Renowned bodybuilder Rich Gaspari has recently expressed his disappointment with modern competitors in the Men’s Open division. In a post on his Instagram account, Gaspari criticized contemporary bodybuilders for neglecting the development of calf muscles. Gaspari, who retired as a bodybuilder, is famous for his impressive muscle mass, conditioning, and definition as a Men’s Open competitor. He is credited with pioneering the division’s focus on striated glute muscles and is considered one of the most consistent athletes in the game. Although he never won the Mr. Olympia title, he took silver thrice and competed against legendary bodybuilders such as Lee Haney and Dorian Yates. Gaspari hung up his posing trunks in 1996 and was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004.
Despite his achievements, Gaspari is not convinced by the Open division’s evolution over the last few years. He has called on reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan to focus on his conditioning and bring back a drier and more defined look that was prevalent in previous generations. Earlier this year, Gaspari criticized Open competitors for relying too heavily on drugs. He claimed that mass monsters depend on enormous amounts of steroids instead of focusing on quality training. Three months ago, Gaspari revealed that he had been using peptides to slow down the aging process. He listed different kinds of peptides that helped boost natural GH (growth hormone) levels and identified Phil Heath’s reign as the turning point for conditioning requirements in the Open category. He also stressed the importance of maintaining proper nutrition to gain muscle mass and encouraged his fans to push their limits in the training room. The 59-year-old revealed that he had been using TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) for about 10 years and recommended getting blood work done regularly to minimize the risk of any side effects.
In his latest Instagram post, Gaspari called out modern bodybuilders for neglecting their calf muscle development. He shared some general tips for building muscle in the area and lamented that the calf muscle is not as important to train as it was in the past. Gaspari trained his calves heavily and hard, considering them an essential muscle back in the 80s and 90s. He trained them three times a week with high reps of 15-20 and heavy weights, saying that calves can take a lot to grow. Gaspari praised Classic Physique competitors for preserving the essence of bodybuilding as an art form, arguing that the same quality is not found in Open events. He also promoted the use of TRT and weighed in on the recent Telehealth law proposal by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration).
Although Gaspari has criticized the excessive use of steroids for competition, he also conceded that it is an inevitable part of the sport. His latest offering could help bring more awareness to the importance of developing strong calves to match an overall physique. As Gaspari remains a respected figure in the bodybuilding world, his opinions and advice carry weight and could influence the next generation of competitors.
In conclusion, Rich Gaspari’s recent comments on the state of modern bodybuilding have sparked a conversation about the importance of calf muscle development. Gaspari’s legacy in the sport and his insights into training, nutrition, and performance make him a valuable voice in the bodybuilding community. While his opinions may not be shared by all, they provide a unique perspective on the evolution of the sport and its future direction. As bodybuilding continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Gaspari’s ideas shape the next generation of competitors.
