🏋️ is bodybuilding dangerous? one mr. olympia thinks so

Yes, we think the day after the Super Bowl should be a national holiday, too. Luckily, you can start burning off all that guac from last night with the workout tips below.

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Lee Haney is one of the most prolific bodybuilders of all time. But the eight-time Mr. Oympia doesn't like where the sport is heading. 

Fergus Crawley is known for absurd human endurance, testing the boundaries of what we thought was possible. A 289-mile (!) triathlon might be a walk in the park for him. 

We're always in the market for new ways to push our backs and biceps. These workouts combine both body parts into single routines for all experience levels.

Bodybuilding 

A Legend's Plea

Lee Haney was the undisputed bodybuilding king in the 1980s. To this day, his eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 1984-1991 are tied with Ronnie Coleman for the most ever. And according to the legend himself, those were some of the glory days of the sport in terms of both talent and safety. 

A recent Muscular Development podcast saw Haney lament how much modern bodybuilding training asks of its athletes. To him, the extremes in size and conditioning that athletes aim for are way too dangerous, and efforts should be made to scale them back. Considering who this insight is coming from, it's a poignant thought to consider. 

"At the end of the day, you want to enjoy yourself as an athlete, but you want to walk away with your health," Haney said. "You shouldn’t have to die to reach this level of conditioning. They’re asking too much of the athletes, period."

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News

Fergus Crawley's 289-Mile Trek to Glory

The human body, while incredible, probably has its measure of limitations. You can push it. To a point. You can ask Herculean tasks of it. To a point. That is unless you're athlete Fergus Crawley. His body probably has some kind of cap, but we haven't seen it yet. 

How do we know? 

Crawley recently completed a 289-mile nonstop triathlon called the Gymshark Original "Double Brutal." The whole thing involved the 26-year-old racing for 40 hours straight in Snowdonia, Wales. While that might sound unbelievable, this is the same person who once ran a sub-five-minute mile and squatted 500 pounds on the same day. It all boggles the mind. 

Training Tips

A One-Size-Fits-All Back and Biceps Workout

Having the fortune to pair up your back and biceps in one workout feels right, doesn't it? This approach is efficient, reliable, and often lets you lift two birds with one stone, given the muscles being worked.

On this front, we have the ultimate guide to making your next back and biceps combo exactly what you need. These routines are aimed at everyone from beginners to longtime gym rats, and you'll find that you'll save time and push your body to new heights.

Everything Else 

A Stacked World's Strongest Man 

• If Tom Stoltman wants a third straight World's Strongest Man (WSM) title, he'll face a loaded field. Here's the full 2023 WSM roster.

• Speaking of back workouts, bodybuilders Terrence Ruffin and Wesley Vissers have some tips to maximize your next routine.

• You won't necessarily want to "train" your back during your next deadlift session. Here's a look at 12 common deadlift mistakes and how to fix them.

Sound Off! 

What's Your Anabolic Window? 

The Results Are In! 

Should Bumstead Move Up?

In the February 6, 2023, edition of The BarBend Newsletter, we asked if bodybuilder Chris Bumstead should move from the Classic Physique division to Men's Open. Here's how you voted: 

• Yes (54.78%)

• No (45.22%)