Tag: nEWS
How To Watch The IFBB New York Pro 2021 (Online Stream)
A complete guide on how to watch the 2021 IFBB New York Pro online.
Tonight, May 15 2021, the IFBB New York Pro 2021 takes place. It is one of the biggest bodybuilding events of the year – holding nine divisions all fighting for first place victories and qualification into the Mr. Olympia 2021. The even is being held in Tampa, Florida. But if you’re not in the area, we have a full breakdown on how to watch the event online and the schedule for pre-judging and finals.
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Hassan Mostafa Drops an Impressive Posing Video Just Before the NY Pro
Hassan Mostafa is reminding the bodybuilding world why he’s the favorite.
The NY Pro is set to feature some impressive up and coming bodybuilders. This next generation of competitors have all the tools necessary to take the bodybuilding world by storm. One of those athletes is Hassan Mostafa who recently gave a preview of the physique he’s bringing to the NY Pro.
Coming in second place at the 2020 NY Pro, Hassan Mostafa is the favorite heading into this show. He’s physique is impressive and complete. That is it was the last time we saw him on stage. Since then some have raised concerns about his midsection.
In certain progress pics and videos, Mostafa has shown a bit of bloat around his midsection. As such, many have wondered if this weak point would hinder his performance at the NY Pro.
While his midsection being bloated is a legitimate cause for concern, Hassan Mostafa just put those worries to bed.
An Impressive Physique Days Out
In a recent post on Instagram Mostafa showcased his current physique days out from the NY Pro. Suffice it to say his midsection has been taken care of and he’s looking great.
Much of the focus heading into the NY Pro has been placed on Blessing Awodibu and Nick Walker. Hassan Mostafa was always a clear front runner, but it can’t be denied that the Blessing-Walker beef brought a different level of intrigue.
With all that said, Hassan Mostafa showing this level of physique days out changes the narrative. There’s no doubt that Mostafa should be the favorite at the NY Pro. He has the musculature and symmetry that sets him apart from the rest of the field. He has also been working with veterans like the legend Flex Wheeler and Jose Raymond. Both veterans have helped Mostafa take his posing to another level which is sure to round out his game.
Blessing Awodibu, Nick Walker, and Justin Rodriguez will be Mostafa’s main competition at the show. But if he brings a package like this to the stage, there’s no doubt that he’s ready for the challenge.
What do you think about Hassan Mostafa and his physique days out from the NY Pro?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
Dr. Dre Takes on Fitness Challenge Inspired By Will Smith
Dr. Dre looks to get into great shape inspired by Will Smith.
It appears that Will Smith has started a trend. It appears that legendary hip hop producer Dr. Dre is looking to transform his physique. The rapper/producer says he has been inspired by Smith to get into the best shape of his life.
Getting in great shape at an advanced age can be a difficult task. It doesn’t mean hopping on to some new fad diet and pump a few weights. It means making a lifestyle and sticking to it. That takes patience, resolve, and most of all dedication in order to make the necessary changes. Like Will Smith, if Dr. Dre hopes to make a major change to his physique at the age of 56, he’ll need to embrace all of those traits.
Already In Great Shape
But while it may prove to be a bit of an uphill battle, Dr. Dre appears to be already half way to a pretty impressive physique. The famed producer posted an image of his current physique on social media and he looks to be in pretty great shape. He even name dropped Will Smith as the motivation for the challenge.
This is my COVID body. I’m about to start getting my shit together. Going in with will smith. Let’s Go!!!!
Even Will Smith chimed in on Dr. Dre’s physique. The actor and rapper gave Dr. Dre some high praise on his current physique.
Smith is correct. Dr. Dre is already in some pretty good shape. All it will take to see significant changes to his physique will be a few tweaks and some consistency.
Dr. Dre joins a long list of other hip hop associated artists challenging themselves to build powerful physiques. Artists like Method Man and Busta Rhymes. These artists are all proving that you can never be too old to get into the best shape of your life. Even bodybuilders of advance age like Lee Labrada are staying in amazing shape by being consistent in their training. If Dr. Dre and Will smith can exhibit the same kind of dedication, then they can see some pretty incredible results themselves.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
Do You Need To Be A Fan Of Bodybuilding To Be A Bodybuilder?
Is it possible to be a passionate pro bodybuilder but not be a fan of the sport?
Competitive bodybuilding isn’t something you just pick up as a hobby. It’s a lifestyle that changes every single aspect of your being. Every single habit and every choice you make goes through the lens of bodybuilding. Since bodybuilding is so focused on the self – it brings up the question – do you have to be a fan of the sport in order to be a competitive bodybuilder? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, we asked that very question to Jamie LeRoyce McTizic – who went through long stretches of hating bodybuilding as he continued to compete.
Jamie LeRoyce McTizic has already detailed his rollercoaster of a career in bodybuilding. He became pro all natural, then turned towards steroids to improve his game, this led to a downward psychological spiral that nearly destroyed him. It also destroyed his love of bodybuilding as a fan. At least for a short period of time. He eventually regained stable footing, went all natural again, and returned to competing in the IFBB.
This entire experience made us wonder – do you have to be a fan of bodybuilding to be a pro bodybuilder? The experience of being a bodybuilder can often be isolated and lonely. There are also many people who focus on building a sculpted physique but avoid the sport all together. So if you actively compete – can you also not be a fan?
We asked this question to Jamie LeRoyce McTizic and he answered honestly from his own experience. “Absolutely, I’m a bodybuilder without being a fan of bodybuilding,” Jamie stated in our interview.
“I like the bodybuilding process. I like the process personally of building the muscle and… what you learn from it. People’s different aspects of how they lifted. And I really liked what Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman had to say… I was a fan of theirs and their training styles. But as far as bodybuilding as a whole and watching it. It was never really like that for me.”
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive segment with Jamie LeRoyce McTizic above!
Jamie LeRoyce McTizic makes a specific but vital distinction here. He is not a fan of the sport. As in, watching the competitions, going to the expos, or caring about who wins and who loses. But he is a fan of the process and learning how to improve that process. He can be a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger or Ronnie Coleman – without caring about how many Mr. Olympia titles they won.
In fact, perhaps it’s harder to be a fan of bodybuilding while you are actively competing. The desire to improve and the desire to win might take the fan experience away from the sport. The person is now an athlete competitor – not a fan. The amount of extreme focus and dedication might suck the enjoyment out of simply being a fan.
Of course, this is certainly not true for all bodybuilders. But Jamie LeRoyce McTizic brings up interesting points that are rarely talked about. Bodybuilding is a discipline beyond simply being a sport. If a person is passionate about sculpting their physique – that doesn’t mean they are passionate about the sport overall. Perhaps they only compete because it’s a way of making a living doing what they love.
You can watch Jamie LeRoyce Mctizic go into more detail by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Matt Jansen: The Real Way To Burn Stubborn Fat Areas Without Ruining Strong Points
Matt Jansen shares the brutally honest truth behind the myth of spot reducing stubborn fat areas.
Losing weight can be hard. It can become especially hard when you’re trying to build up muscle and maintain a sculpted physique at the same time. Each body is different. We are all familiar with having trouble areas. Spots on the body that carry more weight than the rest. How do you spot reduce those fatty areas without burning too deep into your muscle tissue? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, trainer Matt Jansen debunks the myth of spot reducing stubborn fat and how to really bring in trouble areas.
You’ve likely seen headlines and ads online all the time that claim to provide the secret to spot reducing stubborn fatty areas on your body. Whether it is a supplement promising a cure or simply a certain workout – the myth of spot reducing fat has persisted for decades.
Unfortunately, here’s the real truth. There is no way to spot reduct stubborn fat areas. It is physically impossible to target certain points of the body to burn stubborn fat. Crunches do not burn more fat in your stomach. Specific diets cannot hold the secret to burning fat in problem areas.
The general truth is this – when you burn more calories than you consume, you will lose fat. Since every body is different genetically – some areas might take longer to lose fat than others. But if you stay persistent, it will all drop off eventually.
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Check out our GI Exclusive with bodybuilding coach Matt Jansen above!
When it comes to bodybuilding, however, this poses an interesting challenge. What happens if a bodybuilder has strong areas of their physique but carry extra fat in other specific problem areas? How do you burn stubborn fat without diminishing the hard earned muscle and taper?
We asked Matt Jansen this very question during our video interview. As we mentioned, he makes it very clear that you cannot target fat loss in certain areas. So if an athlete has a problem area, Jansen’s tactic is to plan a longer period of dieting leading up to a competition.
As Matt Jansen explains it, if a bodybuilder doesn’t carry fat evenly, then it’s a delicate balancing act to burn off fat in the problem areas and keep strong areas on point. This balancing act will be trial and error. That’s why a bodybuilder should plan a more extended time than usual during contest prep dieting.
This additional time allots for the athlete to cut fat from the problem areas and also then work on fixing any strong areas that might have been diminished through the fat loss diet plan. It’s almost like balancing a scale. You fall too much to one side, so now you put more weight on the other. Then it teeters too far to the other side, so you keep balancing until it evens out perfect.
Unfortunately, this simply requires more time and effort to accomplish. That’s the rub when it comes to having “less ideal” genetics. More work, consistency, and time need to be put in to perfect the athlete’s physique.
You can watch Matt Jansen talk in more detail about burning stubborn body fat in our latest GI Exclusive interview above!
Conor McGregor Tops Forbes Highest Paid Athlete List
Conor McGregor is Forbes’ highest paid athlete.
There was a time when names like Lebron James, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao dominated Forbes’ highest paid athlete list. While James still made it onto the list it’s clear that there’s a new king in town. It appears that former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor has topped the list.
One of the most popular and polarizing figures in sports today, Conor McGregor has come a long way. In 2013 he was still collecting welfare to make ends meet. Now he has seen his net worth skyrocket in the past 12 months.
Hard Work Pays Off
Besides his massive fights with Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor would earn a tremendous amount of money outside of fighting. Getting inside the octagon once paid the bills for McGregor. Now his entrepreneurial ventures have earned him the lump sum of his millions in the last calendar year.
His sale of his majority stake in his Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand to Proximo Sports saw Conor McGregor earn a cool $150 million. Not too shabby for the Irishman who didn’t know how he’d manage to pay his bills just eight short years ago. His total earnings tally in at $180 million.
So now that Conor McGregor has made tons of money from his fighting career, businesses, and endorsements, does that mean he’s hanging it up?
Well apparently not.
Conor McGregor is still scheduled to have the trilogy match with Dustin Poirier this summer. The two are one and one heading into the third fight. In fact, McGregor’s loss this past January is likely to make this third match with Poirier even bigger. Both men are set to earn a ton of money in this third match. The amount will easily eclipse their first to two bouts.
While Conor McGregor may have all the money he could ask for, the fact that he’s still competing says something about his yearning to leave a legacy. There’s no reason for him to compete outside of getting revenge and cementing himself as the better man in this rivalry. Most other people who have earned as much as him would kick their feet up and chill out, enjoy the good life and retire. But the fact that he still wants this fight shows that his competitive fire is still burning bright.
What do you think of Conor McGregor topping the Forbes’ highest paid athlete list?
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
The Reason Kevin Levrone Drank Jack & Coke And Improvised Posing Routines At Shows
Kevin Levrone describes his unusual tactic for “feeling the mood” just moments before competing on stage.
Kevin Levrone is known for being one of the best bodybuilders of the 90s and perhaps even of all time. Beyond his impressive physique, part of his fame came from his stellar posing routines. Bodybuilders traditionally practice their posing routine for weeks on end. But Levrone would completely improvise his posing. He didn’t even pick his music until just minutes before stepping on stage.
That tactic might seem reckless. But Kevin Levrone put extreme importance on “feeling the mood” of the audience and the venue location. Syncing in to that mood would help him elevate his posing routine. It’s likely part of what made him so legendary to this day. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Kevin Levrone goes into detail about his last minute posing routines and his tactics for connecting with the audience.
During our video conversation with Kevin Levrone, we touched briefly on the topic of alcohol and bodybuilding. Can a bodybuilder drink alcohol and be successful on a pro level? This question quickly spiraled into an interesting discussion about Levrone’s posing routines and his tactics on the night of a competition.
Kevin Levrone admits that he never prepared his posing routines in advance. In fact, he would bring multiple tapes of music and not submit them until just moments before he stepped on stage. The reason? He wanted to “feel the mood” of the audience and the venue location.
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive with Kevin Levrone above!
This is where the alcohol comes in. By no means did Kevin Levrone drink alcohol as part of his regular bodybuilding diet. But on the night of a show, he would make himself a Jack and Coke backstage. Levrone states that this was simply to help loosen him up. This, in turn, would help him feel out the vibe being emitted from the audience.
Kevin Levrone believes that every single competition venue has a different atmosphere and feeling. Vegas is different than New York. New York is different than a competition in Europe. Each night is different due to the energy of the audience. Levrone wanted to tap into that energy so he could be fully in-sync with the judges and the crowd.
So Kevin Levrone would make himself a Jack and Coke, relax, and feel the vibe. He would bring multiple tapes of music and then decide his song last minute based on that vibe. This would often get him in trouble and even fined for submitting his music so late. But to Levrone, this was a small price to pay to elevate his routine to the next level.
This tactic is quite different than the usual messaging you receive from pro bodybuilders. Posing is certainly important. It can create an illusion through angles and flexing that makes your physique look even more impressive that it really is. This vital when being judged.
Due to this, many pro bodybuilders stress the importance of consistent training and practicing of posing routines before a show. While Kevin Levrone most likely still practiced his mandatory poses – his improvised posing routines seemed to give him an edge. Living in the moment helped showcases his physique more than prepping in advance and getting too stuck in his head.
Of course, that’s simply what worked for Levrone. It’s part of what makes him a rare and legendary athlete in the sport. It’s not a tactic that might work for everyone. It might not even work for most.
You can watch Kevin Levrone go into full detail about his competition tactics in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
Brandon Hendrickson Alleges He Was Assaulted By George Brown Ahead of Olympia
Brandon Hendrickson alleges he and George Brown had a less than friendly run in at the 2020 Olympia.
So it appears that Men’s Physique Olympia champion Brandon Hendrickson had a pretty interesting time at the 2020 show. Not only did he pick up a major win, but it appears that Hendrickson had a bit of an altercation with a fellow competitor. According to Hendrickson, he was physically assaulted by George Brown.
While these are merely allegations at this moment, this is nothing to scoff at. Brandon Hendrickson was pretty vehement about his claim. According to him and George Brown had a less than friendly run in at the 2020 Olympia this past December.
During a recent interview, Brandon Hendrickson went in depth about the alleged altercation he had with George Brown. Hendrickson alleges that the altercation with Brown was over a dispute with their (former) mutual coach, Mandus Buckle. In the interview Brandon Hendrickson speaks in detail on his dispute with Mandus as well as Brown.
A Not So Friendly Encounter
“Two days out from the 2020 Mr. Olympia, I get assaulted,” said Hendrickson. “Nobody knows this, but I get assaulted by (Brown) two days out from Mr. Olympia. I had to call Jim Manion, I had to call Dan Solomon. They all know about this.”
“I was physically assaulted. If it goes to court, we’re going to go get video from the hotel. If it goes to court. It was at the host hotel.
“I left Mandus, and George is with Mandus,” explained Hendrickson. “After the show, after all my shows I give Mandus money for whatever, just to be my coach. He doesn’t ask me for anything, I just give it to him. So I left him, now he’s asking for the money two weeks out. He’s asking me to pay him whatever I owe him…some $700.
“My lawyer’s like ‘Leave Brandon alone, he needs to do his show. We’ll focus on the money after the show.’ George Brown, two days out at the meet and greet, the Thursday, he bumps my elbow. He was like ‘You know you owe that n-word Mandus money, $700.’
“So I looked at George and I’m like ‘You have nothing to do with this. This money that I owe Mandus is about me and Mandus, it’s not me you.’
“That night we go to the Uber pickup, George is there. Me and my wife are there, and I see George. He walks up and literally checks me with his elbow in my arm. So I had to put a defense up. He checks me, and he says ‘Get the eff out of my way, stay the eff out of my way,’ and walks off.”
These are some pretty serious allegations by Brandon Hendrickson. While no serious injury occurred, should these allegations be proven true, it still must have been a lot to deal with ahead of competing at the Olympia.
While nothing has has been confirmed by the other parties involved, this allegation is sure to stir up trouble for Mandus Buckle and George Brown.
The Generation Iron team will continue to follow this story as it develops.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Managing Editor 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.
Brad Castleberry Explains: Is 24 Hour Intermittent Fasting The Key To A Shredded Physique?
Brad Castleberry explains how 24 hour intermittent fasting can be an extra tool to create a lean and conditioned physique.
Brad Castleberry has his fair share of controversies but one thing that can’t be denied is his fantastic and consistently lean physique. He’s the kind of bodybuilder that maintains great conditioning all year. This can be a true challenge given the twists and turns life throws our way every single day. So how does he do it? We asked Castleberry that very question. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Brad Castleberry details his tactics, including intermittent fasting, for maintaining a shredded physique year round.
Brad Castleberry is the kind of bodybuilder who can throw off his shirt any day of the week at any point of the year and look shredded. While genetics play a big part of that ability – Castleberry doesn’t want to be written off just for good genetics alone. The truth is that maintaining a consistent conditioned physique takes a lot of work. The kind of work you can never take a break from.
In our new video conversation with Brad Castleberry, we asked him how he stays shredded all year round. He explained that it’s all in the diet. Most importantly, it’s about being extremely strict in your diet every single day, 365 days a year. That’s the part that’s a challenge for almost everyone. There’s no days off. There’s no breaks. There’s no turning on and off the diet. If you want to look like Castleberry throughout the year – you need to work throughout the year.
Of course, this isn’t the answer people want to hear. They want to know tips and tricks to make that hard work easier. Or how to optimize their diet habits to make the goal more obtainable. For Brad, his key additional tactic is 24 hour intermittent fasting.
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Check out our latest GI Exclusive with Brad Castleberry above!
Brad Castleberry details how he fasts for a full 24 hours one day per week. Absolutely no food or carb filled drinks for a full day. He swears by it and he claims it’s a helpful tool to bringing in your physique to truly shredded levels. Though he does warn that this is just a cherry on top. It’s not the end-all be-all way to become shredded. If you’re eating like a slob but intermittent fasting – it won’t work.
Beyond helping his physique – Castleberry also shares the benefits of doing a full 24 hour fast once per week. He claims that it actually helps your energy levels rather than depletes them. Many people think that fasting will make you drained and tired. But the opposite is true if you do it intermittently. It detoxes your system and the hunger can help keep you focused. That focused energy can help you stay on track with your goals. This includes eating healthy and keeping your strict diet the rest of the week.
While this advice is purely anecdotal, it’s no secret that intermittent fasting has been proven to help with weight loss (if paired with a healthy diet). Fasting for a full 24 hours is not the only way to intermittently fast. You can also fast for 16 hours and eat within an eight hour window every single day. There are a variety of intermittent fasting tactics available. They all work. For Castleberry, going all in on a 24 hour fast works best for his lifestyle.
If you’re the kind of person who already eats well but has trouble getting your physique to that next level of shred. Consider intermittent fasting as a helping hand to your routine. It might just be the edge you need to become a lean mean bodybuilding machine. Just don’t use it as an excuse to scarf down an extra cheat meal after you fast.
You can watch Brad Castleberry breakdown his full tactic for staying as lean as possible all year in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
‘Strength Wars: The Movie’ Clip – Anabolic Horse Vs Terron Beckham
Strength Wars: The Movie – A neck and neck battle between two vastly different athletes.
Strength Wars: The Movie is officially available on digital. You can order the film today right here. In this clip, Anabolic Horse battles against football athlete Terron Beckham. Both athletes vary widely in training discipline but the competition is close as these two swing back and forth for victory.
Strength Wars: The Movie released on April 16, 2020 and quickly became one of the top sports films on digital in the United States. That’s thanks in large part to the elite cast of athletes who agreed to compete in one of the most grueling strength competitions currently in action.
You can currently watch the film on all major digital platforms. But if you haven’t had a chance to see the film – we have a brand new exclusive clip to give you a look at just how intense the battles become.
In this clip, Strength Wars veteran Anabolic Horse squares off against Terron Beckham. Anabolic Horse describes himself as a powerbuilder while Beckham is a former football player and still maintains that style of training. Looking at both of their physiques and training disciplines – the two couldn’t be farther apart. But both are masters in their respective field.
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Check out Anabolic Horse vs Terron Beckham in this Strength Wars: The Movie clip above!
This is exactly where the excitement of Strength Wars comes into play. Two totally different training methods battling in a course designed to put them both to the test. Which will win out in the end? Powerbuilding or Football athletics? We won’t ruin that here – you’ll have to watch the movie for that.
But what you can see is that the battle is truly neck and neck. This clip showcases only one section of the course – but the two swerve back and forth for the lead. With each passing rep and each new section of the course – endurance fads. Who will outlast the other for ultimate victory?
More About Strength Wars: The Movie
Introduced in 2012, Strength Wars pits two muscle and strength athletes from different sports such as Bodybuilding, Powerlifting, Strongman, and Cross Fit against each other, by competing in a collection of strength exercises to determine an ultimate winner. Now in 2020, Strength Wars gets the feature film treatment with the biggest strength tournament in the competition’s history.
Welcome to Strength Wars: The Movie.
Directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron series, The Hurt Business, Dorian Yates The Original Mass Monster) and produced by Edwin Mejia Jr., the film will feature an all-star cast including Larry Wheels, Anabolic Horse, Terron Beckham, Jerry Pritchett, Blaine Sumner, Big Neechi, Leonidas Arkona, and NDO Champ. The film will increase the stakes, transforming the 2v2 battles into an eight person tournament where only one can stand tall as champion. The film will also dive deep into the lives of each competitor across the globe as they train and prepare for the Strength Wars tournament.
Strength Wars: The Movie is available now on digital. You click here or the banner below to order today.