• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
Opinion

Bodybuilding Things You Should Be Thankful For

by Jonathan Salmon Updated by GI Team on Nov 23, 2016

Generation Iron Bodybuilding Thankful
This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Thanks for these gains we are about to receive.

It’s that time of the year again, when we stuff our faces and threaten to undo all that hard work we’ve been putting into the gym. Losing gains is the biggest drawback of Thanksgiving, but the holiday isn’t about what we’re afraid to lose. It’s about being thankful for what we have. Here’s our list of things any true bodybuilder should be thankful for.

The Squat

The number one exercise of them all, we have to pay homage to the squat. This workout is perhaps the single most beneficial lift to have in your training program. The gains you can attain from squatting is something to be truly thankful for. After all, without them you’d be a puny and chicken-legged crying about your stick figure legs.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Austrian Oak. The Terminator. Conan the Barbarian. John F#&king Matrix. Whatever you prefer to call him, Arnold is one of the most important things that happened to bodybuilding. Not only did he help bring bodybuilding towards the mainstream by staring in films like Pumping Iron and The Terminator – he also set an incredibly high bar for all future competitors. For that, we damn straight are thankful.

Get your Arnold fill in just under 10 minutes right here. Make sure to watch it over the holiday break – some language here is NSFW.

.

Barbells

You can’t squat or bench press without the barbell which makes it an essential to your gains. Think about it, without the barbell you’d likely still have those dreaded man boobs or that flabby stomach that you so desperate want to get rid of. The barbell saved us all from embarrassment. It should be appreciated.
.

Dumbbells

There’s no way to deny it, dumbbells are great tools to have in the gym. The amount of different workouts that can be done with dumbbells is staggering. And, most of all, they’re simple to use; even a dumbass could manage to use a dumbbell. Well, maybe we spoke too soon…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9UhfZJoXOk

Supplements

You can’t build the kind of serious muscles like the pros without adding some proper supplements into your diet. Supplements help level the playing field for those who may have the work ethic but lack the genetics to back it up. Supplements are truly a godsend for those of us who weren’t born with Phil Heath level genetics.
.

Protein Bars and Shakes

Sometimes finding the right meat protein source isn’t the most simplest of tasks. It takes knowledge and preparation in order to get healthy protein. Thankfully, protein shakes and bars are here to make the difference. You can get all the protein you need on the fly with little to no preparation needed so you can focus on your gains. Without protein shakes, all we’d have are these terribly unhealthy energy drinks…

.

Gains

Speaking of gains where would we be without them. When you put that hard work in at the gym it’s always great to see the success of the pain and torture you’ve been putting yourself through. When you see those gains there’s no way not to feel accomplished and grateful that you stuck to a game plan.

 

What are you guys thankful for this year? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Jonathan Salmon

Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility