Tag: nEWS
Chris Bumstead’s Arm-Blasting Training Regimen for Massive Gains in the 2023 Off-Season
Chris Bumstead is building ‘joocy’ arms this season. The Classic Physique Olympia champion is gearing up for the 2023 Olympia prep and recently posted an intense arms workout on YouTube.
Bumstead is arguably the most famous active bodybuilder in the world right now. He competes in the IFBB Pro League’s Classic Physique division. The Canadian bodybuilder has become the most successful competitor in the division’s history with four Olympia wins to his record. After becoming the Classic Physique Olympia champion in 2019, CBum has defended the title successfully at the 2020, 2021 and the 2022 Olympia.
A living example of discipline and undeterred focus, Bumstead has achieved this feat in spite of several adversities. He suffered a knee injury heading into the 2022 Olympia prep and also pushed through a quad injury. Last minute coaching changes did not make his path easier either. However, under the tutelage of new head coach Hany Rambod, Bumstead achieved the desired results.
After the event concluded, the 28-year-old revealed that he entered the 2022 Olympia with a torn bicep. After recovering fully from the injury, he is now increasing the intensity in his training.
Recently, Bumstead went through an arms workout and posted the video of this training session on his YouTube channel. So let’s delve into the world of Classic Physique bodybuilding and see how Bumstead builds his massive arms.
Chris Bumstead pushes through an arms workout in the gym
Superset – Banded Cable Triceps Pushdown and Overhead Cable Triceps Extensions
Triceps pushdowns are a great way to train the triceps and also warm up the elbow joint. Therefore they make for an excellent first exercise on arms day. Chris Bumstead superset this movement with overhead triceps extensions, which work the triceps from a stretched position and target the long head of the triceps.
Chris Bumstead used banded attachment for both exercises initially and then switched to the rope attachment. He cranked out solid sets within the superset to start on a high note.
Smith Machine JM Press With Slight Incline
JM Press is an arms exercise that can be best described as part skull crusher and part close-grip bench press. Bumstead slightly modified the form and did the exercise on a slightly inclined bench using Smith Machine. According to him, this is one of the exercises where he can use a decent amount of load without stressing the shoulders. The Canadian bodybuilder got a few sets of the movement under the belt and took to an isolation movement next.
Dumbbell Curls
The Classic Physique Olympia champion worked the biceps next with dumbbell curls. This isolation movement primarily targets the biceps brachii muscles. CBum cranked out a few sets of the movement to build massive biceps and jumped into a superset next.
Superset – Preacher Curls and Spider Curls
Supersets are a great way to increase the aerobic intensity of the workout and get more work done in a shorter amount of time. Chris Bumstead performed preacher curls next. It is arguably the best bicep isolation movement. Since triceps are firmly against the pads and the shoulder is neatly tucked in, biceps lift the weight totally unassisted resulting in strength and muscle gain.
CBum superset this exercise with spider curls. Variety in exercise selection is an important factor for complete growth in terms of muscle mass and strength gain. Spider curls belong to the category of exercises that offer great variety. They target the short head of biceps. After doing all the sets within this superset with short rest periods, Bumstead shifted his focus to working triceps.
Cross Cable Triceps Extensions
Full elbow flexion and stability in the shoulder joint are the two most important criteria for triceps activation. Cross cable triceps extensions are perfect to achieve both and hence they are an excellent way to build triceps strength and size. Bumstead annihilated some solid sets of the exercise and took to a forearm-focused isolation exercise next.
Dumbbell Hammer Curls
Hammer curls primarily target the brachialis and Brachioradialis muscles in the arms. As a result, it is a great option for those looking to build massive and strong forearms and biceps. CBum pushed through a few sets of hammer curls and took to the final exercise of the day.
Reverse Grip EZ Bar Curls
CBum rounded off the training session with reverse grip EZ bar curls. Similar to hammer curls, this isolation exercise also works the brachialis and Brachioradialis muscles in the arms. However, it is best performed with moderate weights to prevent forearm/wrist injuries.
Bumstead put up with a few hard sets of the exercise and called it a day in the gym.
Overall, the workout included:
CBum answers fan questions
In between exercises, Chris Bumstead answered some popular fan questions pitched to him. One of the fans requested to give his take on the Tren Twins. CBum stated that he watched the influencers and shared his opinion on PED use in the bodybuilding industry:
“Regardless of the use of PEDs in the industry that’s blatantly obvious, I don’t like promoting it or using it at the forefront. I truly believe that as I have lowered it and focused more on more important (things) like training and nutrition, I’ve become a much better bodybuilder. So that’s what I try and preach. So I don’t really appreciate people preaching drugs to the community,” Bumstead stated.
Having said that, CBum agrees that the Tren twins are characters played to entertain people. He feels that they’re not necessarily trying to promote PED use in any way.
CBum is fascinated by ‘cocky’ athletes
When asked if he has seen the Conor McGregor and Shaq documentary on a popular OTT platform, Bumstead shared his opinion on some of the outspoken but elite athletes and said:
“There’s always something about those arrogant little dudes that people just love to watch. Like Michael Jordan… Unless people just love to hate him and he was cocky… But he was the GOAT and he backed it up and people just love to watch that. I’m fascinated by it because it’s far polar opposite of my personality trait. But something to admire that they just don’t give a s**t about what people think about them.”
Bumstead is set to go after his fifth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia win in 2023. If we know anything about the reigning champion, he is not the one to be stopped by adversities. It will be interesting to see how the division levels up at 2023 Olympia to present a formidable challenge to the champion.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Chris Bumstead’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 11:37 AM EDT
2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man & Woman Results — Louis Jack and Izzy Tait Take Gold
The 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man & Woman competitions took place on July 2nd at the Grangemouth Stadium, in Scotland. In total, it gathered 12 men and eight women who battled for the title of Scotland’s greatest. Being a one day competition, the men and women took part in five events each. In the end, Louis Jack won the title for the third time, while Izzy Tait came out victorious among the women for the first time.
2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man Leaderboards
The 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man competition began in a sour way for Louis Jack, but he quickly caught up to Chris Beetham, the overall winner at the time. Louis then won the last event and overtook Beetham in the final moments of the competition to take the title.
Louis Jack — 54 points
Chris Beetham — 53 points
Callum Crozier — 50 points
Stephen Jackson — 36 points
Lee Walker — 32.5 points
Connor Monaghan — 32 points
Scott Milne — 29 points
Liam Goldie — 23 points
Peej Greenhough — 23 points
Leon Patterson — 14.5 points
Robert McMillan — 13 points
Mikey Wilson — 4 points
2023 Scotland’s Strongest Woman Leaderboard
The women’s class was quite different from the man’s one since Izzy Tait did not encounter much resilience from her rivals. She won the title with 4.5 points more than the second-place finisher Laura Baxter.
Izzy Tait — 37 points
Laura Baxter — 32.5 points
Hayley Black — 23 points
Steffi Murray — 20.5 points
Sammy Mayhew — 20.5 points
Anastasia Papas — 17.5 points
Dianne Gaughan — 14.5 points
Rosslyn Cole — 13.5 points
Related: 2023 UK’s Strongest Woman & Man Results — Rebecca Roberts & Paul Smith Take Gold
Men’s Event Recap
Duck Walk For Time
The first event of the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man competition challenged the men to perform a duck walk with a 200-kilogram (440-pound) implement. The length of the course was 60 meters, while the time limit was 75 seconds.
Only one man, Chris Beetham, completed the entire course in the allotted time, so he won the event, with other competitors ranked based on the longest distance covered. Callum Crozier finished second after crossing 53 meters, with Scott Milne crossing 52.5 meters to finish in third.
Chris Beetham — 60 meters in 74.59 seconds
Callum Crozier — 53 meters
Scott Milne — 52.5 meters
Stephen Jackson — 49.6 meters
Louis Jack — 47.96 meters
Leon Patterson — 44.2 meters
Robert McMillan — 43.7 meters
Connor Monaghan — 43.42 meters.
Mikey Wilson — 43.4 meters
Liam Goldie — 30.2 meters
Lee Walker — 30 meters
Peej Greenhough — 27.2 meters
Car Deadlift For Reps
Two athletes at a time performed the Car Deadlift for repetitions while facing one another. The objective was to complete as many reps as possible while lifting the car, which weighed 310 kilograms (683.4 pounds).
With so many outstanding deadlifters on the team, the battle for first place was tight. However, Callum Crozier’s 14 reps were enough to secure him the maximum points. Scott Milne got extremely close with 13 reps, with third place going to Louis Jack with 11 reps.
Callum Crozier — 14 reps
Scott Milne — 13 reps
Louis Jack — 11 reps
Chris Beetham — 10 reps
Connor Monaghan — 8 reps
Robert McMillan — 7 reps
Stephen Jackson — 6 reps
Lee Walker — 5 reps (Tied-eighth)
Leon Patterson — 5 reps (Tied-eighth)
Peej Greenhough — 3 reps
Liam Goldie — No lift
Mikey Wilson — (Withdrew)
Block Press Medley
Four metal blocks weighing 80-90-100-110 kilograms were placed in front of the athletes and the goal was to complete as many of them in the shortest time possible.
Only two men finished all four blocks, Louis Jack and Chris Beetham. However, Louis was much quicker, finishing 32 seconds faster than Chris.
Louis Jack — Four in 42.72 seconds
Chris Beetham — Four in 74.86 seconds
Callum Crozier — Three in 64.14 seconds
Peej Greenhough — Two in 26.89 seconds
Scott Milne — Two in 34.01 seconds
Lee Walker — Two in 37.37 seconds
Connor Monaghan — Two in 48.06 seconds
Liam Goldie — Two in 75 seconds
Stephen Jackson — One in 14.91 seconds
Leon Patterson — One in 40.45 seconds
Robert McMillan — withdrew
Truck Push
The objective of the penultimate event at the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man was to push an 8,000-kilogram (17,637-pound) truck for a distance of 20 meters and then pull it back for another 20 meters. The time limit was 75 seconds.
No one completed the event, but Louis Jack covered the most distance with a result of 31.7 meters. Lee Walker and Chris Beetham had a close battle for second, with Lee only crossing 0.4 meters more to place higher.
Unfortunately, this event also saw Scott Milne and Leon Patterson injure their Achilles tendons, which caused them to withdraw.
Louis Jack — 31.7 meters
Lee Walker — 24.8 meters
Chris Beetham — 24.4 meters
Liam Goldie — 23.6 meters
Stephen Jackson — 20.8 meters
Callum Crozier — 20.74 meters
Connor Monaghan — 20.4 meters
Peej Greenhough — 16.28 meters
Scott Milne — Withdrew
Leon Patterson — Withdrew
Atlas Stone Medley
The final event of the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man competition was the classic Atlas Stones. Featuring a series of stones weighing 110-115-130-145-160 kilograms, the competitors raced to lift them as fast as possible.
Louis Jack was absolutely incredible in the final event, finishing all five stones in just 21.18 seconds. While performing the Atlas Stones at the same time as Louis, his direct rival for the title, Chris Beetham, finished 30 seconds later.
Louis Jack — Five in 21.18 seconds
Chris Beetham — Five in 51.05 seconds
Callum Crozier — Four in 18.09 seconds
Stephen Jackson — Four in 24.06 seconds
Lee Walker — Four in 25.01 seconds
Connor Monaghan — Four in 31.77 seconds
Liam Goldie — Four in 40.71 seconds
Peej Greenhough — Three in 23.12 seconds
Women’s Event Recap
Duck Walk For Time
The first event of the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Woman competition was the same as the men’s, but they used a lighter implement weighing 100 kilograms (220 pounds).
Only Laura Baxter, the 2022 champion, completed the entire 60 meters and even finished 25 seconds before the time limit ran out. Izzy Tait came in second, having carried the implement for 53 meters. Hayley Black got 8 meters less and finished in third.
Laura Baxter — 60 meters in 51.36 seconds
Izzy Tait — 53 meters
Hayley Black — 45 meters
Sammy Mayhew — 43.35 meters
Rosslyn Cole — 43.3 meters
Anastasia Papas — 39.74 meters
Steffi Murray — 37.5 meters
Dianne Gaughan — 29.03 meters
Deadlift For Max
One of the most simple events came in next at the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Woman, as the women had to deadlift as much weight as possible. The only pieces of additional equipment allowed apart from the basics were lifting straps.
Laura Baxter hoped to get her second event win of the day, but Izzy Tait spoiled her plans with a humongous 250-kilogram deadlift. Laura’s max came out to 240 kilograms, meaning she finished in second.
Izzy Tait — 250 kilograms
Laura Baxter — 240 kilograms
Hayley Black — 200 kilograms
Steffi Murray — 200 kilograms
Dianne Gaughan — 200 kilograms
Rosslyn Cole — 200 kilograms
Sammy Mayhew — 180 kilograms
Anastasia Papas — 180 kilograms
Log Lift For Reps
With a 70-kilogram (154-pound) metal log in front of them, the women attempted to perform as many reps as possible in a 75-second time limit for the third event of the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Woman.
Izzy Tait was mind-blowingly dominant in this event, completing 18 reps while her closest rival, Steffi Murray, locked out 11 repetitions. In addition, with Laura Baxter finishing in fifth place, Izzy built up a sizable lead in the overall leaderboards.
Izzy Tait — 18 reps
Steffi Murray — 11 reps
Dianne Gaughan — 9 reps
Sammy Mayhew — 8 reps
Laura Baxter — 7 reps (Tied-fifth)
Hayley Black — 7 reps (Tied-fifth)
Rosslyn Cole — 3 reps
Anastasia Papas — No lift
HorneTop Hold For Time
The penultimate event of the 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Woman competition was a true test of grip. The women gripped one implement in each hand and held it for as long as possible.
Anastasia Papas displayed her incredible strength and endurance by holding the implements for 90.03 seconds. For reference, Izzy Tait finished second, having held the same implements for 29 seconds less than Anastasia.
Anastasia Papas — 90.03 seconds
Izzy Tait — 61.37 seconds
Laura Baxter — 58.41 seconds
Hayley Black — 49.83 seconds
Steffi Murray — 48.82 seconds
Sammy Mayhew — 27.98 seconds
Rosslyn Cole — 21.78 seconds
Dianne Gaughan — 18.4 seconds
Atlas Stone Medley
The final event of the women’s class was also identical to the men’s with the only difference being a lighter set of Atlas Stones. For women, they weighed 70-85-100-115-130 kilograms.
Laura Baxter won the final event with confidence, but it was way too late to disrupt Izzy Tait’s title charge. Izzy finished in second place with a time 20 seconds slower than Laura’s, which was enough for her to get the crown of 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Woman.
Laura Baxter — Five in 29.77 seconds
Izzy Tait — Five in 49.3 seconds
Sammy Mayhew — Four in 22.9 seconds
Anastasia Papas — Four in 25.11 seconds
Hayley Black — Four in 28.29 seconds
Steffi Murray — Four in 50.08 seconds
Dianne Gaughan — Four in 68.49 seconds
Rosslyn Cole — Three in 34.6 seconds
Related: Strongwomen Izzy Tait & Sam Taylor Set a 454-kg (1,000-lb) Tandem Deadlift Guinness World Record
The 2023 Scotland’s Strongest Man & Woman competitions were among the best yet, with a variety of amazing athletes in both divisions. We got to see some impressive feats of strength, close battles, and more thrilling moments. Unfortunately, some injuries were also reported, but that’s to be expected when you’re a Strongman or a Strongwoman.
Published: 11 July, 2023 | 9:39 AM EDT
Hidetada “Hide” Yamagishi, 50, Shows Off Ripped Physique 6 Weeks from 2023 Masters Olympia
Hidetada Yamagishi is hell-bent on delivering an Olympia title to his home country of Japan. In a recent Instagram post, “Hide” revealed a ripped physique update less than two months from his anticipated return to the 2023 Masters Olympia show, Aug. 25-27, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
During the 2000s, Yamagishi was a trailblazer in the IFBB Pro League, having made a name for himself in not one but two divisions during his prime. While building a career in the Open and 212 Bodybuilding, his blend of conditioning, fullness, and balance propelled him to some of the sport’s biggest stages, like the Mr. Olympia.
Despite his inability to win an Olympia title, Yamagishi pushed some of the best. That includes seven-time 212 Olympia kingpin Flex Lewis. In 2015, Hidetada took third to fellow standout Jose Raymond and Lewis at the Mr. Olympia show, which serves as the highest placing of his career. Some of Yamagishi’s best career victories include the 2010 Europa Show of Champions, the 2014 Tampa Pro, the 2016 Arnold Classic 212, and the 2019 Europa Dallas.
Yamagishi is no stranger to the spotlight. He’s graced the pages of various magazines, such as Weekly Playboy, Tarzan, and Ironman Japan, where he showcased his muscular build. Hidetada has also appeared in workout demonstration videos and has taken part in Japanese-aired TV shows.
Last year, Yamagishi decided to step away from the sport. During his hiatus, he built a successful YouTube channel. In Yamagishi’s opinion, the stars aligned for his comeback this year. The 2023 Masters Olympia contest announced its return following an 11-year absence. And coincidentally, Yamagishi just turned 50 years old. With that in mind, Yamagishi is more motivated than ever to finally nail down a coveted Olympia title.
Hidetada Yamagishi Looking Incredible 6 Weeks from 2023 Masters Olympia
Check out Yamagishi’s latest posing session below:
“6 weeks out @mastersolympiaofficial” Hide Yamagishi shared.
Initially, fans had hoped to see former four-time Mr. Olympia icon Jay Cutler compete at Masters Olympia. Over the course of several months, Jay has taken steady measures to transform his physique. While he is aiming to get in the best shape of his life since 2013, he stressed that he had no desire to return to a competition stage.
Longevity in bodybuilding has become a major talking point, and fans take notice when they see athletes who have succeeded in preserving their bodies. One such talent is Golden Era’s Tom Platz. He recently wowed fans online with a look at his ripped quad development at 68 years old.
Other veterans of the sport have done a stellar job of staying in great condition as well, like Lee Labrada. Labrada routinely shares training advice, strategies, and tips for longevity. He believes bodybuilding is the closest thing athletes have to a ‘fountain of youth.’ To this day, fans can’t believe Lee Labrada’s youthful appearance at 63.
RELATED: 65-YO Bodybuilder Reflects on 36-Year Long Career Ahead of 2023 Masters Olympia
This isn’t Hidetada’s first progress update in preparation for the Masters Olympia event. In April, he showed off the physique he was working with ahead of his rigorous prep. With the contest taking place in late Aug., Yamagishi is working relentlessly to bring his absolute best in his return.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 7:21 PM EDT
Strongman Nick Best Squats 803-lb (365-kg) For The 27th Year In a Row
Many people view aging as a destructive process since their physical appearance deteriorates in every aspect. However, there are many personalities in fitness who prove that this does not have to be the case. There is one legendary Strongman athlete in particular who has put up incredible feats of strength for decades and is not stopping even at 54 years old. The man in question is Nick Best, as he has just squatted over 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms) for the 27th consecutive year.
Nick Best recently partnered up with the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper, for a training session. They decided to perform a training session consisting of squats and deadlifts, both of which are Nick’s strengths.
Nick Best and Mitchell Hooper first warmed up with a few progressively heavier sets. Nick opted to perform the squats with knee wraps, while Hooper decided to go raw. In turn, Hooper only built up to a single with 704 pounds (320 kilograms) after which he decided to stop. Nick then loaded 803 pounds (365 kilograms) and grinded it out.
Nick then revealed that this was the 27th year in a row that he has squatted this much weight.
“That makes 27 years now. The first time was in 1996.” said Best.
“This streak started when I was one year old,” replied Hooper.
Watch Nick Best’s squat here:
*Nick Best performed the squat at the 5:00 timestamp of the video.
Related: 54-YO Nick Best Sinks a 771-lb (349.7-kg) Squat With Knee Wraps In Training
Mitchell Hooper also asked Nick’s opinion on the issue of people complaining about their bodies before they reach the age of 30. Nick’s response was straightforward since he has demonstrated for multiple decades that hard work is the key to success.
“They are bullshi**ing. Put in the work.” said Best.
This 803-pound (365-kilogram) comes just a few months after Nick Best underwent a surgery to remove his kidney. This medical process is called nephrectomy and was done to him due to cancer. Luckily, his cancer was revealed on time, as the doctors noticed it after Nick came in to check his ribs after a failed bench press. So, it was definitely not easy to recover from the surgery, but he is already squatting over 800 pounds (362.9 kilograms).
It is also important to note that Nick performed this squat despite no longer being a professional Strongman athlete. He retired from the sport in November of 2022, but still maintains an incredible physical shape. He is mostly focusing on the squats and deadlifts, as he also pulled 15 reps with 600 pounds (272.2 kilograms) at the 2022 Mr. Olympia Expo shortly after retiring.
Related: Nick Best Smashes a 600-lb (272-kg) Deadlift for 16 Reps 5 Days Before Turning 54
Nick Best has left the topic of taking part in powerlifting competitions open and his incredible 803-pound (365-kilogram) squat makes a comeback look promising. His most recent powerlifting performance was at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2 where he managed to set two WRPF Masters World Records. So, if he does take part in another competition, Nick could set some more records.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 5:06 PM EDT
Hunter Labrada, Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov & Keone Pearson Shine in Recent Guest Posing
The IFBB Pro League has arguably never been more loaded with talent. In a collection of Instagram posts, fans were blown away by recent guest posing appearances from Hunter Labrada, Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, and Keone Pearson.
With the 2023 Mr. Olympia competition approaching, athletes are on a mission to secure their qualifications. They have until the October 9 deadline. One competitor who has yet to earn his invite is Hunter Labrada, son of bodybuilding legend Lee Labrada.
Last year at the Mr. Olympia show, Labrada slipped placings. However, in 2022 he encountered difficulties as he dropped to seventh. In the aftermath, Labrada mentioned that problems arose with his prep and peak.
Moreover, fans and judges alike took notice of his washed-out midsection, which prevented him from placing higher. That hindrance is something Hunter has worked diligently on to fix. In addition to gut health shakes, he regularly practices vacuum poses for abdomen control. He and his father announced that Hunter planned to compete at the 2023 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro on the horizon. With five weeks away, Hunter appears to be close if not, at his all-time best.
Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, meanwhile, traveled a different path en route to becoming an IFBB pro. Last year he switched from the IFBB Elite Pro League to the NPC (just like Michal Krizo). He wasted no time in earning his IFBB Pro card at the 2022 Musclecontest International Brazil Nationals. Vito, who has gone viral several times online for his freaky physique, has ambitious plans this year like Hunter.
Good Vito has kept fans updated on his progress before his next show. Considering his jaw-dropping physique updates, many consider him a frontrunner heading into the 2023 European Pro Championships in nine weeks.
And the 28-year-old Keone Pearson is another big name in the sport ready to dominate. Having found success in the Classic Physique division, fans are excited to see Pearson’s continued transformation in 212. He plans to compete in the 2023 Texas Pro in approximately five weeks. En route to the big day, Pearson has let fans in on his 3,500-calorie diet.
Hunter Labrada Looking Massive in Guest Posing Appearance
Check out Labrada’s recent guest posing appearance at the 2023 NPC South Central USA.
Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov Guest Poses, Falls Off Stage, and Reportedly Hospitalized
During Good Vito’s guest posing obligation at the 2023 Musclecontest International Brazil, his freaky muscularity and huge arms/quads were on full display. However, when he attempted to exit the stage by jumping off from the front, he appeared to injure himself.
Keone Pearson Teases Statue-Esque Physique While Guest Posing Before 2023 Olympia
Keone Pearson is five weeks from taking to the stage in Texas. You can find clips from his latest guest posing session at the NPC Twin Cities Open below:
All three of these competitors are after the same thing: a ticket to the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia contest – the biggest bodybuilding show of the year. There is no point system now so athletes who intend to enter Mr. Olympia must win a pro event. This year’s 2023 Mr. Olympia will take place in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center.
Having re-introduced deadlifts back into his workout routine, Labrada is optimistic about his chances in Texas, where he’s expected to face the reigning champion, Andrew Jacked. They actually competed against each other at Olympia last year with Hunter getting the upper hand.
Should Good Vito prove successful in getting an Olympia invite, many in the sport already see him as a promising threat. Top Men’s Open competitor Iain Valliere told Fouad Abiad during a recent Bro Chat Podcast that most athletes from North America are afraid to stand against Vito on stage.
Keone Pearson’s balance, muscularity, and symmetry have also gotten the attention of some big names in the sport, such as former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout. While Bannout thought Pearson had the tools to win the 2022 Olympia show, he ended the contest in sixth.
RELATED: Samson Dauda Shows Off Monstrous 327-Lb Physique Guest Posing at 2023 USA Fit Games
Time will tell if Hunter Labrada, Good Vito, and Keone Pearson earn invites. Regardless, fans are in store for some epic contests in the weeks to come as 2023 Olympia inches closer.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 3:36 PM EDT
Derek Lunsford Shares Full Day of Eating + Supplements 4 Months from 2023 Mr. Olympia
Derek Lunsford, a former 212 Olympia champion, is turning up the intensity with 17 weeks until his next competition. In a YouTube video, Lunsford shared a full day of eating and discussed the cardio training strategies he recently implemented from his coach Hany Rambod.
“The cleaner the diet, the better. Mentally, I don’t think it helps mentally, if anything you’re going to be craving more sweet stuff or more food, or you’re just going to want to fall off the plan,” Lunsford explained.
If anyone has learned the importance of capturing a moment on stage, it’s Derek Lunsford. Last May, he single-handedly asserted himself in the Open class discussion with an explosive guest posing appearance. He posed alongside top-tier talent at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro such as Nick Walker, former Olympia Brandon Curry, Hunter Labrada, and Quinton Eriya.
Instead of residing in the 212 to collect titles as Flex Lewis did, Lunsford accepted a special invite to compete in the Open Mr. Olympia last year. Lunsford’s arrival in the category was a big moment for the sport. When he first stepped on stage, the crowd watching gasped as Lunsford hit an iconic front relaxed pose.
In a turn of events, the former champion, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay was removed from his throne. Lunsford fought Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan in the finals. And while the contest was considered very close, his teammate, Choopan, secured the win. With a sterling debut in the Open class, fans, and even Lunsford’s rivals, believe it’s only a matter of time before he claims a Mr. Olympia title.
Lunsford opted to forgo March’s Arnold Classic in favor of making improvements to his physique. His last appearance was at this year’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro guest posing event, where he stood alongside a crop of title contenders such as Samson Dauda, Walker, Big Ramy, Shaun Clarida, and Labrada. Now, with less than four months until the biggest show of the year, Lunsford is sharing his latest prep diet/supplementation.
Derek Lunsford Sticks to 5 Whole Food Meals and Protein Shakes to Fuel His 2023 Mr. Olympia Prep
Below, you can find the common food plan Lunsford sticks to on a daily basis.
“I don’t just eat like for your body, for your mind. I feel it’s obvious that adding extra condiments and sweeteners is not necessary to result in a better physique. That’s pretty obvious, people can argue it but I just don’t believe it.”
Meal 1
250 grams egg whites
3 oz of chicken
100 grams of oats
EVOGEN Greens
Meal 2
steak
white rice
EVOGEN shake
Meal 3
chicken
white rice (cup and a half)
hot sauce
EVOGEN GDA (for digestion)
Post-workout
Smores post-workout protein shake
EVOGEN Carnigex
Meal 4
chicken
white rice (cup and a half)
hot sauce
EVOGEN GDA (for digestion)
Meal 5
steak or preferably salmon (for Omega 3 fatty acids)
white rice
Cardio Update, Derek says Hany Rambod Wants Him Walking 5x Per Week for 20-25 min
Before wrapping up his meals for the day, Lunsford opened up about his cardio and possible workout collaborations with Samson Dauda and Nick Walker.
“Yeah, the cardio that we’re doing. We talked a couple days ago. The cardio he wants me doing right now is five days a week basically. Just go for a walk, 20-25 minutes. I figure, you know what, if I’m not going to be on a treadmill or machine cardio, my pace probably won’t be quite as fast. I’m not trying to slow down or anything like that.
But when you’re on the machine you can make sure you’re going at a certain speed and keeping a certain heart rate when you’re walking freely like this, unless you have a Fitbit or an Apple Watch tracking your heart rate, it’s a little harder to gauge exactly what your heart rate is. As long as you’re going at a fairly decent pace and you can feel your heart rate coming up,” Derek Lunsford said.
Since Lunsford has shared training sessions with ‘The Mutant’ and Dauda in the past, he figures he may run it back with them soon.
“That’s a good idea [I should reach out and train with Nick Walker]. I haven’t trained with him in a while actually. Then, we just did the Olympia battle with Samson so, I don’t know, maybe if he’s available I’ll hit him up.”
Oftentimes, fans see their favorite bodybuilders on stage but forget about the daily sacrifices they endured along the way to step on stage. Lunsford has been open about some of those obstacles. In a deep interview with his coach Hany Rambod on The Truth Podcast, Lunsford touched on how he’s been dealing with anxiety and depression throughout his latest season. He emphasized that balancing his personal and professional duties has been the biggest challenge.
With eyes shifting to the 2023 Mr. Olympia show taking place in November, bodybuilding veterans are beginning to talk about possible favorites. If you asked eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman who the next champion will be, he’d say Derek Lunsford. Not only that but ‘The King’ has stated that his favorite bodybuilder of this generation is Lunsford.
As for Nick Walker, he’s not sold on Hadi Choopan’s dominance. He recently said that the next title will be decided following a battle between himself and Lunsford. Another former Arnold Classic champion, William Bonac, disagrees with Walker. He says Hadi Choopan will likely retain his title later this year.
With Lunsford’s commitment and discipline to his craft, it’s hard to imagine he won’t bring an improved look to the upcoming show. There is still plenty of time for other athletes to qualify, but many are in agreement that Lunsford is one of the biggest threats heading into Florida in Nov.
READ MORE:
Watch the full video on Derek Lunsford’s YouTube channel below:
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 12:03 PM EDT
Strongwoman Inez Carrasquillo Secures Victory and Sets Log Lift World Record of 145.8-kg (321.4-lb) at 2023 Rainier Classic
Inez Carrasquillo has been competing professionally in Strongwoman for less than two years, but she quickly became one of the biggest names in the sport. In addition to putting up some impressive results, she is now raising the bar for herself and for the entire Strongwoman scene. Most recently, Inez claimed a brand new achievement for herself, having set a 145.8-kilogram (321.4-pound) Log Lift World Record.
Inez Carrasquillo took part in the 2023 Rainier Classic, which took place on July 8-9, 2023, in Burien, Washington. One of the events on the first day was the Log Lift for max weight, where Inez managed to set a new World Record with a 145.8-kilogram (321.4-pound) lift.
Andrea Thopson was the previous record holder in the Log Lift event, having set the record back in October of 2022. The record was set during the 2022 World Log Lift Championships. However, Inez has now moved the mark by 5.8 kilograms (12.8 pounds). The video of Inez’s Log Lift was shared on her Instagram.
“321.4lbs. I am so damn proud of myself. My first, but not last, world record. ???”
Watch Inez Carrasquillo’s lift here:
Related: Strongwoman Inez Carrasquillo Sets A 315 lbs (142.9 kg) Unofficial Log Clean & Press World Record
Inez Carrasquillo followed up her World Record with some more impressive performances across other events, which earned her first place at the 2023 Rainier Classic. Second-place went to Gabi Dixson, while Angelica Jardine wrapped up the podium with a third-place finish.
Inez Carrasquillo is climbing the ranks in Strongwoman, with this being her third major victory. She has also gotten some great placings in the biggest competitions in the world, most notably earning a bronze medal at the 2022 World’s Strongest Woman competition. Now, with some more experience under her belt, Inez is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Inez Carrasquillo was also a powerlifter before coming into Strongwoman. Although her career was brief, Inez won three USPA competitions and put up very respectable lifts. However, she found Strongwoman more thrilling.
After coming into the sport, Inez Carrasquillo revealed that she is autistic and that she found inspiration in the 2x World’s Strongest Man, Tom Stoltman, who is autistic as well. Likewise, Inez is now becoming a role model for people around the world.
Related: Strongwoman Inez Carrasquillo Hits Front Squat PR of 350 Lbs (158.8 kg) + 60 Lbs (27.2 kg) In Chains
Inez Carrasquillo has previously revealed that she wants to become the World’s Strongest Woman, and hopes to achieve it as soon as possible. She is currently looking stronger than ever, especially after setting a new Log Lift World Record. With some titles to her name, Inez will go into the remainder of the season extremely confident. So, there is no telling what her limits will be.
Published: 10 July, 2023 | 9:29 AM EDT
2023 Musclecontest International Brazil Pro Results and Scorecards
At FitnessVolt.com Our mission is to help our readers to achieve their fitness goals, regardless of where you’re at on your journey, we are on a mission to educate You with the latest from strength and fitness space. Read more. Email: sm(at)fitnessvolt.com
Disclosure: FitnessVolt.com has an affiliate relationship with different brands and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, our reviews are based on well research backed analysis.
2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal Results and Scorecards (Live Results)
The 2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal took place in Estoril, Portugal on July 9. This event featured a total of nine divisions including Men’s 212 Bodybuilding, Classic Physique, Men’s Open, Men’s Physique, Bikini, Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Women’s Physique, and Wellness.
As of this year, there are fewer months to earn an invite to the next Mr. Olympia contest. Currently, athletes have until Oct 9. The 2023 Mr. Olympia competition is scheduled for Nov. 2-5 inside the Orange County Convention Center. Outside the Men’s Open, the top three finishers from last year’s Olympia (2022) are automatically invited back to this year’s contest.
2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal Winners
Men’s Open: Andrea Presti
Men’s 212 Bodybuilding: Roman Lushchenko
Classic Physique: Antoine Loth
Men’s Physique: Coming Soon!
Bikini: Coming Soon!
Women’s Bodybuilding: Coming Soon!
Figure: Coming Soon!
Women’s Physique: Coming Soon!
Wellness: Coming Soon
2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal Results
Men’s Open
Roman Fritz and defending champ Andrea Presti were both in the running for first during prejudging and finals. They put on a great contest and kept fans quite intrigued. Judges favored the conditioning, separation, and x-frame of Andrea Presti.
He last competed at the Empro Classic Pro where he narrowly took runner-up to Michal Krizo. Meanwhile, Roman Fritz took fifth at the same Empro Classic Pro contest. Ultimately, Andrea Presti won the show and is now a three-time Mr. Big Evolution Pro champion.
Winner — Andrea Presti
Second Place — Roman Fritz
Third Place — Emir Omeragic
Fourth Place — Krystian Wolski
Fifth Place — Petar Klancir
Sixth Place — Vladyslav Sukhoruchko
Seventh Place — Laszlo Szmereka
Eighth Place — Alessandro Orri
Ninth Place — Lionel Beyeke
Men’s 212 Bodybuilding
During prejudging, Marco Sarcone stood out with exceptional conditioning. His last contest came in dominant fashion at the 2022 Worldwide Amateur Olympia in first place. He battled against Roman Lushchenko today. Lushchenko’s last show came in first at the Amateur Olympia Spain in 2019. They put on a good contest but Roman Lushchenko got his hand raised and secured first place.
Winner — Roman Lushchenko
Second Place — Marco Sarcone
Third Place — Nasser Sayed
Fourth Place — Lucas Coelho
Fifth Place — Daniel Sticco
Sixth Place — Miguel Angel Angustia Fontenla
Seventh Place — Ayat Najd Bagheri
Eighth Place — Gabor Berek
Ninth Place — xx
Tenth Place — Jorge Zamorano Avila
Classic Physique
During prejudging and finals, it was a battle between Stephane Matala, who is known for great conditioning and striations, and Antoine Loth. Loth last competed at the 2023 Poland Pro where he took fifth. In the end, the conditioning and experience of Antoine Loth helped him secure the Classic Physique title in Portugal.
Winner — Antoine Loth
Second Place — Stephane Matala
Third Place — Miguel Malimo
Fourth Place — David Martinez Campos
Fifth Place — Adam Bomert
Sixth Place — Emanuele Ricotti
Seventh Place — Lucas Guido
Eighth Place — Florian Hartlage
Ninth Place — Pedro Ferreira
Tenth Place — Luca Corrado
.
Men’s Physique
Coming Soon!
Bikini
Coming Soon!
Women’s Bodybuilding
Coming Soon!
Figure
Coming Soon!
Women’s Physique
Coming Soon!
Wellness
Coming Soon!
2023 Mr. Big Evolution Pro Portugal Scorecards
Coming Soon!
FitnessVolt congratulates the winners! We look forward to seeing you all compete on the Olympia stage this November!
Published: 9 July, 2023 | 5:09 PM EDT
Dorian Yates Shares ‘Opposite Approach’ to Diet that Keeps Him Ripped at 61
Legendary bodybuilder Dorian Yates set a new bar for the Men’s Open division with his insane physique. Although he hasn’t competed in decades, he maintains a high level of personal fitness. In a recent post made on Instagram, Yates reveals his unique “opposite approach” to dieting that has helped him maintain a ripped physique at the age of 61.
Dorian Yates made a name for himself with his impressive muscle mass, size, and definition and boasted one of the best back developments of all time in the Men’s Open division. He pioneered the sport in the UK and emerged as the biggest bodybuilding superstar out of the region. He won his maiden Sandow trophy at the 1992 Mr. Olympia and went on a dominant run to become a six-time champion.
Yates used the high-intensity training techniques of Mike Mentzer and Arthur Jones to craft his physique. He would go near failure in every training session instead of following a fixed number of sets and reps traditionally adopted by bodybuilders.
The 61-year-old carried his passion for fitness into his later years. He left the fans stunned with a jacked physique update where he performed a workout on a beach in Brazil earlier this year. Then, he listed barbell rows with an underhand grip as the exercise of his choice to build a barn door back months later.
Yates opened up on his training frequency in the prime of his career two months ago. He revealed he’d workout four days a week for Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend and the made case against squats being an essential part of every training program for muscle growth.
Having pushed his body to the limit, Yates picked up several injuries over the years. He started using stem cell therapy two months ago and reported his inflammation went down and his shoulders got better after 30 days of being on the treatment plan. As for the progress in his elbow and knee, he indicated it would take a few more weeks before he feels a significant change.
Dorian Yates gave fans a look into the two-exercise ab routine he utilized to win six Mr. Olympia titles last month. He would time the workout after shoulders and triceps and go to failure in two sets of bodyweight crunches and reverse crunches each. He followed up by laying out the chest workout regimen that helped him build a full chest.
Yates showed off his shredded abs in a physique progression snap two weeks ago. He compared photos of himself at age 22 and now, boasting clear abs throughout nearly 40 years.
Dorian Yates Credits Shredded Physique to Intermittent Fasting at 61
In a recent Instagram post, Dorian Yates shared the diet he follows to stay ripped at the age of 61.
“Intermittent fasting, quite the polar opposite approach to eating than I was used to 30 years ago when I’d be eating every two hours!” said Yates. “
But for the past few years, I’ve been practicing intermittent fasting.
I’ve experienced numerous benefits, and have researched pretty much every approach to dieting.
“Intermittent fasting works extremely well for myself.
I’m now pursuing my health goals and optimising for longevity as opposed to bodybuilding.
Read my latest blog where I go into why I adopted intermittent fasting, the benefits, how you can potentially use it when trying to build muscle and more.
But the best diet for health goals may not be the same as the best for trying to build maximum muscle.”
Intermittent fasting, a popular and scientifically supported diet approach, involves periods of extended fasting where individuals refrain from consuming food. This trendy method has gained recognition for its potential benefits, including weight loss, muscle gain, blood sugar regulation, and activation of anti-aging genes.
Dorian Yates stressed the importance of using extracurricular training in addition to lifting weights for boosting recovery and offered some of the exercises he’s utilizing to enhance longevity earlier this month.
Yates revealed the approach he used for his diet to get ready for competition days ago. While he would go down to 3,500-4,000 calories in prep, he once cut down to 2,500 calories for his debut.
His latest update will inspire many fans to give intermittent fasting a chance for improving their fitness game.
Published: 9 July, 2023 | 2:59 PM EDT