💪 Remembering the Controversial Drug-Tested 1990 Mr. Olympia

Today's Ripped Report is full of so much bodybuilding content that you can practically smell the tanning spray. (We're told the smell should go away after 15 minutes or so. If not, crack a window.)

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In an effort to clean up the sport, the 1990 Mr. Olympia employed its first-ever drug testing protocol. What followed was a night full of controversy.

Kettlebells have near-limitless uses for improving your strength and conditioning. But did you know they’re also a top-tier tool for your bodybuilding program?

Dorian Yates is one of bodybuilding’s GOATs. Find out how “The Shadow” built his titanic lower body by using Smith machine squats over free-weight barbell squats.

HISTORY

The Olympia's Biggest Test

Since the first show in 1965, the Mr. Olympia has been the premier contest for bodybuilders looking to push the boundaries of the human physique. And over the decades, this pursuit of more and more muscle has given way to some of the most impressive (and downright freakish) competitors ever to take the stage.

But by the end of the 1980s, bodybuilding was caught up in the growing anxiety over steroid use in mainstream sports. As the media and politicians took aim at the drugs, the men behind the Olympia — Joe and Ben Weider — knew they needed to do something drastic to avoid any controversy. So, to present bodybuilding in a more positive light, they decided to introduce strict drug testing at the 1990 Mr. Olympia to ensure a clean contest.

Few realized just how disastrous it would be.

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TRAINING

Kettlebells for Bodybuilding

​​If you want to be a bodybuilder — either recreationally or competitively — it makes sense that your first instinct might be toward barbells, dumbbells, and cable-based exercises. After all, these are the implements that you probably think of first to build muscle. But kettlebells can also be tremendously useful for bodybuilders.

When you’re looking to build muscle using kettlebells, you’ll focus primarily on unilateral movements that emphasize symmetry and movement quality. Kettlebells naturally lend themselves to unilateral movements that — because of their off-balanced shape — force you to pay closer attention to your form. Below, you'll find 10 kettlebell exercises perfectly geared toward a bodybuilding routine.

PRO TIPS

"The Shadow" and the Smith Machine

Dorian Yates was an unstoppable force on the Olympia stage from 1992-97, thanks to a mass monster lat spread and tight conditioning. But while his back workouts got the lion’s share of the attention at the time, Yates also sported an impressive set of wheels that few could compete with. And it turns out that he built those signature legs with Smith machine squats rather than the more popular free-weight barbell squats.

“I made the switch from [free-weight] barbell squats to Smith machine after an injury in the late [‘80s] on my right hip,” Yates wrote in a recent Instagram post. “I found that with the smith machine, I could position my feet closer together and slightly forward to [minimize] any back involvement.”

In the same Instagram post, Yates also gives some tips for getting the most out of the Smith machine. It might not be for everybody, but at least read what Yates has to say before passing judgment on the Smith squats.

DROPSET

"The Blade" Endures

• For over 20 years, Dexter Jackson was a staple on the bodybuilding stage. Judging by some recent training clips, the 53-year-old still has his muscle-building mojo.

• The 2023 Musclecontest Campinas Pro was held on Saturday, March 18, in Campinas, Brazil. See who earned their qualification for the Bikini Olympia this November.

• Still thinking about those kettlebell exercises from before? Check out our buyer’s guide to pick up the best kettlebells for your budget.

SOUND OFF!

Championship Legs

THE RESULTS ARE IN

Your 2023 Mr. Olympia Picks. For Now...

In the March 14 edition of The Ripped Report, we asked you who will win the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Here's how you voted:

1. Nick Walker (26.92%)

2. Hadi Choopan (21.79%)

3. Samson Dauda (19.23%)

4. Derek Lunsford (11.54%)

5. Big Ramy (11.54%)

6. Andrew Jacked (6.41%)

7. Other (2.57%)