Tag: nEWS
73-Year-Old Mary Duffy Deadlifts 250 Pounds With 50-Pound Chains, Nearly 2.5 Times Her Bodyweight
Mary Duffy completed a massive trap bar deadlift during a training session.
Mary Duffy has proven that age is just a number on numerous occasions. The 73-year-old powerlifter continues to impress in the gym as she prepares for her next competition. Recently, this came in the form of a 113.4kg (250lb) deadlift with 22.7kg (50lb) chains attached.
Duffy shared the video of her lift on social media on Wednesday. She is wearing a lifting belt and wrist wraps as she completes the feat of strength. This is nearly two and a half times her bodyweight as Duffy has been competing in the 56kg class since 2015.
“***??Finally!!!!!??*******#fitat73 ****Thank you”
Mary Duffy Powerlifting History
Mary Duffy began powerlifting in 2015 at 66 years old. She has spent her entire career in one division and has found great success. Her first competition appearance came during the 2015 International Powerlifting Association Connecticut Ironman Push/Pull Showdown. This was the first of 11 competitions that Duffy has appeared in and she has won all 11.
It is no surprise that Duffy has approached many records in the Masters 70-74 raw division. She currently holds the third-heaviest total ever at 234kg (518.1lb). This came during the 2022 USAPL Connecticut Ladies of Iron, where she was able to set the world record bench press of 57.5kg (126.8lb).
Duffy has shared many lifts to social media and this was not the first time her trap bar deadlift was in this weight range. She has been seen lifting 111.1kg (245lb) off weight plates. All of her lifts are considered raw. Duffy had a run in with COVID-19 but was able to overcome it and get back in the gym. Before her battle with the virus, she notched a 113.4kg (250lb) deadlift.
Mary Duffy continues to take her numbers higher and she will be ready for the next time she steps on stage. Duffy is one of the top lifters in the division and will look to continue to keep her record perfect next time she steps on stage.
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Interview: PNBA Philip Ricardo Jr. Discusses Training After 50 and Why He Has One Cheat Meal a Week Pre-Contest
In a Generation Iron interview, 4x Natural Olympia Men’s Bodybuilding champ Philip Ricardo Jr. discusses training after age 50 and why he includes one cheat meal weekly pre-contest.
Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) Philip Ricardo Jr. shared some information about his workouts and nutrition with the Generation Iron team. Ricardo Jr. has been competing in natural bodybuilding for decades and won his first Natural Olympia in the Men’s Bodybuilding division in 2007. He won 3 more after that and is the reigning Natural Olympia champion in the Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters category.
In the questions (Q) and answers (A), Philip Ricardo Jr. dived into how training has altered for him after turning 50 and why he includes one relaxed nutrition day a week early during pre-contest. He also disclosed his favorite natural bodybuilding exercises.
Below is an Instagram post of Philip Ricardo Jr. at the 2022 INBA PNBA Pro/Am Philip Ricardo Legends International.
Q and A
Q: What’s your training routine look like – how many days do you work out, what split do you do, and what exercises do you do, including reps and sets?
A: “My training split varies from month to month. Now that I am 50, I have to be aware have different training splits so that my body can heal up from heavy lifting for longevity. So, I rotate from a PHUL training style with heavier weights, followed by a Hypertrophy phase, then a volume phase, and lastly a de-load/high rep phase. Each phase lasts around for 4-6 weeks, depending on how my joints and tendons are holding up.”
Q: How does your nutrition look in-season?
A: “Pre-contest is more structured and I avoid sweets, dairy, and high glycemic carbohydrate sources in my nutrition plan 6 out 7 days a week, but allow a relaxed day early in my contest prep. Since I prefer to do a longer contest prep (20-24 weeks) it allows for events like birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions to eat more relaxed meals guilt free if needed. My physique responds well to the shock it receives from a higher sugar or sodium meal once a week if I eat very clean during the week.”
Q: What are your favorite exercises?
A: “Since I love training all body parts, my favorite exercises tend to be tailored to my focus areas through the seasons of my career.
When I first started training, Squats became my favorite because I had to focus on building my legs, which were my weakness at that time.
After me legs became a strength, I wanted a wider back so Lat pulldowns and pull-ups were my favorites
My shoulders also needed more development, so side laterals and rear delt movements were my number one exercises.
At this stage in my career, I have seen that my legs are starting to decline compared to my younger years, so I have been focused on Step-Lunges and straight-legged deadlifts to awaken the dormant muscles in my glutes and hamstrings without injuring my back with heavy squats.”
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Jay Cutler Blown Away With First Impression Of Michal Krizo, Expects Him To Qualify For 2022 Olympia
Michal Krizo is preparing for competition at the next level and Jay Cutler was impressed with his first impression.
Michal Krizo has finally made the switch to NPC after creating plenty of buzz around his massive physique. There are many that have been impressed when meeting the Slovakian bodybuilder in person and Jay Cutler can be added to the list.
Krizo recently announced that he would leave the IFBB Pro League for the NPC level. He wants to earn his Pro Card and ultimately compete at the 2022 Olympia.
Cutler is a four-time Olympia champion who knows a thing or two about the sport of bodybuilding. He ran into Krizo during a workout at Gold’s Gym and took him through a posing routine. During this routine, Cutler had some positive things to say about his build.
“He’s going to upset a lot of people, especially looking this good this far out. Awesome. He looks great. Round. Detailed. He’s good with this shot, a lot of striations here, which a lot of the guys don’t have. A lot of detail.”
Jay Cutler Expects Michal Krizo To Appear In Olympia
The sole purpose of Michal Krizo making the move to NPC was to earn his Pro Card and make it to the Olympia. It is likely this happens sooner than later.
Jay Cutler is not the first to meet Krizo in person and rave about his physique. Last week, Milos Sarcev got the chance to see Krizo and had a similar impression. He is a mass monster that is turning heads and opening eyes around the sport already.
“He looks massive, man. Much more impressive in person,” Cutler said.
Cutler explained that seeing Krizo’s build in person is much more impressive. This is similar to the claim by Sarcev last week. Krizo explained that he will be apart of the 2022 Prague Pro and will certainly put on quite a show.
“We got to see the biggest, new freak coming into the IFBB, Michal. He’s now part of the IFBB and that kid is going to do some damage. He’s doing the Prague Pro so, we’ll see what happens over there. I imagine he’ll get qualification to be standing with the best out there in December.”
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Hafthor Bjornsson Is Ready To Set Date For Fight With Tyson Fury: ‘Let’s Have It In November’
Hafthor Bjornsson is training three times a day to prepare for an eventual bout with Tyson Fury.
The rumors are trending toward Hafthor Bjornsson getting a chance to take on Tyson Fury in the boxing ring. As of now, all of the noise seems to be coming from one side. It continued on Wednesday as Bjornsson shared a YouTube video with a message to Fury.
Bjornsson got a taste of action back in March when he defeated Eddie Hall by unanimous decision. Now, he seems ready to take a step up in competition by taking on the former heavyweight champion. Fury announced his retirement from boxing following his knockout victory over Dillian Whyte but left the door open for fights such as this.
This is not the first time that Bjornsson has sent a message to Fury. As of now, promoters for the champ have said that there is nothing in the works and that conversations will be had in the coming weeks.
Hafthor Bjornsson To Tyson Fury: “I Just Need The Contract”
Celebrity boxing has become a huge phenomenon over the last year or so. Different celebrities and athletes have been given the chance to step in the ring and take on rivals. For Hafthor Bjornsson, this fight is not a gimmick. It is something that he has been training for and wants to take seriously.
“I just need the contract. So, there is a big challenge to Tyson Fury and his team. Send me the contract, I’ll sign it, so we can have it official. I want to take this seriously.”
Hafthor Bjornsson continues the video by showing respect for the skills of Tyson Fury but believes that he can win with the right preparation. Bjornsson explains that he has been training multiple times a day to fine tune his skills.
“I’m training three times a day for a reason… There is a big bust going on about a fight between me and Tyson Fury. It could possibly happen in November.
I’m ready. I’ll fight Tyson Fury anywhere, at any time, almost. Let’s have it in November.”
As of now, talks have not started with the two sides but it is clear that Hafthor Bjornsson is ready and waiting for the opportunity. It will be interesting to see how Tyson Fury and his team responds.
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Pre-Order Kai Greene Documentary ‘Kai’ | On Digital August 26, 2022
Kai – The Official Kai Greene Documentary Is Now Available For Pre-Order. Releases August 26, 2022.
The official life story biopic documentary of Kai Greene, Kai, is now available to pre-order on digital. The film is set to release on all major digital platforms on August 26, 2022. News of the official pre-order and release date come after the release of the teaser trailer earlier in July. The film will be the only authorized deep dive into the entire life of Kai Green – including never before seen footage throughout his career. You can pre-order today on the official Kai landing page right here.
Kai Greene is one of the biggest modern day legends in the sport of bodybuilding. Known also as The Predator and The People’s Champ – he was the only competitor who could challenge Phil Heath’s Olympia status. The two’s rivalry is stuff of legends – and the tension seen when they battled on stage has yet to be replicated since. Now years after his retirement, fans can finally get an all-access feature film revealing the entire life story of Kai Greene.
Beyond his legendary status, Kai Greene is also known for his poetic artistry in both his actions and most certainly his words. His philosophical way of speaking has often shrouded Kai’s past in mystery. When discussing his childhood – including his time in juvenile detention and his later stint as a male exotic dancer – Kai’s cryptic and vague phrasing has prevented a true clear picture to form.
Kai will be the first direct dive into his past including his traumatic childhood, his early years as an exotic dancer and natural bodybuilder, and well into his star-studded pro bodybuilding career and rivalry with Phil Heath.
Fellow bodybuilding stars will also appear in the film such as Victor Martinez, Rich Gaspari, Mike O’Hearn, and long time rival Phil Heath. The film will mark the first direct interview with Phil about Kai Greene since their time competing together on stage.
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Kai Official Synopsis
Kai Greene is one of the biggest modern day legends in bodybuilding both on and off the stage. He’s an athlete, an artist, an actor, and an entrepreneur. But his journey to greatness first started in childhood – when he chose bodybuilding as a form of survival. Growing up in Brooklyn without parents and later locked up in a juvenile correctional facility, bodybuilding became Kai’s source of hope that eventually took him to stardom.
Later in life Kai became one of the most recognizable faces in the fitness industry, praised by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. His talent was only matched by one singular opponent, his rival and Mr. Olympia champion Phil Heath.
Now witness Kai Greene’s story of survival and climb to success in the first ever all-access documentary chronicling his life and career into the sport of bodybuilding and beyond.
Pre-Order Kai Today
After an early summer tease, Generation Iron Network has finally announced the official release date for Kai. The film will launch on all major digital platforms on August 26, 2022. In less than a month, you’ll be able to see inside the mind, heart, and soul of one of the most enigmatic modern bodybuilding legends.
The film will be available on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Vimeo On Demand. Head over to the official Kai landing page to pre-order today and be the first to watch Kai.
Eddie Hall Trains Son Maximus Through First Bench Press and Deadlift
Eddie Hall shows his son Maximus the ropes.
2017 World’s Strongest Man champion Eddie Hall has been training consistently with his 10 year old son Maximus. The retired strong man has been showing his son the ropes and helping to develop his lifting game. This is sparked the notion that Maximus will follow in the footsteps of his father. While that’s definitely is too soon to tell, it’s still great to see the father-son duo get in the gym and bond over the weights.
Oftentimes, being the child of a successful professional athlete can bring with it a great deal of pressure. There’s pressure to perform, pressure to live up to what your parent did before you, pressure to potentially surpass said parent. But what we can gather from the interaction between Eddie Hall and his son Maximus is that it’s a very holistic relationship. Both are bonding, both are growing and both seem to be having a really great time training together.
Recent Instagram posts by Eddie Hall showcase the strongman teaching his son the basics. From the bench press to the overhead shoulder press to the deadlift, Hall is showing his son how to perform at a high level in the gym.
Bench
Father and son worked their first bench press together.
Max’s first ever bench press ❤️ ??️♀️And so it begins…. Max has said to me for years that he will start to train with me when he is 10 years old.Well he was 10 at the weekend and Monday he was begging me to start training’ so here we are…
Shoulder Press
Eddie Hall showed Maximus the ropes with the overhead dumbbell press for shoulder strength and development.
I was thinking about giving up… but then I remembered who’s watching ❤️
50KG / 110LBS dumbbells x 32 Reps
Deadlift
We also saw Maximus do his first ever deadlift training with Eddie Hall helping him every step of the way.
Max’s first deadlift ?️♂️ ?
He has a long way to go with technique and back positioning etc but we’re going to stick at this weight until he’s got it perfected and then start to move up!!!
But 50kg for his first deadlift is awesome?
Perhaps the best part of all this is that Eddie Hall didn’t even have to push his son to do any of this. It’s Maximus who hounded his father to begin his training. That’s great sign of things to come. Who knows, maybe we will see Maximus competing in the future.
What do you think of Eddie Hall training his son Maximus?
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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.
WATCH: Fitness Star Matt Morsia Trained Like A Premier League Star For A Day
Matt Morsia decided to take on a new challenge over the course of a full day.
Matt Morsia is a Fitness star and influencer has built quite a following for himself thanks to his shredded physique and unique ways of training. He has taken on many challenges over the course of his career. In a recent video, Morsia decided to take on the diet and workout plan of a Premier League superstar for one day.
Morsia suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and that hindered his progress in the gym. He has been rehabbing the injury with physical therapist Matt Radcliffe, who primarily works wit Premier League soccer players. Because of this, Morsia got the idea to fully train like one for a day.
“I know that as the day wears on, there’s going to be some horrendous stuff. I’m very much a heavy lifting, short explosive guy, I’m not into any kind of endurance capacity stuff, and obviously as a footballer, that’s what it’s all about… I’m pretty sure the guys are going to give me a horrible time today,” Morsia said.
What The Full Day Looked Like For Matt Morsia
The day for Matt Morsia began with breakfast. He enjoyed tons with avocado, poached eggs, and a bowl of berries with yogurt and honey. Once Morsia was finished, he began his workout.
Radcliffe takes Matt Morsia through a physio therapist session focused on his injured Achilles tendon. This is followed by activation exercises that are meant to build strength in his quads and glutes. The workout lasted about two hours before breaking for lunch.
READ MORE: Matt Morsia Shows What Happens After Not Training For 100 Days
Morsia had salmon salad, sushi, and granola with yogurt for his second meal. The break did not last long before the workout continued with extended cycling.
“I literally never do continuous exercise for that long, ever,” Morsia said.
This would not be the final workout of the day either. Matt Morsia then went through electrical muscle stimulation therapy. The entire process involves wearing a conductive suit and sending electrical impulses through the part of the body, causing it to contract.
“This is traumatic. I’m stood on the spot and I’m absolutely sweating it out,” Morsia said.
The day was not an easy one for Morsia, who is used to putting his body through excruciating workouts. This just goes to show how serious the workouts and conditioning is for professional athletes.
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Ronnie Coleman Discusses Encounter With DEA In 2002 Over Steroids That Made Him Testify Before Grand Juries
Ronnie Coleman opened up about a run-in with the DEA and the effects of his back surgeries.
Ronnie Coleman is one of the best bodybuilders to ever step on stage. To get to that level, athletes must be willing to put their bodies through hors of training and absorb different substances to build muscle. Because of this, Coleman has been through many surgeries over the course of his career and even ran into some trouble with the DEA.
Coleman holds the record, along with Lee Haney, for most Olympia victories in history with eight. He has spoken about his career in detail since retiring from competition. Recently, Coleman joined the Don’t Be Sour podcast to go in-depth about information that might not be known.
A physique like the one Coleman possessed was eye-opening for all — including the DEA. He was brought in and the agency might have been looking to charge him. Coleman admits that he was buying his steroids through legal means and conducted blood tests.
“Even when I was taking things, I would go to the pharmacy because the DEA came in and brought us all up and I don’t know what they were trying to do, maybe charge us. They came in, brought us all before grand juries, made us testify. This was like 2002. Somewhere in there. Not too long ago. We had, at least I did, we had to go and get our stuff legally,” Ronnie Coleman explained.
Despite buying his steroids legally, Coleman could not avoid a run-in with the DEA. Over the last five or six years of his career, Coleman got his steroids from a place that required blood tests, prescriptions, and specific pharmacies.
“We would go to these pharmacies, and they would take your blood, you know, because you’re a certain age, you can take testosterone.
you know I did everything legally, where I would go to pharmacies and take these blood tests, and they would write a prescription for everything we took.”
Ronnie Coleman Talks About His Many Surgeries
It is no secret that Ronnie Coleman has suffered many injuries over the course of his career. He pointed out a specific incident when he was dealing with a herniated disc back in 1996 before the Arnold Classic.
“I was okay, I still did the Arnold Classic and still continued lifting heavy and working out every single day. I think just over time, you know, it wore itself out.”
Coleman admits to this being the only one he ever had but he did go through eight different back surgeries and three on his neck and hip.
The reason for some of the surgeries would be to replace a screw in his back, which broke on four separate occasions.
“Right out of surgery, I get to my room, nurse comes in and said, ‘Hey, I need to change your bandage.’ I’m like, ‘already?’ She’s like, ‘yeah.’ I turn over, pow! Right there in the hospital bed. It shattered my whole body. Like I said, it happened four times in a row.”
Ronnie Coleman has had a fascinating career and has only made it even better in retirement. Coleman is taking on a new role as a YouTuber and runs a successful page where he provides entertaining videos involving bodybuilding and fitness. He remains a big name in the sport and is extremely active in the gym to this day.
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PNBA Bobby Fotheringham Outlines How Much Muscle You Can Build Each Year in Natural Bodybuilding
Image via Instagram @bobby_pnba_pro
PNBA Bobby Fotheringham explains how much muscle you can build yearly in natural bodybuilding.
Of course, building muscle as a natural takes longer than building muscle with the help of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). So, how much muscle can you add to your frame in natural bodybuilding each year? Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) athlete Bobby Fotheringham answers this sought-out question on social media.
Bobby Fotheringham is a 2x UKDFBA British Champion and NBFI Italy World Champion. On Instagram, Fotheringham outlined how much muscle mass a natural bodybuilder can expect to gain each year. Fotheringham stated:
“Natural bodybuilding, there are limits to the rate we can gain muscle in a period of time.
There are many scientific models that could give you a rough idea of growth potential, they are all pretty much say the same thing. The one Iv been reading up on is
Lyle McDonald’s Model V
1 Years Training (9kg – 12kg)
2 Years Training (4kg – 5kg)
3 Years Training (2.5kg – 3kg)
4+ years Training (0.9kg – 1.3kg)
This to me is about spot on. I’m in to 6 years now and starting at 62kg and at the top end of bulking last prep was 90kg”
You can see Fotheringham’s full statement and progress over the years below.
How Much Muscle Can You Build Naturally?
Bobby Fotheringham isn’t the first natural competitor to disclose how much muscle a natural athlete can build. Men’s Bodybuilding Natural Olympia competitor, Christian Schneider, gives a timeline for the amount of muscle a natural athlete can gain each year as a weightlifter. Schneider and Fotheringham agree on how much muscle a new lifter can acquire within the first year of training (9kg – 12kg). Schneider asserted:
“As a newcomer to training, you can still build muscles quickly and so it is quite possible to gain 9-12 kg in the first year [sic]
In the second year the whole thing is halved and you build up a little slower and less [sic] The following year you can still expect a good increase of 2-3 kg
From the 4th and 5th year it will usually only be 300-800g per year. That doesn’t sound like much, but after 10 years that’s a good 5 kg of pure muscle mass [sic]”
How Much Muscle Can Steroids Build?
Natural bodybuilders in the INBA PNBA league are smaller than bodybuilders in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro league. That’s because INBA PNBA athletes are prohibited from doping. Whereas the IFBB Pro league doesn’t screen for steroids and other PEDs.
And steroids add substantially more muscle to your frame. According to studies, athletes using steroids can gain 4.5-11 pounds (2-5 kg) of lean body mass. And considering that Fotheringham claims that after 4+ years of training, your rate of muscle growth slows to 0.9 kg-1.3 kg per year, this is staggering (1).
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References
Hartgens, F., & Kuipers, H. (2004). Effects of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 34(8), 513–554. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200434080-00003
Arnold Schwarzenegger Now Uses Tequila Or Schnapps To Mix In Protein Shakes
Arnold Schwarzenegger says this recipe is superior to using yeast, which he did during his time as a bodybuilder.
Arnold Schwarzenegger remains an influential voice around the sport of bodybuilding after a career that dubbed him as the best to ever do it. However, this might not be something that fans of his will want to follow. Or maybe they will?
Schwarzenegger sat down for a Zoom interview with Insider and was able to discuss many topics around bodybuilding. It came up that Schwarzenegger now likes to mix his protein with different alcohols.
“I add a little bit of schnapps or tequila. Tequila is also good,” Schwarzenegger said.
In a previous interview with Men’s Health, Schwarzenegger shared a recipe that he likes to use for these shakes. It consists of almond milk, cherry juice, a banana, and a whole egg to go along with the protein powder.
“I sometimes put in the schnapps. I sometimes put in the tequila. It just gives it a little extra flavor,” Schwarzenegger said.
How Does This Compare To Protein Shakes Arnold Schwarzenegger Used Years Ago?
Arnold Schwarzenegger began drinking protein shakes at a young age. When he was 15, Schwarzenegger would use a mixer to combine milk, skimmed milk powder, honey, and yeast. He explained that this taste was not a good one and that he now prefers some alcohol mixed in.
READ MORE: Arnold Schwarzenegger: Obsession With Size & Increased Drug Use Is Killing Bodybuilders
Schwarzenegger is currently in Toronto filming a live-action TV series for Netflix entitled UTAP. On set, he has made these protein shakes for his crew and has gotten plenty of positive feedback.
“I’m making protein shakes now for the whole cast. My trailer becomes kind of like a bar where people come by for a protein drink.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger began his career as a teenager when he developed a love for fitness. He quickly built a championship physique that led him to seven Olympia titles. He is considered the greatest bodybuilder of all-time and remains active in the gym to this day.
At 74 years old, Schwarzenegger remains active in the gym and has even dabbled with plant-based diets. Protein shakes with alcohol might become the new craze if people begin taking Schwarzenegger’s word that it is as good as he says.
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