Written by Steve Blechman
10 October 2018

18october-md

Next MD Cover: Big Ramy

 

 

The largest man to ever set foot on the Mr. Olympia stage is Mamdouh Elssbiay, known to the world as “Big Ramy.” This beast from the Middle East is keeping the spirit of hardcore bodybuilding alive and well with a physique that screams raw power and jaw-dropping size, while more aesthetic bodybuilders like Shawn Rhoden are awarded bodybuilding’s top honor, the Mr. Olympia.

 

In “A Brief History of Big Ramy,” we learn how this king of mass monsters came to be. From his humble beginnings as a fisherman in Egypt, we trace his journey to Oxygen Gym in Kuwait, where he fell in love with bodybuilding and soon began his journey to superstardom. Only a year after Oxygen Gym owner Bader Boodai discovered him working as a trainer on the gym floor and immediately saw his incredible untapped potential, Ramy had gained over 100 pounds of muscle and earned his IFBB Pro League card by virtue of a dominant win at the Amateur Olympia in Kuwait. That set in motion a chain of events, the next of which was his shocking debut at the 2013 New York Pro, where the bodybuilding world got its first look at this behemoth as he won over a field that included established stars Victor Martinez and Juan Morel. That same year, GAT signed the legend in the making to a multi-year endorsement contract.

 

Classic Physique champion Chris Bumstead epitomizes the ideals of Classic Physique: an X-frame structure with wide shoulders, a wasp waist and flaring thighs, full muscle bellies with near-perfect shape. In Chris Bumstead:As Classic Physique Grows, So Does He!,” Chris talks about what the Classic division should be about, and how he is growing and evolving along with it.

           

Several years ago, James “Flex” Lewis made it clear that he intended to leave a legacy behind as the greatest 212 pro ever. By the end of the 2017 contest season, he had already firmly established that legacy with six consecutive victories on the Olympia stage. This year, he won his seventh consecutive Mr. Olympia and now plans to compete in the open. Lewis has established his place in the pantheon of all-time greats of the sport, and its greatest champion of the 212 division, as we learn in “Flex Lewis: The Greatest 212 Bodybuilder of All Time!”

 

You can’t change your genetics, and all the training in the world won’t make you into a clone of Phil Heath or Big Ramy, but there are ways to improve your physique. It’s possible to directly address specific flaws with a targeted strategy to either eliminate them, or else build up or bring down other areas to create a better overall look. “F*ck Genetics! 13 Tips to Trick Mother Nature and Build Your Best Physique” outlines themost common genetic “curses,” along with tips on how to best lift each curse.

           

Ahmad Ashkanani’s jaw-dropping back development has played a major role in all his wins, from his multiple victories in amateur international competition, to his three pro wins as of this writing, including the Arnold Classic 212. Whatever your back looks like now, it can be better if you follow Ahmad’s advice in “Baddest Back in the East! Lat Blasting With 212 Champion Ahmad Ashkanani,” which has tips and training techniques that you can use immediately to shake up your back workouts.

 

If it were possible for the perfect woman to come to life before our eyes, multiple Ms. Bikini Olympia champion Ashley Kaltwasser would embody all of her qualities: smoldering beauty that resonates from a warm and upbeat graciousness deep within her winning physique. Even though she didn’t win this year, Ashley remains extremely popular and is a fan favorite with over 1 million Instagram followers— an ideal ambassador for the sport with her positive outlook and outgoing personality, and is a Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals sponsored athlete. Check out the smokin’ hot photos of Ashley in“Ashley Kaltwasser: Timeless Ms. Bikini Olympia Champion.”

           

Every fan of bodybuilding will want to see the major motion picture “Bigger,” the remarkable story of bodybuilding pioneer Joe Weider, which is hit theaters on October 12. Some of Hollywood’s most talented writers and filmmakers came together for a project that would eventually become the biggest budgeted bodybuilding-themed production of all time, and MD has a preview. “Bigger” tells the multilayered story of Joe’s earlier struggles as he conquered poverty, anti-Semitism and other issues while seeking acceptance for his vision of a more muscular world. The film also extends to the eventual discovery of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the creation of the IFBB and the conflict surrounding the birth of his publishing empire.

           

Muscular Development is your number one source for building muscle, and for the latest research and best science to enable you to train smart and effectively. Our team of physicians, industry experts and research scientists has these reports on improving performance this month:

           

Fast Track to Fat Loss and Muscle GrowthFat Attack

           

Why Does the Body Prefer Carbohydrates as Exercise Intensity Increases? Nutrition Performance

           

Capsaicin: Fire Up Your SquatLift More Weight, Less Strain!!” Supplement Performance

           

Myostatin Inhibition for Maximizing Muscle GrowthMuscle Growth Update

           

“Anabolic Research Update” Testosterone

           

“Does Muscle Damage Enhance Muscle Growth?” Bodybuilding Science

           

The rest of the book is packed to the binder as usual— making MD your one-stop, most authoritative source for optimizing muscular development with the latest cutting-edge research on training, nutrition, fat loss, performance-enhancing drugs, muscle growth and bodybuilding science— and exclusive information from the industry experts, insiders and bodybuilding legends who make it all happen. See you next month!

 

 

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