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All physique athletes need a solid set of abs — it’s a virtual prerequisite before stepping on stage. But a select group of bodybuilders went beyond the standard six-pack and crafted midsections that singlehandedly won them shows and helped vault them to icon status.

If you need some inspiration to do extra crunches or cardio when you hit the gym next, look no further than this list of 10 bodybuilders with the best abs in the sport’s history.

10 Bodybuilders With Some of the Most Chiseled Abs in the Sport’s History

• Natalia Abraham Coelho
• Sarah Villegas
• Shawn Ray
• Chris Bumstead
• Frank Zane
• Ryan Terry
• Shawn Rhoden
• Lou Ferrigno
• Dexter Jackson
• Andrea Shaw

Natalia Abraham Coelho

Natalia Abraham Coelho is one of the most popular athletes in Women’s Physique. She scored the Olympia crown in her division in 2022 and followed that up with two wins mere months later at the Pittsburgh Pro and New York Pro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mitchell Gilbert (@gilcoproductions)

[Related: The Best Ab Workouts for Strength, Beginners, Muscle Mass, and More]

And while Coelho’s muscular upper body can certainly turn heads, her real highlight is a deep, flawless set of abs that ties together any front pose she hits. Not only is it her calling come showtime, but she never lets herself get too far from that condition in the off-season, which helps her in guest posing events or when she’s taking photos during training.

Sarah Villegas

Before Coelho’s Olympia win in 2022, Sarah Villegas laid claim to the Women’s Physique crown in 2020 and 2021. She was known for her unrivaled conditioning and supremely detailed back development, but her core ranks among her greatest assets. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sarah Villegas (@iamsarahfit)

[Related: 10 Athletes With the Best Chests in Men’s Bodybuilding]

Villegas’ waist is so narrow, her abs so tight, that they actually accentuate her already top-flight shoulders, making them look even wider. She’ll go into a rematch with Coelho at the 2023 Olympia in November, hoping to surpass her rival on the biggest stage of them all. Ultimately, the battle might come down to who has the best abs.

Shawn Ray

Standing 5’6″ and hovering around 210 pounds, Shawn Ray knew he would never be the biggest competitor on stage, especially when standing next to the likes of Lee Haney, Dorian Yates, and Ronnie Coleman. So rather than allow his smaller stature to be a detriment, he instead focused on making the best out of what size he did have, including being the most ripped athlete in the lineup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shawn Ray (@shawnrayifbbpro)

[Related: Who Is the Strongest Mr. Olympia Winner?]

Ray was the epitome of conditioning in his prime, with visible striations and a six-pack that looked like stacks of bricks. This level of definition helped Ray win the big prize at the 1991 Arnold Classic and place second to Dorian Yates at the Mr. Olympia contest in 1994 and 1996.

Chris Bumstead

One of the reasons why Chris Bumstead has scored four Classic Physique Olympia titles (so far) is that he keeps finding ways to get better year after year. It started with a renewed effort to build up his arms in 2019, and that was followed by a shift in focus to his abdominals around 2020.

A combination of smart dieting and consistent core training has helped CBum keep the centerpiece of his physique looking on point every Olympia. He may be one of the biggest men in his division, but he can also hit a vacuum pose worthy of the Golden Era. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, then, that he’s still considered the perfect model of Classic Physique.

Frank Zane

Frank Zane’s vacuum pose is one of the most enduring images from bodybuilding in the 1970s. The complete mastery of his midsection helped elevate “The Chemist” from being just another aesthetic athlete to becoming an all-time great. His look was so timeless, in fact, that it eventually went on to help inspire the creation of the Classic Physique division back in 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Frank Zane (@therealfrankzane)

[Related: The Best Non-Stim Fat Burners]

The sheer definition of Zane’s abs, along with his supreme posing, is why he was able to defeat Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 1968 IFBB Mr. Universe contest and win three Mr. Olympia titles from 1977-1979 against much larger competitors. To this day, you can argue that no athlete perfected a single body part like Zane did with his abs.

Ryan Terry

Ryan Terry is among the most decorated athletes in the Men’s Physique division, having won both the 2016 Arnold Classic and 2023 New York Pro titles. And, sure, the athletes in the division don’t have to hit as many individual poses or be as big as their Men’s Open counterparts — but that just means their abs need to be even more sublime if they want a chance to win. They can’t hide a lackluster core behind 275 pounds of muscle, after all. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ryan Terry (@ryanjterry)

[Related: The 25 Best Back Exercises for Strength and Muscle Gain]

In Terry’s case, he has arguably the best midsection in the entire class. His minuscule waist and chiseled six-pack don’t just look great on their own — they also make the rest of his body look better in the process. These features will be invaluable to him as he looks to score his first-ever Olympia title in 2023.

Shawn Rhoden

The late Shawn Rhoden won his first and only Mr. Olympia back in 2018 by famously unseating seven-time champ Phil Heath in Las Vegas. The big topic of conversation heading into that show was Heath’s abs, which had been lacking in previous years and were affected by an injury that impacted his 2018 off-season training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shawn Rhoden (@flexatronrhoden)

[Related: 12 of the Most Underrated Bodybuilders of All Time]

While any injury is bad luck, Heath’s chances dimmed even more when Rhoden walked on stage sporting a flawless set of abs that harkened back to the Golden Era. You can argue that Rhoden’s core was the biggest factor in Heath losing his crown that night.

Lou Ferrigno

Lou Ferrigno‘s physique was admired far beyond bodybuilding thanks to his iconic role in The Incredible Hulk. The two-time Mr. Universe winner competed at 6’5″ and weighed in a range of 275-305 pounds at his peak. And while you can find smaller waists and more chiseled six-packs throughout the history of bodybuilding, you’d be hard-pressed to find better abs on anyone Ferrigno’s size. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lou Ferrigno (@theofficiallouferrigno)

[Related: Lou Ferrigno’s Hulking Comeback at the 1992 Mr. Olympia]

Anytime Ferrigno hit an ab pose on stage, he was an instant contender to pull off a victory. That commitment to staying ripped has stayed with him far beyond his years as a competitor — even in his 70s, he isn’t afraid to pull up his shirt to reveal a six-pack.

Dexter Jackson

As the 2008 Mr. Olympia winner and five-time Arnold Classic champion, Dexter Jackson always delivered on conditioning when he stepped on stage. Like Zane, Jackson is famous for his abs and thigh pose that showcases the serratus, obliques, and even the rare eight-pack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dexter “The Blade” Jackson (@mrolympia08)

[Related: 9 of the Most Controversial Moments in Olympia History]

Those abs helped Jackson win 29 shows, making him the only man to win the Mr. Olympia, Masters Olympia, and Arnold Classic in his career. With a nickname like “The Blade,” you had to know his razor-sharp abs would make this list.

Andrea Shaw

Andrea Shaw is a three-time Ms. Olympia and three-time Rising Phoenix World Champion. She may have great arms and legs, but her ab shots may be the best. When she goes into an abs and thigh pose, no one has come close to matching her midsection development or her conditioning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Andrea Shaw (@mzprettymuscle)

[Related: Why Iris Kyle Is Undoubtedly in the Bodybuilding G.O.A.T Conversation]

Shaw is going into the 2023 contest season with hopes of winning both of her titles for a fourth straight year, and her abs are one of the reasons why she can pull it off.

Featured Image: @therealfrankzane on Instagram

The post 10 Bodybuilders With Some of the Most Chiseled Abs in the Sport’s History appeared first on BarBend.

Four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler is one of the most popular bodybuilders of all time — known for his full chest, giant arms, and striated quads. Cutler started a “Fit for 50” challenge in early 2022 with the goal of achieving his best shape since stepping away from competitive bodybuilding in 2013. 

Cutler’s 50th birthday is on Aug. 3, 2023. On June 9, 2023, the former Olympia champ took to his YouTube channel to share his most recent arm workout without seven weeks left to fulfill the goal of the “Fit for 50” challenge. Check it out below:

[Related: The Innovations of Derek Lunsford’s Back Progression During His Off-Season]

Jay Cutler “Fit for 50” Arm Workout

Cutler’s high-volume arm workout consisted of eight exercises:

1. Cable Triceps Pushdown (bar attachment) — 2-3 warm-up sets & 3-4 working sets
2. Iso-Lateral Triceps Extension Machine — 3 x AMRAP (as many reps as possible)
3. Seated Overhead Dumbbell Extension — 3 x 12
4. Cable Triceps Pushdown (rope attachment) — 3 x 12
5. Iso-Lateral Biceps Curl — 3 x 12
6. Standing Dumbbell Curl — 3 x 12
7. Machine Preacher Curl — 3 sets
8. EZ Bar Curl — 4 sets

[Related: Flex Lewis Breaks Down How He Trained During His Olympia Reign]

Triceps Pushdown & Iso-Lateral Triceps Extensions

Cutler begins his arm training with cable triceps pushdowns with an angled bar attachment. He performs “two or three warm-up sets” followed by “three or four working sets.”

Cutler’s top set had the weight pin at 120 pounds on the cable machine‘s weight stack. Unlike most bodybuilders who prefer to keep their body weight out of biasing the load, Cutler performs pushdowns while leaning on the bar.

I don’t care what anyone says; it works for me.

Moving to the iso-lateral triceps extension machine, Cutler placed his triceps on the raised upper-arm pads to remove the necessity to stabilize the weight. This not only maintains tension on the triceps but also removes the potential use of momentum. Cutler performed three sets to failure.

Seated Overhead Dumbbell Extension & Cable Rope Pushdown

Cutler performed 12 reps for each set. He maxed out with an 80-pound dumbbell on his third set. He avoids locking out his elbows at the top of the movement so the tension remains constant on the triceps throughout the full range of motion.

The cable rope pushdown was the last exercise of Cutler’s triceps routine. He performed three sets, maxing out with put pounds on the cable. Cutler used a bent-over stance, helping him maximize his elbow extension during the concentrics.

Iso-Lateral Biceps Curl & Dumbbell Curl

Cutler opens his biceps routine with the iso-lateral curl machine. Stabilizing his triceps on the elevated pads on the machine helps Cutler’s mind-muscle connection, ensuring the load is moved solely by contracting the biceps. Cutler did three sets of 12 reps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jay Cutler (@jaycutler)

After achieving a biceps pump in the previous exercise, Cutler repped out alternating dumbbell curls. The Olympia champ performed three sets of his favorite arm movement with 45-pound dumbbells on his last set. 

Machine Preacher Curl & EZ Bar Curl

Cutler prefers training on machines to help maintain constant tension on the target muscles. The preacher curl is similar to the other machines utilized in the workout in that the pads stabilize the arm to place all the tension on the biceps. He performed three sets.

Cutler finished his arm workout with cambered bar curls. He did four sets with a 70-pound fixed barbell. Cutler used Fat Gripz for the last two sets for greater forearm stimulation. 

The Fit For 50 Challenge

Cutler’s target body weight is 250 pounds in the next eight weeks, though he didn’t reveal his current weight at the time of the video’s recording. He currently eats six meals daily to maintain an elevated metabolic rate. 

 I’m going for the best shape I’ve been in 10 years. I’m going to be full, hard, and round…not super shredded.

Although Cutler won’t compete at the 2023 Masters Olympia, scheduled for Aug. 26-27 in Romania, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of guest posing at a future show. His fans might see him grace the stage again after he completes the “Fit for 50” challenge. 

Featured image: @jaycutler on Instagram

The post Jay Cutler’s Eight Arm Exercises For His “Fit for 50” Challenge appeared first on BarBend.

When you tune in to one of Ally Love’s Peloton classes, there’s a secret clue you can look for that will tell you just what kind of ride you’re in for that day: the color of Love’s Peloton outfits.

“I allow my look to influence and speak to the vibe, the feeling, the dynamic, the intensity of the class I’m leading,” Love says. “If I’m coming out in pink, you know we’re having a good time. If I’m coming out in reds or something dark, then we’re likely going right into climbing hills.”

Can it really be that one-to-one? Love feels strongly that the way she dresses both impacts and mirrors her mood. So much so that in high school, if she got dressed in a hurry and ended up in a “blah” outfit, she’d sometimes end up feeling down—so her friends would switch some clothing around with her to brighten her day. “From a young age, what I [wore] impacted my mood and my perception of my experience,” Love says.

That impulse carries over today. “I do try to align my outfit with the way I want people to feel within the class experience,” Love says. “I’m pretty strategic about what I pick out to wear especially for my Peloton classes. I try to pick colors that literally correspond with the perceived exertion. Everything about me is aligned with the amount of intensity (or this lack of intensity), so it’s important to me.”

For someone whose mood is so affected by and reflected in her clothing, Love puts a lot of care into choosing the garments she puts on her body, including her Peloton outfits. Which is why, when it comes to her outfit recommendations, you know she’s not choosing lightly. From the bike to the street to the office, here are some of Love’s favorite (colorful) pieces from Peloton’s Spring collection. Keep an eye out from them the next time you join one of her rides—it might be clue for how fast and furious you’ll be peddling.

Peloton outfits fit for the queen of color

Performance Rib Racerback Tank — $48.00

Available sizes: XS-XL

Love says you can pair this cool, minty green tank top with more than leggings, like trousers and a blazer,  jeans, skirts, and more, making it a multi-purpose garment worth a spot in your wardrobe. When you do wear it to ride, however, the performance fabric will go the distance to keep you comfortable. The soft, stretchy fabric moves with you, so you won’t have to worry about chafing, digging in, or holding you back.

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One Shoulder Seamless Crop Bra — $46.00

Love likes to wear matching workout outfits that she elevates with a sweatshirt or an oversized button down. Take this one-shoulder sports bra, for example. The seamless, longline cut looks stylish and trendy underneath jackets, sweaters, and other layers. While it’s probably not supportive enough for high-intensity sweat sessions, it’s perfect for low-impact workouts like yoga, stretching, and walking.

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High Rise Seamless ⅞ Legging — $76.00

If you want to get matchy matchy with your workout wardrobe, pair the above sports bra with these matching purple leggings. The solid stripe down the leg shows the world you mean business, while the buttery smooth, flexible fabric keeps you comfy, whether you’re stretched out in yoga class or on your couch.

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Rib Insert Pullover Hoodie — $98.00

Go navy blue for when you want some business-meets-cozy, work-from-home vibes. This classic hoodie is made from French cotton terry that’s perfect for all seasons and looks as chic as it is snuggly. Expect everything you want out of a timeless hoodie, including a kangaroo pouch and drawstring hood. Only this one has a back-rib insert detailing in a v-shape that give it some edge from all the other sweatshirts in your closet.

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Classic Sweatpant — $76.00

Love pairs the above hoodie with a preppy button-down and the matching sweatpants for a polished, scholastic look. But the good news is, you don’t have to dress them up; they go just as well with workout tops, sports bras, camisoles, and more. Just like Love suggests, wear whatever feels good to you and matches your mood.

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If you’re looking to level up your oatmeal game in terms of nutrition and flavor, then this High-Protein Hazelnut Latte Oatmeal recipe has what you’re looking for.

A scoop of rich Café Latte Shakeology adds a protein boost and a touch of hazelnut extract pumps up the flavor.

This high-protein oatmeal is super easy to make: Cook your oatmeal like you normally would, then just add almost milk, Shakeology, extract and mix. No muss, no fuss — just pure deliciousness in a bowl.

Café Latte Shakeology

Flavored with the rich, creamy taste of coffee, your morning pick-me-up is now a superfood dessert.

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Print High-Protein Hazelnut Latte Oatmeal

Level up your oatmeal game with nutrition and flavor with High-Protein Hazelnut Latte Oatmeal made with Cafe Latte Shakeology.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Keyword Cafe Latte Shakeology

Prep Time 6 minutes

Cook Time 4 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 1 serving

Calories 395kcal

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups / 300 ml water
• ½ cup / 40 g dry rolled oats
• ½ cup / 120 ml unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop Café Latte Shakeology 
• ½ tsp. pure hazelnut (or vanilla) extract
• 6 unsalted hazelnuts, chopped

Instructions

• Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. 
• Add oats; mix well. Reduce heat to low. Gently boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes, or until thick and soft. 
• Add almond milk, Shakeology, and extract; stir until combined.  
• Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with hazelnuts. Enjoy! 

Notes

Fantastic Fiber (F), Gluten Free (GF), No Dairy (ND), Protein Power (P), Quick ‘n’ Easy (QE), Vegan (V), Vegetarian (VG) The Nutrition Facts box below provides estimated nutritional information for this recipe.** Total Sugar 9 g, Added Sugar 6 g

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 295mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 9g

Container Equivalents (Regular)
1 Red
2 Yellow
½ Blue
½ tsp.

Container Equivalents (Vegan)
1 Red
2 Yellow A
½ Blue
½ tsp.

2B Mindset Plate It!This recipe makes a great breakfast.

The post High-Protein Hazelnut Latte Oatmeal appeared first on BODi.