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Chris LundAfter earning his pro card in 1997, Venezuela-born bodybuilder Gustavo Badell competed in more than 30 IFBB shows over the course of his 15-year career. Nicknamed the “Freakin’ ’Rican” after moving to Puerto Rico in his early 20s, Badell earned acclaim for taking third at the ’04 and ’05 Mr. Olympia competitions. With a...

Per BernalABS AND THIGH A hands-behind-the-head pose in which the competitor flexes abdominals and one leg. ARNOLD CLASSIC One of two esteemed bodybuilding events, held in Columbus, OH, each March. BIKINI The least muscular female division; emphasizes beauty. BODYBUILDING Where the big boys compete. Contests are judged on size, shape, symmetry, and conditioning. Unlike the amateurs, open pro...

There are a lot of things that make Franco Columbu unique. At 5'5", he’s the shortest Mr. Olympia, winning the Sandow in 1976 and, at 40, in 1981. Pound for pound, he’s arguably the strongest champion bodybuilder of all time. He deadlifted 750, squatted 665, and bench-pressed 525, all while weighing less than 200. In...

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s wealth of training knowledge translated directly into one of the best physiques of all time. Here, he answers your questions on training, nutrition, and intensity. In his days as reigning Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger penned a monthly column, appropriately titled “Ask the Champ.” It appeared only in the Weider magazines, where readers...

CasarsaGuru / GettyThe Question  What are “essential amino acids,” and what can they do for me?  The Answer Essential amino acids (EAAs) are amino acids that cannot be produced in the body; they must be obtained from your diet. In fact, EAAs are the only dietary macronutrient that you must eat to survive. If you get enough EAAs...

Corey Jenkins / Getty“Kettlebells are popular because they are extremely effective and efficient and don’t take up much space,” says Max Shank, a fitness author and the owner of Ambition Athletics (maxshank.com). Shank’s love affair with kettlebells isn’t unfounded. Ask a room full of fitness experts why they like kettlebells so much, and you’re bound to...