My Arnold Classic 2011 Picks - Part 2 - Me vs. The Results

So how did I do? Do I have a future job as a bodybuilding prophet?

The Winner: Branch Warren. I picked Branch Warren. Now let the talk begin of a true three way competition at Olympia between Jay Cutler, Phil Heath and Branch Warren. Branch Warren (pictured above) is the Man.

2nd: Dennis Wolf. I picked Dexter Jackson. Dexter was a disappointment this time. I had hoped Dexter's star was not dropping, but he did not look good this time. Dennis Wolf is definitely back though and in the hunt and will keep the big three looking over their shoulder.

3rd: Victor Martinez. I picked Dennis Wolf. Victor is definitely on the rebound, with some solid work he could definitely do well at Olympia. Note: Had the right order at this point except for Dexter Jackson finishing so poorly.

4th: Evan Centopani. I picked Victor Martinez. Evan was the best Dark Horse of them all this time. I felt he would finish seventh but looking at the pics, he definitely deserves fourth. There is a new player in town.

5th: Dexter Jackson. I picked Ronny Rockel. Dexter's fifth place has got to be a disappointment. Honestly looking at the pics I feel Ronny still deserves this spot. Dexter just looked wrong. This was a case of 'Gee Dex, you kind of suck today but because you are a former Mr. O we can't place you lower".

6th: Ronny Rockel: I picked Toney Freeman. Ronny deserved the fifth place spot I gave him but with Evan doing so well and Dexter being so bad, Ronny hit sixth - again.

7th: Jonnie Jackson: I picked Evan Centopani. Jonnie deserved this spot. He looked good. Definitely moving on from being a strong man to a bodybuilder.

8th: Roelly Winklaar: I picked Roelly Winklaar. Dead on here. Roelly has a great future ahead of him.

9th: Toney Freeman: I picked Sergey Shelestov. Toney didn't do as well as I had hoped. Sergey did almost this, it is just Jonnie Jackson did well; others were surprises.

10th: Ben Pakuski. I picked Ben Pakuski. The Pak Man will have a great future in this sport if he remembers one thing -- he is going to have to work very hard.

11th: Sergey Shelestov. Me: Fouad Abaid

12th: Fouad Abaid. Me: Jonnie Jackson

13th: Essa Obaid. Me: Robert Poitrkowicz (Mohammad Touri did not compete)

14th: Robert Poitrkowicz. Me: Essa Obaid

Looking at it I did pretty good for a guy who has only been looking at men's bodybuilding for a couple years. I had the order pretty close. Dexter Jackson not doing well and a stronger than expected performance from Even Centopani and Jonnie Jackson were the only things I really got wrong. Toney Freeman was a slight disappointment. The rest I was very close (1 or 2 placings off either way) and I nailed three of them including the winner.

To Team MD (Muscular Development Magazine) - Congratulations: 1st, 2nd and 3rd. You have to be proud.

Musclemag International: April 2011 - Review

Musclemag International's (MMI) April 2011 edition has as its focus getting ripped. That is cutting back the fat so you can see those abs you've been working on all winter long. You have been working on them right? It is the right time to start thinking about it, so MMI is trying to get a jump on that thinking.

Best Quote: "God gave men a penis and a brain but only enough blood to run one of them at a time" - Michael Alvear p.282. Sad, but so true.

Highlight Article: "Assault on Abs" - in keeping with the theme of this month, the highlight article is great in that it tackles all aspects of abdominal training save one - nutrition. That said, everything else is outstanding whether you lift at home or the gym this is a good one. (p. 100-116)

Best Regular Feature: I actually want to highlight whole group of them that gives MMI it one truly great unique feature -- The back of the entire magazine is called Musclemag Hardcore. This effectively gives you two magazines for the price of one. MMI's Hardcore has tips and advice from real pros including one of my favorites Joel Stubbs. Why is he a favorite of mine? Because he is six feet, three inches tall. Just one inch shorter than me, so his advice often is more helpful to the taller bodybuilder such as myself. Also here are Mark Dugdale, Johnnie Jackson, Craig Richardson and Hidetada Yamagishi with regular features.

Notable Articles:
1. "Get Cut, Caveman Style" - Not only is this great article on the paleo nutrition plan, which highlights the current debate in nutritional understandings, it also gives me a chance to praise illustrator Mark Collins. Mark gives MMI some its unique graphics content, not only in an article like this one, but also in Muscle Bites where he offers up a unique illustration for each report given. (p.122-130)
2. "Watch Out Megflab is Officially Contagious" - Johnny Fitness is SO RIGHT on this one! (p.48-49)
3. "America's Strongest Family" -- Very inspirational article of IFBB Pro Andy Haman and his family. It is nice to see a father and mother pass on their love for fitness to all of their children. (p. 178-188)

Duds: Maybe I am being nit picky here but the sport med regular feature about spinal compression (p.80-82) seemed a little incomplete. It showed what options there are for treatment, but offered little in the way of preventative advice. Not a true dud, but missing something.

Graphics Content Review: Professional as always. Unique graphics for each article, unique illustrations and artwork. Photos crisp and clear; not grainy at all and that was true for both color and black and white. Eye candy this month is model Heather Shanholtz and she proves why married men should stay away from baseball if they wish to remain faithful.

Rating: Four and a half stars. This one was great. It has something for everyone and every fitness level. The articles are informative and well written without resorting to technical language. The graphics were outstanding. The focus of MMI is always about improving yourself at whatever level you may find yourself and this one demonstrates that very well. This issue is a demonstration of why I say it is the king of them all.