Sometimes it’s hard not to get too focused on the hype that is western bodybuilding. We all wait and watch for the big shows like the Olympia and the Arnold, then there are the thousands of small shows all over the US, Canada, Europe and Australia. Most of us have great gyms, access to as many supplements as we can afford, and food is just down at the grocery store. But what about the rest of the world? I find it fascinating when I hear of bodybuilding events in other places in the globe. Africa, Asia and the Middle East have bodybuilders too, and good ones if the pictures I’ve seen are any indication. As different as I imagine our worlds are, maybe it shouldn’t be surprising that those bodybuilders and organizations have some of the same challenges and issues that we have. You may have heard about the IFBB suspension [link: http://www.ifbbprofessionalleague.com/2007news/sarcev.htm] of the Asian Bodybuilding Federation back in April, for allowing several banned bodybuilders to compete, and just like here, Arnold is everyone’s hero. So really, I guess we’re all in the same bodybuilding boat no matter where we are.
Check out some of these links to bodybuilding stories and events from around the world:
Uganda’s Bob Classic Bodybuilding Championship. http://www.ntpowerhouse.com/index.php?page=376
Fiji’s Kimberly Blow Up Bodybuilding Championship. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=119744
The Mr. India Bodybuilding Championship http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_7rWtwRx7M
The Philippine Bodybuilding Alliance http://www.philbodybuilders.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=33o
A USA Today story about Iraq bodybuilding. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2006-01-26-iraq-gyms_x.htm
A Washington Post article about bodybuilding in Afghanistan. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2007/jun/23/afghans-religious32about-bodybuilding/
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
New FUSION Transformations
Here are two new FUSION transformations. For a full view of their accomplishments you can visit our transformation page.
WBFF Workshops - Helping You Succeed
Paul Dillet's WBFF (http://www.wbffshows.com/) has quickly become the number one bodybuilding and fitness federation in Canada and it's easy to see why; THEY CARE! The WBFF team is doing everything they can to help you succeed. Here's a quick clip of the workshop they held in Calgary, Alberta.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Carbs Making You Sick?
Bodybuilders need carbs – and lots of them – to get the energy needed to get big and strong. But that’s not all: Bodybuilders also need carbs to protect muscle tissue and protein from breaking down. Carbs not only supply energy but also are anti-catabolic.
But not all carbs are created equal. In fact, some might cost you muscle.
A study looked at the impact of carbohydrates on the cardiovascular system of young, lean, healthy test subjects. The subjects were given three meals in a random order, with each meal providing 50 grams of glucose, bread or pasta. Blood samples were then taken and analyzed zero, one, two, three and four hours after each carbohydrate-rich meal.
Researchers found that mega-increases in blood glucose “aggravate inflammatory processes in lean, young adults. This mechanism may help to explain relations between carbohydrates, glycemic index and the risk of chronic disease.”
So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: While it’s common to chug a high-glycemic-index carb drink following a tough workout, be sure to be precise. Take in only the exact amount of simple carbs you need to replenish glycogen stores and trigger the optimal insulin response. And avoid ingesting simple carbs at all other times of the day as much as possible. Not only will they make you fat, but they can make you sick as well and ultimately kill your muscle growth.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:1188 –93.
But not all carbs are created equal. In fact, some might cost you muscle.
A study looked at the impact of carbohydrates on the cardiovascular system of young, lean, healthy test subjects. The subjects were given three meals in a random order, with each meal providing 50 grams of glucose, bread or pasta. Blood samples were then taken and analyzed zero, one, two, three and four hours after each carbohydrate-rich meal.
Researchers found that mega-increases in blood glucose “aggravate inflammatory processes in lean, young adults. This mechanism may help to explain relations between carbohydrates, glycemic index and the risk of chronic disease.”
So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: While it’s common to chug a high-glycemic-index carb drink following a tough workout, be sure to be precise. Take in only the exact amount of simple carbs you need to replenish glycogen stores and trigger the optimal insulin response. And avoid ingesting simple carbs at all other times of the day as much as possible. Not only will they make you fat, but they can make you sick as well and ultimately kill your muscle growth.
Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;87:1188 –93.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Success for Team FUSION
What a weekend for Team FUSION! I wasn't around to see the action myself but when I arrived back to headquarters I was totally blow away to the success of our athletes. Alex Sami rocked his level two show with a 3rd place finish and Lauriston Maloney came in 3rd as well at his first ever bodybuilding show. As that wasn't enough excitement Darryl Fancey took 1st in the light-heavyweight class and overall title at Laura Binetti's show in Mississauga.
Way to go guys...congratulations to you all.
Do you think Darryl's a happy camper?
Way to go guys...congratulations to you all.
Do you think Darryl's a happy camper?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cardio Can Come In Handy
Belgium is a land known for beer, chocolate and as the real inventors of french fries (which by the way they dip in mayo instead of ketchup,) so maybe it’s not such a surprise that their bodybuilders seem to need a little help. If you haven’t heard yet, this past weekend the National Amateur Body Building Association of Belgium had a little problem at their national competition. As a doping official came in through the front door, the 20 bodybuilders signed up to compete when out the back door. Can you just imaging 20 huge carb-deprived guys huffing a puffing down the street, leaving a trail of pro-tan footprints behind them? The Belgium NABBA has been plagued with steroid problems. Last year alone 22 of 29 competitors either tested positive for steroids or refused testing. This year the Belgium competition was moved north across the border into the Netherlands. I guess all the competitors felt pretty confident that doping officials would not be crossing the border with them. They guessed wrong. "This was the first time though we turned up in the Netherlands," doping official Hans Cooman told the Associated Press, "they must have felt safe out there." Competition organizers had no choice but to call the competition off.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Fatty Acids...For Muscle Building?
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are critical for good health in general, but they’re especially important for building serious muscle. For this reason, it’s surprising that many bodybuilders – especially those newer to the iron game – aren’t taking EFA supplements daily. EFAs are important for good cell health, the production of testosterone and more.
A new study looked at the effects of consuming the EFAs for 12 weeks on human red blood cell fatty acid composition. In particular, researchers looked at the n-3 fatty acids. Scientists found that after just 12 weeks of EFA consumption, red blood cells were more robust than prior to supplementation. Red blood cells are important for bodybuilders for muscle building because you need plenty of red blood cells for the pump – that is, awesome in-gym stamina – to rapidly clear waste products generated from your workout away from your body and to accelerate your recovery via an increase in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your beat-up muscles.
So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: If you’re not taking an EFA product or eating enough fish, start now. You’ll not only stay healthy but also get stronger and bigger than ever and quite possibly have the best muscle-growth workouts of your life!
Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88:801–9.
A new study looked at the effects of consuming the EFAs for 12 weeks on human red blood cell fatty acid composition. In particular, researchers looked at the n-3 fatty acids. Scientists found that after just 12 weeks of EFA consumption, red blood cells were more robust than prior to supplementation. Red blood cells are important for bodybuilders for muscle building because you need plenty of red blood cells for the pump – that is, awesome in-gym stamina – to rapidly clear waste products generated from your workout away from your body and to accelerate your recovery via an increase in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your beat-up muscles.
So here’s your FUSION FACTOID: If you’re not taking an EFA product or eating enough fish, start now. You’ll not only stay healthy but also get stronger and bigger than ever and quite possibly have the best muscle-growth workouts of your life!
Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2008;88:801–9.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Lauriston Maloney in the Studio.
Today was a busy day in front of the lights for FUSION athlete Lauriston Maloney. He made the trip to the studio to do a photoshoot. He's been lifting hard and his muscle gains are very impressive. Here's a sneek-peek of what we'll be showcasing on our transformation page in the next few weeks.
The World's Shortest Bodybuilder
Whoever said bodybuilding was all about genetics was selling bodybuilders short, in fact, he was selling one bodybuilder in particular really, really, really short. I don't know if you've heard about him, but his name is Aditya 'Romeo' Dev and he's a 2 foot 9 inch tall, 20 lb, bodybuilder from India. Aditya's small stature is the result of being born with dwarfism. But that apparently hasn't stopped him in the gym. He has special 3 lbs dumbbells that he uses to shoulder press. He recently was brought to the attention of the world by England's Telegraph newspaper.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1578443/Romeo-Dev-the-worlds-smallest-bodybuilder.html
Aditya's trainer, Ranjeet Pal, who is a family friend that runs a gym in his home town of Phagwara, says that Romeo has never let his size get in his way. "Romeo trains more or less the same as anyone else and he's much more determined," he said. Isn't this what bodybuilding is all about? The heart to put the time in to see result and end up with the best body you can despite what was given to you. Screw genetics - just lift.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1578443/Romeo-Dev-the-worlds-smallest-bodybuilder.html
Aditya's trainer, Ranjeet Pal, who is a family friend that runs a gym in his home town of Phagwara, says that Romeo has never let his size get in his way. "Romeo trains more or less the same as anyone else and he's much more determined," he said. Isn't this what bodybuilding is all about? The heart to put the time in to see result and end up with the best body you can despite what was given to you. Screw genetics - just lift.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Props For ZEUS
This is a note that came to me on Facebook; thought I'd share it.
Matthew Gwin
May 9 at 3:39am
hey man just wanna say that your zeus test booster was the best thing i had ever used to help put on some size. the first week was insane strength. i had more energy in the gym. the size i got people thought i was on a prohormone. i am a very big user of fusion supplements. amazing stuff man thanks.
To learn more go to www.testbooster.com
Matthew Gwin
May 9 at 3:39am
hey man just wanna say that your zeus test booster was the best thing i had ever used to help put on some size. the first week was insane strength. i had more energy in the gym. the size i got people thought i was on a prohormone. i am a very big user of fusion supplements. amazing stuff man thanks.
To learn more go to www.testbooster.com
Monday, May 11, 2009
Can Caffeine Make You Fat?
Everyone knows that caffeine is a "wonder-drug" - taken pre-workout, it jacks up your energy levels and dramatically improves your in-gym performance. But did you know that caffeine also has a down side? It's true: recent research shows that caffeine may make you insulin-insensitive. That's bad news for bodybuilders.
Following a tough workout, your body has higher-than-normal levels of oxidants that can damage your muscles and organs. Also, immediately following a workout, your cortisol levels skyrocket as a response to exercise-induced inflammation. At this time stimulating insulin through the ingestion of a carbohydrate and protein drink mixture is the best recipe for keeping cortisol in check.
Unfortunately, caffeine can interfere with this process by making you insulin-insensitive - meaning: when taken with protein in a mixture, as part of a "low GI meal" pre-workout or post-workout meal, caffeine impairs your ability to manage your blood sugar levels. This is bad news because it can derail your recovery and your transition into the 5th phase of anabolism post-workout: the growth phase. By derailing your glucose metabolism, caffeine may also make you fat.
So here's your FUSION FACTOID: If you're going to use caffeine pre-workout to boost your in-gym performance, be sure to consume it on it's own at least one hour post your last meal. If you're going to consume it post-workout to reduce pain and speed recovery, consume it AFTER your glucose and protein drink mixture. In this way you can reap the benefits of this "wonder drug" without sabotaging your recovery.
- THE EDUCATED BODYBUILDER
Source: Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:1254 – 61.
Following a tough workout, your body has higher-than-normal levels of oxidants that can damage your muscles and organs. Also, immediately following a workout, your cortisol levels skyrocket as a response to exercise-induced inflammation. At this time stimulating insulin through the ingestion of a carbohydrate and protein drink mixture is the best recipe for keeping cortisol in check.
Unfortunately, caffeine can interfere with this process by making you insulin-insensitive - meaning: when taken with protein in a mixture, as part of a "low GI meal" pre-workout or post-workout meal, caffeine impairs your ability to manage your blood sugar levels. This is bad news because it can derail your recovery and your transition into the 5th phase of anabolism post-workout: the growth phase. By derailing your glucose metabolism, caffeine may also make you fat.
So here's your FUSION FACTOID: If you're going to use caffeine pre-workout to boost your in-gym performance, be sure to consume it on it's own at least one hour post your last meal. If you're going to consume it post-workout to reduce pain and speed recovery, consume it AFTER your glucose and protein drink mixture. In this way you can reap the benefits of this "wonder drug" without sabotaging your recovery.
- THE EDUCATED BODYBUILDER
Source: Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:1254 – 61.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Dave 'Ballistic' Naugler on Arm Day
If you ever get a chance to see FUSION athlete Dave Naugler train, you'll know where he got the nickname 'Ballistic' from. Here he is, about 16 weeks out form the Canadian Nationals in Vancouver.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
FUSION Athlete Darryl Fancey - 3 Weeks Out!
FUSION athlete Darryl Fancey dropped by the our headquarters today to pickup his supply of PURPLE•K and we couldn't help but get a sneak-peek at his pre-contest shape. He's three weeks out from the Laura Binetti show in Mississauga and it appears he is right on track.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Come Tweet With Us
You can now find us on Twitter. Come follow us for quick FUSION updates and useful bodybuilding information.
http://twitter.com/avoidthehype
http://twitter.com/avoidthehype
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