Tag: GI News
Kyle Kirvay Makes A 225-Pound Shoulder Press Look Easy For 20 Reps
Kyle Kirvay continues to show off massive lifts for high reps to work on cardio.
Kyle Kirvay might be a professional bodybuilder but he clearly has a future in powerlifting as well. Kirvay frequently shows off enormous lifts for many reps as he works on cardio throughout his sets as well. Recently, it was Kirvay demolishing 225-pound shoulder presses for 20 reps.
Kirvay took to Instagram to show off the effortless reps. He simply sat upright on the bench and did not use any get to aid him in the lifts. It seemed as though Kirvay did not even use effort to move the weight until about rep No. 15. Even those final 4-5 went up quickly.
“Cardio, 225 shoulder press version. Don’t neglect the 20 rep sets!”
Kyle Kirvay has accomplished many incredible feats of strength including a 495-pound squat for 22 reps. Let’s not forget that he is a professional bodybuilder.
Kirvay earned his Pro Card in 2018 after winning Men’s Heavyweight and Classic Physique at the 2018 NPC Universe Championships. This was just his fourth bodybuilding competition and it did not take long for Kirvay to turn pro. Since 2018, he has only competed in one IFBB show and that was the 2020 Chicago Pro.
Despite being new to powerlifting, Kirvay has performed like a veteran. He took part in the 2022 USPA Battle of Atilis where he shined with massive lifts. This was his first powerlifting competition and set the bar for future marks.
During this show, Kirvay totaled 1,005kg (2,214lbs). He began with a 365kg (804lb) squat followed by a 275kg (606lb) bench press. Kirvay’s final lift was a 365kg (804lb) deadlift. All three individual lifts and his total was good enough to set New Jersey State Records.
The combination of bodybuilding and powerlifting is not something seen too often but it is exciting when it comes up. Larry Wheels is another example of a do-it-all performer, including arm wrestling. Kirvay is 27 years old and has plenty of time to build more strength and train for powerlifting.
Kyle Kirvay already has the ability to put up huge numbers and has shown this on social media. After an eye-popping performance in his first powerlifting competition, Kirvay will continue to set new marks and take his numbers as high as they can go.
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Oleksii Novikov Shares Military Training Footage While Defending Ukraine
Oleksii Novikov is training to help defend his home country against Russian attack.
Oleksii Novikov dedicated his recent victory during the 2022 Europe’s Strongest Man competition to his home country of Ukraine. The event took place on Saturday and it did not take long fo the strongman to share a video on his YouTube page to tie it all together. Novikov has been training as a soldier to defend Ukraine against the Russian attack and shared some footage.
In the video, Novikov is seen participating in drills along with other soldiers. In the midst of this war, Novikov has been able to stay at the top of strongman and that is what is most impressive. Following his victory in England, Novikov made sure to dedicate it to Ukraine.
“I dedicate this win to Ukraine. We’ll win, we’re the strongest, remember it. And we’ll be the most prosperous country in the world. We’ll live a very good life, I promise. I travel a lot and know that Ukraine is truly the best country and I don’t want to live in any country apart from Ukraine.”
In March, Oleksii Novikov finished second at the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic behind Martins Licis. This competition came after Novikov began raising money for supplies for soldiers in Ukraine. Despite finishing as the runner-up, Novikov was gifted a larger prize to bring home for the cause.
What makes his feats even more impressive is that he is unable to train like a true strongman during this time.
“Unfortunately, I can’t train very well like strongman…[for] months, I train like soldier. Glory to Ukraine.”
Oleksii Novikov returned home after wining his most recent event and began training with soldiers. He was geared up fully and was able to handle the weight because of his training as a strongman. In the video, Novikov was seen going through the courses and shooting at targets, including once that had pictures of Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko.
Novikov is set to appear in competition in May during the 2022 World’s Strongest Man competition. This will be a week-long event in Sacramento where the world’s best strongmen will compete for the title. Novikov won the event back in 2020 and he has some extra motivation this time around.
Even while training as a soldier, Oleksii Novikov has remained at the top of strongman.
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Brandon Hendrickson Introduces New NFT To Train In The Metaverse
The emergence of NFTs and the Metaverse are branching out into many areas and that includes fitness!
Brandon Hendrickson is the class of the Men’s Physique division in bodybuilding. He is a three-time Olympia champion and will enter this year’s competition as the favorite once again. Now, Hendrickson is venturing out into the Metaverse by launching his first NFT collection.
Power Shakers NFT is a collection that allows followers to reach their fitness goals and achievements. By owning this collection, followers will be able to workout online with different instructors while earning passive income. There are multiple ways that members can train. Also, they will have access to a private application that calculates and distributes Power Powder tokens.
The Power Shakers website shared its mission and some perks that members will receive when they join.
“Power Shaker NFT utility is where owners receive a physical piece of art that matches the NFT they purchase; unique access to events, exclusive memberships, or future use in the Metaverse.
Our NFT itself, is the key that opens the doors, is a membership card to an exclusive card. By joining us today, you choose to create the future you deserve.”
Brandon Hendrickson won the 2018 Olympia to gain his first victory at the biggest competition in bodybuilding. After being defeated in 2019, Hendrickson won back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. Now, he is focused on completing the three-peat in December.
Members who want to join Power Shakers will have a chance to follow certain workouts by Hendrickson and other fitness stars. This is a craze that is growing quickly and now, fitness and working out is beginning to make its way to the Metaverse and NFTs.
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Hunter Labrada Shows Off Massive Back Gains Achieved In Nine Months
Hunter Labrada has put in some huge work since the 2021 Chicago Pro.
Hunter Labrada has been on a tear putting on size in many ways over the course of the season. He has his sights set on the 2022 Olympia competition and it showed in a recent physique update. Labrada shared side-by-side photos of his back gains and it is visible in his lower lats.
Labrada last competed in the 2021 Olympia back in September where he finished fourth. The picture on the left in his latest Instagram post shows his back during his victory at the 2021 Chicago Pro. This is the progression that has been made from July 2021 to March 2022.
“July 25th 2021 vs. March 23rd, 2022–1 day after Chicago vs this offseason–252lbs vs 282lbs–Still have close to 5 months to continue to grow before the ⭕️ prep starts, and still have PLENTY of bullets left in the gun to do so?”
Hunter Labrada has put on 31 pounds since the Chicago Pro. He shared that his bodyweight during the competition was 251 pounds compared to 282 pounds currently. This is great progression especially with five months left of bulking before he begins preparing for the Olympia in December.
Labrada has put some serious effort into building his back and this is a way that he can gain an advantage on the field. He made his pro debut in 2020 and has already made his way near the top of Men’s Open bodybuilding. He finished eighth at his first Olympia in 2020 and jumped up four spots in 2021. Labrada is one of the best, young stars in the sport and will look to contend with the likes of Brandon Curry, Hadi Choopan, and of course Big Ramy, who is the reigning two-time champion.
At this pace, Labrada will show up with more mass than he did in 2021. He has built muscle across his entire back and has made sure to hit his lower lats using different sets of workouts.
Hunter Labrada is the son of bodybuilding great Lee Labrada. The sport is in his blood and he has been around it his entire life. Because of this, he understands how it works and what the training regimens must look like. It seems as though Labrada is hitting all of them where he needs.
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Jay Cutler Broke Down Former Bodybuilding Diets That Included 140 Egg Whites And Four Pounds Of Meat Daily
Jay Cutler recently discussed his crazy diet plans during his bodybuilding career.
Jay Cutler is a four-time Olympia champion and is known as one of the best of all-time. This means that he has put together many training programs and diet plans to build that championship physique. In a recent interview, Cutler shared some wisdom on what to make in the kitchen and also shared some of his craziest diet plans during his career.
Cutler joined The Michael Sartain Podcast, where he was able to discuss all things bodybuilding. This is where Cutler revealed that it is all about the diet when preparing for a competition such as the Olympia.
For Cutler, this included a massive amount of eggs and even purchasing a cow to keep in his freezer.
“I bought a cow from the butcher. I was living in a place called Spencer, Massachusetts. I had a local butcher there so I’d actually buy all the meat and I would have two freezers. So, what I would do is I would buy the chicken and break it all down into two-pound bags and freeze it.”
“The food I was eating six to seven times a day. I was eating upwards of four pounds of meat a day. You know, it was just every two hours like clockwork.”
When following such an intense diet plan, it is not always easy to stay motivated. Jay Cutler received this motivation from watching some of the other greats during his time. He mentioned growing up watching the all-time greats such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lee Haney, and Dorian Yates.
Once he was in his prime, Cutler battle with Ronnie Coleman, who won eight consecutive Olympia titles from 1998-2005. Cutler ended his reign by taking the crown in 2006.
This is when Cutler began perfecting his diets. In retirement, he admitted to not enjoying food as much but he still features plenty of eggs in his diet.
“I don’t want to have steak. I’m not a big steak eater at 44 now. I tend to eat some sushi but I’m limited even on that just because I know a lot of sushi rice has a ton of sugar. I might eat some plain fish or whatever else but there’s nothing else that excites me.
I still, I drink the egg whites. That’s the difference between back then until now. They didn’t have pasteurized egg whites. Now you can buy the cartons and you can drink them. It’s actually a very good source of protein instead of frying them up.”
Jay Cutler used to spend a large amount of time preparing his eggs because of the sheer amount that he would eat.
“I’m not going to lie, there was a lot of diets I ate 140 egg whites a day. So I was cracking eggs non-stop. I remember sitting cracking eggs for an hour in the morning and I would put everything in Tupperware containers. I would just dump out. I was eating thirty egg whites a meal then.”
This is the commitment that it takes bodybuilders to get to their highest level. Jay Cutler is a perfect example of discipline, talent, and motivation needed to become champion of the Olympia. To this day, he continues to share methods that he used to use during his time on stage.
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Brandon Curry Shares Full Day Of Eating During Olympia Prep
Current Arnold Classic champ Brandon Curry is preparing for a big showing at the 2022 Olympia.
Brandon Curry continues to be one of the best bodybuilders in the Men’s Open division. As he prepares for the 2022 Olympia in December, Curry recently took viewers through a full day of eating to share his Olympia diet plan.
Curry stepped on stage during the Arnold Classic in March as the favorite to take home the prize. He ended up as champion and this set the stage for a big season full of preparation to get back to the very top of the sport. Curry was named Mr. Olympia in 2019 before finishing as the runner-up in back-to-back years to Big Ramy.
Brandon Curry was featured in an interview on Men’s Health’s YouTube page where he laid out his full diet plan during preparation. The Olympia is set to return to Las Vegas from Dec. 15-18.
Brandon Curry Diet Plan
Brandon Curry began this interview by discussing the importance of this Olympia. With his recent Arnold Classic victory, Curry is aiming to take home the two biggest bodybuilding titles in one year. This would be the second time in his career that he would accomplish that feat.
Curry discussed his methods when figuring out his meal plan and it does not consist of counting calories. Instead, he finds it important to measure out his portions on a scale.
“Everything is measured by scale weight. So, I mean, anywhere from 200 grams on the scale to 200 grams of protein per meal and then for carbohydrates, that can go all the way up to 400 grams to all the way down to nothing in some meals.”
Meal 1
350 grams potatoes
200-220 grams chicken
2-3 eggs
Meal 2 – Pre-Workout
Chicken
200-300 grams rice
Meal 3 – Post Workout
Salmon or steak
250 grams sweet potatoes o greens
Meal 4
220 grams chicken
200-250 grams rice
Meal 5
220 grams salmon or steak
salad
Meal 6
220 grams fish
salad
200 grams rice (optional)
There are some variables within this diet that can change. Brandon Curry explained how he will change some aspects depending on where he is in training. This includes staying away from fiber when he is high on carbs and opting for a lean protein once he is further into his preparation.
“Typically when I am high on the carbs, I stay away from the fiber for digestion. I don’t want to be too full. The fiber slows everything down. Fullness is the enemy when you’re trying to get in a lot of calories.”
And of course, he ended by discussing what a typical cheat meal looks like. Curry admitted to indulging in a burger, French fries, and an apple pie on certain occasions. While he is preparing for the Olympia, his cheat meal will usually be sushi.
The calendar has turned to April and that means the Olympia is about eight months away. Brandon Curry knows what it takes to be on top of his game and that is what fans can expect come December.
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Martyn Ford Announces Fight Against Iranian Hulk Is Postponed, Will He Find A Replacement Opponent?
The boxing match between Martyn Ford and Iranian Hulk has been postponed once again. Will it happen at all?
The fight between Martyn Ford and the Iranian Hulk has been postponed once again. Originally scheduled for April 2, the boxing match was moved to April 30 but will not take place anymore.
Ford took to Instagram to make the official announcement on Monday morning. This comes after months of anticipation for a fight between two men who have made it personal on multiple occasions. According to Ford, this match is no longer on the card but the event will still take place as scheduled.
“This is a statement I didn’t want to have to release but unfortunately, April 30th, my fight is going to be postponed. The event is still on Boxstar. It’s still on. It’s just my fight okay?
Now, for all those who have tickets, there is a link below and there will be more information on how you can go about that. Like I said, the event will still go ahead. There is some great people, some great fights on,” Ford said.
Martyn Ford continues to explain that this decision was out of his control. By the sound of the explanation, it seems as though the news came from Iranian Hulk’s side but it has not been released just yet. Also, Ford said that the bout will be postponed but it seems as though it is cancelled all together for now. There is no official make-up date.
“Unfortunately, mine won’t be one of them for reasons out of my control. It doesn’t take a genius to figure them all out. I don’t want to go down the route of talking about it, too much time, too much energy has been wasted. For me, personally, I’m still here. I’m still training hard.
There will be a debut, there will be a fight. I’m just not 100% sure of who, when or why. But it will happen, and nothing will change there. Thank you.”
At this time, fans can look forward to the event as scheduled but the card has taken a hit with Martyn Ford and Iranian Hulk being out. There will be a new fight put in the main event spot but that has not been released to this point.
This is not the second time that Ford and Iranian Hulk have moved the match. It makes it difficult to believe that the event will happen at any point but the two sides have certainly been training for it. They even met face-to-face and this added even more fuel to the fire.
Martyn Ford explained how he is prepared to step in the ring and will continue to train at the level he has been. It will be interesting to see who takes this spot on April 30 but also who Ford will be scheduled to take on in the future.
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Sean Mills Sets New Raw American Record With 730-Pound Squat In 110kg Division
Sean Mills has been a force in powerlifting and is continuing his tear by setting some new marks.
The 2022 USAPL Junior Nationals was the sight of many milestones set my lifters in attendance. Sean Mills is a competitor that has been a force in the 110kg division and he showed it off once again, this time in Westin Lombard, Illinois. Mills was able to complete a massive 730-pound squat to set a new Raw American Junior Record.
Mills positioned himself under the weight with nothing but a lifting belt, knee sleeves, and wrist wraps. Mills completed the lift with relative ease and showed plenty of emotion once it was back on the rack. The powerlifter took to Instagram to share the lift and recap his performance while thanking all involved.
“Thank you to the entire team who came out to support me this meet and for putting me in the best possible position to succeed. I couldn’t ask to be surrounded by smarter minds than @joeyflexx7 @grantivarson @joe_wee_@singletonstrength”
Sean Mills set two new competitor PRs along with this record squat. On bench press, Mills completed all three lifts including a high of 424.4 pounds. Mills was unsuccessful on his final deadlift attempt but as able to lock out a 733-pound lift. Despite the one unsuccessful attempt, Mills was able to take home the prize in the division.
Like any competitor, Mills was unhappy with his unsuccessful attempt on his third and final deadlift. This is something he addressed in his caption on social media. Mills vowed to share the lift and work on making it a successful try in the future.
“This wasn’t the meet that I wanted and my missed third deadlift burns a hole in my soul that will not have the chance to heal until the next time I step on the platform. Need to become more dialed in as a lifter and become as flawless as possible.”
At 19 years old, Sean Mills is already making some noise in powerlifting. He began competing three years ago and has already totaled some huge numbers. He has competed in six events and has won all of them. There is no doubt that Mills is going to continue to shine in powerlifting and sets me new marks in the coming years.
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Stanimal Answers: Has Pro Bodybuilding Become More Competitive In Recent Years?
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Stanimal De Longeaux reflects on the current crop of talent competing in pro bodybuilding and if the sport has become more competitive.
There was a time not too long ago where fans of pro bodybuilding felt that surprise was missing from the sport. Reigning champions maintained such talent and power – that it was easy to predict who would win big shows like the Arnold Classic or Mr. Olympia. Flex Lewis won every show he competed in. So did Phil Heath. Their reign felt impossible to overcome. Since then something changed – and now the outcomes of pro bodybuilding competitions have become more unpredictable. There have been many upsets and the Mr. Olympia title has seen four different champions over the past five years. Has the talent pool become more even and competitive? In our latest GI Exclusive, Stanimal De Longeaux compares the sport when he started vs today and whether or not it’s truly become more competitive.
There’s a big reason why the Classic Physique division has garnered so much attention for such a relatively young category. Yes, the personalities and physiques on display are top notch. But more than that, the level of competition has been thrilling and truly unpredictable. With exception of Chris Bumstead in recent years – it’s nearly anyones game at every major Classic Physique competition. In fact, it’s become so popular that the Boston Pro 2022 ended the night with Classic Physique rather than the typical Men’s Open.
This is something Stanimal De Longeaux is very well aware of. He’s right there in the middle of it as a competitor. Suddenly more doors are open as he continues to improve and perfect his physique.
Stanimal has also noticed that it seems this level of competition is starting to make its way into Men’s Open as well. Big Ramy is starting to get a foothold with two wins in a row – but we’ve had four different champions in quick succession at the Mr. Olympia. The old guard are slowly stepping down and young talented competitors are finally coming into their own. The patterns have shifted. things have become unpredictable.
While that might not be the reason Stanimal moved from Classic Physique to Men’s Open – we can assume it certainly was a factor. As Stanimal continues to discover what division is a best fit for his genetic frame, he is finding that there is no longer single guaranteed repeat champions in either Classic Physique or Men’s Open.
On one hand, this leads to more opportunity. There is no longer a Phil Heath who will shut out the competition and change the battle for everyone to see who gets second place. However, this increased competition simply means the battle becomes more barbaric – so to speak. There are more close calls, more hungry competitors with an actual shot for first place. It’s thrilling to see on stage – and it helps the athletes push each other to great new heights.
Stanimal believes that, for Classic Physique, this is natural for a new division. The first few years were athletes learning what defines the division. Now that it’s grown from its infancy – we are still with that first generation of athletes. Nothing is fully set in stone
On the other hand, Stanimal notes that the Men’s Open division is simply going through a transitionary period that is finally blooming. Gone are the yesteryears of Phil Heath, Kai Greene, and Dexter Jackson. New names such as Nick Walker, Hunter Labrada, and Hadi Choopan are finally coming into their own. It’s an exciting time and leading to more heated battles on stage. This is great not only for the athletes but also for the fans.
Where will Stanimal’s place be during this competitive time? During our interview, he explains that he’s started working with a new coach for his off season prep. He wants to take his health and his physique to the next level and enter into the Men’s Open division as a true threat among the new generation of athletes. Only time will tell how he will fair in such a hungry crop of athletes.
You can watch Stanimal De Longeaux discuss the growing competitive nature of modern bodybuilding and his new contest prep plans for Men’s Open in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above.
Iranian Hulk Says Family Disowned Him Following Face-Off With Martyn Ford
The Iranian Hulk had a difficult time discussing his family’s reaction to the face-off incident with Martyn Ford.
Both the Iranian Hulk and Martyn Ford are putting the finishing touches on their preparation ahead of their scheduled boxing match. The fighters are expected to meet in the ring on April 30 at the O2 Arena in London. The match was originally scheduled for Saturday but was pushed back. In February, the two met face-to-face and there were some fireworks.
Ford and Iranian Hulk attempted to get the better of each other during the face-off. First, Sajad Gharibi went low in an attempt to takedown Ford but the two were separated. Next, it was Ford who shoved Gharibi to the ground before security stepped in once again. According to the Iranian Hulk, this is an incident that is still impacting him.
Th Iranian Hulk recently spoke during a television interview about his family’s reaction to the incident with Ford. This apparently impacted the relationship that Iranian Hulk has with his family.
“I cannot call my family. When I returned I didn’t go to my family. I can’t talk to my father and my mother, when I spoke to her, she said: ‘The person in this video that I saw was not my son, my son is way stronger than this’. Gharibi said.
“It hurts my heart when I can’t talk to my family. I have lost my pride and I am destroyed. How can I explain?”
The Iranian Hulk has been training in many ways to prepare for this fight. This includes some unique tactics that have seen him take punches and wooden boards to the midsection. Gharibi is also significantly slimmed down since training began for this fight. Despite being the underdog heading in, Iranian Hulk is not backing down.
This was an isolated incident during the face-off but it continues to impact Gharibi. He explained how his mother denounced him and it has affected his sleep schedule and more.
“They deceived me and I fell to the ground. My family said that you will go there and finish him. They expected the other way around.
“How can I sleep or get any rest? I personally feel very bad and I cannot sleep but I am now taking sleeping pills.”
Iranian Hulk feels like he let his family down during this incident. With the calendar turning to April, there are just a few weeks left before both fighters can settle their differences in the ring. This will be the chance for Iranian Hulk to take a real shot at Ford without being separated.
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