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Chris Bumstead Drops the Ultimate Bulking Blueprint
Plus, Tia-Clair Toomey shatters Hyrox records and Flex Wheeler spills regrets about site enhancements.
Want to pack on muscle like a Classic Physique king? Chris Bumstead, the six-time Olympia champ, spilled his bulking secrets, dishing out wisdom on calorie surpluses and ab maintenance. He swears by slow, steady gains—think clean eats and cardio to stoke your appetite—warning that flip-flopping between cuts and bulks is a one-way ticket to nowhere. If you’re chasing size without losing your abs, CBum’s got the roadmap you didn’t know you needed. [Bulk Like a Champ with Chris]
Could a mere mortal handle Ronnie Coleman’s legendary high-volume bodybuilding split? A brave soul tested the eight-time Mr. Olympia’s grueling six-day routine, packed with heavy squats, deadlifts, and enough curls to make your biceps cry, over four weeks. They emerged with a decent muscle gain and a surprising three-pound weight loss and a beefed-up work capacity—proof that “light weight, baby!” is tougher than it sounds. Natural lifters beware: this titan’s plan might just leave you more exhausted than jacked. [Test Your Limits with Ronnie’s Routine]
Four months after a total right hip replacement, bodybuilding legend Dorian Yates is back in action and feeling spry. The six-time Mr. Olympia shared an Instagram update, detailing his rehab routine aimed at restoring balance and motion, with his hip now “as good as new.” He’s even hitting the trails and biking again, proving that even at 62, The Shadow’s still got grit. This recovery tale is a beacon of hope for anyone battling back from surgery. [Follow Dorian’s Road to Recovery]
Flex Wheeler, a four-time Arnold Classic winner, bared his soul about his biggest bodybuilding blunder: pumping his shoulders with site enhancement oils. Once a trendy trick in the ‘90s, he now sees it as a mistake that spiraled “out of control,” hoping today’s athletes learn from his tale. He also crowned reigning Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda as his favorite modern physique, marveling at the champ’s jaw-dropping transformation. [Hear Flex’s Cautionary Tale]
Tia-Clair Toomey, the seven-time Fittest Woman on Earth, teamed up with Joanna Wietrzyk to dominate the Hyrox Houston pro women’s doubles, clocking a world-record 54:24. They crushed eight 1-km runs and brutal tasks like sled pulls and wall balls, leaving rivals in the dust by over a minute. This dynamic duo’s win snagged them a spot at the 2025 Hyrox World Championships—talk about a power pair! [Witness the Record-Breaking Run]
Is Derek Lunsford crashing the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro? Industry insider Bob Cicherillo stirred the pot with rumors that the former Mr. Olympia might face off against Nick Walker in May, claiming a peak Lunsford would mop the floor with “The Mutant.” With a stacked lineup including Michal Krizanek and Martin Fitzwater, this could be the showdown of the season. Bodybuilding fans, brace yourselves—Pittsburgh’s about to get a whole lot juicier. [Get the Scoop on Pittsburgh Pro Rumors]
Can you blend brute strength with killer looks like Franco Columbu? An expert took on the two-time Mr. Olympia’s five-day split, hammering heavy lifts like squats and bench presses, and tracked the 30-day grind. They boosted their deadlift by 50 pounds and scored a sharper V-taper—turns out, old-school iron still delivers. If you’re craving gains that turn heads and lift cars, Franco’s got your back. [Step Into Franco’s Strength Zone]
What happens when 212 Olympia champ Keone Pearson coaches Men’s Open star Regan Grimes? A back workout so savage it’d make your lats beg for mercy, that’s what. They hit cable pullovers, T-bar rows, and elevated deadlifts, with Pearson’s genius twist of retraction shrugs leaving Grimes pumped and humbled. As Grimes gears up for the 2025 New York Pro, this collab proves even pros can level up with a little champ-on-champ action. [Feel the Burn with Keone and Regan]
Jeremy Buendia, the four-time Men’s Physique Olympia, isn’t laughing at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “bogus” shorts dig from the 2025 Arnold Classic. He argues the division’s been mocked too long despite boosting the sport’s global reach and revenue—sorry, Arnold, these guys aren’t just boardwalk posers. Buendia also flexed his financial chops, revealing he’s hit seven figures through savvy branding, not just stage wins. A champ’s clapback and cash talk—Men’s Physique is here to stay. [Hear Jeremy’s Take on Arnold’s Shade]
The Godfather of Bodybuilding, Charles Glass, dropped a push-up hack that’ll have your pecs screaming for mercy. By pressing your feet against a wall and widening your stance, this twist zeroes in on the chest, leaving no muscle fiber unturned. His crew confirmed it’s a brutal upgrade from the classic move—good luck keeping those elbows from trembling. Beginners, aim for three sets to failure; pros, warm up and go for five—this is Glass’s gospel of gains. [Pump Up Your Pecs with Charles]
Renowned coach Hany Rambod teamed up with aspiring pro Eric Janicki to sculpt a V-taper that’d make judges weep, sharing his back-building playbook. With slow, controlled moves and stretch-focused tips—like skipping straps for forearm gains—he’s all about maxing out that mind-muscle connection. From machine rows to pullovers, every rep’s a lesson in turning lats into wings. Want a back that screams champion? Hany’s got the cheat code. [Steal Hany’s Back Blueprint]
Three-time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane dropped a truth bomb: cheat reps are the enemy of a chiseled physique. The 82-year-old legend insists on strict, slow form—none of that sloppy swinging Arnold loved—warning that cheating bulks the wrong muscles and leaves you lumpy. His advice? Master the move, ditch the ego, and watch your shape pop. Old-school wisdom from The Chemist still slaps harder than a poorly executed curl. [Lift Like Zane, Not a Clown]
Ever wondered how much you could bench if you didn’t wimp out? A clever expert crafted a calculator to estimate your one-rep max, no PhD required—just punch in a comfy weight and reps, and voilà, instant bragging rights. With eight formulas like Brzycki leading the pack, it’s perfect for planning smarter lifts or flexing on gym bros. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to gains that don’t lie. [Crunch Your Numbers Now]
Lunch Recipe of the Day: Baked Falafel Sandwiches
Craving a handheld flavor bomb? These baked falafel sandwiches bring crispy, herbaceous chickpea patties—oven-roasted to perfection—stuffed into whole-wheat wraps with tangy tahini sauce and fresh veggies. Preheat your oven to 350°F, blitz chickpeas with parsley, cilantro, and spices into patties, then bake ‘em golden for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Toss sliced cukes and onions in lemon juice and oil, warm your wraps, and pile on arugula, tomato, and those falafel halves. Roll it up burrito-style, wrap in foil, and boom—lunch that’s tastier than your coworker’s sad desk salad.
The Strength Bulletin
Phil Niu snags gold at the 2025 Fitworld Pro, locking in his spot for the Mr. Olympia with a jaw-dropping Classic Physique win. [Check the Full Results]
Powerlifting phenom Nonso Chinye, just 20, smashes Open and Junior IPF records with a monstrous 400-kg deadlift—beast mode activated! [Watch the Lift That Shook the World]
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