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Shaun Clarida kicks off the 2023 Olympia Prep With an Intense Back and Biceps Workout
Shaun Clarida has entered the prep for 2023 Olympia. He shared the news in a recent pull day workout posted on his YouTube channel and also shed light on the challenges of being on top of the division.
Shaun Clarida is an American professional builder that has competed in the Men’s Open and the 212 divisions of the IFBB Pro League. Although he has done the best of his work in the 212 division, the 40-year-old bodybuilder has maintained a strong presence in the Men’s Open division as well.
Winning the 212 Olympia title at the 2020 Olympia was the highlight of Shaun Clarida’s career. However, he was dethroned by Derek Lunsford at the 2021 Olympia, bringing the goal of a long title reign to an abrupt end. But Clarida turned up the heat and made the bold decision to move up to the Men’s Open division.
At 5ft-2in tall, Clarida is one of the shorter competitors. His decision to compete against the big boys was criticized as a result. But Clarida took the bodybuilding world by surprise when he emerged victoriously in his Men’s Open debut at the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro. The win earned him a direct qualification to compete in the division at the 2022 Olympia as well.
While he intended to create history by competing in both Men’s Open and 212 division at the show, Clarida eventually stayed in the 212 division, winning the second 212 Olympia title in 2022. He made a quick turnaround and attempted to score a win at the 2023 Arnold Classic in the Open division but managed to secure a fifth-place finish.
Shaun Clarida talks about the pressure of being an Olympia champion
Clarida will attempt the first defense of his 212 Olympia title in 2023 and started the competition prep 16 weeks out of the show. He made rapid progress in the off-season and feels comfortable at the current stage. Winning the third title is obviously the primary objective of the competition prep. While winning a title is probably the easier bit, defending it is the part where most people fail. Clarida has been in that situation before and highlighted the challenges of being on top of the division. He said:
“Much harder to stay on top, much harder! You’ve got a big a** target on your back. Everybody is coming to take you out. On the flip side everybody wants to see what kind of improvements you’re gonna make, how much better you can be. But if you follow my career for the past umpteen years, that’s what I’m known for… Improving year after year, bringing something new to the stage.”
The prospects of a competitive legacy are not the biggest motivating factor in his life. Clarida was blessed with a baby girl in 2022. He feels that being a father gives him the energy he needs to push through difficulties.
“Having that title is definitely motivating. But for me, what’s more motivating than that, aside from being Mr. Olympia, is being a dad, a father. Having this little human being in my hand to provide for, be an educator, be a leader…” He added.
The 40-year-old further stated that all the efforts are for his daughter and that’s one of the reasons he moved back to Texas. But he admits that being Mr. Olympia is a great feeling nevertheless. With that, Clarida jumped into the pull day workout and got a good day’s work in to get ready for the 2023 Olympia.
Shaun Clarida pushes through a high-volume back and biceps workout
Back Workout
Pull-Ups
Clarida kicked off the workout with assisted pull-ups. The regular bodyweight pull-up is one of the most effective compound exercises to build the upper body pulling muscles. Therefore it can be surprising to see an elite bodybuilder perform the assisted version, taking some resistance off. But Shaun Clarida has always preferred assisted pull-ups as they take the momentum out of play and help focus directly on the back muscles.
“I’m a big believer in pull-ups. I believe they are absolutely the bread and butter of growing that back.. For that back thickness and width…” Clarida exclaimed.
Clarida performed four to five sets of assisted pull-ups applying the progressive overload principle and setting the wheels in motion for an intense training session. He then jumped into the first official back exercise of the day.
Meadow’s Rows
‘The Giant Killer’ incorporated this exercise in his training routine around a year back when he started the training program to emphasize and improve the upper and outer areas of the latissimus dorsi muscles. But Clarida was introduced to the exercise back in the day by the late John Meadows himself ‘to really thicken up the lats’.
Clarida followed the training method taught to him by John Meadows to do this exercise. After doing a couple of warm-up sets without loading any weight on the bar, ‘The Giant Killer’ did two feeder sets to figure out a good weight that he could improve from. He uses 25lbs plates to do Meadows row as it enables him to get a better range of motion. There is a practical reason behind this as Shaun Clarida explained:
“I’m short. So if I’m short and I use the 45lbs plate, it’ll just be banging the whole time and I won’t be able to get the full (range of motion) which I want…”
The feeder sets were followed by working sets with incrementally heavier weights. Following this, the 212 Olympia champion took to the T-bar rows next.
Chest-Supported T-Bar Rows
T-bar rows are arguably the greatest exercise to impart thickness to the back. If you had to choose just one rowing movement for back, we would advise to go with T-bar rows. Clarida did the exercise on a chest-supported t-bar rows machine. Clarida prefers to have a grip that is in between the neutral grip and the overhand pronated grip. However, the machine did not have the option and Clarida improvised by attaching a D-handle.
Clarida did the warm-up set using a quarter plate and then proceeded to crank out the feeder sets. After working his way up to the top set of two full sets, ‘The Giant Killer’ took to another rowing movement.
Machine Rows
Shan Clarida next performed machine rows on the Prime Extreme Row machine. The machine has eight different adjustments for the bench. Clarida intended the exercise to simulate the bent-over dumbbell rows. He adjusted the seat accordingly and performed the rows unilaterally.
“By hovering over the bench and keeping one hand against the pad, I’m able to get a really good stretch in the lat,” Clarida said about the positioning.
He pushed through some solid sets of the exercise using a similar training method as the previous exercises – warm-up sets, feeder sets followed by working sets – and jumped into the next exercise.
Seated Rows
Most of the previous exercises primarily targeted the lats. Clarida shifted his focus on working the upper back and performed seated rows on a Prime selectorized machine next.
“(The machine) hits the upper back just right with the positioning of the chair. You’ll feel traps, rhomboids, a little bit of the rear delts but not too much,” Clarida explained.
The American bodybuilder annihilated some heavy sets of seated rows to work the upper back muscles before taking up a vertical pulling movement.
Close-Grip V-Bar Pulldowns
Vertical pulling movements help build a wide back. Clarida took to the v-bar lat pulldown next to build upper and middle back width. This variation of lat pulldowns heavily stimulates the rhomboids due to the close neutral grip. Also, biceps and forearms get a good workout as well. Clarida cranked out some solid sets of close grip v-bar pulldowns before taking up an isolation exercise next.
Standing Cable Pullovers
We can’t think of many isolation exercises when it comes to stimulating the back muscles. However, cable pullover is one isolation exercise that stands out for its benefits in back-building. It primarily works the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and posterior deltoid muscles.
“A lot of rowing, a lot of blood flow in those lats. Now we’re going to stretch them out the front lat spread, double bicep to make sure that width is there,” Clarida stated.
The 40-year-old pushed through four working sets of this exercise and jumped into the finisher of the day.
Weighted hyperextensions
Clarida capped the back workout with a variation of weighted hyperextensions that he learned from the late John Meadows. This lower back movement targets the lower back muscles, more specifically, the spinal erectors.
“We’re still 16 weeks out and I’m trying to maintain as much mass as I possibly can. I’m still taking a lot of food in so I’m able to push a good amount of weight. But at the same time, I’ve got to push that conditioning,” Clarida said.
However, he has two herniations in the lower back and needs to be extra careful with the weight.
“When you turn around and ride those elbows back, spread double biceps for that lat spread, you see that whole lower back… We call it the Christmas tree, right? We want to see all those lines, all the details. This movement is going to help with that,” Shaun Clarida explained.
He performed a few sets of hyperextensions using a barbell with 25lbs plates for weight and wrapped up back training.
Biceps Workout
Single-Arm Preacher Curls
Shaun Clarida shifted the focus to the next part of his pull day – the biceps. Preacher curls are by far the most effective isolation exercise for biceps and help massively with muscle hypertrophy by eliminating all the other muscles from the action. Clarida performed a few sets of the exercise unilaterally on a selectorized machine and jumped into the last exercise of the training session.
Dumbbell Hammer Curls
Hammer curls target the brachioradialis and the brachialis muscles in the arms along with biceps brachii. Most of the arm muscles get sufficient work during most of the pulling movements. Therefore it is completely unnecessary to train them with excessively heavy weights. All they need is stimulation with a few sets done with proper form. Shaun Clarida did exactly that with dumbbell hammer curls next and wrapped up the training session.
Overall, the workout included:
2023 Olympia takes place from No.2-5 in Orlando, Florida. Shaun Clarida will be the obvious favorite heading into the show. However, he has to manage the resources well and bring a complete package to the stage. If he maintains the focus and unparalleled work ethic that he is known for, ‘The Giant Killer’ will certainly walk away with the third 212 Olympia title.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Shaun Clarida’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 9:26 AM EDT
2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) Results
The 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) competition took place on July 22nd at the Tinley Park Convention Center, in Illinois. It consisted of five events, with 12 men and six women competing for the title of America’s Strongest in their respective divisions.
In the end, Jeffrey Lee was crowned as the men’s U105KG American champion after a very tight battle with Zack McCarley. On the other hand, Erin Murray won the women’s division with a bit more comfort than Lee, but she still had to push until the very end so none of her rivals overtook her.
Another factor proving just how versatile the U105KG weight class is in American Strongman is that this year’s roster was almost completely different from last year’s one. The only man who competed last year and came back this year was Michael Congdon. So, all 12 other men did not take part in the 2022 edition of this show.
2023 America’s Strongest Man U105KG Leaderboards
Jeffrey Lee — 57 points
Zack McCarley — 55 points
Nick Hein — 43 points
Brandon Burley — 39 points
Justin Loy — 39 points
Alec Soukup — 38 points
Dan Hughes — 34 points
Matt Moeller — 32 points
Kevin Candito — 30 points
Michael Congdon — 28 points
Bill Kendall — 26.5 points
Jon Parker — 26 points
Johnny Wasiczko — 7.5 points
2023 America’s Strongest Woman U82KG Leaderboards
Erin Murray — 30 points
Jessica Mitchell — 26.5 points
Erin Walklet — 23 points
Katie Gutwald — 22.5 points
Cassandra Moore — 18 points
Rachael Peterson — 13 points
Jamie Schamma — 5 points
Related: 2023 North America’s Strongest Man Results — Trey Mitchell Wins
Event Recap
Both the U105KG Men and the U82KG Women took part in the same five events. The only difference between these two categories was the weight of the implements.
Event 1: Press Ladder
The first event of the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) was an Overhead Press Ladder. The athletes encountered five implements, some being Axle Presses and others Log Lifts. Each implement got substantially heavier than the previous one. So, the goal was to overhead press as many implements as possible, as quickly as possible.
Weights:
U105KG: 270-lb, 290-lb, 310-lb, 330-lb, 350-lb
U82KG: 170-lb, 185-lb, 200-lb, 215-lb, 230-lb
Men
Zack McCarley — 5 in 59.13 seconds
Nick Hein — 4 in 32.97 seconds
Jeffrey Lee — 3 in 21.28 seconds
Justin Loy — 3 in 23.21 seconds
Brandon Burley — 3 in 25.9 seconds
Dan Hughes — 3 in 26.28 seconds
Alec Soukup — 3 in 27.81 seconds
Matt Moeller — 3 in 30.09 seconds
Michael Congdon — 3 in 32.01 seconds
Kevin Candito — 3 in 38.87 seconds
Jon Parker — 3 in 48.89 seconds
Bill Kendall — 1 in 6.09 seconds
Johnny Wasiczko — 1 in 14.02 seconds
Women
Jessica Mitchell — 5 in 49.87 seconds
Erin Murray — 4 in 38.35 seconds
Cassandra Moore — 4 in 42.44 seconds
Erin Walklet — 3 in 30.09 seconds
Rachael Peterson — 1 in 7.4 seconds
Katie Gutwald — 1 in 8.9 seconds
Jamie Schamma — 1 in 9.31 seconds
Event 2: Max Farmer’s Carry
Similar to the first event, in the second event of 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) featured multiple implements that got progressively heavier. They had to complete 30 feet with each implement in order to progress to the heavier one. In the end, the goal was to reach the heaviest possible Farmer’s Carry implement.
No skipping of weight was allowed, so a strict rule was that an athlete MUST complete the full distance with the lighter implements first.
Weights:
U105KG: 260-lb, 300-lb, 340-lb, 370-lb, 400-lb, 430-lb, 450-lb
U82KG: 180-lb, 210-lb, 240-lb, 270-lb, 300-lb, 320-lb, 340-lb
Men
Jeffrey Lee — 430 lbs – 26ft 5in
Dan Hughes — 430 lbs – 15ft 8in
Zack McCarley — 430 lbs – 10ft 0in
Kevin Candito — 430 lbs – 7ft 11in
Alec Soukup — 400 lbs – 29ft 4in
Brandon Burley — 400 lbs – 21ft 10in
Bill Kendall — 400 lbs – 19ft 8in
Justin Loy — 400 lbs – 18ft 11in
Michael Congdon — 400 lbs – 9ft 8in
Jon Parker — 400 lbs – 6ft 0in
Matt Moeller — 370 lbs – 30ft 0in
Nick Hein — 370 lbs – 11ft 8in
Johnny Wasiczko — 340 lbs – 18ft 6in
Women
Katie Gutwald — 300 lbs – 30ft 0in
Erin Murray — 300 lbs – 16ft 8in
Cassandra Moore — 300 lbs – 7ft 7in
Erin Walklet — 270 lbs – 30ft 0in
Rachael Peterson — 270 lbs – 30ft 0in
Jamie Schamma — 270 lbs – 30ft 0in
Jessica Mitchell — 270 lbs – 29ft 0in
Event 3: Conan’s Wheel
The third event of the competition was Conan’s Wheel, a well-known test of strength and endurance in Strongman and Strongwoman. The aim of the event was to pick up a heavy metal beam with the forearms and cross as much distance as possible without dropping it. The beam pivots around a center point, meaning that the athletes spin in circles.
Having to hold the beam at the forearms and mid-chest height means that the athletes are not able to breathe properly, making this event quite a painful and uncomfortable one.
Weights:
U105KG: 650-lb
U82KG: 400-lb
Men
Justin Loy — 167.89 ft
Nick Hein — 161.91 ft
Michael Congdon — 148.27 ft
Alec Soukup — 148.17 ft
Zack McCarley — 138.36 ft
Jeffrey Lee — 136.54 ft
Bill Kendall — 133.45 ft
Matt Moeller — 127.56 ft
Kevin Candito — 107.94 ft
Brandon Burley — 104.01 ft
Dan Hughes — 82.43 ft
Johnny Wasiczko — 68.69 ft
Jon Parker — 36.31 ft
Women
Jessica Mitchell — 254.14 ft
Erin Murray — 200.18 ft
Erin Walklet — 177.8 ft
Katie Gutwald — 165.83 ft
Cassandra Moore — 125.6 ft
Rachael Peterson — 96.16 ft
Jamie Schamma — 12.76 ft
Event 4: Ukrainian Deadlift
The Ukrainian Deadlift has proven to be quite a strength test recently, which is why it made its appearance at the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG). It is basically a deficit deadlift with a short handle, meaning that the athletes cannot position themselves in a standard conventional stance, but instead more of a sumo stance is needed.
The Ukrainian Deadlift at this competition started off by doing one rep with each of the weights listed below. However, once athletes reached the final weight (Men: 680-lb / Women: 440-lb), they kept performing as many reps as possible.
Weights:
U105KG: 560-lb, 600-lb, 640-lb, 680-lb for reps
U82KG: 350-lb, 380-lb, 410-lb, 440-lb for reps
Men
Jeffrey Lee — 9 reps
Zack McCarley — 9 reps
Jon Parker — 9 reps
Nick Hein — 7 reps
Dan Hughes — 6 reps
Alec Soukup — 5 reps
Brandon Burley — 4 reps
Matt Moeller — 4 reps
Kevin Candito — 4 reps
Michael Congdon — 3 reps
Bill Kendall — 2 reps
Johnny Wasiczko — 2 reps
Justin Loy — 1 rep
Women
Erin Murray — 6 reps
Jessica Mitchell — 5 reps
Katie Gutwald — 5 reps
Erin Walklet — 4 reps
Cassandra Moore — 3 reps
Rachael Peterson — 2 reps
Jamie Schamma — 0 reps
Event 5: Atlas Stone Series
Like in almost every Strongman and Strongwoman competition, the Atlas Stones were the final event of the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG). The athletes had to lift five progressively heavier Atlas Stones on a platform in front of them.
Usually, as the Atlas Stones progress in weight, the platform’s height gets lower. However, at this specific competition, the platform height was the same for every Atlas Stone, regardless of weight.
Weights:
U105KG: 300-lb, 325-lb, 350-lb, 375-lb, 400-lb
U82KG: 220-lb, 240-lb, 260-lb, 280-lb, 300-lb
Men
Jeffrey Lee — 5 in 27.27 seconds
Brandon Burley — 5 in 46.51 seconds
Matt Moeller — 5 in 50.57 seconds
Zack McCarley — 4 in 24.02 seconds
Justin Loy — 4 in 33.59 seconds
Bill Kendall — 4 in 37.02 seconds
Nick Hein — 4 in 37.83 seconds
Jon Parker — 4 in 39.58 seconds
Kevin Candito — 4 in 44.53 seconds
Alec Soukup — 3 in 21.1 seconds
Michael Congdon — 3 in 24.85 seconds
Dan Hughes — 3 in 43.09 seconds
Johnny Wasiczko — 3 in 46.89 seconds
Women
Erin Walklet — 4 in 26.51 seconds
Jessica Mitchell — 4 in 27.53 seconds
Erin Murray — 4 in 40.33 seconds
Katie Gutwald — 3 in 37.7 seconds
Rachael Peterson — 3 in 46.87 seconds
Cassandra Moore — 2 in 22.88 seconds
Jamie Schamma — No lift
Watch the full competition here:
Related: Strongman Nicolas Cambi Wins 2022 U105KG America’s Strongest Man & Sets 285-lb Heavy Dumbbell World Record
The organizers of the 2023 America’s Strongest Man (U105KG) & Woman (U82KG) made sure to award the efforts of their competitors accordingly. So, the winners of both divisions were awarded $5,000. In addition, every athlete who finished in the top 7 athletes got their piece of the prize pool: second place ($3,000), third place ($2,000), 4th-7th place ($500 each).
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 9:30 AM EDT
Larry Wheels Hospitalized With Rhabdomyolysis
Larry Wheels has been going through a lot lately, focusing on developing his strength, building an incredible physique, and as of recently, launching his first public gym. Unfortunately, all the time Larry invested in his gym, aiming to better himself, led to a significant setback. In fact, it was even something that could develop into a fatal hazard. On July 25th, Larry shared a photo of himself lying in a hospital bed, with IV’s connected to his veins. Furthermore, in the post’s caption, Larry disclosed that he has been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a rare condition that has been fatal in some cases.
“I fked around and got Rhabdo. light headed af”
Rhabdomyolysis is most often caused by overtraining, and its symptoms are similar to muscle inflammation, but often develop into much more severe pains. Basically, when a person suffers from rhabdomyolysis, their injured muscles can break down, releasing the Myoglobin protein into the bloodstream.
In turn, Myoglobin can damage the kidneys, affecting their work rate or potentially even causing kidney failure. In the worst cases, rhabdomyolysis has even caused the deaths of people who had it.
The symptoms of rhabdomyolysis include weakness, muscle pain, darkening of the urine, and lightheadedness. However, rhabdo is curable, so Larry Wheels should be back to his best after some treatments.
Related: Larry Wheels Cranks Out 405 Lbs Bench Press In A Joint Training Session With Stefi Cohen
Interestingly, rhabdo is a fairly rare disease, as approximately 26,000 cases are reported in the USA each year. So, it is something that should be paid attention to, but not overly scared of it.
CrossFit and UFC athletes are some of the most frequent people who get rhabdo due to their highly-intense training sessions. So, as a result of his intense gym efforts, Larry Wheels ended up with rhabdomyolysis. However, it does not come as a huge surprise, since he has been going all out in preparation for his Classic Bodybuilding debut. He recently revealed what exactly attracted him to this division of bodybuilding as well.
In preparation for his Classic Bodybuilding debut, Larry Wheels partnered up with William Bonac in order to get some posing tips. Larry then also revealed that his coach assured him that nothing apart from TRT would be needed for him to be competitive in the Classic Bodybuilding division. This seemed to be correct, as Larry’s physique looked incredible in every update that he shared.
It is a known fact by now that Larry Wheels has stopped using PEDs and Steroids. However, since then, he has looked like a brand new person. He began looking younger and healthier, while also slimming down to an incredibly shredded physique. His strength has also been impressive, as Larry tested his limits in a powerlifting mock meet.
The fact that he is enjoying his current fitness journey makes it obvious that he will continue to enjoy it after he recovers from rhabdomyolysis.
Related: Larry Wheels Sporting Crazy Bicep Peak in Classic Physique Posing Before Big Debut
It is currently not clear how rhabdomyolysis will affect Larry Wheels’ plans moving forward, but he will most likely provide a detailed update when he is back to full health. Until then, we wish Larry a quick recovery from the unfortunate situation that he has found himself in.
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 10:37 AM EDT
Bodybuilder Seth Feroce ‘Exposes’ 12 Most Famous Influencers in the Fitness Industry: ‘Natty or Not’
The ‘Natty or Not’ debate has remained one of the most talked about fitness subjects in the industry. Recently, retired bodybuilder Seth Feroce posted a YouTube video where he examined the bodies of some popular influencers in the industry. He also gave his opinion on whether they use steroids or not.
“We’re not doing one person, you said everybody,” Feroce shared.
Feroce is a highly respected bodybuilder who made a name for himself in the Men’s Open and 212 Bodybuilding divisions. During his tenure, which occurred mostly in the 2000s, Feroce displayed exceptional conditioning, balance, and symmetry. He was led by Hany Rambod, a decorated trainer who is currently responsible for guiding top-tier athletes such as Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, and Andre Deiu.
Over the last few years, ‘Natty or Not’ disputes have become the center of online discussions in the fitness world. Influencers are known for tackling these sensitive topics like Kenny KO. He’s discussed Mike O’Hearn’s natural status with him face-to-face. O’Hearn claims to be a lifetime natural athlete, who continues to defy age with a ripped physique and powerful lifts.
Joe Rogan has insinuated that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Chris Hemsworth should come clean and admit their gear use as well. This revelation came after Derek of More Plates More Dates’ infamous exposé of Liver King’s (Real name: Brian Johnson) leaked steroid cycle. Meanwhile, Bradley Martyn also suspects that The Rock uses steroids.
The latest to take part in the controversial discussion was Seth Feroce. He systematically broke down 12 of the most popular influencers’ physiques and determined whether or not they are using PEDs.
Alex Eubank – Not Natty
“He is on the fucking border. I like Alex I’ve talked to him a handful of times on IG. He seems like a good kid. He says he’s natty. I know he’s made a lot of videos about him possibly transitioning over to the dark side, it looks like he takes something. He does have good genetics,” said Seth Feroce.
Shizzylifts – Not Natty
“They’re saying this dude is natural? There’s no fucking way. Is this an edited photo? Dude, this dude has got some serious arms. He trains hard, doesn’t he? I’ve seen these training videos of him.”
Sam Sulek – Not Natty
“That’s like asking if I’m natural. I just found him maybe a couple of weeks ago because it just popped up on my YouTube. He’s young too, isn’t he? This is all I see. This is the reason I like this kid. I see parts of me in him. This guy is definitely fucking batshit crazy. He has his shit together. In his videos, he’s calm, cool, and collected. Does his own thing.”
“He is fucking in it. You can’t pass judgment upon people for what they want to do with their lives because Sam seems to be having a massive impact on the fitness community,” said Seth Feroce. “A lot of people want to focus on the bad which would be his acne, the issues with steroid abuse, the long-term effects. But then at the same time, nobody would give two flying fucks about who Sam is if he wasn’t being who he is now.”
Jesse James West – Natty
“I could say that he’s natural. He seems like a decent guy. He seems like he loves what he’s doing. That’s all you can ask for for people that are doing things like this. I’d say out of everyone so far, he’s the one that I would say is natural.”
Tristyn Lee – Natty
“He seems like an actual genuine good guy, him and his brothers. Stupid genetics run in his family, stupid genetics. Dude, it’s [his conditioning] always around with him. But I’ve seen the videos that Doucette did on him about the being too skinny or too shredded all the time. You know that this young man is going through his own battles. Because if he’s training like he’s doing those things and eating like he is, he is obsessed.”
“I don’t know man. I think he’s probably dabbled with a few things. More recently in the past couple of years simply because he loves the gym. At the same time, you can throw in an oral for six weeks and notice a difference, especially if you’re on point like he is with everything he does. Why would you do such a thing? To learn and have fun. He could be natural because he has crazy genetics.”
“He’s had such steady progress, I could say that he’s natural because he’s never made massive jumps in weight, never. He is stronger than a motherfucker though.”
Tren Twins – Not Natty
“Obviously they’re not natural but by no means do I think these two take as much as people think they do. Their name was catchy they called themselves the Tren Twins. It’s awesome, it’s fun, it’s entertaining. They’re big, swole as fuck right here.”
Greg Doucette – Not Natty
“Greg is not on Tren no way. He’s on TRT obviously, he talks about it regularly. Yeah, dude, Greg is always in shape. He’s always in shape. Greg has been around, he’s older than I am and I can tell you right now if I cut peanut butter pretzels out of my diet, I’ll lose weight.”
“Greg has been like, ‘I rolled out of bed this is what I look like.’ We’re like yeah, you look like you’re on TRT. And post-workout, yeah, Greg you look like you’re taking Tren because the veins on your legs look paper thin.”
Mike O’Hearn – Natty
“Do I think he’s natty? I do think that he is natty but I do not think he’s human. I say Mike is an alien. Mike is an alien, he’s not a real human being. I think he’s from a different planet. There’s no reason, no amount of gear that still says you being a 50-plus-year-old man, that you should be able to bench 405 pounds for reps and do all the crazy wild fucked up shit he does. No fucking way. Why are you doing that? How are you doing that? Not from earth.”
Liver King – Not Natty
“The thing is Omnitrope, that growth hormone is some of the wildest growth hormone I’ve ever taken. There’s different levels of growth hormone, you can get the Chinese, and that’s some fucking knock-off bullshit, does it work, yeah sure. I could take ten IUs of it and be pretty good.”
Jeff Seid – Not Natty
“I think that he dabbled. Put him in the category of like Alex. If everything was off, he might be like ‘No, I just never have.’ But I wouldn’t be surprised if he was like, ‘Yeah, I took some stuff, I took Anavar, I took some SARMs.”
David Laid – Not Natty
“These people in person are probably not as big as they look on here,” said Seth Feroce. “These guys work, they’re not not doing shit. That’s not what this video is, but I don’t think he’s natural. It’s a little too much to claim natural.”
Lexx Little – Natty
“He’s probably strong but then you tell me he benches 405, that’s a strong lift for a little man. I mean, he’s got a great physique. He’s using the camera angle and the lends and the twisting waist. His upper body, I’d say you could achieve this naturally yes.”
Parting Thoughts
“Whenever you’re young you’re supposed to experience life and chase after things that are unique and special. You don’t get to be elite or great without intensity or passion okay? It just doesn’t fucking occur,” said Feroce.
“Most of the people on the list have a following that is very intense. My hats off to you young gentlemen, I hope you continue to do cool shit but keep living. It’s okay, you will be scrutinized for anything you do.”
This won’t be the last fans hear of ‘Natty or Not’ discussions. Just recently, former kickboxing champion and controversial influencer Andrew Tate was the center of the debate due to his built physique. According to Tate, he’s never touched testosterone replacement therapy or steroids in his life. In response to the claim, Derek of More Plates More Dates examined his body and determined that the evidence ‘leaned toward’ Tate being natural.
RELATED: Dan Bilzerian Shares His Opinions About ‘Natty Greek God’ Mike O’Hearn
As for Seth Feroce, he believes no matter what athletes do, if they find any sort of success, scrutiny will follow them. Even though he suspected that many of these influencers used PEDs, Feroce refused to discount the hard work that went into achieving such impressive physiques.
Watch the full video from the Seth Feroce YouTube channel below:
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 11:50 AM EDT
Blessing Awodibu Recaps 2023 Chicago Pro Showing w/ Bob Cicherillo: ‘I Was Soft, It Really Hurts’
Blessing Awodibu is aiming to rebound after failing to secure his Olympia qualification at the 2023 Chicago Pro, won by Justin Shier. In a recent YouTube video with Bob Cicherillo, Awodibu opened up about his lack of conditioning on stage and set his sights on the nearing Texas Pro.
Known for his boisterous personality, Blessing Awodibu quickly established himself as a legitimate contender in the IFBB Pro League. His narrow waist and aesthetic features guided him to success last year, where he commanded gold at two shows: the 2022 Indy Pro and the 2022 New York Pro. His first win secured him a qualification to last year’s Olympia, which would serve as his debut on the sport’s biggest stage.
Considering his success last year, Awodibu entered the Olympia contest last December brimming with confidence. Hours before competing, he stole the show at the Olympia Press Conference, where he and Nick Walker exchanged in a memorable back and forth.
However, on the Olympia stage, Blessing struggled against a historic lineup that featured several new threats such as Andrew Jacked, Samson Dauda, Michal Krizo, and Rafael Brandao. In the end, ‘The Boogieman’ placed outside of the top 15. And while he had hoped to lock down his passage to Olympia last weekend, fan-favorite Awodibu was unable to bring his best. As a result, he walked away in fourth place. To recap the experience, he joined athletes rep Bob Cicherillo.
Blessing Awodibu on 2023 Chicago Pro Performance: ‘I Was Soft, It Was a Really, Really Tough Prep’
Despite his status as a pre-contest favorite, Awodibu explained that outside pressures affected his ability to shred down for the competition.
“Came in as the pre-contest favorite, didn’t look like it went your way my friend, what happened out there man?” Bob Cicherillo asked.
“What happened out there, man? I mean, shit. I mean, I don’t know I couldn’t tell you, man. It was a really really tough prep man. Especially mentally and there was a lot on the line for me and a lot of pressure. It was a lot of pressure. And tonight, I was soft man, I was soft,” Blessing Awodibu shared.
“You looked big as a house, it looks like you put on some good muscle, meaning you were big, full, a lot of muscle, but just didn’t wring out that last bit of water,” said Cicherillo.
Awodibu revealed that he was ten pounds heavier than last year. Next, Awodibu announced his plans for the 2023 Texas Pro next month.
“Yes. That tightening wasn’t there. I was a little bit too wet. I just – I just got to figure it out man. I know when I do figure it out man it’s like – I feel like I’m in a whole different league. I just got to find that faith and that’s another one for me now. That’s two in a row. This should not be happening. This should not be happening.”
“Honestly I’m 10 pounds heavier, I thought it would have been a good thing,” said Awodibu. “I will figure it out guys. Because I know man, I deserve to be one of the best. When I miss like this, it really hurts. This should not be happening. You know, it’s bodybuilding, it’s a journey. You learn from these things and you can only get better as long as you keep moving.”
“We still got Texas,” said Awodibu.
In a separate Instagram post, Awodibu elaborated on his preparations and what went wrong.
“We nicely brought the body down from 306 to 276 keeping the fullness & roundness, the condition was definitely behind but honestly I was so damn excited with the way things were going until shit start to go iffy leading to Chicago.But right now I’m getting the wheels back on track with coach @cameron_cheek Road to O continues” Blessing Awodibu shared.
If Awodibu enters the upcoming Texas Pro, he’ll have plenty of top-tier talent to worry about. Defending 2022 Texas Pro champ Andrew Jacked will aim to earn his Olympia entry at this event. In addition, Hunter Labrada is slated to compete in Texas. He’s on a mission to redeem himself after falling to seventh place on the Mr. Olympia stage last year.
In addition to the above frontrunners, fans, and the bodybuilding community are excited to see mass monster Carlos Thomas Jr. make a splash on an IFBB Pro Open stage. While Carlos had to pull out of the New York Pro, he’s making it his mission to defeat Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada in Texas. The show takes place August 18-19.
As Bob Cicherillo suggested, Awodibu has clearly put on quality size. Should he manage to dial in his conditioning next month, with or without a coach, he’d be a definite title threat on the 2023 Texas Pro stage.
RELATED: Jay Cutler, Milos Sarcev Talk Hassan Mostafa & Blessing Awodibu’s Potential + Lack of Athletes Entering Shows
Watch the full video from the Voice of Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 3:45 PM EDT
Canadian Bodybuilder with Down Syndrome Inspires Fitness World
Working out can seem like a daunting task for some who may have special needs. While it’s not common everywhere, there is no shortage of inspirational stories in the fitness world. Canadian bodybuilder Kyle Landi, who has Down syndrome, is one such story that continues to inspire the community with his insane resilience.
Hitting the gym is not simply about lifting weights or burning calories on the treadmill. Improving one’s fitness levels or enhancing their physique is a desired goal but for some, it’s a lifestyle, that demands dedication and discipline.
In Oct. 2019, Shirley Webb made headlines for her incredible feats of strength at the age of 82. Although she struggled with daily life tasks before joining the gym at age 77, Webb gained a passion for lifting weights and got into powerlifting. She left the fans stunned by scoring gold with her age-defying strength at the 2015 USAPL MO State/Midwest Open.
Legendary strongman Eddie Hall has cemented his status as one of the strongest men on the planet but his journey wasn’t always smooth. The former World’s Strongest Man winner opened up about his struggle with depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction in Apr. 2020 to motivate fans for turning their life around no matter what.
Even Tom Stoltman has been transparent about the obstacles he faced at World’s Strongest Man competitions. He remembered using the power of his autism diagnosis to help him through some of the more difficult aspects of the events.
A high school student with Down syndrome, Garret Alcaraz, went viral for crushing a heavy 355-pound (161-kg) bench press in May 2020. Alcaraz proved no obstacle is too big as he recorded the heaviest bench press at his school.
Former Ms. Bikini Olympia Elisa Pecini is renowned for her insane symmetry and overall physique. As incredible as her physique is, her story of overcoming an eating disorder to secure the most prestigious Bikini title in the world is even more impressive. She laid out her battle with the disorder and credited the sport for helping turn her life around. Powerlifting sensation Serena Abweh detailed a similar challenge in her journey of beating anorexia to become a powerlifting champion in her teenage years.
Legendary bodybuilder Flex Wheeler reached the highest heights in the sport and continued to inspire the fans even after a leg amputation. He was honored with the first-ever Olympia Inspiration and Courage Award for his positive spirit despite the challenges. He also received the 2022 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award.
Canadian Bodybuilder with Down Syndrome Inspires Fitness World
Kyle Landi has inspired the fitness community several times in his journey of becoming the first-ever Canadian bodybuilder with Down syndrome. He gained attention for his impressive condition and unmatched resilience. He even got the chance to display his physique as a special guest at the 2023 Arnold Classic four months ago. Then, he turned heads with another incredible showing with Nick Walker and Antoine Valliant at the Pure Muscle Championships.
Landi has teamed up with some notable figures in the industry, including Larry Wheels and Tristyn Lee. He also got the chance to interact with legendary bodybuilders like Ronnie Coleman, Flex Wheeler, and Breon Ansley.
The 23-year-old Ontario native grew up with a passion for working out and started lifting with the goal to become a pro in his early years. His priority is to compete on stage next year. Besides bodybuilding, he’s working on earning a black belt in karate in the same timeframe.
Landi’s parents, Joseph and Kimberley, opened up about the benefits Kyle reaped from training regularly.
“Prior to bodybuilding, Kyle walked with a slouch with his head down,” Joseph told Daily Mail. “Today, he carries himself differently. He is humble but very confident in himself and his mindset is that of a champion.”
Iconic bodybuilder Kai Greene is another inspiring tale in the sport. He was a perennial contender at Mr. Olympia competitions and connected with fans courtesy of his muscle mass, size, and posing finesse. Having grown up in an institutional facility, he credited his success to the challenge he faced early in life.
Legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger took notice of Kevin Cantrell’s insane deadlift of 501 pounds at the 2022 Special Olympics. He amplified Cantrell’s message to his audience and lauded him as his inspiration.
RELATED: Mitchell Hooper Speaks Out About His Struggle With Mental Health And Suicidal Thoughts
Kyle Landi has proved that nothing is impossible and one can achieve anything they put their mind to. It’s only a matter of time before he steps on stage for competition and adds another feather to his cap.
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 3:55 PM EDT
Chris Hemsworth Unveils Intense 10-Min Upper Body Workout to Get Jacked Like Thor
Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth boasts one of the best builds of any actor. Although he entered the industry with a relatively athletic physique, he took his fitness game to the next level for the biggest roles of his career. In a recent post made on Instagram, Hemsworth unveiled a brutal 10-minute upper body workout routine to get jacked like Thor.
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Chris Hemsworth first gained attention for his role on the national television series Home and Away in 2004. He moved to the US to pursue his dream of making it big in movies. In 2011, Hemsworth landed the role of superhero Thor for the Marvel Cinematic Universe film. He worked hard in the gym and packed on a significant amount of muscle to get ready for the project. He received major praise for his work and turned into one of the most recognizable names in town as a result of his success.
In 2020, Hemsworth utilized bodyweight workouts to help improve his speed, agility, and balance while gearing up for the portrayal of a Black Ops mercenary in the Netflix action thriller Extraction. Then, he gained more muscle for depicting the burly superhero in the franchise’s latest installment, Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). He left the fans in awe of his gigantic biceps in a behind-the-scenes photo from the sets of the film in July 2022.
Hemsworth boasts a massive following of 57.4 million on the photo-sharing platform. He launched a fitness lifestyle app called Centrfit to provide workouts that required little to no equipment. He rolled out the app with an intense bodyweight routine, which he performed on a Naval ship in the middle of the ocean to prove it could be done anywhere.
The 39-year-old offered a challenging core workout that he often uses for getting ripped and strong last September. He followed that up with a grueling 200-rep full-body workout challenge made up of five movements. He added another full-body training routine for optimizing the pump a month later.
Chris Hemsworth improvised a quick workout session while in the wilderness of Kenya earlier this year. Since he didn’t have any gym equipment with him, he used resistance bands, functional equipment, and other objects around him to perform bodyweight exercises.
Hemsworth showed off his lean physique in a core workout update three months ago. Next, he offered a full-body training routine targeting the core for strength and endurance. He looked incredibly lean as he smashed past the arduous exercises.
Chris Hemsworth Unveils Intense 10-Min Upper Body Workout to Get Jacked Like Thor
In a recent Instagram post, Chris Hemsworth shared an intense 10-minute upper body workout to get a superhero physique like Thor.
“Have a go at this upper body session!! Hitting back, chest, shoulders, and triceps @centrfit,” he wrote.
10-min upper body workout:
Warm-up
Ball slams – 10
Rest 30 seconds – 4 sets
Superset
Bent over rows (left & right) – 10 reps
Push-ups – 15 reps
Rest 60 seconds – 4 sets total
Triset
Renegade row (left & right) – 8 reps
Lateral raise – 8 reps
Tricep push down – 10 reps
Rest 60 seconds – 4 sets total
Chris Hemsworth gave fans a look into the brutal full-body workout routine he utilized to battle jet lag in LA after a 12-hour flight last month.
Hemsworth teamed up with bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger for a training session while in Brazil for a Netflix fan event weeks ago. The seven-time Mr. Olympia praised his pump and upper body muscle development.
RELATED: Chris Hemsworth Shares Grueling Punching Bag Workout
Fans will be excited to try his latest offering in hopes of attaining a jacked physique like Thor.
Published: 26 July, 2023 | 5:19 PM EDT
Erin Stern Shares 5-Step Plan to Figure Out Daily Calories & Macros
American bodybuilder Erin Stern has been a dominant force in the women’s Figure and Bikini division. Having been a part of the sport for over a decade, she amassed a plethora of knowledge about fitness. In a recent video uploaded on YouTube, Stern shared a simple five-step plan to figure out daily calories and macros.
Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Erin Stern comes from a family of athletes. She began competing in sports from a young age and developed a passion for weight training during her athletic days in college. After narrowly missing out on the qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Stern turned her attention to bodybuilding and decided to pursue a career.
Stern’s potential was clear from the start as she emerged victorious in her debut contest at the 2008 NPC National Bodybuilding and Figure Championships. The win paved the way for her to participate in the IFBB Pro League.
Stern kicked off her career with several impressive performances, taking silver at the Arnold Classic in 2010 and 2011. She secured the coveted Figure Olympia title in 2010 and reclaimed it by exacting revenge on former champion Nicole Wilkins in a dominant showing in 2012. She also claimed two Valenti Classic Pro Figure wins.
The 43-year-old was at the height of her power between 2010 and 2013. She proved to be one of the most consistent and disciplined athletes in the sport, never placing below third in any contest during those three years. Following an outing at the 2014 Australia Pro Grand Prix XIV, Stern took to the sidelines for over six years.
In 2020, Erin Stern marked her return to action, but in the women’s Bikini division instead of Figure. She took silver to Daraja Hill at the 2021 Republic of Texas Pro and scored her first win in the category at the 2021 Tahoe Show.
Stern delivered a stunning season last year. She finished runner-up at the 2022 Miami Muscle Beach Pro and came out on top of the 2022 Republic of Texas Pro before concluding it with a strong showing at the Mr. Olympia show.
Erin Stern Shares 5-Step Plan to Figure Out Daily Calories & Macros
In a recent Youtube video, Erin Stern shared a straightforward 5-step plan to figure out daily calories and macros.
“A good diet can either help you along with your progress or it can seriously hinder it,” said Stern. “There’s so much information out there. Where do you turn? The more you learn, the more confusing things can be. I wanted to break it down into five simple ways to calculate your calories and macros.”
These five steps are:
1. Goal setting:
Looking at your starting point. Be really honest here. I want you to think about what your current body fat percentage is, how much muscle mass you’re carrying, and if you need to go get calipers or do body fat testing, really good idea. You can also get a DEXA scan if you’d like.
Take progress pictures, and measurements, then figure out what your goals are going to be for let’s say the next 90 days. It can be really helpful to focus on one goal such as building muscle or leaning down.
2. Calculate maintenance calories:
We’re going to calculate maintenance calories. There are several different ways you can do this. You’ve got some online calculators that can be pretty effective. You can also track your food for about two weeks, do a food log, keep track of your weights, and if things don’t change you’ve got maintenance calories. This is one of my favorite ways although it takes a little bit more time you know exactly what your maintenance calories are and therefore have an easier time adjusting from there. If you don’t want to wait… you can take your body weight, multiply it by a coefficient from 11 to 15.
So, if you’re highly active and want to gain muscle, maybe you’re on the leaner side of things and have a high metabolism, go for body weight times 14 or 15.
3. Calculate protein:
The reason I don’t do a ratio or percentage is because I want you to think about protein as the building block of muscle. This is a rather fixed number. The protein isn’t going to drastically increase or decrease. You’re typically going to be somewhere in that body weight times 0.8 to 1.2. Use our protein calculator.
4. Calculate fats:
Think about how you like to eat and your goals. You’re looking at your body weight multiplied by 0.2 to 0.6
If you enjoy low fat/higher carbs, choose somewhere around 0.2 – 0.3. If you like higher fats and lower carbs, choose somewhere around 0.5 – 0.6. Let’s go with 150 x 0.2 = 30g of fat. This gives us (30g x 9 calories per gram) 270 calories for fats.
The remaining calories are for carbs. So, 1,800 – 600 – 270 = 930 calories.
5. Calculate carbs:
We’re really just filling in those missing calories with carbs. Let’s get our grams of carbs, or (930 / 4 calories per gram), 232.5g of carbs So, we have: 1,800 calories 150g protein 30g fats 232.5g carbs.
“When making adjustments, think about making small changes every 1-2 weeks. This would be an increase or decrease of around 10% of your daily caloric intake or around 100-300 calories. Give your body 1-2 weeks to see how the adjustment works and then decide to stay at your current intake, or adjust intake again.”
Erin Stern gave fans a look into her customized high-intensity low-impact training to build muscle with minimal wear and tear on the body two weeks ago.
Her latest offering provides fans with an effective and simple way to calculate and track daily calories and macros to stay on track with their diet. It will certainly help many improve their results.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 27 July, 2023 | 1:55 AM EDT
Brett Wilkin Shares Keys To Build Massive Biceps And Symmetrical Arms
All of us wish to have attractive physiques but most of us don’t have the discipline or the knowledge to achieve it. Bodybuilder Brett Wilkin made the job a little bit easier for us by sharing some insightful information on biceps training.
Brett Wilkin’s career trajectory has been rather interesting. He earned the IFBB Pro card in the Classic Physique division by winning the 2018 Junior National Championships. However, ‘The Butcher’ never competed in the division professionally. He made the pro debut in the 212 division but lackluster performances at the 2019 Puerto Rico Pro and the 2019 Toronto Pro Supershow prompted him to reevaluate the way forward.
Wilkin took time off from competition and worked on improving his physique during the extended break. He returned as a Men’s Open competitor and impressed the bodybuilding community with the overwhelming progress at the 2021 Chicago Pro, finishing second. In spite of high expectations heading into the 2022 Arnold Classic, Wilkin could only secure a sixth place at the show. A runner-up finish at the 2022 Romania Muscle Fest Pro concluded the 2022 competitive season for him as Wilkin did not have enough points to qualify for the 2022 Olympia.
However, he registered a thumping victory at the 2022 Bigman Weekend Pro, becoming one of the early competitors to qualify for the 2023 Olympia. He now trains with renewed vigor under ‘Hypertrophy Coach’ Joe Bennett’s guidance with the goal to secure a top ten finish in his Olympia debut.
Recently, Wilkin shared his list of five best biceps exercises on his YouTube channel to help fitness enthusiasts and budding bodybuilders achieve their fitness goals. So let’s check out the list to see how Wilkin has built those massive arms.
Brett Wilkin shares five best biceps exercises
Biceps are one of the most important muscle groups for appearance as well as function. But developing this small muscle is easier said than done. It requires time commitment and knowledge to get the biceps that look good and function at the elite level. Brett Wilkin made the job a little bit easier by sharing some of his go-to exercises and training tips to build the biceps.
Standing Cable Curls
Jumping right into heavy exercises without a warm-up is a recipe for disaster and training related injuries. Brett Wilkin addressed this issue in the beginning and shared standing cable curls as the first important biceps exercise. Cable machines put uniform stress on the muscles and help them warm up sufficiently for an intense training day. Additionally, they are a good alternative for warming up crucial joints like elbows.
“Main focus is just on that bicep head with no cheating. This cable unit is awesome because it creates that tension all the way through the bottom and then all the way through the top. So constant tension on the biceps, a lot of blood, a lot of pre-exhaust and we’ll keep moving into the bigger ones,” Wilkin stated.
Single Arm Dumbbell Preacher Curls
Preacher curls are hailed by many as the king of bicep exercises. They isolate the biceps muscles better than most other movements. Therefore it’s no wonder that they find a place in Brett Wilkin’s list of best biceps exercises. Wilkin explained the key to getting the most out of this exercise and said:
“I want to solely use that bicep head obviously. So how do you do that is you want to elbow drive back into the pad. So I’m driving back into the pad and at the same time I am curling up.”
Since the pad is a stationary object and we drive our elbow into it during curling, the bicep is the only muscle that gets activated according to Wilkin. ‘The Butcher’ advised to lower the dumbbell at a slow pace to create more tension in the biceps.
“The main thing is you don’t need too much (weight) here if you’re doing it right. So it’s the big squeeze with the drive and then the slow release letting it go out really stretching that bicep,” Wilkin concluded.
Hammer Strength Preacher Curls
Once again, the machine variation of preacher curl helps put constant tension on the muscles throughout the full range of motion. This helps tremendously in bodybuilding where muscle hypertrophy is the primary goal.
But working with a method that Wilkin calls ‘Partner Resistance’ can help with making gains. In this training style, Wilkin typically works his way to the top set. After this, the person holds the weight at the end of the concentric phase while a training partner tries to pull the weight down, adding more resistance to the person doing an exercise.
“This is just working that eccentric portion, that lengthening phase with resistance,” Wilkin explained.
Cable Curls – 21s Set
The next bicep exercise on Brett Wilkin’s list is not necessarily a unique exercise but a training method known as 21s set. This method involves breaking down a set of 21 reps into three parts of seven reps each. For the first seven reps, the person is expected to perform partial reps conforming to the bottom half range of motion. The next seven reps are the partials at the top half range of motion. The last seven reps are full reps with a complete range of motion from bottom to top.
“I just love this because you really slow it down and you feel each rep. So you’re not hurting through this, you’re not throwing your back in it – you’re staying strict. You’re really feeling that each curl and you finish it off with seven really hard full motion reps,” Wilkin concluded.
Reverse Grip Cable Curls
Big biceps and skinny forearms are not really a beautiful combination to look at. The last exercise in Wilkin’s list addresses this problem with slight modifications to the cable curls. Reverse grip cable curls put more emphasis on the brachialis and the Brachioradialis muscles in the arm to get strong and muscular forearms.
“We’re trying to be symmetrical here… Triceps matching the biceps matching the forearms. So this is going to tie it all together,” Wilkin stated.
The 35-year-old advices doing this exercise when you are tired and want to get the final bit of forearm pump before heading home.
To summarize, the five best biceps exercises according to Brett Wilkin are:
In spite of being one of the highly touted prospects in the IFBB Pro League, Brett Wilkin has not been able to produce a breakout performance so far. However, the 2023 Olympia qualification has given him all the incentive in the world to perform to the best of his abilities and take his career to the next level. It will be interesting to see how he performs at the 2023 Olympia.
You can watch the full video here, courtesy of Brett Wilkin’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 27 July, 2023 | 9:04 AM EDT
Tom Stoltman Smokes Massive 1,763.7-lb (800-kg) Leg Press for Reps in Prep for Shaw Classic
British strongman Tom Stoltman has established his place as an elite strength athlete with two World’s Strongest Man titles under his belt. However, he was disappointed to lose his title three months ago. So, he is now dedicated more than ever to claim some more prestigious titles, and his feats in training are a proof of that. In a recent post made on Instagram, Stoltman smoked a massive 1,763.7-pound (800-kilogram) leg press for reps in prep for the 2023 Shaw Classic.
Tom Stoltman, one-half of the prolific Stoltman brothers, grew up with a passion for soccer in his younger years. After his brother Luke won the Scotland’s Strongest Man (SSM) competition, Tom decided to start lifting weights and follow in his footsteps. His potential was evident from the start as he won his debut competition. He made waves across the regional circuit and placed runner-up behind Luke at the 2015 SSM.
Tom Stoltman rose to prominence for his insane feats of strength after turning in an impressive performance at the 2017 UK’s Strongest Man, where he took the silver medal. He earned his qualification for the World’s Strongest Man the same year and scored his first SSM win in 2018. Tom created history by becoming the first Scotsman to win the World’s Strongest Man title in 2021.
Stoltman left the fans stunned with his unreal strength by crushing a huge 749.6-lb (340-kg) axle deadlift for 10 reps while gearing up for the 2022 Britain’s Strongest Man in Feb. 2022. His hard work paid off as he handily dispatched the competition to win the top prize. He followed up by successfully defending the WSM title in May 2022. Following the victory, Stoltman declared his ambitions to win six trophies and become the winningest athlete in the history of Strongman.
In Jul. 2022, Tom and Luke took on the massive 20,000-calorie breakfast challenge. The pair ordered the entire menu and devoured six big meals to fulfill their appetite.
Tom Stoltman / Instagram
Tom Stoltman was set to participate in the 2022 Shaw Classic but ended up withdrawing from the show at the last minute last August. He explained there were errors in completing paperwork for travel for his wife, and he did not want to go without her. Although he looked for other solutions, he ultimately decided to skip the contest. He also opened up on his plans to score a 505-kg (1,113.3-lb) deadlift after the 2023 WSM.
Tom, also known as ‘The Albatross’, gave fans a look into his grueling shoulders workout last September. He went through a high-volume training routine to enhance his conditioning in the off-season.
Stoltman was then seen in action at the 2023 WSM, which took place Apr. 19-23 in South Carolina. He was looking to score a historic three-peat against a stacked lineup. He won two events in the Finals but could not do enough to edge out Canadian strongman Mitchell Hooper. In the end, Hooper won gold and Stoltman took second place. He was last seen competing at the 2023 Giants Live Strongman Classic, where he also finished in second-place, but this time behind Evan Singleton.
Tom Stoltman Smokes Massive 1,763.7-lb (800-kg) Leg Press for Reps in Prep for Shaw Classic
In a recent Instagram post, Tom Stoltman crushed a huge 1,763.7-pound (800-kilogram) leg press for reps while in prep for the upcoming 2023 Shaw Classic. One of the events at this competition will be the Car Leg Press. So, Tom hopes that the standard variation of this exercise will have a proper carryover to what will be featured in the competition.
He used bands to perform the lift and incorporated pauses to amp up the intensity. He completed the reps smoothly with proper technique. Tom is probably also lured by the fact that the winner of the 2023 Shaw Classic will be crowned as “The Strongest Man On Earth”. This will be the first time that the Shaw Classic is giving this title away, since Brian got the trademark from Paul Ohl not too long ago.
“A 800kg plus leg press with bands and pauses!” Stoltman wrote. “This took my soul. Prepping hard for @theshawclassic.”
The 2023 Shaw Classic is scheduled for Aug. 19-20 in Loveland, Colorado. It will mark Shaw’s final competition and will be a true festival of strength. Tom Stoltman will be looking to claim the title for the first time and cement his place in Strongman history.
Based on the latest update, it’s clear Tom Stoltman is determined to get back in the winning column when he returns to action in under a month.
Published: 23 July, 2023 | 2:21 PM EDT