by Christian Duque

Who remembers when bodybuilding was on television, when you could see it on ESPN, Fox Sports, or when there was talk of NBC covering the 2014 Mr. Olympia? Bodybuilding is a sport that’s well aware of it’s cult-like existence, but which has always had mainstream aspirations. This isn’t a sport that wants to stay small, it’s one that wants to lead the fitness revolution into households from coast to coast and around the world. In fact, former IFBB President Ben Weider, had a lifelong goal of seeing the sport in the Olympics.

by Christian Duque

So, wait a minute? Is this article all about a bike ride? That musta been some bike, some trip, right? Well, here’s the deal. When former CA governor, Mr. Olympia, and namesake of the second biggest physique-based contest in the world goes for a bike ride, wearing a loud shirt promoting the World Gym logo, and rides along the same streets that he called home some 40-50 years ago, then that is very noteworthy.

by Christian Duque

First and foremost, let me just say that the old Spanish saying, “no hay mal que por bien no venga,” (there’s no bad that won’t bring good) rings true. We’ve had a horrible 2020 as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. The coronavirus left gyms closed indefinitely, it resulted in the cancellation of the largest fitness expos in the world (i.e., The Arnold Sports Festival), and it was the direct result of countless contests being either cancelled or postponed. One of the biggest and most hyped contests of all, The Rock’s Athleticon in Atlanta, GA, was postponed to 2021.

by Matt Weik

2020 has been one of the most #%$*&@ up years any of us has experienced. If there was a box of bad event dominoes, 2020 would be pushing the first one over and causing the snowball effect we’ve experienced thus far (hopefully we are done for the year). That being said, everything that has been going on has crushed the bodybuilding industry as competitors aren’t able to hit the gym nor are shows allowed to take place due to the inability to have large gatherings.

by Christian Duque

Although the title speaks to synthol, what we’re really talking about here is SEO’s, or site enhancing oils. Synthol is just one of many different types of SEO’s and it’s often used to describe them all. The reality, however, is that most people who use these types of products, particularly those who make waves on social media and tend to go viral, are actually using homemade concoctions that oftentimes create cartoonish looking shapes.

by Matt Weik

I saw a post on Facebook a little while back that sparked a conversation in my head – yes, I ask myself questions and answer myself, don’t you? But all jokes aside, someone in the fitness industry was bitching about the newsletter he charges for and compared his newsletter (full of information that 1% or less of the population in the world would ever want to read) to a girl posting pictures of herself nude on a platform named OnlyFans.

by Christian Duque

Where to begin when talking about 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout. The early 1980’s were probably a whole different world than today. Ronald Reagan was the president of the United States, the Cold War was in full force (with neither side appearing to be the clear cut winner), and many countries were torn along political, ethnic, religious and/or class lines.

by Christian Duque

Ok.., not a month goes by that I don’t get emails or DM’s from fans all over the world, particularly from Latin America that would love nothing more than a Jay Cutler comeback. Jay is a former Mr. Olympia, who like Ronnie Coleman, has only increased his fanbase since leaving the stage. This is attributable to having a cutting edge supplement line, fresh clothes, and one of the most successful Youtube channels online.

by Matt Weik

Are you in the camp that you go to the grocery store each week to pick up all of your groceries or are you in the new camp that now does online grocery shopping?

by Christian Duque

It seems that two of the biggest fitness industry social media stars are on the verge of all out war. Luimarco was the trendsetter. He created a following through the trolling of pro bodybuilders, developing his own lingo, and strengthening ties to a viewership that all but idolized him. Many of the early fans were folks who, initially, loved being on the MISC at Bodybuilding.com, but needed something more. The first super successful channel to create a subculture for fitness-minded youths, were The HodgeTwins.