Tag: nEWS
Phil Heath’s 2022 Mr. Olympia Predictions: Hadi Choopan & Brandon Curry Can Beat Big Ramy
7x Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champ Phil Heath believes Hadi Choopan has the slight edge over Brandon Curry to possibly beat Big Ramy at The 2022 Mr. Olympia.
7x Mr. Olympia Phil Heath has revealed his initial predictions for the 2022 Mr. Olympia. In a recent video interview, Heath goes into detail about the current Olympia lineup and predicts that both Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry have potential to defeate Big Ramy “if he leaves the door open.” Heath ultimately gives a slight edge to Choopan based on what he’s seen recently.
While it still might be a bit early to be making predictions for the 2022 Mr. Olympia, when a 7x Mr. Olympia legend speaks – you start to listen. In prep for his upcoming commentary duties this year, Phil Heath took part in an extensive interview discussing the current Olympia lineup and who has the most potential to win the trophy. He gives a deep analysis of Big Ramy and also his thoughts on the few who could possibly disrupt his reign.
There has been much talk about the rising tide of young bodybuilders finally coming into their own. Nick Walker has been the most hyped rising star – with some even believing the can take the entire Olympia title this year. Other notable mentions are Hunter Labrada, Andrew Jacked, and newcomer Michal Krizo – who has yet to earn his IFBB Pro card but is hyped by many including Jay Cutler.
However, at this moment, Phil Heath still believes that the old guard will hold onto their positions this year. Heath acknowledges the strong and deep talent of the young rising stars – but believes that last year’s top three will still be the ones to bring the most heat. Specifically, he believes that Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry are the two best bets to win the 2022 Mr. Olympia – that is if Big Ramy slips up.
You can check out the full video below:
[embedded content]
Phil Heath’s predictions on who can defeat Big Ramy at the 2022 Mr. Olympia
Phil Heath starts off discussing Big Ramy himself – who he still believes is the top contender to win the Mr. Olympia this year. He only believes that Ramy will fall behind if he “leaves the door open.” What does he mean by that? Not making enough improvements. Heath – like many other bodybuilders – acknowledges that the judges expect a returning Olympia champion to not only look the same but look even better than the previous year. If Ramy can’t pull that off, he leaves the door open for others to slip in.
This led to Phil Heath being asked who could possibly take down Big Ramy if he left that door open. Heath sticks with consistency and looks towards the top placings last year – Hadi Choopan and Brandon Curry.
“You gotta go with the top three. You got to go with Brandon and Hadi. That was who was in the mix last year. I would say based on what I saw recently, Hadi. I’m not biased because I’ve worked with Hany. That dude has some serious muscle. All it takes is for Ramy to slip. We saw that happen last year. He wasn’t better than when he won his first one.”
However, Phil Heath also points out that there is a world of difference between seeing a physique in person versus in photos or video. Heath hasn’t seen every single of the top contenders in person – which he admits creates a wild card in his predictions.
“Usually, if you leave the door open for two years, things can happen right. This is what sucks by not being there live and just seeing pictures and some video. I haven’t seen Nick Walker in person. I’ve not seen him compete in person. Of course, you’re going to lean towards him being a disruptor. No question about it. I believe he is the youngest disruptor out of anyone in the world.”
Phil Heath points out Nick Walker as having real potential to disrupt this year’s Mr. Olympia. But he falls short of saying he could win – in part because he has not seen Walker in person himself.
Phil Heath shares his opinion of Michal Krizo’s physique
Phil Heath also touches base on the latest hyped athlete of the season – Michal Krizo. Originally an IFBB Elite Pro competitor, Krizo recently announced he would be moving to the IFBB Pro league. He has yet to earn his pro card but the hype is so strong with him that some believe he will become pro and qualify for Mr. Olympia in time to compete in 2022.
While Heath sees why Krizo has earned the hype, he also thinks that it’s too soon to really expect him to do any major damage this year. Phil Heath believes that Michal Krizo still has some holes in his physique.
“What I saw, he [Michal Krizo] looked great. When he was at Gold’s Venice and Jay was with him and stuff, I thought he looked really good, but I do see holes in the physique. I see holes in everything right. I think he definitely needs to work on his presentation. Even when you research his contest videos, he can’t hold poses very long. Just look at the tape.”
It’s fantastic to see Phil Heath really take on the role of a bodybuilding analyst (and future commentator) for the sport of bodybuilding. His thoughtful analysis of the current lineup of competitors is exactly the kind of conversation that helps raise the stakes for the upcoming Mr. Olympia.
That being said, Phil Heath may be commentating this year – but that doesn’t mean he won’t be returning to compete again. He has been silent about any plans but a recent post claiming, “I ain’t done yet. I’m just getting started,” gives fans hope that he will hit the stage again in the future.
Stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more news and updates on all things bodybuilding as we get closer to the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
Chris Hemsworth Shares Intense 50 Rep Full Body Workout Challenge
Chris Hemsworth shares insane 50 rep full body workout.
Thor: Love and Thunder star Chris Hemsworth recently shared his 50 rep full body workout challenge. Hemsworth issued a challenge to his fitness minded followers to take on the workout as part of his Centr program.
Perhaps one of the most in shape actors in the film industry today, Chris Hemsworth isn’t shy about hitting the weights whether in preparation for a role or just in his down time. The Australian actor has had to transform his physique on multiple occasions to play the fan favorite Marvel character Thor in a series of films. While some may find the task trying, Hemsworth never appears to be flustered by the opportunity to push his body and mind to transform for the role.
With so many fans and followers impressed by the actor’s physique for the Thor role, the question had quickly become: what does he do to get in shape? Well, Chris Hemsworth has given his fitness focused fanbase the answers they crave.
In creating the Centr program, Chris Hemsworth offers an experience unlike any other. He allows those inclined to get into Thor-like shape to follow the steps that made him into a hulking Marvel superhero. The Centr system has a host of different programs for individuals to follow, always being updated to provide new challenges.
50 Rep Full Body Workout Challenge
Speaking of intense tests, Chris Hemsworth recently made a post that challenged both Instagram and Centr users to push their physiques to the next level. The post is a pretty unique one to say the least. It’s a 50 rep, full body workout that really pushes the body in a multitude of ways. Hemsworth goes in depth in describing the workout and how it challenges the user to utilize their entire body, each movement involving dumbbells.
Try this one out ?? Every 10 reps the exercise will change but the difficulty gets easier don’t stop until you hit 50 reps!!!Dumbbell burpee curl – 10 repsSquat curl press – 10 repsAlternating reverse lunge and curl – 10 repsBicep curl – 10 repsStanding shoulder press – 10 reps
This is quite the challenge indeed. While the workout doesn’t provide exact weight for the dumbbells, the workout is sure to be challenge even utilizing lighter weights. If one set isn’t enough to push you to the next level, subsequent rounds should definitely do the trick.
What to you think of this Chris Hemsworth full body workout challenge?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
WATCH: ‘Kai’ Official Release Trailer | The Life Story Of Bodybuilder Kai Greene
[embedded content]
Witness the inside story of bodybuilding’s biggest modern legend – Kai Greene.
We are exactly one day away from the release of Kai on digital. Available on August 26, 2022 – the film will be the first comprehensive and official look into the life story of bodybuilding legend Kai Greene. To celebrate the launch, Generation Iron Network has released one final trailer for the film – which you can watch above. You can also pre-order the film today right here.
Kai Greene may be one of the most exciting and mysterious bodybuilders to ever exist in the history of the sport. His powerful physique speaks for itself and is among one of the best in modern bodybuilding – if not bodybuilding as a whole. But his artistry took that physique to the next level bringing him fame beyond the sport and into the mainstream arena.
However, despite being so large in the public eye, Kai Greene’s life and past have always been a mystery. The large strokes are known by most. During childhood, without a father in the picture, Kai was taken away from his mother by child services and he became a ward of the state. He grew up in orphanages only to eventually be arrested and sent to juvenile detention. It’s there where he was introduced to bodybuilding. He left juvy, became a male stripper for a short while, and eventually rose in the ranks to be a champion bodybuilder.
But many intimate questions remained. What was his experience like in juvenile detention? What was life as an exotic dancer like? How did he receive the massive scar on his face? And what’s up with that grapefruit video? Up until now, the closes we have been to learning of this past was in the form of an experimental stage show called BELIEVE.
Kai promises to answer all of this questions. For the first time ever, after dozens of hours of interview footage, Kai Greene has fully opened up above his entire life story. From his days as a child in a troubled home, through juvenile detention, and into pro bodybuilding. The film also follows up with Kai in the present – as he attempts to publish his graphic novel – The Chronicles Of King Kai.
The Kai Greene documentary is not just a deep insight into a bodybuilding legend for fans of the sport. It’s a dramatic life story that promises to resonate with anyone from all walks of life.
Kai also features Victor Martinez, Rich Gaspari, Mike O’Hearn, George Farah, and longtime rival Phil Heath – all speaking in brand new interviews.
From The Producer Of The Last Dance
In addition to being produced by The Vladar Company and Generation Iron Network – producer Matt Maxson is also attached to the Kai Greene documentary – who is best known for producing The Last Dance.
Emmy nominated Producer Matt Maxson’s The Last Dance starring Michael Jordan took the world by storm in 2020 – becoming one of the most talked about TV events of the year on ESPN and Netflix. He now took his producing talents to the world of bodybuilding and fitness with his involvement in the Kai documentary feature.
Matt Maxon’s other producing credits include Andre The Giant and The Circus: Inside The Greatest Political Show On Earth. Before producing, he spent five years working in production at HBO Sports where he worked on the network’s documentary series 24/7 which garnered 18 Emmy Awards.
The Last Dance received critical acclaim, with praise for its directing and editing. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 96% based on 53 reviews. The documentary series provided the most in-depth look at Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls where he played alongside other legendary players such as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and coach Phil Jackson.
Kai is directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King) and produced by both Yudin and Edwin Mejia Jr. (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King). It will be executive produced by Matt Maxon, David Gendron, Russ Riggins, and Viviana Zarragoitia.
Kai will be available on all major digital platforms on August 26, 2022. You can order your digital copy today right here or by clicking the banner below.
Pro Bodybuilder Petar Klancir Gives Update Post Bicep Tendon Surgery
Images via Instagram @ifbb_pro_petar_klancir
After rupturing his bicep tendon and dropping out of the 2022 season, bodybuilder Petar Klancir gives a post-surgery update
On August 4, 2022, Petar Klancir announced that he would be dropping out of the 2022 bodybuilding season due to a ruptured bicep tendon. With something as serious as a bicep tendon rupture – it was unclear what his bodybuilding future held. On August 23, Klancir provided a positive update announcing that he had received surgery and expects to be returning to training soon.
Petar Klancir is a much hyped bodybuilder who has had a bit of a rollercoaster of a career as of late. Despite these struggles – his impressive physique has made fans hopeful for a truly threatening package on the bodybuilding stage. He first caught attention in 2017 at the San Marino Pro showcasing a fantastic combination of conditioning and symmetry.
Unfortunately, Petar Klancir ran into visa issues in the past that has kept him out of many competitions that he was originally hoping to take part in. In 2022, he managed to compete in both the California State Pro and the Mr. Big Evolution Pro – where he earned fifth and third place respectfully.
Fans were hoping to see Petar Klancir compete in the Mr. Olympia. Unfortunately, the announcement of his bicep injury not only took him out of the rest of 2022 but also put his long term future in jeopardy as well. Which is why it is a relief that Klancir has provided a new announcement of a successful surgery. You can see his post below:
“First of all I would like to thank you for all the support, kind words and positive energy you gave me?Surgery was a success! Biceps tendon ruptured at the grip point so it was just screwed back to the position. I had the best @akromionhospital surgical team beside me, Prof. Čičak made an excellent work so I will have speedy recovery. In a few days I will be back on training ground focusing on legs and abs. ??”
What is good news to hear is that Petar Klancir expects to have a speedy recovery. The surgery went smoothly and he even believes that he will be back to training his legs and abs in just a few days. Of course, this will still be limited training. It’s good news that Klancir will be able to train the other parts of his body while his bicep heals. Unfortunately, with an injury like this it is unclear how soon he will be able to train at full speed.
Despite the good news, 2022 is likely still out of the question for seeing Petar Klancir on the bodybuilding stage. However, things could have been far worse. A successful surgery is a good sign for long term recovery – and his confidence of returning to training means that he is still looking towards a future where he can compete against the best of the world on at the Mr. Olympia.
While this setback is yet another setback after an already rocky bodybuilding career – Petar Klancir is more than ready to face the challenges. You might be able to temporarily take the man out of bodybuilding. But you can’t take the bodybuilding out of the man.
Generation Iron wishes Petar Klancir a speedy recovery – and we look forward to being able to report on his future endeavors in the sport as he returns to the gym and the stage. Stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more news and updates on all things bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports.
Pro Bodybuilder Brett Wilkin Breaks Down His Massive 6,000 Calorie Bulking Diet
Images via Instagram @brett_wilkin
Brett Wilkin shares his super-bulk 6,000 calorie diet during off-season prep.
In a recent video, pro bodybuilder Brett Wilkin goes into detail about his off-season 6,000 calorie bulking diet. Wilkin has been turning heads with his impressively massive physique recently – and has been a much-hyped competitor in the 2022 bodybuilding season. He’s a rising star with much potential – though he has yet to qualify for the Mr. Olympia this year. If he does, he will join what is sure to be a truly deep and exciting lineup come December.
Most bodybuilders go through two major phases in a bodybuilding season. The off-season bulk and then the contest prep cutting phase. The bulking phase comes when a competitor is far and away from their planned competition. It’s a period of time focused on building as much size and muscle as possible – with less focus on conditioning and shred. Then as the competition comes closer, a bodybuilder will move on to the cutting phase and whittle away the the body into a large and shredded conditioned physique.
In modern bodybuilding, Men’s Open bodybuilders have been trying to push the limit of how big they can appear on stage while also maintaining conditioning. Big Ramy, the current Mr. Olympia, is a prime example of this competing close to 300 pounds. Just yesterday, Samson Dauda revealed his off-season physique update at 330 pounds.
Brett Wilkin is one such bodybuilder also trying to pack on the size to compete with these mass monster competitors. In July, Wilkin appeared for a guest posing showcasing a truly massive physique. Now in his recent YouTube video post – he reveals the massive diet that helped him get so large. You can check it out below:
[embedded content]
RELATED: Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth
Brett Wilkin’s 6,000 Calorie Diet Explained
In the internet age of bodybuilding, fans no longer need to wait for magazines to reveal a bodybuilders training regimen or diet. The competitors themselves can connect directly with fans via Instagram or YouTube to give a true behind the scenes look at their lifestyle and tactics. Let’s break down the 6,000 calorie meal plan of Brett Wilkin.
First Meal
For Bretty Wilkin’s first meal, he consumes two ounces of lemon juice with REVIVE’s GI plus and greens powder. He claims that he uses this supplement for breakfast due to not wanting to include vegetables in his diet at this phase of his bulk. He also adds collagen powder and fiber supplements into a morning shake.
12oz fat free milk
1 scoop whey
150g Oats
35g Almond Butter
100g Blueberries
Second Meal
After breakfast, Brett Wilkin’s second meal of the day is his pre-workout meal. He focuses on carb loading and packing in more protein. He also makes a point to note he is avoiding fats at the moment – but admits that it’s okay to include fats during a pre-workout meal. He just personally doesn’t have them included due to his belief that it slows down digestion through the workout.
7oz chicken breast
150g Rice n Grinds
Intra: Baggy Time
50g Carbs from Gatorade Powder
5g Creatine
10g Glutamine
25g Carbs from RAW Intra
Third Meal
For his mid-day meals, Bretty Wilkin focuses on prioritizing carbs and protein as these will come before, during, and after his training sessions.
RAW Intra Carb 2 scoops
60g RAW Whey Iso
12oz Strawberry Banana Juice
1 banana
RELATED: Best Protein Powder Supplements For Strength & Size
Fourth Meal
Contiuing with his focus on carbs and protein, Brett Wilkin’s fourth meal contains rice and beef – which he claims is his personal favorite. This meal lands at about 130 grams of total carbs and 50 grams of protein.
8oz Megafit 93/7 ground beef
100g carbs from Rice
12oz Orange Juice
Fifth Meal
Brett Wilkin’s fifth meal focuses on a meal prep solution – where he consumes a sweet and sour chicken prepped meal. This is another meal that he claims to enjoy eating – which is why it has been a staple in his recent bulking diet.
Sweet and Sour Chicken (Meal Prep Service)
12oz Orange juice
Sixth Meal
Brett Wilkin’s last meal is what he calls a “free meal.” He states that he likes to do a free meal every other night. In this case, he has attended a friend’s party where he eats chicken, salmon, and some bread.
Wilkin is excited to showcase his meal prep on this day – as he sees it as a perfect example of bulking with five base meals followed by a cheat meal at the end of the day.
Chicken
Bread
Salmon
Samson Dauda Shows Off Maxed Out Off Season Bulk At A Monstrous 330 LBS
Images via Instagram @samson__dauda
Pro bodybuilder Samson Dauda shares one final off season photo maxed out at 330 pounds, a weight that was always the goal but he didn’t think he would hit.
Samson Dauda has ended his off season bulk and training at 330 pounds as per his latest physique update photo. Dauda has been hyping fans throughout all of 2022 with continued off season bulking updates. Sharing his look at 320 pounds, then 324 pounds, and now finally maxing out at 330 pounds. Samson Dauda is qualified to compete in the 2022 Mr. Olympia and appears to now just be starting his contest prep and shred leading into the show.
Samson Dauda is a Men’s Open bodybuilder that many have their eye on. He has continually showed an impressive physique – and he’s been pushing the limits of just how far he can grow during the off season. His size and musculature has been so impressive that he has been labeled a FREAK – all capital letters.
In his latest Instagram update, Dauda shares a video of his latest physique and claims to be weighing in at 330 pounds. He also states that this is the max weight that he and his team have been aiming for – but he wasn’t quite sure if he’d be able to pull it off. Spoiler alert: he did. You can check out the post below:
“Finally ending this off season at 330lbs, the exact number we hoped to hit but not for one minute did I really think I was really going to achieve it ? but @milossarcev had no doubt”
– Samson dauda on Instagram
Earlier in the year, Samson Dauda started turning heads with an incredibly chiseled physique ahead of the 2022 Arnold Classic. While he didn’t take top honors at the show – he did place an impressive fourth place behind William Bonac, Brandon Curry, and Steve Kuclo. He’s since had the rest of the year to prepare for the Mr. Olympia competition. And it seems that he’s not taking any changes and pushing his size to the absolute limit.
Samson Dauda’s bodybuilding origins
Samson Dauda’s bodybuilding origins started in the United Kingdom. Born in Nigeria, he later moved to the UK and took a passion for rugby. He played rugby for his hometown in the UK. It was there that he was first introduced to the concept of bodybuilding.
Dauda was confronted by one of his teammates in the locker room. Upon seeing his physique, the teammate asked him if he would ever consider competing on a bodybuilding stage. Dauda had no idea what bodybuilding was. He had no idea what the teammate was talking about.
Fast forward a bit and after numerous suggestions, Samson Dauda decided to watch the 2013 Mr. Olympia. He was blown away. He knew it then – this is what he wanted to do. He would later compete for the first time in April of 2014. The rest is history.
Now we are looking at a bodybuilder with true freaky mass monster appeal. With his 330 pound update, Dauda shows that he has no trouble matching up to the likes of Big Ramy in terms of size. So now he needs to focus on cutting down and presenting a truly aesthetic and conditioned physique. Based on what he was able to bring earlier this year at the Arnold Classic – we can’t wait to see what kind of progress he makes over these next few months of contest prep.
Stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more updates on Samson Dauda and general news updates on all things bodybuilding, fitness, and strength sports!
Despite Low Testosterone, PNBA William Long Is a 3x Natural Olympia Champion
Image via Instagram @ricecracker2487
Against all odds, PNBA William Long is still a 3x Men’s Physique Natural Olympia champion even though he has clinically low testosterone.
Natural bodybuilding is a sport in that your genetics comes into play, but your mindset, work ethic, and discipline trump genetics any day. Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete William Long is a beacon of what you can accomplish with your physique while doing the work, despite having low testosterone.
William Long is a 3x Men’s Physique Natural Olympia champ and plans to take over the Classic Physique division soon. William Long coined the nickname “The OG” after being the first to win the PNBA Natural Olympia Men’s Physique division. But, first-timers didn’t stop there for Long. He was also the first PNBA athlete to sign a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA.
Test Results
William Long accomplished all these amazing feats in natural bodybuilding with low testosterone. Long has been open about his struggles with naturally raising his testosterone levels. An Instagram post on July 13, 2022, said he was getting his T levels retested after several World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory drug tests showed his testosterone to be low. Long expressed:
“Let’s see if I’ve improved any. Last time I checked I was deep into a contest prep so naturally my test would have been extremely low, which it was. My free test, according to @everlywell , was measured below 10. Normal is above 49. Now, I am deep into a bulk. It’s been about 8 months since my last show. I’m hoping that my free test is much higher and in the normal range. My sample has been submitted. I’ll post my results as soon as I get them.
I have had my test levels checked numerous times through WADA drug testing and those have shown extremely low levels of test. One test showed a T/E ratio of 0.2. Again, that’s deep into a prep and in that particular case the day of a show. I’ve seen guys who claim Natural and measure on the high end of the normal range of test the day of show. I don’t know. I wonder how much better I could be with a healthy amount of testosterone. Stay tuned.”
Retest Results
Long acknowledged that his testosterone may have been low due to being deep into a contest prep, where his diet was strict, and his body fat level was extremely low. But unfortunately, Long’s free T levels were still low even after a long bulk. In a social media post a couple of weeks later, when his results came in, Long stated:
“Results are back and after being in off-season for about 8 months now, being in a caloric surplus and being stress free from preparing for a contest, I’m still showing that I have low free testosterone. Extremely low. I don’t know. I’m eating right, resting more, and even taking Natural measures to boost my own test but doesn’t seem to be working. I am well into my thirties so that doesn’t help. Could be my genetics too.
It’s remarkable that I’m able to still progress in my training and was able to build the physique I currently have. I will be getting more bloodwork done by my doctor to double check. I’ll get those results to you guys once I receive them. If anyone has any advice please share.”
You can see his entire post about his recent free testosterone test below.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more news on the most elite natural bodybuilders!
Despite Low Testosterone, PNBA William Long Is a 3x Natural Olympia Champion
Image via Instagram @ricecracker2487
Against all odds, PNBA William Long is still a 3x Men’s Physique Natural Olympia champion even though he has clinically low testosterone.
Natural bodybuilding is a sport in that your genetics comes into play, but your mindset, work ethic, and discipline trump genetics any day. Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete William Long is a beacon of what you can accomplish with your physique while doing the work, despite having low testosterone.
William Long is a 3x Men’s Physique Natural Olympia champ and plans to take over the Classic Physique division soon. William Long coined the nickname “The OG” after being the first to win the PNBA Natural Olympia Men’s Physique division. But, first-timers didn’t stop there for Long. He was also the first PNBA athlete to sign a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA.
Test Results
William Long accomplished all these amazing feats in natural bodybuilding with low testosterone. Long has been open about his struggles with naturally raising his testosterone levels. An Instagram post on July 13, 2022, said he was getting his T levels retested after several World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory drug tests showed his testosterone to be low. Long expressed:
“Let’s see if I’ve improved any. Last time I checked I was deep into a contest prep so naturally my test would have been extremely low, which it was. My free test, according to @everlywell , was measured below 10. Normal is above 49. Now, I am deep into a bulk. It’s been about 8 months since my last show. I’m hoping that my free test is much higher and in the normal range. My sample has been submitted. I’ll post my results as soon as I get them.
I have had my test levels checked numerous times through WADA drug testing and those have shown extremely low levels of test. One test showed a T/E ratio of 0.2. Again, that’s deep into a prep and in that particular case the day of a show. I’ve seen guys who claim Natural and measure on the high end of the normal range of test the day of show. I don’t know. I wonder how much better I could be with a healthy amount of testosterone. Stay tuned.”
Retest Results
Long acknowledged that his testosterone may have been low due to being deep into a contest prep, where his diet was strict, and his body fat level was extremely low. But unfortunately, Long’s free T levels were still low even after a long bulk. In a social media post a couple of weeks later, when his results came in, Long stated:
“Results are back and after being in off-season for about 8 months now, being in a caloric surplus and being stress free from preparing for a contest, I’m still showing that I have low free testosterone. Extremely low. I don’t know. I’m eating right, resting more, and even taking Natural measures to boost my own test but doesn’t seem to be working. I am well into my thirties so that doesn’t help. Could be my genetics too.
It’s remarkable that I’m able to still progress in my training and was able to build the physique I currently have. I will be getting more bloodwork done by my doctor to double check. I’ll get those results to you guys once I receive them. If anyone has any advice please share.”
You can see his entire post about his recent free testosterone test below.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more news on the most elite natural bodybuilders!
Big Ramy Gives Superhuman Physique Update, Looks Ready to Win the 2022 Olympia
Big Ramy looks superhuman in recent physique update.
Reigning Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay is looking absolutely insane in his latest physique update ahead of the 2022 Olympia. The two-time Olympia champion is looking to repeat this year. From his latest update it seems like a foregone conclusion.
It appears that Big Ramy is ready to win the 2022 Mr. Olympia. The reigning Olympia champion recently provided a physique update that shows him in top form. After years of climbing up the ranks, battling to secure his position as a top ten bodybuilder, Big Ramy has now asserted himself as the premiere athlete in the Men’s Open division.
While there are great up and comers like Nick Walker and Hunter Labrada that are sure to test Big Ramy in the future, it seems a forgone conclusion that the Egyptian bodybuilder will be a shoe-in for victory. Many have stated that the reigning champion hasn’t posted enough updates through the year. But each update that Big Ramy provides is made all the more impressive because he offers up little on social media.
His latest update on his Instagram page shows a Big Ramy that is not only in top form, but arguably more improved from last year. Even Nick Walker has said that if Big Ramy comes in shape he’s likely to win again. From the looks of things, the Egyptian powerhouse seems poised and ready to make those words a reality.
Incredible Physique Update
Big Ramy’s latest update shows that he has maintained an incredibly small waist while also retaining his enormous size he’s become known for. Every bodybuilder has been put on notice and we can only imagine what the finish product will look like. Until then this physique update will be enough to shut down the detractors and generate interest with the fans.
There’s no doubt about it, Big Ramy is once again the favorite to win the Olympia. If he’s able to bring this kind of physique to the stage at the 2022 show, every bodybuilder should simply be organizing their plans for taking second place. But while Big Ramy does look impressive, no one should be surprised if some of the talented top five competitors is able to shock the world with an upset. However, it seems pretty unlikely at this point.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
Bodybuilding Legend Tom Platz Reveals His Two-Compound Steroid Cycle
Images via Instagram @tomplatz
Tom Platz, bodybuilding legend best known as the Quadfather, explains his steroid cycle and compares it to modern regimens.
Golden Era legend Tom Platz has opened up about his bodybuilding steroid cycle in a new video interview published by Golden Era Bookworm. Perhaps surprising to some, Platz took the “very minimum” with only two compounds in his cycle. He also shares his thoughts on modern bodybuilding steroid doses and cycles.
Tom Platz is an iconic bodybuilder and household name for any fan of bodybuilding and fitness. Best known as a Mr. Universe champion and for his insanely incredible legs – Platz had a reputation of incredible strength and consistency. Platz was a late Golden Era bodybuilder who competed well into the 1980s.
Tom Platz was not only an incredible legend during his prime – but continues to be beloved to this day for his intense training sessions now as a coach. He has also kept up with the work on himself – revealing incredible legs even at 65 years old. His work ethic has been revered similar to the likes of Mike O’Hearn. He is a one of a kind. A true legend in the sport.
Due to his long list of accolades, it comes as a treat when Tom Platz opens up in a brand new interview. Platz is the definition of success – so his words hang heavy on fans of the sport and aspiring bodybuilders. This might be especially true in his recent interview where he opens up about his steroid cycle and how it compares to the regimens that modern bodybuilders take today.
It’s no secret that steroid and drug use in bodybuilding has been an extreme and controversial topic of discussion as of late. There have been a number of tragic deaths in bodybuilding over the past few years – including George Peterson, Cedric McMillan, Bostin Loyd, and former Mr. Olympia champion Shawn Rhoden. This is just to name a few. Sadly there have been over a dozen of too-soon deaths in the bodybuilding world.
While none of these deaths have been exposed to be directly related to steroids – it brought these drugs to the forefront of conversation in the industry. Many have spoken out about the dangers of steroids, the massive increase in doses for modern bodybuilders, and what effects it might have on the current generation as they age.
It’s for these reasons as well that Tom Platz openness about steroids take on more weight. Why? Because he specifically emphasizes just how little he took in comparison to today’s athletes. You can check out the video below:
[embedded content]
Tom Platz Claims To Have Only Take Two Steroid Compounds During His Entire Career
Tom Platz admits that many bodybuilders today may be shocked or simply not believe him – but he only two two compounds in his steroid cycle. This remained true for the entirety of his career. Platz states to have only taken Winstrol and Deca.
“I gotta tell you though because it’s on my mind — and nobody is going to believes me, they’re not going to believe me when they hear this. 20 milligrams of Winstrol (Stanozolol) a day, the little pills, the little pink pills and one shot of Deca (Nandrolone) a week, 100 milligrams That was my life’s drug cycle. That’s it. That’s all I ever did… I never took testosterone. I never took any of these designer drugs. I took the very minimum. I took less than the girls would take but it really worked for me. It worked for me.”
Tom Platz explains that he never used “designer drugs” or testosterone. The focus for him was on longevity. He wanted to not only succeed as a bodybuilder while he was young – but also have a healthier future beyond his prime years.
“It gave me longevity, a livelihood, to this day. I think a high dosage of drugs can really lead to problems as we’re seeing today.”
Platz goes on to compare bodybuilders and their bodies on stage to cars at a car show. He claims that his friend, Terry Wogan, had said to him that, “drugs aren’t going to mkae a Volkswagen into a Ferrari.” The idea being that the drugs don’t make the main – the perseverance and hard work (and a little bit of genetics) do. This is clear in the lifestyle that Platz lived. Today he is still best known for his incredible work ethic and strength.
And also much like a car – how well you take care of it determines how long it will last before you have to scrap it. Using the same analogy, the most drugs you pump into your system, the shorter distance you’ll ultimately get out of your life in the long run.
Tom Platz Reacts To Modern Bodybuilding Steroid Cycles
Tom Platz also looked towards the current crop of bodybuilding athletes and shared his thoughts on the kinds of steroid cycles they take. He admits that what he hears of today seems like a completely different world.
“But I see what some of the guys do now with androgens and how they affect sarcoplasm, which is a fluid substance around the muscle, as you know. It’s not really sailor muscle gains, it’s more water being distributed. I’ve come to respect and understand modern day — I think we’re in a pharmacological quagmire… It’s a different world.”
While Platz doesn’t outright condemn the current steroid cycles of bodybuilders today – it’s clear that he is overwhelmed by how different it is compared to his usage. He literally calls it another world. Perhaps this is a major reason why Platz is able to still showcase incredible strength to this day. He had it all – the legendary fame during his youth and a well lived life after retiring from the stage.
Stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more news and updates on all things bodybuilding, strength sports, and fitness.