Shawn Ray breaks down every single Arnold Classic champion in part 1 of this 2 part special.
ARNOLD CLASSIC MOMENTS – is a special video series commemorating the 30 year anniversary of one of the biggest bodybuilding competitions in the world. Legendary bodybuilders tell their personal moments in the Arnold Classic and share the oral history of what makes this specific competition rise above the rest – making a lasting impression for years to come.
Shawn Ray is not only a legendary bodybuilding competitor with many titles under his belt – he is also a walking encyclopedia of bodybuilding history and knowledge. That’s why for this special 2 part episode of Arnold Classic Moments, Shawn gives us a year by year look at each Arnold Classic champion starting from 1989 through to 2004.
Not only does this act as a look back at the evolution of the Arnold Classic itself – but also the evolution of bodybuilding physiques and what constituted a champion in each decade.
There were ups and downs, near misses and redemptions, and even a sneak peak at young athletes who would eventually become repeat Mr. Olympia winners. Brush up on your bodybuilding history in the full video above!
Liver King took to social media to share a new physique update.
Liver Kingdecided to ween off steroids toward the end of 2022. Brian Johnson quickly changed his image and became a social media sensation because of his wild diet regimen and shredded physique. Since shutting down his cycles completely, Liver King has continued to maintain a shredded build after 58 days “natty AF.”
In November, Derek from More Plates More Datesexposed emails proving that Brian Johnson was indeed on steroids. After the allegations, Johnson made a video where he admitted the truth and apologized for misleading his fans. Since then, he has not slowed down in the gym or moving around spreading his word.
Johnson has remained active on social media, sharing different physique updates and workouts. On Wednesday, he shared a story on Instagram with his shredded build.
Liver King Remains Shredded During Natty Lifestyle
Johnson has apologized to fans on multiple occasions publicly after the drama that ensued back in December. He continues to go on the record many times preaching his lifestyle in a natural way.
In December, TMZ caught up with Johnson in Los Angeles, where he hit some deadlifts in the street and spoke on a Celebrity Bus Tour. He revealed that he was not fully off PEDs yet but was in the process of working off. Now, he is officially off and beginning his natural lifestyle.
Liver King has continued his diet plan and his lifestyle of the nine ancestral tenets during his natural lifestyle. It is clear that he has remained true to his word and wants to continue to be shredded after getting off steroids.
We tend to put a lot of focus on our front, meaning arms, abs, and chest, however the wide grip pulldown can ensure we don’t lose sight of what matters equal to our front, being our backs. Our backs tend to fall by the wayside, which is unfortunate because at the end of the day, they are equally as important as all other muscle groups. Sure, those bodybuilders with massive backs may put a little more emphasis than you want to but showing your back some love can make all the difference.
A great exercise like the wide grip pulldown will ensure your back doesn’t fall victim to neglect so you get a great workout to really boost strength and size. A strong back not only looks good and adds to a great aesthetic, but it also improves stability and posture, really giving those muscles the support they need to see the best gains. The wide grip pulldown is the perfect exercise to help you see the best gains possible for our backs.
Let’s jump right into this exercise and see what makes the wide grip pulldown so great. From what it is, to what muscles get worked, the many benefits of this exercise, and how best to perform it, you will have a well-rounded exercise to add to your back day routine so you only see the best gains.
What Is The Wide Grip Pulldown?
The wide grip pulldown is a beginner level exercise perfect for enhancing those back and biceps muscles, so the focus is on strength and building your physique (1). It is, of course, very similar to the traditional lat pulldown, except the grip is wider and will work those lats and other muscles differently. What you will find with this exercise is that it will boost strength and improve posture in a highly effective way perfect for people and athletes of all experience levels.
With the wide grip pulldown, your lats get some serious work done which is great because these are those essential pulling exercises. Able to support your spine and improve posture, your lats are essential in dealing with many movements, both sport specific and functional. As a part of this exercise as a whole, your biceps, forearms, delts, other back muscles, and abs will feel some work done as well. While the majority of the gains will happen to your lats, you will find that these other muscles will be worked as well.
Benefits Of The Wide Grip Pulldown
The benefits of the wide grip pulldown are hard to ignore and can greatly benefit you in a number of ways. With this effective back exercise, you will only enhance sport specific and functional pulling movements, as well as many others, in efforts to see the best gains possible.
Benefits of the wide grip pulldown include:
Stronger lats: With your lats as the primary target for these muscles, you will find that they will not only grow stronger, but also bigger in size, this giving you the best possible chance at that massive physique (2).
Other muscle worked: With this exercise, you will also get those other muscles worked which is perfect for providing all around muscular development and working to support a well-rounded and symmetrical physique.
Better posture: By increasing strength in your lats, you back will be better supported and you will be able to improve posture and improve overall confidence.
Great for all athletes: As a beginner exercise, this is great for all athletes and can be performed easily and conveniently by all. Easy to learn also allows you to not sweat over trying to learn something complex.
Nice variations: This exercise has plenty of variations so you can effectively work the same muscles but use different machines.
How To Perform It
Performing the wide grip pulldown is relatively easy but does take the right form so you can properly execute this exercise. Be sure to not lean too far back and to use too much momentum when pulling down. You want your muscles to get work done, especially your lats, so focusing on that instead of pulling with your arms can make all the difference for you.
Here are the steps for performing the wide grip pulldown:
Set yourself up on the machine and make sure you are in a comfortable position.
Grab the bar with the widest grip you can. Your hands will be on the farthest most point of the bar with your palms facing away from you.
When ready, engage your core and lean back slightly. Pull the bar down so it goes to around the bottom of your chest and squeeze at the bottom.
Slowly return to the starting position in a controlled motion.
Repeat for your desired number of sets and reps.
Wide Grip Pulldown Alternative Exercises
The right alternative exercises can be a game changer when it comes to seeing great gains. What alternative exercises can do are diversify your workouts so you work those same muscles just in a different way. This will control muscle confusion so your muscles don’t have a chance to get used to any exercise and force you to hit a plateau.
Below are some great alternative exercises to the wide grip pulldown. What you will find is these will fire up your lats, but in a much different way so your growth never stalls.
Renegade Rows
Bent Over Reverse Fly
Wie Grip Pull-Ups
Barbell Rows
Dumbbell Rows
Wrap Up
The wide grip pulldown is a great exercise for increasing strength and size in your lats. As necessary muscles needed for pulling movement, both functional and sport specific, you will find that this exercise is perfect for those muscle building needs. An easy to perform exercise, the wide grip pulldown is perfect to add into your routine and can really round out your workouts perfectly.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Andersen, V.; et al. (2014). “Effects of grip width on muscle strength and activation in the lat pull-down”. (source)
Forearms are one of the most underrated muscle groups, and most people overlook training them. They influence your appearance much more than you think. If you’re someone who prefers wearing t-shirts or 3/4 sleeve shirts, your forearms are more exposed than your biceps; so why not try and give them the love they deserve to make them pop. While people may not look directly at your forearms, a set of solid and strong forearms can add to your physique and make others certainly envy you.
Even if you’re someone who focuses on training forearms, they can be a challenging muscle group to build up, they’re like calves in a sense. They are one of the top areas that people struggle with and often find themselves plateauing. We want to make sure we focus on those muscles that others envy. A common mistake is that there are only a few exercises to work your forearms. That is not true. Plenty of compound movements such as the deadlift, will give your forearms a burn so they grow. What you will find however is that there are certain exercises perfect for building and isolating your forearms, so they grow.
Muscle symmetry can add to your body aesthetics and can make your arms look bigger than they are. Training your forearms as accessory muscles isn’t enough to add muscle mass. You need to treat them as you would treat any other muscle group. As a bodybuilder, or simply someone seeking a well-rounded physique, don’t neglect a body part that is most often pretty visible. A set of forearms that will stand out and only add to your symmetry is exactly what you need to see the growth and overall gains you want most.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of the five best exercises for how to get bigger forearms. If done right, this will get you on the path to building massive forearms to be proud of. With the right approach and proper training, you will be well on your way to seeing effective gains all while giving your forearms the love they deserve.
Anatomy of the Forearms
Your forearms are made up of three muscles/ muscle groups, all working for their own benefit respectively. Your brachioradialis is the muscle that flexes the forearm at the elbow (1). Certain exercises like hammer curls are great for this muscle.
Your flexors are located on the posterior side of the forearm and are responsible for wrist extension, finger extension, and forearm supination, so turning your palm upward and outward. An exercise like the barbell wrist curl is a good one for flexors.
The extensor muscles are located on the anterior of the forearm and deal mainly with flexion and pronation, rotating your forearm so your palm is backwards and downwards. The dumbbell wrist extension exercise is a good exercise to perform for forearm growth.
Benefits Of Strong Forearms
Having strong forearms is important when it comes to those of us who lift for a number of reasons. They first provide for better grip strength and as we work up in weight, it is important for us to realize that we need to have a solid and secure grip so our gains never falter (2). They also provide for bicep stability and will work improve all those big lifts that deal with your biceps and other body parts. Plus, they will provide for a more rounded and symmetrical physique that others will definitely envy.
5 Best Exercises For Massive Forearms
As promised, we wanted to share the 5 best exercises for massive forearms. Knowing the right exercises and having the right approach to training will better prepare you to tackle any workout. While forearms tend to be overlooked, these exercises will give you great gains and make you see the progress you want most.
Let’s take a look at these best 5 forearm exercises so you can have the best for all your gains.
1. Barbell Wrist Curls
Barbell wrist curls are one of the most common forearm exercises and yet most people perform them incorrectly. Don’t let your ego get the better of you while doing this exercise and use weights you can maintain a full range of motion with. The barbell wrist curls work the brachioradialis and flexors.
The best way of performing the barbell or dumbbell wrist curls is to kneel down at the side of a flat bench with your forearms placed on the bench. Grab a barbell with an underhand grip and curl it as high as you can while lowering the barbell. Let the barbell roll down to the tip of your fingers. Doing so will help in recruiting all the muscle fibers in your forearms and hands.
2. Barbell Reverse Wrist Curls
Barbell reverse curls are another common forearm exercise but is a little harder as compared to the normal wrist curls. Use a wrist curl machine if you have access to it at your gym or use a flat bench.
You will be lifting lighter weights in this exercise as compared to the normal wrist curls. Grab the bar with an overhand monkey (thumbs over the barbell) grip. A monkey grip helps in better targeting your forearms better. The reverse wrist curls work the extensor muscles.
3. Behind the Back Cable Wrist Curls
Behind the back cable wrist curl is a great exercise to isolate your forearms. Using the cables will help you maintain a constant tension on your forearms and will fill your muscles with lactic acid.
Stand with your back towards the cable pulley machine and grab a straight bar. Curl the bar and hold the movement at the contraction for a couple of seconds. This exercise focuses on your brachioradialis and flexors.
4. Reverse Grip Barbell Curls
Reverse grip barbell curls are a compound exercise and will help you in developing muscle mass and strength in your forearms. Holding the barbell with an overhand monkey grip will make your forearms work harder to hold onto the bar.
Keep your elbows pinched to your sides and curl the barbell. Keep the reps slow and controlled and squeeze your forearms and biceps at the top of the movement. The reverse grip barbell curls work the extensors.
5. Farmer’s Walk
Farmer’s walk, also known as the farmer’s carry, helps in building forearm size and grip strength which can carry over to other exercises. The farmer’s walk is also one of the easiest exercises to perform. Grab a pair of dumbbells and walk around until you can’t hold onto the dumbbells anymore.
Another variation of this exercise is the pinch carries. In pinch carriers, you need to pinch together two plates so they don’t slip. Pinch carries activate your forearms by forcing you to squeeze your fingers so the plates don’t separate.
Recommended Forearms Workout
With so many workouts out there, finding a good forearms workout may be challenging. We wanted to share a great one with you so you can tackle your arm goals with no problem.
Exercises
Sets
Reps
Barbell Wrist Curls
3
15
Barbell Reverse Wrist Curls
3
15
Behind The Back Cable Wrist Curls
3
12
Reverse Grip Barbell Curls
3
12
Farmer’s Walk
2
1 minute
Tip: Use a Thick Bar or Fat Gripz
Another way for how to get bigger forearms is to increase the muscle fiber recruitment of the forearm muscles and grip is to use a thicker bar. Conventional barbells and dumbbells have one-inch handles, but you can use thicker bars to make the forearms work harder. Thicker bars also provide a greater stimulus for your forearms to grow stronger and larger. It would be worth trying this out for you will get great benefits that can work towards your goals with a solid bar.
Supplements For Bigger Forearms
When looking to enhance forearm growth, looking to the right supplements will prove to be worthwhile for growth and recovery. A solid pre-workout can work to provide energy and push past fatigue while also aiding in increased blood flow so your forearm muscles really start to grow.
On top of a good pre-workout, a protein supplement for those post-workout gains will work to boost protein synthesis and allow those broken down muscles to heal producing more muscle.
Creatine is also great for increasing strength and size and for those really looking to put on mass and muscle, a mass gainer is a great option to advance your gains.
Wrap Up
Getting bigger forearms can make those arms of yours truly pop. The process of getting bigger forearms may seem challenging, but with this workout and some great supplements, you are well on your way to making that happen. Don’t neglect your forearms and give yourself the best chance at overall success by putting these 5 best exercises for massive forearms into your routine.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Images courtesy of Envato
References
Mitchell, B.; et al. (2021). “Anatomy, Shoulder and Upper Limb, Forearm Muscles”. (source)
Szymanski, D.; et al. (2004). “Effect of 12 Weeks of Wrist and Forearm Training on High School Baseball Players”. (source)
51-year-old Mark Wahlberg continues to sculpt his impressive physique.
At 51 years old, Mark Wahlbergcontinues to be one of the most shredded actors in Hollywood. He recently shared the 4 a.m. club during one of his workouts and has decided to kick it up a notch during a leg day workout.
On Monday, Wahlberg attacked a leg day and went even earlier than before, crediting the “3 a.m. club” in his caption. Wahlberg has taken on many works in the middle of the night in order to stay lean and fit.
During his career, Wahlberg has enjoyed top training facilities and has had strong coaching as well. He also showed that he never takes days off — even the Cinco De Mayo when he closed out an ab workout with a celebratory shot of tequila. Wahlberg has shared many different workouts and products for his 20 million Instagram followers to try.
Mark Wahlberg Shows Off Jacked Quads
Mark Wahlberg hit the gym at 3 a.m. for a quad-pumping leg day. Along with a strict diet plan, Wahlberg has taken down two-a-days on certain occasions and even finds himself in the gym on holidays.
“You don’t need to fast for 40 days like Jesus. You just need to do a little bit more every day, and when you’re struggling, ask for help.”
Wahlberg burst not the scene in the 90s because of his work in music and as a fitness model. He eventually transitioned to the big screen but kept his physique in the best shape possible. Wahlberg has been able to go through many transformations in order to prepare for different roles.
This has helped his career on the big screen but also helps Mark Wahlberg maintain a healthy lifestyle. And he continues to help others do the same.
Casein is a great form of protein to aid in slower digestion for the best in terms of muscle growth and repair.
Protein is an essential macronutrient found in all body tissues and it’s responsible for many of our bodily processes and the best casein protein powders can greatly affect your health and performance. It’s composed of amino acids which are the building blocks of the body and it’s important we supply our bodies with enough. Protein is responsible for chemical reactions in the body but it’s a must for muscle growth, repair, performance, and even body fat and weight management. Now, casein protein differs from whey in that it’s slow digesting, but both are milk-based and we’ll discuss some differences.
We’ve put together a list of the Best Casein Protein Powders for 2023 so you can enhance all areas of your health, training, and performance. The right product will take your gains to the next level as you seek the best results.
The best casein overall will be of the highest quality and from a company who prides themselves on honesty and transparency. The best option overall would be packed with the right nutrients and plenty of protein, so your growth and recovery needs can be met.
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Casein Protein
Calories
120
Protein
25g
Carbs
4g
Fat
0.5g
Sugar
3g
Flavors
Chocolate, Vanilla
Number Of Servings
30
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Casein Protein is the cleanest casein powder around providing essential amino acids to keep you anabolic up to 8 hours. Micellar casein works great to support muscle growth and recovery throughout the night and this powder is gentle on your stomach and tastes great. A fully transparent and honest label, this supplement contains no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives and has 25g protein with just 120 calories.
For those looking to recover faster, the right casein products have the ability pump you with protein to alleviate soreness and repair those worn down muscles.
Kaged Muscle Kasein
Calories
120
Protein
25g
Carbs
3g
Fat
0.5g
Sugar
1g
Flavors
Vanilla Shake, Chocolate Shake
Number Of Servings
27
Kaged Muscle Kasein is for anyone looking combat muscle breakdown with the best supplement for nighttime recovery. This casein is an ultra-premium cold-processed micellar casein isolate carefully manufactured with a micro-filtration process. This ensures the structural integrity of the protein so you get the best casein around. This slow digesting protein works to keep you in an anti-catabolic state, improve muscle recovery, and maximize muscle gains. A clean and fully disclosed formula offers 25g protein and 120 calories for a great casein recovery supplement.
Great for nighttime recovery and avoiding muscle breakdown
Great for digestion
Carefully manufactured with a microfiltration process
Clean and fully disclosed label
Cons
Taste is okay on some flavors
A bit pricey for the number of servings
Price: $34.99/ 27 servings
Best Casein For Mixing
It is always a pain when you have a powder that just won’t mix well, sometimes it comes out too lumpy or too watery, or even the powder will simply not mix. Having the right casein powder to mix with any beverage can alleviate this problem.
Legion Casein+ is a 100% natural grass-fed micellar casein protein powder made with milk from sustainable farms in Ireland. With some of the healthiest and cleanest milk in the world being used for this supplement, you can be sure you overall health and performance are kept in mind. Naturally flavored and sweetened, this casein contains no artificial food dyes with a transparent label. A high protein powder, this comes with 26g protein, 120 calories, and 0g sugar.
Naturally flavored and sweetened for no added nonsense
Great amount of protein with 0g sugar
Cons
Servings could be better for the price
Price: $49.99/ 30 servings
Best Casein For Digestion
Digestion is important and many protein powders can cause stomach discomfort. Having a casein protein powder that works well for digestion will allow these nutrients to hit you more efficiently without any discomfort.
Kaged Muscle Kasein
Calories
120
Protein
25g
Carbs
3g
Fat
0.5g
Sugar
1g
Flavors
Vanilla Shake, Chocolate Shake
Number Of Servings
27
Kaged Muscle Kasein is making the list again, this time for our top choice of a good digesting casein. For anyone that has digestion or gut issues, this is a great solution. As stated above, this casein is an ultra-premium cold-processed micellar casein isolate carefully manufactured with a micro-filtration process. This ensures the structural integrity of the protein so you get the best casein around. This slow digesting protein works to keep you in an anti-catabolic state, improve muscle recovery, and maximize muscle gains, and it is easy on the stomach. A clean and fully disclosed formula offers 25g protein and 120 calories for a great casein recovery supplement.
Great for nighttime recovery and avoiding muscle breakdown
Great for digestion
Carefully manufactured with a microfiltration process
Clean and fully disclosed label
Cons
Taste is okay on some flavors
A bit pricey for the number of servings
Price: $34.99/ 27 servings
Best Casein For Athletes
Recovery is a huge part of performance, and athletes looking to optimize these things need the right supplements and a great casein protein powder can do just that. With quality ingredients, all your needs can be taken care of with no problem at all for the best results.
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Casein Protein
Calories
120
Protein
25g
Carbs
4g
Fat
0.5g
Sugar
3g
Flavors
Chocolate, Vanilla
Number Of Servings
30
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Casein Protein is again on the list, this time it is for the best casein for athletes! It the cleanest casein powder around, also providing essential amino acids to keep you anabolic up to 8 hours. After a day of intense training or other athletics, this is the perfect option.
Micellar casein works great to support muscle growth and recovery throughout the night and this powder is gentle on your stomach and tastes great. A fully transparent and honest label, this supplement contains no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives, which is are all factors that matter to an athlete who is focused on their diet! Also, it has 25g protein with just 120 calories.
The benefits of taking a casein protein powder can greatly affect your health and performance as you look to maximize growth and recovery. Benefits of casein include:
High quality protein: Casein offers a high-quality source of protein for all your overnight needs when it comes to building muscle and enhancing recovery.
Assist weight loss: This can keep you full and curb cravings while keeping your body active while you sleep for a better metabolism (1).
Support muscle retention: By giving your body continued fuel to grow, you allow yourself to keep on that hard earned muscle for added definition (2).
Enhance growth and recovery: As a great source of protein, you allow your body the necessary nutrients to keep your muscles growing and to enhance recovery.
Casein Vs. Whey Protein
There are plenty of studies which prove casein supports muscle protein synthesis (MPS) for extended periods, whereas whey is more instantaneous for MPS (3,4).
Micellar casein protein is the most popular and common form which has many bioactive peptides that are beneficial for digestive and immune health. Plus, it contains all nine amino acids (building blocks of the body) (5). One study found that casein (more than 30g) before bed can improve resting metabolic rate and possibly resistance exercise the following morning. Research also shows that protein improved satiety and weight control and side effects can be minimized by consuming healthy amounts (6). And more research on casein protein has pretty much concluded that it’s effective for the prevention of muscle tissue breakdown overnight (7).
Whey protein also contains all of the essential amino acids and it’s better for short term protein synthesis, especially after a tough workout to give your muscles fuel to grow and repair. But each protein source has its own advantages. However, a blend of casein and whey is very beneficial as an all-around source of muscle-building nutrition.
How We Choose
When choosing the best casein protein powders, we look at a number of factors because your health and overall performance matter. We first look at the brand and the reputation of the brand because you deserve to have a company working on your behalf. We then look at the amount of macronutrients, how much sugar (if any), and other nutritional information because it is possible to find the right casein product without any added nonsense to hurt your health. We then look at price. Supplements can get expensive but it is possible to find a great product at an affordable price to see great gains.
FAQ Section
What is the best casein protein powder?
Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Casein Protein. This is the cleanest casein powder around providing essential amino acids to keep you anabolic up to 8 hours. A fully transparent and honest label, this supplement contains no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives and has 25g protein with just 120 calories.
When should I take casein?
It is best to take casein right before bed as this will work as a slow digesting protein to aid in growth and repair throughout the night. It will provide continued fuel for your body throughout the night.
Is casein better than whey?
Both work for your benefit in different ways so it is important to know what you’re trying to get out of each. Whey is great to take post-workout as it will hit you faster to provide fuel for your muscles to grow and repair. Casein is slower digesting so taking this at night works to promote overnight repair.
Wrap Up
The best casein protein powders are very effective for muscle protein synthesis due to the slow release of nutrients. And anyone serious about their fitness goals should use casein in combination with a quality whey protein for optimal results. Protein is essential for building muscle and maintaining a healthy weight but sometimes we don’t get enough through food. So, these casein products can help you fill the gap and provide nutrients even when you’re sleeping. Casein protein is one of the many forms and it has plenty of additional naturally-occurring, beneficial nutrients for a complete source.
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Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
References
Leidy, H.; Clifton, P.; Astrup, A.; Wycherley, T. (2015). “The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance”. (source)
Tipton, K.; Elliott, T.; Cree, M.; Wolf, S.; et al. (2004). “Ingestion of Casein and Whey Proteins Results in Muscle Anabolism after Resistance Exercise”. (source)
Phillips, S.; Tang, J.; Moore, D. (2009). “The role of milk- and soy-based protein in support of muscle protein synthesis and muscle protein accretion in young and elderly persons”. (source)
Hoffman, J.; Falvo, M. (2004). “Protein- Which is Best?”. (source)
Mohanty, D.; Mohapatra, S.; Misra, S.; Sahu, P. (2016). “Milk derived bioactive peptides and their impact on human health- A review”. (source)
Pesta, D.; Samuel, V. (2014). “A high-protein diet for reducing body fat: mechanisms and possible caveats”. (source)
Res, P.; Groen, B.; Pennings, B.; Beelen, M.; et al. (2012). “Protein ingestion before sleep improves postexercise overnight recovery”. (source)
Research supports stell cell therapy to improve muscle growth and regeneration.
Did you know there was a cheat code to help you build muscle faster because of scientific advancements? Finally, a powerful weapon that you can utilize that doesn’t leave you gasping for air through rigorous workouts or eating chicken, broccoli, and rice for every meal. Stem cell therapy is viable for those looking to pack massive amounts of muscle.
This is why many elite athletes and bodybuilders — including 7x 212 Mr. Olympia Flex Lewis and 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman — have turned to them after discovering their positive effects on their workouts and physique. Read on to learn more.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cells lie within your muscle and are responsible for growing and repairing tissue. The more stem cells you can produce, the more muscle you can build and the faster you recover.
Stem cell therapy is the process of using stem cells to help your muscles grow and generate. Your body already produces stem cells. So new stem cells are either extracted from your body or someone’s else. These stem cells have properties that help you repair and grow muscle tissue.
Stem stell therapy, often called regenerative medicine, works exceptionally well for those suffering from an injury. For example, think of a shoulder injury. Patients who have received stem cells for such injuries have reported less pain. And, therefore, can get back in the gym sooner or do movements that were once bothersome.
In addition, research shows that stem cell therapy can help with muscle growth. That’s because it enables you to regenerate new muscle tissue (1).
How Does It Work?
Muscle regeneration depends on muscle progenitor cells (MPCs), activated by nutrients and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 increases protein synthesis by increasing satellite cells (adult muscle cells). Activating your satellite cells is required for the regenerative process. So any nutrition or intervention that can stimulate the release of IGF-1 will lead to muscle regeneration and growth. Stem cells are one factor that has the potential to do this.
It also increases your production of growth hormones, which are responsible for protein synthesis and preventing muscle breakdown.
Stem cell injections are inputted directly into the injured area or the muscle group you’d like to grow bigger and stronger. These stem cells hold powerful healing process abilities to help your muscle repair from injury or strenuous activity or build more muscle tissue. This reduces your pain, inflammation, and soreness, meaning you’ll be able to get back to the gym faster after a workout or injury. In addition, you’ll be able to train with more volume since it enhances your recovery, further enhancing your muscle growth.
Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy
Of course, there are many benefits to stem cell therapy.
Faster Recovery Time
You’ll recover faster from injuries if you implement stem cell therapy. This will help you alleviate pain quickly and get you in the gym faster.
Increase Strength
Stem cell therapy will strengthen you and help you hit new personal records. A weight you once plateaued on will feel lighter the next time you lift it.
Increase Lean Muscle Mass
Of course, not only will you gain more strength, but you’ll build more muscle since strength is correlated with muscle growth. But since stem cell therapy regenerates new muscle tissue, it’ll put an extra layer of mass on your frame without adding any body fat.
Boost Metabolism
Since stem cell therapy helps you build lean muscle naturally, it’ll speed up your metabolism. That’s because the more muscle mass you have, the faster your metabolism will be.
How Do You Increase Stem Cells?
Of course, resistance training is one way to increase stem cell production since it activates your satellite cells. But another approach is to practice stem cell therapy. For example, injecting a needle with stem cells into your injured muscle or the muscle group you want to strengthen and build muscle mass. But what if you want a less invasive approach? One that’s less expensive and comes with less risk.
A 2022 study supports the use of dietary supplements to enhance muscle cell activation (2).
MuscleMeds Stemtropin is the first natural dietary supplement that increases stem cell and GH production. A 72% increase in GH and a 20% increase in stem cells is a pretty drastic increase, so it should provide you with all the benefits GH and stem cells offer, including increased strength and muscle growth, muscle regeneration, and fighting age-related diseases.
Stemtropin increases stem cell production by 20% and HGH by 72%, skyrocketing muscle growth. It also helps with muscle regeneration and protects against age-related muscular atrophy. The natural ingredients in this product that make this possible are:
Sea Buckthorn 500 mg
Safed Musli 500 mg
Mucuna Pruriens 375mg
Melatonin 5 mg
Stemtropin works to boost your stem cells and promote overall well-being. This innovative dietary supplement contains the natural herb buckthorn, known for its 20% increase in stem cell activity. In addition, you’ll get Safed Musli, which may help reduce swelling, and tropical legume Mucuna Pruriens, which might improve testosterone levels too. It also has melatonin: an antioxidant powerhouse with powerful properties to shield muscles from intense exercise-induced oxidative stress.
Final Word
Stem cell therapy is an excellent option for athletes and lifters looking to get stronger and add muscle to their frames without doing any additional dieting and lifting. This is all possible by injecting your stem cells or another patient stem cells into the injured muscle or the muscle group you want to strengthen.
Of course, you’ll still need to adhere to a proper diet and train — and the more you diet and train hard, the better results you’ll get with stem therapy. But as long as you’re already working out and eating healthy, stem cell therapy will improve your physique. In addition, stem cell therapy will help you recover from injuries and physical activity, so you can get rid of pain quickly and get back in the gym sooner.
Stem cell therapy is expensive and comes with risks, though. This is why we recommend a natural dietary product with the same benefits. Try MuscleMeds Stemtropin and share your results with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
References
Ruparelia, A. A., Ratnayake, D., & Currie, P. D. (2020). Stem cells in skeletal muscle growth and regeneration in amniotes and teleosts: Emerging themes. Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Developmental biology, 9(2), e365. https://doi.org/10.1002/wdev.365
Calabrese EJ, Calabrese V. Enhancing health span: muscle stem cells and hormesis. Biogerontology; published March 7, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-022-09949-y
Hunter Labrada has set some important goals for 2023.
Top bodybuilder Hunter Labrada recently gave an update on his physique and his competition goals for this year. After having a less than ideal performance at the 2022 Olympia, Labrada hopes to redeem himself in a number of competitions later this year.
While it may be more difficult to stay at the top of the mountain, once you’ve ascended the summit, climbing through the ranks has its own share of difficulties. As an athlete rising through the ranks, it takes a lot of trial and error before a competitor get things right. That means dealing with a whole lot of failure along the way. If a competitive athlete doesn’t have a healthy ego, then they could easily find themselves derailed upon the first hiccup in their career. It’s important for professional athlete to maintain focus even through the hardships and setbacks. It’s the only way they’ll be able to fulfill their full potential.
After coming in fourth place at the 2021 Olympia, Hunter Labrada would find himself dropping a few places at the 2022 show taking seventh. There’s no doubt that putting on an incredible amount of mass may have helped Labrada from a musculature standpoint. However, putting on so much mass may have been the culprit behind one of his clearing weaknesses at the 2022 show. It was clear to everyone watching that Labrada‘s waistline was not at its tightest.
Hunter Labrada, showcased an incredible and somewhat classic frame during his 2021 Olympia performance. He had great symmetry and a tighter waist which also lent itself to a great V taper. His mission for more mass however also bulked up his waistline. As a result, Labrada’s tighter form took a bit of a hit, which dropped him a few places in 2022.
Road to Redemption
Now hoping to redeem himself in 2023, Hunter Labrada has recently vowed to fix things. The first improvement on his list is his waist.
No one was more disappointed with my waistline at this years Olympia than I was.
Every day since then, I’ve done my fasted cardio followed by vacuums. This is separate from the abdominal work I do after training.
When I first started, I could barely pull my belly button past my sternum. This was this morning at 280lbs fasted.
Looking forward to to continuing to do the work needed to bring a physique that I am proud of next time I step on stage👊🏻
Hunter Labrada also provided an update on his goals for 2023. According to a Instagram story, it appears he’s looking to compete in both the Tampa and the Texas pro shows this year.
After providing the competition update, Hunter Labrada also posted a physique update.
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.
Kamal Elgargni has his eye on Masters Olympia, questions why famous competitors would return.
Kamal Elgargniis preparing for the Arnold Classic but recently had some comments on another event that is making a return in 2023. Elgargni explained how he would do the Masters Olympia “if the prize was right.” He also questioned why some of the legendary bodybuilders would want to make a comeback.
The Masters Olympia is set for Aug. 25-27 in Romania. The organizers of the show recently announced that the prize purse would be $229,000. At the time of his comments, Elgargni did not know what the amount would be.
Elgargni is a former 212 Olympia champion that has made the move to Men’s Open. He competed at the 2022 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro in back-to-back weekends. Now, he will take the stage in Columbus.
Kamal Elgargni: “I Would Love To Do Masters Mr. Olympia”
Kamal Elgargni commented on the potential of doing Masters Olympia in a recent YouTube interview. He expressed interest in the show and also wants to compete in Tampa once again.
“I would love to do the Masters Mr. Olympia. You never know what’s going to happen in the road but yes it is a good title. We don’t hear much about it at the moment. We don’t know what’s the prize money. I hope they do something good that makes people [want to join]. At the end of the day, it’s a business. It’s work. It’d be silly if you’re spending more than what you’re getting.”
Elgargni believes that the prize should reflect the work that is put in by each competitor to become stage-ready. He knows what that is on a championship level and would want any winnings to be worth it.
Also, Kamal Elgargni questioned why some legendary bodybuilders would want to return to competition. He admitted that “it’s coming to his end that 100%.” Elgargni highlighted bodybuilders, such as Jay Cutler, who have made money in retirement building different business ventures.
“What are they going to come back for? Especially these people now like Jay, they made their money, they have their own business. To be honest, at time, even for me like I’m doing it now with what I’ve got and my family and everything.”
The Masters Olympia has an official date, location, and prize. What we don’t know yet is the roster that will take the stage. It will be interesting to see who will compete for the return title in Romania.
A painful lesson that changed the path of Ronnie Coleman’s career.
ARNOLD CLASSIC MOMENTS – is a special video series looking back at the history of one of the biggest bodybuilding competitions in the world. Legendary bodybuilders tell their personal moments in the Arnold Classic and share the oral history of what makes this specific competition rise above the rest – making a lasting impression for years to come.
Ronnie Coleman is one of the most legendary bodybuilders of all time. He is known as setting the impossible new standard for what a mass monster should look like and won eight Mr. Olympia titles over his entire career (a world record tied only with Lee Haney). But Ronnie Coleman wasn’t born a Mr. Olympia champion – he struggled and learned how to improve – landing low placings until he unlocked his true potential.
Part of these struggles involved a moment where he thought he would stop competing. The Arnold Classic changed all of that and led him on a path to the champion we know and love today.
In this installment of Arnold Classic Moments, Ronnie Coleman himself recounts a serious injury right before the Mr. Olympia… and the recovery that lasted months right up to the Arnold Classic. Landing low at competitions in between, such as the Iron Man competition, Ronnie believed that it was time for him to give up bodybuilding. Then he stepped onto the Arnold Classic stage and everything changed. Hear the full story from the man himself in the video above.
After providing the competition update, Hunter Labrada also posted a physique update.
