Tag: nEWS
Arnold Schwarzenegger Leads Workout, Discusses Sleep & Alcohol with Comedians Bert Kreischer & Fortune Feimster
Bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s love for the pump was on full display in a special workout collaboration. In a recent YouTube video, Schwarzenegger joined comedians Bert Kreischer and Fortune Feimster for an upper body training session.
Competing in the 1970s and 80s as a bodybuilding pro, Schwarzenegger reached the top of the sport with exceptional proportions, crazy bicep peaks, and one of the best chests of all time. While navigating his career, Schwarzenegger shared the stage with IFBB Pro League icons such as Frank Zane, Franco Columbo, and Sergio Oliva en route to winning seven Mr. Olympia titles.
As a movie star and former governor of California, Schwarzenegger is a pioneer of the sport and has played a major role in making bodybuilding more mainstream. In addition to starring in the 1977 docudrama Pumping Iron, the 75-year-old runs the annual Arnold Sports Festival, which he co-created with the late Jim Lorimer in 1989.
In a change of pace, Schwarzenegger decided to promote his Netflix series FUBAR with comedians Bert Kreischer, and Fortune Feimster. He put them through a four-exercise routine that worked the delts and chest, which you can find below.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bert Kreischer, and Feimster Push Through Workout Demonstration
Schwarzenegger led the training session and started with machine lat pulldowns.
“Simple pull-down machine, all the way down until you hit the bottom, and then all the way up, and down, and up, and down,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger. “Bert is next, nice and easy nice and easy, stand up grab the top part [and then sit down]. All the way down, go all the way down. Don’t stretch the biceps, we’re training the wings [delts].”
During Fortune’s sets, Schwarzenegger instructed her to go deeper into the contraction.
“No pain, no gain,” said the icon. “I’m just [training] maintaining, but I don’t train heavy anymore too many heart surgeries.”
“Oh, well those are coming for me,” said Bert Kreischer.
Bert asks Schwarzenegger to count her set in German.
“This makes me sound like I’m in trouble,” shared Fortune Feimster.
Schwarzenegger moved to machine incline presses. Then, he revealed his max deadlift was 710 pounds.
“For the chest, all the way down and then all the way up,” Schwarzenegger suggested. “A pump up routine: how to get delts and chest. The key thing is to do it the right way, when you go down in squat position, then you use your thighs and back at the same time [for a deadlift]. 710 [pounds was my max deadlift.”
For his next demonstration, Schwarzenegger offered guidance while performing machine-seated rows.
“This is a stretch exercise, you stretch and you flex.”
Schwarzenegger revealed that he commonly used hotel fitness centers for staying in shape during acting projects. According to Arnold, his best movie physique was displayed during Conan, The Barbarian 2.
“Be careful with the shoulders and just push forward and push them together as much as you can,” said Arnold. “Yes, I’ve had surgeries, shoulders, hips, knees, yeah, the whole body.”
When asked about the quality of his sleep and alcohol consumption, Schwarzenegger had the following to say:
“Six or seven hours, yeah very well, not always. No [I don’t drink alcohol]. Not much, not very often, maybe a little bit of wine, but that’s maybe once a week. I used to drink more, like 10 shots of Schnapps, but not anymore.”
Finally, Schwarzenegger discussed his recently released Netflix series FUBAR. He then stressed that luck doesn’t exist.
“There’s no such thing as luck, there’s talent, and then talent meets opportunity, that’s luck,” said Schwarzenegger. “For her to jump into a high-action series with big players, it’s an opportunity. Why is there an opportunity? Because the talent is there and everybody thought it was to be funny, the intense scenes, stabbing, throwing, cutting the throat and all that stuff, but there’s comedic stuff too there that makes people laugh.”
Whether it’s detail-oriented training sessions or advice on living a healthier life, Schwarzenegger is dedicated to longevity. In a previous newsletter, the Austrian native shared how caffeine can serve as a ‘champion performance-enhancer,’ if used as a pre-workout option.
Schwarzenegger offered the comedians advice on proper form and follow-through despite their lack of experience. Even with his busy schedule, Schwarzenegger is determined to spread the knowledge he’s acquired over the years.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Recommends ‘Wave Training’ To Get Out Of A Rut
Watch the full YouTube video below:
Published: 16 May, 2023 | 11:27 AM EDT
Jay Cutler: “Since Ronnie Coleman Stepped Away, I Don’t Know If Anyone Has Come Close to His Physique”
Bodybuilding icon Jay Cutler believes Ronnie Coleman’s physique has stood the test of time. In a recent Don’t Be Sour podcast, Cutler discussed Coleman’s next-level physique, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the role of steroids in bodybuilding.
Ronnie Coleman cemented himself as an all-time great with eight Mr. Olympia titles from 1998-2005. Sharing the stage with legends like Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, Shawn Ray, and Chris Cormier, many consider Coleman to be one of the greatest bodybuilders to ever compete.
In 2006, Ronnie Coleman was dethroned by his rival Jay Cutler, who managed to secure a total of four Mr. Olympia victories. However, Cutler was defeated by Dexter Jackson in 2008. Ultimately, Cutler would become the only Men’s Open pro to win back an Olympia title, which he accomplished in 2009 while delivering his iconic quad-stomp pose.
And while it’s been almost 15 years since Coleman stepped on stage, his successor, Cutler, believes no one in the IFBB Pro League has come close to matching the sheer size, volume, and conditioning he displayed throughout his prime.
Jay Cutler Compares Legacies of Ronnie Coleman & Arnold Schwarzenegger
Cutler believes bodybuilders today have more advantages than athletes who trained during Schwarzenegger’s era.
“At his point, where bodybuilding was, he was ahead of it, he won seven in a row, I mean some of them he didn’t really have a lot of competition, they weren’t necessarily paid to be bodybuilders on that level where today there’s great revenue to be a bodybuilder right? You get paid and win money.”
In Jay’s honest opinion, no one has ever come close to Coleman’s physique.
“By the physique and you know… the transition of time, just Ronnie pushed the physique level to just the crazy conditioning, muscle density quality right? Where, you know, he was like a powerlifter and a bodybuilder together; he broke all weight records and had a crazy physique. To be honest, I mean since Coleman stepped away, I don’t know if anyone has even come close to his physique,” said Jay Cutler.
There have been plenty of great champions, but Cutler believes Coleman separated himself from his peers with unmatched size.
“Phil Heath was really good, but not as big and balanced as Coleman was on a size scale, but Phil held his own. Not to say Dexter Jackson hasn’t been great or Big Ramy or Shawn Rhoden or Brandon Curry,” added Cutler.
Cutler conceded that Arnold Schwarzenegger has done more for the sport than Coleman given his ability to break boundaries and trailblaze.
“Arnold has done definitely was more on a total scale, I mean to be an actor, the politician, yeah, put the Olympia on the map, like that’s why you could really do this circular pattern of what a GOAT is. It just depends on your description of what the greatest of all time is.”
Cutler Opens Up on How Steroids Have Changed Since Schwarzenegger’s Era
According to Cutler, enhancements, training, and workout theories have changed substantially since Scwarzenegger’s time on stage. He added that bodybuilders are now afforded the opportunity to fund themselves better with social media.
“Definitely the enhancements changed, but the nutrition changed a lot. The equipment that we train on was way different. Yes, free weights and the training theories — like volume training, I think Arnold overtrained himself a lot, they would spend all day working out and not following a nutrition pattern that would fulfill that. Now, as you know, the rest and the growth is done out of the gym. I think their perception was most of the growth was done inside the gym. I feel like the recovery process, remember, now, people are paid to do this so they can allow themselves not to go out and work a secondary job and instead fund themselves with a career.”
Back when he competed, Cutler mentioned there were times when he needed ‘exotic’ drugs which required him to go overseas.
“Preparing for each year’s contest, whether you needed exotics or whatever else and that was not legal to get. I mean, at certain times you could maybe buy things overseas, but you still need to bring them to the United States or whatever else,” said Cutler. “People can get in trouble [for steroids] but remember, the manufacturing, you’re talking about compounding, steroids to whatever else, those seem to be the big reports but if you’re using for general use, I don’t know what the ramifications of that are. I just know it’s something that some people are willing to take to succeed in what they do.”
The bodybuilding icon stressed that protocols differ depending on the person. When asked if it was possible to win Mr. Olympia drug-free, Cutler dismissed it as a possibility.
“Every guy is not on the same protocol. Yes, certain guys have to take more or less and there’s certain protocols that people use. Is it necessary? You can do a contest without using and kinds of drugs, but you’ll be at a disadvantage because people ahead of you will use compounds that you’re not. Genetics can only take you so far if that makes sense. Yes [you have to use steroids to win] the current Mr. Olympia, yes.”
This isn’t the first time that Jay Cutler took a closer look at performance-enhancing drugs in bodybuilding. During a recent Cutler Cast podcast, the Massachusetts native revealed that he generally cycled on and off steroids every few months. Cutler, who competed against Coleman, admires his rival’s physique for its perfect combination of mass, definition, and shape. Considering his overall package, Cutler is confident that no one has come close to what ‘The King’ presented in his prime years.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Shares Jacked Physique Update Ahead of ‘Fit for 50’ Transformation Challenge
Watch the full video below on the Don’t Be Sour YouTube channel:
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 6:32 PM EDT
Ronnie Coleman ‘Feeling Like Old Self’ Again After Stem Cell Treatments: ‘I’m Very Hopeful’
Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman‘s health appears to be improving following another round of stem cell treatment. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman revealed that his continued therapy has helped reduce his painkiller usage by more than half.
After claiming the Mr. Olympia throne in 1998, Coleman held the title for almost a decade, having captured eight Sandows. He is tied with Lee Haney for the most wins on the Mr. Olympia stage ever. While competing actively, Coleman was revered for his massive proportions, fullness, and vascular conditioning.
Coleman faced the who’s who of the Open class during his tenure, pushing the limits of his body against names like Flex Wheeler, Kevin Levrone, and Dexter Jackson. In 2006, Coleman was finally dethroned by his long-time rival Jay Cutler and later retired in 2007.
Coleman was also celebrated in the bodybuilding community for his jarring power. During the height of his career, Ronnie recorded some incredible feats of strength, including a 2,300-pound leg press and an 800-pound deadlift.
It’s no mystery that Coleman has suffered several health issues since his bodybuilding departure. His back has been operated on more than 10 times and Coleman struggles to walk without assistance. He hopes his latest string of stem cell treatments will direct him toward a healthier and more active life.
Ronnie Coleman Cuts Painkillers by 50% After Stem Cell Treatments: ‘I’ve Made Some Major Improvements’
When asked about his progress, Coleman had the following to say:
“I’ve made some major improvements since I’ve been coming here. I was in a lot of pain when I first started. Now, my pain levels are like almost – almost – eight, nine somewhere in there and you guys got it all the way down – I’ve been coming here almost two years I think; somewhere in there. I found the more I was coming, the better I was getting.
Now it’s been like nine months and I saw that you know it tried to increase a little bit but I see now that I have to come more often to get the treatments because when I come more often I know my improvements will get better and better and better. The way they were before. The key here I see now is more treatment, the better off you’re going to be,” Ronnie Coleman shared.
The medical staff revealed that the stem cell treatments are intended to help Coleman’s nerve damage over the course of a few years.
“What we’re looking for Ronnie, is to improve the nerve damage, which he has had after all of these years, it takes a while, it depends on every patient but at least around two years to have nerve recovery,” the medical assistant explained.
After two years of stem cell treatments, Coleman said the numbness in his arms and shoulders subsided.
“When I had my surgeries and that numbness in my arms and shoulders, my doctors told me it was going to take two years for the nerve damage to go away and it was two years exactly to the date from my last surgery that the numbness went away.”
“I’m very hopeful that this is going to be the same thing,” said Coleman. ”
“When I was coming like every three to four months, I noticed that my numbness would get a whole lot better but I noted that it came back a little bit more when I like skipped all those months and in had been like nine months now, I know it was trying to come back on me. As I was saying earlier, the more that I come, the more consistent I am with my treatment, the better off I am.”
Coleman highlighted that the stem cell treatments have reduced his need to take painkillers by more than 50%.
“When I first came in I was doing like 30 milligrams like four times a day, I think after… like you said, two or three treatments, I was going down to 15 milligrams three times a day,” Coleman said. “Yeah [it helped with the doses], I was lucky.”
Coleman’s IGF-1 Score: 85.3*
The doctor explained that Coleman’s IGF-1 score is in the proper range for his age group.
Before wrapping up for the day, the facility had Coleman train in a hyperbaric chamber.
“What’s up guys, Big Ron here, I want to thank Danny G and their Regenamax team and everything they’ve done for me, yeah buddy.”
In addition to keeping fans informed about his health and well-being, Coleman offered his take on the upcoming 2023 Mr. Olympia competition this November. According to the eight-time winner, former 212 Olympia Derek Lunsford will take out Hadi Choopan at the upcoming show.
As one of bodybuilding’s most beloved figures, the community would treasure nothing more than to see Coleman’s health back to 100%. With his stem cell treatments showing promising results, he may soon achieve his goal of walking unassisted.
RELATED: Bodybuilding Legend Ronnie Coleman Selling House for $495K After 26-Year Residence
Watch the full video below from Coleman’s YouTube channel:
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 4:44 PM EDT
Derek Lunsford & Samson Dauda Stand Out as 2023 Mr. Olympia Favorites After Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing
Jim Manion’s 2023 Pittsburgh Pro concluded with six new champions. However, one of the biggest talking points of the weekend was the guest posing spectacle, which featured Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, Hunter Labrada, and Shaun Clarida.
Brimming with contenders, the Men’s Open division continues to add excitement to the sport, and the division has seen major changes as of late. At last year’s 2022 Pittsburgh Pro, Big Ramy failed to show up. Instead, Derek Lunsford took his place and dominated headlines for weeks. He posed alongside Quinton Eriya, Nick Walker, Brandon Curry, and Labrada. While Ramy later apologized for his absence, some were concerned that his misstep might cost him on the horizon.
In Sept. 2022, Derek Lunsford accepted a special invitation to compete in the Open class at Mr. Olympia. With zero size limitations, Lunsford would shock the world by taking second place to his teammate and newly crowned champion, Hadi Choopan. Surprisingly, Ramy fell to fifth.
Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing / gilcoproductions
Nick Walker, who earned third at the same contest, made a quick turnaround at the 2023 Arnold Classic in March. He entered the show as the on-paper favorite but was outmatched by Samson Dauda in second place as judges deemed the Nigerian’s physique more complete.
With this year’s Mr. Olympia show taking place in less than six months, many of the division’s top contenders stormed the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro for a special guest posing appearance. Given the shape and fullness of Lunsford in the 2023 off-season, many fans believe he has the greatest chance of dethroning Choopan in November.
Is Derek Lunsford or Samson Dauda the 2023 Mr. Olympia No. 1 Contender? – Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing Highlights
Find pictures and videos below from the guest posing event at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro last weekend:
Given the physiques on display in Pittsburgh, it’s safe to say this year’s Mr. Olympia contest will be immensely competitive. Some Open contenders such as Nick Walker believe Choopan won’t repeat as champion. With that in mind, ‘The Mutant’ envisions the next Mr. Olympia title being won by himself or Lunsford.
Two-time Arnold Classic winner William Bonac also chimed in on the 2023 Olympia discussion. He appeared on The Menace Podcast with Dennis James and recently predicted Choopan will defend successfully. However, he acknowledged that the Mr. Olympia title is within Walker’s grasp if he can add more quad sweep.
Meanwhile, Samson Dauda, fresh off his 2023 Arnold Classic victory, is confident he has the skills to upset the champ. According to Dauda, if he improves his back, there are no other areas in which Derek or Hadi can beat him.
RELATED: Ronnie Coleman Predicts Derek Lunsford Will Defeat Hadi Choopan at 2023 Mr. Olympia
Big Ramy’s plans for the rest of the year are unclear, as the former champion suggested he might take a break. Nevertheless, the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest is still generating a lot of excitement among the fans, who are eager to see how Choopan copes with the challenge of defending his title.
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 11:06 AM EDT
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro show takes place this weekend in Budapest, Hungary, where athletes from the Men’s Physique and Bikini categories will battle for gold. This show served as a 2023 Mr. Olympia qualifier.
Athletes will have until October 9 to earn a respective invite to the sport’s biggest event of the year, Mr. Olympia, scheduled for November 2-5, in Orlando, Florida inside the Orange County Convention Center. Unlike in 2022, pros cannot earn passage to Mr. Olympia on points, therefore, to stand atop the Olympia stage, competitors must win a pro show.
In the Men’s Physique division, fans expect a solid performance from Simon Pieto Arena, who earned his pro card last year. Additionally, the bodybuilding community has dubbed Rory Gissing, Benedikt Lukas, and Balint Nemeth as major threats. Meanwhile, Bikini standouts Kristina Brunauer, Noora Mahonen, and Lisa Reith have all been named early favorites ahead of the show as well.
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Winners
Men’s Physique: Riccardo Croci
Bikini: Zsofia Reka Molnar
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro Results
Men’s Physique
Winner — Riccardo Croci
Second Place — Balint Nemeth
Third Place — Benedikt Lukas
Fourth Place — Simon Pietro Arena
Fifth Place — Rory Gissing
Bikini
Winner — Zsofia Reka Molnar
Second Place — Lisa Reith
Third Place — Cristobalina Pajares
Fourth Place — Martyna Derlat
Fifth Place — Renata Nowak
Sixth Place — Rukiye Solak
Seventh Place — Laura Zakharias
Eighth Place — Vania Maria Mesquita
Ninth Place — Noora Mahonen
Tenth Place — Giulia Silvestri
2023 Tropicarium Budapest Pro Scorecards
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Published: 15 May, 2023 | 1:41 AM EDT
Mitchell Hooper Shows Off Impressive Endurance Levels With a 465-lb (211-kg) Squat For 20 Reps
Canadian Strongman Mitchell Hooper has proven to be one of the fastest-growing stars in the game. He has had an amazing first year in the sport and is now coming off an impressive performance at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, held Apr. 19-23. However, Hooper recognized that his endurance and conditioning need some more improvement. So, in a recent post made on Instagram, Hooper crushed a heavy set of 465-pound (211-kilogram) squats for 20 reps in the hopes of improving his conditioning.
Mitchell Hooper first gained attention for his superhuman strength in 2022 when he got the chance to participate in the World’s Strongest Man competition after Rauno Heinla pulled out. He made the most of the opportunity with a strong performance, finishing eighth in his maiden showing.
Following the event, Hooper got some more experience and went on a very dominant run. He ended up turning in one of the best rookie seasons ever. Amongst all, he defeated former 2020 WSM champ Oleksii Novikov to take home the top prize at the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic UK last September. Then, Hooper scored another gold at the 2022 Giants Live World Tour Finals.
In his next appearance, Hooper took bronze and added a new World Record to his glittering resume at the 2022 Rogue Invitational. He generated a ton of momentum moving forward toward his second WSM appearance. There was still more work to be done though. So, he showed off his unreal strength by lifting 771.6 pounds (350-kg) on the squat raw for two reps earlier this year. About two weeks later, Hooper stunned the competition to win the 2023 Australia’s Strongest International title.
Mitchell Hooper (Credit: Todd Burandt / World’s Strongest Man)
Hooper continued to progress in the training room. His next achievement was a massive PR of 925.9-pound (420-kg) raw deadlift.
Besides his crazy power, Hooper regularly educates his fans on techniques. Most notably, Mitchell gave his take on performing deadlifts properly with four different kinds of barbells three months ago and followed up by providing tips on Loading Medley and Front Carry.
After completing a few seminars, Mitchell Hooper smoked a massive 1,697.6-lb (770-kg) raw leg press for eight reps in preparation for the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic. His hard work paid off as he emerged victorious at the event two months ago.
The 27-year-old was brimming with confidence going into the 2023 World’s Strongest Man show last month. Although he went up against a lineup of proven veterans, there was no stopping him. He established his lead early in the contest and came out on top of a close-fought war with Tom Stoltman and Oleksii Novikov. Following the outcome, Hooper opened up on taking inspiration from the likes of Strongman icon Brian Shaw and others in an exclusive interview with Fitness Volt.
Mitchell Hooper (Credit: Todd Burandt / World’s Strongest Man)
Mitchell Hooper crushes 465-lb (211-kg) squat for 20 reps
In a recent Instagram post, Mitchell Hooper performed an insane set of 465-lb (211-kg) squats for 20 reps. He explained how this workout routine should level up his conditioning levels.
“465lbs (211kg) x20,” wrote Hooper. “I wasn’t happy with the direction my conditioning was heading through Arnold’s and worlds. It didn’t cost me, but I know I could be better.”
Mitchell Hooper returned to the training room for a bodybuilding-style workout after the 2023 WSM victory. In addition, after clearing his mind, Mitchell reflected on his experience competing at the event and called for the development of a rule set.
A week ago, Hooper laid out his must-have supplements along with a breakdown of how alcohol and sugar play into the recovery process.
Given the latest training update, it’s clear Hooper is taking no days off and will likely return stronger than ever in his next planned outing.
Published: 14 May, 2023 | 4:56 PM EDT
Jay Cutler Shares Jacked Physique Update Ahead of ‘Fit for 50’ Transformation Challenge
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler dominated the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division in the mid-2000s with his monstrous muscle mass and size. While he moved on from professional competition years ago, he has kept up an insanely high fitness level. In a recent post made on Instagram, Cutler shared a jacked physique update ahead of his ‘Fit for 50’ body transformation challenge.
Jay Cutler presented one of the best packages of any Open competitor during his days of competing on stage. He shared a fierce rivalry with legendary bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman. Cutler racked up three Arnold Classic titles while taking four silvers at Mr. Olympia, falling short of the eight-time Mr. Olympia champ on each occasion. In 2006, Cutler returned with a vengeance and finally won his maiden Sandow trophy. He defended the title successfully the next year before getting dethroned by Dexter Jackson in 2008. He reclaimed the title and hung up his posing trunks with four wins under his belt.
Cutler has not lost his passion for working out. He’s working on achieving his best look outside of competition as part of his personal ‘Fit for 50’ body transformation challenge.
Earlier this year, Cutler gave fans a look into his chest training techniques. He laid out the four exercises he used to target the chest after pairing the session with a brief calves workout routine. Then, he left the fans stunned with a massive physique update as part of the challenge. The update ignited speculation about whether Cutler would make a comeback for the returning 2023 Masters Olympia. However, renowned coach Chris Aceto shut down the talks quickly.
via YouTube @JayCutlerTV
Cutler is confident he could improve his physique through proper nutrition, training, and TRT (testosterone replacement therapy). He argued against using other steroids or amping up the intensity based on his existing package last month.
Jay Cutler broke down his training style in comparison to six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates a few weeks ago. Cutler believed in using high-volume routines in stark contrast to Yates’ high-intensity training methods where he’d push himself to near failure in every session. He also reported eliminating fasted cardio from his routine.
Last month, Cutler joined forces with Classic Physique standout Urs Kalecinski for a heavy back workout. He lauded the rising German sensation’s potential and encouraged him to increase his presence in the American market.
The 49-year-old laid out the high-protein diet he’s utilizing in preparation for the body transformation challenge along with a shredded physique update last week.
Jay Cutler shares jacked physique update ahead of ‘Fit for 50’ transformation challenge
In a recent Instagram post, Jay Cutler shared an impressive physique update ahead of his ‘Fit for 50’ body transformation challenge.
He revealed he tipped the scales at 239.5 pounds in the update.
“239.5. It begins,” wrote Cutler.
Jay Cutler gave his take on the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro earlier this week. He backed former 212 Olympia champ and Men’s Open sensation Derek Lunsford to turn in another stunning performance. He also extended his support for some of the other elite contenders, including Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, and former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay.
Cutler offered an intense lower body training routine inspired by quad-stomp a few days ago. He opened up on his ambitions to get to a lower body fat percentage, preferably between 6 and 8 percent this year.
Based on the latest update, Cutler appears to be in good shape and will likely crush his goal by the time his 50th birthday comes around.
Published: 14 May, 2023 | 10:36 AM EDT
2023 Musclecontest California Night of Champions Pro Results – Savannah Watchman Wins
The bodybuilding season is heating up in the West with the 2023 Musclecontest California Night of Champions Pro taking place in San Diego, California. This show is a 2023 Olympia qualifier and hosted competitors from the Bikini division.
This year, athletes have until October 9 to earn an invitation to the world’s biggest bodybuilding event of the year: Mr. Olympia, which is slated for the first weekend of November. From November 2-5, athletes from around the world will battle to see who brought the best physiques of their respective divisions.
As it stands, the top three Bikini Olympia finishers from 2022 are automatically invited back this year to compete again. Maureen Blanquisco is the current reigning and defending champion. Therefore, the winner of this show will have a chance to challenge her in Orlando, Florida later this year. Fans have circled a few names ahead of the show such as Ruth Montes, Carlee Stevenson, and Savannah Watchman as frontrunners.
2023 California Night of Champions Pro Results
Bikini
Winner — Savannah Watchman
Second Place — Gessica Brun
Third Place — Tara Grier
Fourth Place — Kimber Bonilla
Fifth Place — Gina Sardina
Sixth Place — Shenese Case
Seventh Place — Lizzie Martinez
Eighth Place — Stacy Correa
Ninth Place — Bridget Bailey
Tenth Place — April Holliness
2023 California Night of Champions Pro Scorecard
Fitness Volt congratulates the winner on their victory!
Published: 13 May, 2023 | 11:28 PM EDT
2023 Musclecontest International Ireland Pro Results – German Pastor Wins
The 2023 Musclecontest International Ireland Pro is one of four major bodybuilding contests taking place this weekend. Competitors from the Classic Physique category gathered in Limerick, Ireland, where they battled for gold and an invitation to this year’s Mr. Olympia competition.
Unlike last year’s show in December, the 2023 Mr. Olympia event kicks off in November, leaving athletes less time to qualify for the prestigious contest. The top three Olympia finishers from Classic Physique are automatically invited back to this year’s Olympia. It should be noted that the point system has been removed. With that in mind, athletes must earn their way to Olympia by winning a pro show.
This year’s Olympia competition is headed for Orlando Florida. Athletes have until October 9 to qualify. In addition, the winner of this weekend’s event will have a chance to face four-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead.
2023 Musclecontest International Ireland Pro Results
Classic Physique
Winner — German Pastor
Second Place — Andreas Fotiadis
Third Place — Emanuele Ricotti
Fourth Place — Piotr Wojtowicz-Pitek
Fifth Place — Piotr Borecki
Sixth Place — Mehmet Emin Baydilli
Seventh Place — Ali Emre
Eighth Place — Adeyemi Adefioye
Ninth Place — Genadi Lyaev
Tenth Place — Hubert Kulczynski
2023 Musclecontest International Ireland Pro Scorecards
Fitness Volt congratulates the winners!
Published: 13 May, 2023 | 6:26 PM EDT
Nick Best Reveals How a Bench Press Injury Saved His Life from Cancer
Powerlifting and strongman veteran Nick Best made a name for himself with his unreal feats of strength. He has recorded some huge lifts over the years and seen some world records as well. So, over the years, Nick has also experienced some incidents in the gym. However, one particular incident turned out to be a blessing in disguise. In a recent appearance on the Shaw Strength podcast, Best opened up on how an unsuccessful bench press attempt helped detect cancer in his body and save his life in time.
Nick Best first rose to fame in powerlifting. He started off proving his potential by winning the USAPL National Powerlifting Championships in the 125-kg category in 1996 and 1997 along with the WDFPF World Powerlifting Championships. After some years as a powerlifter, Best transitioned to Strongman. Moreover, he emerged as a budding strongman contender in 2010 when he came out victorious in the All-American Strongman Challenge. The win earned him qualification for the Arnold Strongman Classic, where he finished ninth. He then regularly qualified for the World’s Strongest Man over the last decade.
In November 2021, Best left the fans stunned by performing a massive 500-pound (226.79-kg) deadlift for 50 reps at the age of 53. He also detailed a grueling back day workout after the age-defying stunt to motivate his followers further. Then, he joined forces with legendary Strongman contender Brian Shaw, a four-time World’s Strongest Man winner, for an intense back training session at bodybuilding icon Flex Lewis’ gym in Las Vegas.
Best and Shaw strengthened their partnership with another monstrous workout in January 2022. The duo went through a series of heavy exercises targeting the upper body along with a huge 500-lb bench press. They collaborated again for a tough lower-body training session a month later. They also crushed a gigantic 480-lb hip thrust exercise as part of the grueling leg day workout.
Nick Best / Instagram
Best created history by setting two WRPF Masters World Records at the 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2 powerlifting contest a year ago. He managed to squat 372.5 kilograms (821.5 pounds) and lock out 337.5 kilograms (744 pounds) on the deadlift. He also equaled the Total World Record in the 140-kg weight class.
The 54-year-old smoked an enormous 700-lb (317.5-kg) 13-inch deadlift for eight reps in July 2022. He followed up by improving to 10 reps of 700 pounds on the 13-inch deadlift at the 2022 Clash of the Masters, where he took bronze.
Nick Best smashed a 600-lb (272-kg) deadlift for 16 reps five days before his 54th birthday last November. He then announced he’d step away from professional Strongman competition after 16 glittering years in the game.
Nick Best reveals how a bench press fail saved his life
In a recent episode of the Shaw Strength, Nick Best revealed how a failed bench press attempt helped him discover an underlying health issue that saved his life.
“My wife’s an ER nurse and so nothing really phases her unless it’s really serious,” said Best. “She’s kind of looking at me, watching me breathe and she’s seeing the spasm, and she’s like we better go get that looked at. Let’s get you to the ER. We went in the next 30 minutes. I couldn’t take deep breaths until they gave me the muscle relaxants to get my diaphragm from spasming, just real shallow short breaths. They told me we need to get a CT scan to make sure there’s no internal bleeding.
The guy was kinda feeling around, poking up in the top part of my rib cage and he goes like I don’t know. We need to get some film on it. Kelly’s like okay fine let’s do it just be safe. Turns out I had a hematoma, which isn’t the end of the world, that’s going to heal and go away. Both sides of my ribs are bruised because the rib cage gives and where it stops giving that’s where I got the injuries so it was right in my serrates. It wasn’t very pleasant.
Got through that and he brought this other doctor in, my wife knows him, he’s not someone that messes around when he comes into the room, it’s usually something serious. He goes, we’ve had an incidental finding and that’s when they found the tumor in my kidney. He says there’s a growth in your kidney, it’s completely inside the kidney but you need to go get another CT scan in two days because they gave me contrast and they can’t do that back to back.
Two days later, we got another CT scan and in which time, got the film, an appointment scheduled, and a couple weeks later, he sent me for another CT scan because look we have a mass there, can’t tell if it’s a cancerous tumor or fatty tumor. We’re going to need to get a biopsy stuff like that, went in for another CT scan, got a better look at it then he sent me for a biopsy but couldn’t get me comfortable because they laying on my belly, got to go through the back, where it was sitting out of my kidney. They were going to have to go through my lung into the kidney. The doctor said we can’t do this today. It just hurt so bad on the ribs they couldn’t. I couldn’t move at all because the needles.
“They’re going off the CT scans but the doc’s concern is it could be a fatty tumor in which case if it was they could go in cauterize blood vessels in the kidney that are supplying the fatty tumor in and it’ll go away. So, you can’t tell the difference. I’m like doc with an MRI be able to be enough of a view in a 3D view to give you a better idea whether it’s fat or something else. He goes yeah the MRI will work so we went in again. I got an MRI and this is all within a month.”
Nick Best is still going strong despite being in his mid-50s. He scored a heavy 600-lb (272.2-kg) deadlift for 15 reps at the 2022 Olympia expo last December. With everything he has done so far, Nick is without a doubt still one of the strongest men in the world.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 13 May, 2023 | 2:01 PM EDT