10 Greatest Comebacks in Bodybuilding History

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Welcome to The Ripped Report! Here’s what we’ve got for you today: 

• The best forearm workouts for every experience level 

• 10 unforgettable bodybuilding comebacks

• The ins and outs of building a biceps peak 

WORKOUT 

Get a Grip 

If there’s one muscle group that can enhance your lifts and draw attention when you roll up your sleeves, it’s the forearms. These muscles not only make your arms look more impressive but also play a vital role in grip strength, ensuring weights don’t slip during exercises like deadlifts. A stronger grip allows you to handle heavier loads, ultimately enhancing your overall performance.

To help you build stronger, more defined forearms, we’ve created a plan suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced lifters. Beginners can start with compound pulling exercises, such as barbell rows, which engage the forearms as a secondary muscle group. For those looking to target their forearms at higher volumes more directly, advanced workouts that include moves such as dumbbell wrist rotations are ideal.

Strengthen your grip, build bigger arms, and unlock your potential for greater gains with these forearm-focused workouts! 

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BODYBUILDING 

Comeback Kids

Below, we cover 10 of the most memorable comebacks in bodybuilding history. Whether it’s the legendary return of “The Oak” or the revival of the iconic Ms. Olympia, these stories have shaped the sport’s rich history over the decades. 

Take, for example, the inspiring journey of two-time Mr. Universe Lou Ferrigno. Once poised to succeed Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1975 Mr. Olympia, Ferrigno fell short, finishing in third place. Shifting his focus to Hollywood, he found fame as “The Incredible Hulk.” But in 1992, at the age of 41, Ferrigno made a stunning return to the Olympia stage, bigger and more determined than ever. His comeback proved that his love for bodybuilding had never wavered, cementing his legacy as a true icon of the sport.

TRAINING 

Peak Performance

The biceps are the muscles you proudly show off during an arm flex, but it's the muscle’s "peak" that truly catches the eye. That said, can you actually grow that signature mountain on your arms through specific exercises, or does it just come down to genetics?

In the article below, we break down the anatomy of the biceps, explore the science behind effective training, and share tips to help you achieve peak growth.

The biceps consist of two key muscle groups: the short head and the long head. By making minor adjustments to your curling exercises, you can target the long head more effectively, which plays a crucial role in creating a more pronounced peak. For instance, incline dumbbell curls place your shoulder in hyperextension, maximizing engagement of the long head.

Check out the biceps workout below and start building the peak that turns heads!

THE DROP SET

• You may have heard of supersets to increase workout intensity, but have you heard of giant sets? Learn how this superset technique enhances muscle growth.

• The sumo deadlift high pull is a mouthful, but it could also provide a much-needed change-up to your routine. Here’s how to do it.

• The 2025 Empro Pro featured 115 IFBB Pros across nine divisions vying for Olympia qualifications. Here are the full results.

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