Then there is that second tier, the type of bodybuilder who may sneak into the top six in Ohio or Las Vegas and fair better at the next level of shows, such as the New York Pro, Europa Super Show or Iron Man Pro. Silvio Samuel is a perfect example of this.

In 2009, he won the Iron Man in January then placed fifth at the Arnold. At the O, he fell all the way to 13th place. When the competitor list for the 2010 Arnold Classic was released recently, Samuel’s name appeared on it as usual. But in a report that was just posted on Flex Online, El Matador has pulled out.

“I will take a break to put on the size I need to put on,” Samuel said in the Flex article. “I wanted to do the Arnold Classic, but after more thought I do not believe that competing so soon after the Olympia  is in my best interest. In order to make the impact I want to make, I want to make some improvements this year.”

Silvio plans on waiting until July to compete in the Tampa Pro, a show that he will need to do well at just to qualify for the Olympia, which he intends to enter.

Realistically, it may be a good strategy because multiple shows every year is a difficult task for any bodybuilder. If Samuel can bulk up a little as he hopes to do, he can jump up multiple spots in the Olympia. With the line-up set for Ohio, Samuel was probably not going to do much damage there anyway.

At this point in his career, Samuel winning the Arnold or O would be considered a huge upset. Him bowing out will not change the serious competition that expects to take place in Columbus three months from now.

Well, now is the time to work on your “impressive muscles.” Some muscle groups are more likely to impress people then others, these are the muscle groups that people who have never trained with weights have little to no development in at all. When these areas are fully developed, they become super impressive to people on the street and even your fellow gym rats.

So if you’re ready to take your physique from merely looking good to looking amazing, then here are the areas to work on: 1) Wider Shoulders, 2) Thicker Pecs, 3) Larger Upper Arms, 4) Smaller Waist With Etched Abs and 5) Diamond Calves. When you have developed these to the max, you will take on a classic refined look that will put you a step above everyone else in your gym. OK, I know you’re excited and ready to get started, so let’s get to the workouts you’ll be doing for for each muscle group.

1) Wider Shoulders

What you want to do it maximize your development of the lateral head of the deltoid, this is what gives you width. Start with the Dumbbell Lateral Raise, use a weight that you can do in a slow and controlled manner. Hold the top position for a count of two and really feel the burn in the lateral head of your delts. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. Next is Barbell Upright Rows, keep your elbows high and the bar close to your body, hold at the top for a count of two while flexing your shoulders. Do 3 sets of 10 reps. To finish off your shoulders do Dumbbell Presses, keep your elbows back and don’t lock out at the top. Do 3 sets of 6 reps.

2) Thicker Pecs

Start off with Dumbbell Flys, keeping your arms bent. Get a good stretch at the bottom and come up like your hugging someone, do not touch the dumbbells at the top so you keep constant tension. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. Next is the Bench Press, Keep your elbows back and Don’t lock out at the top. Do 3 sets of 12 reps. Now Incline Dumbbell Press, while keeping your elbows back start at the bottom with the dumbbells wide and as you press move them closer together till then touch at the top, flex your upper pecs hard, lower and repeat. Do sets of 12 reps. Last is Parallel Bar Dips, keep your chin on your chest and your elbows out wide, not close to you body. Do 3 sets of 6 reps, add weight as you get stronger.

3) Larger Upper Arms

Alternating Dumbbell Curls, start off with the palms facing down and as you curl rotate the dumbbells up so your palms are facing up. Raise your pinkly high and flex you bicep hard at the top. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. Next do Barbell Curls, put one foot slightly forward and curl up with out bending back. Do 3 Sets of 8 reps. Lastly do Dumbell Hammer Curls, these build the brachialis a large muscle beneath the biceps. This is often a weak link in arm development. Many have found that by adding specific brachialis exercises to their workouts can increase their upper arm size by as much as one inch in a month. Do 3 sets of 10, 8 and 6 reps adding weight each set.

Now you’ll want to hit the long head of the Triceps and this will make your arms are look huge when standing relaxed. The First exercise is Bench Dips, place two flat benches parallel to each other, about three to four feet apart. Using your hands to support your weight, lift your feet to the top of the other bench so that the rest of your body is suspended between the two benches. Slowly lower your body toward the floor by bending your elbows until your upper arms and forearms form a right angle. Slowly rise back up to the start position by straightening your arms. The secret is to keep your elbows back and as close as possible to each other. Do 3 sets of 12 reps. Next is Dumbbell Kickbacks, keep elbows tight to side also trying to pull them as close together as possible. Hold and flex at the top for a count of two. Do 3 sets of 15 reps. Lastly Tricep Pushdowns, do 3 sets of 10, 8 and 6 reps adding weight each set.

4) Smaller Waist With Etched Abs

Frog Crunches. Lie flat on your back and draw your heels up under your knees wide and out to the sides like a frog. Place your hands with a barbell plate behind your head. Keep your head down with your chin on your chest as your shoulders round forward curl your upper body until only the small of the back remains in contact with the floor. This movement is not a stiff back sit up, it is a roll movement and you must perform it as such for it to produce results. Crunch Your abs hard at the top and hold for a count of of three. Do 3 sets of 20 reps. Remember cruches only tone the ab muscles, you need a lowered calorie intake to burn off the fat, to make the waist smaller and so the muscles then show through clearly.

5) Diamond Calves

Start with Seated Calf Raises, move slow (no bouncing) get a good stretch at the bottom then hold and flex your calf hard at the top for a count of two. Do 3 sets of 20 reps. Next is Standing One Leg Calf Raises, it’s been found that a straight leg generates less torque than when the knee is slightly bent about 20 degrees keep it fixed at that angle throughout the exercise. Hold a dumbbell on the same side as the working calf, use you other hand for support. Do 3 Sets of 12 reps.

Time To Get Pumping!

Hopefully you now see that training your “impressive muscles” will bring your physique up to a whole new level!

About The Author: Paul Becker is a natural (steroid free for life) bodybuilder and fitness consultant. For more information on Bodybuilding and Bodybuilding Supplements visit his website at http://www.trulyhuge.com.

The 6’4″, nearly 300-pound giant finished in the winner’s circle at two shows last year, the NPC Atlantic States and Junior Nationals. In his first shot at a pro card, Allen finished ninth at the ’08 USAs and the ’09 Nationals. He did bounce back by taking the overall at the PDI Night of the Champions but could not follow that up in Vegas just four short weeks ago.

Now Allen faces a panel of judges that can make or break his career. How many more chances will he get? He has been competing for over 10 years and the pressure may start to take its toll on Allen, if it hasn’t already. He has the size to make it happen. His conditioning and symmetry will have to be on for him to be named overall champion and turn professional.

Close, but no cigar. Over 150 bottles of liquid testosterone and Deca Durabolin nearly made it through Australian Customs, but the shipment was intercepted by the Dick Tracy’s of the Outback. A clever attempt on masking the steroids in bottles shipped from Thailand marked “Gay Lube Oil” was thwarted, and the quote from a Customs official didn’t seem to come out as planned.
“They might think we won’t examine it because…it’s a bit yucky or whatever,” Richard Janeczko told reporters.

With the recent crack downs on performance-enhancing drugs, dealers have taken smuggling to the next level, and this is a prime example of that. What was once only expected from cocaine and heroin seizures, steroids have become a huge underground business, raking in millions of dollars.

Operations such as last years “Raw Deal” has put the war on steroids in the forefront, and seizures similar to the one in Australia may become commonplace.

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag entitled, “This is Your Magazine,” where we profile the every-day athlete. If you would like to see yourself profiled here, please send us your story and photo to superbas@optonline.net.

And you think that you have had a tough time meeting your goals. Down in Miami, Florida, Barbie Garrido had to take care of her four children while going to college to become a Registered Nurse. That would have been a lot of anyone’s plate, but Barbie is not just anyone.

After deciding to do personal training “on the side,” as she put it, she met her current husband, who gave her the support she needed to take it to the next level – competitive bodybuilding, something Garrido, 39, has had a passion for since her early days at Brodie’s Gym. “It was a hardcore gym full of sweaty men,” she remembered. “I saw no women so I questioned that for a while until I came across a picture of Juliette Berman and Rachel McLish and I wanted to be like them.”

Garrido set a precedent for herself by winning her first contest. “In March 2005, I got on stage for the first time at the Sunshine Classic and was amazed that I won the Over-30 class,” she said. “Since that moment, I fell in love with bodybuilding, with the stage, the lights, the screaming, the rush that took away the 16 weeks of agonizing torture in only two minutes.”

Before the year was completed, Garrido entered four more shows, taking first place in the Southern States Middleweight Over-30 and the South Florida Heavyweight Over-30 and the Overall, as well as finishing in second in the Open Heavyweight of the Miami Bodybuilding show.

Even when a good streak is going, at times there are bumps in the road. While training for the Southern States Open the following year, Garrido sustained a knee injury 10 weeks out. “That was a blow to me and I went into a depression,” remembered Garrido. “I still wasn’t ready in 2007 and couldn’t train my legs effectively.”

The turning point in Garrido’s career came in October of last year when she decided that it was time to kick it into gear. Her knee was feeling better and she contacted IFBB professional bodybuilder Dayana Cadeau to help train her for the 2008 Sunshine Classic. Garrido looked back on that and called it “the best decision of my life.”

Her routine consisted of a 6:00 AM wake up seven days a week before heading right into the gym to do one hour of cardio. She then returned home, ate breakfast, caught some sleep, hit the gym for workout number two, which consisted of weight training and another hour of cardio. “Nothing changed but my mood, my anger, my tiredness, my hunger,” said Garrido.

But it wasn’t all bad in this love/hate relationship. “What kept me on track was my willpower, dedication and the love for change,” Garrido said. “My goal, my victory over any obstacle – it was mine. I could taste it.”

When it came to the night of the show, Garrido couldn’t understand why she was feeling so apprehensive. “Butterflies in my stomach, but why?” Garrido thought back. “I’ve competed before. Why now? I was nervous, thirsty and hungry, but I did it.

“I got up there and proved that I was back for good.”

She certainly was and went home with a much-deserved Light Heavyweight Open, the Overall and Over-30 Class. Garrido may have been proud of these accomplishments, but won’t rest on her laurels. She has her eyes set on the 2009 National, what Garrido calls the “big show.”

“Now is the time to rock ‘n’ roll with the big girls, to go higher,” Garrido gladly said. “For all the female bodybuilders out there, for the people who said I couldn’t do it. I am what I am. I am a bodybuilder.”

If there ever was a perfect ‘back from the dead’ story, it occurred last summer. An outfielder that was out of baseball and presumed finished lit up the sky with a miraculous comeback and breathed life into himself and his team. There was nothing that could burst his bubble, except for an unexpected slip-up.

That came in the form of a report that the player used performance-enhancing drugs, something that he didn’t deny. This player, of course, is former pitcher Rick Ankiel of the St. Louis Cardinals, but judging by the first paragraph, it could easily have been Josh Hamilton, who had his own feel-good story in 2007. There was no slip-up (in Hamilton’s case, cocaine) and he has taken it to the next level this year.

Last season, the former number one overall draft pick caught on for a last chance with Cincinnati. He earned the fan’s admiration and the cheers became encouragement for the Raleigh, North Carolina native, who nearly cemented his name as an all-time bust after Tampa Bay selected him out of high school in 1999. Playing in 90 games in his first big league season, Hamilton batted .292 with 19 home runs and 47 RBI.

In the offseason, the Reds dealt Hamilton to Texas and he has gone from a nice comeback story to an MVP candidate. Last night, he hit a ninth inning walk-off two run home run to beat the Angels, his 20th of the year. The lefthanded slugger also has 89 RBI, giving him a legitimate shot at Hack Wilson’s record of 191 back in 1930.

Hamilton has come all the way back from a crack-cocaine addiction that nearly cost him more than his career. He went through rehab and returned to wife and children, saving his marriage and life while proving everyone wrong who said he would never be able to play again, let alone make an impact.

When someone comes out of the blue and goes on a tear, today’s fan may right away accuse the player of taking steroids. The entire Mitchell Investigation and Barry Bonds/Roger Clemens fiascos have made that the ‘catch-all’ of excuses every time someone goes yard regularly.

But Hamilton is a special case, one that is very different from the other players that have fell into this category. Because he has kicked a substance abuse problem, it would be an astronomical mistake of Hamilton ever used PEDs. Back in 2006 while he was preparing for his comeback, Hamilton commented on that same subject.

“What’s crazy is that I never even considered using steroids,” he told reporters. “I know it doesn’t make sense. But I love this game so much that I would never cheat it.

“That would be cheating the game. Instead, I cheated myself.”

While it may take a second or two to grasp that analogy, it actually makes a lot of sense. Hamilton had put himself before the game when he was on his way to hitting rock bottom and now has put the game before himself. As he said, he loves baseball and is now making up for lost time, finally becoming the type of player that the then-Devil Rays thought they were drafting.

It’s easy to point to steroids, but you have to remember that Hamilton was always projected to be a star. The only reason why he wasn’t was because of drugs, no other reason. He always had the tools to be great; it was just that they were shrouded in a puff of smoke from a crack pipe.

Well, the smoke has cleared. And there aren’t any syringes lying around, either.

Photo credit: knucklecurve.com

Timing is everything, especially in the ‘Sport of Kings.’ The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports has been a favorite for well over a century, and a horse going for the Triple Crown only enhances the excitement. After Big Brown left the rest far behind in the first two legs at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the Belmont Stakes has become the top story.

The ‘favorite’ tag became even larger for Big Brown after Casino Drive was scratched the morning of the race. Even before that, the confidence level from the Big Brown camp was blatantly obvious. Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. has been very open of the fact that he feels that there is no competition for his thoroughbred. While that may have some truth to it, then outspoken Dutrow has been in the forefront of every story on Big Brown.

That confidence may have gone up to the next level when Dutrow made a statement concerning the use of Winstrol for all the horses in his stable, including Big Brown. He told reporters that the horses receive a monthly shot of Winny, which is legal in New York State (at least for veterinary purposes), but that he would not administer the steroid for Belmont. “It’s just too much for three races in five weeks,” he said. That doesn’t quite add up, according to what Dutrow claimed about the shots being only monthly.

If the horse receives a monthly shot, then the schedule should stand pat. When Dutrow said that it would be too much, was he implying that Big Brown receives Winstrol before each race? If not, then the ‘three races in five weeks’ reason would not come into play.

Is Dutrow over-confident? Although the rest of the remaining field does not appear to be strong enough to beat Big Brown, the rough mile and a half track can be quite a challenge, especially in the 90-plus degree heat expected throughout the day on Saturday. If there ever was a time for a horse to receive that ‘extra push,’ it would seem like a race of endurance due to distance and weather such as this one would be the obvious choice.

In 28 of the 37 states that thoroughbreds race, steroids are perfectly legal and should be expected. When there is big money and fame on the line, every edge will be looked for. And if one of those are allowed – especially when it comes to an animal and not a human being (sorry, PETA) – they will be used even if health is a concern. Athletes have already proven this time and time again.