by Mike Arnold

As bodybuilders, our unceasing quest to understand the effects of hormones on the body is driven by a singular purpose—that we might be able to manipulate them to our advantage in the pursuit of physical excellence. Over the decades, three classes of hormones have emerged as the most influential, due to both their vast range of effects in the body and their overall degree of impact on the attainment of our goals. These are steroids (AAS and estrogens), growth hormone, and insulin. Although each of these hormones can provide both positive and negative effects, for the most part, they are viewed as beneficial from a bodybuilding standpoint. But what happens when one of these produces a cosmetic side effect that is contrary to our goals? In most cases we simply employ the appropriate countermeasure and the problem goes away. However, such a remedy is not always available, leaving us to decide between the lesser of two evils.
Read More »Growth Hormone, Estrogen, and Skin Thickening

You may have heard buzz about how anabolic supplements are not very healthy, but this is simply not the case. There are plenty of people who are safely using them to achieve the definition they have been looking for. The main problem with them is the fact that many people begin taking them without educating themselves first. Here are six tips you must read before you get started.
Read More »6 Anabolic Supplement Tips You Must Read

by Geoff Roberts

Human beings are far too corrupt for subjectivity to ever be the main determining factor in any competition. For that reason, subjectivity is one of the great downfalls of the bodybuilding industry. The “human” factor of judging, often leaves spectators and competitors alike feeling cheated, or at the very least confused. Bodybuilding is loosely judged based on specific criteria, although we are lead to believe it is judged strictly on these criteria. To be of the opinion that the judges do not have biases or personal preferences, is to say that the judges are not human beings at all. To make matters worse, the fans and athletes have no idea how each judge claimed to have seen the show, causing a complete lack of personal accountability for the judges. In other words, as individuals, the judges can get away with placing athletes however they wish, regardless of how inaccurate these placings might be in relation to “bodybuilding criteria”.
Read More »How Bodybuilding Should Be Judged

by Geoff Roberts

I have worked in the dietary supplement retail industry for the majority of my adult life. While retail work, in my opinion, becomes a bit like Chinese water torture over time, I was able to work with and continue to study supplements every day and get paid for it. Seeing as supplements are one of my passions, working with them directly this way inevitably lead to my knowledge and access of a vast array of different supplements to expand exponentially. Not surprisingly, I have tried and experimented with a countless number of different ingredients, as well as manufacturers, between 2006 and today. A very select few of these ingredients and or companies found a place in my day to day supplement regimen for the long haul. Ginger root is one such ingredient.
Read More »The Joy of Ginger

by Geoff Roberts

Once upon a time, the most sought after physique on the planet was that of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold dominated his onstage competition and inspired millions to begin their own bodybuilding journey. This level of domination and inspiration came mostly via The Oak’s massive arms, delts and chest. It is not hard to figure out why, as these particular body parts, along with abs of course, happen to be the three that are most often envied by others. Large chests, shoulders, and arms are almost always the goal of a person who is just starting to train with weights. This shared goal was the case forty years ago, and it will remain this way well into the future. That said, why is it that when Phil Heath and Big Ramy walk onstage at the Mr. Olympia today, we all wait with bated breath for them to turn around so that we can analyze the conditioning of their back sides?
Read More »Where Did We Go Wrong?

Finding the right diet tips to lose weight is a great first step for anyone who is trying to shed a few pounds. One of the biggest obstacles that many people run into when they are trying to lose weight is a lack of knowledge. Many people are under the misconception that losing weight is complicated, and that it has to involve a lot of exercise. While exercise is definitely something that you should think about, the fact is that you can lose weight without having to spend countless hours in the gym. By following these 10 diet tips to lose weight you can reach your weight loss goals.
Read More »10 Ultimate Diet Tips To Lose Weight Naturally

by Geoff Roberts

Roughly half a decade ago I made a habit of watching a television show on The Discovery Channel which featured elite athletes from all different sports, who were pitted against each other in obscure tasks. Unfortunately, the name of this television show has escaped me. These athletes, which included a motocross racer, a boxer, a quarterback, a strongman/bodybuilder, a runner, and a couple others, were sent around the world to none Americanized, secluded tribes and colonies to partake in their native “sports” or “games”. Before the games would begin, these American athletes would meet the tribes people, interact with them, and discuss the events. The first order of business was for the tribe leaders to analyze the American athletes, give their first impressions and discuss them among one another.
Read More »Why Bodybuilding Is The Greatest Sport

by Anders JP Eskilsson

There are many factors to consider when a person wants to become a professional bodybuilder. Besides having extra ordinary genetics, to evolve into a successful professional bodybuilder today – and more than ever, means that an athlete generally has to put on tremendously of weight and muscle mass to stand any chance to compete with the best in the global lineups.
Read More »What Kind of Bodybuilder Do You Want to Become?

by Geoff Roberts

The simple fact that bodybuilding is purely a cosmetic sport leads many of its participants to care much less about what is happening inside the body as opposed to outside the body. This unfortunate fact causes certain habits to rear their ugly head in our sport, which can have negative effects on not only an athlete’s health, but his or her physique as well. Examples of these poor habits include the overuse of drugs, and diet strategies that focus solely on macro nutrients, while ignoring micro nutrients and hormonal responses. One of the chief reasons these two issues tend to have a negative impact on an athlete’s health and or physique, is the often discussed and commonly misunderstood hormone, insulin.
Read More »Origins of Insulin Secretion Beyond Carbohydrates