Originally Posted At: https://breakingmuscle.com/feed/rss

On July 26, 2022, strongman Mitchell Hooper shared footage on his Instagram profile where he performed a 907.2-kilogram (2,000-pound) leg press for eight reps. Per the caption of his post, Hooper says the display of staggering leg strength was part of his preparation for the upcoming Shaw Classic, which will take place on August 13-14, 2022, at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, CO. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mitchell Hooper (@mitchellhooper)

[Related: The Best Leg Workouts With Bodyweight, With Dumbbells, For Size, And More]

At the time of this writing, events for the 2022 Shaw Classic have been public knowledge for over two months. Hooper was probably inspired to showcase his leg press prowess after seeing Brian Shaw pressing the a 2,000-pound car rigged to a leg press — which is the same set-up the athletes will use in Colorado. (Shaw is the event organizer and is competing.) Hooper’s leg press clip came an approximate day after Shaw showed off an example of the Car Leg Press for Reps during the competition. 

Hooper is leaving no weight unlifted regarding his training for the contest. In mid-July 2022, the strongman captured a personal record (PR) 406-pound log press double. The Log Press is another staple event in this edition of the Shaw Classic. Judging by the ease with which Hooper cruises through both the leg press and log press in his recent training feats — the athlete might not have much of an issue when it’s time to compete again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mitchell Hooper (@mitchellhooper)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

Here’s the schedule and complete list of events for the 2022 Shaw Classic:

2022 Shaw Classic Events

Day One — Saturday, August 13, 2022

• Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
• Super Yoke Event
• Circus Dumbbell
• Throwing Event (Bag or Keg)

Day Two — Sunday, August 14, 2022

• Log Press 
• Frame Carry Arm-Over-Arm Medley
• Car Leg Press for Reps
• Atlas Stones

At the time of this article’s publication, here’s the confirmed roster for the contest:

2022 Shaw Classic Roster

• Trey Mitchell — Defending Champion
• Brian Shaw — 2021 Runner-up
• Mitchell Hooper
• Žydrūnas Savickas
• Tom Stoltman
• Luke Stoltman
• Oleksii Novikov
• Evan Singleton
• Gabriel Rheaume
• Aivars Smaukstelis
• Bobby Thompson
• Maxime Boudreault
• Konstantine Janashia
• Gabriel Peña
• Kevin Faires
• Jerry Pritchett

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mitchell Hooper (@mitchellhooper)

[Related: How To Do The Reverse Lunge For Powerful Legs And Rock-Hard Glutes]

At this pace, it’s apparent Hooper will take on any challenge presented to him.

Over the past couple of months, the rising star was a prominent part of the 2022 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) and Giants Live Strongman Classic contests. A qualifying round blitz in the 2022 WSM — where he almost doubled Shaw’s points output — is what put him on the map in the first place. To follow that stellar debut performance with a second-place finish to former WSM champ (2020) Oleksii Novikov in the Strongman Classic could speak to Hooper’s rapid progress as a competitor.

It seems the promising 26-year-old strongman wants to make his third contest in as many months — the 2022 Shaw Classic — his best yet. 

Featured image: @mitchellhooper on Instagram

The post Strongman Mitchell Hooper Leg Presses 2,000 Pounds in Prep For the 2022 Shaw Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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On July 20, 2022, bodybuilder Chris Bumstead headed to the gym for what was supposed to be a routine but challenging shoulders workout. Amidst the reigning three-time Classic Physique Olympia champ’s (2019-2021) test of things like his overhead strength, he captured a new personal record (PR) — a 140-pound dumbbell press for eight reps. 

Bumstead shared a video of this shoulder workout on his YouTube channel on July 23, 2022. 

[Related: The Best Exercises, Workouts, And Warm-Ups You Can Do]

Less than five months before the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Bumstead is still stacking mass. This shoulder workout follows a recent spate of Bumstead sharing other demanding routines concerning his arms and legs. Factor in a thoughtful glimpse at a typical day’s worth of bulking nutrition, and it would appear that the Canadian athlete wants to document his entire journey en route to a potential fourth Classic Physique title. 

Here’s the complete rundown of Bumstead’s recent shoulder workout as he continues to prep for the upcoming Mr. Olympia on December 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. 

Bumstead’s Shoulder Workout

Before he dives into the full shoulder workout, Bumstead starts the session by performing several warm-up sets of incline front dumbbell raises while utilizing a hammer grip. His intention with this exercise is to prepare his shoulder muscles for heavier loads. 

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Bumstead elects to complete his dumbbell shoulder press while seated and on a slight incline so he can give more attention to his anterior (front) deltoid muscles. The bodybuilder stresses that it’s not about the precise weight but quality stimulation of the muscles he’s working. Even still, after starting with 70-pound dumbbells, Bumstead eventually working up to 140-pounders and performs eight reps — unintentionally logging his new PR. 

“I will train shoulder press, like 140 pounds,” Bumstead says. “We’ll see. I feel like I can do it. If you believe, you can achieve.” “… Three weeks into my off-season hitting PRs in shoulder press … my shoulders feel good.”

To conclude this portion of the routine, Bumstead performs a drop set, lowering the dumbbells by just 10 pounds, and cranking out reps until failure. 

Machine Shoulder Press

The next phase of Bumstead’s workout features the machine variation of the shoulder press. Focusing on volume, he starts with 45-pound plates on each side. He works his way down rest-wise from 30 seconds after his first set to 10 seconds before his fourth and final set. The athlete calls these “slow drop sets” because he notes the decreasing rest allows him to implement more overall volume into the routine while still pushing toward failure. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chris Bumstead (@cbum)

[Related: How To Do The Incline Bench Press For Upper-Body Size And Strength]

Seated Dumbbell Side Laterals & Single-Arm Rear Delt Cable Flyes

With the initial steps of his workout complete, Bumstead shifts to a superset of dumbbell side laterals and single-arm rear delt cable flyes. The Canadian bodybuilder uses 40-pound dumbbells for some 16-rep sets and punctuates them with standing single-arm rear delt flyes.

During this segment, Bumstead says his body weight was 259 pounds the morning he filmed the video. According to the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness’s (IFBB) Classic Physique standards, because Bumstead stands at a height of 6-foot-1 — he’ll have to cut down to at least 230 pounds by the time the Olympia rolls around. 

However, per the Canadian athlete, he’s the “leanest” he’s ever been at this weight, signaling that he may have more mass at his weight cap this year.

Machine Lateral Raise & Reverse Rear-Delt Flyes

After finishing off a superset with dumbbells, Bumstead continues to center on his rear and side deltoid muscles. He performs one superset of side lateral raises on a kneeling lateral raise machine which he complements with rear delt flyes on a pec deck (or chest fly machine).

Straight Leg Raises

Before Bumstead calls it a day, he ad-libs a quick core workout with a set of straight leg raises. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Chris Bumstead (@cbum)

[Related: The Science Behind Deload Weeks Explained]

A Delicate Balance 

While he’s hard at work trying to achieve more bodybuilding greatness, Bumstead recently emphasized the importance of mental health.

During a Q&A from May 2022 on his YouTube channel, Bumstead stated how vital recovery and time for one’s self is to avoid “burnout.” He noted that he has the opportunity to take ample time off after every Olympia contest, but that isn’t necessarily the case for everyday people, and he stressed that fact. 

Whatever Bumstead has done to keep himself centered appears to be working well. He’ll go for his fourth straight Classic Physique Olympia title on December 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

Featured image: @cbum on Instagram

The post Chris Bumstead Scores Dumbbell Press PR of 140 Pounds for 8 Reps During Punishing Shoulder Routine appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Bodybuilder Kamal Elgargni has already reached the top of the 212 summit — once winning the 212 2019 Mr. Olympia. The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League member is prepared to show off his elite mass and conditioning by leaping up a competitive category in the coming weeks.

On July 26, 2022, Elgargni revealed that he would compete in the upcoming 2022 Tampa Pro and Texas Pro contests in the Men’s Open division. This year’s edition of the Tampa Pro will take place on August 6 in Tampa, FL, while the Texas Pro occurs on August 12-13 in Irving, Texas. Elgargni, 51, made his announcement in partnership with BPI Sports over their Instagram profile. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

Elgargni’s plans come on the heels of the world-class bodybuilder showing recent significant progress with his physique. The strides the athlete has made seemed to be enough for him to jump from 212 — where competitors have a hard weight cap of 212 pounds — to the unrestricted Men’s Open.

I feel really, really good, and I’m excited with what I’m going to bring to the stage at both contests.

In his statement, Elgargni clarified that his body weight was around 224 pounds on the day of his announcement. That could still shift (i.e., upwards) by the time the 2022 Mr. Olympia rolls around on December 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV.

The Libyan athlete maintained that entering the 2022 Tampa Pro in a new division made the most sense because he currently calls the Tampa Bay area home. And since it’s only one week later, the 2022 Texas Pro also felt like a logical step to test himself.

At the time of this writing, neither IFBB competition has announced an official list of athletes who will participate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: The 20 Best Leg Exercises For Size And Strength]

A Wave of Change

Elgargni’s transition to a new bodybuilding division isn’t out of the ordinary compared to some of his peers.

In October 2021, Shaun Clarida competed in the Legion Sports Fest in the Open category, where he finished first. Clarida went on to take home a second-place result to Derek Lunsford in the 212 category during the 2021 Mr. Olympia. At the time of this article’s publication, Clarida is eligible for the 212 and Men’s Open classes at the 2022 Mr. Olympia but has not made a definitive choice. 

Lunsford himself could be another fascinating case. In mid-July 2022, over OlympiaTV, Chief Olympia Officer Dan Solomon said that Lunsford is “nowhere near 212 at this point” and implied that he may have to transition to the Men’s Open division at the upcoming Olympia. That speculation would line up with Lunsford’s recent training and nutritional parameters. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kamal Elgargni (@ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni)

[Related: 20-Minute Workouts For Muscle, Fat Loss, Strength, And More]

Elgargni’s Next Potential Obstacle

If he wanted to flex in the Men’s Open division, Elgargni will have to earn a spot in that division at the 2022 Mr. Olympia; he can do so by winning either of the Tampa or Texas Pro contests, or by finishing in the top three in the Men’s Open category by the time the Olympia qualification period ends on November 20, 2022.

As a former 212 champion, Elgargni has an automatic lifetime qualification in that division. 

Should Elgargni transition to the Open category at the 2022 Olympia, he’ll face an elite cadre of athletes. That includes two-time reigning champion Mamdouh Elssbiay (2020-2021), former Open winner Brandon Curry (2019), seasoned veteran Hadi Choopan, and some potential rising stars like Hunter Labrada and Nick Walker. 

Elgargni has an intriguing competitive path ahead of him. If all goes well, he could soon maximize it.

Featured Image: @ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni on Instagram

The post Kamal Elgargni Will Transition to Men’s Open Division at 2022 Texas and Tampa Pro appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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On August 3-7, in Madison, WI, the world’s elite CrossFitters will test their strength and conditioning while going head-to-head in the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games. A recent July 21, 2022 video of Games Central — a regular YouTube production of the CrossFit Games — revealed the format for athlete cut-offs during the contest.

Before the last day of the contest on Sunday, August 7, 10 athletes will be cut — which leaves 30 contenders for the individual title of Fittest on Earth® in their corresponding competitive categories. On the Teams side — which would be especially relevant for four-time Fittest Man on Earth® (2011-2014), Rich Froning Jr.’s reigning champion squad Mayhem Freedom — 38 will start the contest while just 20 teams will enter Sunday’s final day. 

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

CrossFit Director of Competition Adrian Bozeman further clarified the organization’s plans for the Games regarding these future cuts. The 10-athlete cut on the Individual side and the 18-team cut on the Teams side before the final day will be the only cuts of the competition. 

Tia-Clair Toomey is the reigning five-time Fittest Woman on Earth® (2017-2021). In recent months, she’s given a comprehensive insight into her nutritional routine and the training equipment she uses. The 23-year-old Justin Medeiros is the defending Fittest Man on Earth®, who improved upon a third-place result during the 2020 CrossFit Games. Team Mayhem Freedom will attempt to make it six Team titles in eight years (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021). 

2022 CrossFit Games Schedule

Both the Individual and Team divisions of the competition will begin on Wednesday, August 3, 2022. There will be a rest day on Thursday, August 4, before the rest of the CrossFit Games heats up for them through that weekend. The Age Group and Adaptive competitive categories will start their portion of the contest on August 4 and power all the way through to Sunday, August 7.  At the time of this writing, CrossFit has not announced the events for any of the divisions. 

Of every division involved at these CrossFit Games, the Teams will be the last to put down their kettlebells. For the first time in the competition’s history, the Teams will go after the Individual athletes have finished on Sunday, August, 7. According to Bozeman, a livestream broadcast opportunity spurred the change to facilitate a bigger audience for the Individual competitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Related: 20-Minute Workouts For Muscle, Fat Loss, Strength, And More]

Live Spectator Access

Per Bozeman, fans who attend the 2022 CrossFit Games in Madison, WI, should see a wider variety of events that CrossFit will cater to their experiences.

Spectators who are there in person to cheer on the athletes will have the chance to utilize CrossFit affiliate and educational fitness programs — such as one organized by the Denver, CO nonprofit, The Phoenix. Fans may even try out different vendors hanging around the contest’s campus and potentially get a workout where CrossFit professionals will coach them up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Justin Medeiros (@justinmedeiros34)

[Related: Two-A-Day Workouts Explained: Better Results Without Overtraining]

Equal Opportunity

There’s a simple reason behind the only cut of the 2022 CrossFit Games happening on Saturday, August 6 — competitive balance. Bozeman said the organization planned for this cut schedule because it will allow most of the athletes more time in the competition. 

“It gives everybody a lot of opportunities to keep their name in the hat,” Bozeman said. 

The 2022 CrossFit Games will occur at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, WI, from August 3-7. While stars like Toomey and Medeiros might be heavy favorites to take home another title, their peers like 2021 CrossFit Rookie of the Year Mal O’Brien and Guilherme Malheiros could challenge both champions in their respective divisions. Meanwhile, it’ll be a tough task to topple Team Mayhem Freedom, but anything could happen amidst the intense CrossFit chaos. 

Featured image: @justinmedeiros34 on Instagram

The post The 2022 CrossFit Games Will See Just One Major Cut Before Final Day appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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A mere 15 months ago, Nick Best tore a lat muscle, temporarily derailing much of his competitive strength sports plans. Now, after another contest under his belt, it seems the powerlifter/strongman dynamo is almost back to full power. 

On July 23, 2022, Best took part in the 2022 Clash of the Masters strongman contest in Colombia, MO. As part of his overall performance, Best showed stellar conditioning and leg strength by notching a 317.5-kilogram (700-pound) equipped deadlift for 10 reps. The deadlift for reps display helped Best to a third-place podium result in the Masters 40+ competition — finishing behind Travis Ortmayer (second place) and Tim Filus (first place). 

Seeing as this was a strongman contest, Best donned a lifting suit, lifting belt, and lifting straps for his deadlift set. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nick Best (@nickbeststrongman)

[Related: How To Do The Reverse Lunge For Powerful Legs And Rock-Hard Glutes]

While his deadlift output stands out, Best showed versatility at the Clash of the Masters, completing a 272.5-kilogram (600-pound) equipped back squat for 10 reps. Given the journey he’s been on of late, Best expressed appreciation for his performance and peers over his Instagram profile. 

“Congratulations to [Tim Filus] on the amazing world-class performance!” Best writes. “To [Travis Ortmayer], who I have been competing against since 2005, so great to compete with you again! What an amazing journey back; so proud of you! To all the competitors and all the fans, a sincere thank you! Much love!”

According to Strongman Archives, the 2022 Clash of the Masters is his first strongman contest since the 2020 World’s Strongest Man (WSM). The athlete returned to powerlifting at the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) FQ Classic 2 in early May. That contest saw Best finish in first place in the Masters 50-54 division largely thanks to two WRPF National Records — a 372.5-kilogram (821.5-pound) back squat and a 337.5-kilogram (744-pound) deadlift. 

Best’s latest production in a sanctioned strongman competition like the Clash of the Matters appears to be yet another step forward.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nick Best (@nickbeststrongman)

[Related: How To Do The Bent-Over Barbell Row For A Bigger, Stronger Back]

Full Go

In early July 2022, Best revealed over social media that he would compete in the 2022 Official Strongman Games (OSG). He will feature in the Men’s Masters 50+ division in his fourth appearance at the competition, which will occur on November 11-13, 2022, in Daytona Beach, FL.

Other noteworthy names in Best’s category include defending champion Michael Saunders and Wrecking Ball World Record holder (2:20.49) Mark Felix. At the time of this writing, the OSG organization has not revealed the events or format for this year’s competition. At any rate, as a former winner of the OSG (2o16) and fourth-place finisher in 2017 and 2019, Best might be one of the top contenders for Saunders’ title. 

Should Best come out on top during the 2022 OSG, the strength sports legend could mark another emphatic sign of competitive progress. 

Featured image: @nickbeststrongman

The post Watch Nick Best Coast Through a 317.5-Kilogram (700-Pound) Deadlift for 10 Reps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Brian Shaw is one of the most influential figures in strongman today. As a four-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Champion (2011, 2013, 2015-2016), the organizer of the annual Shaw Classic, and a general advocate for the sport, Shaw stays busy. A recent clip of a strength feat showed that the legendary strongman appears to be a big fan of leading by example. 

On July 25, 2022, Shaw shared a clip on his YouTube channel Shaw Strength where he successfully leg-presses a 2,000-pound car. According to the strongman, his eye-opening demonstration is a first look at the Car Leg Press for Reps — one of the events during the 2022 Shaw Classic. That contest will take place on August 13-14, 2022, at the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, CO. 

[Related: The 20 Best Leg Exercises For Size And Strength]

Before he shows off his stunning leg power, Shaw discusses the method to his madness regarding the Car Leg Press for Reps. As Shaw prepares to load up the car onto the leg press machine in the video, he notes that his example emphasizes a balance of safety and a worthwhile challenge. 

“The car is heavy, very heavy, and I want this to be doable,” Shaw says. “We are going to modify the leg press to change the leg press a little bit. The weight is still going to be incredibly difficult, but it’s meant to be a challenge.”

After Shaw’s explanation, the clip transitions to the moment of truth. There’s a cable attached to the leg press machine that will pull the car up in the event any of the competitors find themselves pinned under it or can’t move it. Shaw weighed the vehicle using a winch, saying it was at 907.2 kilograms (2,000 pounds).

Shaw then presses the vehicle for some reps over a few sets, seemingly not breaking a sweat while approving his strongman creation. 

“Now that is a Strongman event. It is quite literally everything that I pictured this event being,” Shaw exclaims. “… There is no way you can look at that and say that it’s not awesome.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Brian Shaw (@shawstrength)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

An Intriguing Battle

Shaw might be intent on making this year’s Shaw Classic as challenging as possible because he knows the elite roster of athletes can handle it. With a few former WSM champs like Žydrūnas Savickas (2009-2010, 2012, 2014), Tom Stoltman (2021-2022), and Oleksii Novikov (2020) set to compete; there’s no shortage of star power. 

At the time of this writing, here’s the confirmed roster for the 2022 Shaw Classic:

2022 Shaw Classic Roster

• Trey Mitchell — Defending Champion
• Brian Shaw — 2021 Runner-up
• Mitchell Hooper
• Žydrūnas Savickas
• Tom Stoltman
• Luke Stoltman
• Oleksii Novikov
• Evan Singleton
• Gabriel Rheaume
• Aivars Smaukstelis
• Bobby Thompson
• Maxime Boudreault
• Konstantine Janashia
• Gabriel Peña
• Kevin Faires
• Jerry Pritchett

At the time of this article’s publication, here is the confirmed schedule of events for the 2022 Shaw Classic:

2022 Shaw Classic Events

Day One — Saturday, August 13, 2022

• Max Hummer Tire Deadlift
• Super Yoke Event
• Circus Dumbbell
• Throwing Event (Bag or Keg)

Day Two — Sunday, August 14, 2022

• Log Press 
• Frame Carry Arm-Over-Arm Medley
• Car Leg Press for Reps
• Atlas Stones

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shaw Classic (@theshawclassic)

[Related: The Best Leg Workouts With Bodyweight, With Dumbbells, For Size, And More]

Up for Grabs

For Shaw, he seems to have set up a fascinating back and forth amongst the participating strongmen. Whoever gets through his latest strength gauntlet will undoubtedly earn more respect among their peers. The 2022 Shaw Classic will occur from August 13-14 in Loveland, CO. 

Featured image: Shaw Strength on YouTube

The post Brian Shaw Leg Presses a 2,000-Pound Car in Prep for the 2022 Shaw Classic appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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There’s nothing better than a really good belly laugh, the kind that leaves you gasping for breath with tears running down your cheeks. By the time you collect yourself, your whole body is more relaxed, your mood is lighter, everything feels cleansed. You’re probably getting healthier, too.

Laughter therapies like laughter yoga and laughter meditation have been gaining popularity for the past several decades as methods of improving physical and mental well-being. The benefits of using humor as therapy seem obvious. Unlike asking people to clean up their diets or take medicines with unpleasant side effects, just about everyone is willing to yuk it up to their favorite television show or comedian.

Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physician from India and founder of the laughter yoga movement, was researching the positive effects of laughter on health when he came up with the idea of formally incorporating laughter into a wellness routine. Of course, Dr. Kataria wasn’t the first person to think of using “laughter as medicine.” The practice is probably as old as humanity itself. He did, however, formalize the practice of laughter yoga back in the 90s. Today there are thousands of “laughter clubs” that follow Dr. Kataria’s methods, plus who knows how many other yoga and meditation enthusiasts using laughter to tap into positive emotions, improve mental well-being, and perhaps even improve physical health as well.

You don’t have to convince me about the many benefits of laughter. I could write a whole post about why laughter is a fundamentally human experience and how it helped us evolve into the emotionally complex, socially interconnected beings we are today. (Oh wait, I already did.) It’s also pretty easy to sell me on the concept of laughter meditation or laughter yoga to improve mood and overall outlook on life. As for the grander claims about widespread health benefits? I’m definitely open to the possibility.

Let’s start by looking at some of the rationale and science behind the practices. Then, I asked a couple of my uber-creative team members to demonstrate a simple laughter meditation to get you started.

Laughter Yoga and Laughter Meditation

Laughter meditation and yoga share similar features, and just like with any type of yoga or meditation, there’s no single right way to do them. Generally speaking, a laughter meditation session will involve three parts:

1. Gentle movement and breathing exercises to warm up and settle in.
2. The laughing portion of the meditation, which might last a few minutes or longer. Start by smiling, then break out a few “ho ho hos” or “tee hees.” Faking it might feel awkward at first (although simulated laughter could be just as beneficial as the real thing¹). Don’t be surprised if you’re soon giggling, even guffawing, for real, especially if you practice with other people. Laughter is contagious, after all.
3. A cool-down period where you sit in silent reflection. As with more traditional meditation, try to be mindful and present. Notice but don’t analyze any feelings that come up for you here. There’s a good chance you’ll feel great, but don’t be surprised if other emotions surface as well. You might also want to do some additional breathwork or gentle movement at this stage.

Laughter yoga is more involved. A typical laughter yoga session comprises elements such as deep breathing, movement, chanting, and structured laughter exercises. For example, the instructor might ask you to pretend you are popping laughter pills, each one causing a different type of laughter. Or you might go around the room having conversations with your fellow practitioners, except all the words are replaced by laughter.

To reap the benefits, you must let go of any self-consciousness and get into the (intentional) silliness of it all. Let yourself be childlike and carefree. This is meant to be fun.

Benefits of Laughter Therapy

Many of the purported benefits are just what you’d expect: improved mood, more lightheartedness, fewer negative emotions, less stress.

Beyond that, laughter yoga and laughter meditation are both types of laughter therapy, a more clinical term that encompasses various methods of using laughter and humor therapeutically. Some of the ways laughter therapy might help you, according to research, is by:

• Lowering cortisol²
• Reducing pain and improving physical functioning in older adults³
• Improving sleep⁴
• Alleviating loneliness⁵
• Lessening depression and anxiety symptoms⁶⁷
• Improving cardiovascular health⁸
• Reducing inflammation and boosting immune function

Arguably, laughter is also a form of exercise. You won’t get ripped sitting on the couch watching your favorite rom-com, but you’ll activate those core muscles and burn a few calories.⁹ Maybe we should put laughter on the list of microworkouts. 

Granted, the studies in this area aren’t of the highest quality. They tend to be small and, as the authors of several recent meta-analyses have pointed out, subject to bias. But do we really need research to prove that laughter feels good and improves quality of life? Sure, if someone is going to make grandiose claims about laughter curing cancer or something, they’d better be prepared to back that up with hard data. Asserting that a laughter meditation will brighten your mood and improve your outlook on life? I’m prepared to accept that hypothesis.

Laughter Meditation Video

Now it’s time for you to give it a try. The video below is only six minutes long, and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Try it out, then come back and leave a comment letting me know how you’re feeling!

Need more meditation in your life? Sign up for my 21-day Meditation Challenge HERE.

The post Laughter Meditation and Laughter Yoga (Plus a Video!) appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

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Joe Mackey is on a mission. The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League competitor has built a following thanks to his immense feats of strength. Now, he’s chiseling that mass, stepping away from the platform, and focusing on his prep for the 2022 IFBB Texas Pro, set to occur on August 12-13, 2022, in Irving, Texas.

On July 24, 2022, Mackey’s coach Miloš Šarčev shared an update on Mackey’s physique where largely every aspect of the athlete’s body — like his arms, legs, shoulders, and abs — looks positively ripped. Check out the physique update below:

 

 

 

 

 

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The 58-year-old Šarčev is a former IFBB competitor who notably won the 1989 Mr. Universe contest. Mackey expressed appreciation for Šarčev’s continued tutelage over his own Instagram profile. He also complimented the Dragon’s Lair Gym in Las Vegas, NV — owned by seven-time 212 Olympia winner Flex Lewis — while hinting at more regular appearances in Sin City.  

“Great workout and posing with my coach [Miloš Šarčev],” Mackey writes. Huge thanks to the Dragon’s Lair Gym. Top-notch facility with a great environment and equipment. Definitely will be my go-to place when I’m in Vegas.”

At the time of this article’s publication, Mackey hasn’t confirmed his plans to try and qualify for the 2022 Mr. Olympia — taking place on Dec. 16-18. 

Mackey’s Road Ahead

In late April 2022, Mackey joined the 900-pound deadlift club. He followed that personal record (PR) by deadlifting 385.5-kilograms (850 pounds) during the 2022 Iron Wars VI. While those achievements are noteworthy, winning the 2022 Texas Pro could open a lot of bodybuilding doors for Mackey.

For one, per the IFBB Pro League’s standards, a victory would garner Mackey an automatic qualification to the 2022 Olympia. Should Mackey fall short of the top spot on the podium in Texas, a top-five result in the Tier 4 contest would at least give him some points (one through four from fifth to second place, respectively) in the overall qualification process. Provided Mackey finishes in the top three amongst Men’s Open competitors at the end of the Olympia qualification period on November 20, 2022 — he would capture a spot in the prestigious contest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joe Mackey IFBB Pro (@jmackey33_ifbbpro)

[Related: The 20 Best Leg Exercises For Size And Strength]

According to NPC News Online, Mackey’s best result in five IFBB Pro League competitions since 2016 is an eighth-place finish at the 2020 Tampa Pro. In his most recent appearance on an official stage during the 2021 Chicago Pro, Mackey finished in 12th place. The bodybuilder competed in the Men’s Open division during both contests.

Given his recent training progress, the steady hand of a bodybuilding legend helping him, and overall versatility, it might be foolish to overlook Mackey’s coming chances. In due time, a berth for Mackey in the 2022 Mr. Olympia could seem inevitable. 

Featured image: @milossarcev on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Joe Mackey Looks Chiseled Ahead of the 2022 Texas Pro appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Hampton Morris is one of the more prominent up-and-coming names in Olympic weightlifting. Amidst the absence of other notable stars, the athlete came through for Team USA at the 2022 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Pan-American Championships in Bogotá, Colombia. 

On July 24, 2022, during the IWF contest in Colombia, Morris scored a 162-kilogram (357.1-pound) clean & jerk. The figure is a new Junior World Record for the 61-kilogram weight class. Per Team USA Weightlifting, Morris surpassed his own previous competition best of 161 kilograms (354.9 pounds) from the 2022 USA Weightlifting (USAW) National Championships in Las Vegas in early July. The new top clean & jerk figure in an international competition helped Morris win the 61-kilogram division overall en route to a gold medal and his second Pan-American title (2020).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Here’s a complete rundown of Morris’ performance during the 2022 IWF Pan-American Championships:

Hampton Morris (61KG) | 2022 IWF Pan-American Championships Top Stats

• Snatch — 117 kilograms (257.9 pounds)
• Clean & Jerk — 162 kilograms (357.1 pounds) | Junior World Record (61KG)
• Total — 279 kilograms (615.1 pounds)

Morris’ output at these Pan-American Championships was mostly clean. The athlete missed just two of six overall lifts — a 117-kilogram (257.9-pound) first snatch attempt and a 122-kilogram (268.9-pound) third snatch attempt. He finished each of his clean & jerk attempts, finishing with the Junior World Record of 162 kilograms (357.1 pounds) on his third successful try. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hampton Morris (@hamptonmorris)

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A Decorated Profile

Morris might be only 18 years old, but he’s amassed quite the weightlifting resume. With Morris’ second Pan-American title, the athlete now has six victories in international contests dating back to the Pan-American Youth Championships in August 2019. He possesses just one finish out of first place in that time frame — a second-place result at the 2021 Junior Pan-American Games in Cali and Valle, Colombia.

Here’s a rundown of Morris’ recent stellar output in sanctioned international weightlifting contests, per the IWF directory:

Hampton Morris (61KG) | International Competitive Ledger 2019-2022

• 2019 Pan-American Youth Championships — First place
• 2020 Pan-American Junior Championships — First place
• 2021 Youth World Championships — First place
• 2021 Pan-American Championships — First place
• 2021 Junior Pan-American Games — Second place
• 2022 Junior World Championships — First place
• 2022 Pan-American Championships — First place 

Morris’ new Junior World Record clean & jerk is a major step up from his last appearance at the Pan-American Championships. In 2021, the weightlifter completed a 151-kilogram (332.9-pound) clean & jerk on the way to a gold medal. That means Morris has improved that number by 11 kilograms (24.2 pounds).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hampton Morris (@hamptonmorris)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

Full Steam Ahead

Morris’ upcoming schedule as a weightlifter should stay busy. Team USA Weightlifting has stated that performances in the 2022 Pan-American Championships would significantly influence who the Americans pick to represent them at the 2022 IWF World Championships. That competition will also take place in Bogotá, Colombia sometime this December. (At the time of this article’s publication, the IWF has not confirmed a concrete date.)

At the time of this writing, Morris is on the 17-person roster for that competition, including noteworthy names like reigning Women’s 76-kilogram National Champion Mattie Rogers. Should Morris perform well at the IWF Worlds, he might be in contention for his first-ever appearance in the Olympics in Paris 2024.

At his pace, that might just be one of many eye-opening milestones in due time. 

Featured image: @atginsta on Instagram

The post Weightlifter Hampton Morris (61KG) Captures 162-Kilogram Clean & Jerk for New World Record appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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As an elite powerlifter, Tamara Walcott is one of strength sport’s biggest superstars. With a recent jaw-dropping feat while training, she may soon add to her ledger of official accomplishments.

On July 23, 2022, Walcott (+90KG) shared a clip on her Instagram where she captured a 299.4-kilogram (660-pound) raw deadlift during a training session. The pull is a new personal record (PR) for Walcott. It’s also 10.8 kilograms (24 pounds) heavier than her all-time deadlift World Record of 288.5 kilograms (636 pounds) from the World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) The Bucked Up Showdown.

Walcott used a conventional stance and a mixed grip while wearing a lifting belt and lifting straps to log her new PR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Walcott smashing her own World Record while training might be a harbinger of bright achievements to come. The athlete will compete at the upcoming 2022 WRPF American Pro in the +90-kilogram weight class. That contest will take place at The Salisbury Center in Manassas, VA, from July 29-30, 2022.

Should Walcott transfer over this training PR to the American Pro, she will extend her all-time World Record. Additionally, if the athlete adds just 0.6 kilograms (1.32 pounds) to her deadlift, she would become the first women’s powerlifter to pull at least 300 kilograms raw.

Notably, Walcott’s top total of 718.5 kilograms (1,584 pounds) from the 2021 WRPF The Bucked Up Showdown is the second heaviest raw total in women’s powerlifting. Only April Mathis (+90KG) has a higher raw total of 730.3 kilograms (1,610 pounds) from the 2019 USA-UA Boss of Bosses 6. By adding to her deadlift record while notching a noteworthy all-around performance at the 2022 WRPF American Pro, Walcott may soon possess that figure, too.

Here are Walcott’s all-time raw competition bests as a powerlifter:

Tamara Walcott | All-Time Raw Competition Bests

• Squat — 267.5 kilograms (589.7 pounds)
• Bench Press — 165 kilograms (363.7 pounds)
• Deadlift — 288.5 kilograms (636 pounds) | All-Time World Record
• Total — 718.5 kilograms (1,584 pounds) | All-Time Second-Heaviest Raw Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tamara Walcott Queen (@plussize_fitqueen4.0)

[Related: The Best Sled Workouts For Muscle, Strength, Fat Loss, And Recovery]

Inspiring Energy

In the caption of her Instagram post, the athlete credits her family, particularly her son, who happens to be watching on the side. Walcott states she wanted to keep a promise by successfully pulling the fresh PR.

“At the end, I told my son I will never fail when he’s watching,” Walcott writes. “And I mean it because when you give something your all, you are always winning!”

This kind of inspiration is nothing for new Walcott, a single mom with two kids, a nine-to-five job, her own business, and an impressive powerlifting career. In media appearances and on her social media, the athlete often discusses how important her family is to her and how she wants to dominate on sanctioned lifting platforms to set an example for others. Her loved ones are undoubtedly a part of that formula.

Walcott will try to break new ground as a record-breaking inspiration at the 2022 WRPF American Pro on July 29-30 in Manassas, VA.

Featured image: @plussize_fitqueen4.0

The post Powerlifter Tamara Walcott (+90KG) Deadlifts 299 Kilograms (660 Pounds) for Unofficial Raw World Record appeared first on Breaking Muscle.