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- Experience Phil Heath’s Arm-Blasting Pre-Contest Routine for 14 Days
Experience Phil Heath’s Arm-Blasting Pre-Contest Routine for 14 Days
Plus, Derek Lunsford eyes a historic triple crown in the 2025 Pro season, and Ronnie Coleman sets bold mobility goals for 2027.
A brave soul decided to channel their inner Phil Heath, tackling the seven-time Mr. Olympia’s pre-contest arm workout for two intense weeks. Following Heath’s FST-7 method—think blood-pumping, fascia-stretching madness—they saw a solid 0.5-inch boost in arm size and sharper bicep peaks, proving the champ’s routine isn’t just for show. The soreness was brutal enough to make pouring cereal a heroic feat, but the gains in definition and strength were worth it. If you’re ready to flex like a pro, this arm adventure might just be your ticket. [Pump Up Like Phil Here]
Lunsford, fresh off his Arnold Classic win, is gearing up to dominate the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro before reclaiming his Mr. Olympia crown. This “legacy show” could cement his name in bodybuilding lore, facing off against heavyweights like Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater for a cool $100,000 prize. After guest posing there kickstarted his Open division rise, Lunsford sees this as a chance to keep the momentum roaring. A win here could make 2025 the year he pulls off a rare Arnold-Pittsburgh-Olympia sweep—talk about a flex! [Catch Lunsford’s Quest]
The four-time Mr. Olympia still trains like a beast at 51, and a veteran trainer spills the details on his arm routine. From kneeling rope pressdowns to fat grip barbell curls, Cutler’s high-volume approach keeps his biceps and triceps popping, even off the stage. He mixes dumbbells and machines for that signature pump, showing retirement doesn’t mean resting on laurels. [See Cutler’s Arm Game Plan]
Priest recently dished on his favorite bodybuilders, and it’s all about vibes over trophies. He crowns Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Platz, Mike Matarazzo, and Paul Dillett as his top four, praising their down-to-earth charm over ego-driven Olympia wins. Priest argues you don’t need a Sandow to be a standout—just a good laugh and zero attitude. It’s like picking your favorite pizza topping—titles don’t matter if the flavor’s right! [Hear Priest’s Picks]
The 2025 Europe’s Strongest Man hits Leeds on April 5th, pitting 11 titans like Luke Stoltman and Mateusz Kieliszkowski against five punishing events. The events include the Press Medley, Shield Walk, and Castle Stones, where these beasts will hoist 440-pound shields and axle deadlift until their spines beg for mercy. With past champs and rising stars in the mix, predicting a winner is tougher than lifting the anchor drag. This clash promises sweat, grit, and a new king of Europe’s strongmen. [Get the Strongman Scoop]
A veteran trainer dove into Chris Bumstead’s 21-day Arnold-inspired split, chasing that golden-era V-taper with six weekly workouts. Hitting chest, back, shoulders, arms, and legs twice each week, they gained an inch on their chest and shoulders, shedding half an inch off the waist—symmetry goals unlocked! The high-volume grind was a mental marathon, but the fuller pecs and squat PRs made it a win. CBum’s modern classic recipe is no joke—it’s a blueprint for aesthetic greatness. [Try CBum’s Split Now]
Pat Neve, a Golden Era bodybuilding star who conquered Mr. America and Mr. USA, left us on February 23, 2025, at 78. Known for benching 468 pounds and sculpting a physique that rivaled Robby Robinson’s, his legacy spans the stage, his Fitness Center, and even a Nissan dealership. A tribute notes his passing in Phoenix, leaving behind his wife Vicki, sons, and grandchildren to carry his torch. The community mourns a true pioneer whose dedication shaped an era. [Remember Pat Neve]
The 2025 CrossFit Open wrapped up with Colten Mertens and Mirjam von Rohr topping the men’s and women’s divisions after three grueling weeks. A CrossFit insider reports Mertens crushed two workouts, nearly sweeping until Dallin Pepper edged him out in 25.3, while von Rohr clung to victory despite an 11th-place stumble. With over 200,000 competitors, their wins mark them as fitness royalty—next stop, Semifinals! [Check the CrossFit Champs]
A seasoned lifter took on Dexter Jackson’s high-volume shoulder routine for 14 days, aiming to bust through a plateau with “The Blade’s” magic touch. Seated lateral raises and Arnold presses piled on 0.75 inches of shoulder width, plus a 10-pound jump in machine presses—proof moderate weight can still carve canyons. Fatigue hit like a truck, but the capped, striated delts were a sweet reward. This two-week test shows Jackson’s methods still cut like a knife. [Build Shoulders Like Dexter]
Ronnie Coleman, the eight-time Mr. Olympia, is fighting to ditch the wheelchair after 13 back surgeries left him mobility-challenged. He shares how broken screws and herniated discs plagued his recovery, yet he’s banking on stem cell therapy and rehab to walk by January 2027. Coleman even dreams of running a marathon by 2029—a bold goal for a legend who never quits. His grit’s as heavy as those 800-pound squats he once crushed. [Track Ronnie’s Comeback]
A fitness veteran dusted off the iconic 8-Minute Abs VHS and crunched through it every day for two weeks, testing if the ‘90s hype still holds water. The relentless high-rep routine—think basic crunches to static holds—boosted endurance and hinted at sharper abs, though spot reduction felt more like wishful thinking than science. Lower back stiffness and hip flexor gripes crept in, proving this old-school gem needs a modern makeover with planks and recovery days. Nostalgia aside, it’s a gut-busting blast from the past that taught me discipline—and how to laugh through the pain. [Relive the Abs Madness]
This BMI Calculator is a nifty tool for estimating body fat based on weight and height for kids, teens, and adults alike. Plug in your stats—pounds, feet, age—and it spits out a score, slotting you from underweight (<18.5) to extreme obesity (35+), even tossing in a healthy weight range. It’s not flawless—muscle mass and bone size can skew it—but for most, it’s a solid starting point to gauge where you stand. Paired with a Ponderal Index for extra precision, it’s like a fitness GPS for navigating to a better you! [Calculate Your BMI Now]
Advanced Training Tip of the Day: Neural Charge Micro-Breaks
Stuck mid-workout feeling like your brain’s calling it quits before your biceps do? Try neural charge micro-breaks—short, sharp bursts of low-rep, high-intensity moves like a 3-second kettlebell swing or a quick plyo push-up between sets. These 10-15 second jolts wake up your nervous system, boost focus, and keep your power output from tanking, all without taxing your main lift. Science says it’s like a caffeine shot for your neurons—minus the jitters. Slip these into your next session and watch fatigue take a backseat. You’re welcome, champ!
The Strength Bulletin
Sonita Muluh smashes raw squat and total all-time world records in the +84KG class at the 2025 EPF European Powerlifting Championships. [Feel the Power]
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