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- Behrooz Tabani Strikes Gold at the 2025 Dubai Pro
Behrooz Tabani Strikes Gold at the 2025 Dubai Pro
From creatine-fueled muscle gains to Jay Cutler’s pick for Mr. Olympia and a chilling tragedy in Spain, this week’s strength headlines are anything but routine.
Defending champ Behrooz Tabani reclaimed his throne at the Dubai Pro (June 20–22), snagging a hefty $140 K payday in the Men’s Open and a direct qualification for Olympia Weekend this October. Tabani edged out perennial contender William Bonac (again) in a showing of mass and razor-sharp conditioning. Over in other divisions, Nihat Kaya dominated 212, Michael Daboul topped Classic Physique, and Miroslav Juricek owned Men’s Physique. With all four winners punching their ticket to Las Vegas, if they weren't already qualified, it’s clear Dubai remains a heavyweight funnel to the Olympia stage. [See Full Results Here!]
Forget bland air-garden salads, this 1,700‑calorie daily plan is loaded with flavor and structure. Each day delivers balanced macronutrients: protein-packed breakfasts, veggie-rich lunches, and satisfying dinners that don’t skimp on taste. It’s not just calorie counting, it’s culinary creativity, featuring easy-to-prep meals and smart snacking strategies to keep cravings at bay. Ideal for anyone aiming to lose weight without sacrificing enjoyment. Bonus: the plan includes tips on portion control and meal timing to support fat loss and energy. [Dig into the full meal breakdown!]
New workout regime alert for the 40-plus crowd: this seven-move training plan is designed for mature athletes aiming to rebuild strength and muscle while avoiding injury. The coach combines compound lifts, controlled reps, and strategic rest to maximize gains without overtaxing joints. Early adopters report increased muscle fullness, improved mobility, and reclaimed confidence in the gym. Whether you're resuming training after a hiatus or starting fresh, this plan walks the line between intensity and recovery like a pro. [Check out the full routine!]
Old-school vet Rich Gaspari pulled back the curtain on the current pro bodybuilding boom (there are now around 1,200 IFBB Pros), saying it's diluting the prestige of titles—what does “pro” even mean if you haven’t cracked the Olympia or Classics top 5? He revealed he once banked ~$250K a year via contract work and expos, but today’s athletes are lucky to get small sponsorships or affiliate deals. While he still gives props to the likes of Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford, Andrew Jacked, and Samson Dauda, he admitted Sam Sulek—though massive on social—is “not a great bodybuilder” yet. In Gaspari’s words, Sulek thrives as “an influencer,” not an Olympia contender… for now. [Catch the full breakdown here!]
Retired WSM champ Brian Shaw is swapping atlas stones for arm wrestling as he launches the 2025 Strongest Arm on Earth in Loveland, Colorado (Aug 15). The lineup is stacked: Shaw vs. powerlifter-turned-pulled Brandon Allen, Eddie Hall vs. Robert Oberst, plus Martins Licis vs. Laurence “Big Loz” Shahlaei, all former strongman giants ready to lock hands. Even the women's side is dialed in with matches like Gabriela Vasconcelos vs. Jocelyne Brisson. Whether you're eager for brute grip battles or just curious how strongman pros fare at the wrist game, this showdown could redefine strength sport crossover. [Watch the full card here!]
Walking 10K steps is easy, steady, and heart-healthy, but it takes 60–90 minutes and can plateau your progress. Enter Japanese Interval Walking (IWT): 3 minutes brisk, 3 minutes slow, repeated for just 30 minutes. It boosts VO₂ max, mitochondrial function, insulin sensitivity, and burns more fat in less time. For time-crunched professionals and active adults over 40, this style means high metabolic returns without the time drain. Beginners might still start with 10K steps to build endurance, but for serious metabolic results, IWT steals the spotlight. [See full guide here!]
Milos Sarcev believes Hadi Choopan’s time away from competition is exactly what he needed to reclaim the Mr. Olympia crown in October. The coach and analyst notes Choopan already nails front conditioning, but needs to dial in back detail—“match conditioning from the back that he has from the front, the show is over,” Sarcev says. With no contest prep this season, Choopan has peeled away distractions and can add size without risk of burnout. Judge Terrick El Guindy agrees, predicting Choopan may return bigger and more conditioned. If he hits those back lines, Vegas just might see his name in gold. [See Sarcev’s full breakdown!]
Colombian bodybuilding standout Zunilda Hoyos Méndez, known as “She Hulk,” was tragically killed on June 19 in Fuengirola, Spain, in a suspected murder-suicide. She was beaten to death with a hammer, and her husband, Jarrod Gelling, was later found with self-inflicted stab wounds. The couple reportedly planned to divorce due to domestic abuse, and her last trip from Dubai was meant to be a farewell. This heartbreaking event has sent shockwaves through the fitness community and reignited concerns around domestic violence and "roid rage." Authorities continue to investigate the motives behind this tragic event. [Get the full story here.]
Creatine remains bodybuilding’s beloved secret weapon, dramatically boosting strength, performance, and muscle recovery since the early ’90s. From loading phases that quickly saturate muscle cells to maintenance doses of 3–5 g/day, it elevates power output by 5 – 15% and supports lean mass gains. Expect some initial water retention, but rest assured, it’s muscle hydration, not fat. Plus, research shows benefits extend beyond sport, potentially aiding brain health and aging. For anyone looking to level up their physique, creatine remains a go-to, safe, and scientifically backed supplement. [Read the full breakdown!]
Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler isn’t hedging bets; he’s fully backing Samson Dauda for the 2025 title. In a recent Q&A, Cutler praised Dauda’s mass, shape, and stage presence, calling him “the most dangerous” contender this year. He even threw some advice Andrew Jacked’s way: work on posing and get more stage time to build a complete package worthy of Olympia glory. While names like Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan remain strong favorites, Cutler’s endorsement makes it clear, he sees Dauda as the next rightful heir to bodybuilding’s throne. [Hear it straight from the Champ!]
Staying hydrated isn’t just about chugging bottles and hoping for the best. This simple water intake calculator helps you figure out exactly how much H₂O your body needs based on weight, activity level, and climate. The tool goes beyond generic “eight glasses a day” advice and accounts for the demands of active lifestyles. Whether you're a lifter sweating through workouts or just trying to feel more energized, this calculator delivers a customized hydration strategy that supports performance, digestion, and recovery. [Get your hydration game on point!]
Reigning Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda shares his latest physique update📹💪
Advanced Training Tip of the Day: Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP)
Want to lift heavier or jump higher in your next set? Prime your nervous system with PAP, a technique where you perform a heavy lift (like a near-max squat) before an explosive move (like a jump or sprint). The heavy load “wakes up” your fast-twitch fibers, making the next movement feel snappier and more powerful. Think of it as espresso for your muscles, short, intense, and performance-boosting. Just don’t overdo the load or rest too long (1–5 minutes is your sweet spot).
The Strength Bulletin
Mahmood Al Durrah earned the Classic Physique title at the 2025 Body Be 1 Classic Pro in Montgomery, locking in his Olympia invitation with symmetry and stage presence. [See results!]
Ashley Kaltwasser dominated Bikini and Reuben Glass won Men’s Physique at the 2025 World Classic Pro, both earning Olympia qualifications with standout conditioning. [Check their wins!]
Emily Azzarello captured the Tanji Johnson Classic Wellness crown in Tacoma with a flawless physique and confident poise. [Get the full scoop!]
Miroslav Juricek claimed top honors in Men’s Physique at the World of Monsterzym Korea with razor-sharp lines and stage charisma. [Discover more!]
Luiz Esteves crushed the 212 division at the 2025 South Florida Classic Pro, earning his spot at Olympia with compact size and impressive detail. [See his win!]
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