Tag: nEWS
Arnold Schwarzenegger on ‘Best Approach’ for Sleep/Weight Loss: ‘People Who Sleep Less Weigh More’
Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s passion for fitness and bodybuilding rages on to this day. In his latest Daily Pump Newsletter, Schwarzenegger credited sleep for helping with weight loss efforts.
During the 1970s and 80s, Schwarzenegger led a successful bodybuilding tenure that saw him capture a total of seven Sandow trophies. He shared the stage with fellow veterans of the IFBB Pro League such as former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout, and former three-time winners Frank Zane and Sergio Oliva.
Following a successful career, Schwarzenegger co-created the annual Arnold Sports Festival with the late Jim Lorimer. As the second-biggest bodybuilding contest on the calendar, the show has become a major attraction. Last month, Samson Dauda defeated Nick Walker to secure the 35th title.
In retirement, Schwarzenegger remains dedicated to fitness and longevity. He often shares ‘workout of the week’ segments in his newsletter as he revealed a five-minute no-equipment training routine recently, which he uses to start off his mornings.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares How to Lose 5 Lbs in Your Sleep Over Time
Schwarzenegger said Harvard scientists concluded that people who sleep less than five hours a night tend to weigh heavier than those with better sleep routines.
How to Lose 5 Pounds in Your Sleep
“Many weight loss plans insist you need to give up so much in order to achieve your goals. But what if gaining something was the real key to losing? If you believe Harvard scientists, adding more sleep might be a great way to help you improve fat loss.
According to the research — which reviewed more than 68,000 people — those who slept less than 5 hours per night weighed an average of 5 pounds more than those who slept more than 7 hours per night.
And that wasn’t the only difference. The participants were tracked over a 16-year period, and the researchers found that people sleeping five hours a night or less were 32 percent more likely to experience major weight gain (adding 33 pounds or more over the term) and were 15 percent more likely to become obese.
While it’s hard to qualify a “perfect” amount of sleep — and your body can handle some nights where you sleep less — it appears 6 hours is the minimum, and your best approach is to aim for about 7.5 and 8.5 hours of sleep per night,” Schwarzenegger shared.
Like fitness influencer Joey Swoll’s mission, Schwarzenegger is determined to spread fitness knowledge to the masses. Last month, he revealed a go-to bodyweight workout he utilized during the height of his career. During the training session, the 75-year-old stressed prioritizing intensity to garner the best results.
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Shares Surprisingly Effective One-Step Weight Loss Plan
Aside from training and nutrition, Schwarzenegger believes sleeping more can help with weight loss. He suggests getting at least 6 hours of sleep per night, and ideally 7.5 to 8.5 hours to prevent major weight gain over time.
Published: 27 April, 2023 | 1:32 AM EDT
Ronnie Coleman Reacts to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Impressive ‘Old School’ Lifts
Bodybuilding legends Ronnie Coleman and Arnold Schwarzenegger ruled their respective eras competing in the IFBB Pro League. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman took a closer look at Schwarzenegger’s best ‘old school’ lifts and offered to train with him in the future.
Schwarzenegger captured a total of seven Mr. Olympia titles throughout the 1970s-80s. Having shared the stage with mainstays like Frank Zane, Samir Bannout, and Sergio Oliva, Schwarzenegger was a giant among Golden Era bodybuilders. Despite setting his sights on other ventures in retirement, Schwarzenegger’s passion for bodybuilding continued as he co-founded the annual Arnold Sports Festival in 1989.
Decades following Schwarzenegger’s last contest, mass monster Ronnie Coleman reached the height of his pro tenure. He won the Mr. Olympia title in 1998 after receiving help from his rival Flex Wheeler, who introduced him to his long-time trainer, Chad Nicholls. In 2005, Coleman tied Lee Haney for the most Sandows ever won at eight.
Coleman, known for his strength, possesses a number of impressive lifts like a 2,300-pound leg press and 800-pound deadlift. This time, Coleman examined some of Schwarzenegger’s old-school lifts back when the 75-year-old was in his prime.
Ronnie Coleman Reacts: Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Craziest Old School Lifts
Check out Coleman’s take on some of Schwarzenegger’s lifts below:
“What’s going on guys, Big Ron here, a lot of you guys may already know, me and my buddy Arnold are really good friends so I thought it would only be appropriate if I did a reaction video to some of his old school lifts, so let’s get into it, yeah buddy!” Coleman said.
“He must got like 300 pounds on that — oh, that’s 225, oh light weight,” Coleman said watching Schwarzenegger perform incline bench presses. “That’s 225 I think. I think that’s 225, 275, lift it like it ain’t nothing but a peanut.”
Coleman credits Schwarzenegger for performing intense dumbbell flyes and a few other movements. Then he discusses the training intensity of past Mr. Olympia winners like Dorian Yates and Schwarzenegger.
“Rowing it like it ain’t nothing, and it ain’t, looking big and huge, oh yeah. No pain no game,” said Coleman. “[he’s] one of them [greatest of all time]. It’s between me, Dorian, and Arnold [for hardest training] I think we were some of the hardest trainers out there. Because Dorian was pretty hardcore.”
Before Coleman called it a day, he requested a training collaboration with Schwarzenegger to show the new generation of lifters ‘how it’s done.’
“Yeah guys, a little training session with all kinds of memories that got back up, days and hours of the gym, training really hard, hitting it really hard, going all out, these guys these days, they don’t do that. So Arnold, I think me and you ought to get together and show these guys how it’s supposed to be done, what do you say about that Arnold, yeah buddy, light weight,” Coleman said.
This isn’t the first time that Coleman has shared an exciting reaction video. He gave his raw take following a number of painful gym accidents last November. While he enjoyed most of the stunts and accidents, he used the video to urge people to lift safely and use spotters.
RELATED: Jay Cutler, Milos Sarcev Compare Eras: ‘Dorian Yates/Ronnie Coleman Would Be Super Competitive Today’
Coleman was impressed by Schwarzenegger’s old-school lifts, which showcased his power, skill, and stamina. He named Schwarzenegger as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, an opinion he shares with Samir Bannout, the 1983 Mr. Olympia winner.
Check out the full video below courtesy of Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel:
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 6:05 PM EDT
Hafthor Bjornsson Shares Intense Pre-Surgery Recovery Techniques for Gruesome Pec Tear
Strongman legend Hafthor Bjornsson was working his way back into competitions when he got forced to the sidelines due to an injury. In a recent YouTube video, Bjornsson shared a look into the advanced recovery methods he’s utilized in the lead-up to his surgery.
Hafthor Bjornsson is widely regarded as one of the greatest Strongman athletes of all time. The Icelandic sensation started his professional career in national shows in 2009 and earned a wild card entry to the 2011 World’s Strongest Man competition, where he placed sixth in his maiden appearance. Bjornsson established his place in the mix of title contention with regular top-three placements, scoring three silvers and three bronze medals over the next six years. He finally secured the win at the 2018 edition of the event.
Other than his incredible feats of strength, Bjornsson also gained attention for his role as ‘The Mountain’ in the popular HBO television series Game of Thrones. Bjornsson stepped away from strongman competitions in favor of boxing matches in 2020. He squared off against standout Eddie Hall for a clash inside the ring and came out on top by unanimous decision. Although he considered extending his run in combat, he eventually decided against it to make his return to strength sports.
Bjornsson delivered an incredible performance in his comeback last October. He set the 20-feet 3-inch weight over bar world record at the 2022 Rogue Invitational. Following the win, Bjornsson survived an injury scare while performing a heavy set of 340-kg (749.6-lb) squats.
’Thor’ recovered quickly and smoked a 793.6-lb (360-kg) deadlift for two reps in preparation for his return to a powerlifting competition. Then, he amped up the training by crushing 195-kg (429.9-lb) on the paused bench press. When it was time for his powerlifting comeback, Bjornsson made a statement and won gold with a total of 970-kg (2,138.5-lb). Given his decorated career, Bjornsson was honored with an induction into the International Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Hafthor Bjornsson planned to break the All-Time World Record Total in powerlifting before making his way back to Strongman in 2024. However, his plans were cut short after he tore his pec in an attempt to lift 252.5-kg (556.7-lb) bench press at a competition in his gym. He revealed he would need surgery to recover from the injury as his upper chest muscles got torn off the bone. He reported findings from a visit to the doctor on the pec tear and laid out his recovery process last week.
Hafthor Bjornsson reveals advanced recovery methods ahead of surgery
In a recent YouTube video, Hafthor Bjornsson shared some of the innovative recovery techniques he’s using to get ready for the surgery.
First, he visited a health specialist who offered him a special shake, some drinks, and supplement packages to utilize in the days leading to his surgery. While they did not list the ingredients, the goal was to help boost connective tissue, muscle repair, and blood plasma levels.
Then, he did three cycles of 20 minutes on the infrared light bed and three minutes in the cryogenic chamber before finishing in the hyperbaric chamber for one hour. Finally, Thor went to Restore Orthopedics Center to get his X-rays done. He also got a check-up where flatness in his torn pec muscles was identified along with an analysis of the injury.
RELATED: Hafthor Bjornsson Shows Off Ripped Physique Update, Shares ‘Hardcore’ Abs and Back Workout
There’s no doubt Hafthor Bjornsson is doing everything in his power to make a quick recovery from the torn pec muscle injury.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 5:16 PM EDT
Jay Cutler Calls Out Steroid Stigma in Film Industry, ‘Figures’ The Rock Is on TRT
Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler was a key figure in the Men’s Open division during the 2000s. In his latest interview, Cutler discussed the stigma of steroid use in film, Dwayne ‘The Rock Johnson, and his rivalry with eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman.
In 2006, Cutler finally dethroned Coleman at Mr. Olympia after multiple second-place finishes. Competing actively, Cutler separated himself from the rest of the Open class with exceptional size and conditioning. He’s known for the iconic quad stomp pose and is regarded for having some of the most detailed quads in the history of the sport.
Cutler retired from bodybuilding in 2013. Even though he’s not seen a competition stage in years, Cutler takes his health, fitness, and longevity seriously. He routinely shares motivating workout sessions with fitness influencers. In a collaboration with Lexx Little, Cutler’s physique went viral. Fans immediately questioned if a return was possible for the 2023 Masters Olympia in August.
Unfortunately, Cutler quickly shot down any chance of a comeback days after his progress photo circulated online. Instead, the four-time Mr. Olympia shared that he was transforming his physique as part of a ‘Fit for 50’ challenge. In his most recent undertaking, he joined the Factz Podcast to shed light on his career, Dwayne Johnson, and his experiences with TRT/performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Jay Cutler Talks The Rock, Popularity of TRT & Steroid Misconceptions in Film : ‘Everyone’s Protocols Are Different’
Cutler said he was able to offset his wide waist by building his legs and shoulders, which helped his x-frame.
“It’s just really hard to compare the physiques, the structure is usually different. The smaller waist, I wasn’t blessed with a super small waist so I had to really offset by building my legs outwards and my shoulders outwards to make that x-frame.”
Given the availability of equipment, food, and PEDs, Cutler believes bodybuilders today carry more size than in Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s era.
“As you know, the guys got a lot bigger than in Arnold’s day. Food, you know, equipment, drugs, everything. The science has become a lot deeper but at the same time, guys have paid great money to do this for a living, sponsors, the supplement game is huge, it’s a big support of sports and nutrition for the industry. So guys can get paid to literally eat sleep and train. That’s their job,” Cutler said.
“Oh, I can look at someone [and tell right away] yes. I can tell,” said Cutler. “The truth is I feel like diets and everything else, many guys can really dominate without having to struggle as hard if that makes sense.”
Cutler stressed that there are misconceptions about TRT/steroid use and said the compounds ‘never made him crazy.’
“No. It [steroids] wasn’t like that. Usually, the build up, that’s the thing with the films and everything, they portray like a guy takes a shot of testosterone and he gets aggressive; that’s a misconception. I can tell you that. It never made me crazy. And listen, we talk about TRT which is popular now and I know there’s a lot of accusations of who or who isn’t on TRT. Obviously, Dwayne’s name comes up a lot and whatever else.”
“Like I said, all my blood tests and I was very monitored. I had – my ex-wife was a nurse practitioner, so she was very up to speed on like what the protocols were and what we needed to test. Blood work can only show so much.”
When asked about Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s alleged use of PEDs, Cutler had the following to say:
“He doesn’t ever go out there and to give him some sort of respect factor, like he doesn’t go out there and say I’m natural. He just doesn’t talk about it. You know, I know his work ethic, I would figure that at his age, I mean it’s so common, that a lot of people are on TRT. What he does is number one his business. I come out and say, ‘Hey I’m on TRT.’ Because let’s be real: looking at my physique at the wildly muscled look of 300 pounds and I was winning Olympias at 270, if I claimed I was natural, you would have killed me.”
“Everyone’s protocols are different. So guys genetically don’t have to use what other guys may have to use.”
“You had different compounds that kind of would be thrown into a protocol and not everyone would use the same thing but your base would basically be testosterone and then you just, nutrition would have to be on point, and you give yourself four months to get in the best shape possible.”
Cutler Touches on Ronnie Coleman Rivalry & Chasing Size During Career
Before praising Ronnie Coleman as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time, Cutler named Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone as early inspirations.
“I was overly big, I wouldn’t have been attracted to it, remember, I was married for most of my career. And my whole goal was to be the best bodybuilder,” Cutler said. “In the beginning, Arnold was. Honestly, Van Damme and Stallone were my first heroes. I just thought their physiques were unbelievable at the time.”
“He [Ronnie Coleman] arguably, people question but probably the greatest ever. Arnold obviously, he’s huge. But Coleman had a crazy physique but for me, the first couple were like wow I’m actually second-best. I hate the term you’re the first loser because you’re still right there, right. You’re kind of in line, the problem is there was a curse in bodybuilding where a guy that places second — he usually doesn’t win. So, that was a curse and I actually broke that curse.”
As of late, Jay Cutler discussed which former Mr. Olympias would have held their own against today’s lineup of Open talent. Cutler and Milos Sarcev agreed that six-time winner Dorian Yates and Coleman would contend for gold even today.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Discussed 2023 Physique Goals and Steroids in Bodybuilding: ‘Cycle On, Cycle Off Work Well.’
The last time the 49-year-old looked at The Rock’s alleged use of steroids, Cutler said he respected the superstar for choosing not to talk about the subject publicly. Meanwhile, podcast giant Joe Rogan recently called on The Rock to come clean about his use after Brian Johnson’s (Liver King) steroid cycle was leaked online.
Check out the full video below courtesy of the Factz Podcast:
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 1:48 PM EDT
Calum Von Moger: ‘I’m Not Looking to Be a Champion Bodybuilder Anymore; It’s a Different Path for Me’
It appears Calum Von Moger has closed the door on a possible bodybuilding comeback. In a recent video on the Bucked Up YouTube channel, Von Moger discussed his legal troubles, injuries, and retirement from bodybuilding.
“I’ve gone down this path that I think probably other people could see me going down it, but I couldn’t see myself going down that path and it’s scary… I feel like each setback was an increasingly harder test for me, my mentality, and my person,” Calum Von Moger said.
Calum Von Moger enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame after he assumed the role of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in the docudrama Bigger. Given his aesthetic features and comparisons to an all-time great, many fans thought it was a foregone conclusion that Von Moger would ascend to the top of the sport.
Injuries and legal troubles would prove to be the 32-year-old’s downfall. He stabbed the tires of a man’s vehicle during a road rage incident. The situation escalated after authorities discovered a handful of weapons in Calum’s car, such as brass knuckles, a tomahawk, and a haunting knife. Despite pleading guilty to the crime, Von Moger’s hardships were about to multiply.
Von Moger survived a near-death experience after jumping out of a two-story window. He made a full recovery after waking up from a six-day coma. He’s also taken to a rehabilitation center for drug use.
Aiming to turn his life around, Von Moger appeared on his YouTube channel and began sharing training sessions. Tragedy struck the Von Moger family last month, however, when Calum’s brother, Edward, was declared missing in Australia. His body was later discovered off a beach coast, prompting Calum to issue a heartfelt dedication video in his sibling’s honor.
Calum Von Moger Talks Legal Troubles, Injuries, Shuts Down Bodybuilding Future
Von Moger shared that many of his struggles stemmed from isolation and loneliness.
“One of the hardest parts of all was trying to navigate through all these different life experiences but I was doing it on my own out here. I didn’t have a lot of people or friends or anyone to really fall back on for a long time, so it was difficult. Sometimes I could have used some good advice and good mentors and stuff.”
While there were lows, Von Moger said winning bodybuilding shows in different countries was the pinnacle of his career. Eventually, he lost interest in bodybuilding and said the lifestyle was ‘too much, too fast.’
“One of the most pinnacle moments of my career was definitely when I was at the very top and I was winning competitions all around the world, South Korea, France, Australia, America, I was traveling month-to-month going to expos, I think there was one year every single month I was in a different country.”
“I got to this stage out here, where I just wasn’t happy. I lived this lifestyle where I was just handed a lot, almost too fast, too much, too soon. Everything was just thrown in my lane and I was in this fast lane for so long and I kind of just lost interest.”
“As I sat, misfortune and fortune intertwined together. I had these years of great fortune and happiness and the times were good and then… I ended up having a few downfalls. It started off with injuries. The cliff injury was – I snapped my quadriceps tendon off the bone and tore my bicep again. That was a challenge. I couldn’t train for several months.”
According to Von Moger, his life started to unravel following the Covid-19 pandemic. He said he was shocked after waking up from the coma last year.
“After the pandemic hit, that’s when things kind of got a little bit hairy for me. There was a road rage incident where I was arrested and locked up. It was in those moments I was really looking at myself thinking, ‘What are you doing to yourself, what are you doing to your life?’ That was the realization I lost my way.”
“I’ll tell you, going from where you know, I’m just getting pulled aside and all sorts of different public scenarios and places and then, waking up last year in a hospital; I came out of a coma. I think I was in it for five or six days. I was shocked. I didn’t know what the heck was going on. I woke up in the hospital and I couldn’t remember hardly how, what I was doing there.”
Von Moger explained that he’s no longer pursuing a bodybuilding career but remains optimistic about his future.
“I got to show everyone I can do this and that it’s not too much for me. I really thought I had a grip on everything; I thought I could handle it, I really did. I thought I was strong enough and I had enough willpower to be the master of my own ship and take control. But I needed help. I really needed it.”
“I have accepted where I am with my physicality, I know that I’m not going to be or looking to be a champion bodybuilder anymore, I’m happy to tie up those boots and retire from competitive bodybuilding. Now, it’s a different path for me. There’s forks in the road and I’m still trying to work out and navigate which direction to go down,” said Von Moger.
While he’s shut the door on a bodybuilding return, Von Moger has been pushing his limits in the gym. He explained that his current goal is to downsize his physique and recently showed off a high-volume leg day training session.
RELATED: Calum von Moger Issues Statement Regarding Recent Troubles: “I’m Sick of Fake People. Period.”
Having accepted the state of his life, Von Moger hopes to move forward with help from others. There won’t be a return to a bodybuilding stage but at least Von Moger will continue to showcase his fitness journey with fans in 2023.
Watch the full video below courtesy of the Bucked Up YouTube channel:
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 11:51 AM EDT
Nick Walker Pushes Through A Beastly Chest & Triceps Workout
A narrowly missed second Arnold Classic win in 2023 marked the end of a stressful competitive session for Nick Walker and he is now able to focus on making off-season gains without worrying about the timeline. Recently, Walker trained his chest and triceps and experimented with innovative equipment that the Torture gym had to offer.
Walker is one of the most dynamic young talents in the IFBB Pro League’s Men’s Open division. He debuted with a fourth place finish at his 2020 Chicago Pro. Soon after, the dominant wins at the 2021 New York Pro and Arnold Classic turned him into one of the highly touted prospects.
Walker achieved all of these accolades within one year of earning the IFBB Pro card. He finished fifth at his Mr. Olympia debut in 2021 and decided to take a break to improve his physique further. Walker hoped to take his physique to the next level and beat the top crop of the division.
The longest off-season of his career bore fruits as The Mutant improved his standing at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and finished third. He made a quick turnaround after the show and went after a second Arnold Classic title in 2023. However, he lost to the surging Samson Dauda by a razor thin margin and walked away with a runner-up finish.
Nick Walker now trains to cross the final and toughest phase of his career where a competitor beats the absolute best and establishes himself on top of the food chain. His recent chest and triceps workout was a part of this effort. So let’s follow Nick Walker through this workout and see how he is packing some serious muscle mass.
Nick Walker goes through a chest and triceps workout
The Mutant’s actual off-season is yet to start and he is experimenting with different gym equipment to see which suits him the best. This exercise is an attempt to iron out the training routine when the competition prep starts ahead of the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
“I’m still trying out new equipment and seeing what I like the best so when my ‘prep’ actually starts, I know exactly what I like, what I want to keep using for the remainder of my prep for the most part.”
Walker primarily worked the chest and triceps in this training session and also sprinkled a deltoid movement in the mix as well.
Pec Deck Flyes
Walker got going with this pec isolation movement. Pec deck flyes help improve the adduction ability of the upper body muscles and rank among the top three exercises in terms of pectoral muscles activation.
Walker did the first set for ten reps and increased the weight in the second set to get a good and hard squeeze in the pectoral muscles. After wrecking some solid sets to get the blood flowing into pectoral muscles, the 28-year-old went on to do a few compound movements.
Machine Incline Bench Press
Incline bench press on a plate-loaded iso-lateral machine followed the pec deck flyes. Both weight stacks of an iso-lateral machine move independently which facilitates removing strength imbalances. Walker admired the piece for the benefits it offered and said:
“Here’s what’s cool about this machine. It’s got two different grips – one a little lower and it still hits the incline , (the second one) is a little higher and it hits the upper chest and a little bit of shoulder too.”
Complying with slow and controlled movements, he carried out a solid set of the exercise and targeted seven to eight reps with rest pause method for the second set. After finishing a few sets, the New York native shared his opinion on high volume training and how his body responds to it. He opined:
“I think everything has its place but I just feel like for better muscle recruitment, so to speak, with longer rest periods. If you’re going faster, you won’t be able to get the most out of it which means… less growth in my opinion. I think it’s good to do volume at the end of the workout just to create that volume and a little bit of roundness. But I just don’t think it’s something you should do for the whole workout.”
With that, the 2021 Arnold Classic winner took to another pressing movement next.
Seated Machine Chest Press
Walker next performed the seated machine chest press for stimulating the pectoral muscles further to improve the pushing strength. After getting a few sets of the movement under his belt on a plate-loaded machine, he closed on to another chest isolation exercise.
Standing Cable Chest Flyes
This cable machine exercise is often stereotyped as the final pump-inducing movement at the end of a chest training session. However, this could not be further from reality. Cable flyes activate the pectoral muscles to an extent where only a handful of exercises like bench press and pec deck flyes can. Additionally, the cable machines keep the muscles under tension throughout the duration of the rep, making them far more effective in bringing about hypertrophy.
Walker performed this exercise on a machine that has a supporting pad to rest the back against it and maintain an erect posture without slouching forward.
“So now, I can put my back and really flye instead of worrying about wobbling back and forth. I can really focus on the stretch here.”
He pushed through some hard sets of standing cable flyes and jumped into the final chest movement.
Chest Dip Press
Walker performed the chest dip press on the machine to wrap up the chest exercises and shifted his focus on training the triceps next.
Always a good finisher,” Walker exclaimed after doing the dip press.
Cable Triceps Pushdown
The Mutant’s triceps workout kicked off with this isolation movement. The cable tricep pushdowns work all three heads of the muscle and they are one of the most common exercises in the gyms around the world.
Nick Walker performed a few sets of the exercise with a straight bar attachment before taking up the second and final triceps exercise.
Machine Overhead Triceps Extensions
Walker next performed the overhead triceps extensions on a plate loaded machine. Unlike the pushdowns that work the tricep muscles from a neutral position. The overhead triceps extensions work the muscle from a stretched position. According to many studies, this contributes more towards strength gains and muscle hypertrophy.
Machine Lateral Raises
This lateral / medial deltoid movement served as the only shoulder movement of the session and Nick Walker included some sets of the exercise in the session.
Overall workout
The chest and triceps session comprised of following movements:
Chest
Triceps
Shoulders
Walker shares his current weight and training update
Nick Walker is training at a fairly comfortable pace at the moment. However, he is slowly ramping up the training and diet to start the off-season training. It will subsequently transition into the competition prep for the 2023 Olympia.
Giving an update on his current weight and training progress, Nick Walker spoke at length and explained:
“It’s another day forward to getting ready for the actual off-season to begin which will lead into the Olympia prep. Weight is around… 268 or 270ish (lbs)… I was as high as 274-275 (lbs) and that was after a night of eating too much cheesecake. So I think the cheesecake is finally out of my body now. So I feel good.”
He added:
“Yeah, things are now moving in the right direction. Strength is now really starting to progress quickly. Food’s pretty high. So I’m trying to have some fun, enjoying the process. Just fortunate enough to be in the situation that I am. Just gonna keep grinding,” Nick Walker stated.
The 2021 Arnold Classic winner has brought a massively improved physique every time he has stepped on stage. Nick Walker has to fend off up-and-comers like Andew Jacked and Samson Dauda at the 2023 Olympia while getting past the reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford. He is planning his off-season and competition prep in advance to bring the best version of himself on stage which is a good sign, to say the least.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Nick Walker’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 9:01 AM EDT
Mitchell Hooper Shares His First Workout Post 2023 World’s Strongest Man Victory
Mitchell Hooper is definitely a standout in the world of strength sports. The man is an absolute beast, standing at around an impressive 6’4″ and weighing in at a whopping 330 pounds. But it’s not just his size that’s impressive; his strength and power are simply awe-inspiring. Watching him perform feats of strength that would leave most people struggling just to lift the weights he warms up with is a sight to behold. This was displayed at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition, as Hooper dominated the events and won the title. Despite putting up tremendous efforts for multiple days, Mitchell has immediately focused on his next goals. Thus, he has already completed his first training session post competition and shared it on his YouTube channel.
As Mitchell Hooper began his first workout back after four days of intense competition, he did not want to overload himself. He decided to perform a bodybuilding style workout in order to get the blood flowing through the body in order to achieve his goal.
“We’re going to hit a bodybuilding workout. My philosophy is, if a muscle is sore, going and doing training at a lower intensity is useful. Now, I actually don’t feel sore, so I might be able to workout a bit harder than I usually would.”
So, after searching for a gym in Myrtle Beach, Mitchell Hooper stumbled upon the “Pump House”. This gym is also owned by Wayne Van Nostrand, a multiple powerlifting bench press World Record holder. Mitchell was inspired by Wayne and opted for the bench press as his first exercise of the day.
Mitchell Hooper began with one plate on each side of the barbell, and continued adding a plate with each set. Once he reached 315 pounds, Mitchell decided to stick with it and complete a set of 15 reps. He then followed it up with another 15-rep set with 225 pounds.
“I feel good. My muscular endurance is terrible though. I can already feel some fatigue setting in during that.”
In addition, Mitchell Hooper was delighted to find a Standing Bench Press machine, as a similar event will be featured in the 2023 Shaw Classic later this summer. So, he utilized this workout to get used to the machine. When asked how he felt after a few sets on it, this was his reply.
“Weird, really weird. I am getting a severe pump at the moment, big time pump… It is easier (than the regular bench), but I am just so fatigued.”
Mitchell Hooper then moved onto the lat pulldown machine to perform some reps as well. However, while performing one of the sets, his eyes wandered to a guy trying to max out his deadlift on the other side of the gym. So, as the current World’s Strongest Man, Hooper completed the set and went straight over to give a few tips to a fellow gym-goer.
Mitchell Hooper continued his workout with some light lateral raises, triceps extensions, and machine biceps curls. However, he completed a substantial amount of reps in order to get a nice pump.
“It is funny, you almost feel like you are in and out without doing anything. But, biceps are pumped, chest will be sore, triceps will be sore, objective achieved.”
Mitchell Hooper’s Workout
Bench Press
Standing Bench Press
Lat Pulldown
Lateral Raises
Cable Triceps Extensions
Machine Biceps Curls
Watch the video here:
Related: Strongman Mitchell Hooper Sets a 420-kg (925.9-lb) Raw Deadlift PR In Training
During this year alone, Mitchell Hooper has competed three times and won each competition. Most importantly, that includes two of the biggest events in Strongman, World’s Strongest Man, and Arnold Strongman Classic. Overall, during his short career, Hooper has taken part in 10 International competitions and won five of them. In addition, he became the first WSM winner from Canada.
Mitchell Hooper still has big plans for this year, which include the 2023 Shaw Classic and the 2023 Rogue Invitationals. He has stated that he still can’t fathom that his victory at the 2023 WSM was real and not a dream. However, once everything settles, Hooper’s confidence will skyrocket, which will make him an even fiercer competitor.
Discover comprehensive coverage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition at our WSM coverage hub, featuring exclusive interviews, final results, event recaps and in-depth analysis: FitnessVolt.com/wsm
Published: 26 April, 2023 | 11:15 AM EDT
Sergio Oliva Jr. Looks Jacked Recreating Legendary Father’s Poses
American bodybuilder Sergio Oliva Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father, bodybuilding legend Sergio Oliva. In a recent post made on Instagram, Oliva Jr. showed off his jacked physique next to a picture of his father.
Former three-time Mr. Olympia Sergio Oliva was an elite Men’s Open contender for the better half of two decades between the 1960s and mid-80s. He started off in regional events before earning an entry into the 1966 Mr. Olympia. After placing fourth in his debut, Oliva took home the top prize in his next appearance.
Oliva earned the nickname ‘The Myth’ and successfully defended the title unopposed in 1968. The following year, Oliva went up against bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger in a fierce battle at the 1969 Mr. Olympia. In the end, Oliva added a third Sandow trophy to his collection. ‘The Austrian Oak’ later admitted Oliva was the toughest competitor he ever faced.
Oliva’s son Sergio Oliva Jr. made a name for himself in the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open class. He cracked the top three at the 2021 Legion Sports Fest Pro and placed sixth at the 2021 Arnold Classic Ohio, where he also won the Best Poser Award for the second year straight.
In Sep. 2021, Oliva Jr. voiced his disapproval of posing in the Open category. He claimed competitors mostly lacked the effort in following through with practice. A few weeks later, he pushed back on criticisms against modern bodybuilders made by veterans Samir Bannout and Robby Robinson.
Two months ago, Oliva Jr. reflected on the career of his late father and his dispute with the Olympia organizers. He shared that there was a possibility of his father receiving a suspension to make way for Schwarzenegger to win the contest in 1971.
Oliva Jr. got involved in a traffic accident that resulted in the death of a man in Dubai last month. He was arrested and spent some time in jail before being released without any criminal charges. Following the incident, Oliva Jr. left fans stunned with a shredded physique update. He boasted a ripped midsection with striated delts.
Earlier this month, Oliva Jr. confirmed he would not participate in the 2023 Arnold Classic South America. He revealed his plan is to return at a later show in hopes of securing an invite to the Mr. Olympia event. While he wanted to compete sooner, the legal issues stemming from his accident in Dubai forced him to stay on the sidelines a little longer. He also opened up about the pressures he feels for his eventual comeback as well.
Sergio Oliva Jr. Mirrors father Sergio Oliva’s poses
In a recent Instagram post, Sergio Oliva Jr. showed off his jacked physique while recreating some of his late father’s poses.
“A continuation not a comparison,” wrote Oliva Jr.
Sergio’s update next to his father elicited a strong response from the bodybuilding community.
RELATED: Sergio Oliva Jr. Fires Back At Classic Bodybuilders For Criticizing Open Bodybuilding
Samir Bannout praised Sergio Oliva Jr. for his impressive package and extended his support to potentially win the Mr. Olympia contest two weeks ago. He encouraged Oliva Jr. to focus on developing the proper mindset and improving his conditioning levels to bring his absolute best to his next show.
Published: 25 April, 2023 | 4:51 PM EDT
2023 Masters Olympia Roster Revealed (All 10 Divisions)
The 2023 Masters Olympia is set to return August 25-27 in Cluj, Napoca, Romania and will feature a total of 10 divisions. In a recent Olympia TV YouTube video, Jay Cutler and IFBB head judge Steve Weinberger revealed the rosters for each division competing at the upcoming contest. The bodybuilding calendar will once again welcome the…
Flex Lewis Ready to End Retirement for ‘7-Figure’ Offer: “I’m All In”
Retired 212 Bodybuilding legend Flex Lewis raised some eyebrows during his recent interview with Steve Kuclo. In the latest Straight Outta the Lair podcast, Lewis teased a return to sport by laying out one condition: a seven-figure payday.
Building a career in the 2000s, Flex Lewis became the most dominant 212 Olympia champion of all time. Having attained his first title in 2012, Lewis’ hardness and grainy muscle maturity guided him to a total of seven 212 Olympia victories. His final title defense came in 2018, where he outlasted a crop of elite talents such as Derek Lunsford, Kamal Elgargni, and Jose Raymond.
Lewis, who has been enjoying retirement, has kept fans updated on his progress since stepping away from the sport. Showing off his physique post-bodybuilding, Lewis says his top priorities are health and wellness. However, in his latest admission to fans, it appears a comeback might be on the table as well.
Flex Lewis Says ‘7-Figure’ Payday Will Draw Him Out of Retirement: ‘If There’s a Monetary Draw, I’m All In’
According to Lewis, a seven-figure payday ($1M-9.9M) would entice him to compete as a bodybuilder in 2023.
“I don’t know if that’s something [Masters Olympia] that’s been thrown in your face. Obviously, my name has been thrown in the mix this year, and I said, ‘Eh!’ Let me dispel this right now, I’m on my own journey, it’s definitely back to the stage. I said this though, if there was a monetary draw for me – I’m all in. For me, it has to be a seven-figure monetary draw. It has to be because for me to walk away from what I’m doing right now… that’s what my sacrifice is, unfortunately,” said Flex Lewis.
Men’s Open standout Steve Kuclo credits Arnold Schwarzenegger for pushing bodybuilding into the mainstream but said no one has been able to ‘carry the torch’ to secure massive contracts/sponsorships worth seven figures.
“I truly with bodybuilding was as fruitful as many of the other sports in the world like golf and basketball and football. The contracts these guys are getting paid, it’s insane. You know. Yeah, backup quarterback [still gets paid] it doesn’t matter. It’s a shame that the sport never quite got to where it could be. I believe it’s had a lot of great – I mean Arnold was truly one of the greatest pioneers in our sport to take it to more of a public level,” said Steve Kuclo.
“Nobody was ever really able to carry the torch into the realm it could be to potentially be one of the sports that are getting huge contracts for sponsorships and stuff like that, where you’re able to win a show and it’s a seven-figure win for a show or you get seven-figure sponsorships because bodybuilding is if not, one of the hardest sports in the world because it’s 365 24/7 you’re always thinking about what you’re eating and what you’re training.”
While Lewis did not reveal any specific plans or offers for his comeback, he made it clear he’s not ruling out the possibility of stepping on stage again. Whether any promoter/sponsor is willing to meet his demand remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Flex Lewis’ passion for bodybuilding remains strong.
Watch the full video below, courtesy of Flex Lewis’ YouTube channel:
Published: 25 April, 2023 | 11:04 AM EDT