Renowned bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari recently took to Instagram to express his concerns about young lifters using steroids at the beginning of their fitness journey. Gaspari, who is no longer competing but remains active in the bodybuilding community, has a keen eye for talent based on his decades of experience in the sport.
Gaspari rose to fame in the mid-80s with his impressive mass, size, and well-developed lower-body muscles in the Men’s Open division. Although he never achieved Olympia glory, Gaspari made a mark by winning a bronze medal in his Mr. Olympia debut and earning three silvers to eight-time champion Lee Haney. In 2004, he made history by becoming the first Arnold Classic winner and was subsequently inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame.
In recent years, Gaspari has been critical of the Open division, considering bodybuilding more of an art form than a sport due to its subjective nature. He believes that many athletes are now focusing more on sheer muscle mass rather than posing, which he sees as a lack of artistic focus.
Gaspari specifically highlighted the growing popularity of trenbolone, a powerful steroid, in the fitness space. While acknowledging its potential for significant gains, he warned about the damage it can cause to the liver and cardiovascular system. Gaspari also mentioned that tren use can lead to anger issues, even in the nicest individuals.
Another point of criticism from Gaspari was the lack of attention modern bodybuilders pay to their calves. He surprised fans with a throwback clip showcasing his massive calves during an intense training session. Gaspari suggested training the calves three times a week with high volume and heavy weights to achieve optimal development.
Gaspari also shared his thoughts on Classic Physique Olympia winner Chris Bumstead’s chances in the Men’s Open division. While praising Bumstead’s symmetry and predicting a successful defense of his title at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, Gaspari criticized his arm development and muscle density compared to Open contenders.
Gaspari is a strong advocate for high-intensity training and shared some of the extreme methods he used to pump himself up for intense weight training sessions. He also provided a grueling abs routine to boost strength and hypertrophy. Gaspari emphasized the importance of incorporating slow-mo reps to increase workout intensity and build muscle.
In his Instagram post, Gaspari expressed his concerns about young lifters starting steroids early in their fitness journey. He emphasized the health risks associated with using harsh compounds like trenbolone and called for a focus on training quality above all else. Gaspari highlighted the importance of hard work, smart training, and proper nutrition for muscle growth, urging young lifters to be aware of the risks and to monitor their health through regular blood work.
Gaspari also shared some of his own training techniques, such as using an incline bench to reduce momentum during the incline dumbbell one-arm row and performing Jefferson squats with a full range of motion for optimal leg development. He also recommended modified sumo squats on an elevated platform to target the glutes and build leg strength.
Gaspari’s latest update serves as a reminder to lifters to approach the sport of bodybuilding in a safe and healthy manner. His wealth of experience and expertise make his insights invaluable to the fitness community.
