Tag: nEWS
NFL Hall-Of-Famer Shannon Sharpe Bench Presses 365 Pounds For Six Reps, Continues To Add Strength At 54 Years Old
Shannon Sharpe added two reps to 365 pounds. Can he reach 450 by the end of 2022?
Shannon Sharpe is known as one of the best tight ends in NFL history. He is a Hall-of-Famer that revolutionized the position as a pass catcher. Now, as he maintains a successful television career, Sharpe remains active in the gym and is improving his numbers at a rapid pace.
Sharpe played 14 years in the NFL. He was a true pass catcher ranking first all-time in catches (815), receiving yards (10,060), and receiving touchdowns (62) at the time of his retirement. All records have since been broken but Sharpe’s impact on the game remains clear. He is also a three-time Super Bowl champion having won back-to-back titles with the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998 and Baltimore Ravens in 2000.
Sharpe retired from the NFL in 2003 after eight Pro Bowl appearances and four First-Team All-NFL nods. Now, he hosts Undisputed on Fox Sports 1, along with Skip Bayless.
Sharpe has not been shy about sharing physique updates or workout videos on social media. Recently, he shared a bench press video and expressed interest in another goal before the end of the year.
Shannon Sharpe’s Pursuit For 450
Shannon Sharpe has shared videos bench pressing 405 pounds in the past. This time, he loaded up 365 pounds and was able to add two reps onto his personal record.
“After 3 short wks, bench press #s are going up rapidly as you can see from the video. I’ve already added 2 reps to 365. Think I can get to 450 by yrs end. Can’t wait to see.”
Shannon Sharpe has broken down his workouts in the past into rep days and heavy days. He was able to get six reps of 365 pounds on the bench and is vying for 450 by year’s end. Sharpe is also active in CrossFit and maintains a strict diet at 54 years old.
Shannon Sharpe Diet & Workout Plan
Shannon Sharpe joined GQ for an interview about how he is able to remain in such great shape in retirement. Along with his diet, Sharpe is dedicated to his workout plan and keeps a detailed schedule.
“I wake up at 3 a.m., and I’m out the door by 3:30 for a 4 a.m. production meeting at Fox Studios. We go live at 6:30 a.m., and the show comes down at 9 a.m. After I walk the dogs, I’ll lift in the morning, have some lunch, take a nap, and prep for the next day’s show. Sometimes I’ll squeeze in a CrossFit session in the afternoon.”
Sharpe continued to explain his diet. For breakfast, he has a combination of either egg whites, oatmeal, and fruit. Lunch will usually consist of either grilled chicken, bison meatballs, brown rice, and steamed vegetables. An example of his dinner is turkey, pork, salad, and steamed vegetables.
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Big Ramy Gives First MASSIVE Physique Update of 2022, Weighs 336.6Lbs
Big Ramy is looking massive in most recent physique update.
Number one bodybuilder in the world Mamdouh ’Big Ramy’ Elssbiay revealed that he weighs 336.6lbs in a recent physique update. The reigning Mr. Olympia champion gave his first major update of 2022 and it’s a doozy.
Whether you agree or not, size matters. That’s particularly true when it comes to Men’s Open Bodybuilding featuring the most massive bodybuilders on the planet. If that was T true then Big Ramy wouldn’t be the current reigning Olympia champion. Of course his other attributes make him the clear best of the best, but it’s his size that certainly helps his case.
As his name would suggest Big Ramy has always been massive compared to the competition. He is the first man to step onto the Olympia stage weighing over 300lbs. It was quite the feat to say the least. Now it appears that the reigning Mr. Olympia has packed on even more muscle ahead of the 2022 show.
Despite being Olympia champion, Big Ramy hasn’t been making many public appearances. He hasn’t shared many updates this year either. But things have changed, particularly in the latter regard.
Big Ramy recently shared a physique update and it’s quite a massive one. The two-time Mr. Olympia champion is apparently tipping the scales at a massive 336.6lbs.
18 weeks out at 336.6lbs/153kg
With such a massive increase in size it’s clear that Big Ramy is taking no prisoners at this year’s show. While he may not have flooded his timeline with updates all year, seeing this one makes it clear that he hasn’t been slacking in the off season one bit.
What do you think of Big Ramy weighing in at 336.6lbs?
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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.
Volume vs. Intensity During A Cut: Jeff Nippard Believes “Maintaining Strength” Is The Best When Retaining Muscle Mass
Jeff Nippard advocates for strength over volume during a cut.
Jeff Nippard has dabbled in both bodybuilding and powerlifting over the course of his career. He has built a large following on social media, where he can share his knowledge and wisdom on all things muscle building. Recently, Nippard decided to give bodybuilding another shot and entered a cut phase. This allowed him to discuss what is best for muscle building during this past — volume or intensity.
Nippard won the 2012 Mr. Junior Canada title to put his name on the map. Since then, he has become an elite coach because of his success on the stage and his overall knowledge of fitness. Nippard took to Instagram to share a video of a set on the bench press at 315 pounds. In his caption, Nippard went into detail about retaining muscle while cutting.
“There’s a lot of debate about whether volume or intensity is more important for retaining muscle on a cut. I’ve always been of the opinion that intensity maintains muscle better than volume and if something has to drop (usually it will, eventually) it’s better to drop volume than intensity.”
Volume vs. Intensity While Cutting
It seems as though upping the number of reps during a cutting phase has become popular. The idea of heavy lifting does not typically go with the thought of cutting down, especially when you are not bringing in the amount of calories you are accustomed to. According to Nippard, this remains the best way to retain muscle as you get leaner.
“IMO maintaining strength in the ~4-8 rep zone for as long as you possibly can is one of the best ways to retain as much muscle mass as possible as you get leaner. That high level of tension on the muscle is key for forcing it to stick around.”
Jeff Nippard believes that focusing on quality execution of each rep will benefit in the long run. He explains that this is a better process than reducing the weight to reach a higher volume that might be meaningless.
READ MORE: Jeff Nippard: The Smartest Push, Pull, Legs Routine
During his powerlifting career, Nippard has reached a Wilks score of 446. He has completed a 228kg (502lb) squat, a 151kg (336lb) bench press, and a 235kg (518lb) deadlift. Nippard has made it a point to remain close to these numbers, despite being in a cutting phase.
“Obviously, at a certain point your strength WILL decline (less body mass necessarily means less power at a certain point) but the goal should be to delay that decline as long as you reasonably can.”
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Steve Kuclo Shares Physique Update Ahead Of Texas Pro, Tells Competition “We Will See You Saturday”
Steve Kuclo is ready, mentally and physically, for his appearance at the 2022 Texas Pro.
Steve Kuclo is looking to keep the momentum of the previous two years going during the 2022 Texas Pro. Just days away from the competition, Kuclo shared a physique update and sent a message to the Men’s Open division.
Kuclo is looking to earn a ticket to his seventh Olympia competition. Over the years, he has taken a step up and has competed with some of the best in the world. This began in 2021, when he finished as the runner-up in this very show and third at the Arnold Classic. In 2022, Kuclo finished third at the Arnold Classic once again.
Kuclo last competed in Boston, where he finished third at the Boston Pro. He is looking to bring his best package to the stage against a talented card at the Texas Pro.
Steve Kuclo: “212, 250, 300…It Don’t Matter”
In a recent Instagram post, Steve Kuclo is seen performing a cable exercise before hitting a most muscular pose. He then moved to a dumbbell exercise and showed off the incredible mass of his back.
Kuclo has been sharing physique updates for followers ahead of the Texas Pro but this time, he felt confident enough to send a message.
“5 days out of @battleupproductions TEXAS PRO??chest & delts highlights212, 250, 300… it don’t matter we will see you Saturday ?”
Steve Kuclo did not compete during the 2022 Tampa Pro last week but four of the top-six finishers from the show will compete in Texas. Kamal Elgargni turned heads during his Men’s Open debut as he finished as the runner-up to Akim Williams. Many thought Elgargni should have been crowned the champion but he will quickly return to the stage. This is a battle to watch come the weekend.
Andrew Jacked is also preparing to compete this weekend. He has been sharing many physique updates as he trains with some of the best of all-time, including Flex Wheeler. Jacked has shown off some incredible size and conditioning in the gym and is ready to take it to the stage.
This year’s Texas Pro is shaping up to be an exciting competition because of the athletes hat are expected to appear. When it is all said and done, Steve Kuclo believes he has the physique to take home the title and qualify for the Olympia.
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Rich Gaspari Speaks On Chris Bumstead’s Brand, Physique Compared To Open Bodybuilding: ‘Their Physiques Are Unattainable’
Rich Gaspari favors Chris Bumstead’s brand and physique over that of Open bodybuilding.
Rich Gaspari is a bodybuilding veteran who remains up to date on the comings and goings of different athletes in the sport. Recently, he sat down for a conversation with John Romano about the current state of bodybuilding and how Chris Bumstead has been able to build such a big brand.
Bumstead is the reigning three-time Classic Physique Olympia champion. He is approaching 10 million followers on Instagram and has even more on other social media platforms, such as YouTube. He has built such a following sharing different content, such as workouts and diets during his preparation for shows.
Gaspari, who joined Romano on Dragon Slayer Media’s YouTube, credits Bumstead for what he has been able to build and compares Classic Physique and Open Bodybuilding.
“Well first of all, Chris Bumstead gets credit that he really grew his popularity. He grew during the time of Instagram when it first started. You can gain followers very quickly,” Gaspari said.
“He’s got three million followers on TikTok. 9.5 plus three million on TikTok. Then, he’s very popular on YouTube. What he’s done is he’s used the vehicle of YouTube to show his training, his progress, how he eats. That has gone into his Instagram that’s grown tremendously, at 9.5 million. He’s become really really popular.”
READ MORE: Rich Gaspari Answers How A Bodybuilder Can Use Posing To Beat A Superior Physique
Rich Gaspari continues to tell a story about a show he attended in New York. The store where the show was taking place gave fans the chance to meet their favorite celebrities. Gaspari recalls the line to meet Bumstead being “just incredible.”
“He has his own brand. I mean, he’s really smart. He’s one of the few competitive bodybuilders that also has a business and a brand.”
Rich Gaspari on Open Bodybuilders: “It Takes Them A Lot Longer”
Rich Gaspari is not the first to make the comparison of Classic Physique to Men’s Open. There are many who believe Classic Physique is the future of the sport, and competitors like Chris Bumstead are a big reason why.
When discussing the current state of Open Bodybuilding, Gaspari comments on how long it takes to attain this type of physique.
“You look at these guys and their physiques are unattainable. It takes them a lot longer. I can’t say that for Nick Walker. Normal guys that are in the Olympia are in their 30s to 40s. It takes that long to gain all that muscle.”
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Gaspari highlights Nick Walker as the exception because of the size he has been able to put on at such a young age.
“Nick Walker is in his 20s and is that big,” Gaspari said.
There is no doubt that Chris Bumstead is one of, if not the most, popular bodybuilders on the planet today. He is preparing to win his fourth consecutive Olympia title and this will only continue to build his reputation and brand.
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PNBA Danairo Moore Has Newfound Motivation After Suffering a Deadlift Injury
Image via Instagram @devon_moore029
PNBA Danairo Moore describes how a deadlifting injury generated more focus and determination to compete at the highest level.
After getting in touch with Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete Danairo Moore, he informed us that he endured a herniated L4 and L5 disc injury after deadlifting 405 pounds for reps. In addition, Moore said he heard a pop in his back during the lift. However, Danairo Moore’s not letting this impede his progress or wither his competitive nature. Instead, it’s led to more drive and motivation to dominate natural bodybuilding. Moore stated:
“I’m still recovering from my injury early this spring. I herniated my L4 and L5 disc, still got some numbness in my right foot. But I take my injury as a blessing. Because it made me more focused and willing to go out and give it my all.”
And he believes he can place in the top 5 if not top 2 at Natural Olympia. In 2019, Danairo Moore placed in the top 10 in the Men’s Physique category. Also, Danairo Moore has a multi-media contract with Generation Iron, Iron Man Magazine, and the INBA PNBA. This contract is an opportunity for outstanding INBA PNBA athletes with good standing in the league. It cooperates to undergo the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines to receive promotional opportunities and professional growth.
Below is an Instagram clip of Danairo Moore doing pull-ups, which he claims he does 400-600 reps per week.
Danairo Moore’s Shift to Fasted Cardio in the Morning
Danairo Moore also says his training’s shifted a bit as he prepares for the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/PNBA Pro Am Natural Universe on September 3, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. Moore says that his work schedule has him doing fasted cardio in the morning and lifting late in the afternoon.
It’s intriguing to see what fasted cardio in the morning combined with his anabolic fasting diet–intermittent fasting combined with low cab–will do to his physique as he heads towards the final stretch of the 2022 INBA PNBA season.
Road to Natural Olympia
It’s been a busy month for PNBA athletes as they prime themselves for Natural Universe. And some natural bodybuilders have tweaked their training routines. For example, Philip Ricardo Jr. extended his contest prep to 20 weeks. And he’s noticed more fat loss and muscle maintenance, and he heads to stage with what he believes to be a much-improved physique compared to last year–where he points to a shorter competition prep prevented him from getting his physique to peak condition.
Natural Universe is one of the bigger INBA PNBA shows that come before the king of all natural bodybuilding competitions, Natural Olympia. Natural Olympia takes place in Las Vegas, NV, November 10-13, 2022. The shows before help prepare quality competitors for this Super Bowl natural bodybuilding finale.
One show that recently took place in July is the 2022 Pro/Am Iron Man Magazine Championships. Winners received up to $15,000 in cash and prizes and were featured in the next edition of Iron Man Magazine.
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Hunter Labrada Shares The Best Form of Cardio He Uses During Prep
Top five bodybuilder in the world Hunter Labrada shares some cardio tips.
Hunter Labrada recently shared what he considers the best form of cardio he utilizes during his prep. The promising and talented bodybuilder gave a breakdown of this cardio tip in a recent video.
It looks like Hunter Labrada is dropping some more knowledge on us about some great ways to incorporate cardio into your bodybuilding training. The top five Men’s Open bodybuilding competitor is hard at work prepping for the 2022 Olympia. While in camp Labrada has been focusing on putting on solid muscle mass. But while bodybuilding is about building muscle, of course you also can’t neglect the cardiovascular portion of preparation.
Let’s face it, no one likes to do cardio. If it was up to everyone, they would just lift, build muscle and look amazing. But if you want to put the finishing touches on your physique as well as prioritize your health, then cardio is going to be a necessity in your training.
There are many ways to add cardio training to your routine. There’s walking, running, boxing, anything that’s going to elevate your heart rate and get the blood pumping. But within the fitness and bodybuilding community there’s a particular way of doing cardio that is always advocated: fasted cardio.
How Effective is Fasted Cardio Really?
Now while many have made great results with fasted cardio, Hunter Labrada believes things have been a bit exaggerated in terms of its effectiveness. In a recent video Labrada delved into fasted cardio and gave some general tips to help your cardio game.
“I feel like fasted cardio’s almost got like this aura about it to where once you’re in prep you have to be doing fasted cardio. I couldn’t think that’s more asinine if I’m being completely honest with you.
“I believe the only reason that you have to be doing or need to be doing fasted cardio is if you need something to get you out of bed in the morning, to help you build a habit or a schedule, or if it works well for you in the morning.”
So while he may believe in performing cardio is a necessity, Hunter Labrada isn’t buying into the fasted cardio trend.
“The idea that fresh out of bed in the morning, fasted state is going to optimally burn fat compared to doing cardio at a fasted point at some point during the day is very untrue and false. What do I mean by fasted point? So obviously, fasted cardio, you’re fresh out of bed, you slept for six or seven hours. Your blood sugar should be bottom down. There’s no nutrients in your body. You’re going to do cardio at your absolute fasted point. Fasted point cardio is basically the same thing.
“I can back this up with my personal experience. I’ve used a glucometer for weeks on end taking my fasted blood glucose in the morning and right when I hop on stairs post workout and it’s within three or four points of each other.”
So according to Hunter Labrada it appears that fasted cardio isn’t as necessary as advertised.
The Best Form of Cardio
“To say that fasted cardio is optimal for burning fat, false, it’s not true. It is a good point to do cardio… but at the end of the day, optimizing your cardio needs to be at a fasted point.
“The first place you should add your cardio is actually post workout for two reasons. One, you are in a fasted point post workout, you’re not going to get more fasted than you are post workout, especially in a prep setting if your foods anywhere where it should be. And then secondly, the post oxygen consumption from weight training is far more fat burning than cardio. So, by doing it post training we are able to compound the effects.
“Third thing that I really like about post cardio is that your heart rate is already jacked. You don’t spend the first three, four, five minutes of your cardio session trying to get your heart rate up.”
So it appears that though fasted cardio isn’t as necessary, fasted point cardio can be essential to making great gains. Hunter Labrada really opened some eyes with this one. You can find the full video here.
What do you think of Hunter Labrada and his take on the best form of cardio?
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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.
Joseph Baena Hits Bodybuilding Poses Made Famous By His Father, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Joseph Baena has teased the idea of competing in bodybuilding at some point.
Joseph Baena has been creating his own way, both in the gym and on the big screen. This is not easy to do for the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger but Baena has also embraced where he comes from. On many occasions, Baena has drawn striking comparisons to his father, especially when he hits some classic bodybuilding poses.
Baena, the 24-year-old son of Schwarzenegger, has completed transformed his physique into a lean build with great conditioning. He has teased the possibility of competing in bodybuilding at some point and this could happen if he adds the size necessary. Baena seems to be on his way with the work he has put in while training.
On Tuesday, Baena shared yet another picture on Instagram in the gym where he is hitting a pose that his father used to use on stage.
“Going for it”
The picture was shared in black and white following a workout. Baena is seen hitting Schwarzenegger’s 3/4 back pose.
Joseph Baena And His Fitness Journey
Joseph Baena recently joined Bradley Martyn for a workout and explained how he got started in the gym. He began working out in college and quickly grew a passion for the gym. Now, he has made his way to the cover of Men’s Health, where he was featured for a story.
In the article, Baena explains that he trains six days a week for two hours a day. He adds 20 minutes of fasted cardio in the morning. Baena has also took some time to train at Gold’s Gym in Venice, CA.
Joseph Baena has also tried his hand at acting and released some works. He recently released an acting project entitled Lava. He was able to show off an impressive physique on set and also had to maintain size for his role in Call of Duty: The Last Airshow.
It is clear that Baena has his father’s mentality when it comes to training and this means he will continue to improve his physique as time goes on. This could lead to his debut on the bodybuilding stage when the time is right.
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Nick Walker Hits 200-Pound Incline Dumbbell Press For An Insane 10 Reps During Training
Nick Walker continues to prepare for the Olympia by crushing his training sessions.
Nick Walker has been one of the fastest-rising bodybuilders over the course of his career. He went from rookie to one of the best in the world in a short period of time. Now, after a fifth-place finish at the Olympia in 2021, Walker has put all of his attention into preparing for December. This includes completing some massive lifts during training sessions.
Walker burst onto the scene by winning the 2021 New York Pro followed by the Arnold Classic. This came all within a year of earning his Pro Card to compete against some of the best talent around. Walker earned fifth place in his first Olympia but was not satisfied with his performance. This led to Walker deciding to forgo the Arnold Classic in 2022 and put all of his effort into the biggest show of the year.
On Monday, Walker shared a clip during his latest chest day crushing 10 reps of 200-pound incline dumbbell presses.
Nick Walker Provides Update On Training
Nick Walker has been active on his social media platforms, giving viewers insight on his workouts and diets being used leading up to the show. Recently, he shared his feat of strength on the bench.
“200db press for 10 reps. THAT FORM THOUGH
Now we working.”
Nick Walker’s prowess on the incline bench keeps improving as the summer goes on. He recently shared a video completing 10 reps using 185-pound dumbbells. Now, he was able to up the weight.
During the 2021 Olympia, Walker established himself as one of the biggest mass monsters in the world. He finished behind Hunter Labrada, Hadi Choopan, Brandon Curry, and reigning two-time champion Big Ramy. Heading into the 2022 show, there are many that would not be surprised to see Walker improve into the top three.
It is clear that Nick Walker has great dedication to bodybuilding. He has been able to make great improvements to what was already an elite physique. With a few months left of preparation, there is a great chance that Walker is able to shoot his way up the scorecard during the most important show of the year.
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PNBA Natural Olympia Champ Philip Ricardo Jr. Explains Why He’s Extended Competition Prep
PNBA Natural Olympia champ Philip Ricardo Jr. says extending his competition prep to 20 weeks has improved his physique.
Some athletes do longer competition preps, and others opt for shorter ones. Of course, both have pros and cons. Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Natural Olympia champ Philip Ricardo Jr. gave us insight into why he’s extended his competition prep this year compared to last year. He stated:
“Although my energy levels are low, my mindset, focus, and confidence is very high. I feel that I am much improved from the physique I had last year at the Mr. America and Natural Olympia as I was able to go back to what has brought me the most success previously, which is a longer preparation to eat away at the body fat and maintain muscle. Last year I rushed my prep, so this year my body has reacted positively to this 20 week preparation for the stage.
I hope to be able to display a much improved physique on August 20th, and September 2nd at the Natural Universe.”
Philip Ricardo Jr. has won 4 Natural Olympia titles in the Men’s Bodybuilding category, winning his first championship in 2007. Now, he’s the reigning Natural Olympia Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Master’s champion and plans to have a big month to set himself up for the rest of the year.
Philip Ricardo Jr. is set to compete at the INBA PNBA Pro/Am Nationals in Connecticut on August 20, 2022. Ricardo Jr. hopes this competition prepares him for the INBA PNBA Natural Universe in Tampa, Florida, just two weeks after the show in Connecticut.
Longer Competition Preps Vs. Shorter Preps
According to Philip Ricardo Jr., a longer competition prep has allowed him to lose more body fat and maintain muscle mass. That’s because a shorter competition prep didn’t let him lose the body fat he wanted or likely hold onto as much muscle.
If you lose body fat too quickly, you often lose muscle mass too. The slower you lose body fat, the more muscle you’ll preserve and the easier it will be. If you try to lose body fat too fast, you could put your body in a catabolic state, eating away muscle tissue. That’s because you’ll have to cut your calories more to lose weight faster, making it hard to hold onto muscle. Of course, your diet will be more rigorous too.
Your muscles need enough calories to function and grow. Calories are also crucial for you to have the energy required to lift the weight and volume essential to building or maintaining muscle mass. Therefore, a longer prep can allow bodybuilders a smaller caloric deficit and give them the flexibility to lose weight and body fat at a slower rate, allowing them to hold on to more muscle. And even if the athlete chooses to do a more extreme cut, regardless of starting their contest prep sooner, they’ll have more time to lose body fat.
On the contrary, a shorter competition prep will allow lifters a longer time in a bulking or maintenance phase. And give them more freedom with their diet for extended periods, meaning more calories and delicious foods if they indulge in occasional cheat meals.
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