Pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez goes into a deep dive on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s genetics, Sam Sulek’s potential future in Classic Physique, & more
In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, hosts Victor Martinez, Ehsan Farahi, Edwin Mejia Jr., and Vlad Yudin dive headfirst into the upcoming Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight, Sam Sulek’s future as a competitive bodybuilder, and debate whether or not Arnold Schwarzenegger had good bodybuilding genetics. Victor holds nothing back on his opinions and brings some unique perspective on these key topics from the week.
Testosterone and Muscle Gain At 50+
A recent fan question sparked a discussion on the delicate balance between testosterone supplementation and muscle gain, particularly for individuals in their 50s. Submitted by a 53 year old bodybuilder enthusiast and military veteran, the question asked for advice on how to build more dense muscle at 50+ years old while also using testosterone.
Victor Martinez emphasized the importance of caution, noting that excessive muscle mass can strain the heart, especially at older ages. He advised against aggressive muscle-building strategies and instead suggested a moderate approach, focusing on heavy training, balanced nutrition, and regular cardio for overall health.
Victor noted that an increase in testosterone beyond TRT is not necessary – and that the focus should be on lifting heavier weight and supplementing with a lean bulking diet of four meals per day. Victor also suggested doing cardio four days per week – and to not fear of losing weight due to the cardio. If you want to build muscle mass at an older age, cardio is vital for your health.
Heart attacks and cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in men across the globe. This is true for the general public and not just bodybuilders. So when considering your bodybuilding ambitions into older age, it’s important to take as much caution as possible.
View this post on Instagram
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: A Closer Look
Turning their attention to the realm of boxing, the hosts weighed in on the highly anticipated matchup between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. While some see it as a mere spectacle, Victor Martinez highlighted its potential benefits for both fighters and the sport of boxing as a whole.
He predicted a draw, citing Tyson’s age as a potential hindrance despite his enduring athleticism. Ultimately, Martinez views it as an exhibition rather than a serious competitive bout.
While some see this fight as a gimmick to bring eyeballs to a dying sport, Victor Martinez feels that these kind of “super fights” are ultimately a net positive. Yes, boxing may be struggling compared to its heyday – but that doesn’t mean that these tactics hurt. Whatever brings more interest into the sport is good for boxing.
Sam Sulek’s Ambitions in Classic Physique
The podcast also addressed Sam Sulek’s aspirations to compete in the Classic Physique division. Sulek has previously stated that he would like to compete in Classic Physique within 1.5 years. Does Victor Martinez believe that Sulek has what it takes to be successful in the division?
Victor Martinez acknowledged Sulek’s size is quite large for Classic Physique – so it will be interesting to see how he handles the height and weight limits for the division. Victor stopped short of making any real predictions about his ability in competitive bodybuilding – stressing the unpredictable nature of competitive bodybuilding.
Without seeing Sulek on stage or undergoing a contest prep, it’s difficult to gauge his potential success at the professional level. Especially when he doesn’t plan to compete for over another year. Nevertheless, Victor remains intrigued by Sulek’s journey and the evolution of his physique.
Samson Dauda and Milos Sarcev Split: A Business Decision
In another segment, the hosts discussed the split between Samson Dauda and Milos Sarcev, emphasizing the business nature of their relationship. Martinez downplayed the drama surrounding the decision, noting that athletes have the right to explore different coaching options in search of optimal results.
While personal connections may exist, ultimately, bodybuilding is a business driven by performance and results. Victor Martinez assumes that Samson Dauda was paying Milos for his coaching. With that in mind, it’s perfectly natural for a person to spend their money elsewhere to see if they can get a better product or better result.
Victor Martinez does admit that some bodybuilders split from a coach too soon. Some athlete/coaching relationships take time to blossom. Some blossom right away. Victor typically warns against firing a coach after their first competition working together. It may take more time to understand what works best for the individual athlete.
That being said, if Samson Dauda has been with Milos for multiple years and multiple competitions – and feels as if he could try something new to improve more – there is nothing wrong making that switch.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Genetic Legacy
Lastly, the podcast delved into a perennial debate: Did Arnold Schwarzenegger possess exceptional genetics for bodybuilding? Martinez unequivocally affirmed Schwarzenegger’s genetic gifts, citing his early success and aesthetic prowess as evidence. While critics may point to his perceived weaknesses, such as his legs, Martinez stressed that Schwarzenegger’s overall physique and impact on the sport underscore his genetic superiority and legendary status.
Arnold Schwarzenegger himself has commented on certain genetic weaknesses in his physique. While this may be humble, it denies the larger impact his physique had on the bodybuilding world. Certainly, unprecedented amounts of hard work went into Arnold building his champion physique – but his iconic aesthetic is also largely a genetic gift.
Bodybuilding may have changed a lot since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s era. Bodybuilders are much larger and there are far many more divisions for each body type. That being said, the context of the time period helps put things into perspective. There is a reason why Arnold Schwarzenegger became an icon and helped push bodybuilding to the mainstream. He had an incredible work ethic, a charismatic personality, and damn good genetics.
Wrap Up
The Generation Iron Podcast continues to serve as a valuable resource for bodybuilding enthusiasts, offering nuanced discussions and expert insights into the multifaceted world of fitness and physique enhancement. With hosts like Victor Martinez leading the conversation, listeners can expect engaging dialogue and invaluable takeaways to inform their own fitness journeys.
You can watch the full episode above. And don’t forget to check back every week for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
