💪 How Strong Was Arnold, Really?

We're just a few days away from February 14th, but we're only declaring our love for gains this year...

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Arnold Schwarzenegger transcended bodybuilding decades ago. But the actor/politician/icon also had short-lived weightlifting and powerlifting careers. We break down his lifting numbers from before he became the face of bodybuilding worldwide.

If you're looking to get a fuller, stronger chest, don't neglect the inner chest. We've got the best exercises to get those pecs bouncing.

Hunter Labrada is one of bodybuilding's brightest stars. But while some pundits had him listed as a potential Mr. Olympia, his placement dropped from 2021 to 2022. He recently recapped his own performance and outlined plans for 2023.

HISTORY

Arnold the Lifter

Arnold was THE face of bodybuilding in the 1970s, and to many, he remains the sport's top icon.

But before Schwarzenegger took his iconic physique to the global stage, he competed in both powerlifting and Olympic-style weightlifting meets in his late teens and early 20s. While bodybuilding ultimately won out, the young Schwarzenegger possessed a great deal of potential when it came to raw strength.

Here’s how the future “Austrian Oak” fared in those early competitions.

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TRAINING

Blast Your Inner Chest

Leave no stone unturned. Leave no chest untrained.

Inner chest, outer chest, lower chest, upper chest … chest. Regular gymgoers, full-time bodybuilders, and, heck, even strength athletes of all stripes want a broad, powerful, three-dimensional pair of pecs.

If you want to build the best version of your chest, you need to look beyond the bench press. Contrary to what you might hear around the water fountain at your local gym, you can train your inner chest to a meaningful degree. Here's how.

BODYBUILDING

Labrada's Big Year?

At the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest, Hunter Labrada did not rank as highly as he’d hoped. The fourth-place finisher in the 2021 contest dropped to seventh place behind Samson Dauda, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, Brandon Curry, Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford, and winner Hadi Choopan.

Labrada recently took to his YouTube channel to share his thoughts on the competition and how he plans to attack 2023. He will compete in at least two pro shows in 2023 and needs to win at least one to even qualify for the 2023 Olympia in Orlando. Check out the video below.

THE DROPSET

Get a Grip

• Which bench press grip is right for you? We break down the seven grip types so you can decide for yourself.

• Eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney thinks today's bodybuilding training and prep is too dangerous. Let's hear him out.

• Want bigger glutes but hate hip thrusts? We've got the best alternatives all lined up cheek-to-cheek.