Strong & Shapely Gym the Place to Be This Saturday for Charity Event

On Saturday, November 15, the world of bodybuilding will come together for an event like no other. At Bob Bonham’s Strong & Shapely Gym from 8 am to 6 pm, the likes of Gregg Valentino, Guy Cisternino, Evan Centopani and Alex Federov will be on hand to help raise money for the following charities: Tomorrow’s Childrens Fund; FOWA; The Salvation Army and NY Blood Center.

The event is open to the public and will be held at 150 Union Avenue, East Rutherford, New Jersey, 07073, (201) 896-1360.

Special Guest Leigh Penman Talks Steroids, Women’s Bodybuilding

Be sure to listen to ‘MuscleSport radio’ live every Tuesday from 3 to 4 pm (Eastern time) on www.blogtalkradio.com. This week’s show, our fourth episode, included MuscleSport Mag staff writer Leigh Penman, who spoke about some of the myths surrounding anabolic steroids, the Marion Jones saga and the state of women’s bodybuilding.

Episodes can be heard live or via download on Blog Talk Radio, iTunes or MuscleSport Mag. On next week’s show, our special guest will be Bill Grant. On 11/18/08, we will be joined by Boyer Coe, and on 11/25/08, Samir Bannout.

MuscleSport Mag Staff Writer/Steroid Profile Writer to Take Gear Questions

If you ever had a question about anabolic steroids, this Tuesday’s episode of ‘MuscleSport Radio’ is your chance to get a straight answer. MuscleSport Mag staff writer Leigh Penman, who has contributed numerous steroid profiles to the publication, will be the special guest and the open forum is being encouraged.

Penman has over 20 years of writing and editing experience and has been training for 30 years in the United States and United Kingdom.

Feel free to call in and be heard live on the air. Our call-in number is (347) 884-8157.

Be sure to listen on Tuesday, November 4 from 3 to 4 pm (Eastern time) on Blog Talk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com) .

On next week’s show (Tuesday, November 11), we will be joined by one of bodybuilding’s biggest names of all time, Bill Grant.

When Bodybuilders Turn Pro…

Recently, MuscleSport Mag had the pleasure of doing a one-on-one interview with Gregg Valentino, who is a top staff writer in ‘Muscular Development’ magazine. His ‘Ramblin’ Freak’ column is just one of his contributions each month to the famous publication and is known throughout the industry as the type of writer that pulls no punches and tells it like it is – if it pisses off some people or not. (Part Two of this interview also appears in the October issue of New York Sportscene magazine.)

Being around professional and amateur bodybuilders his entire adult life, Gregg Valentino has noticed one consistency during the progression of their careers. “A guy will win an amateur contest and then turn pro,” he said. “A year later, he’s a totally different bodybuilder.”

The difference, Valentino says, is usually 20 pounds bigger and ripped. “I think it takes a lot of money to be a pro bodybuilder with all the drugs.” While that may sound shocking to some, the obvious is blatant and to have a frank conversation about the subject, denying that there is steroid use in the sport of bodybuilding is detrimental. It is there and has been for a long time.

Continue Reading »

Open Session an Alternative to Getting ‘Flamed’ on the Boards

Ever wanted to post a question on a new or even old thread on one of the many message boards/forums online? Especially if you’re new to ‘the game,’ you probably hesitated and just did a serach for something similar. My question to you is - why?

There are no such things as stupid questions when it comes to anabolic steroids. Just because there are assholes out there that like to ‘flame’ a thread doesn’t mean that you have to sit there and take it. With the addition of ‘MuscleSport Radio’ to the bodybuilding and sports industry, you have a real alternative.

Instead of waiting for an answer online, you’ll get a true live response. Are we going to tell you where to get the stuff? Of course not, and while we may feel that we are a step up from hidden names on a forum, we still can’t give you sources. That you’ll have to figure out. But when you do, at least you’ll be prepared and know what you should and shouldn’t do.

Listen live every Tuesday from 3-4 Eastern time on Blog Talk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com) and be sure to call in to (347) 884-8157. You’ll be on the air live and not get jerked off and abused, which is a frequent occurrence on the boards.

From the Olympia Stage to the Silver Screen

It’s not too late to catch the third installment of MuscleSport Radio, the weekly Internet podcast bringing you the best of bodybuilding, pro sports and anabolic steroids. This week’s special guest was none other than Gunter Schlierkamp, who speaks frankly about some of the frustrations he faced in bodybuilding and why he has turned to acting the past two years and not the Olympia stage. Gunter also comments on the passing of the great Ben Weider and what the entire Weider family has meant to his career.

The World Series and the bad weather effecting it is also discussed on this show, as well as the seven NFL players testing positive for the diuretic Bumetanide.

All past broadcasts are archived and can be heard via MuscleSport Mag, Blog Talk Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com) and iTunes.

Please be advised that we have already scheduled our special guest for the Tuesday, November 18 show - legendary bodybuilder Boyer Coe.

Be sure to listen live every Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 4 pm (Eastern time). Our call-in number is (347) 884-8157.

Weekly Internet Podcast Kicks Off on October 14

Starting tomorrow, MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 3 to 4 pm Eastern time on www.blogtalkradio.com. Your favorite publication will also move into the broadcast world with a weekly hour long internet podcast that will bring you the best of the bodybuilding and sports world. Live interviews will highlight each episode, as will frank discussions on anabolic steroids and supplements.

Listeners are encouraged to call in to the special number set up for the show - (347) 884-8157. Hit us with your questions or comments and become part of our broadcast.

’82 Mr. Olympia Chris Dickerson Had a Great Mentor in Bill Pearl

Bodybuilding is different from many other sports. Winning a competition is a self-gratifying accomplishment, one that differs from team sports. There are no other players, coaching staff or front office to thank. But there are special people behind the scenes that are there with the athletes every step of the way, from that first workout in preparation to the night of the contest.

Chris Dickerson had someone that fit that description, and then some.

“My parents divorced when I was just a kid,” he said. “I’m one of triplets, so I never had an older brother. Bill Pearl was like a father, older brother and coach to me.”

Pearl, the legendary bodybuilder from the 1950s and ‘60s, was a mentor to a young Dickerson, who began training at the age of 23. “I emulated [Pearl] even with the big plaid shorts he wore,” said Dickerson. “He influenced me in many ways.

“Winning was for myself, but also to please him.” Continue Reading »

Long Island Native Finishes Second in 202 Showdown

Most athletes have the luxury of something called an ‘offseason.’ You know, the winter in baseball and the spring for football. A time of the year to recover from all the work that you put in. That is the case in most sports.

Not in bodybuilding, which is a 12 month, seven days a week commitment. To prepare for a competition, especially one with the magnitude of Mr. Olympia, there isn’t a day to waste. Kevin English has to get down approximately 70 pounds to his contest weight of a little over 200.

“Usually when people see me on stage they think that I’m about 20 pounds heavier,” the 5’4” Great Neck, New York native said. No wonder with the mass that he possesses.

In September, he was on bodybuilding’s largest stage at the 44th Mr. Olympia contest, which took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. It was English’s rookie ‘O,’ and he finished 16th out of 19 competitors. Earlier in the day, he was the first runner-up in the 202 Showdown, which pitted the smaller bodybuilders against one another. Continue Reading »

Will Come Back in March from Injured Triceps; Will Compete in 2009 Mr. Olympia

Las Vegas, NV - Injuries are a part of the game. From football to bodybuilding. Just as Jeremy Shockey was forced to sit out Super Bowl XLII, Branch Warren is forced to watch from afar while the best bodybuilders in the world vie for the 2008 Mr. Olympia title.

While he rehabs his injured triceps, Warren will be here taking it all in. He was visibly disappointed when asked about missing the contest.

“Very much so,” he said during the ‘Meet the Olympians’ event on Thursday night. “I’ve been training very hard for the competition. I thought I would do very well, but things happen. But you have to keep the faith. I’ll be ready back at the Arnold Classic in March and I’ll be here next year.”

Judging by the size of the man, the rest of the competitors should heed the warnings.