By Bill Dobbins HOW TO ACHIEVE THE “BODYBUILDER LOOK” To Look Like A Bodybuilder, You Have To Train And Diet Like One By Founding Editor, Flex Magazine Bill Dobbins [Photographer: Wings of Strength] [The shape,
By Shawn Ray The 35th edition of the Arnold Sports Weekend has come to a close and the crowning of a new champion was witnessed in Columbus, Ohio with Arnold Schwarzenegger on hand and Title
MODERN FEMALE BODYBUILDING: How It All Got Started By Steve Wennerstrom IFBB Women’s Archivist/Historian and Editor of Women’s Physique World Photo: Bill Dobbins Rachel McLish won the 1980 US Bodybuilding Championships and was favored to win
By Shawn Ray The Sultan of Symmetry, Kenny “FLEX” Wheeler began his bodybuilding journey in Fresno, California as a young skinny teenager who spent a lot of time practicing Martial Arts. He wasn’t born with
by Shawn Ray In 1989, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his partner, Jim Lorimer created the Arnold Classic. The first weekend in March would be the designated weekend that pro bodybuilders from around the world would selected
By Shawn Ray News has swept across the bodybuilding industry that one of our Queen’s of Bodybuilding, Tonya Knight has passed away due to complications in her battle with Cancer. It was announced a short
by Bill Dobbins The Dorian Yates story sometimes seems to have come from a 1930s movie. A “Dead End Kid” or a character out of “Boy’s Town”, a self-confessed juvenile delinquent who discovers that sport
By Shawn Ray As the 2023 IFBB Pro League Bodybuilding Season returns, the news of the addition to the already jammed packed competition schedule, the Masters Mr. Olympia will return this August and has a
by Bill Dobbins, Founding Editor of Flex Magazine The First Ms. Olympia was the First Superstar of Female Bodybuilding! The first Ms. Olympia was held in 1980 (actually, back then it was called the “Miss”
By Bill Dobbins Founding Editor of Flex Magazine “Bev Coming To Bodybuilding Was A Game Changer.” Bev Francis was introduced to the bodybuilding world in 1985 and featured in the movie Pumping Iron II. Bev was a successful and
By Shawn Ray The history of the Arnold Classic began back in 1989 with the inaugural champion, Rich Gaspari a former 3X first Olympia Runner Up to the awesome Lee Haney back in the day.
By Shawn Ray 2022 is now in the history books and what a year it was! The conversation about CoVid19 seemed to diminish following some devastating losses and shut downs in 2021, the sport of
By Shawn Ray The year 2022 saw the untimely passings of some lives cut short and legends that never die. We take a look back at but a few of our athletes we lost over
The 58th edition of the Joe Weider Olympia Weekend was a smash! Many repeat and new champions were crowned and we will dive right into it right here! Canadian juggernaut, Chris Bumstead cranked out another
The 58th running of Joe Weider’s Mr Olympia Weekend is now in the history books, literally! Persian Bodybuilder, Hadi Choopan a perennial top 4 Olympia finalist accented to the Olympia Throne in grand fashion this
By Shawn Ray We are officially only 3 Weeks away from the Greatest Show on Earth courtesy of Olympia CEO, Jake Wood and the IFBB Pro League set for December 12-17th in Las Vegas, Nevada
By Shawn Ray 2X Ms. Olympia and now 3X Rising Phoenix World Champion, Andrea Shaw has once again shown the industry what Excellence looks like! Poetry in motion, symmetrical, graceful, balanced and beautiful Andrea has
By Shawn Ray Coming into the world of bodybuilding in the early 80’s, I gleaned all I could from the muscle magazines and photos on gym walls for inspiration. By 1983 I ventured into my
By Bill Dobbins Founding Editor – Flex Magazine Wellness top 6 at the 2022 NY Pro championships. [Photographer: Wings of Strength] There is such a proliferation of divisions in women’s bodybuilding and figure competition that it is
By Bill Dobbins Founding Editor: Flex Magazine LEE HANEY: Lee Haney came along when there were no “big guys” active among the pros. [Photographer: Bill Dobbins] I remember standing outside of Gold’s Gym in Venice
By Shawn Ray Arnold Sports Festival UK has come to a close and rookie Pro, Andrew Jacked has just gone 3 for 3 in his first three bodybuilding shows at the age of 37! Ladies
by John Hansen & Shawn Ray Bill Pearl The legendary bodybuilder Bill Pearl passed away on September 14, 2022 at his home in Oregon at 91 years old. Bill was one of the most successful
Bodybuilding and Sports Illustrated circa 1974 By John Hansen Mr. Olympia contest was somewhat of a milestone in the history of bodybuilding’s biggest competition due to the emerging media attention it began to attract. In
By The Late, Shawn Perine FLEX It’s a new high for the sport of bodybuilding as Denver hosts the inaugural Shawn Ray Colorado Pro/Am Classic 2006!! Ray’s day: It’s a new high for the sport
By Shawn Ray The 35th edition of the Arnold Sports Festival has announced its new Pro Contest Divisions as contest schedules return to normal post CoVid shuffles. Team Arnold has trimmed the contest schedule in
By John Hansen The 15th Annual Tampa Pro took place from August 4th-6th, 2022 at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Pro is one of the few events to feature all the
By John Hansen 2022 Tampa Pro Preview- The IFBB Tampa Pro Championships will celebrate its 15th year in 2022 as one of the most prestigious and popular professional competitions on the bodybuilding calendar. Held each
by Shawn Ray The 2022 Pro Bodybuilding season has gotten off to a fiery start! First we have former 2019 Mr. Olympia, Brandon Curry winning his second Arnold Classic Title in Columbus, Ohio to pad
by Shawn Ray Before you embark on trying fulfill your dream of becoming a bodybuilder, there are a few things you may want to consider first in your pursuit of perfection. One of the most
By Shawn Ray The first ever Ms. Olympia Winner in 1980 was the beautiful Rachel McLish. Rachel would go onto win one more of these titles in 82’ en route to gracing more magazine covers
By Shawn Ray It’s been 21 years since I last graced the stage of the Mr. Olympia and as I survey this years line-up I find an interesting dichotomy of having to choose between Size
by Shawn Ray And just like that…..it’s officially over for one of our sports most decorated athlete of all time as The Welshman, James “Flex” Lewis calls it a career on his own terms after
by Shawn Ray This December 15-18th at Planet Hollywood’s amazing Zappos Theater the 58th Joe Weider Mr. Olympia returns to Las Vegas, Nevada! The past two years have been challenging for most people, sports fans
By Shawn Ray We are sad to report the passing of yet another Superstar in Pro Bodybuilding, Cedric McMillan. It has been reported that Big Mac passed away due to a Heart Attack. (details are
The Sandow Trophy By Shawn Ray The year 2017 marked the end of an era when 7X Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath won his last Pro contest and consecutive Sandow Trophy. The former, NPC USA Champion
By Shawn Ray Arnold Schwarzenegger has done it again! For the past 34 years, Arnold has returned to Columbus, Ohio to promote arguably the Biggest Fitness Expo in America in the aftermath of a global
By John Hansen Photos by Shawn Ray Arnold Classic – Day OneDay One at the 2022 Arnold Classic featured great competition in the Fitness and Figure International as well as the Classic Physique division. Many
by John Hansen 2022 Arnold Classic Prejudging Brandon Curry, winner of the Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic in 2019, was the heavy favorite going into the 2022 Arnold Classic. After two consecutive runner-up placings
By Shawn Ray The 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur Competitions return to Columbus after a year of cancellation due to the Coronavirus Pandemic making a mess of things related to contest prep, travel, logistics and more.
By Shawn Ray 1989 Arnold and partner, Jim Lorimer started the Arnold Classic held in Columbus, Ohio to bring together the best Athletes and Bodybuilders in the world based on a “Handshake” agreement to promote
by Shawn Ray MUTANT® PARTNERS WITH 2X MS. OLYMPIA ANDREA SHAW AND HER QUEST TO A 3rd TITLE IN 2022! Bodybuilding World Champion Leaves Humanity Behind Joining MUTANT NATION! ———————————————————————————————————— PRESS RELEASE — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — JANUARY 24, 2022 Vancouver, BC, Canada – The
By John Hansen 2022 Arnold Classic Preview The 34th annual Arnold Classic is set to take place from March 3-6, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. After a tumultuous two year period of expo cancellations and limited
By Shawn Ray 2022 IFBB Pro League Mens Open Bodybuilding Schedule: Arnold Classic: March 3-6, 2022, in Columbus, OH Boston Pro: March 12, 2022, in Boston, MA Arnold Classic Brazil: April 22-24, 2022. Location TBD
By Shawn Ray Record Cancellations- As we welcomed the year 2021, it was with great reservation and hesitation for the bodybuilding industry to get excited about considering the top stories of 2020 were Coronavirus, Cancellation
By Shawn Ray The world of bodybuilding remembers a champion who not only rose to the top of the Mr. Olympia Royalty but did so with Class, Kindness and Care. The 1982 Mr. Olympia Winner,
by Shawn Ray The year that was 2021 kicked off with a slow start regarding the never ending pandemic known as CoVid 19 which wrecked havoc in 2020 and still had a strangle hold on
By Shawn Ray In recent years a phenomenon has popped into our public and private lives by the increased ability to control individual platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter serving as vehicles to air
By Shawn Ray It is with great sadness I have to write yet another story about one our own passing in the sport of bodybuilding. Former 2018 Mr. Olympia, Shawn Rhoden just last night passed
By Shawn Ray in 1982, NPC President Jim Manion created the first installment of what was to become the premier Amateur Bodybuilding Contest in history that would lead the winners straight into the Professional ranks!
By John Hansen & Shawn Ray 2021 Olympia Report The 57th Annual Mr. Olympia contest took place from October 7th-10th, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The extravaganza featured 11 professional
By Shawn Ray Diuretics are a known danger to the sport of Bodybuilding in fact they watered down the danger of this drug by commonly referring to them as “Water Pills” typically used to rid
2021 Tampa Pro Report by John Hansen The 14th Annual Tampa Pro Championships took place on Friday, August 6th and Saturday, August 7th, 2021 at the beautiful Grand Hyatt hotel in Tampa, Florida. The Tim
Tampa Pro History by John Hansen In 2008, Tampa, Florida promoter Tim Gardner started promoting the IFBB Tampa Pro Championships. Always held in August in Tampa, the IFBB Tampa Pro has gained the distinction of
By Shawn Ray The Mr. Olympia contest began in 1965 where the world was introduced to its first champion in the form of Larry Scott who would go onto win the 66′ title as well.
By John Hansen -Shawn Ray signs with Mutant Nation- Hall of Fame Bodybuilder Shawn Ray has officially signed with Mutant Nation. In a press release on July 20th, 2021, the supplement company, CEO Jim
by Shawn Ray As we approach the Joe Weider Mr. Olympia Weekend in Orlando, Florida I think it’s important to know what’s going on and when before arriving at the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding! For
By Shawn Ray Every so often history has a way of repositioning itself in order to make way for a new generation of future superstars of sport! In professional bodybuilding one need look no further
By Shawn Ray In 1991, the world of Professional Bodybuilding witnessed history in the making while bringing an end to what many considered the greatest Mr. Olympia Champion of all-time in the form of Lee
By John Hansen One of the greatest rivalries in the history of bodybuilding was between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. It was the battle between the cocky king of bodybuilding and the insecure underdog
By John Hansen Men’s Bodybuilding: In a dominant victory, 26 year old Nick Walker won the prestigious New York Pro Championships on May 15th, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. Competing in only his second pro show,
FRANK ZANE: The Thinking Man’s Bodybuilder By Text and Photos by Bill DobbinsFounding Editor, Flex Magazine To understand Frank Zane and his mental capacities, you have to know that he was a math and chemistry
By John Hansen & Shawn Ray New York Pro History: The 2021 IFBB New York Pro will be held on May 15, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. This will be the 17th consecutive New York Pro which
By Shawn Ray As the 2021 Bodybuilding Season gets underway and we all focus on getting back on stage, in the gym and focused on our careers, I thought we might like to “Pause” to
By Mindi O’Brien Being at the top of your game, and staying there for years, requires incredible determination, hard work, and notably, sacrifice. What are you willing to give up to get to the top
By Shawn Ray How far is too far when you’re in pursuit of greatness? All too often we hear the stories of Triumph over Failure and to the Victor goes the spoils but what happens
By Shawn Ray If you missed last years 56th Mr. Olympia Pay Per View, you can watch the Replay Now‼️ Witness the biggest event of the year that almost DIDN’T HAPPEN but can now be
An Opinion Piece by Bill Dobbins Founding Editor, Flex Magazine Amateur bodybuilding competition features weight divisions. And the use of weight classes is common in sports in which body size confers distinct advantages. In boxing, the difference between one class of
By Shawn Ray The heart of a Warrior beats in the chest of its champions just a little bit louder and just a little bit faster when suddenly the realization of it all being taken
By Shawn Ray In the aftermath of the 56th Joe Weider Mr. Olympia Weekend held in Orlando, Florida where we witnessed the unanimous victory by “The People’s Champion” and ultimately the 16th Mr. Olympia
By Shawn Ray The year 2020 was long, brutal, unforgiving and sad in many ways however, it left the bodybuilding community with thoughts and memories of athletes and influencers whom left their mark on the
By Hans Klein Andrea Shaw is the new undisputed queen of women’s bodybuilding. On the 5th of December she won the Rising Phoenix in Arizona, surpassing defending champion HelleTrevino. Two weeks later – on her 37th birthday – she won the Ms.
By Shawn Ray This December 17-20th at Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida will play host to the Joe Weider Mr. Olympia Weekend for the first time in 56 years! In 1965, Joe Weider
By Shawn Ray This weekend the Rising Phoenix Women’s World Championships return to the desert Sun in Scottsdale, Arizona at the Talking Stick Resort & Casino for its 6th Year! The line up this year
By Shawn Ray CEO of the JW Mr. Olympia Weekend, Jake Wood has made the unprecedented move of relocating this years Mr. Olympia Contest from Las Vegas, Nevada to Orlando, Florida December 17-20th at the
By Shawn Ray New York City, home of the most prestigious contest in bodybuilding back in 1998, The Mr. Olympia would play out with sixteen of the worlds best built men on the hunt for
By Shawn Ray Today on Monday Night Muscle, Adela Garcia joins in to discuss retirement, comeback and victory as she attempts to capture a record 9 Ms. Fitness Olympia Titles after a 6 year layoff!
By Shawn Ray Every once in awhile as fans we get the opportunity to witness History! The arrival of 212 Olympia Challenger, Hidetada a decade ago from Japan has been nothing short of amazing! Hide
By Shawn Ray The Big Bad Wolf out of a small town in Germany recently sat down with me at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas to recall his life and times as a
By Shawn Ray Today’s episode of Monday Night Muscle, we play host to arguably the worlds greatest Ms. Fitness Olympia ever in the form of Russian Born, Oksana Grishina as she announces her return to
By Shawn Ray The Real Deal, Chris Cormier has been involved with bodybuilding since 1983 and is still going strong! From Palm Springs, California. Broderick, as Chris is commonly known as back home, has come
By Shawn Ray On today’s episode of MNM, Bob & Shawn discuss the Pros & Cons of having a Trainer/ Coach for contest prep. Both agree that “Less is More” when it comes to doing
By Shawn Ray 25 year old, Keone Pearson is looking to shake up the 56th Joe Weider Olympia Weekend this December 17-20th in Las Vegas, Nevada by moving into the 212lb Olympia Showdown to formally
By Shawn Ray On today’s episode of Digital Muscle Media’s, Monday Night Muscle Bob & I discuss some of the more controversial decisions of the premier contest of the year in our sports history! In
By Shawn Ray It’s been 6 long years since the Queen of Professional Bodybuilding last won her record 10th Ms. Olympia Title in Las Vegas. On this episode of Monday Night Muscle, Iris Kyle shares
By Shawn Ray 7X Mr. Olympia, Phil Heath has officially announced his return to the Mr. Olympia stage seeking a record tying 8th Sandow Trophy and join Hall of Fame Greats, Lee Haney and Ronnie
By Shawn Ray IFBB Pro League Classic Physique Olympia Champion, Danny Hester was the first athlete to win the coveted title in Las Vegas back in 2016. Danny, an old school throwback to Golds Gym
By Shawn Ray Episode 3 of Monday Night Muscle details some of the best amateurs that never turned Pro. Bob and I discussed a few athletes of yesterday’s past who by today’s standards would be
By Shawn Ray Monday Night Muscle Hosts, Shawn Ray & Bob Cicherillo share a passion and history in the sport of bodybuilding that has stood the test of time. We competed as Teenagers as far
By Shawn Ray The All New “Monday Night Muscle” Bodybuilding & Fitness Show created by founder, Jake Wood is the latest in a string of media outlets designed to educate and inform the bodybuilding and
by Maria Allegro Marie has been competing for almost 25 years as an IFBB Pro League Fitness, Figure and Physique competitor. She earned her IFBB Pro Card in 1996 at the Team Universe and is now currently a group fitness manager for Plus One at one
by Christian Duque Who remembers when bodybuilding was on television, when you could see it on ESPN, Fox Sports Net, or when there was talk of NBC Television covering the 2014 Mr. Olympia? Bodybuilding is
By Camen Haenggi The Sport of Bikini is evolving continuously from the arrival on scene as an amateur making an entrance in the sport all the way to the professional field of competitive athletes that
by Shawn Ray It’s with a heavy heart that I report the news heard earlier this morning from my colleague in the Bodybuilding Community, Dave Palumbo that former Pro Bodybuilder, Joanna Thomas has passed away
by Shawn Ray It’s been since the year 2016 that I last witnessed Kai Greene in the Victory pose at the Arnold Classic in Brazil. Kai was poised to be the heir apparent to the
By Lenda Murray 8 x Ms Olympia As you know we are in the grips of an unprecedented global health crisis that will affect each of us in a multitude of ways! With the spread of the Corona
by Shawn Ray The first ever Black Mr. America, Chris Dickerson stood barely 5’6 and weighed less than 200lbs. Chris would go on to compete in four different decades from the 60’s into the 90’s
By Shawn Ray Legendary Hall of Fame Bodybuilder and 8X Mr. Olympia, Lee Haney pays his respect to his inspiration growing up as a kid, The Black Prince, Robby Robinson. Lee had the opportunity to
By Shawn Ray Mia Finnegan won numerous Fitness Titles prior to becoming the worlds best in 1995 by way of victory at the first ever Ms. Fitness Olympia Contest in Atlanta, Ga. Mia would go
by Shawn Ray This native of Michigan began her career in Bodybuilding by earning her Pro Card after winning the 1989 North American Championship following a successful professional Cheerleading and Track & Field background. Lenda
By Shawn Ray The German Giant, Gunter Schlierkamp from Germany rose to prominence around 2002 at the Mr. Olympia after trying to break into the big leagues since 1994. Coming from the back of the
