Arnold Schwarzenegger Exposes the Creatine Gummy Con

Olympia aftershocks keep shaking the bodybuilding world: Derek Lunsford brushed off rumors of an almost-tragic backstage scare as nothing more than a panic attack, while Martin Fitzwater is flexing bigger ambitions after toppling Samson Dauda in Prague.

October 30, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

Creatine gummies promise candy-like convenience, but Arnold Schwarzenegger uncovered that most of them are all sugar and no substance. Independent lab tests commissioned by supplement platform SuppCo compared powders to gummies and found that all five powders met label claims, while four of six gummy brands delivered almost no creatine. One top-selling brand advertised 5 grams per serving but contained a measly 0.005 grams; another clocked in at only 0.025 grams, and two contained none at all. Creatine degrades when exposed to heat and acids during gummy production, turning much of it into creatinine, so you’re essentially paying for gelatin and sugar. Schwarzenegger advises sticking to certified powders or capsules until manufacturers clean up their act. [Get the Bitter Truth]

Rumors flew after Mr. Olympia 2025 that reigning champ Derek Lunsford nearly died backstage; coach Chris Aceto squashed them by revealing Lunsford had a panic attack. Lunsford admitted he’s familiar with anxiety but didn’t recognize the symptoms of a full-blown panic attack until much later. Despite a torn pectoral muscle in prep, he rallied to take the Sandow, making him only the second man to win back the title after surrendering it. The episode sparked criticism of the judging, with bodybuilding pundits like Shawn Ray and Lee Priest arguing that Hadi Choopan or Andrew Jacked could have won, yet Lunsford’s composure under pressure underscored his champion’s mindset. [Get the Real Story]

Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler found a different kind of podium in Wisconsin, presenting an award to Preston Baker, a bodybuilding competitor with Down syndrome. Cutler used his Instagram platform to share the moment, noting that true victory lies in showing up and inspiring others. He drew parallels between Baker’s grit and his own storied comeback in 2009 when he reclaimed the Olympia title from Dexter Jackson. The encounter reminded Cutler that resilience isn’t just built in the gym but forged through adversity and community support. It’s a gentle nudge that bodybuilding’s heart beats beyond the spotlight and prize money. [See the Inspiring Moment]

Fresh off defending his EVLS Prague Pro title, Martin Fitzwater recapped his victory over Samson Dauda and signaled that he’s gunning for bigger game. Fitzwater—who surprised everyone by beating Chris Bumstead in Prague last year—said he finally felt “cool, calm and composed” on stage and believes his current physique is dangerous. The Martian’s win moved him to fifth at the 2025 Olympia and restored confidence after a third‑place stumble at Pittsburgh. He warned rivals that they’ll need to bring their absolute best to beat him, hinting that he’s eyeing the 2026 Mr. Olympia crown. Prague’s win confirms that conditioning and confidence trump hype, and Fitzwater is ready to crash more podiums. [Watch the Victory Breakdown]

Bodybuilding commentators Bob Cicherillo and Shawn Ray stirred up debate by advising Samson Dauda to skip the 2026 Arnold Classic and focus on recovering for the next Olympia. They noted that Dauda’s attempt to streamline his physique cost him back thickness and leg size, leading to a fourth-place finish at the 2025 Olympia. Nick Walker, who peaked poorly and fell to sixth—his lowest placing—was also urged to hold off on competition until the final qualifier of the year. Ray floated Keone Pearson as a worthy candidate for the Arnold, arguing that each star should choose contests strategically rather than chasing every stage. [Hear the Strategic Advice]

After a roller-coaster season that saw Nick Walker drop to sixth at the Olympia, coach Kyle Wilkes revealed that their professional relationship has ended. Walker had brought Wilkes on after parting with longtime mentor Matt Jansen, hoping for a fresh start. In an interview, Wilkes said Walker sometimes makes emotional, impulsive decisions and acknowledged that taking him on felt like “a naive hand”. He also hinted that Walker had “burned” him before, suggesting deeper tensions behind the split. The departure leaves Walker searching for yet another coaching voice as he plots his comeback, underscoring how off‑stage relationships can make or break an athlete’s momentum. [Get the Inside Scoop]

Supersetting exercises—performing two moves back‑to‑back with little rest—can slash workout time and still spur hypertrophy, but there’s a method to the madness. This superset blueprint explains that while supersets may slightly reduce the weight you can lift on the second exercise, they’re perfect for maximizing time efficiency and metabolic stress. The guide details different superset types, such as antagonist (e.g., pull-ups with calf raises) and post‑exhaustion (squats paired with leg extensions), and provides practical programming tips to avoid overtaxing weaker muscles. [Master the Superset Blueprint]

Torching 400 calories doesn’t require endless treadmill slogs; small lifestyle tweaks can deliver the same burn. Experts suggest mowing the lawn, biking to work, or taking brisk walks to turn mundane tasks into calorie‑burning opportunities. Even chores like vacuuming or dancing around the house count, proving you don’t need a gym membership to create a deficit. The article answers the burning question of how much weight 400 daily calories equate to over a month and offers a quick calculation: roughly 3–4 pounds if paired with sensible eating. The key is consistency; stack a few of these “lazy” hacks and watch the scale move without feeling deprived. [Steal the 12‑Hack List]

Knowing your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) helps tailor your diet for cutting, bulking, or maintaining. Fitness Volt’s advanced TDEE calculator factors in your age, weight, height, and activity level to estimate daily caloric burn and provides additional metrics such as BMI, BMR, ideal weight, and maximum muscular potential. The tool even generates a downloadable PDF report and macronutrient recommendations for maintenance, cutting, and bulking. Although any TDEE calculation has an accuracy margin of about ±10 percent, updating your stats regularly improves precision. Use it as a baseline: eat slightly below your TDEE to lose weight or above to gain, and adjust based on progress. [Calculate Your TDEE]

Nick Walker says he’s never been able to match his 2021 Arnold Classic look📹💪

Breakfast Recipe of the Day: High‑Protein Breakfast Casserole

Heat a skillet with a tablespoon of oil, brown sliced mushrooms for about four minutes, then stir until the moisture evaporates; add chopped bell pepper, onion, a pinch of salt, and more oil, cooking until soft. Toss in baby kale with garlic powder and crushed red pepper and cook until the greens wilt, then let the mixture cool. In a blender, blitz eight eggs with cottage cheese, milk, Colby‑Jack, and a little salt until smooth. Spread half the veggie mix in a greased baking dish, pour the egg custard over it, sprinkle the remaining veggies on top, and finish with more cheese. Bake until puffed and golden, rest for ten minutes, then slice and enjoy—or refrigerate servings for up to three days.

The Strength Bulletin

  • A 12‑week trial found that seated leg curls increased hamstring muscle volume by about 14 percent compared with 9 percent from prone leg curls, suggesting the seated version builds more muscle while both exercises similarly limit muscle damage. [Read the Study]

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