On June 7, 2023, Yates took to his Instagram page to break down a rather simple but effective ab workout from his Olympia heyday. Yates maintained that he was once inspired by the physique of the legendary Bruce Lee, who, in Yates’ opinion, had “great abs.”

When boiled down, Yates’ prime ab routine probably doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Even at a glance, it appears pretty standard and accessible for athletes of any skill level. All one really needs to perform Yates’ ab workout is a focused commitment to their training.

It is as follows:

Dorian Yates | “Simple” Ab Workout

• Bodyweight crunch — Two sets to failure
• Bodyweight reverse crunch — Two sets to failure

Yates made sure to clarify that each rep was done with a “hard contraction” and a big exhalation of air at the peak contraction to maximize the potential benefits. Yates wrote that in the early parts of his career, he placed more of a premium on weight training with his abs. That, in turn, led to a “blocky” look that he didn’t appreciate, and he transitioned to contraction-focused work utilizing just his body weight as a result.

In the end, Yates leaned on what he believed were natural gifts, proper nutrition, and low body fat that let him give his abs the requisite attention without going too far.

“In my opinion, it wasn’t really that important to train my abs as they were always visible due to my low body fat year-round,” Yates wrote. “And my genetics did play a part here in helping me stay lean. Everyone has abs. It’s just a case of revealing them by lowering your body fat.”

In what can be a rigid and demanding sport like bodybuilding, there can be a natural tendency to believe that every segment of preparation needs to be complex. As Yates proves with a look at how he chiseled his abs, some workouts can be very simple and help an athlete achieve their goals anyway.

Featured image: @thedorianyates on Instagram

The post Dorian Yates Explains the 2-Exercise Ab Routine That Fueled His Mr. Olympia Dynasty appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

On Apr. 12, 2023, Coleman discussed parts of his bodybuilding career in a segment of a conversation with current bodybuilding star Derek Lunsford. Coleman and Lunsford recently trained together in a meeting of past and present superstars. In his discussion with Lunsford, the legend revealed it was Wheeler who introduced him to iconic trainer Chad Nicholls and changed his nutritional outlook.

According to Coleman, when Wheeler introduced Coleman to Nicholls sometime before the 1998 Mr. Olympia, he altered the course of bodybuilding history.

His eventual rival helped turn Coleman into the all-time legend he’s now known as.

“A lot of people don’t know it but Flex Wheeler is pretty much the reason why I won the [1998 Mr.] Olympia because he turned me on to Chad Nicholls,” Coleman told Lunsford.

At first, Coleman had trouble reaching Nicholls. However, that was only a minor and expected impasse in the pair’s training relationship. Eventually, they’d get together, and Coleman’s dynastic run would start soon after.

“He [Wheeler] gave me his number and I called Chad [Nicholls] but Chad didn’t pick up the phone,” Coleman explained. “I said, ‘Flex [Wheeler] why’d you have me call this guy Chad, he didn’t pick up the phone.’ He [Wheeler] says, ‘Nah, he’s just like that, man. Call him again, and he’ll call you back.’ He [Nicholls] called me back and the rest is pretty much history. I won my first Olympia that year [1998] by hooking up with him.”

How did Nicholls change Coleman’s Olympia preparation approach? Per Coleman, among other tidbits, the trainer revamped his nutrition, eventually having the athlete eat almost a full pound of food in every meal.

“He [Nicholls] changed everything I was doing, everything,” Coleman said. “I went from doing, like, an hour of cardio a day to two hours. I went from eating half a pound of food with every meal to a whole pound. I went from training maybe 45 minutes to an hour a day to about maybe an hour, an hour and a half, sometimes an hour and 15 minutes of training because I was trying to do some of everything.”

In recent years, long after after his work with Coleman, Nicholls is perhaps most notable for his partnership with former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021) Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The trainer’s son, Morgan, is also an ascending powerlifter.

Even while he never beat Coleman for a Mr. Olympia title, Wheeler can still boast four Arnold Classic (AC) victories (1993, 1997-1998, 2000) as well as a runner-up placing in the 1993 Mr. Olympia, behind six-time winner Dorian Yates. With his competitive record, Wheeler is often considered one of the greatest bodybuilders to never win the sport’s most prestigious title. With both legends’ careers now in the rearview mirror, the former rivals each have something to hang their hat on. It’s ironic, then, that without Wheeler’s training intervention, Coleman perhaps never ascends to bodybuilding prominence.

Featured image: Ronnie Coleman on YouTube

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On Mar. 29, 2023, during a YouTube episode of The Lee Labrada Show, Haney joined the eponymous host to discuss the exploits of his career. Labrada, who was a two-time runner-up to Haney’s title (1989-1990) is likely an ideal candidate to help Haney examine his career in hindsight. The most notable tidbit might have been the icon explaining why he didn’t pursue more Olympia greatness after establishing himself as unprecedented royalty.

Like some elite bodybuilders, Haney described the pressure of maintaining his grip on the sport. From training to a mental battle, Haney said he successfully navigated rough waters for years. He made it clear he didn’t want to continue making such a sacrifice as he weighed his options after his 1991 Olympia triumph.

Part of Haney’s rationale was also about the idea of staying on top and being remembered on top.

“When we’re on top, there’s nowhere else to go but down,” Haney explained of his early decision to retire from bodybuilding. “So, the pressure of how do I stay here? What can I do different to bring a better package? All those things run through your mind and, if you don’t keep it together, that can really create a lot of stress.”

At the same time, while Haney was exceptional, he made clear he didn’t love bodybuilding per se. For a little while, he just had an impeccable dedication to his craft.

“I looked at bodybuilding in such a way that it’s my job,” Haney continued. “I didn’t worship the craft although I wanted to be the best at it. It wasn’t the end of the world as the way I looked at it.”

Ultimately, the 63-year-old Haney clarified that he almost considered retiring after his seventh Olympia victory in 1990. Though, that exit would’ve left the superstar merely tied with Arnold Schwarzenegger for Olympia wins. It took encouragement from Haney’s wife Shirley to keep pushing before he hung up his posing trunks.

The rest was literal bodybuilding history, as Haney would take his eighth consecutive win in 1991 for the Olympia record. The record would remain untouched until Ronnie Coleman’s record-tying eighth title in 2005.

“When I got to the seventh [Olympia win], I thought to myself, seven is a record,” Haney started. “Arnold [Schwarzenegger] didn’t do seven [Olympias] in a row but he did do overall. I had a conversation with Shirley, and she was like, ‘What are you talking about, quit? You gotta do eight. What’s the matter with you?’”

These days, Haney appears to be basking in his retirement. Over three decades since he last stepped on stage, the living legend doesn’t seem to have any reservations about his decision.

Not that he ever did.

“I never regretted having not competed again. As a matter of fact, I never gave it another thought.”

Featured image: @lee_haney_official on Instagram

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On Mar. 23, 2023, Clarida appeared on an episode of The Truth podcast with esteemed bodybuilding trainer Hany Rambod. As the pair discussed the two-time 212 Olympia champion’s (2020, 2022) future plans, Clarida didn’t mince his words: he wants to break James “Flex” Lewis’ 212 Olympia record of seven titles (2012-2018). The athlete will be primarily sticking with the 212 division for the foreseeable future in search of this hallowed ambition.

Clarida’s long-term 212 aspirations might come as a slight surprise, considering he most recently featured in the Men’s Open division at the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). Despite the athlete being considerably smaller than his more massive peers, the bodybuilder took home a fifth-place finish at the contest.

Moving forward, in an approach that seems both realistic and training-efficient, Clarida didn’t necessarily rule out similar moonlighting Men’s Open appearances. However, he will otherwise keep his focus on the 212 division, as that is where he has shined the most in his career.

“I’m staying in 212 for sure,” Clarida explained. “The goal is to win multiple titles here [in the 212 division]. Of course, I like to dabble in a few smaller [Men’s] Open shows, maybe another Arnold Classic. But me just doing the Arnold Classic and doing well is not enough for me to just leave the 212 … I’m realistic. If I couldn’t win the [2022] Arnold [Classic], then what’s the point of me moving on from there? If I had won maybe it would be a different conversation.”

Clarida is behind Lewis’ dominating streak by five titles, but if anyone can match or eclipse the icon in the current landscape, it’s the 5-foot 2-inch competitor appropriately referred to as “The Giant Killer.” Usually, that’s in reference to Clarida overcoming bigger peers en route to a victory. In this case, Clarida surpassing Lewis would be more like beating a living legend — a metaphorical “giant” of the sport.

Clarida’s teasing his pursuit of the 212 Olympia record makes the years ahead potentially some of the most exciting the division has ever seen.

“212 is my home, it’s in my heart, and I want to walk away as one of the best to ever do it,” Clarida said. “I love Flex Lewis to death but the goal is to beat his record.”

If Clarida were to unexpectedly hang up his posing trunks today, he’d already be remembered as one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. Full stop. However, vying for Lewis’ mark would likely place him amongst an elite handful of names, regardless of division. For someone accustomed to “killing giants,” it’d be quite a sight to see him repeatedly reach that 212 Olympia summit.

Featured image: @shaunclarida on Instagram

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On Mar. 15, 2023, Yates posted a black and white Instagram photo of himself performing one of his signature exercises — a reverse-grip barbell row. In the accompanying caption, the six-time Mr. Olympia champion (1992-1997) went into appropriate detail about why he appreciates the barbell row as his favorite back-training mechanism.

Per Yates’ account, he could typically move a heavier weight with his barbell rows. However, he wrote that he usually lifted four 45-pound plates and one 25-pound plate on each side of the 45-pound barbell (totaling 455 pounds) as to maintain quality form.

Yates noted he usually performed this movement alongside former bodybuilder Paul Baxendale. He described an account where Baxendale initially utilized a lot of body momentum for his rows, partly due to the heavy weight on the barbell. Yates maintained that when Baxendale halved his working weight, his back grew noticeably over the next few months.

Here is how the “Barbell Row — Yates Style” guide reads regarding proper tips and steps to perform the exercise:

Barbell Row “Yates Style” Steps and Tips

1. Grip: Yates’ copy reads that the barbell row is the best exercise to build muscle on the lats and overall back. He would apparently utilize a reverse “underhand” grip while pulling his barbell into his waist. (Note: Yates has previously stated that he suffered a biceps tear while performing this exercise during preparation for his 1994 Mr. Olympia win, and subsequently switched to using an overhand grip.)
2. Stance: For Yates’ row, he would keep his body above parallel at a 70-degree angle to the floor. He wrote that this torso angle allows the lat muscles to contract better while protecting the back from injury. An arched position is vital to maximize full benefits.
3. Partial Reps: In order to align with proper intensity, because forced reps can be difficult with a barbell row, Yates writes that it’s best to perform partial reps at a certain point. Though, he would only perform partial reps toward the end of a set after he couldn’t work through a full range of motion.
4. Negative: As for the actual repetition, Yates would perform the eccentric portion (lowering phase) slowly while the concentric portion (lifting phase) received as much energy as feasible.
5. Equipment: Finally, Yates wrote that he “believes in using wrist straps” for any heavy-weight back exercise. The main purpose was to uphold a firmer grip, in turn allowing him to better target his back muscles.

Taking these cues from Yates probably wouldn’t be the worst idea for an athlete seeking a greater way to build back mass in the modern era.

These days, while seemingly maintaining his fitness at a high level, the 60-year-old Yates appears to be enjoying his retirement from competition more than anything. He has business ventures and resides in Brazil with his wife. That said, it looks like he knows he still has plenty of wise nuggets about bodybuilding to drop for those willing to learn.

Featured image: @thedorianyates on Instagram

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On Mar. 11, 2023, Jackson posted an Instagram video of himself working through an assortment of arm workouts, including a variety of biceps curls and triceps pushdowns. Just two days later, Jackson shared another clip where he performs various back movements, including seated cable rows and dumbbell rows. It is unclear if both videos were filmed the same day, but Jackson has an identical outfit adorned in each recording. Either way, they showcase a ripped Jackson seemingly powering through his training as he once did in his heyday.

It’d be impossible to parse any serious competitive intentions from two tidbits of Jackson getting after it in the gym, but his videos could be related to a pending comeback. With the 2023 Masters Olympia returning this late summer in Romania, the now-older Jackson would qualify for the hallowed contest. Notably, Jackson won the 2012 Masters Olympia — the last time the competition was held before its upcoming return.

A potentially lucrative prize would await Jackson were he to make a competitive comeback at the 2023 Masters Olympia. In late February 2023, the contest’s organizing body revealed that the overall prize purse would be $229,000. Jackson would also potentially not be the only older established athlete, past or current, to feature in the competition. Due to a younger age, seven-time Olympia winner Phil Heath must wait for at least two iterations, but former 212 Olympia champion (2019) Kamal Elgargni has stated his interest in potentially aiming for the Masters crown at 51 years old.

Regardless of his coming steps, Jackson’s overall resume has stood the test of time.

In the late-2000s, Dexter Jackson shocked the bodybuilding world. After the end of Ronnie Coleman’s mostly unprecedented Mr. Olympia dynasty run, Jay Cutler looked poised to follow in his footsteps. As Cutler vied for a third consecutive title in 2008, the then-three-time Arnold Classic (AC) champion (2005-2006, 2008) Jackson would topple the defending Olympia king. Jackson rising to the top of bodybuilding right as a new “Hulk” emerged might be one of the more legendary Olympia victories in the competition’s history.

To this day, “The Blade” is one of only four bodybuilders who have ever won at least one AC and the Olympia. The others are Coleman, Cutler, and Brandon Curry. Jackson is also the only bodybuilder to win the AC, Mr. Olympia, and Masters Olympia titles. Here’s an overview of the main achievements from Jackson’s competitive career:

Dexter Jackson | Career Highlights

• Arnold Classic champion: (2005-2006, 2008, 2013, 2015) — The record for the most AC wins
• Mr. Olympia champion: (2008)
• Masters Olympia champion: (2012)

Even if Jackson doesn’t return to a stage, it’s probably not surprising to see him continue to crush it with weights in hand. Icons like Jackson may retire from formal competition, but that doesn’t mean the fire to improve ever goes away.

Featured image: @mrolympia08 on Instagram

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On Jan. 20, 2023, Bannout appeared in an episode of The Muscle Maturity podcast. While breaking down some of the latest news in the bodybuilding world, Bannout touched on the status of one Chris Bumstead. Fresh off a fourth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title, where the athlete competed with a partially torn biceps, Bannout believes Bumstead should be making the jump to the Men’s Open division at the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). It could be an interesting prospect for one of the sport’s current figureheads.

Bannout was evidently aware of the adversity Bumstead had to overcome to continue his Classic Physique reign. That didn’t seem to stop him from maintaining Bumstead should still be working to shine at the 2023 AC in Columbus, OH.

“Talking about Bumstead, he pulled his biceps muscle, and was in pain,” Bannout said. “In my opinion, Bumstead could be competing in the [2023] Arnold Classic in the Open. He should. Why not? Bumstead: do it.”

At the same time, Bannout understood that Bumstead would want to take time off to recuperate after such a significant ailment. After all, jumping right back into training and ideal competition nutrition might not be the best idea until Bumstead is fully healed after his health setback.

Such an immediate decision, division change or not, could translate to longer-term issues in Bumstead’s overall career if the competitor isn’t careful. While he stood by his initial Open sentiment for the young athlete, Bannout didn’t take it a step further.

“I think in Bumstead’s case, he had a partial tear,” Bannout noted. “It would be smart to pull down, it don’t matter a little bit, pull it down completely, because it might serve his career better. He knows. Him and his doctors know. But yeah, clearly it was visible to me something was going on with that bicep.”

In late September 2022, Bumstead had alluded to a potential place in the Men’s Open division in the future while speaking on a Muscular Development podcast. However, Bumstead maintained that 2023 wouldn’t be the right time for a shift. Factor in the current recovery from his biceps tear, and it appears improbable Bumstead will go full throttle with any ideas to enter the 2023 AC on Mar. 3-5, 2023.

While some of his potential peers in the Open division, such as Nick Walker and Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, gear up for the monumental AC, Bumstead will likely stay on the sidelines for the time being. Even with a new lucrative cash prize and Bannout’s initial suggestion in the account, asking an elite competitor to shift divisions as he heals might not be feasible in such a short amount of time.

Nonetheless, Bumstead’s progress in and outside the gym will assuredly be something noteworthy to track in the coming months.

Featured image: @cbum on Instagram

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On Jan. 16, 2023, Coleman shared a video on his YouTube channel where he discusses aspects of his recent health improvements in an interview with former bodybuilder and current media personality Giles Thomas. The conversation sees Coleman note that he’s been leaning on stem cell treatment/injections, which has apparently given him a cleaner bill of health.

Editor’s note: The coverage on Breaking Muscle is meant to be informative, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health issues. Talk to your physician before starting a new fitness, nutritional, treatment, and/or supplement routine. 

Coleman did not mention specifically what kind of stem cells injections he received, but they may be similar to the Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead disclosed he was utilizing in 2022. According to NPJ Regenerative Medicine, MSCs “have broad anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties … [which] interact with their immediate surroundings and neighboring cells to provide cell-based responses that can be therapeutic.” (1)

In regards to the potential benefits of stem cell treatments, it’s also vital to note research into their effectiveness is ongoing. While encouraging, stem cell procedures need further illumination to determine whether their benefits are valid. (2)

Coleman maintained that stem cell treatments help him manage the chronic pain in his neck and back. These initial injuries apparently occurred during his college football career with Grambling State University in the 1980s, before he morphed into one of the faces of bodybuilding.

“My injuries in my back came from me playing football,” Coleman said. “I hurt it [his back] really bad my sophomore year, then I hurt my neck really bad. I was doing a lot of chiropractic [treatments] in my sophomore year of college all the way until I started bodybuilding [in 1990].”

These days, Coleman said he maintains a relatively consistent schedule of stem cell injections, traveling across the United States border to Mexico a few times a year to help manage his back and neck problems.

“Right now I’m trying to do [stem cell injections] every four months, in Mexico,” Coleman said. “I started probably about a year ago and I went like twice every four months and then I took off about nine months, and the pain came back fierce. I went back and it was the last time I went. I was in a massive amount of pain. Three days later, the pain disappeared. Just that quick.”

In addition to his stem cell treatments, Coleman credits using experimental hyperbaric chambers to aid in his pain management and recovery, especially in sleeping well at night. According to Medicina, hyperbaric oxygen therapy “consists of using of pure oxygen at increased pressure (in general, 2–3 atmospheres) leading to augmented oxygen levels in the blood (Hyperoxemia) and tissue (Hyperoxia),” which can improve the body’s healing processes. The same medical journal maintains that “further research” might be necessary to determine the exact benefits and effects. (3)

When it comes to Coleman, hyperbaric chambers appear to be working wonders as a complement to his other treatments for the time being.

“We would also do hyperbaric chamber sessions,” Coleman explained about his coordinated treatment routine. “We were doing two 45-minute sessions a day for, like, five days.”

With his health in an improved place, it looks like Coleman is looking ahead to better, less painful retirement years. As a continued important influence in the bodybuilding community for stars and young risers alike, this update certainly won’t be the last anyone hears from the titan.

References:

1. Pittenger, M. F., Discher, D. E., Péault, B. M., Phinney, D. G., Hare, J. M., & Caplan, A. I. (2019). Mesenchymal stem cell perspective: cell biology to clinical progress. NPJ Regenerative medicine, 4, 22. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-019-0083-6
2. Chen J, Wang H, Lu X, Yang K, Lu C. Safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy: an overview protocol on published meta-analyses and evidence mapping. Ann Transl Med. 2021 Feb;9(3):270. doi: 10.21037/atm-20-6892. PMID: 33708897; PMCID: PMC7940926.
3. Ortega, A.M. et al. (2021) A General Overview on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Opportunities. Medicina. 2021 Sep; 57(9): 864. doi: 10.3390/medicina57090864. PMID: 34577787; PMCID: PMC8465921

Featured image: @ronniecoleman8 on Instagram

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Years after Yates last trained to have the world’s best physique on a stage, it looks like he’s staying in tip-top shape. On Jan. 10, 2023, Yates posted a picture to his Instagram profile where he has his arms outstretched and neck craned upward as a small waterfall from Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, drenches his body. It’s unclear when Yates precisely captured the image. Nonetheless, his current physique — especially for a man who turned 60 in April of 2022 — is something to behold.

From his ripped abs and chest to tight-knit arms, it’s evident Yates still makes it a point to take care of himself.

Aside from showcasing his physique, Yates partly uses the photo in the “world’s largest urban forest” as a symbolic message of positivity and keeping a clean slate, with eyes forward. It’s a potentially relevant note to boost for others starting fresh in the new year, particularly for someone like Yates, who has roughly 1.4 million followers on his Instagram.

“Wash away all fear and negativity,” Yates wrote. “Feeling gratitude is the ultimate state of receivership.”

After his prolific Olympia run from 1992-1997, Yates would formally step away from the sport of bodybuilding and begin a well-earned retirement in his mid-30s. In November 2022, the legend posted on Instagram and discussed how motivated he was to become one of the greatest bodybuilders of his career as a focused mission. At the same time, Yates alluded to a lifestyle where he didn’t have to push himself at the expense of his physical, mental, and emotional health. He is now actively involved in the nutritional supplement business, most notably forming the company DY Nutrition in 2011, which releases supplements and occasional training guidance videos created by Yates.

The legendary athlete is married to Gal Ferreira Yates, another experienced physique athlete as the 2007 South American champion and 2007 Figure Brazilian winner. The fitness couple primarily resides in Spain, though Yates’ appearance in Rio de Janeiro would suggest they spend a considerable amount of time in his wife’s native Brazil, as well.

With his place in bodybuilding history secure, the world appears to be Yates’ oyster. He can make of it what he pleases. That he continues to be passionately involved in strength and fitness, and is in a position where he can reflect on his past, is a fitting testament to his personal growth in retirement.

Featured image: @thedorianyates on Instagram

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Over a decade and a half later, Coleman and Cutler are two primary fixtures in the extended lore of bodybuilding history. The two former titans have a combined 12 Mr. Olympia titles (eight for Coleman, four for Cutler) and continue to be influential voices intimately concerned with the happenings of the modern sport. On Jan. 10, 2023, a video posted on Cutler’s YouTube channel features the two icons, joined by bodybuilding YouTube personality Jesse James West, plowing through a collaborative training session. Per the caption of Cutler’s video, the workout took place sometime during the 2022 Mr. Olympia weekend on Dec. 16-18, 2022.

The central focus of the three men’s joint workout was to chisel their respective back and biceps muscles. To commemorate the two legends he was training with, West had headbands and sleeveless flannels for everyone involved to adorn. A torn towel (reminiscent of these headbands) was a Cutler trademark look during the early parts of his career. Meanwhile, Coleman made wearing a sleeveless flannel his own staple during his dominant run as Mr. Olympia.

Once the workout got up and rolling, there was no stopping this whirlwind of strength and energy. The trio worked through respective sets of lat pulldowns, shifted to seated cable rows and single-arm machine rows, and implemented alternating traditional dumbbell curls throughout their routine. They did not specify the precise numbers and reps for each respective set.

In a treat for any spectating and diehard fans, Coleman and Cutler used the workout as an opportunity to swap unique anecdotes from Olympia legend to Olympia legend. It might have been an inside look at what it was like to be in the two men’s shoes while they were in their athletic primes.

Coleman and Cutler are certainly astute enough to know that what they have to offer bodybuilding now is more in line with their replete wisdom and experience. That’s what made their enthusiasm for watching Hadi Choopan finally climb the Olympia mountain post-workout palpable.

For a time, they were rivals. In the present, Coleman and Cutler can happily embrace their roles as stewards of bodybuilding’s past and future.

Featured image: JayCutlerTV on YouTube

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During a Jan. 3, 2023, episode of The Muscle Maturity Podcast, Bannout broke down his current thoughts on bodybuilding as a sport and where he feels the flagship Mr. Olympia must evolve. Among the more notable bullet points was the former fitness titan stressing that the qualification process for the contest should be more rigid.

Perhaps the most significant change to the IFBB’s Olympia qualification system in 2023 was that there would no longer be a points system. Only the top-five finishers in the 2022 Mr. Olympia, the top three athletes in every other 2022 Olympia division, and the respective contest winners of every IFBB Pro League competition in 2023 will qualify for November’s festivities in Florida.

In a spanning discussion, this is a change that Bannout welcomed and said doesn’t go far enough. The 2022 Mr. Olympia stage held a field of 30 competitors vying for the title, which was too vast a field in Bannout’s experienced opinion.

“The Olympia should never be more than 20 contestants. Never. That should be the limit. The cream of the crop should get on that stage,” Bannout said. “If you don’t make the top ten, it’s over. I think the top five should qualify again.”

Regarding prize money, the Men’s Open category, with champion Hadi Choopan, eclipsed every other participating Olympia division by far in the 2022 edition of the Olympia. This is a discrepancy Bannout doesn’t appreciate. Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bannout believes the Classic Physique division deserves more respect.

“A guy like Chris Bumstead, honestly, he was the most conditioned and the most professional at the Olympia weekend, and his check was $50,000.” Bannout started. “And the third-place winner (in the Men’s Open) took home $100,000. How [expletive] do you explain that?”

As for improving the Olympia’s general presentation, Bannout noted he thinks the contest’s organizers should be making more of an earnest effort to highlight past victors. To this former Olympia champion, his suggested plan is to continue building the sport’s mystique while catering to loyal spectators by honoring Olympia winners from previous years.

“It [would be] really cool every decade, at least or every 5-6 years, bring all the Mr. Olympias on stage for just two minutes,” Bannout proposed. “And that’s gonna bring a more happy atmosphere and celebration. Like Arnold does [at the Arnold Classic contest], he brings all the former Arnold Classic champions.”

Whether the IFBB and the Olympia’s organizers will take Bannout’s suggestions and apply them in the future remains to be seen. For now, he’s just the latest legend of the sport who seems to want better for those athletes that have come after him.

Featured image: @officialsamirbannout on Instagram

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On Oct. 17, 2022, Cutler addressed the rumors of his potential competitive return as a Masters bodybuilder (ages 45-plus). Amidst his clarification and thoughts for the future, the icon clarified that he has no intention of competing soon. According to Cutler, his new lean physique that lit up the strength sports sphere was about him taking better care of himself.

[Related: 4 Workouts with a Single Dumbbell for Muscle, Fat Loss, and More]

Cutler wastes no time shooting down any thought of his competitive return in his video testimonial.

“Well, those pictures are floating on the internet right now from when I was in Venice [CA], and they’re starting to say, ‘Oh, Jay is coming back for the Masters,'” said Cutler. “We need to squash it.”

On Feb. 12, 2022, during an episode of his podcast, Olympia President Jake Wood signaled that, after an absence, the Masters Olympia would potentially return sometime in the year 2023. (Note: At the time of this article’s publication, there has not been an official update on this front.) With that door open, some in the bodybuilding community thought Cutler would intend to walk through it.

Cutler shot down that specific assertion, as well, by saying too much was read into his brush with Little.

“Jake [Wood] is having it [the Masters Olympia], right? … It sounds about right. Jake would do something like that,” Cutler mused. “Drop the picture of me posing with Lexx Little, who’s a pretty popular influencer. So we did a video together. He conned me into going to the posing room.”

Per Cutler, he thought his posing stunt with Little would be of little consequence and appeared to have fun with it more than anything. It seems to have just been an unfortunate oversight.

“You know me; I don’t pose,” Cutler said. “I don’t want to say ‘conned,’ but he [Little] asked me, and I said, ‘You know what, I’ll go in there.’ I didn’t realize it would go so viral. Now it’s floating everywhere.”

 

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As for why Cutler seems to be committed to polishing up his physique in retirement through his training — he maintained he just wants to look great and be healthy.

“I’m doing this body transformation challenge just to try to look my best,” Cutler explained. “That means being leaner, and I don’t know what my physique is going to look like, to be honest. Like right now, I’m really lean, but I could tighten up a few areas. I want to get a little fuller. I don’t know if that necessarily means bigger on a scale, but that’s kind of the goal.”

Despite that plan, even if he won’t formally compete, Cutler didn’t rule out potential guest-posing cameos.

“I’m not going on a competition stage, but you know what I would like if I felt confident enough; if my body actually came around enough, I would actually consider posing,” Cutler said. ” … I’m still getting a ton of requests to come out and pop into events. So, it could be a possibility.”

 

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Even if Cutler won’t be competing on any Olympia stage in the near future, it’s clear he’s committed to taking care of his health. For this bodybuilding legend, the grind never stopped — it just shifted in focus.

Featured image: @jaycutler on Instagram

The post Jay Cutler Squashes Masters Olympia Return Rumors, Says New Physique is “Planned Transformation” appeared first on Breaking Muscle.