To my left, a middle-aged but impressively-built lifter knocks out his last set of alternate dumbbell curls, grunting through his teeth as lactic acid fills his limbs.
"Guhhhh... uhhhhhh... EWWWWW!!!" To my right, about thirty feet away, a group of four or five younger lifters mimic his grunts in a purposefully exaggerated manner.
The curler to my left continues to chase his pump, the grin on the corners of his mouth being kept from breaking into a laugh by sheer force of will, each grunt being dramatically echoed as the reps are added up. His set extends beyond where it might otherwise have terminated. The gym spotlight is on him and his rep is on the line.
After completing his set, he turns and answers his mockers with a friendly front double biceps pose that reminds me a bit of Arnold's old training partner Ed Corney in his prime. "Not too shabby for forty-five years old..." he yells down into the gym dungeon.
"Pretty shabby that it took you forty-five year to just get THAT far..." one thickly muscled ballbuster replies.
"Watch Jim do his set. He actually bends his elbows. I hear that increases biceps activation," another sweat-drenched smartass adds in.
"But I've got arms AND legs!" the senior lifter fires back.
While the words may sound harsh; the sprit behind them is light-hearted and friendly, spiced up with a sprinkle of innate competitiveness and a shot of testosterone. If you've never heard similar conversations, it's doubtful you have ever trained in a hardcore gym, where good-natured trash-talk is as much a part of the atmosphere as the smell of sweat and the constant clanging of iron.
I like to travel and check out different hardcore gyms. I've trained at Gold's and World Gyms in Venice, Temple Gym in Birmingham, England, both locations of Quad's Gyms, Metroflex in Texas and dozens of warehouse hellholes whose names escape me. The best of these gyms is The Body Builders Inc. in Akron, Ohio, which I am fortunate enough to live near.
Body Builders Inc. was founded thirty years ago this month by lifelong bodybuilding/ power aficionado Pep Wahl. With a warehouse-style and a thick dusting of chalk on the floors, BBI seems frozen in time since its doors where first kicked open.
Pep has an old school juice-bar where you can either buy any of a variety of RTD drinks or have a customized shake blended up for you. The recent copy of Flex is always available for your pre-workout browsing inspiration. There is a hole punched through the lower edge near the spine and a cable running through the copy, bolting it to the juicebar and ensuring that you always know where to find a copy and so that it doesn't become part of an impromptu "lending library."
In a throwback to an older era, Body Builders is a men's-only gym, since segregated training was the common practice when they opened. Political-correctness aside, it makes a difference. Any red-blooded hetero male has at least a 38% loss of focus (according to recent studies by the Weider Research Group) when a tight hottie does a slow set of stiff-legged deadlifts. Removing that possibility keeps things on-task. It's also nice not having to worry whether your workout clothes match or are 100% clean. Plagued with a case of bedhead? Who gives a shit? You're heading to the gym!
Body Builders' is packed with the best heavy-duty lifting equipment. Some of it's ancient but in perfect working order, such as the metallic blue first-run that launched the Nautilus line. Some is welded specifically for Bodybuilder's and has a GREAT feel to it. All the best new pieces are here too; the Nebula Leg Press, tons of Hammer Strength, Louie's Reverse Hyperextension and some of the very best BodyMasters selectorized units... and, of course, dumbbells up to 200-pounders. If it's not here, you probably don't need it anyway. To add the final touch of feng shui, there are also a variety of puke buckets scattered throughout and you are encouraged to use them, which is a nice amenity often missing from the typical fitness center.
If the bare bones, no bullshit, industrial-strength nature of the gym doesn't scream "geared for hardcore lifters", then the signage will. As you walk in there is a large chalkboard with important info such as what lifts members posted at last weekend's powerlifting meet or a countdown "13 days until the NABBA Canton."
Most local competitive lifters train here, including retired power legend Dave Jacoby (eight-time national champion, five-world champion) and pro bodybuilder Eddie Robinson was a member back in the day. While all that is good and well, the most important part is that herein monsters lurk on a daily basis... unknown locals striving to win a state title or just be the biggest, strongest beast in the room.
Pep doesn't offer ongoing contracts, electronic fund transfer or any other such modern "convenience." He does sincerely give shit about how your workouts and life are going and remembers conversations you had years ago. As their slogan states, "Is there any other place?" so if you life in northeast Ohio you should be training there. If you don't, then it's a good reason to consider relocating.
THE HARDCORE GARAGE
What happens if you don't have a place like Body Builders Gym in your area? More and more lifters are going for the home gym option. Powerlifters have been doing this for the past two decades, when the mainstreaming of gyms into fitness centers caused management to forbid chalk, remove power-based equipment and discourage scary stuff like heavy deadlifting. Get some solid basic equipment, a few like-minded friends and create your own lifting environment.
After the obligatory weights, get an adjustable bench that goes from flat to ninety-degrees, is sturdy enough to withstand the heaviest of poundages and has enough high-density padding that you are not going to be feeling the wood edges bruising your shoulder blades during a heavy bench.
Next up is a power rack. While a cheapy model at your local fitness store will do, something sturdy without the limitations of these bargain racks will pay off in the long run. First off, choose a rack with more settings for the safety pins. A cheap rack will have hole settings every three or four inches. We want height adjustments preferably every inch. Secondly, cheap racks will not allow for a very wide stance, such as you might need to do Sumo-stance Deadlifts, Good Mornings or Wide Squats. A good rack will have the lower side beams raised to allow for greater stance variations. Next, band pegs on the top and bottom of the rack allows for the use of Jump Stretch heavy resistance bands to be used to provide "accommodating resistance" principles to your workouts.
The Cadillac of racks (well, if Caddys were cool and not embarrassingly pimpy) might be the Sorinex Base Camp Uber Package. Other great options are the Poliquin Rack by Atlantis Fitness or the racks made by Williams Strength, Legend Fitness and Atomic Athletic.
LINKS: http://store.sorinex.com
http://www.atlantis-fit.com/products/item.aspx?code=C-109
http://www.williamsstrength.com/Racks.htm
http://www.legendfitness.com/details/3230.html
http://www.atomicathletic.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=AR24C
Next up is something you have probably not seen, the Sorinex Hurricane. This is the most versatile piece of machinery I have ever seen. It is made for commercial gyms or collegiate weight rooms but in a garage gym or small personal training studio, this machine allows you to do everything from Lateral Raises to Squats to Incline Presses to Power Cleans. The video will demonstrate some of these:
If that doesn't give you enough options, the Multi-Functional Trainer allows for any cable exercise: crossovers, curls, lat rows, pec presses, triceps extensions, side and rear delt laterals and dozen other exercises. Some good companies with high-end MFT versions are FreeMotion MFT, the Innofit XiTrainer and Cybex's Cybex FT360. There are cheaper models but I would definitely try them out to verify smoothness and functionality. One of these units will allow you to simulate dumbbell and barbell movements without being restricted to a gravitational line of force.
Links: http://www.freemotionfitness.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_-1_10001_16601_33002_15351
http://www.innofitinc.com/powerstrength.html
http://www.cybexintl.com/products/strength/FunctionalTrainers.aspx
After that, a second-stage would be the addition of a Glute-Ham Raise Bench (the best is by Power-Lift, with rolling pads, allowing for comfortable hamstring work. Other good versions include Williams Strength or Sorinex models (see previous links)
A Reverse Hyperextension machine will strengthen the lower back and glutes while keeping the spine aligned and healthy. After that you and your team can do just about anything you need to in a "health club" so you can just invest in more 45-pounders. Lastly, a great addition to any gym (commercial or garage-based) is the VMO Developer by Power-Lift. This allows some variety so that you can do non-locking leg work (heels high) or get extra stretch when training Romanian Deadlifts Heels low).
If you are plagued by a lack of hardcore gyms in your area, consider taking matters in your own hands. Park the cars in the driveway. Build a shed in the backyard for the mower and those rakes. Invest (either alone or pull resources with some friends) in some basic equipment. Crank up your choice of music. Create your type of atmosphere and push each other to new levels of size and strength.
Historically, Bill Pearl trained in the garage gym of his trainer Leo Stern and won his first Universe title. Later, he trained at 4:00AM every morning in his own barn gym and even Chris Dickerson went there to train with him for his Mr. Olympia win. Mike Katz did most of his early training in a home garage gym. Bill "Peanuts" West, George Frenn and the original Westside Barbell crew helped create a legacy out of a little garage gym in Culver City, California. Why not do the same for yourself?
Like most of you, I'm a huge podcast-listener. While the Palumbo and Romano shows have always been my favorites, there are a couple of other good options. One I stumbled upon recently on iTunes is "Iron Radio." I was surprised to see the names of my two old co-workers and friends (now Dr.) Lonnie Lowery and Rob "Fortress" Fortney.
Co-hosting with them is training expert Charles Staley and competitive powerlifter Phil Stevens. While four hosts is a bit much for my taste (with a guest, you have five speakers trying not to talk over one another and you often don't know which person is speaking), the topics are interesting and covered well. While I may be a bit biased, I find Lonnie and Rob's insights to be the strength of the program. Look up Iron Radio on your iTunes and give it a try or go to their site: http://www.ironradio.org/
Many of these comments are by IFBB pros in their Q&A columns. They are either completely out of touch with real bodybuilding (the kind that goes on in local gyms with people that have real jobs) or their ghost-writers are just rehashing the typical cliché responses to the some ole cliché questions. (I suspect it's a bit of each.)
How can you judge that your pursuit of a better placement at the Arnold Classic is of greater value than John Smith's goal of just getting on stage in his best shape at the Mr. Chicago, or Bob Jones' goal of a 600-pound squat, or Shawn Brown's goal of just packing on fifteen to twenty pounds of solid mass?
Answer: You can't. I suspect much of this is based on our innate need to not see a limited resource squandered but no one here can put a value on what reaching a personal goal means to someone. By the way, I'm pretty sure both Flex and Chick are guilty of doing this multiple times so, once again, please remove your heads from you respective asses.
If you have been in the game for any length of time, you have seen dozens of these guys that:
1) Have very strong opinions on things, including harsh critiques of what their competitors do incorrectly,
2) Speak in purposely confusing scientific jargon-rich wording that, in the end, doesn't say much,
3) Write to impress, not inform.
Often these guys are also condescending in their responses, as if they are too good for their own audiences.
While I can understand pre-contest prep coaches not giving specific numbers for final week prep. (Since that is how they pay their bills and contest prep depends on the day-to-day adjustments.) If you can't give out training info, off-season nutrition advice, contest diet basics or supplement info in understandable, easily implemented language, then you just DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. End of story.
Whatever Happened to... BERRY DE MEY?
If you've been into bodybuilding for more than ten years you were probably a fan of Holland's Berry de Mey. Berry was a top bodybuilder, placing as high as third at the Olympia and a regular fixture at the Venice Gold's. Berry joined the WBF and was one of its higher-paid athletes. He was also one of the athletes that came into the contests in shape. After Vince McMahon dissolved the WBF, Berry disappeared, along with a number of other athletes that felt they either had nothing more to prove, did not wish to pay the IFBB's fines in order to get reinstated, or just feared that they would not be judged fairly once he returned to a Weider pro stage.
When I got into touch with DeMey, I learned that he has gone on to a new career as a professional photographer and his work is exceptionally good. You can go to see some of his work at: www.berrydemey.com. He has returned to Holland, was married to Marja in 1994 and has a fifteen-year old daughter. He is leaner but still looks good. He tells me he trains because he loves doing it just to stay in shape. He welcomes all of his Rx Muscle fans to contact him on Facebook. Also, look for a very revealing interview with him in an upcoming issue of Flex (on the newsstand in September).
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"Your gym is a skidmark on the underpants of society" - White Goodman (Dodgeball) |
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HOW DO BODYBUILDERS OF DIFFERENT ERAS MATCH-UP?
One reader posted a comment on the Megalympia Forum, stating that he felt it was pointless to compare bodybuilders from different eras. I can't totally disagree with him. Bodybuilding as a sport has progressed incredibly in the past four or five decades - we know how to eat better, advances in supplementation, improvements in the science of proper training.
Most of all, we have more people with elite genetics entering the sport. Bodybuilding was an oddity back then and you had to hunt around for bodybuilding magazines. Most of the people with Yates-like genetics were more likely to get into football, boxing or just plain manual labor jobs. But I, for one, can't help but wonder how a young Sergio Oliva would fare against Victor Martinez, Victor Richards, Lee Haney and Jay Cutler. It is the learned postulation of how one champ would do against another, and discussion of all the factors that might come into play, that makes for an interesting online dialogue.
I did come across something very interesting online. Someone had gotten photos of two of our Megalympia competitors, 1968 Mr. America Jim Haislop and Matt Mendenhall, NPC Nationals runner-up in '82, '84 and ‘86 (to Lee Haney, Mike Christian and Gary Strydom). The poses are very similar and not (to my knowledge) altered. This GIF image flips back and forth between the two champions.
How similar do they look to you? Haislop only competed for a few years, probably because there was just no money in the sport and he eventually had to focus on making a living. Now imagine if Haislop had high-quality protein shakes, a modern diet and the pharmacological regimen that Mendenhall benefited from. I think he would definitely be able to hang.
ROUND ONE QUIZ
Because we have received such a strong response to the Megalympia Challenge, I wanted to celebrate with a trivia contest. If you think you know your bodybuilder factoids, look over the following questions and send your answers to me via a Personal Message through the Rx Muscle Forums. The answers to the questions must come from the names of the 173 bodybuilders participating in the Megalympia Challenge (with the exception of question #8, which is the name of a specific supplement company).
The winner will receive the following:
This amazing prize package has a total retail value well over $300.
MEGALYMPIA ROUND ONE QUIZ [400 points maximum]
1. This bodybuilder is now an ordained minister? [10 points]
2. Name the two brothers on our list? [10 points]
3. Which two members of our list left medical school to pursue a bodybuilding and journalism career? [10 points]
4. Name ten of the deceased athletes on our list? [2 points each]
5. Which athletes on the list were given the following nicknames: [5 points each]
a. "The Giant Killer"
b. "The Shadow"
c. "The Dinosaur"
d. "Real Deal"
e. "Flexing Dutchman"
f. "Panther"
g. "Iron Warrior"
h. "Blonde Myth"
i. "Sardinian Sampson"
j. "Golden Eagle"
k. "The Equalizer"
l. "Magic Egyptian"
m. "The Red Heckler"
n. "The Austrian Oak"
o. "Jetman"
p. "The Chemist"
q. "The Dragonslayer"
r. "The Lion of Lebanon"
s. "Quadzilla"
t. "The Myth"
6. After his attempts at creating a bodybuilding union were crushed, this bodybuilder felt he was crucified in his placings at subsequent contests. [15 points]
7. On ESPN's "American Muscle" television show, this AAU Mr. America winner beat the current NPC Nationals winner in a viewer poll on which was the best bodybuilder. [20 points]
8. The AAU Mr. American winners in the 1980s were offered an endorsement contract with this East Coast supplement company? Name the company. [30 points]
9. This lifter's real first name is Edmond. [30 points]
10. Name two lifters that won national bodybuilding titles as teenagers? [10 points each]
11. Name two bodybuilders that held high-level corporate positions with exercise equipment manufacturers? [10 points each]
12. Name two bodybuilders that operated a European masonry business? [10 points]
13. This bodybuilder was shot in the face by his wife. [10 points]
14. This bodybuilder was the primary spokesperson for Cybergenics? [15 points]
15. This bodybuilder worked as both an athlete spokesperson and marketing executive for both Twinlab and Met-Rx? [10 points]
16. Name three that are Canadian residents? [10 points each]
17. Name the two bodybuilders in jail for killing women? [5 points each]
18. These two bodybuilders had brief cameos in the Bruce Willis movie "The Fifth Element"? [5 points]
19. This champion bodybuilder has worked as a personal trainer to many members of the US Congress, including ex-speaker Newt Gingrich? [10 points]
The contest will close in five days (ending at midnight EST on Tuesday, June 18, 2009). The prize package goes to the person with the highest score of correct answers. In the event of a tie, the prize goes to the person that e-mails their answers in to me first. Judgment of correct answers and awarding of the prize is based completely at my discretion, whims and mood. Employees of Rx Muscle and their immediate families are not eligible and would just seem like jerks to even try to enter. Have fun with it and good luck!
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