Tag: nEWS
Hassan Mostafa Shares Ramadan Diet And Workout
Bodybuilder Hassan Mostafa might have lost the opportunity to compete at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, but it has not disheartened him one bit and he continues to give blood, sweat and tears to the sport of bodybuilding. Mostafa is in the middle of a competition prep during the holy month of Ramadan. A devout muslim, he is doing everything in his power to observe Ramadan and still prepare for the competition.
The Egyptian bodybuilder is the latest addition to the list of prominent competitors that emerged from the middle-east. In his pro bodybuilding debut at the 2019 Indy Pro, Hassan Mostafa’s insane conditioning and musculature became a major talking point. He finished third at the show and performed well at the 2020 Tampa Pro and New York Pro.
An unfortunate health issue forced the Egyptian bodybuilder to stop training and he had to sit out the rest of the year. Spearheading into the 2021 competitive season, Mostafa competed a whopping seven times in 2021 and earned a qualification to the 2021 Olympia on the back of multiple top three finishes. He finished in the top 15 at the Olympia debut. The year 2022 proved to be a year of stark contrasts for the Egyptian Tank.
After dominant showings at the 2022 Puerto Rico Pro and the 2022 Orlando Pro, Mostafa earned a direct qualification for the 2022 Mr. Olympia. He was expected to do some damage at the show but had to pull out of the show due to a health scare.
He has now got his health back on track and resumed training. The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by Muslims around the world as a month of praying, fasting, reflection, and community. In his recent video, Hassan Mostafa shared what his typical day looks like in the holy month of Ramadan.
Hassan Mostafa’s training and diet during Ramadan
Mostafa’s routine has flipped literally 180 degrees as he was in the prep during the holy month of Ramadan. He had to wake up in the afternoon, pray and do cardio. He usually stayed up the whole night and slept after the sunrise. Is it an ideal practice to follow during the holy month? No. But Mostafa stated:
“Of course it is not ideal for Ramadan to stay up all night and sleep some of the day. I know many people can’t do that. But due to prep and my online coaching, I have the flexibility to do so.”
Things were slightly different until the previous year. Mostafa had a day job and he could fast and work the whole day. But with the bodybuilding competition prep, he has to play with the routine a little bit and do what is best to achieve the goals.
Starting the day – Cardio and Iftar Meal
Mostafa starts his day an hour and half before the iftar time. Iftar is the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during the holy month at the time of adhan of the Maghrib prayer. Doing cardio with an empty stomach is not easy, especially when a person is fasting for long hours for an entire month. However, Mostafa’s experience says that if you are used to doing fasted cardio for the rest of the year, doing it during Ramadan shouldn’t be too difficult either.
“I’m not saying it’s easy. But it’s not too hard that I can’t do it. Yes, I’m more tired, more thirsty but the energy is the same and the effort is the same as usual,” he added.
The 2022 Orlando Pro winner plans his routine in such a way that he can break the fast within a few minutes of finishing the cardio session. On the day of recording this video, Mostafa finished the cardio session and prepared the first meal of his day. It consisted of 6 whole eggs, 200 grams of ground beef, and 1 tsp coconut oil.
The Egyptian Tank adds salt, pepper and other flavoring substances to his omelet as long as they don’t add any calories. His diet at the moment does not include carbohydrates and he is relying solely on protein and fats for functioning. Admittedly, it wasn’t as easy for Mostafa to adjust to this diet but he managed to bring things under control.
“Anyone that isn’t controlling their carb intake be careful with how you start. Obviously avoid sugary juices and especially dates – take only 1 to 3. If you can’t control it, then avoid it altogether,” Mostafa advised the viewers.
Mostafa broke the day long fast with this iftar meal and went on to do the workout later.
Workout post-workout meal
The 31-year-old allows his body to rest for a couple of hours after an iftar meal to digest the food well. He then heads to the gym for the workout. On the day of recording, Mostafa tackled an arms workout that included:
After tackling the evening workout with furious intensity, Mostafa heads back home to eat the post-workout meal and fuel the muscle growth. His post-workout meal on this particular day consisted of 225 grams of fish and ½ Avocado.
Subsequent meals and the rest of the day
He finishes the meal quickly, rests for a while, and spends time with family. Mostafa then eats the third meal of 200 grams of ground beef while enjoying his favorite TV show. The fourth meal, 225 grams of fish and ½ avocado follow shortly after.
“In Ramadan, there isn’t a lot of time to take a long break from one meal to the other. So I eat my meals even if I don’t have the appetite for it. If the digestion isn’t going well, I take probiotics and digestion supplements to help with that,” Mostafa said.
Since Mostafa’s diet is configured with certain goals, it does not change on a day-to-day basis. As a result, he cooks his meals in batches to last for a few days at a time. This saves precious time in the daily routine which would otherwise be spent cooking.
The 2022 Puerto Rico Pro winner then proceeds to do an hour of cardio and follows it up with the fifth and final meal of the day which is similar to his Iftar meal in composition. This concludes Hassan Mostafa’s day of training and diet during the holy month of Ramadan.
He then takes a good night’s or rather a good day’s sleep to recover and get ready for another day of hard work. Hassan Mostafa’s diet during Ramadan is summarised:
Meal 1 – Iftar Meal / Pre-Workout Meal
6 Whole Eggs
200 grams Ground Beef
1 tsp Coconut Oil
Meal 2 – Post-Workout Meal
250 grams Fish
½ Avocado
Meal 3
200 grams Ground Beef
Meal 4
225 grams Fish and ½ Avocado
Meal 5 – Post Cardio Meal
6 Whole Eggs
200 grams Ground Beef
1 tsp Coconut Oil
Hassan Mostafa Joins Chad Nicholls’ Camp
Hassan Mostafa trained under Coach Chris Aceto during the initial stages of his bodybuilding career. However, he switched over to the Cement Factory, which is known for helping athletes in achieving top-level conditioning. Under CF head coach AJ Sims’ guidance, Mostafa secured his first Pro show win at the 2023 Puerto Rico Pro and continued to train with him so far.
However, the caption to a recent Instagram post on Mostafa’s account confirmed he is training under famed bodybuilding coach Chad Nicholls AKA The Diet Doctor’s camp. You can read the caption below, courtesy of Mostafa’s personal Instagram account:
“Excited is an understatement ? pushing harder than ever!! #TeamMayhem #TheTank
Super excited for the upcoming championship !!! Working hard thank god.”
The comments section on the post was flooded with questions regarding Mostafa’s move. Military veteran and bodybuilder Roy Evans even welcomed Mostafa to the team and wrote:
“@hassan_mostafa92 my brother. Welcome to the team ?????? #teammayhem #newbeginnings”
Mostafa also gave a positive response to Fitness Volt’s comment, which confirms beyond doubt that he has made a move to Team Mayhem.
Hassan Mostafa confirmed his move to Team Mayhem beyond doubt (Via Hassan Mostafa Instagram)
Chad Nicholls has trained some of the most elite bodybuilders in history like 8X Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, 7X Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, Brandon Curry and Phil Heath to name a few. Mostafa’s career might elevate to the next level under the Diet Doc’s tutelage. Until then, let’s wait and watch how things unfold.
You can watch the full video here, courtesy of Hassan Mostafa’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 21 April, 2023 | 11:35 AM EDT
2023 World’s Strongest Man Finalist Revealed
The 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition is taking place from April 19-23 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. However, the biggest Strongman competition was divided into two parts, the Qualifying and the Finals. The first two days were the qualifiers, followed by one day of rest, and then two days of Finals. Now that the qualifiers are over, we know which ten athletes will compete for the prestigious title in the finals.
The qualifying stage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man contest consisted of six events evenly divided across the two days. Those events were: Loading Race, Deadlift Machine, Log Ladder, Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and Stone-Off. However, the Stone-Off was only for a selected few athletes.
The path to the finals of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man can have two routes. The first step was to become an overall winner in any of the groups. So, half of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals lineup qualified directly.
The other way to qualify for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals was to emerge victorious in a Stone-Off duel. However, only the second-place and third-place finisher from each group was able to compete in this event. After that, they faced off against each other to lift and toss the Atlas Stone. The first person who couldn’t win lost. The winner moved on to the final round, while the loser’s campaign ended there.
2023 World’s Strongest Man Final Roster
Qualified Directly
Pavlo Kordiyaka — Ukraine
Oleksii Novikov — Ukraine
Mitchell Hooper — Canada
Jaco Schoonwinkel — South Africa
Trey Mitchell — USA
Qualified Through Stone-Off
Tom Stoltman (Courtesy of World’s Strongest Man)
Related: Eddie Hall Reveals His Top 3 Predictions For The 2023 World’s Strongest Man
A simple look at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals lineup gives a good picture of what the second portion of the competition will look like. Seemingly a perfect balance between experienced athletes and young talent is sure to be an exciting clash.
It is hard to predict who could win the competition, since someone like Brian Shaw dedicated more time to preparing for the finals than for the qualifying round. Therefore, his performance in the qualifying rounds does not necessarily reflect his performance in the finals.
However, an interesting potential winner could be Mitchell Hooper. Inspired by his victory at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, Mitchell Hooper won four out of the five events in his qualifying group.
It is also hard to rule out the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man, Pavlo Kordiyaka, who was in a group with the 2x reigning WSM champion, Tom Stoltman, and still beat everyone. Speaking of Tom, he will definitely not give up his title without a fight.
Another Ukrainian has impressed everyone in qualifying and that is Oleksii Novikov. The 2020 WSM champion already knows what it takes to win, which is why his qualifying campaign was very calculated. He did not waste a drop of energy that wasn’t needed, leaving everything for the finals.
Of course, a surprise from other athletes in the lineup is also a realistic possibility, since many of them exceeded everyone’s expectations already.
Related: Every Winner of The World’s Strongest Man Competition Since 1977
2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals Schedule
Day Three, April 22nd — Finals
Event One — Fingal’s Fingers – 8 a.m. EST
Event Two — Knaack Deadlift – 10:41 a.m. EST
Event Three — Reign Shield Carry – 2:18 p.m. EST
Day Four, April 23rd — Finals
Event Four — Max Dumbbell – 8 a.m. EST
Event Five — Vehicle Pull – 10:10 a.m. EST
Event Six — Atlas Stones – 1:54 p.m. EST
Full WSM 2023 Coverage
There isn’t a way to watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals live, as the show will only be broadcasted in the summer. Nevertheless, we have covered every aspect of this competition, and we will continue to do so. This includes live updates, results, news, and much more. Be sure to check in when the finals start so that you don’t miss anything.
Discover comprehensive coverage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition at our WSM coverage hub, featuring exclusive interviews, event recaps, in-depth analysis, and results: FitnessVolt.com/wsm
Published: 21 April, 2023 | 10:02 AM EDT
Samir Bannout Tells Nick Walker to Hire Frank Zane as Posing Coach for 2023 Mr. Olympia Win: ‘Fix Front Lat Spread’
Nick Walker has become one of the most exciting names in the Men’s Open division. In a recent Muscle Maturity Podcast, Samir Bannout explained why posing is the key to Walker winning his first Sandow in November.
Fans expect another exciting contest appearance from Walker later this year judging from his last two shows. He proved himself against a fierce lineup of talent in Las Vegas at the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest. Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, the two-time defending champion, failed to bring his best and was thrown off the podium. Instead, 212-turned-Open competitor Derek Lunsford finished runner-up and Walker placed third in addition to snagging the Olympia Peple’s Champ Award.
As the highest-ranking Olympian heading into the 2023 Arnold Classic, Walker was considered the on-paper favorite in Columbus, Ohio. Despite the momentum, Samson Dauda defeated Walker. Fans and bodybuilding veterans found the results surprising, such as Samir Bannout, who questioned Dauda winning with perfect scores.
Athletes rep Bob Cicherillo named Dauda and Lunsford as Hadi Choopan’s biggest threats, but Bannout believes Walker could also make a push for the title in a few months. Bannout specified that Walker would need to make some drastic changes to his posing routines to contend for gold, however.
Samir Bannout Says Fixing Front Lat Spread and Posing Key to Nick Walker Winning 2023 Mr. Olympia
According to Bannout, if Nick Walker wants to win an Olympia title, he needs to master the front lat spread pose.
“Yeah, he needs help. Nick Walker can do it all, believe me, believe me, I know exactly what he needs. Nick Walker could be much better yet if he posed properly but Phil Heath that that ability to do an incredible lat spread, Phil Heath has it.”
“I don’t think he [Nick Walker] is hitting it the right way. When I do my lat spread I release the pressure from my chest I don’t pull, I like – I don’t flex everything, sometimes you have to sometimes unflex the area to let it look better.”
“Yeah Nick needs to work mostly on – he needs to make it flow. Nick, he bends his legs a little bit and he makes himself look shorter because his lower body, the more you bent the knee slightly and hunch a little bit, it’s going to take away – it’s going to make your upper body and your torso look a lot bigger and a lot longer.”
As far as body mechanics are concerned, Bannout suggested that Walker learn how to flex his legs when they are pushed together. In addition. he said curving the toes and twisting the torso could result in better muscle separation in side poses.
“Much more than that, he needs to know how to flex his legs when they are together. This is going to be difficult for him. You have to understand that when your legs are close together like this and you don’t understand how to flex them, you’re going to lose the separation if you don’t find the way to pose them when they’re straight. This is another thing. So, he might need to put his toes like that and flex from his hips and bring in the separation in his side and let it happen and oblique and waist, wow… he’s going to look way better if he can do it. It’s doable.”
Similar to the late Mohamed Makkawy, Bannout urged Walker to get a ‘psycho’ coach who can elevate his posing to the next level. He believes he or bodybuilding legend Frank Zane would be suitable posing coaches for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest.
“You have to have the eyes. If he was with Vince Gironda two days, he’ll fix that problem for him. But we can’t bring Vince Gironda from his grave. Those guys are psychos. They will go crazy on you, ‘What are you doing!?’ I mean, that’s how Mohamed Makkawy got better you know. You noticed Makkaway with his hands, every little thing flowed. Now, these guys do the shit, the – so many jungles out there [on stage]. It is [painful to watch].”
Boasting over 40 years of training experience, Samir underlined the importance of teaming up with someone with a proven track record.
“I don’t want to be biased but if Nick Walker wants to be Mr. Olympia; I’m going to tell you what’s his medicine, if he listens to this, he’ll go, I don’t care how much Frank Zane is going to charge him, but Frank may not charge him. But you need to take someone who is fully aware of the flows and how to flex certain things and make it flow. It would be worthwhile for Nick Walker to do.
Or Maybe he’s not going to go to Lee Labrada because Labrada is helping Hunter, he’d show him how to do it the wrong way maybe or he could come to me, I’ll make sure that I feed it to him by the spoon within 48 hours,” Bannout explained.
“Remember, he hasn’t been around for too long. So, he’s improving every year. He’s getting better and better. So, when you know, when you talk to someone that’s been there done that, I only have over 35 years of training, maybe 40 [over Nick Walker] and posing experience and all this. So, it would pay off for him to do that.
Given the artistic nature of posing, Samir Bannout says Walker will only improve if he sees a specialist who understands how the body flows.
“You cannot dwell on ‘My nutritional coach is going to help me do it.’ No. That’s wrong. You have to go to specialists to treat certain areas. If you have health issues you go to a specialist. If you have a hormonal problem you go to endocrinology, not the dentist. This is what Nick needs to do. He needs to go to a specialist in this area [posing and presentation].”
Reflecting on his last two competitions, Walker is carrying resentment as he felt he should have won the 2023 Arnold Classic. He’s made it clear that he plans to use the off-season to bring a package that matches the fullness of his Olympia look while retaining the conditioning that saw him reach second last month.
You can watch the full video below, courtesy of the Old School Labs YouTube channel:
RELATED: Samir Bannout Recalls 1990 Olympia Drug Testing: ‘I Failed the Test’
Given the experience and posing expertise of Frank Zane, Bannout believes the collaboration could be the difference-maker for Walker heading into 2023 Olympia, where he will look to knock off the newly minted winner Hadi Choopan.
Published: 21 April, 2023 | 9:01 AM EDT
Weightlifter Karlos Nasar (89KG) Shatters Multiple World Records at 2023 European Weightlifting Championships
While Olympic weightlifting is not too popular relative to other sports, some athletes still become household names because of their mind-blowing feats of strength. Although he is not there quite yet, Karlos Nasar is definitely on the road to becoming one of those athletes. Karlos’ achievements are particularly impressive due to his age, since he is just 18-years-old. In addition, during his performance at the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan, Armenia, Karlos set multiple World Records in Senior and Junior divisions.
Karlos Nasar took part in the 89-kilogram weight class, destroying his rivals and winning the division with a 21-kilogram (46.3-pound) difference. In addition, Karlos set new Senior & Junior Clean & Jerk World Records, new Senior & Junior Total World Records, as well as a Junior Snatch World Record. So, Nasar walked away with mind-blowing five world records.
Clean & Jerk
Karlos Nasar’s heaviest Clean & Jerk attempt of the competition came out to 221 kilograms (487.2 pounds). This is the heaviest he has ever performed in this event and also heavier than anyone has done in the 89-kilogram weight class.
This now stands as a new U89KG Senior World Record, as it is 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) heavier than the previous record. That record stood at 220 kilograms (485 pounds), which Karlos Nasar also set at the 2022 IWF World Weightlifting Championships. This was also the record in the Junior division.
Related: 17-yo Weightlifter Karlos Nasar Snatches 175kg/385.8lb in Training
Snatch
In his second event, the Snatch, Karlos Nasar managed to lift 174 kilograms (383.6 pounds). This was not a World Record in the Senior division, but it was in the Junior division.
The previous U89KG Junior Snatch World Record was also held by Nasar, who lifted 171 kilograms (377 pounds) at the 2022 European Weightlifting Championships.
Total
Finally, by combining his results from both previous events, Karlos Nasar’s Total came out to 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds). This broke both the World Records in the Senior and Junior divisions.
The previous Senior Total World Record stood at 392 kilograms (864.2 pounds), since Antonino Pizzolato set it at the 2022 European Weightlifting Championships.
On the other hand, the previous Junior World Record Total was already in Karlos Nasar’s possession, but significantly lighter than the new one. Having competed at the 2022 European Weightlifting Championships, Karlos totaled 382 kilograms (842.2 pounds) to set the mark.
Karlos Nasar’s Full Performance
Clean & Jerk: 221 kilograms (487.2 pounds)
Snatch: 174 kilograms (383.6 pounds)
Total: 395 kilograms (870.8 pounds)
Related: Weightlifter Mattie Rogers (76KG) Breaks All Three American Records At The 2022 Nationals
Despite his age of 18, Karlos Nasar has already been active on the scene for many years. He has broken and further improved World Records on a number of occasions. It is, however, the best performance we have seen from him so far. Nasar is evidently improving at an unusually fast pace. So, it is very likely that these records are going to fall again at his next appearance.
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 8:20 PM EDT
2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals Lineup Revealed
The 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition is taking place from April 19-23 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. However, the biggest Strongman competition was divided into two parts, the Qualifying and the Finals. The first two days were the qualifiers, followed by one day of rest, and then two days of Finals. Now that the qualifiers are over, we know which ten athletes will compete for the prestigious title in the finals.
The qualifying stage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man contest consisted of six events evenly divided across the two days. Those events were: Loading Race, Deadlift Machine, Log Ladder, Conan’s Wheel, Kettlebell Toss, and Stone-Off. However, the Stone-Off was only for a selected few athletes.
The path to the finals of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man can have two routes. The first step was to become an overall winner in any of the groups. So, half of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals lineup qualified directly.
The other way to qualify for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals was to emerge victorious in a Stone-Off duel. However, only the second-place and third-place finisher from each group was able to compete in this event. After that, they faced off against each other to lift and toss the Atlas Stone. The first person who couldn’t win lost. The winner moved on to the final round, while the loser’s campaign ended there.
2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals Lineup
Qualified Directly
Pavlo Kordiyaka — Ukraine
Oleksii Novikov — Ukraine
Mitchell Hooper — Canada
Jaco Schoonwinkel — South Africa
Trey Mitchell — USA
Qualified Through Stone-Off
Tom Stoltman (Courtesy of World’s Strongest Man)
Related: Eddie Hall Reveals His Top 3 Predictions For The 2023 World’s Strongest Man
A simple look at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man finals lineup gives a good picture of what the second portion of the competition will look like. Seemingly a perfect balance between experienced athletes and young talent is sure to be an exciting clash.
It is hard to predict who could win the competition, since someone like Brian Shaw dedicated more time to preparing for the finals than for the qualifying round. Therefore, his performance in the qualifying rounds does not necessarily reflect his performance in the finals.
However, an interesting potential winner could be Mitchell Hooper. Inspired by his victory at the 2023 Arnold Strongman Classic, Mitchell Hooper won four out of the five events in his qualifying group.
It is also hard to rule out the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man, Pavlo Kordiyaka, who was in a group with the 2x reigning WSM champion, Tom Stoltman, and still beat everyone. Speaking of Tom, he will definitely not give up his title without a fight.
Another Ukrainian has impressed everyone in qualifying and that is Oleksii Novikov. The 2020 WSM champion already knows what it takes to win, which is why his qualifying campaign was very calculated. He did not waste a drop of energy that wasn’t needed, leaving everything for the finals.
Of course, a surprise from other athletes in the lineup is also a realistic possibility, since many of them exceeded everyone’s expectations already.
Related: Every Winner of The World’s Strongest Man Competition Since 1977
2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals Schedule
Day Three, April 22nd — Finals
Event One — Fingal’s Fingers – 8 a.m. EST
Event Two — Knaack Deadlift – 10:41 a.m. EST
Event Three — Reign Shield Carry – 2:18 p.m. EST
Day Four, April 23rd — Finals
Event Four — Max Dumbbell – 8 a.m. EST
Event Five — Vehicle Pull – 10:10 a.m. EST
Event Six — Atlas Stones – 1:54 p.m. EST
Full WSM 2023 Coverage
There isn’t a way to watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man Finals live, as the show will only be broadcasted in the summer. Nevertheless, we have covered every aspect of this competition, and we will continue to do so. This includes live updates, results, news, and much more. Be sure to check in when the finals start so that you don’t miss anything.
Discover comprehensive coverage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition at our WSM coverage hub, featuring exclusive interviews, event recaps, in-depth analysis, and results: FitnessVolt.com/wsm
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 8:03 PM EDT
Bob Cicherillo Says Big Ramy Not Taking 2023 Off, Talks Nick Walker vs Hadi Choopan: ‘Hadi at 100% Wins’
Despite initial speculation, athletes rep Bob Cicherillo believes fans will see Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay back on a contest stage in 2023. In a recent interview with Desktop Bodybuilding, Cicherillo said Big Ramy would likely compete at this year’s Olympia and discussed a possible showdown between Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan.
As a two-time Mr. Olympia, fans and bodybuilding veterans expected Ramy to retain his title for the next few years. However, the 2022 Olympia contest was highly competitive and he was unable to defend successfully. Instead, Hadi Choopan secured his first title with Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker taking second and third, respectively. In a shocking turn of events, Ramy dropped to fifth place.
With redemption fueling his next appearance, Big Ramy made a surprise entrance into the 2023 Arnold Classic. Before the event, he received intravenous stem cell injections in hopes of rectifying some of the issues that held him back from success, like his lats, triceps, and lower back. Dr. Khan, who oversaw Ramy’s therapy, believed it would make a difference in the months to come.
And while Elssbiay brought an improved package to Columbus, Ohio, it wasn’t complete enough to stop Samson Dauda from claiming gold. Ramy battled with Shaun Clarida en route to securing fourth. In light of his last two contests, Bob Cicherillo suspected that Ramy’s time on top had come to an abrupt end.
Cicherillo upset fans after admitting Ramy had little-to-no chance of regaining his Mr. Olympia title. He joined Ramy in a one-on-one interview recently, where they discussed the Egyptian native’s future in the sport. During the conversation, Ramy mentioned that he might not return until next year’s Olympia (2024). However, it now appears Cicherillo expects Ramy to make a play for Choopan’s title this November.
Bob Cicherillo Talks Big Ramy 2023 Plans: ‘I Don’t Think He’s Taking the Entire Year Off’
Bob said he misspoke during his recent interview with Big Ramy. He believes Elssbiay will likely compete at the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
“You just hit it. What I meant to say was the next Olympia, not really – I consider next year, we all talk in those same terms, it was really just me misspeaking in the way I was putting it. What I meant to say is we’re probably not going to see you until the next Olympia. Now, I think he was thinking the same thing. I don’t think he’s taking the entire year off.
But, you know, he was pretty candid in that interview as you heard. He’s pretty good. You can see there’s a sense of – he doesn’t really know. He’s in some uncharted waters right now which he was pretty much telling everybody, which is he’s going to have to see how his body responds. There has been some notable changes I think we can all see that.”
“We’ve heard he’s done some stem cells and this and that. Listen, there’s no guarantee with those types of things. If it involves nerves, which I think it does, we’ve seen it with bodybuilders over the year, body parts just start to shrink up. It’s a nerve impingement or whatever. Sometimes that don’t come back. If it don’t come back, he’s going to have a very difficult time.”
Cicherillo suspects Ramy will call it a career if he’s not able to ‘get back to where he was.’
“He may not be able to return to form as he said, which is interesting because everyone got on my ass for saying he can’t return to what he looked like basically, so why would he bother. He said the same thing. If he can’t get back to where he was then he’ll hang them up. What champion wouldn’t? Why would you want to come back at 50%? I don’t want to see that not just with Ramy, but I dont’ want to see that with any champion.”
Can Nick Walker Defeat Hadi Choopan at 2023 Mr. Olympia If Both Are 100%? Cicherillo Says ‘No.’
Despite Choopan’s latest performance, Cicherillo isn’t convinced he’ll remain champion after the next Olympia show.
“Yeah he just did [beat Nick Walker] it was called last year’s Olympia. Well, listen, Hadi can improve too right? So, I mean listen, Nick – anybody can improve okay, but what you can’t improve is your structure or proportions and that’s where Nick is going to have a tough time against a Hadi and not just Hadi because I believe Hadi is going to have a difficult time repeating this year, if I’m making an early prediction.”
With both men at 100%, Cicherillo says Choopan defeats Walker but reserved Samson Dauda as one of his frontrunners to win 2023 Olympia.
“I already put out there that I think Samson is literally the man to beat. I think it will come down to him and Derek Lunsford and you have some other new guys coming on. So, Nick’s got his work cut out but you can never count Nick out because he’s a workhorse and he’ll work himself to death and all he’s done is improved so you don’t ever count him out but by the same token, we got to keep things real and I got to look at what I see when it comes to structure, shape, symmetry, proportions, muscularity, and display of the muscles — all those factors come into play. Is Nick a contender? Absolutely. Do I think he can beat Hadi? If they are both 100%, No,” Bob Cicherillo explained.
Cicherillo compared Walker to bodybuilding veteran Branch Warren due to their conditioning and freak factor.
“You know what, that’s why we play the game and you’re exactly right. Listen, a guy named Branch Warren who I’m pretty good friends with did pretty good in his career I’d say taking runner-up in Olympia; almost won that, and you know, Arnold Classics and every other title you could possibly get. Branch admittedly over the years, he’s very candid, very blue-collar type of a guy. He just simply outworked everybody.”
In Bob Cicherillo’s recent Voice of Bodybuilding podcast, he took aim at biased coaches and trainers. Some fans argued that Cicherillo has never won an Olympia title therefore he’s not qualified to critique the sport. Cicherillo disagreed and stressed that contests can only be accurately judged live, not by looking at a computer screen.
RELATED: Big Ramy Training Partner Dennis James Calls Out Bob Cicherillo for ‘Misleading’ Comparison
The bodybuilding community is excited to see Ramy’s comeback story, and whether or not Nick Walker can take the throne from Hadi Choopan. Derek Lunsford will also be in the hunt to secure gold and was recently backed by Ronnie Coleman as the next Mr. Olympia.
Check out the full video below, courtesy of the Desktop Bodybuilding YouTube channel:
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 7:48 PM EDT
Chris Bumstead Opens Up on Pressures of Being Dominant: “I’m Afraid That I’m Going to Lose”
Chris Bumstead continues to tease his exit from the sport following his latest title defense. In a recent Don’t Be Sour podcast, Bumstead discussed the pressures of remaining champion and touched on his eventual retirement from bodybuilding.
As a Classic Physique competitor, Bumstead first claimed Olympia gold in 2019 after dethroning Breon Ansley. Since taking the title from ‘The Black Swan,’ Bumstead has only improved on the Mr. Olympia stage, showcasing detailed conditioning and exceptional balance.
There have been talks of Bumstead’s retirement, but he’s assured his following that he intends to win at least one more time before calling it a career. Fans also suspected that Cbum might appear on an Open stage after teasing the possibility earlier this year.
Meanwhile, some pros believe Bumstead’s influence on the sport is now pushing into the Men’s Open class. Retired 1990s standout Kevin Levrone recently suggested that Cbum’s dominance has ushered in a new era of aesthetics and shape in the IFBB Pro League.
Chris Bumstead Talks Future Plans, ‘Million-Dollar’ Retirement Question, and Exploding Popularity
Bumstead admitted during the interview that he struggled with the pressures of winning and meeting the expectations of those around him when he started competing.
“It’s been good. It’s been a very interesting journey. You know, ups and downs throughout it but it’s been fun to have enough time up there where I can learn how to handle it enough to enjoy it properly. I found the first time I won, I was a little stressed about it and more relieved that I won and it was more — literally relief. I felt relief because I was anxious there was a lot expectation and pressure on me and then there was a little bit less every single year. To the point that last year I was literally able to step in there and enjoy it win or lose.”
“I wouldn’t have been able to experience that unless I had done it with four years in a row of that experience you know. Now, it’s something I look forward to that has less pressure and stress around it, so I can enjoy it.”
Unsure of his future, Bumstead said he’ll hand over the Classic Physique Olympia crown when he’s ready. He added that even if he did retire, it wouldn’t stop him from pursuing business relating to the sport.
“The next four? It’s a million-dollar question [when I’ll be done]. I’m going to hand the trophy over when I’m ready, but I literally don’t have the answer to that.”I think I’m definitely going to be someone – my goal at least I would say is to exit on top with more on me. You know, like the idea of selling a business on the rise rather than the peak before it drops. I want to exit on the rise so I have more in me but I’m making the active decision to leave because that’s my choice and I’m ready for it and I’m healthy, I’m good to go, I still have a lot of life to live and I’m excited for the next part of my life.”
“Probably not yet [won’t be slowing down if he retires],” Bumstead shared. “I mean, my life will be very different but coming into this world now of being a business owner and all this stuff — it’s a lot but I’m sure you know, it’s so rewarding and it’s fun.”
Bumstead Addresses Social Media Popularity and the Pressures of Remaining Champion: ‘I’m Afraid to Lose’
Even with 17M Instagram followers, Bumstead doesn’t consider himself a celebrity and mentioned people only recognize him when he’s in Texas at a grocery store or gas station.
“I’m definitely not Kardashian-level. I look at it like there’s fitness celebrities and then there’s real celebrities, and then there’s a little gap in between, sometimes I flow in that gap, but it’s still a niche. I go to grocery stores and nobody knows who the fu** I am. Real celebrities, the Kardashians can’t even leave their house. It depends on where I am. Maybe if I’m in Texas at a gas station or a grocery store maybe one or two people stop me but it’s usually just in gym settings.”
Unlike NBA legend Michael Jordan’s obsessive nature to only win, Bumstead has a healthy fear of losing that drives him as a competitor.
“A lot of people, a lot of bodybuilders at least, they have this really hardcore, even a lot of champions to be honest in the world, like Michael Jordan. People love him and he’s so fascinating but he’s so unrelatable. I can’t fathom having that killer mindset all the time of just needing to win, killing everybody, don’t even think about losing because that’s not who I am. I literally fear sometimes. I am afraid that I’m going to lose. I have fear in outcomes and stuff because I don’t know the outcome. And I’ve said things like, ‘I’m okay with losing.’ And people say that’s not a champion’s mindset,” Chris Bumstead shared.
Bumstead stressed the importance of having a strong bond with his business partners, friends, and family.
“I’ve always had the mindset like I said, and I think it’s the reason for my success, everything takes a team, it takes an army. You can’t do it all by yourself. There’s zero chance RAW would even be here or even exist anymore if I didn’t have my team, Dom and Matt, and everybody kind of coming together. And I wouldn’t be Mr. Olympia [in Classic Physique].”
Off-season efforts are underway for the 28-year-old champion. He checked in with fans at 253 pounds recently and revealed a 3,500-calorie diet he’s using in preparation for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest, scheduled to take place this November.
Remaining a dominant champion is no easy task as the sport continues to grow. Bumstead is set to clash with 2023 Arnold Classic winner Ramon Queiroz at the next Olympia, who many consider his biggest threat.
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 12:59 PM EDT
USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Forced To Cease Doing Business in Minnesota After Transgender Policy Ruling
The USA Powerlifting (USAPL) federation was recently involved in a court hearing about their transgender inclusion policy in the state of Minnesota. Having banned transgender athletes from competing in the women’s division, USAPL found themselves under a lot of pressure from the community. In addition, they lost the court case and were ordered to “cease and desist from the unfair discriminatory practice of barring transgender female athletes from competing with other women”. However, the sanctions for the USAPL federation just got even worse, as the organization was forced to stop doing business in the state of Minnesota as well.
USAPL revealed the new information through their website on April 15th. They revealed how they revised their transgender policy and submitted it to the court, but were still banned from doing business in Minnesota. However, they believe that the judge in charge of their case misinterpreted the law and made the wrong decision. So, they will submit an appeal, which they hope will correct the situation.
“As many of you know, USA Powerlifting is involved in litigation in Minnesota involving the appropriate and fair inclusion of transgender athletes. The judge assigned to this case has ordered us to cease doing business in Minnesota even though we complied with an earlier court order by submitting a revised policy concerning male to female transgender athletes. We believe the judge has misinterpreted Minnesota law in this regard and exceeded his authority in terms of the conduct of our service to our members. We will appeal this highly unusual ruling.”
However, despite their plans to submit an appeal, USAPL will still have to suspend their activities in Minnesota for now. This means that they can’t organize competitions, other events, or sell memberships.
“However, while these proceedings play out, we are ordered to suspend competitions in Minnesota and cease selling memberships to Minnesota residents. We are investigating relocating Midwest Regionals and further information will be forthcoming.”
Apart from the written statement, the USAPL’s president, Larry Maile, also released a statement explaining the organization’s beliefs, statistics, and the process.
Watch USAPL’s video here:
Related: Lee Priest Goes Off on Trans Powerlifting Ruling: ’It’s Ridiculous’
JayCee Cooper was the athlete who filed a lawsuit against the USAPL in 2021, but only got to sigh with relief two years after. Cooper received an email in 2019 informing her that she could not participate in the women’s division of the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) federation. Following this, she decided to request protection under the Human Rights Act in order to address the issue of gender discrimination.
Transgender policies have proved to be sensitive in other federations as well. For example, in the Canadian Powerlifting Federation (CPU) anyone who states that they are a woman can compete in the women’s division. This recently resulted in an interesting situation, as Avi Silverberg, a man, entered the women’s division and broke the bench press record. Furthermore, the record which he broke was previously in possession of a transgender athlete, Anne Andres, who was present at the record-breaking performance as well.
Another federation whose transgender policies were faulty was the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA), whose rules of conduct at the time prohibited transgender athletes from competing in drug-tested competitions. Their reasoning was that hormone use was not permitted in competitions that were tested. Thus, trans people who required hormonal treatment would not be allowed to compete in these sorts of competitions.
The order to stop conducting business in Minnesota has affected the USAPL already, as they have to relocate the Central and Midwest Regionals to a different state. Based on USAPL’s stance on this matter, it seems that they will fight until the end. Therefore, the outcome of the situation remains to be seen.
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 10:17 AM EDT
![2023 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day Two Qualifiers [Live Updates]](https://www.musclechemistry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-World-s-Strongest-Man-Day-2.jpg)
2023 World’s Strongest Man Results — Day Two Qualifiers [Live Updates]
The second day of qualifying for the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition is scheduled to take place today, April 20th, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Having experienced some shocking results on day one, 30 athletes have gotten a good night’s sleep to prepare themselves for today’s challenges. They are now all ready to take part in two events today, Conan’s Wheel and Kettlebell Throw. However, the second and third place finishers in each group will also perform a third event, the Stone-Off duel, in order to find out who goes through to the finals.
2023 World’s Strongest Man Leaderboards & Point Standings [Live]
Group One
Tom Stoltman — United Kingdom: 15.5 points
Bobby Thompson — USA: 14 points
Pavlo Kordiyaka — Ukraine: 13 points
Konstantine Janashia — Georgia: 9.5 points
Eddie Williams — Australia: 6 points
Pa O’Dwyer — Ireland: 5 points
Group Two
Oleksii Novikov — Ukraine: 22 points
Luke Stoltman — United Kingdom : 16 points
Thomas Evans — USA: 15 points
Gavin Bilton — United Kingdom: 14 points
Kristján Jón Haraldsson — Iceland: 11.5 points
Fadi El Masri — Lebanon: 5.5 points
Group Three
Mitchell Hooper — Canada: 18 points
Mathew Ragg — Australia: 13.5 points
Aivars Smaukstelis — Latvia: 10.5 points
Graham Hicks — United Kingdom: 9.5 points
Spenser Remick — USA: 6.5 points
Mateusz Kieliszkowski — Poland: 5 points
Group Four
Brian Shaw — USA: 15.5 points
Rauno Heinla — Estonia: 14.5 points
Jaco Schoonwinkel — South Africa: 14 points
Adam Bishop — United Kingdom: 8 points
Kevin Faires — USA: 5.5 points
Gabriel Rhéaume — Canada: 5.5 points
Group Five
Trey Mitchell — USA: 16 points
Evan Singleton — USA: 15.5 points
Eythor Ingolfsson Melsted — Iceland: 11.5 points
Mark Felix — United Kingdom: 7.5 points
Paul Smith — United Kingdom: 7 points
Jean-Stephen Coraboeuf — France: 6.5 points
Related: Eddie Hall Reveals His Top 3 Predictions For The 2023 World’s Strongest Man
2023 World’s Strongest Man Day Two Event Recap
Conan’s Wheel
The Conan’s Wheel is despised by the majority of Strongman athletes due to the pain that it produces, but it is very effective in separating the best performers. In this event, the athletes have to pick up a 200-kilogram (440.9-pound) beam, which pivots around a fixed point in the center, and carry the weight for as long as possible. Having to perform the event for max distance, the athletes are not allowed to drop it at all since that would mark the end of their attempt. The beam is usually placed on the forearms of the athletes, meaning that the entire body has to be activated in order to perform well.
The result is measured in degrees, with 360° equaling one full circle.
Group One
Pavlo Kordiyaka is notoriously great at this event and he expectedly won the event by completing just over two full circles. He utilized a technique of controlled breathing and a steady pace to win, an event of this magnitude demonstrates the importance of planning in advance.
Pa O’Dwyer finished in second with 722 degrees and was the only man close to Pavlo. However, Pa almost fainted at the end of the event, having dropped his entire upper body over the beam in order to stay on his feet. Bobby Thompson covered 649 degrees for a third place finish.
The first surprise of the day was also seen in group one, as Tom Stoltman finished in last place. He started off well, but his forearms slipped down very quickly, making it harder for him to hold the beam.
Pavlo Kordiyaka — 742 °
Pa O’Dwyer — 722 °
Bobby Thompson — 649 °
Konstantine Janashia — 633 °
Eddie Williams — 614 °
Tom Stoltman — 598 °
Group Two
It was clear that Oleksii Novikov was determined to secure his place in the finals as early as possible and leave nothing to chance. By covering a distance of 897 degrees, Oleksii demolished everyone in his group and extended his overall lead to an uncatchable six points.
Gavin Bilton finished in second after a very elegant attempt. While many athletes were very unstable in this event, especially at the end, Bilton was upright and stable. He kept the same pace throughout and just suddenly dropped the beam. However, with 557 degrees, he still managed to outperform Luke Stoltman by 12 degrees.
Oleksii Novikov — 897 °
Gavin Bilton — 557 °
Luke Stoltman — 545 °
Kristján Jón Haraldsson — 524 °
Fadi El Masri — 70 °
Thomas Evans — 69 °
*Results for remaining groups are coming soon.
Kettlebell Toss
The next event at the 2023 World’s Strongest Man will be the Kettlebell Toss. It is arguably the most important event in the qualifying stage of the competition, since the first place overall will qualify for the finals. On the other hand, the fifth and sixth place overall will lose the chance to qualify at all. So, this event presents the final chance for everyone.
For the Kettlebell Toss, the athletes will be tasked with throwing seven kettlebells over a 4.57-meter tall beam. The seven implements will start at a weight of 20 kilograms (44 pounds) and progressively increase with each next one. The final kettlebell is set to weigh 31 kilograms (68.3 pounds). However, the participants only have 60 seconds to complete all implements.
*The Kettlebell Toss event is set to start at 1:20 p.m. EST. Results are coming soon.
Stone Off
The final event of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man qualifiers is the Stone Off. Only two athletes will take part in this event, and those are the second and third place finishers in each group.
The second-place finisher and third-place finisher from the same group will be stationed on two sides of one beam. The third-place winner will then lift and toss the Atlas Stone to the side of the second-place finisher, who will then do the same. This will go on until one of the men is unable to toss the Atlas Stone to the other man’s side. Consequently, the winner of this duel will secure his place in the finals, while the loser will go home.
*The Stone Off event is set to take place at 6:13 p.m. EST. Results are coming soon.
Related: Brian Shaw Announces 2023 Will Be His Last World’s Strongest Man Appearance: ‘It’s Going To Be Special’
2023 World’s Strongest Man Remaining Schedule
Day Three, April 22nd — Finals
Event One — Fingal’s Fingers – 8 a.m. EST
Event Two — Knaack Deadlift – 10:41 a.m. EST
Event Three — Reign Shield Carry – 2:18 p.m. EST
Day Four, April 23rd — Finals
Event Four — Max Dumbbell – 8 a.m. EST
Event Five — Vehicle Pull – 10:10 a.m. EST
Event Six — Atlas Stones – 1:54 p.m. EST
Previous World’s Strongest Man Winners
Bruce Wilhelm (1977-1978)
Don Reinhoudt (1979)
Bill Kazmaier (1980-1982)
Geoff Capes (1983, 1985)
Jón Páll Sigmarsson (1984, 1986, 1988, 1990)
Jamie Reeves (1989)
Magnús Ver Magnússon (1991, 1994-1996)
Ted van der Parre (1992)
Gary Taylor (1993)
Jouko Ahola (1997, 1999)
Magnus Samuelson (1998)
Janne Virtanen (2000)
Svend Karlsen (2001)
Mariusz Pudzianowski (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008)
Vasyl Virastyuk (2004)
Phil Pfister (2006)
Žydrūnas Savickas (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Brian Shaw (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016)
Eddie Hall (2017)
Hafthór Júlíus Björnsson (2018)
Martins Licis (2019)
Oleksii Novikov (2020)
Tom Stoltman (2021, 2022)
Read More: Every Winner of The World’s Strongest Man Competition Since 1977
How To Watch
You can’t watch the 2023 World’s Strongest Man competition live online unless you’re in Myrtle Beach, SC. But, we’ll provide a detailed summary of the event for you to stay informed.
FAQs
How Does The Scoring System Work?
The resulting system is based on the number of competitors. Seeing that there are six athletes in each group, the winner of the event gets six points, with every following position receiving one point less.
Who Won Last Year’s World’s Strongest Man Title?
Tom Stoltman from Scotland is the reigning 2x World’s Strongest Man champion. He won two consecutive titles in 2021 and 2022.
Which World’s Strongest Man Is Inducted Into Hall Of Fame?
The WSM Hall of Fame is a club of the most impressive Strongman athletes in history. It was established in 2008, but still features only a small number of athletes. The Hall of Fame has six members as of 2022: Bill Kazmaier, Mariusz Pudzianowski, Svend Karlsen, Magnús Ver Magnússon, Jón Páll Sigmarsson, and Magnus Samuelsson.
2023 World’s Strongest Man Content
Find complete coverage of the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, including exclusive interviews, event recaps, analysis, and results at our WSM coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/wsm
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 9:17 AM EDT
Rich Gaspari Promotes TRT Use & Defends Telehealth Law Proposal: ‘It’s Not A New Law’
Bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari has found a place as a respected analyst in the sport since moving on from professional competition years ago. In a recent episode of Fitness, Fame & Fortune, Gaspari shared his thoughts on the proposal to update telehealth laws for restricting access to controlled substances. He also shared the benefits he reaped from using TRT (testosterone replacement therapy).
Rich Gaspari became a mainstay of the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division in the mid-1980s through the 1990s. He was renowned for his insane muscle definition, stellar conditioning levels, and glute striations. While he did not win the coveted Sandow trophy, Gaspari scored silver in three Mr. Olympia competitions. He was the inaugural champion at the 1989 Arnold Classic. He got inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004 and received an Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Since stepping away from competition, Gaspari has become a revered analyst known for his outspoken personality and hot takes. He regularly shares his expertise in fitness online. Two months ago, Gaspari issued a passionate message motivating his fans to challenge themselves in the training room. He called on them to focus on amping up workout intensity to get the best results.
Gaspari also opened up about his decade-long experience of using TRT earlier this year. He’s a strong proponent of the substance and stressed the importance of getting your blood work done to minimize the risk of any side effects.
The 59-year-old took issue with the prevalence of harsh diuretics used by athletes who intend to achieve a drier look on stage. He shared his take on the adverse effects of extreme dehydration and revealed Insulin and other diuretics weren’t a part of his protocol as a competitor.
In retirement, Gaspari laid out a peptide stack he’s utilizing for anti-aging benefits last month. Then, he followed that up with some of his favorite exercises to enhance the quality of calf muscles.
Rich Gaspari defends telehealth law update proposal
Earlier this month, DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) announced a proposal to limit Telehealth prescriptions, including testosterone. The update would require patients to make at least one in-person visit to the doctor to obtain a prescription.
In a recent YouTube video, Rich Gaspari shared his thoughts on the proposal that could restrict access to controlled substances. He explained how the rule isn’t a change in the law but rather enforcement of the pre-existing one.
“Right now any type of telemedicine on testosterone, the laws will be enforced,” said Gaspari. “This is what I’m seeing is that they think this is a new law. It’s not a new law. This is a law that’s been in effect but because of COVID, the law was very lax because as we know it was very hard and difficult to see doctors in person so they kind of let that go and let you see doctors online.
“What we’re saying here is that they’re now enforcing the laws on those class III, IV, and V. I guess because it started just getting I think anytime where there’s less regulations, people take advantage of the system. There’s people doing it right. You get blood work first and then meet with the doctor and then the doctor goes over that via zoom and sees if you’re low in testosterone, he prescribes you the testosterone. I think what was happening, where the government gets involved, you have the greedy people out there that are saying we don’t need to get a doctor involved.
“Maybe we don’t even have to get the blood work, or they can do it once and then we don’t check after that. You can keep getting testosterone in perpetuity like that every month.
“It’s not a new law. It’s a law that’s been in effect since 2008. They’re just following the guidelines of that law.”
Gaspari shares the benefits of using TRT
Rich Gaspari shared the benefits he reaped from using TRT.
“The testosterone for me makes me feel first of all very alert,” said Gaspari. “When I had low T, I had bouts of depression and a lot of people don’t realize that if you have a 200 total T, you’re going to feel like crap. You don’t want to get out of bed. I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning and go to the gym. I train. I work all day and I believe a lot of it has to do with using testosterone. I don’t believe I would want to go above that high normal range because it wouldn’t be beneficial to me health-wise.”
“It’s just the convenience of injecting yourself with testosterone is so much easier for me.”
While Iain Valliere had mentioned that TRT isn’t a necessity for everyone, Rich argued that the substance is important, especially as you age.
“Iain Valliere put out anyone older should not be on TRT except the fact that you’re old and it lets your testosterone go down. I go yeah because you’re freaking young. Let’s see how you feel when you’re in your 50s. Let me see how you’re going to feel if you’re depressed, you feel like sh*t and you’re saying anyone above 50 shouldn’t be using testosterone. Let the natural aging process happen to you and let your T go down to 100.”
Rich Gaspari gave his take on building bigger leg muscles with some techniques to incorporate into training sessions last week. Additionally, he isn’t a fan of the way the Open class evolved over the years and credits Classic Physique for preserving the art of the sport.
RELATED: Rich Gaspari Favors Chris Bumstead’s Physique Over Men’s Open Look: “You Look At These Guys and Their Physiques Are Unattainable”
His latest offering will help add clarity to the telehealth law proposal for many who feel concerned with the recent developments.
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 20 April, 2023 | 9:00 AM EDT