Tag: GI News
Dr. Testosterone Answers: Do Bigger Physiques Always Mean More PED Use?
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Dr. Testosterone discusses the amount of PEDs used in bodybuilding today – and if bigger size always means more drugs.
While it’s not openly discussed by untested leagues or active pro athletes, it’s a common understanding that PED use is common in the sport. The concept of mass monsters, to many, seem only possible by taking PEDs such as steroids. But with many different divisions and physique sizes across the sport – do bigger physiques always mean more PED use? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Dr. Testosterone explains why the biggest Men’s Open bodybuilder might not always be use the most PEDs.
The common argument that PED use is common in untested bodybuilding leagues comes down to a simple comparison. If you look at a natural bodybuilding league’s best athletes vs an untested league’s best athletes – the size difference is astronomical. Of course, this also has created a common perception about PED use in bodybuilding. The bigger the mass monster, the more PEDs used. But is that always true?
Dr. Testosterone answers this very question during our video conversation. He admits that in general, this is true. A Men’s Physique bodybuilder would need less drugs to obtain the comparatively smaller size of their division. It would essentially be a waste for a Men’s Physique athlete to take as many steroids as a Men’s Open competitor. That being said, this is just a broad stroke statement. Exceptions always exist.
For example, genetics play a huge role in the capability of a bodybuilder. Regardless of drug use, some individuals need to work harder than others to build up muscle size. Dr. Testosterone uses Lee Haney and Rich Gaspari as an example. Lee Haney can grow to an impressive size very quickly with less effort than a bodybuilder like Rich Gapsari. That’s not to say that Haney put in no effort. It just means that his extremely hard effort goes a longer way.
So if you add PEDs into the mix – the same rules apply. It’s possible for the biggest mass monster on stage to be using less drugs than a smaller bodybuilder standing next to him. This is largely due to genetics and what each individual needs to reach their goals. How much work is put into training also affects this as well. While most elite pro bodybuilders certainly train their asses off – there is still variety in work ethic. It’s unavoidable.
So what’s the bottom line? Perhaps it’s less helpful to comment on drug use based on someone’s size. Just because a bodybuilder is the biggest mass monster on the planet doesn’t meant they are a steroid junkie. The fact of the matter is – as audience members watching, we have no clue what the truth is behind the physique. It’s all speculation.
You can watch Dr. Testosterone go into more detail about the amount of PEDs used in modern bodybuilding right here. Make sure to check out our latest GI Exclusive interview above!
Flex Wheeler To Have Difficult Back Surgery: ‘They’re Not Even Sure I’ll Make It Through’
Flex Wheeler shared the news from the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival.
Flex Wheeler has dealt with health issues recently and he recently gave an update on his latest hurdle. The bodybuilding legend is present at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival launching Bullfrog Nutrition, his signature nutrition series. This is where he shared that he will have to go through a difficult back surgery with many complications.
In a recent Instagram video, Wheeler explained the current situation. He went through rotator cuff surgery on Thursday and will now need to have back surgery, which is a complicated procedure that brings many risks.
““I’ve a major back surgery coming up and that’s going to be pretty intensive. I’ll be really cutting clear about it. They’re not even sure if I’ll be able to make it through that surgery or the recovery. But it’s something I have to do because I can’t endure the pain anymore,” Flex Wheeler explained.
Flex Wheeler continued by explaining his recent path. He was rushed to the hospital on Monday morning due to complications of the rotator cuff surgery. He was discharged that same day and was able to make it to the Arnold sports Festival on Tuesday. This was one day later than he was supposed to travel but he was thankful to make it out there at all.
“The tube that they put down your throat to help you breathe while you’re unconscious, unfortunately did a lot of damage to my throat. So, Monday morning I had to call emergency. They brought me in and immediately the EMT said you’re not going to make it tomorrow. We’re definitely going to keep you for 24 hours.
I appreciate all you guys support. Thank you everybody who came out to support Bullfrog Nutrition… Thank you very much Bullfrog for my line. I’ll look forward to seeing you all tomorrow and throughout this weekend.”
Flex Wheeler was in the hospital for 14 days and this is how the doctors pinpointed his back issues. At 56 years old, Wheeler is continuing to fight against multiple issues and keeping a positive attitude.
Wheeler was forced to spend time in the hospital with a severe case of COVID-19 in the fall. He was released from the hospital in November after a month of fighting the disease. Even during that fight, Wheeler remained in god spirits providing updates to fans on his condition.
“So I’m going through that with my will and all that stuff. So, what’s the lesson behind all this? Never give up, man! Simple as that. Never ever give up.”
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Tyson Fury Says He Is Retiring After Next Fight: ‘$150 Million In The Bank. I’m Done.’
Tyson Fury says he will call it a career following bout with Dillian Whyte.
Tyson Fury quickly worked his way up the ranks in the ring and currently holds the WBC heavyweight championship. Could the 33-year-old boxer be ready to call it a career after his next fight?
Fury is preparing to take on Dillian Whyte on April 23. This fight will take place at Wembley Stadium in London. He recently told reporters that he is ready to retire following the fight.
“This is the final fight of my career. I’m retiring after this. $150 million in the bank, good-looking, healthy, young. I’m going to buy a massive yacht abroad. Got loads of cars and properties all over the world. Just going to sit back with a hot blonde and piña colada. I’m retiring, I’m out. This is my final fight. The final countdown. I’m done.”
Is this a legitimate option? Coming from Tyson Fury himself, there is a chance but it remains hard to believe that he will hang it up just yet. If he does, Fury would retire at the top of the sport and this is the intrigue, along with the money he has made. Fury is currently 32-0-1 in his career with 22 victories by knockout.
Fury burst onto the scene in 2015 when he took down Wladimir Klitschko. He then had to take a break from boxing due to mental health issues before returning to face Deontay Wilder. This fight caused some drama after a draw was determined but Fury won the final two fights of the trilogy.
So if Fury does retire, what would this mean to the heavyweight division? We do not know exactly but we do know that it would complicate the chance of a unified champion.
Anthony Joshua held the other major heavyweight titles before his loss to Oleksandr Usyk. A rematched was scheduled but Usyk has been back in his home country of Ukraine fighting against the Russian attack. It is unknown when the match will take place but Joshua and Usyk will step into the ring eventually. With Fury on his way out, this would leave an opening as to a potential opponent for the winner.
There has not been an undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. He defeated Evander Holyfield to earn the honor and there might not be another one for quite some time.
Tyson Fury has had an incredible career and will go down as one of the best to ever do it. Will April 23 actually be the last fight of his career? It is something to keep an eye on as the date approaches.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Brandon Curry Shares Physique Update Two Days Out From 2022 Arnold Classic
Brandon Curry decided to give one final physique update before taking the stage at the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just two days away but it is never too late for athletes to share physique updates. This time, it is Brandon Curry who took to social media to show the progress he has made heading into the competition.
The event will take place from March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. Heading into the Men’s Open show, Curry is considered the favorite to be named champion. This is an event that he has been training hard for and it shows in his latest physique update.
“Typical bodybuilder…posing with my pants down in the gym again…?
On a more serious note…
I put my heart and soul into this @arnoldsportsprep and i enjoyed every minute of it! This one was special!”
The photo was taken by Middle House, was was able to capture the progress of Curry in a big way. It is clear that Brandon Curry has honed in on improvements needed in the offseason.
Curry has been near the top of Men’s Open for years now. He was crowned Mr. Olympia in 2019 and has finished as the runner-up in two consecutive years. Curry will look to gain his title back from Big Ramy, but first, he has his sights set on the Arnold Classic title.
“It’s looking like my team @abdullah_fs_alotaibi@ahmad_alnaqi1 and I are on track to bring all bodybuilding fans whether they’re my fans or someone else’s fan something to appreciate.
Experience is the greatest teacher.
Now it’s time to finish filling out these round and brown muscle bellies!!! ???”
When the official lineup came out, Curry was considered the favorite right away. Since December, there have been many names pulling out of the conversation.
Cedric McMillan is the most recent to withdraw from the competition. He revealed that stomach issues will keep him from competing but he will still be part of the event in some capacity. Rafael Brandao withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons back in January followed by Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban, who were forced to pull out due to injuries. Akim Williams will also not appear on stage as scheduled.
Brandon Curry has put in the work and there are just two days until he can show it off on stage. The Arnold Classic is set to be an exciting event with Men’s Open headlining once again.
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John LaFlamme Squats 426.5 Pounds at 71 Years Old
This was enough to set an unofficial Masters IV world record.
There are some powerlifters that can keep their strength for years and years. For John LaFlamme, that would be 71 years. The powerlifter recently completed a 193.5kg (426.5lb) squat and unofficially broke the IPF world record in the process.
LaFlamme competed in the 2022 United States Virgin Islands Powerlifting Federation Classic & Equipped National Championships. He won the Masters IV, 83kg division and turned many heads while doing so.
This was the heaviest squat of John LaFlamme’s performance at the event. He paired this with a 105kg (231.5lb) bench press and 215kg (474lb) deadlift. It took LaFlamme three attempts to complete this deadlift. This was enough to take home the victory in the event. He totaled 513.5kg (1,132.1lb) in the entire show.
At 71 years old, LaFlamme continues to show incredible strength. He has been in the powerlifting game for 44 years. He began competing when he was 27 years old. LaFlamme made his debut at the 1978 AAU Maine State Powerlifting Championship. This began and long and successful career that has seen LaFlamme maintain his strength.
When looking at competition PRs for John LaFlamme, they have all come in the Masters’ category. The 2018 USAPL Virginia State Championships saw LaFlamme set three new PRs. He completed a 210kg (462.9lb) squat and 112.5 (248lb) bench press. This was part of a total of 557.5kg (1,229lb). In 2016, LaFlamme completed a 245kg (540.1lb) deadlift at the USAPL American Open & Police-Fire Nationals.
It is clear that LaFlamme has kept his strength over the years. He remains active on social media sharing some impressive lifts that he has taken on in his home gym.
“214kg/472lbs x3 paused. This was a needed confidence builder after a disappointing session off blocks last week.”
This lift came as he was preparing for competition and it ended up being part of a victory. LaFlamme will continue to dominate the division and show what he can do. This might have been an unofficial record but there could be some actual world records that go down when John LaFlamme takes the stage again.
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Mateusz Kieliszkowski Will Miss The 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic
Mateusz Kieliszkowski will miss the event with an injury.
The 2022 Arnold Strongman is right around the corner and one of the top competitors has just withdrew from the competition. Mateusz Kieliszkowski will not appear at the event after suffering a few setbacks. He is dealing with hip discomfort and suffered a urinary tract infection.
Julian Howard, a Strongman promoter, broke the news on his Instagram page. This is not the first time that Kieliszkowski has dealt with injuries that have halted his progress.
“@kieliszkowskimateusz will now not be competing at the Arnold Strongman Classic this weekend!He has damaged his hip and has a urinary tract infection which has hindered his training. He will be missed but we all wish him well and hope to see him back again soon????”
Mateusz Kieliszkowski was one of the favorites to finish on the podium in Columbus. During his career, the 28-year-old Strongman has dealt with plenty of setbacks such as this. In 2020, Kieliszkowski was forced to miss the World’s Strongest Man competition with a tricep injury. He was able to rehab the injury and return to the stage in 2021 but did not seem to reach his full potential.
Last year, Kieliszkowski finished second at the WUS Dubai and fourth at the 2021 Rogue Strongman Invitational. After more training and recovery, he was prepared to make an impact in 2022 but fans might have to wait a little longer to see what he can really do.
Mateusz Kieliszkowski would not have been 100% if he appeared at the Arnold Classic. In 2020, he finished second at this event. This came after runner-up finishes at the World’s Strongest Man shows in 2018 and 2019. He has made a name for himself over the course of his career and could return when healthy.
Kieliszkowski has been active on social media sharing some recent lifts that he has accomplished. Just last week, he completed a 125kg dumbbell press and did it with little effort. It seemed as though he was healthy but there are other areas that would have been impacted by his injuries.
The 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic is set to take place this weekend in Columbus, OH. Matuesz Kieliszkowski is a big loss for the competition but there are still plenty of elite competitors ready to take the stage at the event.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez Arrested For Attempted Murder In Bay Area Shooting
Cain Velasquez remains in custody for his part in the incident.
It was announced on Tuesday morning that former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez was arrested on the suspicion of attempted murder after his part in a shooting in California’s Bay Area. Velasquez was taken into custody on Monday and booked into Santa Clara County jail.
Velasquez is being held without bail and has a court date set for Wednesday. Police identified Velasquez as the shooter on Tuesday. The incident occurred Monday night and the victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The San Jose Police Media Relations has been providing updates on Twitter.
The victim, Harry Eugene Goularte, is accused of sexually assaulting a relative of Velasquez’s. This abuse may have happened “100 times,” according to a report from NBC Bay Area.
“The motive and circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation at this time,” San Jose Police tweeted on Tuesday.
4/ Cain Velasquez was the suspect arrested yesterday in connection with this incident. He was booked into Santa Clara County main jail for attempted murder.
The motive and circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation at this time. pic.twitter.com/bBuuPQytNx
— San José Police Media Relations (@SJPD_PIO) March 1, 2022
Cain Velasquez worked his way up in the ranks of UFC before winning the heavyweight title for the first time in 2010. The two-time champion won it again in 2012 and reigned until 2015. During his career, Velasquez built a reputation that considers him one of the top heavyweight fighters of all-time. After his retirement in 2019, Velasquez began coaching at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose.
Velasquez also took up professional wrestling following his career in MMA. His first action took place in Mexico before making his way to WWE. He was released in 2020 during the pandemic and returned to Mexico to do promotions in December that same year. Velasquez had plans to return to professional wrestling this year.
There will be more details provided following the court date of Cain Velasquez, which is set for. Wednesday.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
How To Watch The 2022 Arnold Classic Event
A complete guide on how to watch the 2022 Arnold Classic. Including Pro Bodybuilding, Strongman, Slap Fight Championships & More.
The 2022 Arnold Classic and Arnold Sports Festival takes place on March 4-5, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. The event is one of the largest pro bodybuilding competitions second only to the Mr. Olympia. It is also one of the biggest sports festivals in the world featuring 60+ sporting events. As for the pro bodybuilding competition specifically – divisions will be split up across both days with the Men’s Open pre-judging on Friday and the Finals on Saturday. Not able to make it to Ohio in person? Here’s our complete guide on how to watch the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The Arnold Classic is considered by many to be the official start of the IFBB Pro and NPC bodybuilding season. While there are occasionally competitions that crop up earlier, the floodgates open up after the Arnold Classic’s early March event date. Being the second largest pro bodybuilding competition – it’s also seen as a predictor of what we might expect later in the year at the Olympia 2022.
Also of note is that the Arnold Classic has switched up their scheduling a bit compared to previous years. Typically, the pre-judging and the finals for Men’s Open occur in the same day. This year, the event seems to be following a similar format to the Mr. Olympia – with the pre-judging capping off Friday night followed by the finals on Saturday.
While seemingly insignificant, this provides a different timing between the two rounds of the competition. After pre-judging, competitors often adjust as much as they can based on the scoring of the comparison rounds in the hopes of locking in the best possible result. With 24 hours between rounds instead of just 5 or 6 – the tactic on how to improve in that time period changes. Giving more room for improvement… or a stumble.
How To Watch The Arnold Classic 2022
Unlike previous years, the 2022 Arnold Classic will be a pay-per-view event on FanMio for $24.99. This price gets you entire access to the event including not only the Pro Bodybuilding competition but also Strongman, the newly announced Slap Fighting Championships, and many more of the 60+ events. Once purchased, The PPV can also be watched on any device and screencast onto your television via devices such as Roku, Chromecast, or other major streaming services.
You can buy the PPV event via FanMio at their official website right here.
2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Open Line Up
Unfortunately, many elite competitors announced that they will no longer be able to compete at the 2022 Arnold Classic. This includes Cedric McMillan, Nathan De Asha, Mohamed Shaaban, Akim Williams and Rafael Brandão.
That being said, there is still an exciting lineup with a guaranteed new champion – as 2021 champ Nick Walker is not competing. Here’s the current line up as it stands now:
Brandon Curry (USA)
Brett Wilkin (USA)
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (USA)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (USA)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (USA)
Arnold Classic 2022 Schedule
The 2022 Arnold Classic PPV live stream is including a lot of options for events to watch over the course of the entire weekend. You can see the full schedule on their official website. We’ve broken down the highlights and key events below:
FRIDAY
12pm-2pm (EST): Classic Physique, Fitness, & Figure Pre-Judging
3pm-7pm (EST): Arnold Strongman Classic Events
5:30pm-7:30pm (EST): Arnold Strongwoman Classic Events
7pm-9:30pm (EST): Classic Physique, Fitness, and Figure Finals + Men’s Open Pre-Judging
SATURDAY
10am-12pm (EST): Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness Pre-Judging
12pm-1pm (EST): Pro Wheelchair Pre-Judging and Finals
2pm-7pm (EST): Arnold Strongman Classic Events and Finals
2pm-5pm (EST): Slap Fighting Championships
5pm-7pm (EST): Arnold Strongwoman Classic Events and Finals
7pm-10pm (EST): Men’s Physique, Wellness, Bikini, and Men’s Open Finals
SUNDAY
3pm-5pm (EST): Arnold Showcase Seminar (Post-Produced)
What To Expect
Of the nine competitors lined up for the 2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Open – two have previously one the prestigious title. Brandon Curry won not only the 2019 Arnold Classic but later went to be the 2019 Mr. Olympia champion. William Bonac is a two-time Arnold Classic champion – earning his titles in 2018 and 2020.
As it stands now, Brandon Curry is the favorite to take the prize this year – but Bonac has proven himself to be a true threat in every show he competes in. But with his sixth place finish at last year’s Mr. Olympia has many questioning what kind of shape we may see Bonac in. As it stands now – he might come back with a vengeance showing miraculous improvement. Or will he show that his prime years are starting to fade.
That being said, we can’t count out other competitors on this list from rising tall and causing an upset. Relative newcomer Brett Wilkin has been catching a lot of hype based on his physique updates on social media. Regan Grimes has also been turning heads especially with his announcement last year of working with Milos Sarcev as his coach. Steve Kuclo, a consistent bodybuilder with an impressive physique, is also predicted by many to get into the top 3 or at least the top 5. Only time will tell.
Generation Iron will be providing complete coverage of the event including pre-judging reports and analysis, breaking news, and final results. Make sure to check out our official coverage page right here for updates.
Jimmy Kolb Has Reclaimed Equipped Bench Press World Record With 1,320-Pound Lift
Jimmy Kolb has absolutely dominated equipped bench press and has his record back.
It has been three months since Jimmy Kolb lost the all-time equipped bench press world record. Over the weekend, the powerlifter was able to reclaim his title with an insane 598.7kg (1,320lb) bench press.
Kolb competed in the 2022 IPA Pennsylvania Powerlifting Championships on Feb. 26-27. Some elite powerlifters gathered in York, PA for the event and Kolb stole the show by gaining his record back. He took to Instagram to share the lift and show what he is able to do.
“Huge thank you to @unleashdstrength for setting up his phone as a back view and capturing this angle!.I racked it and couldn’t move until someone told me if it was good or not. Surreal.”
In November 2021, Tiny Meeker lifted 510.2kg (1,124.8lb) to take the record away from Kolb. This was quickly broken by Bill Gillespie, who set a new mark of 512.5kg (1,129.9lb) before announcing his retirement. Gillespie accomplished his feat at the 2022 365Strong New Year Power Bash. This was the final accomplishment for Gillespie I his long career. Now, Kolb has it back.
Kolb is 31 years old and has excelled in bench press over the course of his career. Beginning competition in 2009, Kolb has been an elite lifter for years now but has reached world-record status in 2020. At this time, it will be interesting to see if any other lifter can reach this number. Kolb could hold it for a long time and even build on it if he is able.
Not only did Jimmy Kolb set the world record in equipped bench press, he set the mark for the heaviest lift of all time. This record was previously held by Nathan Baptist. In 2021 at the UPA Utah Kick Off, Baptist competed an equipped squat of 595kg (1,311.7lb). Kolb was able to top this record, which takes bench press, deadlifts, and squats into account.
This is a lift that will be chased for quite some time. Jimmy Kolb did something that has never been done before, not just in bench press, but in any lift. That is as impressive as it gets.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Cedric McMillan Details Stomach Issues Will Keep Him Out Of Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan recently explained why he pulled out of the 2022 Arnold Classic.
News broke on Monday that Cedric McMillan was the latest to pull his name out of the 2022 Arnold Classic. There was not a reason released but the bodybuilder recently took the time to reveal that stomach issues will keep him off stage.
Milos Sarcev mentioned that McMillan would not appear on stage in Columbus. On Monday, McMillan decided to share a video on Instagram to give an update on his condition.
“Ever since I tried to compete at the Legion show in Nevada back in October. I’ve been having issues with my stomach. I can’t keep food down for some reason. It creates some stupid ass hiccups, I’m hiccupping all day long and for half the night and anytime I eat, or even drinking water. It comes back up, nothing wants to stay down.”
Cedric McMillan has dealt with some issues that has made his path difficult over the last two years. In 2020, McMillan suffered a broken collarbone and broken hand that forced him to miss the Olympia that year. This will be the second year in a row he will miss the Arnold Classic. In September, McMillan withdrew his name before appearing on the broadcast. He revealed that he contracted COVID-19 and this affected his heart.
McMillan continues to explain in his video that he felt the need to explain his situation because of other news being thrown out there. This has caused some messages from people close to him.
“I have been having some issues, for 4-weeks now. I got a couple of phone calls, and text messages from friends saying that they seen on the internet that something was wrong with me. So, of course, if it’s already on the internet, motherfuckers don’t know everything. They talking about what they think they know, what they heard. So I may as well, go on and explain this shit myself.
“Four weeks ago, I went to the doctor again, I’ve been going to the doctor throughout, but they recommended I shouldn’t try to do the show. Of course, I’m being stubborn. If I eat this food, and throw up half of it, at least that’s half. I can keep, you know just being an idiot. I did what they asked and went on a liquid diet. Eating fuckin soup and eating weight gaining shakes.”
Cedric McMillan will be present in Columbus during the Arnold Classic but will not compete. He will be part of the meet and greet for fans. This allows him to still interact with fans even though they will not be able to watch him compete. It will be interesting to see when the bodybuilder is able to make his return to the stage.