Freak of the Year

The year 2009 gave us some of the greatest moments in the sport of bodybuilding that we may ever know. Kai Greene, and his historic win at the Arnold; Evan Centopani’s NewYork Pro triumph; Jay Cutler, and his land- mark comeback at the Olympia— yes, it was a banner year.

But one of the moments I was most proud to witness, and one that will stay in my mind for years to come, was Friday, September 25th, when Branch Warren, the man on our cover, stepped onstage, and blew the room away. Branch brought 248 rock-hard pounds, the thickest and fullest build, the freakiest combination of mass and con- dition that anyone had ever seen on him— and time stood still for just that moment, as everyone gasped in awed amazement at the hero before them.Yes, Branch is a hero, a real champion for the people: the workingman’s bodybuilder. He builds his body the old-school way, nuts to the grindstone, never expecting anything to be handed to him. He has a real job, a work ethic that carries over into his training, and he wasn’t born genetically gifted— he had to work for everything he’s got. He earned 2nd place at the 2009 Mr. Olympia— and MD is proud he’s on our team! Flex Wheeler critiques Branch’s granite-hard physique in “Branch Warren: Working Class Hero,” on page 164. Putting

Branch into the category of the five most massive physiques of the modern era, Flex takes an in-depth look at shape and structure, condition, presentation and individual body parts. Per Flex, “I have watched Branch mature over the years as a man, a hus- band, a businessman, and an ambassador for the sport of bodybuilding.” Well said, Flex! Ron Harris interviews Branch and Rodney Roller as they com- pare each other’s training styles in “Maximum Intensity! Branch Warren and Rodney    Roller Tear Up Metroflex,” on page 152. Two of MD’s most popular and powerful athletes move tons of iron at this hardcore dungeon in Arlington,Texas, and talk about their similarities and differences, whether they’d make good train- ing partners, and which lifts impress them the most.

“I am the Ronnie Coleman of the modern era,” declares Kai Greene in “The Predator: Going to the Next Level! Kai and Oscar Begin Their Assault on the Arnold Classic,” starting on page 188. As Kai and Oscar restruc- ture their master plan to enable Kai to defend his title, Kai vows that he will never try to be something he is not; at the Olympia he was overdieted, in an attempt to match the perceived aes- thetically-pleasing shapes of other competitors. But in Kai’s own words, “The results of the Mr. Olympia proved that in the end, bodybuilding is really about bringing the absolute greatest levels of size and condition possible, along with and according to your God-given shape.” Amen to that, bro!

‘The Priest’ returns! After four long years of waiting, fans will be happy to know that Lee Priest is heading back into competi- tion. In “Return of the Priest! Lee’s Road to the Australian Pro,” on page 214, Ron Harris talks with Lee about what took him so long to get back to the stage, how his diet is going, and whether he has plans to do the Arnold Classic. The outspoken Lee gives his take on the 202 division, and how his new wife feels about the final stage of his contest prep. And be sure to check out “Last Writes,” on page 402; this month, Lee handed the keyboard over to his equally outspoken spouse.

Good genes plus hard work equals monster legs. In “Canadian Columns: Ben Pakulski Blasts His Freaky Wheels,” on page 176, Ron Harris talks with the owner of some of the freakiest wheels this sport has ever seen. At just 28, Pakulski has only begun to manifest his true potential onstage; the world of bodybuilding can only wait expectantly to see how he will progress. Lifting weights at Mack’s Gym since the age of 15, Pak learned the value of building a solid base, from the ground up. Ben made fast friends with the squat rack, and, two years later, was able to crank out 3 sets of 8 rock-bottom reps with 405 on the squat. Check out how he does the rest of his workout in this feature!

Canada’s Fouad Abiad is one of bodybuilding’s fastest-rising stars. And he’s managed to take what was genetically not his best body part— his back— and turned it into the part that receives the most praise. In “HossBack! Fouad ‘Hoss’ Abiad’s Huge Lat Blast,” on page 202, Abiad talks about the epiphany that led to the development of the flaring width, thick density, and beefy lats he is known for. Using barbell rows,T-bar rows, dumbbell rows and rack deadlifts, Hoss models his workouts after those of Ronnie Coleman’s. Find out how Abiad volumizes and details his jaw-dropping back with his “Back Specialization Routine.”You won’t want to miss it!

This month we debut “English 101: King of the 202s!” on page 316. Kevin English gives us his plans for off-seaon, does Q&A, and looks at the ‘big picture’ for 2010. Welcome aboard, bro!

The rest of the book is packed to the binder as usual with all the latest cutting-edge research and information on bodybuild- ing by the industry insiders who make it all happen. See you next month!