Tag: GI News
Florida TikToker Says LA Fitness Member Followed Her Home & Assaulted Her
A recent TikTok went viral after woman claims that she was followed home and assaulted.
A Florida TikToker shared a recent video claiming that a man followed her home from an LA Fitness and assaulted her. At first, the particular LA Fitness did not ban this member from the gym or take any action but the woman has spoken to the company since.
Jessi Balter, or @jessibalter on TikTok, shared a video on Dec. 11. In less than two weeks, the video has received 6.9 million views and close to 7,000 comments. In the 25 second video, Balter shows what she was wearing on the day of the incident and explains that there was no course of action taken.
“What I was wearing:
the day a man followed me home from the gym and into my apartment.
I reported the incident to LA Fitness and they refused to ban him.
How can they care more about a contract than their own member’s safety???” Balter wrote on screen in the video.
Unfortunately, this is not the first incident at a gym in recent weeks. Another instance went viral after a TikToker shared a video where a strange man is seen spotting a woman while bench pressing without her consent. The woman claimed that this ‘gym creep’ was following her around the gym prior to this.
For Balter, the situation was a bit more serious as she was followed home. Last week, Balter took to TikTok to post an update on the situation. She said she spoke to the district manager of LA Fitness in South Florida following the breakout of her video.
Balter explains how the manager was kind and offered her a refund for what she was unable to use. Also, how LA Fitness would cooperate if Balter wanted to take further action against the man.
“I basically explained to him what happened in full detail and I told him who I spoke to after the incident and how they reacted to me and how the situation was just not handled the way it should have been. He agreed,” the tiktoker said.
“He basically asked what else I wanted him to do to make the situation right. I told him, I thought it was really important that he read through the comments and became aware of what has been happening at these facilities around the country…He told me that I have their full support if I wanted to reach out to law enforcement. They would be fully cooperative and help me out there.
If someone comes up and reports they are unsafe in the gym. They feel like someone is following them, a man said something to them, a man touched them — this is not something to report on their account. They should be given some sort of reperscussion. They need to be kicked out of the gym or sent to a different gym.”
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Should You Train Fast v Slow: Fast Twitch vs. Slow Twitch Breakdown
Here is a breakdown on if you should train fast or slow.
So the skeletal muscles are comprised of three types of fibres, there is type I, also known as slow-twitch and type II also referred to as fast twitch, and there are types of type II (which I will explain below).
Slow Twitch (Type I)
Slow twitch fibres are geared to supporting aerobic training and prolonged exercise, so exercises such as long distance running, swimming, cycling and other forms of endurance training.
The Slow Twitch fiber contracts much slower and is more resistant to fatigue and has a quicker recovery time.
Contraction type: slow
Speed: 100 milliseconds
Fast Twitch (Type II)
There are actually two types of fast twitch fibres, there is Type IIA and Type IIX (also referred to as Type IIB).
Type IIA
Essentially this is an intermediate muscle fiber and a hybrid of the two others,as it is a mix of Type I and Type IIX(IIB), so it is great for aerobic and anaerobic training such as weight training, powerlifting, plyometric movements and agility training.
This fiber contracts moderately and doesn’t become fatigued as quickly or take as long to recover.
Contraction type: fast
Speed: 50 milliseconds
Type IIX /IIB
Fast twitch fibres are geared to supporting anaerobic training and produce more power and force focused movements such as weight training, sprinting, and agility training.
Type IIx is also the purest form of fast twitch fiber, the quick contractions also means that it gets fatigued much quicker and has a longer recovery time.
Contraction type: very fast
Speed: 25 milliseconds
So now we know what muscle fibres are available to us, should this affect how you should train? Should different muscle groups be trained differently?
squats, medicine ball
How to train Type I
The best and most effective way to train Type I is typical endurance training, and when in the gym this would be higher reps with lighter weights.
How to train Type II
Type II is definitely the fiber you want to hit if you want to increase strength, and the best way to do that is heavier weights and less reps.
But things are really not that cut and dry, as all of your muscles are comprised of both fast and slow twitch muscle fibers.
So let’s break it down.
What percentage of fast twitch and slow twitch are present in different muscle groups, the table below with provide more details:
Muscle Group
Fiber Type
Rep Range
Chest
Approx 60% fast twitch fibers
Low to medium rep range
Triceps
Approx 67% fast twitch fibers
Low rep range and go heavy
Shoulders
Approx 60% slow twitch dominant
Medium to high rep range
Quads
Vastus Lateralis muscle is about 69% fast-twitch and 32% slow-twitch fibers.
Low rep range and go heavy
Biceps
60% fast-twitch and 40% slow-twitch
Low rep range and heavier weights
Abdominals
55-58% slow-twitch, and 42-45% fast twitch.
MIx it up, vary between light weight and high reps to heavy with low rep range
Calf (gastrocnemius)
The Gastrocnemius (calf) muscle is about 50% fast-twitch fibers and about 50% slow-twitch fibers.
MIx it up, vary between light weight and high reps to heavy with low rep range
Calf (Soleus)
80% slow twitch
Medium to high rep range
Back
54-58% slow twitch
Low to medium rep range
Deltoid
Over 50% slow twitch
MIx it up, vary between light weight and high reps to heavy with low rep range
One study concluded that ‘the percentage of type I fibres was higher than 50 in the deltoid and gastrocnemius, lower than 50 in the rectus femoris and about 50 in the biceps brachii.’, so these numbers are a guide and not concrete by any means, this can change per individual.
In conclusion, these figures are great to have but essentially muscle fibers can be trained to switch as one study concluded that a ‘shift from type II to type I fibers may occur under longer duration, higher volume endurance type events.’
And age also plays a part in switching muscle fibers as the percentage of fast twitch muscle fibers in your body starts to decrease after age 30.
The key point here is that when training, ensure you keep a wide variety of rep ranges, and vary your weights from light to heavy, rather than specifically targeting only fast or slow twitch fibers.
So until next time, keep pumping!
Sources
https://academic.oup.com/ptj/article/81/11/1810/2857618
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2016/5946520/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC521732/
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https://www.jns-journal.com/article/0022-510X(71)90215-2/fulltext
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01042285
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16795030/
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https://europepmc.org/article/med/870781
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21912291/
How Will The 2022 IFBB Men’s Open Schedule Play Out?
Take a closer look at the 2022 schedule for Men’s Open bodybuilding.
With the 2021 calendar year winding down, it seems like a good time to look ahead to 2022. The sport of bodybuilding has slowed down a bit in the offseason but competitions can be expected back soon.
The 2022 Men’s Open schedule will begin with the Arnold Classic and ends with the Olympia. The schedule will return to a bit of normalcy after the pandemic threw a wrench in some plans over the last two years. This brings some extra excitement to events and some familiarity that fans and athletes have come to know.
With the holidays right around the corner, it seems like as good a time as any to lay out the 2022 schedule. Let’s take a closer look at the events that are on tap for the 2022 season.
March 3-6, 2022: Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH
This is the traditional way for the bodybuilding season to begin. The Arnold Classic returns to March after taking place in September this year due to the pandemic. This is the second biggest show of the year and there has been a lineup announced. Brandon Curry and William Bonac will re-visit their rivalry on stage while Cedric McMillan is preparing to return to the competition. Nick Walker was not seen on the lineup which means there will be a new champion this year.
March 12, 2022: Boston Pro in Boston, MA
The Boston Pro will be the first competition following the Arnold Classic. This will allow more competitors to get on stage and show what progress they have made. This is a show that was impact by the pandemic and the 2020 show was postponed. Some of the top athletes in the world will be back on stage in Boston during the second week of March.
April 22-24, 2022: Arnold Classic Brazil in TBD
The Arnold Classic Brazil does not have an exact location just yet but for the first time in two years, there is a date scheduled. This competition will make its return and will crown a new champion. Some of the former Men’s Bodybuilding champions include Curry and Steve Kuclo. This is the only Men’s Open show scheduled for April but there are plenty more going as we creep into the summer months.
May 14, 2022: Indy Pro in Indianapolis, IN
May features two elite shows on back-to-back weekends. It begins with the Indy Pro where Justin Rodriguez took home the prize last year. This catapulted him into a strong year of preparation for both the Arnold Classic and Olympia. The Indy Pro precedes one of the biggest shows in bodybuilding but there should be no excitement taken away.
May 21, 2022: New York Pro in White Plains, NY
With many bodybuilding events returning to normal, the New York Pro returns to its home state after being held in Florida for two years. This is one of the most prestigious awards in the sport and considered by many to be the third biggest show of the year — behind the Olympia and Arnold Classic. Nick Walker won this show last season and earned qualification to the Olympia. Other winners include Iain Valliere and Sergio Oliva Jr. If competitors flock to this event, it will once again be a big-time competition in Men’s Open bodybuilding.
June 4, 2022: Toronto Pro in Toronto, ON, Canada
The Toronto Pro was forced to move to December and was the first event since 2019. The stage was set in Toronto just a few weeks ago and it saw two returning champions. Quinton Eriya and Joseph Seeman competed at the event back in 2019 but it was Joel Thomas who took home the gold. With the event returning to June, it should be an even bigger spectacle during 2022.
June 25-26, 2022: Puerto Rico Pro in San Juan, Puerto Rico
The 2021 Puerto Rico Pro was the first breakout for Akim Williams. He took home first prize and this put the cherry on a strong season. Williams might have a chance to defend his title, if he competes, during the 2022 show. This will take place almost a year after the 2021 show. This is one that was not impacted and the momentum from last year’s event will carry into June. This will also be the final competition before what will be a packed month of July.
July 2, 2022: Orlando Pro in Orlando, FL
The Orlando Pro will be the first of four competitions in July. There will be events in a total of three countries in July and Orlando is the first on the slate on the second day of the month.
July 8-10, 2022: Mr. Big Evolution Pro in Portugal
The Mr. Big Evolution Pro will return to Portugal in 2022. This is where Andrea Presti was able to earn qualification to the Olympia. He beat other top competition such as Tim Budesheim and Vlad Suhoruchko. There are a total of 10 divisions present at this event and hands out Olympia qualifications to all winners. This is a big chance for international competitors to get a chance.
July 17, 2022: Vancouver Pro in Vancouver, BC, Canada
The Vancouver Pro is a show that has featured some top competition in its time. Hadi Choopan won this event back in 2019. Nathan De Asha and Valliere have all competed in Vancouver. This show will return after some time off due to the pandemic and is looking to reach the status that it is used to. This means some big-time names could gather to put on a show that is a must-see.
July 22-23, 2022: Chicago Pro in Chicago, IL
Hunter Labrada headlined the Chicago Pro in 2021 with a victory before a top-five finish in the Olympia. This is another show that features 10 events and is considered one of the biggest in the sport. Labrada is one of the most promising names in bodybuilding today. It will be interesting to see if he decides to defend his title at this year’s competition.
August 5-6, 2022: Tampa Pro in Tampa, FL
The calendar might turn to August but competitions do not slow down after July. The Tampa Pro is the first big show of the month. In 2021, it was Valliere who took home first place and earned qualification to the Olympia. This jumpstarted a busy season of competition for Valliere. Tampa will be the host of this two-day event that features some elite names in bodybuilding.
August 12-13, 2022: Texas Pro in Irving, TX
Valliere was on a roll in August as he took home gold medals in back-to-back shows by winning the Texas Pro in 2021. Athletes usually do not compete the following weekend after a victory but Valliere felt good enough to take the stage again and it paid off. This means he will have two titles to defend heading into 2022.
September 24-25, 2022: Arnold Classic UK in the Birmingham, United Kingdom
This is the UK’s version of the Arnold Classic and features a variety of sports. Thebodybuilding event headlines the weekend and in 2021, it was Nathan De Asha who proved victorious. Many international stars take the stage in the UK for a weekend of festivities. About six months after the Arnold Classic, Arnold Schwarzenegger will take his show to the UK to provide some more entertainment.
October 7-9, 2022: Legion Sports Fest in Stateline, NV
With the way the scheduling worked out in 2021, the Legion Sports Fest took place two weeks after the Olympia. This is where Shaun Clarida made his debut in Men’s Open and ended up taking home the prize. He is not qualified for the 2022 Olympia in Men’s Open and Men’s 212. He will have to decide which division he wants to compete in.
November 6, 2022: Europa Pro in Spain
The 2021 Europa Pro Spain was another rendition of the rivalry between De Asha and Roelly Winklaar. This was the first competition back for De Asha and he took home gold, with Winklaar finishing second. Budesheim notched another top-three finish at the event. This event will return to November this year. This means more competitors will be able to get on a better schedule and plan to make an appearance.
November 12-13, 2022: Romania Muscle Fest in Bucharest, Romania
The Romania Muscle Fest was another event that took place post-Olympia this year because of the schedule. In 2022, it will be one of the final shows before the biggest of the year. Rafael Brandao has punched his ticket to the Olympia with a victory in November. This event will remain around the same time but will have different implications this time around just one month before the Olympia.
November 27, 2022: Big Man’s Pro in Spain
The final Men’s Open show before the Olympia will be the Big Man’s Pro in Spain. There is not an exact location yet but one will be determined. It was Angel Calderon who took home the title in this year’s event just a few weeks ago. The event will be held on the same weekend in 2022 with some elite competitors looking for late qualification to the Olympia. This is also a chance for athletes to prepare and nail down some details.
December 16-18, 2022: 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV
The Olympia will return to Las Vegas to close out the season in December. The biggest show of the year was held in Orlando in each of the last two years due to the pandemic. This worked out well for Big Ramy, who won back-to-back Olympia titles with the show being held in Florida. If you believe in superstitions, maybe the two-time champ can be beat with the show being back in Las Vegas. This means former champion and two-time runner-up Brandon Curry could regain his title. This also includes Hadi Choopan or newcomers such as Nick Walker and Hunter Labrada. We will find out in December when Olympia weekend is on full display.
Jake Paul Says Boxing Injuries Have Caused Memory Loss, Slurred Speech
Jake Paul is a young boxer but it has already taken a toll on him.
Jake Paul has made the transition to the boxing ring. The former YouTube sensation has won his first five bouts and is becoming a popular name in the sport. In such a short time, Paul admits that boxing has caused some changes to his behavior.
According to TMZ, Paul appeared on “In Depth With Graham Besinger” to discuss the effects that boxing has on a person’s brain. Paul played football growing up but says that the effects have gotten worse since he began boxing and estimates the number of concussions he has suffered between 20 and 30.
“I notice it in conversations with like, with my girlfriend or friends, like, not remembering something that I should be able to remember that happened a couple days ago,” Jake Paul told Graham Besinger.
This is not a topic that boxers usually discuss while competing but Paul has been open during his time in the sport. He continues to say that memory loss is not the only effect he has seen.
“Sometimes in my speech, where like every hundredth or two hundredth word, I’ll mess up or, like, slur, which I didn’t do that before.”
Paul went on with Besinger prior to his second fight against Tyron Woodley. The two met for the second time on Saturday night with Paul winning via knockout. This is his second victory over Woodley — the first came by split decision. Woodley stepped in for Tommy Fury, who was originally slated to fight Paul but had to back out due to injury.
It is unknown if Paul will reschedule his bout with Fury or if it is even smart for him to fight again. Paul’s doctor advised him to stay away from the ring but it does not seem like Paul is going to step away anytime soon.
Jake Paul has built a lucrative net worth, including upwards of a $2 million purse on Saturday night. While the money is there, Paul has also shown passion in proving people wrong as he transitioned from YouTube to boxing. This is not something that is seen everyday and there were plenty of critics.
So far, Paul has enjoyed proving people wrong over the course of his first five fights. As he continues to take a step up in competition, there is more of a risk that he could suffer serious injuries.
It is unknown when Paul will fight again but he did admit that he fears the long-term effects that fighting could have on him. Is it a strong enough fear to keep him out of the ring? As of now, it does not look like it.
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Jordan Shallow: Most Common Gym Injuries & Biggest Mistakes When Training To Failure
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The Muscle Doc Jordan Shallow goes into detail about the most common gym injuries, how to avoid them, and how this affects training to failure.
While a gym and gym equipment is designed to be safe tools and a safe environment for building muscle and strength – injuries certainly can occur. This is the unfortunate truth behind lifting heavy weight no matter the precautions. That being said, there are many injuries that could be avoided. That’s why we’ve turned to The Muscle Doc for advice on how to avoid potential life-altering injuries in the gym. In our latest GI Exclusive, Jordan Shallow details the most common gym injuries, how to avoid them, and the biggest mistakes while training to failure that often lead to injury.
An injury gained during training should be no joke. While it’s somewhat common to get general aches and pains over time. A serious injury can alter the rest of your life. For athletes in professional or competitive sports – it can also drastically alter their career forever. This certainly holds true for pro bodybuilders. An injury keeps a bodybuilder out of the gym. This affects their physique and timing – which could drop them out of a vital show. Even more seriously, an injury such as a muscle tear can lead to a permanent end to a bodybuilder’s career.
That’s why during our conversation with The Muscle Doc Jordan Shallow – we dove deep into the cause of the most common gym injuries and how to avoid them. While speaking to Shallow, he explained that the most common injuries he’s delt with in his years of his career are shoulder and knee injuries. Elbows and hip injuries are quite common as well. This makes sense of course – these are joint areas that, even beyond gym training, get damaged over time with age for most individuals.
While it’s impossible to completely avoid all injury when lifting heavy weight and pushing the body to new levels, there are two key factors to consider to help avoid these kinds of injuries. Jordan Shallow explains that load management and technique are the biggest elements in avoiding injury.
This might seem obvious, poor form and ego lifting lead to injury. But it’s something that can’t be stressed enough. Jordan Shallow also points out that improper volume is not just too much weight. This can also mean too much intensity, too much frequency, or too much density. There is a delicate balance between pushing yourself to growth and pushing yourself to injury. That’s why it is always important to start off slow – especially for beginner lifters – so that you can understand your body’s limits.
In bodybuilding and many high-level strength sports, training to failure is an important aspect towards strength and muscle growth. So how does one train to failure, without pushing too far and injuring themselves? Jordan Shallow explains that training to failure is, of course, important for serious growth. But the problem is the definition of failure in this context. Here’s what Shallow had to say about training to failure in practical terms:
“I think there’s a bigger conversation when ti comes to training to failure which is defining failure. Because failure, depending on the exercise, can be different depending on what the exercise is… Failure is a relative term. And I think the conversation gets so oversimplified…”
He goes on to explain that there can be failure on a technical level vs failure on a physical muscular level. The decision on which version of failure to reach depends greatly on what exercise you are doing and your experience level. The problem with “training to failure” when discussed in general terms – is that this nuance can get lost. Then people are pushing for the wrong things and get hurt.
Jordan Shallow provides very specific examples to further explain his case in this regard. You can watch our GI Exclusive above to get that exact detail as well as his other comments on the most common gym injuries you should be avoiding.
Kiera Jaston Squats 500 Pounds During Recent Training Session With Larry Wheels
Kiera Jaston recently joined Larry Wheels for a training session.
Larry Wheels is known for massive lifts in the gym and has been on a tear recently. Wheels has been putting up many PR’s, including a 950-pound squat. In a recent gym session, Wheels was not the one putting up impressive numbers on the squat rack. Kiera Jaston joined Wheels to lift recently and completed a huge 500-pound squat.
Jaston burst onto the scene as the youngest IFBB pro in Europe. She is known for massive deadlifts but is continuing to put up big numbers in other areas as well. Jaston entered the session looking to complete this 500-pound squat and was able to get it done. This is 20% heavier than her previous best on the squat rack.
Larry Wheels uploaded a video to his YouTube page detailing the training session for each athlete. Wheels was focused on completing 10-15 reps with 310kg on his back.
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After a quick warmup, the duo began putting some serious weight on the bar. Kiera Jaston implements an interesting tactic when squatting. She holds the squatting position before rising back up. She does this up until 190kg.
“I spend more time in the hold, make sure I’m down there, pause squats, and sometimes you like the tempo and sometimes one and a half squats just really spending time down in the hold as much as possible. So hopefully on the day, it’s actually ingrained in my brain to actually stay down long enough. It’s definitely working. My squat depth has got a lot better so far,” Kiera Jaston said.
Wheels was quick to backup Jaston’s notion. It was also interesting to see that Jaston does not use knee wraps. This comes after both lifters were able to reach their goals for the session.
Jaston completed one rep of 500 pounds while Wheels completed a rep of 585 pounds. Wheels does use knee wraps. Jaston initiated the conversation about knee wraps during squatting and believes it helps her hold the squatting position and does not hinder progress.
“I tend to stop at the bottom and even when I get to my heavier squats, I ten to stop at the bottom. This is one of the reasons why I don’t use the wraps because I don’t feel like I get as much out of them as like you would.”
Kiera Jaston has burst onto the scene as a powerlifter while Larry Wheels has been testing the waters of other sports, including arm wrestling. There are different training methods and tendencies related to each and Wheels explained how he keeps them separate.
“Right now, I’m having fun with powerlifting style of training which I’ll shoot in my squat and bench training weekly. I’ll have two bodybuilding days for arms and for legs. But for arm wrestling, while my coaches were here, we were doing arm wrestling training four days a week and it was pretty brutal,” Larry Wheels said.
This was an entertaining training session with two elite powerlifters. Both Larry Wheels and Kiera Jaston will continue to put up big numbers and this means special things could be coming in 2022.
Mike O’Hearn Shares Tactics To Build Massive Quads
Mike O’Hearn recently shared some tips on building huge legs.
Mike O’Hearn is a legend in the fitness industry so when he gives out some advice, it is beneficial to listen. This is exactly what he did when he went to the gym and completely a massive leg workout recently. O’Hearn shared some tips on how to build bigger quads using his overall knowledge of different muscle groups.
O’Hearn took to his YouTube page to shared his workout tips on quads. He began practicing two-a-days and this is not something that is usually implemented. This is when someone trains twice a day — in the morning and later in the day. This does not always have to be different body parts. O’Hearn explained how he likes to perform compound movements and bigger lifts in the morning followed by secondaries later in the day.
While this might work best for him, O’Hearn says that each lifter will figure out what works best for them.
“You learn, do the roadmap and at the end of fit after you become somewhat of a master at it, no rules apply.”
Mike O’Hearn begins his leg day workout on the hack squat machine. This is one of the best when building big quads. This is because it can handle a lot of weight while not having to focus on stabilization as much. This is one of the machines that is beneficial but there are some that might not help much.
When finding machines to use, O’Hearn suggest finding ones that are not easy because of the counterbalance.
“Find awkward ones. There should always be pressure on you.”
When training quads, there are plenty of machines that can help. In the video, O’Hearn hops on the leg press machine. This one makes you turn and pull the knee out. This emphasizes the outer portion of the leg and the quad muscle. This was a new machine for O’Hearn to use and one that he liked immediately.
Mike O’Hearn also explained the importance of focusing on the negatives in order to get a good stretch and ensure that you are activating the muscle through a slow movement.
“There’s so much value in the negative you have to understand. If you pull the muscle down correctly in the negative it will activate that way out of the positive.”
The session finished with leg extensions. Throughout the workout, O’Hearn wanted to make sure that this is an advanced way of training. This is a way for experienced lifters to take it to the next level but also a base for beginners. Mike O’Hearn continues to have an impressive physique and has plenty of knowledge to share.
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Robert Timms Details The Experience Of Training In Afghanistan
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During Robert Timms military tour – he discovered bodybuilding while training in Afghanistan gyms.
Robert Timms, also known as Mr. Classic Physique, is a standout Classic Physique competitor who showcases a lot of promise in the division. He also has had a rollercoaster past including a cancer diagnosis and some time spent in the military – including a tour abroad in Afghanistan. It’s actually during his tour in the middle east that Timms discovered his love of bodybuilding. In our latest GI Exclusive, Robert Timms explains his experience discovering bodybuilding and what it was like to train in Afghanistan.
For many of us here in the United States, Afghanistan seems like an entire different world. While some of those perceptions are likely based in stereotypes – there’s no denying it’s a country with a completely different culture. One, of course, with a very complicated history involving the US. Robert Timms was a soldier who was stationed in Afghanistan (many years ago before the complete pullout this past year). It’s in Afghanistan that he actually discovered his love of training in the gym and bodybuilding.
During our most recent video conversation, we asked Robert Timms what it was like to train in Afghanistan while touring in the military in comparison to his training life now in the United States. Timms explains how there were two gyms on base. There was the NATO gym and then the “prison gym” as he calls it.
“The prison gym was the gym that was like the old school – like it was rough. It was a rough gym,” Robert Timms states in his interview. He goes on to say that he was 175 pounds upon arriving at the base in Afghanistan.
Through his training in the prison gym – he started developing a love of the process and picked up a lot of basics and tips from his fellow soldiers. But he quickly realized that the way they trained wasn’t enough for what he was seeking. Robert Timms describes himself as a man who likes to deeply understand the very fabric on how things work. This included his body while training.
So after a small rough patch of training where he was plateauing – he decided to stop following along his fellow soldiers and start doing his own thing. While it wasn’t perfect and didn’t lead to a sculpted physique that could win shows – Timms ended up gaining 60 pounds. Bringing his weight to 235 pounds. His body instantly responded to his new actions in the gym as he broke off to explore training on his own terms.
It’s through that isolation on base that Robert Timms was able to, essentially, change his life. He found a new passion that ended up driving his entire life upon returning to the United States. He’s now a pro Classic Physique bodybuilder – and one that is still actively working to become an Olympia champion.
You can watch Robert Timms’ full comments on his experience discovering bodybuilding and training in Afghanistan by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
WATCH: Tyson Fury Shows Some Intense Training With His Father
Tyson Fury does not take his training regimens lightly.
Tyson Fury has turned into one of the best boxers in the world. The current WBC Heavyweight Champion is coming off an 11th round knockout of Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight and is training for his next bout. Fury has recently shown off some intense training methods with his father, John Fury, assisting.
Fury is seen laying on the floor while his father slamming a medicine ball off his midsection. The boxer is intense throughout the workout and flips on both sides so he could be hit in his obliques as well.
“when you hit that Friday feeling,& someone trying to put a dampener on it. @gypsyjohnfury #spartans#undefeated #champ @wbcboxing ?”
Tyson Fury had been hoping to face Oleksandr Usyk next but has been ordered to defend his title against Dillan Whyte. There have been recent talks that Whyte might not be the next opponent. This means Andy Ruiz Jr. or Joseph Parker could step in. There is nothing set in stone just yet but the current champ has been training to stay ready.
The current exercise seen is a way to strengthen core muscles by pounding them constantly. This makes the athlete flex and strain their core in order to absorb the hit. This is a popular workout used by boxers to maintain the necessary core strength. Some other methods include taking punches to the core with boxing gloves.
This is a video from back in November and Tyson Fury is only intensifying his workouts. John Fury has been part of his training and has made some recent comments regarding his other son, Tommy Fury, and Jake Paul.
Tommy was forced to back out of a scheduled bout with Paul because of an injury. Paul had some choice words about Fury’s decision and his father did not take lightly to them. John Fury did not like the words that were being said about his son and their family name. He challenged Paul to reschedule the fight to March 2022 or he would handle it himself.
There has been no news related to this rematch just yet. Paul is coming off a knockout victory over Tyron Woodley, who stepped in for Fury once he was removed.
Tyson Fury is worrying about bigger things heading into 2022 as the heavyweight champ. While there is no fight scheduled just yet, it is clear that Fury will return to the ring next year looking to make some more noise.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2021 NPC National Championships Results
Here are the full results from the 2021 NPC National Championships!
The 2021 NPC National Championships took place over the weekend in Orlando. This is the biggest NPC event of the year where many athletes hope to earn their pro card by winning their division. This is a chance for competitors to take the next step in their careers but also for fans to check out who has a chance to become the next big name in bodybuilding.
The full results from the show have been announced and pro cards have been handed out. There was a total of eight divisions with different breakdowns fighting for victories. Check out the results from the show along with the official score cards!
Men’s Bodybuilding
Overall
Champion – Carlos Thomas Jr.
Bantamweight
First Place – Raymond Holguin
Second Place – Greg Yoshida
Third Place – Robert Longenecker
Fourth Place.- John McDonald
Fifth Place – Matthew Marcinczyk
Lightweight
First Place – Will Perrelli
Second Place – Ahmad Matour
Third Place – Carlos Ferreira-Poudevida
Fourth Place – Omar Colon
Fifth Place – John Andrews
Welterweight
First Place – Jordan Wise
Second Place – Travis Charles
Third Place – Farris Brown
Fourth Place – John McGovern
Fifth Place – Stuart Reed
Middleweight
First Place – Justin Jacoby
Second Place – Michael Ferris
Third Place – Erik Bachrach
Fourth Place – Michael Potts
Fifth Place – David Litsinger
Light-Heavyweight
First Place – Michael Connell
Second Place – Chanusi Heatley
Third Place – Anthony Ciacci
Fourth Place – Luis Garcia
Fifth Place – Scott Fogelsonger
Heavyweight
First Place – Justin Shier
Second Place – Jordan Janowitz
Third Place – Walter Debbs
Fourth Place – Brandon Bell
Fifth Place – Timothy Cline
Super-Heavyweight
First Place – Carlos Thomas Jr.
Second Place – Nathan Spear
Third Place – Matt Burzacott
Fourth Place – Chris Fine
Fifth Place – Justin Abbott
Men’s Physique
Overall
Champion – Tom Cox
Class A
First Place – Donmarc Allen
Second Place – Jemiase Riggins
Third Place – Jeremy Marcotte
Fourth Place – Erik Nava
Fifth Place – Hakeem Benjamin
Class B
First Place – Christopher Casner
Second Place – Braden Wuerch
Third Place – Jonathan Smith
Fourth Place – Alton Craig
Fifth Place – Kian Kassraei
Class C
First Place – Howhyne Boreland
Second Place – Kenyon Leno
Third Place – Tuigamala Losefo
Fourth Place – Joseph Halabi
Fifth Place – Jems Melidor
Class D
First Place – Jibrael Hindi
Second Place – Derrick Odoms Jr.
Third Place – Flavian Villalobos
Fourth Place – Kyle Pebbles
Fifth Place – Kenneth Whiting
Class E
First Place – Hunter Axton
Second Place – Larry Johnson
Third Place – John Murphy
Fourth Place – Austin Witty
Fifth Place – Tyler Fluitt
Class F
First Place – Tom Cox
Second Place – Raphael Souza
Third Place – Ahmed Saleh
Fourth Place – Sheriff Taiwo
Fifth Place – Edward James
Class G
First Place – Raaziq Jones
Second Place – Natanael Voltaire
Third Place – Martin Todd
Fourth Place – Darnell Thompson
Fifth Place – Tremaine Speller
Class H
First Place – Joshua Boles
Second Place – Donald Brumfield
Third Place – Samuel Soto
Fourth Place – Melvin Keihn
Fifth Place – Jon Pennington
Classic Physique
Overall
Champion – Eric Abelon
Class A
First Place – Josbua Langbein
Second Place – Farris Brown
Third Place – Vincent Grant
Fourth Place – Hamzah Alkordy
Fifth Place – Andy Lagunas
Class B
First Place – Eric Abelon
Second Place – Fernando Inocencio
Third Place – Joseph Rose
Fourth Place – Kyle Pebbles
Fifth Place – Adely Annorat
Class C
First Place – Cody Acree
Second Place – Mitchell Tubbs
Third Place – Jonathan Allen
Fourth Place – Brad Pfeifer
Fifth Place – Daniil Famponte
Class D
First Place – Jordan Carroll
Second Place – Chris Ferman
Third Place – Tyler Mcclarren
Fourth Place – Austin Espy
Fifth Place – James Smith
Women’s Bodybuilding
Overall
Champion – Chelsea Dion
Lightweight
First Place – Barbi Harris
Second Place – Pam Hess
Middleweight
First Place – Amanda Purcell
Second Place – Amy Powers
Third Place – Leann George
Light-Heavyweight
First Place – Alexia Castro
Second Place – Mariah Passalacqua
Third Place – Hannah Hussein
Fourth Place – Camille Robbins
Fifth Place – Chereise Williams Hays
Heavyweight
First Place – Chelsea Dion
Second Place – Marika Jones
Third Place – Selyka Givan
Fourth Place – Stephanie Biernacki
Fifth Place – Ursula Morrow
Figure
Overall
Champion – Amanda Kohatsu
Class A
First Place – Sierra Jones
Second Place – Myia Lynn
Third Place – Stephanie Herreira
Fourth Place – Myel Alfred
Fifth Place – Denitra Bruer
Class B
First Place – Amanda Kohatsu
Second Place – Brooke Foley
Third Place – Danielle Daley
Fourth Place – Julia Bickford
Fifth Place – Jenobia Chamberlain
Class C
First Place – Nathalie Nichols
Second Place – Liliana Garza
Third Place – Jessica Hamilton
Fourth Place – Kiera Gray
Fifth Place – Carly Craig
Class D
First Place – Ashleigh Cogan
Second Place – Amanda Penco
Third Place – Sheridan Johnson
Fourth Place – Destiny Butcher
Fifth Place – Jessica Cropper
Class E
First Place – Julia Monroe
Second Place – Meagan Beck
Third Place – Allie Combs
Fourth Place – Carolyn Dillon
Fifth Place – Megan Juedes
Class F
First Place – Nicole King
Second Place – Mallory Rosado
Third Place – Tausha Baker
Fourth Place – Yolanda Anderson
Fifth Place – Wendy Price
Class G
First Place – Laura Ehlen
Second Place – Candace Richardson
Third Place – Mary Dix
Fourth Place – Kiira Poux
Fifth Place – Carla Peltzer
Class H
First Place – Dominique Berridge
Second Place – Clarissa Fortune
Third Place – Victoria Howard
Fourth Place – Christina Nalley
Fifth Place – Tamera Malone Barrett
Bikini
Overall
Champion – Brittany Gillespie
Class A
First Place – Jeralyn Mesa
Second Place – Sarah Burkett
Third Place – Noel Zayour
Fourth Place – Katerina Roisenvit
Fifth Place – Katina Villa
Class B
First Place – Elizabeth Cunningham
Second Place – Huyen Nguyen Winzler
Third Place – Mayra Oberti
Fourth Place – Deviana Fagan
Fifth Place – Karen Farias
Class C
First Place – Vesna Morales
Second Place – Marisol Sosa
Third Place – Flor Marin-Bukonja
Fourth Place – Sierra Rochelle
Fifth Place – Sarah Qamber
Class D
First Place – Brittany Gillespie
Second Place – Ashley Smith
Third Place – Danielle Kusenberger
Fourth Place – Kaylin Long
Fifth Place – Michelle Billett
Class E
First Place – Jordan Fisher
Second Place – Tamekia Carter
Third Place – Ukachi Onyeijaka
Fourth Place – Cara Hellevang
Fifth Place – Aubri Goudy
Class F
First Place – Eleona McCabe
Second Place – Jennifer Spreadbury
Third Place – Kaley Boaz
Fourth Place – Christina Friscia
Fifth Place – Rachel Mcintire
Class G
First Place – Adriana Izaguirre
Second Place – Haley Nugent
Third Place – Katherine Ziglar
Fourth Place – Carolina Tabai Pinese
Fifth Place – Tayler Lustig
Class H
First Place – Micaela Cristofaro
Second Place – Gyana Mella
Third Place – Tata Pavlovska
Fourth Place – Alissa Tonelli
Fifth Place – Violetta Queen
Women’s Physique
Overall
Champion – Julia Monroe
Class A
First Place – Amanda Kohatsu
Second Place – Amanda Purnell
Third Place – Amy Powers
Fourth Place – Ursula Morrow
Class B
First Place – Kim Klafczynski
Second Place – Bianca Villoch
Third Place – Olivia Luper
Fourth Place – Megan Beck
Fifth Place – Emilie Schmitt
Class C
First Place – Julia Monroe
Second Place – Lindsay Dias
Third Place – Melinda Kelley
Fourth Place – Marika Jones
Fifth Place – Chereise Williams Hays
Class D
First Place – Christina Reed
Second Place – Victoria Sargent
Third Place – Diamond Radivoyevich
Fourth Place – Kerlyne Alexis-Pinkins
Wellness
Overall
Champion – Erewa Uku
Class A
First Place – Rayanne Collins
Second Place – Lili Dong
Third Place – Sheryl Rodriguez
Fourth Place – Shavonne Tedstone
Fifth Place – Anita Timofeyev
Class B
First Place – Victoria Puentes
Second Place – Jossiemar Rosado
Third Place – Amanda Burnett
Fourth Place – Diana Mazahreh
Fifth Place – Destiny Butcher
Class C
First Place – Lori Slayer
Second Place – Cristina Tate
Third Place – Karina Nicoldine
Fourth Place – Benji Lazzeretti
Fifth Place – Adriana Claro
Class D
First Place – Erewa Uku
Second Place – Carolina Garcia
Third Place – Samantha Baker
Fourth Place – Keana Burr
Fifth Place – Kara Mitchell
Generation Iron wishes to congratulate all the great athletes who earned a win at the 2021 NPC National Championships. Make sure to check out our full IFBB Pro results page from this year and previous years right here to catch up on any action you may have missed!