Inside the September 2012 Muscular Development

Muscular Development is the world’s #1 bodybuilding magazine because each month, we give our readers kick-ass articles and photography and cover the industry better than anyone else on the planet. MD gives you the inside story about bodybuilding’s top athletes— from Mr. Olympia champions, Hall of Fame bodybuilders, industry experts and insiders who make it all happen. September MD is packed to the binder with fresh, raw content. Check out this lineup that you’ll find only in MD:

Steve Kuclo, the man on the cover, is a magnificent champion who has all the right tools to be Mr. Olympia— an amazing X-frame, the mindset, the mass, the width and impressive genetics. Being hailed as “the next big thing” with Mr. Olympia potential is quite a tall order, and a heavy load for any new pro bodybuilder to carry on his shoulders. Not a problem for Steve Kuclo— in more ways than one, he’s no ordinary bodybuilder. His boulder shoulders can support a lot of weight, so Steve is up to the challenge. The pressure is even greater because Steve has a stressful, physically demanding job that’s not bodybuilder-friendly. In “The Double Life of Steve Kuclo,” bodybuilding historian Peter McGough takes an in-depth look at Steve, who works full time as a firefighter and paramedic. Before he blasts chest or legs, Steve Kuclo might have to save someone’s life.

Is Steve Kuclo the next big thing? An MD roundtable of industry experts Rich Gaspari, Jay Cutler, Shawn Ray, Bob Cicherillo and Dan Solomon answer the question, only in September MD.

Kevin English— a three-time 202 Olympia Showdown champion— took a controversial first place in the 212 division at this year’s New York Pro. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Not in Kevin’s case, as he tells MD’s Sean Andros in “THE FIX.” After a narrow victory, Kevin English is going to FIX what’s broke before it’s too late— and this month, he tells MD readers how he’s going to do it.

When Jonathan De La Rosa walked out onstage at this year’s New York Pro, he was in the mix from the get-go, with a stunning package of great shape and symmetry. With the help and support of his good friend Victor Martinez, Jonathan has made notable improvements to his physique since earning his pro card at the 2011 USA Championships as a Heavyweight. One area that helped Jonathan stand out from the pack in New York was his phenomenal leg development. In “Dominican Dynasty!,” Jonathan runs down the exercises he’s used to take those wheels into the freak zone, and Victor puts him through a monster leg workout.

Genetics is important in bodybuilding, but it’s not all there is to winning. Many pro bodybuilders— like Branch Warren, Dorian Yates and Rich Gaspari— have demolished opponents who were gifted with better shape and structure. When you don’t have an X-frame or small joints, you choose other weapons of mass construction— sheer determination and hard work. That’s what 212 sensation Jose Raymond has done, and in “The Hungriest Man in Bodybuilding! Jose Raymond and His Fire to Be the Best,” Jose tell us that he has a fire to win that has grown stronger, and he will stop at nothing to be the best in the world.

Kevin English and Jose Raymond were the names to watch going into the 212 division of this year’s New York Pro. That was until Sami Al Haddad took the stage, and jaws dropped. With wide, capped shoulders that tapered down to a tiny waist— and pecs, delts, back, arms and legs that “popped” with round shapes and deep cuts— Sami’s physique kicked some New York ass. Where did this guy come from (Bahrain, a country almost 7,000 miles away) and how did he get into such sick shape? Find out in “The Blacksmith Cometh! Sami Al Haddad Enters the IFBB With a Bang— and an Incredible V-taper” only in September MD.

Warning: checking out these smokin’ hot photos of this month’s Major Distraction could be harmful to your health (especially if you have a weak heart). You’ve been warned, MD readers, but if you think you can take it, take a look at the photo spread. “Dangerous” is what we call IFBB Bikini Pro Dianna Dahlgren, who will cut you with her wit and kill you with her looks.

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