Derek Anthony on Shotgun Big Show

If you haven't heard Episode 35 of the VPX Shotgun Big Show, featuring John Romano and Lee Priest, I strongly encourage you to do so. This episode was incredibly entertaining as Derek Anthony joined the show. I must say, I was curious about how Derek and Lee would get along, mainly since Lee is a comical, outspoken kinda guy and Derek Anthony was always marketed as the resident hothead during the RxMuscle days.

But the rapport couldn't have been any better than it was. The three got along splendidly, making me wish the show would go for another hour or two!
Derek really felt like he belonged; the more I listened to the program, the more I felt like this trio could be just what the doctor ordered - taking three-man shows like Heavy Muscle Radio and Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, head on.

At a time when feuds seem rampant between the SBS & its fans v. HMR and its fans, few could dismiss that pound for pound, Derek Anthony and Aaron Singerman are quite possibly the two most popular names in the game - and both are remarkably similar. Anthony and Singerman both had a connection to RxMuscle, both are around the same age, both have fairly new but exploding radio shows, and neither actively competes (e.g. hold a pro card or is a top NPC contender).

Pound for pound, it would be interesting which celebrity would have more fans? Anyone up for starting a fan poll? Whether at RxMuscle, GetBig, Bodybuilding.com? I'd put my money with Singerman, but after last night's show, I might go back to the undecided column.

Again, awesome show! Check out the The DA Show (http://blogtalkradio/DAShow) and DerekAntony.com.

Banned for Romano

I first got into bodybuilding after a bad breakup in 2005. The sport meant so much to me that it shot up my self-esteem helped me kick twelve years of smoking, and it made me take my diet, training, and supplementation more serious than anything else in my life. In no time, I was reading the bodybuilding magazines, buying books and dvds, and visiting the online message boards. In 2006, I discovered Pro Bodybuilding Weekly, a weekly show hosted by Dan Solomon and bodybuilding champion, Bob Cicherillo.

Once PBW got boring, a new show featuring Muscular Development Magazine's John Romano & Dave Palumbo, titled No Bull Radio took to the online radio waves. I was instantly made a diehard fan. So naturally, when Romano and Palumbo parted ways with MD, I followed the duo to their next project: the revamped RxMuscle.com

IFBB/NPC's Crackdown on Legs!

on a recent episode of VPX Shotgun Radio, with John Romano and Lee Priest, the hosts discussed a new judging criteria which seeks to mark down Men's Physique competitors with "overly muscular calves." This is serious cause for alarm, as the men that compete here (unlike the Women in the counterpart WPD) are already hiding their quads, glutes, and hamstrings with loose-fitting boadshorts that span the body from waist to knees. It's bad enough that most guys nowadays don't do squats, much less stiff leg deadlifts or lunges! This Division is essentially telling guys it's ok not to have legs and to walk around looking like lawndarts (a pretty accurate comparison, made by John Romano, former senior editor of Muscular Development Magazine.

So what's the deal with Men's Physique anyways? Is it possible the mainstream public doesn't relate to guys like 4x Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler's physique? Might it be that 202 Bodybuilding has been such a hit, that the 210 Class is about to take off? Could it be the IFBB may want lighter physiques, possibly more natural looking (naturally without going 'natural' -- what's that anyways?).

But sure, I could see Men's Physique really doing well with the mainstream public, but feeding into the ignorance of training chest and arms everyday, with no attention to lower back/hams and quads, what is are the IFBB and NPC looking to accomplish.

And what do the athletes have to say? In a recent video shot by Bill Comstock for RxMuscle.com, titled "A Day in Venice," IFBB Mens Physique Pro Steve Cook expressed some very heartfelt concerns. For eleven minutes, the viewer is treated/punished to watching IFBB Pro Jerome Fergueson, the self-proclaimed guru trainer for the new division, do everything in his power to keep Steve exhausted and out of breath. Interestingly, when Fergueson gets lost, maybe to make another Planet Fitness commercial where he can make a mockery of the sport of bodybuilding, Steve Cook wastes no time to speak from the heart. He said the following:

---

"One thing I'd really like to see in the next three years as Men's Physique really evolves, is a standardized short... that would show off the legs, show off the hamstrings, the glutes; just give the judges more to judge on. That and maybe allowing us to pose a little bit. Then I could see this Men's Physique thing really taking off, IF IT'S ALLOWED TO BE DONE." (11:54 - 12:30)

Watch the video on RxMuscle.com

---

I really hope John & Lee give their thoughts. The first chance this Pro gets, all he wants is to be able to train hard, showcase his legs, be allowed to pose more, and basically, truly present a MAN's physique. John & Lee have never attacked the athletes - and they are 100% for the fans, but these judges, and the drummer(s) they march to, are implementing all sorts of ridiculous policies that quite frankly leave me at a loss for words. John & Lee are the only ones to hold certain parties ACCOUNTABLE. I mean, am I the only one that's left asking why on Earth Steve Cook would end such a statement asking for such BASIC, COMMON SENSE requests with -- IF IT'S ALLOWED TO BE DONE. For a Pro Athlete in a Division that I have socks older than, you gotta wonder just how BLATANT the control is and just how warped the reasoning behind it is.

The NPC/IFBB should have the integrity to recognize that the lawndart look is not going to appeal to the mainstream, and if it does, it goes agains tall of the Weider Principles that speak to a full body's worth of muscle. Arnold & Lou, Franco & Zane, they all hit legs, they had hamstrings, glutes, and CALVES! What the HELL are they smoking to first cover the largest muscle in the body and then to have the AUDACITY to suggest they'll mark done OVERLY muscular calves?"

It's a disservice to the kids/guys in the gym, it's a disservice to the fans -- who like muscle, and seemingly, it's a disservice to the athletes themselves -- who are troubled by there not being a uniform suit, guys that want to train within the specified SIZE and SYMMETRY requirements of the new class, and who want to showcase a strong, healthy, streamlined physique.

I wonder what Bob Cicherillo would have to say about Steve Cook's comments? I personally applaud the MPD Pro, who I think has SICK back development, incredible core strength, and has the looks to be the next Bob Paris and/or Gary Strydom for the sport. I just hope he doesn't get blackballed because he spoke his mind during a video where he was mostly subjected to ridiculous exercises that guys with muscular physiques rarely do -- juiced or natural. Anyone care to wager how many box jumps Jay Cutler could do? Lol

Destined for Trimph

Physique sports are amongst the most difficult to master, because there is no scoring the field goal, hitting a homer, or knocking out the champ. Many competitors commit to years of hard training, coupled with months of strict dieting, developing posing routines, nailing their color, just to stand on stage and look their best for a few hours - minutes actually!

Bodybuilding is the king of all physique sports, demanding the most disciplined, courageous individuals. There supplements are just the tip of the iceberg, and in fact, they are the smallest part.

One of the best Women bodybuilders in the NPC, the largest amateur federation in the United States, is Kate Cooper. Just recently she took 2nd place in the Heavyweight Class as the 2011 NPC USA Championships, and she won the Light Heavyweight (Over 35) Class at the 2011 NPC Masters Nationals. Kate has been competing since 2001, according to her website's contest overview. She's placed Top 5 in several key shows, as well as winning the 2004 NPC Excalibur -- one of the best known contests in the country.

Given her recent success at national qualifiers, I am confident that you'll see this beautiful lady earn her IFBB Pro Card in no time! For more info on this superb athlete, visit her official website at: http://www.kate-cooperfbb.com/

John Nolan & Amanda McDonald

Workout Partners: Why You Should Find One

I won't sit here and tell you that working out with a partner is always going to work. Some people are habitually late, others refuse to take their training to the limit, and some like to yap away on the phone, text message, check out romantic interests, and or gossip about this guy and that girl and that product and this kinda music...SHUT UP & LIFT! (lol)

Back in the day, I was training with groups of four, five, six, and even one time SEVEN PEOPLE! Could you imagine having to wait for six guys to do an exercise before it was your turn to go again? Then we'd try to do two exercises at once, to reduce the delays, but in the end we conceded the groups were just too big.

What you want in a training partner, is someone with similar (even if not identical) goals, a similar work-ethic, and a serious commitment. Training days and times are set the week before, if you wanna socialize -- DO SO! Grab lunch after, maybe go out on the weekend. But while in the gym, focus on the training. And to the same certain extent that we all help each other, from all over the world, right here through the StrengthAddicts.com network -- the kind of help/push you get from the person spotting you in real-life is tenfold!

Training Solo

Still, the hardened gymrats of old -- those who seldom speak -- almost as if the monks weren't the only ones to take a vow of silence... these guys frown upon training partners and they even frown upon mp3 players! Their music is that of their own heartbeat, their workout partners -- are their muscles. And while this all sounds very hardcore, it limits the utility of the training one goes into the gym for.

Take bicep curls -- you can force reps out, you rely on BodyEnglish to get you through the tough reps, but you really want to put so much to chance on squats, military presses, bench presses? Do you realize that you play with your joints -- if not your life in general -- when you ask a COMPLETE STRANGER to spot you on a heavy lift. Many guys/girls assume that just because someone is in the gym and drinking an NoExplode, that they've been schooled in the principles of sound spotting. WAKE UP!

If you're serious about pushing yourself to the limit... and you want to train solo, you had better know the person spotting you really well. A "spot" is not just that extra 10-20lbs to help you up. If you're benching 315 -- you need someone that can ROW 315...if you go LIMP ... 20lbs of assistance might mean you'll be spared one rib --- but you'll still be dead as a friggin doornail.

Donovan Leonard - Back in Action

Donovan Leonard at Gym Bumz (Lansing, MI)



After a brief hiatus to Florida, Donovan Leonard is back in the gym! You can find him training solo, with yours truly, and/or solo. The time he spent under the tutelage of Amanda McDonald had paid off in gold. His physique has tightened and his understanding of nutrition and proper form have taken his lifts and overall drive to a whole new level!

Welcome back "DL."

What Prohormones Are Left?

Our good friend, Rick Martis, co-owner of Physical Addictions (see http://PhysicalAddicts.com ), gives us his take on what's left on the market for all you guys and girls trying to stronger and more lean. Rick is not only a successful businessman, but he also has put out a series of informative youtube vlogs that are available for FREE! You'd be a complete fool not to check out these indispensable resources -- available 100% for FREE! Lastly, reward businesses that give back to the sport with your businees! You're not just gymrats, you're also consumbers. Spend your hard-earned money with people love the sport - people like Rick Martis :)

So here goes... Rick spills the beans!

"Unfortunately all that is legal now is not near as anabolic as what was just banned in the last year. All the good stuff is gone cause our corrupt FDA is in the hands big pharma and they dont like us competing with them. what i mean if you dont get it is this. when a compound works and puts size on guys quickly the owrd gets around and it sells well so what does this do? it keeps guys from going to the Dr to get stuff if they can even but mainly it keeps thme from going ont he street to get the real stuff and who makes the real stuff? big pharma companies do. so we are in direct competition witht them and what company likes competition? this is one of the few industrries that when you dont want competition you can get the FDA to ban them for you. This frustrates me really bad cause there are so many drugs that kill people and also have many side effects that cause people to take more drugs for the side effects and before you know it they are on half a dozen meds and the drug companies love this!! but i dont know of anyone who ever died from an over the counter prohormone that was banned. anyway that and why you will never see a car run without gas cause big oil wont allow that competition either. our country is poluted and so corrupt on so many levels it makes my head blow up , anyway to answer your question look here http://www.physicaladdictions.com/Muscle-Building/Mass-Builders?zenid=jeai37n5l8j9crtfd798ovuos4 for a few decent ones that wont be banned.

Legal gear makes decent products still and the Double Dragon line. Also the A50 and the A-HD are pretty good. and for a pre workout the Super NOX has some mild test boosters and is a great endurance drink that wont get you skin crawling and have your heart pounding out of your chest but it is great for long sustained energy and good strength, thanks buddy and post this if you want, have a great day"