Johnnie Jackson, who placed seventh in Ohio, finished as Wolf’s runner-up in the Land Down Under and home town favorite Michael Kefalianos took third. Ben Pakulski barely made the top 10 at the Arnold and finished fourth here. The rest of the placings were as follows: Grigori Atoyan (5), Adorthus Cherry (6), Darryn Onekawa (7), Luke Timms (8), Varinder Singh (9) and Daniel Hill (10).

This was a very important victory for Wolf, who competed for the third time in the young calendar year. He will certainly be a factor t the Mr. Olympia again this September and has improved in each show since the FLEX Pro, where he placed third.

As the crowd awaited Lonnie Tepper’s announcement on who would be the runner-up, both women had a moment and exchanged a few words. “We said congratulations, we both look great and we love each other,” Kyle recalled.

Oriquen-Garcia’s name was the one called, and Kyle once again found herself on top of the women’s bodybuilding world. She was presented with $25,000, a Tony Nowak jacket and the first place trophy by not only Arnold Schwarzenegger, but actor Sylvester Stallone. A star-studded special evening, indeed.

“Iris is just cranking,” legendary bodybuilder Bill Grant said. “She’s won every major show.”

Finishing third to sixth, respectively, were Debi Laszewski, Lisa Aukland, Betty Pariso and Dayana Cadeau.

In the Fitness International, Adela Garcia took home the big check and was followed by Julie Palmer, Tanji Johnson, Trish Warren, Oksana Grishina and Camala Rodriguez. Nicole Wilkins Lee is on a roll and added the Figure International to her Ms. Figure Olympia title. Erin Stern was the runner-up, with Heather Mae French (third), Mindi Smith (fourth), Felicia Romero (fifth) and Larissa Reis (sixth) also placing.

Even in his most successful campaign (2008), he entered and won five contests – the Arnold, Australian, New Zealand and Russian Grand Prix, as well as the Mr. Olympia. “You just have to know how to pace yourself,” Jackson said two days out of the ’08 O about competing in three shows before the most important one. “It’s not going to affect me in any way. I’ll still be 110 percent on that stage.” All of that dieting may have taken a lot out of him and ‘The Blade’ decided to compete in only one show the following year.

Jackson finished a disappointing third last September in Las Vegas and his reaction upon hearing his name called with two more competitors standing beside him left no mystery as to what he thought of the judge’s decision. Although many defending champions get the benefit of the doubt to at least finish as the runner-up, it’s hard to argue with Branch Warren taking second and Jay Cutler winning the Sandow.

There have been many names thrown around as possible winners of the Arnold. Of course, Kai Greene is the favorite as the reigning title holder and should be. He is a special bodybuilder who finished fourth at his maiden Olympia. He had peaked in March and it was too much for him to come in six months later in top condition again. Then there is Warren, who won the Most Muscular Award at the last Arnold.

Others to keep an eye on are Phil Heath, Hidetada Yamagishi and Toney Freeman.

Jackson is looking to get his fourth Arnold Classic victory (2205, 2006, 2008) and has a good chance to come in to do just that. He still has many folks in his corner and can rebound easily from having the Olympia title taken from him after just one year. If he can win in Columbus, people will be once again putting him in the category of the all-time greats. But if he finishes out of the top three, the chatter that he has seen his best days will become commonplace.

Photo by Francesco Pillari

“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows.”

Times have changed and society has moved on from radio to high definition television, but that simple statement rings true as much now over seven decades later. The main difference is that ‘The Shadow’ is not a vigilante crime fighter, but rather a six-time Mr. Olympia.

England’s Dorian Yates shares the same nickname as the old time radio hero and ruled the bodybuilding world from 1991 to 1997. He still is heavily involved in the sport after retiring with his Temple Gym chain and as a staff writer for Muscular Development magazine. These days Yates has taken on another task in training Jason Arntz, the 37-year-old New Jersey native who has been a regular on the new IFBB 202 circuit.

“I usually do my own dieting and contest preparation for the past 10 or 11 years, ” Arntz said after a guest posing appearance at the NPC Empire States. “Now I’m working with Dorian Yates and I’m going to take a little different approach. If you’re going to learn from somebody it might as well be the best. So we’ll see what we can cook up with him this year.”

Arntz current weight is 220 so it will be fairly easy to make weight come September at the 202 Olympia. “I eat pretty good all year,” he said, so a strict diet for me is the last three or four weeks. But I’ve been dieting for the last three weeks and going to kick it into gear starting on Monday (July 20).”

Since turning pro in 1998, the 5’5″ Arntz has found the terrain difficult against the bigger competition. Oddly enough he had his best finish in his rookie show. Arntz placed fifth at the 1999 Toronto Pro and then had to wait until the 202 division was formed to see anything higher.

At the 2008 New York Pro 202, Arntz finished in the top three and then placed fourth in the first 202 show at the Mr. Olympia. That show was sort of a test run to gauge interest in that division and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Proving that point is the fact that this year the posedown and placings will be announced on the Olympia stage at the Orleans Arena as opposed to the expo stage, something that Arntz definitely approves of. ”I’m real happy about that,” he said. ”You felt like a second-class Olympian (at the expo).” Being tutored by the great Dorian Yates will definitely make Arntz feel like a first-class citizen, especially if he can win the title this year.

JASON ARNTZ COMPETITION HISTORY

Dave Palumbo is one of the most highly respected athletes in the bodybuilding world. His approach to training and diet has taken up so much space on Internet forums over the years that, if it were to be transferred to print we would no doubt have more volumes than Encyclopedia Britannica! The reason for all the interest is no mystery…his principles work! The number of athletes he has coached to success over the years proves this beyond a doubt. Plus, you cannot overlook the fact that he took himself from a 140lb track and cross-country runner in 1986 to a 268lb heavyweight competitor at the 1996 NPC Nationals in Dallas, Texas (where he placed a very respectable 4^th). Eleven years later his weight reached a massive 300lbs whilst still maintaining superb condition. It is clear that, when it comes to diet and training Dave is a master of the craft and now, thanks to the power of the DVD, you can have this ‘Merlin of Muscledom’ in your own living room, courtesy of the newly released….

DAVE PALUMBO’S HARD CORE NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENT SEMINAR

In this DVD you will experience the equivalent of a one-on-one consultation with the man himself as Dave goes into detail about his approach to diet and supplementation. Some of the analogies he delivers during this highly entertaining seminar illustrate his theories in a manner that not only makes perfect sense but also hammer the point home in a way that makes you think twice about doing some of the things that have held back your progress over the years. For example, training on an empty stomach (we have all done it, and a lot of us still do!) and following the traditional low fat diet road to weight loss. I won’t spoil the surprise or steal some of the glow from your ‘light-bulb’ moment when you hear what Dave has to say here but let’s just say you will be unlikely to make those mistakes again once you have seen this DVD!

The great thing about DVD’s like this is the fact that they provide global access to important information, giving bodybuilders the opportunity of a seminar with one of the sports masters regardless of their location.

This DVD has been highly anticipated by Dave’s legions of followers and there is no doubt it is destined to become as important an item to the bodybuilder of today as Arnold’s ‘Education of a Bodybuilder’ was back in the day when books were the only way to present information.

Now, talking of books, one item that has achieved a somewhat cult status in the bodybuilding world is…

DAVE PALUMBO’S PERFECT PRISON PHYSIQUE

Written back in 2006, this book is not just relevant to anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in prison, the key principles, thoughts and training techniques are valuable to anyone who calls themselves a bodybuilder. Here you will find chapters on basic nutrition, exercise selection and performance, training cycles, questions & answers and contest preparation. You will also find outlines of diets and supplement advice.

The unique thing about this book is the fact that it is, in essence, tailored to fit the needs of an athlete functioning with restricted resources. The restriction in this case may be related to prison confinement, however it is just as relevant to anyone who trains with limited equipment and a tight budget when it comes to purchasing food and supplements. It is also extremely relevant to the person who is always making excuses for why they can’t train or why they can’t make significant progress due to lack of resources.

‘Perfect Prison Physique’ functions as a great guide to bodybuilding for those wishing to take up the sport. Even as motivational tool this book is a worthwhile addition to your bodybuilding library. It is also quick and easy to read…leaving you plenty time to start working out once it has fired up your motivation!

DAVE PALUMBO…THE FUTURE

Getting back to our subject, Dave Palumbo, along with being in constant demand for private coaching and nutritional advice, Dave has just recently set up his own mega -site for bodybuilders www.rxmuscle.com which will also be the breeding ground for many spin-off multi media projects. In addition to this, Dave’s supplement company SPECIES NUTRITION (which her runs with his fiancé, fellow bodybuilder Colette Nelson) has become one of the fastest growing nutrition companies in recent years. Yes, it is fair to say that life is busy for Mr. Palumbo; what’s more it doesn’t take a mystic to predict that it is about to get a whole lot busier in the years that lie ahead!

N.B. To purchase Dave’s DVD and/or ‘Perfect Prison Physique’ book go to www.davepalumbo.com. You can also check out some of the best supplements available to bodybuilders today at www.speciesnutrition.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’

She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.

Contents: Nandrolone Decanoate – 150mg
Nandrolone Phenylpropionate – 50mg
Nandrolone Undecanoate – 100mg

Deca Durabolin is without question one of the most popular steroids of all time and this state-of-the-art blend represents a major advance in how it is delivered. In fact Nandromix could be called the ‘Sustanon of Deca’s’ since it functions in a similar time-released fashion as the popular testosterone blend.

First of all we have the traditional Nandrolone Decanoate (aka Deca Durabolin). Nandrolone Decanoate was originally developed to combat wasting diseases where patients were restricted to bed rest in order to prevent muscle catabolism. It was adopted by the bodybuilding world due to its ability to add muscle with fewer side effects than some other popular drugs. It also has the highly desirable characteristic of reducing inflammation throughout the body thus easing (and often completely curing) joint pain resulting from sustained heavy lifting.

Nandrolone Decanoate is often taken in preference to testosterone due to the fact that it has a lower rate of conversion to estrogen (only converting to estrogen at roughly 20% the rate of testosterone). An ability to improve bone mineral content and increase collagen synthesis also adds to its attractiveness.
Nandrolone Decanoate also has a very long active life (14-16 days) which removes the need for frequent injections – although most bodybuilders choose to inject it one a week (or twice depending on dosage).

Nandrolone Phenylpropionate is a shorter acting Deca ester, which not only acts faster but also produces less water retention than its longer acting cousin. It is a progestin (like any other Nandrolone derivative) however it does not produce any of the typical estrogen side effects (due once again to an extremely low conversion rate). The beauty of adding the Phenylpropionate ester to this formula is that it allows for a rapid onset of action with concentrations in the blood building steadily for up to four days. This could be compared to the addition of Testosterone Propionate to the Sustanon blend in that it allows a rapid infusion of hormone throughout the body.

Finally we have Nandrolone Undecanoate, which is a longer acting ester and therefore facilitates a prolonged effect to take place. Nandrolone Undecanoate is also a very unique nandrolone ester with a reputation of being more potent than the other nandrolones.

SIDE EFFECTS

Although side effects with Nandrolone are much less than with other steroids (e.g. testosterone) it is not completely free of negative effects. However, it is generally accepted that, at doses of around 400mg/week or lower it is rare to encounter any real problems. If side effects do occur they would present themselves as slight acne, aggressiveness, headaches, increased sex drive, lowered sperm production and impotence.

IMPORTANT NOTE

It is very important to pay attention to your diet when using any form of Nandrolone since a positive nitrogen balance and subsequent muscle growth can only occur if enough calories and protein are supplied. If you fail to eat enough protein this drug can be rendered nearly useless. Then again, that is the case with steroids of any kind.

DOSAGE

The usual dose for this substance is 300- 600mg/week for men (although it is not unknown for amounts of up to 800m/g week to be administered). Women usually get by on 50-100mg/week – though once again at the competitive level this amount would be likely to increase.

When considering what dose to use just remember that side effects are dose related and more likely to present themselves when going above 400mg/week.

THE FINAL WORD

As previously mentioned, this is a very valuable and unique presentation of the old stand-by Deca Durabolin. The addition of 50mg of Nandrolone Phenylpropionate making it very attractive when it comes to producing an immediate impact on the system. So if you have, or were considering, using a standard Deca preparation you might just want to give this a try instead!

N.B Nandromix 300 can be obtained at www.24hourmedstore.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.

Depot Testosterone is the first long-acting testosterone to be introduced to the market. It’s primary objective is the treatment of male hypogonadism. This is a condition where there is a reduced or absent secretion of testosterone from the testes. Decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, muscle loss and weakness and depression are all associated with hypogonadism. There is also an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

Depot Testosterone is currently available under the brand name NEBIDO. It is designed to be injected every three months. Nebido contains Testosterone Undecanoate as its active ingredient. You may be familiar with this compound as it is also used in the oral steroid Andriol.

Nebido is injected slowly into the gluteal muscle, where it forms a reservoir of the drug. The compound then gradually releases from the injection site and is cleaved by serum esterases into testosterone and undecanoic acid.
On administration of Nebido serum concentrations of testosterone rapidly increase with notable elevations observed the very next day after injection.

This form of testosterone is also well-tolerated, local irritation being moderate and lasting for no more than three days. Another bonus with this form of testosterone is the fact that – unlike short acting esters- fluctuations in androgen levels are unlikely to be a problem. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit levels – although elevated – remain within the normal range and bone density shows a marked improvement.

THE BENEFITS

So, now you know the (condensed) science behind the product, what are its possible applications in the bodybuilding world?

Well, for a start there is the benefit of less frequent injections. There is also the convenience of steady serum testosterone levels. Depot testosterone (Nebido) also appears to have less influence on blood pressure and a lower tendency towards estrogen conversion. It also seems to have a favorable influence on cholesterol levels with studies reporting a slight decline in total cholesterol in patients who were given this substance.

DOSAGES

In medical trials, hypogonadal men were given an initial injection of 750mg Nebido, followed 4 weeks later by an additional 750mg ‘loading’ injection and then 750mg every 10 weeks thereafter. For bodybuilding purposes, there have been reports of competitors injecting anything from 1000 – 3000mg. This would lead to a sustained level of testosterone in the body lasting 10-12 weeks. On top of the testosterone they may add anabolic agents like Deca Durabolin, Equipoise or Trenbolone Acetate.

Nebido is distributed in multi-use vials, each containing 1000mg testosterone Undecanoate in a 4-ml solution for injection (250mg testosterone Undecanoate/ml).

N.B. Nebido is still relatively hard to find in comparison to the other testosterone esters. However, it is currently available from Maxi Medicine and you can find it at www.maximedicine.com

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com.

Although he was 85 years old, the passing of Ben Weider comes as a shock to the bodybuilding world. He died at a Montreal hospital of an undisclosed illness. Just a few short weeks ago, Weider was standing on the Mr. Olympia stage crowning Dexter Jackson in Las Vegas.

A funeral is being for Monday in Montreal. Weider is survived by his wife Huguette Derouin and their three sons, Louis, Eric and Mark.