đź’Ş Where Bodybuilding Meets Gymnastics

Author

Andrew Gutman
June 29, 2022

Peanut butter and chocolate. Peanut butter and jelly.

Like peanut butter and anything, bodybuilders love a crossover story. Tommy Kono, for example, was a legendary weightlifter and multi-time Mr. Universe. There are more stars pulling double duty between bodybuilding and powerlifting than we can lift here.

There's even room for a crossover between bodybuilding and gymnastics. That combo is at the core of the Fitness Olympia, and today we're celebrating every winner in that competition's esteemed history.

And if training is grinding you down, it could be time to dial back the intensity. Even pros like 212 Pound Olympia Champ Derek Lunsford scale things back when the going gets too tough.

Make sure you read all of today's edition, as we have a special opportunity for those interested in writing for BarBend.com!

Last but not least, Dr. Jim Stoppani explains why a lot of athletes need to dial up the protein as they age. Read on for more Wednesday greatness.

HISTORY

Every Winner Of The Fitness Olympia

Images: @oksanagrishina, @msfitnesso8, @whitneyjones_ifbbpro on Instagram

Draw a Venn Diagram of "Bodybuilding" and "Athleticism." The Fitness Olympia is right smack dab in the middle.

There are six women’s divisions in the IFBB Pro League. It’s hard to imagine an Olympia weekend without all the athletes in those divisions taking the stage and presenting their best physiques. However, it wasn’t long ago that only one division, Ms. Olympia, saw women stepping on stage.

That changed in 1995 with the introduction of the Fitness Olympia, a unique competition that was part of a bodybuilding competition and part gymnastics routine. After the posing round, athletes perform a routine that showcases strength, athleticism, and inspiration. The high-flying display of power and strength proved a success, and the Fitness division has since been a mainstay at the Olympia.

TRAINING

Derek Lunsford Explains When To Scale Back Workouts

Image: Derek Lunsford on YouTube

Sometimes, you have to put down the weights and live to train another day.

Defending 212 Olympia champion Derek Lunsford is driven to hold on to his title in Las Vegas in December. Still, despite his desire to be the very best and crank out PR after PR, the driven bodybuilder knows that when it comes to making progress, one must “respect the weight,” as he explains in a recent YouTube video.

During a recent workout, programmed to be a full leg day, Lunsford began to feel ill and decided to end the session before completing his glute-focused exercises.

“I’m glad that I stopped the workout when I did,” he explains in the video.

POWER UP FROM OUR SPONSOR

The Best Home Gym for You

Get a pump without driving to the gym. Training at home — whenever you want — is the ultimate strength and physique-sculpting luxury. Force USA’s innovative racks and all-in-one trainers make it easier than ever for a fraction of the price and space.

Take their X15 Pro: Made from 11-gauge steel, it’s a:

  • Half Rack

  • Cable Machine

  • Multi-grip Pull-up Station

  • Pin and Plate-loading machine

  • Plate storage

  • Landmine station

And a whole lot more. The X15 Pro Multi Trainer also comes with a ton of attachments. It’s easy to upgrade and customize into your ultimate home gym. Want a full-rack option? The X20 Pro is just what you need.

Train at home, on your own time, with more options than ever.

Newsletter readers get 5% off purchases over $250. Just use the code FUSA5 at ForceUSA.com!

We Want Bodybuilding Contributors!

Hey folks, a quick break from our normally scheduled programming here. BarBend.com — the parent website of these here newsletter, and the web's home for all things strength — is looking for a few new, freelance bodybuilding contributors.

That means we want folks who:

  • Are experienced and passionate writers

  • Love the bodybuilding space

  • Want to write news, interviews, and more about the bodybuilding world

  • Want to get PAID for their work, of course!

Interested in learning more and think you might have what it takes? Check out our handy dandy application form to start the assessment process!

TRAINING

Why You May Need More Protein With Age

We've got a doozy from The BarBend Podcast this week. BarBend CEO David Thomas Tao talks to legendary fitness researcher and bodybuilding Dr. Jim Stoppani.

When it comes to influencers in the space, Dr. Stoppani’s resume is almost unparalleled. He’s an active research scientist who has also spent decades in fitness publishing. And he’s a straight shooter, not afraid to separate fact from fiction and to admit when the research is still coming up short on topics in strength. Stoppani joins us to talk about everything from training myths to protein requirements as we age.

Don’t miss out on this conversation with one of the most knowledgeable people in strength.

THE DROPSET

Everything Else Around the Web

Credit: ArtOfPhotos / Shutterstock