Arnold Classic

Arnold Classic 2017 Predictions

 

royalxxi-men-system_2_3

Click Add to Cart for Free Shipping! Best Fat Burner!

Arnold Classic 2017 Predictions and Where to Watch it for Free!

Image result for arnold classic 2017

Live Stream Information: http://generationiron.com/2017-arnold-classic-live-stream/

Pro Bodybuilding Invite List:


Fouad Abiad
Lionel Beyeke
Maxx Charles
Vitaly Fateev
Will Harris
Michael Lockett
Dallas McCarver
Cedric McMillan
Juan Morel
Luke Sandoe

Predictions:

My Top 5

5. Juan Morel: Juan is looking insane a few days before the Arnold. Definitely could be anywhere in the top 5! 

Juan.JPG

4. Fouad Abiad: Fouad is in excellent conditioning but did tear his quad. He works with John Meadows so you know he will be ready. 

fouad

3. Lionel Beyeke: I think Lionel has better genetics and look than Dallas and Cedric but hasn’t peaked conditioning yet (other than the Arnold Brazil where he got screwed a few years ago). If he peaks, he wins. Hands down. However, if he is soft, he could finish last. 

lionel

2. Dallas McCarver: Dallas works with Chad Nicholls. Do you know the name, you should. He worked with Flex Wheeler and a guy named Ronnie Coleman in the 90’s and 2000’s. Dallas will weigh 295 when he stands on stage on Saturday. Dallas could easily win the whole thing. 

dallas

Champion: Cedric McMillan. I am predicting Cedric Mcmillan as the champion as long as he nails his conditioning. I am a bit nervous with this prediction because Cedric recently stated that he is 25 pounds heavier this year than last year. Cedric doesn’t need to play the size game. If he is too big, he will get crushed by Dallas and some of the others. 

cedric

 

Dark horse: Maxx Charles has the death face at the Arnold expo which normally means that the conditioning will be insane. He could easily slide into the top 3 if people are off.

 

Thank you for reading,

 

Dustin Holston

Personal Trainer/Sports Nutritionist

TeamNutritionTrain.com

2017 Arnold Classic Invite List

Who’s Competing at the 2017 Arnold Classic?

Cardio and Weights knows!

IFBB Men’s Open Bodybuilding

35912-dallas-mccarver-15_final

2017 COMPETITORS

Fouad Abiad
Lionel Beyeke
Maxx Charles
Vitaly Fateev
Will Harris
Michael Lockett
Dallas McCarver
Cedric McMillan
Juan Morel
Luke Sandoe

Image result for cedric mcmillan

Cedric McMillan can win this if he keeps everything tight

Summary: Look for a tightly contested race between Dallas McCarver, Cedric McMillan, and Lionel Beyeke. Fouad Abiad and Juan Morel are my dark horses. 

Men’s 212 Bodybuilding

2017 COMPETITORS

Ahmad Ashkanani
Guy Cisternino
Charles Dixon
David Henry
Manual Manchado
Jose Raymond
Mitchell Staats
Zane Watson
Quincy Winklaar
Kyong Won Kang
Hidetada Yamagishi

Summary: Look at Hidetada Yamagishi to repeat, however Jose Raymond, Guy, and David will be up there. Dark horse is Zane Watson and Ahmad Ashkanani. 

Who Will Win the 2016 Arnold Classic?

mainbanner

If you read my 2015 Arnold Classic prediction you saw that I hit the nail on the head and predicted Dexter Jackson to win his 5th Arnold Classic. I predicted the remaining top 5, but had them out of order. Branch Warren surprised many and pushed Dexter.  Dexter will not be competing, so we will not have a repeat champion!

I will be at the 2016 Arnold Classic and will be posting photos and result analysis.

Who will win the 2016 Arnold Classic?

The surprise of the year happened when Kai Greene put his hat into the ring. Kai hasn’t competed at the Arnold since 2010. He has won 2 and is looking for #3. Kai is the odds on favorite, but who will win the 2016 Arnold Classic?

#1. Kai Greene

No one really knows the condition Kai Greene is currently in. The photos and videos he has posted has shown him in a hoodie. If he comes into the condition and size he is known for, no one can beat him.

#2. Justin Compton

Last year I picked him to be second, and I will keep him at second this year. Justin Compton is the future of bodybuilding. He is still young. It is scary because he keeps growing. If anyone on stage can compete with Kai’s size, it is Justin.

Capture

#3. Cedric McMillan

Cedric didn’t have a very good 2015. He dropped out of the Mr. Olympia at the last minute, and struggled getting in shape in other contests. Cedric has the dream physique and has Arnold Schwarzenegger’s backing, but his conditioning is always a little off.

15973-cedric-mcmillan-281_final

#4. Evan Centopani

Evan is a top tier bodybuilder, and if he nails his conditioning to match his size, it will vault him into the top 2 or 3. Evan took some time off last year and has been really working on his diet eating quality foods and such. I hope he nails it.

9925-evan-centopani-171_final

#5. Branch Warren

A couple weeks ago I predicted that Branch Warren will fall off this year. I actually had Josh Lenartowicz at #4. I think Branch will finish in the top 5 in the Arnold, but do believe he is on the downside.

Dark Horses:

  • Josh Lenartowicz has the size and conditioning to be in the top 4. Just hasn’t competed against the best of the best yet.
  • Johnnie Jackson has looked really good in prep pictures. Johnnie is a humble dude and one of my favorite bodybuilders.
  • Fouad Abiad is a top tier bodybuilder but from prep pictures I’m not sure if he will be ready.
  • Toney Freeman is the king of social media pictures. He would win every competition if it was online. His conditioning is insane right now, but I’m not sure how it will look in Columbus. Toney turns 50 this year and I want him to compete in the Olympia.

Not Ready Yet:

  • Cody Montgomery is the youngest Mr. USA in history. His conditioning is top notch but doesn’t have the size yet to compete with the big dogs.

 

Best Bodybuilders 2010-2015

BannerCommander

 

In my third installment of my “Best Bodybuilders” series (fourth if you count the most shredded bodybuilders ever), I will be focusing from 20100-2015. You will see Phil Heath, Dennis Wolf, Kai Greene, and others who have won major titles during this time. While the 90’s was about shredded mass, and the 2000’s were about size, where 2010-2015 was a mixture of the two. I wouldn’t say that it is better than either decade, but it is very much its own style of bodybuilding.

 

10. Justin Compton- Questionable Pick, Europa Orlando Winner, Top 3 at Arnold Classic

tumblr_nv74l7szwv1tzj1x0o1_400

9.  Victor Martinez- Won several shows, finished 3rd 2011 Arnold, 4th 2011 Mr Olympia.

b3c52832eea12497d3ae62b685eb8adc

8.  Mamdouh Elssbiay “Big Ramy”- 2 x New York Pro, 1 x Arnold Brazil

41262-mamdouh-elssbiay-389_final

7. Shawn Rhoden- Top 4 Mr. Olympia 2012-2015

2931-shawn-rhoden-45_final

6. Jay Cutler- 4 x Mr. Olympia winner won his last in 2010, Runner-Up 2011, Retired

JayCutler-2ndMrO-FLX-BillComstock-887.jpg

5. Branch Warren- Winner of 2 Arnold Classics

branch1

4. Dennis Wolf- 2014 Arnold Winner, Top 6 Mr. Olympia 2010-2015

maxresdefault

3. Dexter Jackson- Winner of 2 Arnold Classics between 2010-2015, 2nd Place Mr. Olympia 2015.

dexter-jackson-of-jacksonville-fla-1-e1425796351787

2. Kai Greene- Winner of Arnold Classic 2010, 3 straight 2nd’s at Mr. Olympia 2012-2014

521391

1. Phil Heath- 5 time Mr. Olympia Winner 2010-2015

8895-phil-heath-251_final

Summary: I’d put prime Ronnie Coleman (98-2001) or prime Dorian Yates above anyone in this time frame. I’d also put Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, Nasser, and a few others up there also. The amount of mass can compete with any year, but the conditioning has been lost.

Honorable Mentions: Toney Freeman, Johnnie Jackson, Cedric McMillian,  and William Bonac.

Like the picks? Hate the picks? Sound off below!

 

Lift Heavy My Friends,

 

Dustin Holston

Who Will Win the 2015 Arnold Classic Brazil?

Who Will Win the 2015 Arnold Classic Brazil?

RAMY-1

List of competitors:

Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay
Juan Morel
Cedric McMillian
Victor Martinez
Lionel Beyeke
Brandon Curry
Marius Dohne
Fred Smalls
Toney Freeman
Jose Luis Rodriguez Oyola
In my opinion, the Arnold Brazil is one of the 3-5 best events in the world for quality bodybuilding. This list includes 3 people that finished in the top 10 at the 2015 Mr. Olympia, including the 310 pound beast, Big Ramy! The list also includes Cedric McMillian who has been considered the protoype when it comes to classic bodybuilding, and the original X-Man Toney Freeman who at 48, still is bringing it!

The top 10

10. Jose Luis Rodriguez Oyola

Jose won the Arnold Amateur in 2014 which gave him a pro card and qualified him for the Arnold Brazil. Jose is working with Dennis James and may have a bright future in the sport, but it is too early to tell. Give him a few years and he may place better.

9. Marius Dohne

Marius has an interesting story where he almost died a few years ago. Now he is back. Marius looked good last year and was overlooked in a few events, but a few weeks ago he finished 10th in an extremely weak lineup in Orlando.

8. Toney Freeman

Toney is one of my favorite physiques in bodybuilding history. Known as the X-Man because of his small waist, Toney has lost a lot of size over the past 12 months. Toney is 48 years old, and although he looks like a man that is in his 30’s, I’m afraid that his physique isn’t going to allow him to be winning any major shows.

7. Brandon Curry

Brandon has a great physique and is still young. He placed decently at the Arnold and Arnold Australia this year. I saw a picture of him recently and he didn’t look dialed in.

6. Fred Smalls

Fred knows how to fire up the crowd. Fred has a balanced physique but can get lost. Fred needs to come in dialed in to place higher.

5. Lionel Beyeke

Lionel should have won this event last year. He was in great shape and has everything that should have won him the title. Unfortunately Lionel looked horrible in Columbus. Hopefully he will dial it in and can compete for the title.

4. Victor Martinez

Victor looked great at the New York Pro, and almost took home the title. I think that the bodybuilders between the 5th-2nd spot could go in any order, which makes it difficult. Victor is a fantastic bodybuilder and a legend.

3. Juan Morel 

Juan won the NY Pro and finished 2nd at this event last year. Juan is young and has a chance to be a top 5 threat in any competition.

2. Cedric McMillian

Every time I get on the Cedric bandwagon, I leave disappointed. Known for having one of the best physiques in the world, Cedric tends to allow his conditioning to hold him back. Cedric has a top 2-5 Mr. Olympia physique if he ever dials it in. If not now, when Cedric?

1. Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay 

YcyqzWf

The man, the legend, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay is expected to weigh 310 pounds when he steps onto stage. Big Ramy is working with the guru, George Farah, and fans are looking for a sharp and huge Big Ramy. The one complaint everyone has with Big Ramy is that he doesn’t come in sharp. If he comes in sharp, he can compete with anyone in the world. I think this event is Big Ramy’s.

Like or hate my top 10? Comment below!

Lift Heavy My Friends,
Dustin Holston
1st Phorm
Personal Trainer/Sports Nutritionist
http://www.teamnutritiontrain.com

Most Shredded Bodybuilders…EVER!!!

mainbanner

The Most Shredded Bodybuilders of All Time!

New School Shredded: Phil Heath circa 2011

PhilHeath-MM-Sep2012-GarryBartlett-053

Phil was shredded at the Mr. Olympia in 2011. 

Freak New School Shred: Branch Warren 2015

branc2h_sm_0

Not the most aesthetically pleasing physique but grainy and veiny at Arnold Australia 2015.

2000 Freakshow of Shred: Markus Ruhl circa 2002

16h9g0i

How is this even real? I know the lighting was world class but 2002 NOC was insane!

1990’s Sultans of Symmetry: Shawn Ray and Flex Wheeler

tumblr_nb5latH7lj1qz7b12o1_500

   Insane Conditioning by Shaw Ray in the early 90’s.

FlexKneelingBDB

Early 90’s Flex was almost unbeatable…

1980’s Shred: Rich Gaspari

Rich_MostMuscularBW

Invented shred to the next level in the late 80’s. 

1970’s Classic and Chiseled: Serge Nubret

serge_nubret10

Serge was one of the first to bring in extreme conditioning in Arnold’s day.

The King of Shred and Dead: Andreas Munzer

andrewsmunzer1 andreasmunzer2

Andreas died after the 1996 Arnold. Andreas was famous for conditioning and extreme drug regiment to get shredded.

Summary:

This is a list of my favorite “shredded” bodybuilders of all time. There are others that could have been mentioned, but I wanted to take a few people from the golden age through today to focus on. I hope you enjoyed reading.

Lift Heavy My Friends,

Dustin Holston
Personal Trainer/Certified Sports Nutritionist
1st Phorm Brand Ambassador
http://1stphorm.com/nutritiontrain

2015 Arnold Classic: Who Won? Reactions…

The 2015 Arnold Classic has came and went… Who won?

I went 10/10 predicting the top 5 of both the Arnold Classic and the 212 divisions (although I did get them out of order). You can read my predictions here.

1. Dexter wins his 5th Arnold Classic, cementing his legacy as one of the most consistent and pleasing physiques in IFBB history.

1874-dexter-jackson-267_finalSummary: Dexter was just too good for anyone else in this lineup. This wasn’t his best showing, and although Branch was in better condition, Dexter’s overall package won him the Arnold. Dexter is one of my all-time favorites.

2. Branch Warren surprises many, comes in harder and more grainy than ever.

629-branch-warren-413_final

Summary: There are three elements to bodybuilding in my opinion: 1. Size 2. Shape 3. Conditioning. Branch’s size and conditioning was what put him in 2nd place. No one was as hard, vascular, and grainy as Branch. He does have some “lagging” parts, but overall he looked amazing. He placed where he deserved.

3. Justin Compton is the future.

15023-justin-compton-97_finalSummary: Compton had great shape and size, but his conditioning wasn’t spot on. He needs to control his midsection more. I think Justin got a little too big in his off season and it will be interesting to see if he can bring a harder physique later this spring. I am still on the Justin Compton band wagon. The kid has talent.

4. Cedric misses… again.

.15973-cedric-mcmillan-281_finalSummary: Cedric has the ability to be one of the greatest of all time. Cedric has fantastic shape, size, but his conditioning needs to improve if he wants to compete for major titles.

5. Evan was close… but missed.

9925-evan-centopani-171_final

Summary: I had been following Evan on the message boards and he looked incredible. He seems a bit off by the time the Arnold came. Evan has great size, but missed on his conditioning.

Everyone else… Sigh

Roelly Winklaar, Ben Pakulski, Lionel Beyeke, Toney Freeman, and Brandon Curry were a month out of shape. Sad to see such a big competition and people being way off. Vitaley Fateev didn’t look bad but his structure isn’t meant for top contests.

212 Was where the conditioning was amazing…

I predicted the top 5 in the 212, but had a few out of order. The top 5 looked amazing, and Jose Raymond deserved the top spot. He had Branch-like conditioning while being more structurally sound. Hidetada looked great. Correa’s conditioning was out of this world, but arms were downsized. Aaron Clark looked great. Charles Dixon had enough mass to compete with anyone, but missed the mark in conditioning.

11052857_10206142552541612_468607127130056763_n

Thank you for reading and lift heavy my friends,
Dustin Holston
1st Phorm Ambassador
Personal Trainer/Sports Nutritionist
nutritiontrain.1stphorm.com