by Christian Duque

This article hits home on a variety of levels, because I’ve always been a huge supporter of Ralph Nader’s and the concept of consumer protection. When it comes to pretty much anything healthcare related, there are set protocols, enforced by law, monitored by agencies, and carefully scrutinized by professional boards. Whether it’s a routine check-up, a visit to a specialist, chiropractic or even licensed massage therapy, there are safeguards in place. When it comes to personal training, there really isn’t anything anywhere near as formal. Many gyms recommend that their trainers be certified, some even require it, but very few are well-versed enough to know which programs teach what.

by Christian Duque

Fad Health Lingo should be its own language, at the very least it should be considered a dialect. Over the years, I’ve come across a pretty diverse assortment of health and exercise con people, many sound like a fortune cookie fortune, spliced with some medical terminology, and the really good ones include some citations to a poet, intellectual, or religious prophet. They like to meet for coffee and scamming at coffee shops and usually try to get the big tables before the Bible-thumpers take them. They prefer crowded, captive audiences and they like to hijack as much attention as possible. Words like metaphysical and holistic are their calling cards. Remember, anything that will make you feel better that lacks studies, scientific findings, or any empirical data to speak of, is usually just hot air.

PHOTO CREDIT: GENERATION IRON

by Matt Weik

Some people might be looking at this article and be saying “too soon.” Others might be thinking the same exact thing(s) I am. But regardless, this year we witnessed history – only, not the history we were all expecting. At the 2018 Mr. Olympia contest, we were expecting to watch Phil Heath take home his eighth Sandow trophy, only to be stunned when Shawn Rhoden walked on stage and shocked the world. Can Shawn keep the train moving down the tracks or will Phil Heath come back in 2019 and show the competition that he’s chasing the record?

by Christian Duque

First and foremost, I generally don’t care about the whole natty vs enhanced argument. I think what ever people do supplement-wise is their own business. I think it’s very impertinent to walk up to someone you don’t know and ask if they’re taking gear or not. Truthfully, performance enhancement drugs are in every sport, from bodybuilding to MMA to football and baseball. We can believe that this sort of thing is limited to physique and strength-based sports, but that would make us laughably naive. In most cases, it’s a cat and mouse game. Sport federations who implement testing, try their best to find those who are using banned substances. Some athletes try to beat the tests, use masking agents, and/or time when they take certain products, calculating when they’ll be out of the bloodstream/system. Is it unfair? Of course it is, but I don’t get into it.

by Matt Weik

I’m taking a different approach to what the norm today is and I’d love for everyone to weigh in on my thoughts. Today, most consider a “bodybuilder” as a mass monster. Someone who competes on the competitive stage and has mounds of muscle on their frame. Many would say they are considered the guys who use steroids and other anabolics to put on large quantities of muscle.

by Christian Duque

As I’m sure the entire world knows by now, I’m a huge fan of physique-based sports, and there’s no where better to compete than the NPC and the IFBB Pro League. Fitness has a great deal of relevance in today’s world, from sports, to health, to improving emotional well-being. Even the mainstream media has largely changed its tune, giving the gym, healthy eating, and even sports-based, natural supplements a whole new look. For many, taking charge of their lives is key, but others seeing the body transformations in the mirror isn’t enough. There comes a point in time when they want to get a suit on, stand among the very best in their city, state, and sometimes even their country, and be assessed by a panel of judges who can pick the best.

by Christian Duque

If you’re a bodybuilding fan, chances are you’ve heard about Kai Greene and the many great victories he enjoyed. Fans from all over the world have his posters and reminisce about the glory days, when The Predator dominated the sport. Whatever contest he entered, the NYC-based giant would dominate. On his many world tours, he commanded large crowds. In India, throngs of fans took to the streets. In China, word of his arrival spread faster than wildfire, as if each fan played the role of a modern day Paul Revere, making sure everyone knew that Kai had arrived. Many fans cried tears, others yelled, others were simply grateful, grateful that they could see such a man in their lifetimes.

by Matt Weik

For many people, this article will be a “duh” feature. However, I think we all fall into a routine at the gym and some people forget about different workout techniques to help stimulate the muscle and promote new muscle growth. Many people get stuck doing three sets of 10 reps and then after they reach 10, they put the weight down (even if they haven’t fully exhausted the muscle being worked).

by Matt Weik

It’s common for people to “bulk” in an effort to add some quality lean muscle mass to their frame. What generally tends to happen due to a surplus in calories to allow for muscle growth, a little body fat tends to be added as well. When it’s time to start your cut, many fail to see the results they desire. In an effort to keep you from getting frustrated, I’ve compiled 10 reasons why your cut is failing. Make these changes and you’ll see the results you desire.

by Christian Duque

There are two worlds – the world we want to live in and the world we do live in. Bodybuilders often times like to portray themselves as leading strict lifestyles, with disciplined meals, training, and rest. If we were to believe everything we were allowed to see and everything we were given to read, we’d surmise that most bodybuilders live like monks, but that’s simply not in line with reality. Bodybuilders love to party, some more than others. In the 90’s in particular, we all heard the stories, but that’s not a forgone era. Bodybuilders still go out clubbing, still like to drink, and many like to get trashed. I’m not going to say this is an every night type of thing or that it happens rarely, because each person is different, but most people opt for the effects of alcohol with the least hindrance to their physiques. Some drink for good times, others drink for a release, others drink because they have no choice in the matter.