Excuses, excuses

You have none.

The evidence

Excuses, excuses

The evidence

And those going through to the WSM finals are

Debby the gold envelope please... (sounds of a drum roll)...

1. Shaw (USA)
2. Big Z
3. Poundstone (USA)
4. LPJ
5. Pudzianowski (POL)
6. Pfister (USA)
7. Terry Holland (UK)
8. Loz Shahlaei (UK)
9. Travis O (USA)
10. Dave O (USA)

Worlds Strongest Man

I think Loz's group compete again today doing their last 2 events before the finals. Will Loz continue kicking ass or, more sensibly, hold back a little saving what he needs for the finals now he's qualified. The competitor in me says I'd crack on but my sensible head says... careful, play the game.

Updated... an article on Creatine 'wot' I wrote

Some time back and frustrated by daft questions on the odd forum I wrote this article I updated it today to cover 'bloat'.

A nice side tricep from Branch Warren

The pose that helped Jay do the business

And not even an actual pose but a transition (between one pose and the next):

More from the WSM

Who dat? Dat winner of squat!!

Loz looks like he's qualified

Update: From his brother harry ''loz won both his events today, and has made the final with 2 events to go, said all the british guys are doing well!''

World's strongest man 2009

Latest news...
SDF has the news from day 2... first event: Squat. Not only has he placed 1st in his group but our very own Laurence 'Lozza' Shalaei was the only athlete to do all the barrels! Go SHAHLAEI!

Mr Olympia 2009

Ladies and gentlemen your new Mr Olympia and now 3-time winner... Jay Cutler!!

Olympia Strongest Man

Highlight thus far must be the log. With Ironmind reporting thus: Five athletes succeeded at 400 pounds while Van Hatfield and Scott Weech were the only two athletes to get 440 pounds!

So far so good...

Strongman
A text message via his brother Harry 'H' Shahlaei has Laurence S in second place on his first event (medley) and via SDF and Ironmind it looks like Loz got a 1st on the second event - Truck Pull.

Oh yes... as Loz predicts so it becomes. This years was 'to make the final 8'.

Bodybuilding
And in the el numero event of the year, the Mr Olympia, its proving equally as exciting with no one a clear winner. I've never seen so many 'well I think it...' and they be so different. That said everyone's agreeing on two things 1) Jay Cutler has brought his best game to date as has 2) Branch Warren.

Latest Flex cover

The Whey Consortium: Going back to our roots

Nigh-on ten years ago the Whey Consortium was formed with the vision of providing consumers with easy access to the highest quality, unflavoured protein powders in bulk and at unbelievably competitive prices.

It is inarguable; we were THE FIRST to do this, no ifs or buts!

Indeed, nobody can lay claim to selling unflavoured whey in bulk to retail customers longer than the Whey Consortium; our pedigree - as many MT members know - is beyond reproach!

With this in mind, we thought it might be fun to shake things up and create a little resonance similar in fashion to that caused when we hit the scene for the first time all those years ago.

Our flagship product was always bulk Whey Protein in bags, which is why we have chosen this promotion as the manifest expression of that desire to 'get back to our roots'.

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At £67.50 for 10KG INCLUDING P&P the price is also good enough to eat!

If your order is placed by 11am it will go out the same day using a 24hr delivery service*

Click here and buy, buy, buy.

Meet the Olympians and press conference

Photo this page of an inshape Ronny Rockel. Now that's a back.

How daft am I. This morning I was all 'so why no pre-judging yet?'. That's cos it's today d'uh!! Anyway... now I've woken up. I watched the MD video of the conference (Branch Warren's legs... ouch...but in a good way) and there's some photos online too. Check out the new boy Martin... grainey, nasty, nasty :D

MD video of conference

Flexonline photo gallery (13 pages of about 20 shots a page or so)

Dennis James

I wanted to post this yesterday but had problems loading it. Anyway... thanks to IB on MT (all sounds like coded slang eh? LOL) here's a few days out one of Dennis J (I hope he looks the same on stage).

Marcus Ruhl

Interesting clip, if not for the mighty German's physique lacking the qualities of a Mr O top 6 but more for the other possible contenders in the gym at the same time (near the end). Video

NB: note the large screen format and crystal clear resolution. That's a good way to go.

Fingers crossed for the Brits

To all the British lads but esp locals Laurence Shahlaei at the WSM and Lee Powell in the 202 class Mr Olympia - best of luck lads.

2 more days to go.... and then IT'S ON!

Now that's a tricep

MD keeps knocking out the last minute videos to keep the heat on. Today's is Victor Martinez's arm workout one week out. Check out the depth of tricep in this screen grab. Video here

Worlds Strongest Disabled Man competition

Gemma Taylor sent a link via facebook to a nice longish video of an Icelandic event. I'm not so sure it's a full on 'worlds' but it's still good. NB: It's in Icelandic

Link

Branch Warren training legs a few days out

MD has a video of Branch doing his last Metroflex leg session pre the Mr O. Check out this video grab image. Video here

Jay's showing his hand

As of yesterday morning Jay Cutler has put some photos up on his facebook page (21ooo+ friends). Here's one (dated as being uploaded on the 17th):

There's another more recent but it's a little squashed looking.

Olympian Poker

Someone described, just today, the antics of the Mr Olympia pros as 'they're playing poker'. Usually by this time we'd have seen the 'two weeks out', 'one week out' photos of many of the top 10. Thus far all the photos and videos have been covered up. Just today I saw a 'Jay Cutler 5 days out' thread on RX and there he is with about 4-inches of forearm on display. LOL.

Fingers crossed all the lads look mind blowing come the weekend.

Dennis Wolf pre-olympia shoulder workout

Video here

NPC Team Universe 2009 results

Image of overall mens winner Wendell Floyd.

Results here

US Grip nationals results

Top three:

1. Andrew Durniat.......47.9867931
2. Jedd Johnson........47.2273675
3. Dave Thorton.......45.11916427

Andrew placed behind me at Chad's event in the summer and Jedd behind him so the above shows the same positioning. I've not yet met Dave and think he's close to my age. Groupings of the rest of the scoring are quite tight.

Apparently Jedd, like me, was a few inches off a new WR 2HP but grabbed the US record and Andrew had another go, having won with 455, at 470+ on his axle record. Gripper numbers were down on the Chad Woodall event numbers. I was also kinda glad no one got close to my weaver stick record the winning weight being almost 5+ lbs less (13.5 against my 17.85lbs WR lift.... yaaaa go me LOL)

One of my grip buddies holds back planes

Tommy Heslep in the news: http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=91265

US Grip Nationals

Today I have mostly been watching this: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/us-hand-strength-championship-2009

Next weekend...

We launch new prices... The Mr O is on!! and WSM begins. Phew!!

October/November magazines

Your monthly dose of what's on the shelf or available by subscription.

Flex UK

Muscle & Fitness

Body Fitness

Powerlifting USA

Muscle Mag International

An explosion in Blog Views

Muscle Strength and Power News has only been going a few months and I added the counter (page bottom) a few weeks ago. Now I'm sure when I last looked we were around the 2000 views or so...

So imagine my surprise when I see it's now 12000++!!! It's very easy to fake said counters. On many, before you add them, you can pre-set the starting point. I did not. It was dead on zero and yeah I'm sure I was viewing it (mostly following me posting) many times a day. But it's gone crazy these last 10 days. That's a 1000 hits a day.

Thank you all very, very much.

Branch Warren training arms - pre Olympia

MD keeps the videos a-coming VIDEO

Former WSM champ to compete in grip competition

According to Ironmind: ''Janne Virtanen confirmed his entry to the Finnish Open Grip Strength''. Info previously posted has the events as

1. Rolling Thunder
2. Europinch
3. Captains of Crush
4. Apollon's Axle Deadlift

The structure will follow a strongman comp with the top 8 after the first two events going through to the finals. From personal experience I know that WSM level guys have great grips but not necessarily enough all round grip strength to win. That's without specialized training... with... another story.

Win strength related goodies and help a good cause

Mark R, on David Horne's forum works with a charity which helps stroke victims. With the knowledge we have of grip training and so rehab work it's been cool being able to help people out. Both David and I have worked with people locally in this way and the charity I'm hoping you'll support does this full time. So please Click me, read, buy ticket, maybe win??

Olympia Strongman Championships

So Muscle & Fitness arrived today via WH Smiths and somewhat confusingly states that Derek Poundstone and 2 other buddies who are listed as competing in WSM are competing in this one. Err no. They're deffo in the WSM (confirmed by both sites). That said the best of the rest in the USA will be in Vegas September with the would be Mr Olympia contenders as part of the Mr O weekend.

UKBFF King Khan dominates

Thanks to IB on the MT site for putting them up and Giles Thomas (photographer) and his uk-muscle.com site. Zack did the business winning the heavyweights and overall at 280lbs

North East's Strongest Man

No fulls names but...

1. Dave
2. Gary
3. Mark
4. Tom (me)
5. Lee

From Monster T on MT

Britains Strongest Man u/105

Results (more info when I have it):

1. Woods
2. Lewis
3. Cater

Gustavo Badell wins over all

In a blinding return to previous form (only metioned this week on RX Muscle's radio show) Gustavo pulled pass Troy Alves and Hidetada Yamagishi to win the pro division of the Atlantic City 2009 event

In the 202 Class James 'Flex' Lewis's gamble of one show, one chance to qualify paid of as he is now on his way to the Olympia. Well done.

To see the rest of the results in proper order as well as between 4-7 pages of photos per bod click on the RXMuscle Galleries HERE or MDs HERE

Fighting talk

In more ways than one (MMA anyone??). Mariusz Pudzianowski says 'it's on' or words to that effect. IM report

Denis Wolf

If you're sneaky this vid of Denis training legs at 288lbs bodweight a day or so ago gives an insight into how he might look come the Olympia. Check out his forearms, veined and muscular - click me.

Atlantic City Pro 2009

Literally last chance for some to get in the Oympia. The main problem is keeping their condition for 2 weeks. Results when they're in.

Icelands Strongest Women

You can't knock Gemma's ability to get publicity. Here she and what looks like the rest of the 20 girls competing this year are filmed and interviewed by the main Icelandic new channel.

CLICK

Kevin Levrone

Amazing. Go check out his http://levronereport.com/ blog and see what he looked liked when he started back, his drug tests and so on. He's a responder for sure.

GMV clip of the week

I actually chose their 2nd option today as it's from a video I own: Steve Chrighton's Hardcore Hellhole Workout. I've watched the original video a few times and it's always been worthwhile. Click me

Grip stuff on eBay

Cue slightly smug look on my mug (face for the Yanks reading). A very nice customer brought an RB 'Secret Weapon' (based on the equipment used by Joe Kinney) and an RB Squat Harness (not on eBay but a deal was done). Providing the bank, eBay and paypal don't screw me too much I may make a few pennies on what was a nice little sum.

I sell the RB Gripper line (not much stock left so hurry) and have just added Robert's 'X-Gripper' machine and the afore-mentioned 'Secret Weapon'.

The X-machine is still on sale (I can get more as well as the rest of the range) as are the grippers.

X-machine




Grippers

Must be a slow news day

So I'm still waiting on some results (pull yer fingers out FFS!!), the Olympia is in 2 weeks and as yet no sign of the 'look at me a few weeks out photos' (other than those I posted).

So that might explain why Flexonline are having a pose off comparison between one athlete not competing and one which is. Hopefully in a few days it'll all heat up.

As for today... Kai Greene has renewed his Muscle Meds contract (hopefully for more wedge). Thus far that's it.

Wipe the damn bench!!

If it's hot and your sweaty... wipe the damn bench and equipment when you're done. Romano rages: HERE

Redifining hardcore

Now you've no excuse... my shoulder hurts... I can't train. Think so?

Think again: CLICK

Troy Alves

Latest photo

Anothr

Denis Wolf training chest

Early August, at 289lbs bodyweight. Bit covered up so...

Click me

New WSM website

From Ironmind: IMG just made a lot of World’s Strongest Man fans happy, as their new website has been launched.The new WSM website features 2009 World’s Strongest Man event details, athlete profiles, an online store and much more.

WSM Site They also have some fun shirts featuring such as 'who's the daddy', 'Viking Power' and then such shirts as 'worlds strongest dad' and 'worlds strongest man in training'.

John Romano and Dave Palumbo interviews

RX Muscle may have been having a slow day hence the interviews with it's very own hosts... but I liked them. John's more so as it was very insightful. Anyway here's Daves and here's Johns

Flavoured whey 5-kilos now £47.99

In Whey Consortium news today we announced the lowering of the price on our flavoured 5-kilo tubs from an already great £49.99 per kilo tub inclusive of P&P (UK mainland) to a new low, low price of £47.99 (same conditions as before).

With 5 flavours to choose from (Banana, Choc, Vanilla, Strawberry and Wildberry aka 'Fruits of the Forest') what are you waiting for??

Go direct by clicking HERE and order before we change our minds.

Ministry of Muscle TV

One of Southern England's 'proper' gyms (by that I mean hardcore not fitness orientated) has a nice little website. This week they've gone all 21st C on us and added what's called 'Ministry of Muscle TV'. Two full episodes (each in two parts) are now up. Click HERE to watch.

Britains Strongest Man u105k

Hear the sound of me slapping ny head... that's cos it's next weekend and not the date I had it listed under. As Homer says 'D'oh!'

Anglian Bench Press Championship 2009

As usual results not up yet (I downloaded a score sheet but it's not been filled out LOL) but... they did have a live streaming video of the event and you can watch a reply of the clips: HERE BE VIDEOS

Cullhampton - events and results

1. LOG LIFT - rising weight, starting at 90kg on our giant 18" dia log. Scored - Max weight obtained, last man standing.
2. DEADLIFT - 240kg deadlift on Oly bar, ( will be truck tyres on bar and competitor stood on platform ). Scored - max no of reps in 90 Seconds.
3. CARRYING MEDLEY - Will be a mixture of beer barrels, Large blue barrels, and Fork truck tyre drag. Scored - distance over time.Break For Lunch.
4. ARM OVER ARM VAN PULL - Vito sized van pulled up hill by rope, arm over arm. Scored - distance over time.
5. STONES / BARREL LOADING - 4 Items to be loaded onto platform. Scored - items loaded over time.

1st Marek Piewiszko - 47 pnt

2nd Ross Stone - 40 pnts

3rd James Vince - 37 pnts

4th Kieran Clarke - 34 pnts ( countback )

5th Chris Lowe - 34 pnts ( countback )

6th Richie Allen - 33 pnts

7th Jason Cater - 19 pnts

8th Chris Morgan - 15 pnts ( countback )

9th Aaron Myatt - 15 pnts ( countback )

10th Sam Horne - 13 pnts

Well done to 'Polish Mark' (Marek) on his win who came to train at the Whey Gym twice in the last two weeks along with Sam Solimi. Picking up pointers, no doubt, from our man Loz.

Troy Alves - it's on!!

Troy is upping the game. Following Tony Freeman's stirring the S**t video (talking game) check out the highlights from Troy's forthcoming DVD: Video

Negrita Jayde, RIP

Also mentioned in the GMV newsletter was that Negrita Jade, a former female bodybuilder of some note, recently passed away (August 28th). I think the cover above is from one of Bob Kennedy's co-written/published books. I may be wrong. She was 51.

GMV's latest release

A, as they put it, cavalcade of stars shot over the last year (so a highlight video). Preview clip here

Branch Warren training shoulders on the way to the Olympia

Brought to you by MD and Muscletech: Video

NPA South East 2009

Your local natural fed needs you (click on image for more info).

Sun 13th September

David Paul's new book

Back in the day I was a big 'Barbarian Twins' fan and since then I still look out for DP's work. He's brought out a book entitled 'The Art of Bodybuilding' (click HERE for info and a slide show). Check this pic / whet the appetite:

Those 'few weeks out' pics have started

Me like he he.

Anyway this one was posted by Chris Aceto of Troy Aleves on RXM

North East Strongest man 2009

North East Strongest man 2009

Venue: The Green, Billingham
Date: Sunday 13 September 2009
Start time: 1pm
Events:

1. Truck pull The athlete will wear a harness and upon the referee’s command pull a 11.5/18 tonne truck over a 25metre course. The front of the truck must cross the finishing line to stop the clock. The competitor with the fastest time win. Time limit 90 seconds
2. Over head (press) medley: The athlete will start in a standing position in front of the first item, a beer keg. Upon the referee’s command, the athlete will begin lifting the keg. The athlete will press the keg above his head until the elbows are locked (this will be done on each of the four items in the medley). Each of the four items must be held in this position until the referee acknowledges the lift as a GOOD LIFT. Than the athlete must lower the equipment in a control manner to the floor. Before moving onto the next item to be lifted. A time will be taken on each item when the referee says GOOD LIFT. The athlete with the fastest time for all four items wins, or the fastest time taken on each item. Items & weight. Keg 90kg, Log 110kg, Axle 120kg & pendulum press 130kg. Time limit: 75 seconds
3. Flip Each competitor must flip a tyre 15 meters the time will stop when the competitor completes the flips the whole of the tyre over the finishing line. The fastest time wins. If course not competed, the number of flips a competitor completes. (In the event of two competitors of the same number of flips the points will be shaved.).Time limit: 90 seconds
4. Cross work Each competitor must lift the Elite Cross (210 kilo’s) from a stand and carry the cross down a 25 metre course. The competitor must cross each finishing line with both feet, before he can continue back down the course. The competitor who carries the cross for the longest distance winsTime limit: none Weight:210kgs
5. Loading 4 items are to be loaded in ascending order, onto the platform in the upright position, in the fastest time possible. Times will be taken when each item is placed onto the platform. Competitors who successfully lift all 4 items will be scored according to time. Items falling off the sides, back or front of the platform must be replaced by the competitor before continuing onto the next item. In the event of all 4 items not being loaded a time will be given on the last item loaded by the competitor. In the event of any competitor failing to lift all items a time is given on his last item loaded. Fastest time wins. Items: tree stump 95kg, sand bag 100kg, wagon wheel 100kg & keg 105kg (these items are subject to change) Time limit: 90 seconds. Course: 5 metres

Athletes:

• Dave McAneney (champion)
• Mark Lawson
• Scott Heaton
• Gary Garnder
• Mick Ashurst
• Tom Shaw
• Bob Round
• Steve Roll
• Lee Bowers
• Steve Bracewell
• Tom Scarth

Promoter: Bob Daglish/Elite strongman Promotions