Blast From The Past...

[Universal Rep]

The Cage has been around at the Arnold since what, 2002 I think? From The Cage, years past:

Figured it was gettin' closer and the anticipation was growin'.... So why not stoke the fire a little more?????

The Cage:
2008: http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=400&section=
2007: http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=362&section= and http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=356&section=
2006: http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=304&section= and http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=303&section= and http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=302&section=
2005: http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=220&section= and http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=219&section= and http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=214&section=
2004: http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=152&section= and http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=153&section=

The House's take:
http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=398&section=

Sgt. Rock's take:
http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=218&section=

Some vid clips from last year's The Cage:
http://animalpak.com/html/article_details.cfm?ID=399&section=


Tell us what your experiences were....

[Mr. Dead]

Great stuff!!!

[DANO]

Good times had by all!

[Universal Rep]

I still remember readin' about the time they gave out real tats in The Cage. Anyone remember what year that was? We're talkin' the genuine thing with a real tat artist. From what I remember reading, there was a long line before the show management shut things down...

[J-Dawg]

I still remember readin' about the time they gave out real tats in The Cage. Anyone remember what year that was? We're talkin' the genuine thing with a real tat artist. From what I remember reading, there was a long line before the show management shut things down...

Ah yeah, I remember that. I think that was '04? We got shut down by Saturday. But not before a bunch of guys had already gotten Animal tattoos.

[Universal Rep]

Ah yeah, I remember that. I think that was '04? We got shut down by Saturday. But not before a bunch of guys had already gotten Animal tattoos.

That's dedication for Animal right there...

[InkdMuscle]

Ah yeah, I remember that. I think that was '04? We got shut down by Saturday. But not before a bunch of guys had already gotten Animal tattoos.

Shit do it again this year. I will gladly get ink'd up for ANIMAL

[Little Z]

Seein those shots of "Vag" aka Barbender from 04 were amazing, major memories there. Those Bench seminars from him always got nuts..

Its great seein all those shots from Expos of the past, and next week.. there will be more to add..

[Universal Rep]

Shit do it again this year. I will gladly get ink'd up for ANIMAL

It was shut down at the Arnold. However, from what I heard, the show planners at the following Olympia wanted it and the Animal tats were done again.

[Little Z]

It was shut down at the Arnold.

Thats why you make it available at an off site location ;) hahah jk.. would be sweet to see the masses come in a get Inkd up again..

[Universal Rep]

there will be more to add..

So who's takin' a camera and/or vid camera? And are we talkin' hi def?

[InkdMuscle]

It was shut down at the Arnold. However, from what I heard, the show planners at the following Olympia wanted it and the Animal tats were done again.


So who's takin' a camera and/or vid camera? And are we talkin' hi def?

Well if its there im get'n one.

I know my SoCal Crew will be bring cameras and video. not sure of the hidef. but im gonna hit some friends up who have that and see if i can borrow it.

[Little Z]

So who's takin' a camera and/or vid camera? And are we talkin' hi def?

we ALL know D has us covered on a camera, and if I can make it, ill have one as well.. HD.. now we're talkin.. I WISH! haha

[dannynb]

So who's takin' a camera and/or vid camera? And are we talkin' hi def?

I will have a camera on hand...my girl has a nice one and is actually pretty talented at taking pics.

[Cstlfx]

Whoa, Monica Brandt was part of the Animal crew?

I also love the progression of pictures, a few people, a few more, more still, then a massive amount of people.

[Sgt Rock]

Yes we all used to work with Monica but she has moved on in a different direction. You should see the newer crew of the Animal girls now! I am soo bad with names, but the attractive blonde young lady, who is a bber is SOOO KNOWLEDGEABLE on supps and training etc, def give her a holla! She is just soooooo nice! As far as the other gals, totally hot, but their best quality is they are SOOOOO cool to work with, and dont think for one moment they dont train hard to look that good! They know their stuff on the Universal line for sure!!! Ah the good old days! There are only a few that have been here longer than I have, Vinny jumps to the top of the list! Six years for Sgt Rock going strong and I can honestly say, each year gets EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE! I can promise you one thing guys, THIS YEAR WILL TOP ALL PREVIOUS YEARS, FROM WHAT WE PROS HAVE IN STORE DOWN TO THE NEW UNIFORMS AND TOP SECRET APPAREL FOR SALE IN THE CAGE.....THIS IS ONE YEAR THAT WILL BUST ALL BARRIERS! If this is your first year visiting us, you picked the right year!!!!!! Unlike some other booths, Animal pros autograph all items and take ALL photos anytime...FOR FREE! It is OUR PLEASURE and an honor to be able to help out the fans and the animal family. Universal is a family owned business, and if you hang out in the cage, you will see that the pros treat each other like family, we have the utmost respect for each other as well as you. As for the real tattoos in the cage, that is FACT. We had a line wrapping around halfway to the exits! Many recieved their FREE ANIMAL LOGO tattoo before we got shutdown due to a technicality. It still remains one of the many innovative ideas the Cage has invented, many have attempted to follow suit with our ideas including mini cages and mini bench for reps contests etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Remember EVERY SINGLE YEAR ARNOLD STOPS BY THE CAGE, HE MAKES IT A POINT TO ALWAYS STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO THE NUMBER ONE BOOTH AT THE EXPO.

Semper Fi

[dannynb]

Yes we all used to work with Monica but she has moved on in a different direction. You should see the newer crew of the Animal girls now! I am soo bad with names, but the attractive blonde young lady, who is a bber is SOOO KNOWLEDGEABLE on supps and training etc, def give her a holla! She is just soooooo nice! As far as the other gals, totally hot, but their best quality is they are SOOOOO cool to work with, and dont think for one moment they dont train hard to look that good! They know their stuff on the Universal line for sure!!! Ah the good old days! There are only a few that have been here longer than I have, Vinny jumps to the top of the list! Six years for Sgt Rock going strong and I can honestly say, each year gets EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE! I can promise you one thing guys, THIS YEAR WILL TOP ALL PREVIOUS YEARS, FROM WHAT WE PROS HAVE IN STORE DOWN TO THE NEW UNIFORMS AND TOP SECRET APPAREL FOR SALE IN THE CAGE.....THIS IS ONE YEAR THAT WILL BUST ALL BARRIERS! If this is your first year visiting us, you picked the right year!!!!!! Unlike some other booths, Animal pros autograph all items and take ALL photos anytime...FOR FREE! It is OUR PLEASURE and an honor to be able to help out the fans and the animal family. Universal is a family owned business, and if you hang out in the cage, you will see that the pros treat each other like family, we have the utmost respect for each other as well as you. As for the real tattoos in the cage, that is FACT. We had a line wrapping around halfway to the exits! Many recieved their FREE ANIMAL LOGO tattoo before we got shutdown due to a technicality. It still remains one of the many innovative ideas the Cage has invented, many have attempted to follow suit with our ideas including mini cages and mini bench for reps contests etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Remember EVERY SINGLE YEAR ARNOLD STOPS BY THE CAGE, HE MAKES IT A POINT TO ALWAYS STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO THE NUMBER ONE BOOTH AT THE EXPO.

Semper Fi

Oh....hell.....yes....

[rev8ball]

It was shut down at the Arnold. However, from what I heard, the show planners at the following Olympia wanted it and the Animal tats were done again.


Yep. And I was MC'ing the Cage that year. It was insane....

But I tell ya what: as awesome as the Cages were in years past, the progression has been unbelieveable! Each year gets better and better, and builds on the one before. I am down right terrified as to what's gonna unfold this year!!!!

[rev8ball]

Yes we all used to work with Monica but she has moved on in a different direction. You should see the newer crew of the Animal girls now! I am soo bad with names, but the attractive blonde young lady, who is a bber is SOOO KNOWLEDGEABLE on supps and training etc, def give her a holla! She is just soooooo nice! As far as the other gals, totally hot, but their best quality is they are SOOOOO cool to work with, and dont think for one moment they dont train hard to look that good! They know their stuff on the Universal line for sure!!! Ah the good old days! There are only a few that have been here longer than I have, Vinny jumps to the top of the list! Six years for Sgt Rock going strong and I can honestly say, each year gets EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE! I can promise you one thing guys, THIS YEAR WILL TOP ALL PREVIOUS YEARS, FROM WHAT WE PROS HAVE IN STORE DOWN TO THE NEW UNIFORMS AND TOP SECRET APPAREL FOR SALE IN THE CAGE.....THIS IS ONE YEAR THAT WILL BUST ALL BARRIERS! If this is your first year visiting us, you picked the right year!!!!!! Unlike some other booths, Animal pros autograph all items and take ALL photos anytime...FOR FREE! It is OUR PLEASURE and an honor to be able to help out the fans and the animal family. Universal is a family owned business, and if you hang out in the cage, you will see that the pros treat each other like family, we have the utmost respect for each other as well as you. As for the real tattoos in the cage, that is FACT. We had a line wrapping around halfway to the exits! Many recieved their FREE ANIMAL LOGO tattoo before we got shutdown due to a technicality. It still remains one of the many innovative ideas the Cage has invented, many have attempted to follow suit with our ideas including mini cages and mini bench for reps contests etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Remember EVERY SINGLE YEAR ARNOLD STOPS BY THE CAGE, HE MAKES IT A POINT TO ALWAYS STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO THE NUMBER ONE BOOTH AT THE EXPO.

Semper Fi



Bingo, bro...... bingo!

[Cstlfx]

I always know the best is going to come from you guys, specially the powerlifters. You guys treat the Cage like a meet. Cant wait to see the amazing lifts!

[InkdMuscle]

I couldnt be more happy then a pig in shit. This is my first year and coming from cali with several of my SoCal crew is going to be one hell of a memory. not to mention all the bad ass shit going on. I cant wait to meet all my brothers and sisters from a far. See ya'll there.

[Vinny G]

Yes we all used to work with Monica but she has moved on in a different direction. You should see the newer crew of the Animal girls now! I am soo bad with names, but the attractive blonde young lady, who is a bber is SOOO KNOWLEDGEABLE on supps and training etc, def give her a holla! She is just soooooo nice! As far as the other gals, totally hot, but their best quality is they are SOOOOO cool to work with, and dont think for one moment they dont train hard to look that good! They know their stuff on the Universal line for sure!!! Ah the good old days! There are only a few that have been here longer than I have, Vinny jumps to the top of the list! Six years for Sgt Rock going strong and I can honestly say, each year gets EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE! I can promise you one thing guys, THIS YEAR WILL TOP ALL PREVIOUS YEARS, FROM WHAT WE PROS HAVE IN STORE DOWN TO THE NEW UNIFORMS AND TOP SECRET APPAREL FOR SALE IN THE CAGE.....THIS IS ONE YEAR THAT WILL BUST ALL BARRIERS! If this is your first year visiting us, you picked the right year!!!!!! Unlike some other booths, Animal pros autograph all items and take ALL photos anytime...FOR FREE! It is OUR PLEASURE and an honor to be able to help out the fans and the animal family. Universal is a family owned business, and if you hang out in the cage, you will see that the pros treat each other like family, we have the utmost respect for each other as well as you. As for the real tattoos in the cage, that is FACT. We had a line wrapping around halfway to the exits! Many recieved their FREE ANIMAL LOGO tattoo before we got shutdown due to a technicality. It still remains one of the many innovative ideas the Cage has invented, many have attempted to follow suit with our ideas including mini cages and mini bench for reps contests etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Remember EVERY SINGLE YEAR ARNOLD STOPS BY THE CAGE, HE MAKES IT A POINT TO ALWAYS STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO THE NUMBER ONE BOOTH AT THE EXPO.

Semper Fi

DITTO, but let me add this:

if this is your first time going to the CAGE, you are in for a treat with the added events.
i'm excited to be able to MC the CAGE the whole weekend, and if you know me....i have some ideas as to get the crowd going....

just hope i dont get kicked out again, who was that, that asked security to remove me....was that in 05 or 06? LOL

I have a more selfish reason than most to be apart of the CAGE this year.

every year i keep going back with nothing to show but just being a vet of the sport, and probably the longest guy under contract with universal.

it took me 13 years but i finally did it, i earned my pro card by winning the overall masters nationals last year....i'll be one happy camper in the CAGE this year.

hanging around and watching G diesel, OX, Big Ant, Sgt Rock, and HOUSE train and have that fire...thats what pushed me last year, that was my inspiration....they dont realize how important they are to me, and how the whole attitude of the cage has broke me, and rebuilt me.....i mean those words.

my journey has been a long one, but well worth it.
and i hope my story and all my brothers in the cage will inspire you when you stop by.

you are in for a blast.

[Sgt Rock]

Vinny is the best MC in the expo...its fact, dont argue with me for I wont even listen. We FEED OFF EACH OTHER, the bbers and Plers in the Cage are brothers and sisters, unlike ANY OTHER BOOTH IN THE EXPO. You will see the real time emotion, you wont be able to hear yourself speak. I do remember when Vinny got kicked out and I feel part to blame as I was rooting for him to jack up the music etc lol!

I have gone over my pulls over and over and over, thousands of times in my head. Each time I can hear by very close friend Vin getting the crowd AMPED up. When I get down to grab that bar with 800 on it, keep yelling but take a look around, there will be zero doubt as to the outcome, same with Byrdman and the other Pros, success is inevitable, it is what we train for, it is what we live for, it is simply what we do. Vinny and I in particular have formed a brotherlike bond and have pushed each others training to all new levels. I cannot wait to showcase the results.

Semper Fi

[Phil800101]

Yes we all used to work with Monica but she has moved on in a different direction. You should see the newer crew of the Animal girls now! I am soo bad with names, but the attractive blonde young lady, who is a bber is SOOO KNOWLEDGEABLE on supps and training etc, def give her a holla! She is just soooooo nice! As far as the other gals, totally hot, but their best quality is they are SOOOOO cool to work with, and dont think for one moment they dont train hard to look that good! They know their stuff on the Universal line for sure!!! Ah the good old days! There are only a few that have been here longer than I have, Vinny jumps to the top of the list! Six years for Sgt Rock going strong and I can honestly say, each year gets EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE! I can promise you one thing guys, THIS YEAR WILL TOP ALL PREVIOUS YEARS, FROM WHAT WE PROS HAVE IN STORE DOWN TO THE NEW UNIFORMS AND TOP SECRET APPAREL FOR SALE IN THE CAGE.....THIS IS ONE YEAR THAT WILL BUST ALL BARRIERS! If this is your first year visiting us, you picked the right year!!!!!! Unlike some other booths, Animal pros autograph all items and take ALL photos anytime...FOR FREE! It is OUR PLEASURE and an honor to be able to help out the fans and the animal family. Universal is a family owned business, and if you hang out in the cage, you will see that the pros treat each other like family, we have the utmost respect for each other as well as you. As for the real tattoos in the cage, that is FACT. We had a line wrapping around halfway to the exits! Many recieved their FREE ANIMAL LOGO tattoo before we got shutdown due to a technicality. It still remains one of the many innovative ideas the Cage has invented, many have attempted to follow suit with our ideas including mini cages and mini bench for reps contests etc. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! Remember EVERY SINGLE YEAR ARNOLD STOPS BY THE CAGE, HE MAKES IT A POINT TO ALWAYS STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO THE NUMBER ONE BOOTH AT THE EXPO.

Semper Fi


Vinny is the best MC in the expo...its fact, dont argue with me for I wont even listen. We FEED OFF EACH OTHER, the bbers and Plers in the Cage are brothers and sisters, unlike ANY OTHER BOOTH IN THE EXPO. You will see the real time emotion, you wont be able to hear yourself speak. I do remember when Vinny got kicked out and I feel part to blame as I was rooting for him to jack up the music etc lol!

I have gone over my pulls over and over and over, thousands of times in my head. Each time I can hear by very close friend Vin getting the crowd AMPED up. When I get down to grab that bar with 800 on it, keep yelling but take a look around, there will be zero doubt as to the outcome, same with Byrdman and the other Pros, success is inevitable, it is what we train for, it is what we live for, it is simply what we do. Vinny and I in particular have formed a brotherlike bond and have pushed each others training to all new levels. I cannot wait to showcase the results.

Semper Fi

The Cage is amazing. The whole crew is awesome. Everybody is down to earth and approachable, and Vinny is one hell of an MC. On top of that, there are the seminars, exhibitions, and contests. There is seriously nothing like it.

I lost my voice last year I was cheering/yelling so hard during the exhibitions...alot of us did. These are some vids I shot of the lifting exhibitons:

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/Sgt%20Rock/?action=view&current=705.flv

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/J%20Rock/?action=view&current=Pic146.flv

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/Big%20Dog/?action=view&current=Pic156.flv

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/Squat%20Off/?action=view&current=Pic151.flv

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/Squat%20Off/?action=view&current=Pic152.flv

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/The%20Lad/?action=view&current=Pic160.flv

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/The%20Lad/?action=view&current=Pic159.flv



Remember EVERY SINGLE YEAR ARNOLD STOPS BY THE CAGE, HE MAKES IT A POINT TO ALWAYS STOP IN AND SAY HELLO TO THE NUMBER ONE BOOTH AT THE EXPO.

Semper Fi

Yup.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj206/Phil800101/Phil800101%20at%20the%20Arnold%20Expo/Pic114-1.jpg