Can’t tell you how good it is to be back in the gym with you guys. I hope you’re still training hard and getting ready for April when the shirt comes off.

Meanwhile, I’m keeping my muscles guessing, shocking them and making things happen. Here are some new moves for LevroneReport.com, and some things I haven’t done in a long time.

Part of what makes bodybuilding exciting is changing up the workouts. The great thing about this journey is that we’ll never run out of new approaches.

Once you learn to deeply appreciate that aspect of bodybuilding, try to pass that appreciation on to people in your life who could benefit from weight training.

Weight training is seen by so many as pain and drudgery, but we know that it’s an art form, an adventure, an emotional release, and an act of creation, all rolled into one. Something everyone can benefit from.

Watch this video – I’m giving it all I got, visualizing every rep, pushing the heart rate. Your presence is still bringing out the best in me, so thanks for training with me for what will soon be a year. Amazing.

Post a video, I want to see what you got – especially on the dumbell rows. I pulled 150 lbs dumbells on this video, son. Let’s see how full-blown YOU can get with those. I’m dying to find out.

Some of you guys who own the comment board, why not finally put your money where your mouth is.  :) (If you can’t post a video, write it below.)

Peace, Kevin

Congratulations to Kai Greene. You can read the Men’s Finals Review here. Thanks for submitting your guesses – I don’t think any of us guessed correctly but it was a worthwhile thread, nonetheless. –  Kevin

The Arnold Sports Festival 2010 is finally here. It brings back great memories of winning in 1994 and 1996, pictured left.

There are a lot of great competitors this year. My feeling is Phil Heath will win, followed by Dexter Jackson, Branch Warren, Kai Greene, Melvin Anthony, in that order. Let me know what your predictions are below.

In addition to hosting an incredible variety of sports competitions for both men and women competitors, the Arnold Sports Festival provides benefits to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, which is a great thing.

It’s a unique event and you might want to check out the free webcast on Bodybuilding.com.

I have a good, solid back workout that will hopefully be posted tonight, so stay tuned. Don’t forget to get your top five predictions in, below.

– Kevin

PS: First taste of Levrone Formula will be available on the blog as early as next week.

Here’s a move for building explosive strength with heavy weight when you don’t have a spotter. Give it a shot, it’s a different kind of feeling and it definitely shocked my chest.

Sometimes we feel like moving heavy weights. It provides a sense of accomplishment, a milestone, a concrete goal, clear evidence of your pecking order in the gym. And there’s no question that heavy weights are needed to gain mass.

But it’s important to remember that your muscle is oblivious to pecking order, it doesn’t care what number is engraved on the dumbells. Champions know that training hard is not always a story that can be told in numbers.

It’s all about how your muscle feels, and I can tell you, when it comes to the 25lb progressive load dumbell presses I do in this video – I’m feeling it.

Use the band and you can go with much heavier weight without a spotter, build explosive strength and shock the muscle in a new way, which is what this week is all about.

I’ll have a more complete workout posted up next.

Kevin

This weekend I was honored to go to the Santee High School Community Resource Fair to meet up with my friend Michael Torchia, founder and president of Shape Up America Campaign,  and Miriam Long, Deputy Mayor at The City Of Los Angeles.

It was a great event that offered free health services and activities. We had an obstacle course, boot-camp-style  workouts, pushups, running, jumping rope. It gave the kids a chance to not only learn some exercises, but have a good time doing it.

I had a chance to speak with Michael about his Shape Up America Campaign 30-city tour that’s kicking off in downtown Los Angeles on March 14th.

I’m looking forward to speaking at the March 14th event, so it was great to catch up with Michael and give him a chance to explain to us the inspiration behind the program.

Michael gave props to the bodybuilders when it comes to battling the obesity epidemic and inspiring kids to get active and stay healthy.

If you spend a lot of time in the gym chances are you’ve inspired kids to work out simply by the way you look. That adds a meaningful dimension to being a bodybuilder.

As a member of the Levrone Report community, please always be on the lookout for new opportunities to make a difference and influence kids in a positive direction.

It was also a big honor to talk with the Deputy Mayor about change, making a difference, and what it means to be a role model. It’s always a message worth spreading so the footage is below.

Back in the gym tomorrow.

Peace.

This week we’re shocking the muscles so hang on tight. I need to shake things up if I’m going to reach my goal by April, so it’s time for some shock treatment to get my muscles to respond differently after doing the same workouts for months.

In life, just like in training, change and growth can come from sudden, bold ACTION in a new direction. Something to upset the balance of those same old moves and get us on the path to new growth.

Do it right and you’ll feel your body on high alert, your heart rate will be higher than usual. You’ll reach new levels of focus and intensity as you battle to control the foreign moves, and the novelty of the new challenges will add exhilaration to your routine.

That’s what’s needed right now. More effort, more challenge, more exhilaration and drive. Because come April, the shirt comes off. That’s our target month to see what’s up with me AND with you.

Shock treatment is always part of the process in the life of a champion on an endless transformation. Change it up with me this week, and let me know how it’s going for you. We’re a team, so let’s keep communicating and sharing the wisdom.

Kevin

Here’s my conversation with Rishi below. I can tell he has the intensity to get the job done, all he needs is some guidance. Does that sound like you, too?

The Rishi Transformation can be your transformation. I’m connecting to Rishi directly, but I’m sharing the tips and advice with you all the way.

Watch this video and focus, visualize what it feels like to be in on the conversation, live through Rishi’s experience and get the same jolt of urgency you need to get the same benefits.

I’m not on the phone with all of you, but I know you’re out there. You are part of this. This is your moment, too. Step up and make this transformation your own. I will do my part to guide you, please do yours. All levels welcome.

My own transformation is still on, full blown. I’m rapidly moving toward my goal of a lean & mean 220 lbs. I decided at the beginning of this year that I have to get ripped to the bone and very balanced. Failure is not an option.

I’m closing in on my goal. When I get there, you’ll be the first to know.

Thanks Rishi for stepping up to the plate, putting yourself on the line. Get ready to work, bro. The eyes of the community are on you and they are waiting to follow your example. Let’s do this.

– Kevin

Here are leg exercises I want you to try. Most of us know how to do basic squats, leg presses, etc. Here are movements that focus on outer quads, the glute-hamstring tie-in and all the stabilizing muscles that play a part in strengthening your squat.

These are pro-grade exercises that I personally did while getting ready for the Olympia stage. Anyone can do these, and they’re great for ripping up the legs, and they also give you that functional muscle you need to move like an athlete or a warrior – which is all part of my quest for a lean & mean 220 lbs, which combines strength, definition and balance for the ultimate well-rounded physique.

So get psyched up for leg day, take these new exercises for a test-drive and feel the burn. These are new weapons in your arsenal from the Levrone playbook. Use them well, and let me know how it all goes down.

Remember I was telling you that Lexie did some wrestling? Here’s her team picture, below. How many other girls can you count on her team? This says a lot about her character, her drive and determination. She’s not afraid of opposition and obstacles. It’s going to be a great transformation.

Today I talked with Lexie, one of our winners from the Train With Levrone YouTube contest. Footage from the conversation is below.

Lexie has some wrestling experience, and her goal now is to build a physique worthy of competing in figure competition.

When Lexie wrestled, she often had nobody in her corner except, ”me, myself and I.”

Lexie, you’re no longer alone. None of us are alone in the Levrone Report community. We’ll help you reach your goals, we’re your brothers in this mission. From here on out, we got your back.

As a female, you’re in a minority here among a tough, iron-worn culture of men. Yet you’re stepping up to the challenge without hesitation. This kind of courage is not just inspiring to women. It’s inspiring to all of us.

Guys, please join me in giving Lexie the respect, support and encouragement she deserves. I have no doubt she’ll return the favor with work, discipline and outstanding results.

PS: Stay tuned for a conversation with our other winner, Rishi, and new results from Andrew.

Check out how the pros build a big, thick, cut back. Do it like this and it WILL WORK. Pay close attention to the bar selection, hand position and form.

As always, let me know if you have any questions/comments. You always do. That’s what I love about this place.

This was a great workout. I’m amped up and conditioned.  I’m losing weight while maintaining all my strength.

If you’re following along on the same path, let me know how it’s going.

PS: Thanks to the huge number of people who downloaded Levrone Audio Training, Chest Quest, in the past few days. Feedback has been amazing. I invested a lot of resources into making it an unusual product, and priced it so that everyone could get it. Thanks for your faith.  – Kevin Levrone