Classic Physique. Greggo’s last contest came last year in seventh place at the 2022 Tampa Pro.
In addition, Junior Javorski is in the running for gold. He competed against the 2023 Arnold Classic champion Ramon Dino but ultimately left town in sixth. He also has ambitious plans this weekend and is aiming to earn his Olympia invitation.
Eric Abelon
Munkhsaruul Altangerel
Zeek Andrews
Kherlan Batbayar
Brandon Coope
Michael Daboul
Camilo Diaz
Javie Duarte
Jorge Luis Guerrero Gallegos
Matthew Greggo
Callum Hinze
Junior Javorski
Hubert Kulczynski
Tyler Okowinsky
Rickoy Palmer
Rob Van Sant
Herbert Surita Sotillo
Alexander Westermeier
Jeremiah T. Willies
Andrew Wilson
212 Bodybuilding
Defending champion Noel Adame plans to silence any doubters on Saturday. He dominated the show last year to win his first New York Pro title, showcasing an impressive blend of conditioning and balance.
Kerrith Bajjo plans to steal the 212 spotlight again after a successful season last year. He won the Texas Pro before taking seventh at 2022 Olympia. In light of his recent physique updates, fans believe Bajjo could make a run for first place.
Noel Adame
Kerrith Bajjo
Peter Castella
Anthony S. Dellaventura
Ralph Farah
Ho Yeon Jang
Sung Yeop Jang
Jason Joseph
Shuqing Lin
Marc Lobliner
Jose Marte
Diego A. Guerra Montoya
Babacar Niang
Jicheng Qian
Michael Schneider
Nate Telow
Jordan Wise
Men’s Physique
Men’s Physique favorite Ryan Terry will make a quick turnaround after narrowly finishing second to Corey Morris at last weekend’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro show. Given his record of success and massive chest, he hopes to earn a victory after the close call in Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, Charjo Grant also stands out as an early favorite. He last appeared in December on the Mr. Olympia stage where he impressed in fourth place. And while Vitor Chaves took 13th at the 2022 Olympia, many in the bodybuilding community refuse to dismiss his chances on the East Coast.
Daniel Ammons is a surefire frontrunner as well as he found loads of success on stage in 2022. He enters this show on the heels of back-to-back wins at the Tampa and Texas Pro.
Philip Acevedo
Daniel Ammons
Joseph Angell
Vitor Chaves
Andrew J. David
Matthew J. Gelia
Juan Manuel Gochez
Maxim Golovatii
Charjo Grant
Aaron Harvey
Jarrett Jenkins
Dennis Kloster
Ephfram Lawhorne
Joseph Mencel
Gage Moran
Sidy Pouye
Francisco Rodriguez
Ryan Terry
Dawid Wachelka
Deke Walker
Richard Young
Miguel A. Zapata
Women’s Bodybuilding
In Women’s Bodybuilding, 2022 Toronto Pro Supershow fourth-place finisher Gisela Nunes Chan is determined to shine in her latest outing. Tamara Makar, who took ninth at last year’s Tampa Pro, is on track to bring her best look to date. However, the biggest favorite of the night is likely Donna W. Salib, who enters the contest as the defending New York Pro champion. Before calling it a season last year, she took 14th at 2022 Olympia.
Saqweta Barrino
Gisela Nunes Chan
Tamara Makar
Rene Marven
Vera Mikulcova
Donna W. Salib
Andrea Saurer
Towanda D. Smith
Julia Whitesel
Women’s Physique
Saturday will feature the reigning 2022 Women’s Physique Olympia Natalia Abraham Coelho. She brought exceptional conditioning to Las Vegas last year and defeated former two-time Olympia champ, Sarah Villegas in a huge upset. Coelho enters this contest with added momentum as she won the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro title a week ago.
Candice Carr
Natalia Abraham Coelho
Sarah Crail
Debbie Gaccione
Ann Gruber
Yuna Kim
Amandine Kolly
Alexis Lowery
Angela Noury
Diana Schnaidt
Joseli Schoenherr
Tanja Schroder
Becky Short
Christine Siegrist
Michele Steeves
Jennifer Taylor
Christina Wilson
Figure
Top five Figure Olympia finisher Natalia Soltero is aiming for another pro show victory. Last weekend, she walked away in second following a very close competition against Cherish Richardson at the Pittsburgh Pro. The event was certainly memorable as it featured a star-studded lineup of Open class guest posers.
Yukhno Aksana
Jessica Baltazar
Danielle Barros
Yukina Betz
Lynn Centino
Angelika Chapman
Lu Faustin
Annelies Charlotte Fortuin
Rebecca Godwin
Constance Jones
Julie R. Medina
Rene Miller
Traci Miller
Nina Paulus
Maria Luisa Baeza Diaz Pereira
Danielle Rose
Kelly Sammut
Nakeisha Scruggs
Jiyoon Seo
Natalia Soltero
Andrea Villalobos
Thais Cabrices Werner
Aksana Yukhno
Jennifer Zienert
Bikini
Aimee LeAnn Delgado is on a roll in 2023 with three consecutive pro show victories. Earlier this year, Delgado dominated the Klash Series Pro, the Wasatch Warrior Pro, and most recently, claimed gold at the Pittsburgh Pro, where she defeated popular three-time Bikini Olympia winner Ashley Kaltwasser.
Maria Acosta
Marnie Al-Saraf
Bridget Bailey
Shenese Case
Aimee LeAnn Delgado
Ivi Escandar
Valerya Fedorenko
Eli Fernandez
Christina Friscia
Rudie Guerrero
Reijuana Harley
Langsha He
Yume Kurokawa
Noemi Lavacca
Alice Rocha
Angely Rojas
Rachel Schartz
Areum Song
Nedjie Thompson
Petra Voldanova
Jessica Wilson
Wellness
Even with a smaller competitors list, fans expect a fiery Wellness contest given that Gisele Machado is participating. She last competed at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro and took first place. Since she earned an Olympia invite already, she’s aiming to prevent other competitors from making their way to the Olympia stage in November.
Carol Canrarero
Lili Dong
Daisha Johnson
Edna F. De Souza
Gisele Machado
Tefani-Sam Razhi
RELATED: Dan Solomon Reveals 2023 Olympia Will Return To Orlando, Florida In First Week of November
As it stands, the 2023 Mr. Olympia Qualification System has undergone notable changes. Most importantly, IFBB Pro League athletes can no longer qualify for the annual Mr. Olympia competition based on points. The point system has been removed and bodybuilders must win a pro show to guarantee passage to the biggest event of the year.
With the 2023 New York Pro set for November 20, fans are excited to see the bodybuilding season move forward. The 10 winners from this contest will have the opportunity to face the respective champions of their division in less than six months.
Published: 16 May, 2023 | 5:19 PM EDT
Ramon Queiroz Unveils Massive 251-Lb Physique Update in 2023 Off-Season, Crushes Chest Workout
Rising Brazilian star Ramon Queiroz is on a mission to win his first Classic Physique Olympia title later this year. In a recent YouTube video, Queiroz pushed through a chest workout and shared a physique update.
Queiroz has quickly become one of the biggest names in his respective division, courtesy of his popping biceps, thin waist, and sharp conditioning. He gained steam in the IFBB Pro League following his second-place finish at the 2021 Europa Pro Championships. In his Olympia debut, he finished fifth.
Forging ahead with a huge following, Queiroz took to the 2022 Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. Ultimately, he came close to gold but was denied the title by two-time champion Terrence Ruffin. Nevertheless, fans instantly recognized Queiroz as a future threat to four-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead.
Last December’s Mr. Olympia contest saw Bumstead secure another Classic Physique title. However, before Ramon got the chance to step on stage, he was nearly disqualified after initially missing the height/weight cap requirement. Since the Classic Physique weight cap is based on an athlete’s height, some have argued that taller competitors such as Bumstead have a distinct advantage over shorter competitors.
Back in March, Queiroz won his first Classic Physique Arnold Classic title. En route to the victory, he defeated Germany’s Urs Kalecinski and Alex Cambronero. Given his recent victory, many fans have dubbed him a promising contender for the biggest show of the year.
251-Lb Ramon Queiroz Showcases Intense Chest Training Session & Impressive Physique Update
Find a list of the exercises used by Queiroz below:
Despite pushing each other on stage, Bumstead and Queiroz aren’t opposed to teaming up in the training room. Shortly after the 2023 Arnold Classic, they joined hands for a laborious back workout, which featured six movements.
While Bumstead has been eying retirement for quite some time, it’s uncertain when he’ll actually pull the trigger on his career. He made it clear that he will assess his physique and mental outlook year-by-year, but as of right now, his sole focus is on winning a fifth Classic Physique Olympia title. Should he decide to stop competing, many believe Queiroz becoming an Olympia winner is a foregone conclusion.
Considering his success in Ohio, Ramon Queiroz is the leading man to upset Cbum in November. Since Bumstead still has room to grow in Classic Physique, fans have questioned whether or not the weight/height cap should be adjusted to offer a more even playing field for other competitors.
RELATED: Chris Bumstead Opens Up on Pressures of Being Dominant: “I’m Afraid That I’m Going to Lose”
Watch the full video below from the Max Titanium YouTube channel:
Published: 16 May, 2023 | 1:04 PM EDT
Arnold Schwarzenegger Leads Workout, Discusses Sleep & Alcohol with Comedians Bert Kreischer & Fortune Feimster
Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s love for the pump was on full display in a special workout collaboration. In a recent YouTube video, Schwarzenegger joined comedians Bert Kreischer and Fortune Feimster for an upper body training session.
Competing in the 1970s and 80s as a bodybuilding pro, Schwarzenegger reached the top of the sport with exceptional proportions, crazy bicep peaks, and one of the best chests of all time. While navigating his career, Schwarzenegger shared the stage with IFBB Pro League icons such as Frank Zane, Franco Columbo, and Sergio Oliva en route to winning seven Mr. Olympia titles.
As a movie star and former governor of California, Schwarzenegger is a pioneer of the sport and has played a major role in making bodybuilding more mainstream. In addition to starring in the 1977 docudrama Pumping Iron, the 75-year-old runs the annual Arnold Sports Festival, which he co-created with the late Jim Lorimer in 1989.
In a change of pace, Schwarzenegger decided to promote his Netflix series FUBAR with comedians Bert Kreischer, and Fortune Feimster. He put them through a four-exercise routine that worked the delts and chest, which you can find below.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bert Kreischer, and Feimster Push Through Workout Demonstration
Schwarzenegger led the training session and started with machine lat pulldowns.
“Simple pull-down machine, all the way down until you hit the bottom, and then all the way up, and down, and up, and down,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Bert is next, nice and easy nice and easy, stand up grab the top part [and then sit down]. All the way down, go all the way down. Don’t stretch the biceps, we’re training the wings [delts].”
During Fortune’s sets, Schwarzenegger instructed her to go deeper into the contraction.
“No pain, no gain,” said the icon. “I’m just [training] maintaining, but I don’t train heavy anymore too many heart surgeries.”
“Oh, well those are coming for me,” said Bert Kreischer.
Bert asks Schwarzenegger to count her set in German.
“This makes me sound like I’m in trouble,” shared Fortune Feimster.
Schwarzenegger moved to machine incline presses. Then, he revealed his max deadlift was 710 pounds.
“For the chest, all the way down and then all the way up,” Schwarzenegger suggested. “A pump up routine: how to get delts and chest. The key thing is to do it the right way, when you go down in squat position, then you use your thighs and back at the same time [for a deadlift]. 710 [pounds was my max deadlift.”
For his next demonstration, Schwarzenegger offered guidance while performing machine-seated rows.
“This is a stretch exercise, you stretch and you flex.”
Schwarzenegger revealed that he commonly used hotel fitness centers for staying in shape during acting projects. According to Arnold, his best movie physique was displayed during Conan, The Barbarian 2.
“Be careful with the shoulders and just push forward and push them together as much as you can,” said Arnold. “Yes, I’ve had surgeries, shoulders, hips, knees, yeah, the whole body.”
When asked about the quality of his sleep and alcohol consumption, Schwarzenegger had the following to say:
“Six or seven hours, yeah very well, not always. No [I don’t drink alcohol]. Not much, not very often, maybe a little bit of wine, but that’s maybe once a week. I used to drink more, like 10 shots of Schnapps, but not anymore.”
Finally, Schwarzenegger discussed his recently released Netflix series FUBAR. He then stressed that luck doesn’t exist.
“There’s no such thing as luck, there’s talent, and then talent meets opportunity, that’s luck,” said Schwarzenegger. “For her to jump into a high-action series with big players, it’s an opportunity. Why is there an opportunity? Because the talent is there and everybody thought it was to be funny, the intense scenes, stabbing, throwing, cutting the throat and all that stuff, but there’s comedic stuff too there that makes people laugh.”
Whether it’s detail-oriented training sessions or advice on living a healthier life, Schwarzenegger is dedicated to longevity. In a previous newsletter, the Austrian native shared how caffeine can serve as a ‘champion performance-enhancer,’ if used as a pre-workout option.
Schwarzenegger offered the comedians advice on proper form and follow-through despite their lack of experience. Even with his busy schedule, Schwarzenegger is determined to spread the knowledge he’s acquired over the years.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends ‘Wave Training’ To Get Out Of A Rut
Watch the full YouTube video below:
Published: 16 May, 2023 | 11:27 AM EDT
Jay Cutler: “Since Ronnie Coleman Stepped Away, I Don’t Know If Anyone Has Come Close to His Physique”
Bodybuilding icon Jay Cutler believes Ronnie Coleman’s physique has stood the test of time. In a recent Don’t Be Sour podcast, Cutler discussed Coleman’s next-level physique, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the role of steroids in bodybuilding.
Ronnie Coleman cemented himself as an all-time great with eight Mr. Olympia titles from 1998-2005. Sharing the stage with legends like Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, and Chris Cormier, many consider Coleman to be one of the greatest bodybuilders to ever compete.
In 2006, Ronnie Coleman was dethroned by his rival Jay Cutler, who managed to secure a total of four Mr. Olympia victories. However, Cutler was defeated by Dexter Jackson in 2008. Ultimately, Cutler would become the only Men’s Open pro to win back an Olympia title, which he accomplished in 2009 while delivering his iconic quad-stomp pose.
And while it’s been almost 15 years since Coleman stepped on stage, his successor, Cutler, believes no one in the IFBB Pro League has come close to matching the sheer size, volume, and conditioning he displayed throughout his prime.
Jay Cutler Compares Legacies of Ronnie Coleman & Arnold Schwarzenegger
Cutler believes bodybuilders today have more advantages than athletes who trained during Schwarzenegger’s era.
“At his point, where bodybuilding was, he was ahead of it, he won seven in a row, I mean some of them he didn’t really have a lot of competition, they weren’t necessarily paid to be bodybuilders on that level where today there’s great revenue to be a bodybuilder right? You get paid and win money.”
In Jay’s honest opinion, no one has ever come close to Coleman’s physique.
“By the physique and you know… the transition of time, just Ronnie pushed the physique level to just the crazy conditioning, muscle density quality right? Where, you know, he was like a powerlifter and a bodybuilder together; he broke all weight records and had a crazy physique. To be honest, I mean since Coleman stepped away, I don’t know if anyone has even come close to his physique,” said Jay Cutler.
There have been plenty of great champions, but Cutler believes Coleman separated himself from his peers with unmatched size.
“Phil Heath was really good, but not as big and balanced as Coleman was on a size scale, but Phil held his own. Not to say Dexter Jackson hasn’t been great or Big Ramy or Shawn Rhoden or Brandon Curry,” added Cutler.
Cutler conceded that Arnold Schwarzenegger has done more for the sport than Coleman given his ability to break boundaries and trailblaze.
“Arnold has done definitely was more on a total scale, I mean to be an actor, the politician, yeah, put the Olympia on the map, like that’s why you could really do this circular pattern of what a GOAT is. It just depends on your description of what the greatest of all time is.”
Cutler Opens Up on How Steroids Have Changed Since Schwarzenegger’s Era
According to Cutler, enhancements, training, and workout theories have changed substantially since Scwarzenegger’s time on stage. He added that bodybuilders are now afforded the opportunity to fund themselves better with social media.
“Definitely the enhancements changed, but the nutrition changed a lot. The equipment that we train on was way different. Yes, free weights and the training theories — like volume training, I think Arnold overtrained himself a lot, they would spend all day working out and not following a nutrition pattern that would fulfill that. Now, as you know, the rest and the growth is done out of the gym. I think their perception was most of the growth was done inside the gym. I feel like the recovery process, remember, now, people are paid to do this so they can allow themselves not to go out and work a secondary job and instead fund themselves with a career.”
Back when he competed, Cutler mentioned there were times when he needed ‘exotic’ drugs which required him to go overseas.
“Preparing for each year’s contest, whether you needed exotics or whatever else and that was not legal to get. I mean, at certain times you could maybe buy things overseas, but you still need to bring them to the United States or whatever else,” said Cutler. “People can get in trouble [for steroids] but remember, the manufacturing, you’re talking about compounding, steroids to whatever else, those seem to be the big reports but if you’re using for general use, I don’t know what the ramifications of that are. I just know it’s something that some people are willing to take to succeed in what they do.”
The bodybuilding icon stressed that protocols differ depending on the person. When asked if it was possible to win Mr. Olympia drug-free, Cutler dismissed it as a possibility.
“Every guy is not on the same protocol. Yes, certain guys have to take more or less and there’s certain protocols that people use. Is it necessary? You can do a contest without using and kinds of drugs, but you’ll be at a disadvantage because people ahead of you will use compounds that you’re not. Genetics can only take you so far if that makes sense. Yes [you have to use steroids to win] the current Mr. Olympia, yes.”
This isn’t the first time that Jay Cutler took a closer look at performance-enhancing drugs in bodybuilding. During a recent Cutler Cast podcast, the Massachusetts native revealed that he generally cycled on and off steroids every few months. Cutler, who competed against Coleman, admires his rival’s physique for its perfect combination of mass, definition, and shape. Considering his overall package, Cutler is confident that no one has come close to what ‘The King’ presented in his prime years.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Shares Jacked Physique Update Ahead of ‘Fit for 50’ Transformation Challenge
Watch the full video below on the Don’t Be Sour YouTube channel:
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 6:32 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman ‘Feeling Like Old Self’ Again After Stem Cell Treatments: ‘I’m Very Hopeful’
Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman‘s health appears to be improving following another round of stem cell treatment. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman revealed that his continued therapy has helped reduce his painkiller usage by more than half.
After claiming the Mr. Olympia throne in 1998, Coleman held the title for almost a decade, having captured eight Sandows. He is tied with Lee Haney for the most wins on the Mr. Olympia stage ever. While competing actively, Coleman was revered for his massive proportions, fullness, and vascular conditioning.
Coleman faced the who’s who of the Open class during his tenure, pushing the limits of his body against names like Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, and Dexter Jackson. In 2006, Coleman was finally dethroned by his long-time rival Jay Cutler and later retired in 2007.
Coleman was also celebrated in the bodybuilding community for his jarring power. During the height of his career, Ronnie recorded some incredible feats of strength, including a 2,300-pound leg press and an 800-pound deadlift.
It’s no mystery that Coleman has suffered several health issues since his bodybuilding departure. His back has been operated on more than 10 times and Coleman struggles to walk without assistance. He hopes his latest string of stem cell treatments will direct him toward a healthier and more active life.
Ronnie Coleman Cuts Painkillers by 50% After Stem Cell Treatments: ‘I’ve Made Some Major Improvements’
When asked about his progress, Coleman had the following to say:
“I’ve made some major improvements since I’ve been coming here. I was in a lot of pain when I first started. Now, my pain levels are like almost – almost – eight, nine somewhere in there and you guys got it all the way down – I’ve been coming here almost two years I think; somewhere in there. I found the more I was coming, the better I was getting.
Now it’s been like nine months and I saw that you know it tried to increase a little bit but I see now that I have to come more often to get the treatments because when I come more often I know my improvements will get better and better and better. The way they were before. The key here I see now is more treatment, the better off you’re going to be,” Ronnie Coleman shared.
The medical staff revealed that the stem cell treatments are intended to help Coleman’s nerve damage over the course of a few years.
“What we’re looking for Ronnie, is to improve the nerve damage, which he has had after all of these years, it takes a while, it depends on every patient but at least around two years to have nerve recovery,” the medical assistant explained.
After two years of stem cell treatments, Coleman said the numbness in his arms and shoulders subsided.
“When I had my surgeries and that numbness in my arms and shoulders, my doctors told me it was going to take two years for the nerve damage to go away and it was two years exactly to the date from my last surgery that the numbness went away.”
“I’m very hopeful that this is going to be the same thing,” said Coleman. ”
“When I was coming like every three to four months, I noticed that my numbness would get a whole lot better but I noted that it came back a little bit more when I like skipped all those months and in had been like nine months now, I know it was trying to come back on me. As I was saying earlier, the more that I come, the more consistent I am with my treatment, the better off I am.”
Coleman highlighted that the stem cell treatments have reduced his need to take painkillers by more than 50%.
“When I first came in I was doing like 30 milligrams like four times a day, I think after… like you said, two or three treatments, I was going down to 15 milligrams three times a day,” Coleman said. “Yeah [it helped with the doses], I was lucky.”
Coleman’s IGF-1 Score: 85.3*
The doctor explained that Coleman’s IGF-1 score is in the proper range for his age group.
Before wrapping up for the day, the facility had Coleman train in a hyperbaric chamber.
“What’s up guys, Big Ron here, I want to thank Danny G and their Regenamax team and everything they’ve done for me, yeah buddy.”
In addition to keeping fans informed about his health and well-being, Coleman offered his take on the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia competition this November. According to the eight-time winner, former 212 Olympia Derek Lunsford will take out Hadi Choopan at the upcoming show.
As one of bodybuilding’s most beloved figures, the community would treasure nothing more than to see Coleman’s health back to 100%. With his stem cell treatments showing promising results, he may soon achieve his goal of walking unassisted.
RELATED: Bodybuilding Legend Ronnie Coleman Selling House for $495K After 26-Year Residence
Watch the full video below from Coleman’s YouTube channel:
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 4:44 PM EDT
Derek Lunsford & Samson Dauda Stand Out as 2023 Mr. Olympia Favorites After Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing
Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro concluded with six new champions. However, one of the biggest talking points of the weekend was the guest posing spectacle, which featured Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, Hunter Labrada, and Shaun Clarida.
Brimming with contenders, the Men’s Open division continues to add excitement to the sport, and the division has seen major changes as of late. At last year’s 2022 Pittsburgh Pro, Big Ramy failed to show up. Instead, Derek Lunsford took his place and dominated headlines for weeks. He posed alongside Quinton Eriya, Nick Walker, Brandon Curry, and Labrada. While Ramy later apologized for his absence, some were concerned that his misstep might cost him on the horizon.
In Sept. 2022, Derek Lunsford accepted a special invitation to compete in the Open class at Mr. Olympia. With zero size limitations, Lunsford would shock the world by taking second place to his teammate and newly crowned champion, Hadi Choopan. Surprisingly, Ramy fell to fifth.
Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing / gilcoproductions
Nick Walker, who earned third at the same contest, made a quick turnaround at the 2023 Arnold Classic in March. He entered the show as the on-paper favorite but was outmatched by Samson Dauda in second place as judges deemed the Nigerian’s physique more complete.
With this year’s Mr. Olympia show taking place in less than six months, many of the division’s top contenders stormed the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro for a special guest posing appearance. Given the shape and fullness of Lunsford in the 2023 off-season, many fans believe he has the greatest chance of dethroning Choopan in November.
Is Derek Lunsford or Samson Dauda the 2023 Mr. Olympia No. 1 Contender? – Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing Highlights
Find pictures and videos below from the guest posing event at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro last weekend:
Given the physiques on display in Pittsburgh, it’s safe to say this year’s Mr. Olympia contest will be immensely competitive. Some Open contenders such as Nick Walker believe Choopan won’t repeat as champion. With that in mind, ‘The Mutant’ envisions the next Mr. Olympia title being won by himself or Lunsford.
Two-time Arnold Classic winner William Bonac also chimed in on the 2023 Olympia discussion. He appeared on The Menace Podcast with Dennis James and recently predicted Choopan will defend successfully. However, he acknowledged that the Mr. Olympia title is within Walker’s grasp if he can add more quad sweep.
Meanwhile, Samson Dauda, fresh off his 2023 Arnold Classic victory, is confident he has the skills to upset the champ. According to Dauda, if he improves his back, there are no other areas in which Derek or Hadi can beat him.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Predicts Derek Lunsford Will Defeat Hadi Choopan at 2023 Mr. Olympia
Big Ramy’s plans for the rest of the year are unclear, as the former champion suggested he might take a break. Nevertheless, the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest is still generating a lot of excitement among the fans, who are eager to see how Choopan copes with the challenge of defending his title.
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 11:06 AM EDT
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro show takes place this weekend in Budapest, Hungary, where athletes from the Men’s Physique and Bikini categories will battle for gold. This show served as a 2023 Mr. Olympia qualifier.
Athletes will have until October 9 to earn a respective invite to the sport’s biggest event of the year, Mr. Olympia, scheduled for November 2-5, in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center. Unlike in 2022, pros cannot earn passage to Mr. Olympia on points, therefore, to stand atop the Olympia stage, competitors must win a pro show.
In the Men’s Physique division, fans expect a solid performance from Simon Pieto Arena, who earned his pro card last year. Additionally, the bodybuilding community has dubbed Rory Gissing, Benedikt Lukas, and Balint Nemeth as major threats. Meanwhile, Bikini standouts Kristina Brunauer, Noora Mahonen, and Lisa Reith have all been named early favorites ahead of the show as well.
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Winners
Men’s Physique: Riccardo Croci
Bikini: Zsofia Reka Molnar
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro Results
Men’s Physique
Winner — Riccardo Croci
Second Place — Balint Nemeth
Third Place — Benedikt Lukas
Fourth Place — Simon Pietro Arena
Fifth Place — Rory Gissing
Bikini
Winner — Zsofia Reka Molnar
Second Place — Lisa Reith
Third Place — Cristobalina Pajares
Fourth Place — Martyna Derlat
Fifth Place — Renata Nowak
Sixth Place — Rukiye Solak
Seventh Place — Laura Zakharias
Eighth Place — Vania Maria Mesquita
Ninth Place — Noora Mahonen
Tenth Place — Giulia Silvestri
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro Scorecards
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 1:41 AM EDT
Jay Cutler Shares Jacked Physique Update Ahead of ‘Fit for 50’ Transformation Challenge
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler dominated the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division in the mid-2000s with his monstrous muscle mass and size. While he moved on from professional competition years ago, he has kept up an insanely high fitness level. In a recent post made on Instagram, Cutler shared a jacked physique update ahead of his ‘Fit for 50’ body transformation challenge.
Jay Cutler presented one of the best packages of any Open competitor during his days of competing on stage. He shared a fierce rivalry with legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman. Cutler racked up three Arnold Classic titles while taking four silvers at Mr. Olympia, falling short of the eight-time Mr. Olympia champ on each occasion. In 2006, Cutler returned with a vengeance and finally won his maiden Sandow trophy. He defended the title successfully the next year before getting dethroned by Dexter Jackson in 2008. He reclaimed the title and hung up his posing trunks with four wins under his belt.
Cutler has not lost his passion for working out. He’s working on achieving his best look outside of competition as part of his personal ‘Fit for 50’ body transformation challenge.
Earlier this year, Cutler gave fans a look into his chest training techniques. He laid out the four exercises he used to target the chest after pairing the session with a brief calves workout routine. Then, he left the fans stunned with a massive physique update as part of the challenge. The update ignited speculation about whether Cutler would make a comeback for the returning 2023 Masters Olympia. However, renowned coach Chris Aceto shut down the talks quickly.
via YouTube @JayCutlerTV
Cutler is confident he could improve his physique through proper nutrition, training, and TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). He argued against using other steroids or amping up the intensity based on his existing package last month.
Jay Cutler broke down his training style in comparison to six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates a few weeks ago. Cutler believed in using high-volume routines in stark contrast to Yates’ high-intensity training methods where he’d push himself to near failure in every session. He also reported eliminating fasted cardio from his routine.
Last month, Cutler joined forces with Classic Physique standout Urs Kalecinski for a heavy back workout. He lauded the rising German sensation’s potential and encouraged him to increase his presence in the American market.
The 49-year-old laid out the high-protein diet he’s utilizing in preparation for the body transformation challenge along with a shredded physique update last week.
Jay Cutler shares jacked physique update ahead of ‘Fit for 50’ transformation challenge
In a recent Instagram post, Jay Cutler shared an impressive physique update ahead of his ‘Fit for 50’ body transformation challenge.
He revealed he tipped the scales at 239.5 pounds in the update.
“239.5. It begins,” wrote Cutler.
Jay Cutler gave his take on the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro earlier this week. He backed former 212 Olympia champ and Men’s Open sensation Derek Lunsford to turn in another stunning performance. He also extended his support for some of the other elite contenders, including Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, and former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay.
Cutler offered an intense lower body training routine inspired by quad-stomp a few days ago. He opened up on his ambitions to get to a lower body fat percentage, preferably between 6 and 8 percent this year.
Based on the latest update, Cutler appears to be in good shape and will likely crush his goal by the time his 50th birthday comes around.
Published: 14 May, 2023 | 10:36 AM EDT
2023 Musclecontest California Night of Champions Pro Results – Savannah Watchman Wins
The bodybuilding season is heating up in the West with the 2023 Musclecontest California Night of Champions Pro taking place in San Diego, California. This show is a 2023 Olympia qualifier and hosted competitors from the Bikini division.
This year, athletes have until October 9 to earn an invitation to the world’s biggest bodybuilding event of the year: Mr. Olympia, which is slated for the first weekend of November. From November 2-5, athletes from around the world will battle to see who brought the best physiques of their respective divisions.
As it stands, the top three Bikini Olympia finishers from 2022 are automatically invited back this year to compete again. Maureen Blanquisco is the current reigning and defending champion. Therefore, the winner of this show will have a chance to challenge her in Orlando, Florida later this year. Fans have circled a few names ahead of the show such as Ruth Montes, Carlee Stevenson, and Savannah Watchman as frontrunners.
2023 California Night of Champions Pro Results
Bikini
Winner — Savannah Watchman
Second Place — Gessica Brun
Third Place — Tara Grier
Fourth Place — Kimber Bonilla
Fifth Place — Gina Sardina
Sixth Place — Shenese Case
Seventh Place — Lizzie Martinez
Eighth Place — Stacy Correa
Ninth Place — Bridget Bailey
Tenth Place — April Holliness
2023 California Night of Champions Pro Scorecard
Fitness Volt congratulates the winner on their victory!
Published: 13 May, 2023 | 11:28 PM EDT