💪 Bodybuilding's Most Controversial Experiment

Happy Friday, meatheads. We came here to read chew bubblegum and read bodybuilding content, and we're all out of bubblegum.

But first: Today’s edition of The Ripped Report is brought to you by Odyssey Snacks, makers of a protein-rich treat that uses all-natural ingredients to aid in muscle recovery and focus on gut health. As part of this introductory promotion, you can save 15% on your order by using the coupon code PREBIOTIC15 at checkout.

In 1973, fitness entrepreneur Arthur Jones created an experimental workout regimen that still baffles the industry. What if you learned that an exercise system existed that could help you gain 63 pounds of muscle in a single month? If it seems too good to be true, well — do we have the article for you.

The original recipe Incredible Hulk is still going strong at 70 years old. Lou Ferrigno shared a physique update! Plus: Legend Ronnie Coleman thinks Big Ramy can stay on top of the Men's Open division for years to come. Here is why.

HISTORY

Bodybuilding's Most Controversial Test

Gains don't come easy — right?

What if you learned that an exercise system existed that could help you gain 63 pounds of muscle in a single month? It seems too good to be true — but maybe it isn’t.

In 1973, Arthur Jones, the man behind the Nautilus exercise machines, advertised that his high-intensity training method had done just that. Known as the “Colorado Experiment,” Jones’s claims continue to divide the fitness community.

Jones and professional bodybuilder Casey Viator trained exclusively using Jones’s equipment and system for 14 sessions over 28 days. The goal was to see how much muscle they could pack on and then show their results to the world.

PHYSIQUE UPDATE

He's Still The Incredible Hulk

Certain athletes transcend bodybuilding. And by gosh by golly, Lou Ferrigno is one of them.

Maintaining one’s physique past middle age can undoubtedly be a challenge, particularly since recent research suggests that the human metabolism slows once someone reaches their sixties. However, that doesn’t stop former Mr. Universe and actor Lou Ferrigno from keeping his abs tight.

On Sept. 28, 2022, Ferrigno took to his Instagram page to pull his shirt up for a picture showcasing that his torso still looks like a washboard. The actor, likely best known for his role in The Incredible Hulk in the late 1970s through early 80s, displayed how he didn’t build an award-winning physique for the competition stage or the big screen but as his way of life.

Check out Ferrigno’s post below.

POWER UP FROM OUR SPONSOR

Real Ingredients, Real Flavor, Real Benefits

Have you ever read the ingredient list in a typical protein bar? How many of those words do you actually recognize?

Odyssey Snacks looks to give you the protein your body needs in a bar made from ingredients you know. These bars are free from unpronounceable sugar alcohols and chemically enhanced sweeteners and contain zero gluten- or soy-based ingredients.

OK, so that’s what these bars don’t have in them — let’s get into what is in there:

• Each bar has 4 to 10 grams of prebiotic fiber, courtesy of all-natural chicory root. (That’s good news for your gut health!)

• Organic dates, honey, bananas, and stevia leaves serve as the bars’ all-natural sweeteners.

• The plant-based Odyssey bars contain up to 13 grams of protein, while the whey-based varieties have up to 16 grams.

• And all of the bars are between 190 and 220 calories.

When it comes to flavors, Odyssey bars are about as classic as they come. If you opt for the whey bars, you can choose from dark chocolate almond and peanut butter chocolate chip. And for plant-based options, you’ve got banana chocolate peanut butter, mint chocolate brownie, and mocha chocolate chip.

More fiber, natural ingredients, and a powerful protein punch? If that sounds like a win for your training lifestyle, order from Odyssey Snacks today and save 15% by using the coupon code PREBIOTIC15 at checkout.

EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Ronnie Rants on Ramy's Reign

Ronnie Coleman is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time. As the former winner of eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, the living legend knows something about being an inspiration and what it means to stand on top of the sport. That’s why his recent praise of two-time defending Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay might hold more merit than most.

On Sept. 26, 2022, Coleman posted a video to his YouTube channel where he offered his thoughts on where Elssbiay stands in the current bodybuilding pantheon. Amongst his “honest” opinions from a quick “Ask Me Anything,” Coleman believes the 38-year-old Elssbiay will continue his reign as the Mr. Olympia for the foreseeable future.

THE DROPSET

Moves Like Breon

• Breon Ansley demonstrates how to perform three Classic Physique poses. It's a new-wave spin on old-school competition!

• Shaun Clarida has some of the best arms in the game, and it takes smart training to get there.

• Want more history deep dives? Check out this chronology of the Ms. Olympia contest!