💪 10 Bodybuilding Exercises You Can Ditch

Everything's bigger in today's Ripped Report: The bodybuilders, the controversies, the workouts. Even the GIF at the bottom is pretty big! Let's get started, shall we?

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s win at the 1980 Mr. Olympia is still one of the most controversial moments in the sport. Bodybuilding legend Samir Bannout recently gave his opinion on what went down that night and explained why Arnie might have stolen one.

Some of the most popular exercises in the gym might also be holding you back from your well-deserved gains. If you’re a deadlift devotee, you might want to sit down for this one...

And all eyes are now on bodybuilder Vlad Suhoruchko after he took the Men's Open crown at the recent Yamamoto Pro show and punched his ticket to the Olympia.

HISTORY

Samir Bannout Sounds Off On the 1980 Mr. Olympia

If you want to compare Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Olympia wins to his movie career, then you’d probably liken his physique at the 1980 contest to big-screen flops like Last Action Hero and Hercules in New York. Many believe it was the Austrian Oak’s weakest performance, with one bodybuilding reporter at the time saying he had “slender thighs, underdeveloped triceps and deltoids, and a mediocre midsection.” Ouch!

So when Arnold was still announced as the winner that night, people were shocked. As boos rained down from fans in attendance, many of Arnold’s on-stage rivals walked off in disgust. A few bodybuilders protested the following year’s Olympia; at least one never competed again.

Since then, the 1980 Olympia has gone down in bodybuilding lore as one of the most divisive moments in the sport. And recently, bodybuilder Samir Bannout, who also competed at the show, explained why he still feels Arnold didn’t deserve to win that year and addressed a few of the conspiracy theories surrounding the show.

TRAINING TIPS

Lift This, Not That

There’s no such thing as a flat-out “bad” exercise. It's just that a few moves — even some notable bodybuilding staples — aren’t ideal for your hypertrophy goals.

For example, while the barbell row can help you gain mass, the stress it puts on your lower back and hips might be a dealbreaker for some. And the fixed rail of the Smith machine might not lead to the best results when doing squats.

The article below breaks down some of these well-worn bodybuilding favorites and finds alternatives that could be even better for your goals. It might sound painful to divorce yourself from the deadlift or good morning, but sometimes the sweetest gains come at a bitter price.

SHOW RESULTS

Vlad Suhoruchko Shines at the Yamamoto Pro

If you're a fan of bodybuilders who look like Rob Liefeld drawings (extra points if you get that reference), then you'll want to know all about Vlad Suhoruchko. The buzz has been building around the immense Suhoruchko for a while now, and he came on stage at last weekend's Yamamoto Pro bodybuilding show with a physique that was appropriately massive and shredded.

That was enough to earn Suhoruchko a perfect score and the top spot in the Men's Open division at the show, automatically qualifying him for December's Mr. Olympia. What kind of impact will he have? We're only a few months away from finding out.

THE DROPSET

The Story Behind "The Shadow"

• Throughout his career, Dorian Yates was known as “The Shadow.” Find out how Yates earned that mysterious nickname and what role eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney played in it.

• The landmine takes the simple barbell and delivers exceptional results. Here's a full-body rundown of the best workouts to do with one.

• Bodybuilder Shaun Clarida is looking to regain his 212 division crown at this year's Olympia. This punishing leg workout might just help get him there.

Sound Off!

Rethinking the Classics