💪 The 8 Worst Exercises for Strength?

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Here’s what we have for you today: 

• Ronnie Coleman makes a case against Chris Bumstead winning his six consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title 

• The eight exercises to avoid if you're focused on building strength

• A breakdown of how legendary bodybuilders Lee Labrada and Rich Gaspari continue to build muscle in their 60s

BODYBUILDING 

Can CBum Collect Six? 

Chris Bumstead has been reigning supreme in the Classic Physique category at the Olympia, and he's eyeing his sixth consecutive title this October. However, eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman believes he knows someone who could halt Bumstead's winning streak: Wesley Vissers, the 2024 Arnold Classic Physique champion. Coleman recently teamed up with Vissers for a rigorous chest and triceps session.

Their workout was featured in a YouTube video aptly titled “I think Wesley Vissers Can Beat CBum” by Coleman. During the session, Coleman remarked, “Finishing up a chest workout with my good friend and the next Mr. Olympia, Wesley Vissers.” But what does Vissers think about Coleman's bold prediction, and is there merit to it?

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TRAINING TIPS 

8 Strength Killers

The bench press and squat are among the most reliable strength-building exercises. But if they’re at the top of the list, which exercises are at the bottom? Specific movements are optimal for hypertrophy, isolation, endurance, and rehabilitation but are counterproductive for strength training. The 2023 World’s Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper, highlights eight specific exercises to avoid if your primary aim is to enhance strength. 

Surprisingly, he includes the dumbbell bench press on this list despite the conventional bench press being widely recognized as a cornerstone for upper body strength. According to him, the challenge of positioning sufficiently heavy dumbbells makes the dumbbell bench press less effective for strength development. Discover the other seven exercises he advises against and his recommended alternatives for achieving exceptional strength gains.

WORKOUT 

Build Muscle in Your 60s

Is it possible to build muscle after 60? According to bodybuilding icons Lee Labrada and Rich Gaspari, age is merely a number. Now in their 60s, both athletes maintain rigorous training routines and recently shared insights during an intense back and shoulder workout.

Their routine featured unilateral machine pulldowns to isolate the lats and ensure balanced development of back muscles. They also used lifting straps to maximize pulling strength. Labrada introduced additional techniques, such as using a supinated grip on lat pulldowns, to activate the lats and biceps further.

While you may not aspire to be an Olympia contender — Gaspari and Labrada are perhaps two of the greatest bodybuilders never to win a Sandow trophy — their legendary training methods offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to enhance their physique after reaching middle age.

THE DROP SET 

Another Olympia Qualifier

• Get the results of the 2024 Tupelo Pro bodybuilding show and find out who qualified for this year’s Olympia contest.

• Thick legs are an integral part of the Classic Physique division. This is how the five-time Classic Physique Olympia champ Chris Bumstead uses tri-sets to increase lower body hypertrophy. 

• Pre-workout shakes are effective but can get pricey if you use them before each workout. These are the best bang for your buck pre-workouts, tested and approved by a registered dietician.