PROMO: "Why I Remember..."

[Universal Rep]

The Cage. That place is just a collection of gym equipment, fencing, banners, benches and such. Yet, once filled up, is chock full of good times and memories. If you've been there, you know what I mean. So here's the score... If you've been, tell us the best memory you had of being in The Cage, from 2002-2009. What was it that struck ya most? What does the Cage mean to you? What makes The Cage so special? The three best entries will win...

(1) Animal Gym Bag (autographed by any an all from the Animal Crew)

(1) Animal Pak (personal fav #1)

(1) Animal Flex (personal fav #2)

(1) Animal Omega (personal fav #3)

(1) "Project Z" (officially named Animal PM)

(1) Of each t-shirt sold and given away in The Cage: Commemorative "The Cage" shirt? A possible "Breach" shirt? A new Animal Legacy T shirt? Other LE Animal Ts? So many questions...

(1) Out of stock (and formerly limited edition) Vintage Animal Pak T-shirt (size L only)

(1) Animal Wrist Wraps

(1) Animal Lifting Straps

(1) Animal Skullie

(1) Animal Cap

So fellas, I'll start the campfire... Now it's up to you to share ur stories. Wanna see stories with heart and sincerity. Good luck. Winners to be announced in The Box.

Eligibility: You gotta be at least 18; you gotta be in The Cage to pick up ur prize; yo gotta have been to The Cage before; yo gotta be a member of the FORVM. That is all.

[InkdMuscle]

I have many memories. but since I am an intern that right there is prize in it self. So ill let others post. But 09 by far set my year. NG and I had talked a lot through out the 09 year. So Firedrake and myself was one of the first to get to the cage on friday. Straight off the bat I run into NG. And from jump street he knew who i was. I didnt even have to mention my name. IT was like getting reunited with a brother who lived far away instead of just meeting a new bro for the first time. Then from that moment on, it was just a big family gathering. It never even seemed like a booth at an expo. Just a big family party and you were finally saying hello to family members who you hadnt seen in years.

I cant wait for this years Cage. ITS ON!!!!

[deanna7272]

The memories that I treasure most happened over the weekend of The Cage 2008, and for several reasons. I had just become a member in late 12/2007 and attended my first ABC in Columbus, early 1/2008. At this ABC, the athlete that was lifting there was Vinny Galanti. Other than Erik, I had no idea who any of these "ANIMALS" were, but with what I saw there, I was hooked.

I attended the Cage that year and what a whirlwind weekend I had. I can not even begin to recall EVERYTHING that happened that weekend, but I do remember being so nervous that I didn't sleep AT ALL Thursday night!!! I really had no idea what to expect.

When I walked in on Friday morning, I was alone and really didn't know what was going to happen from that point on. I walked up to The Cage and feeling a bit intimidated, I just stood back, looking in awe. As I am scanning the crowd, I met a familiar face and this person looked my way and said, "Come in here".... ME?? THERE??? INSIDE THERE??? SERIOUSLY??? It was Vinny, he told me not to worry. I was scared that I was going to be kicked out... Who was I?? I was just a lady from Ohio that had just lost a bunch of weight and got serious about training and stepping onstage. I didn't know what was going on around me... Vinny told me to just soak it all in, that I was allowed to be there because he told me I could be there... All I could think was Ummm , okay.... I guess I'll just sit right here...

At that point, I was about 4 feet away while Sgt. Rock was giving his seminar. I was trying to listen to what he was saying, but being so overwhelmed, I heard very little... That was just the beginning...

I could go on but to list the memories that weekend.... Being invited INTO the Cage (thank you Vinny), getting to meet so many that had the same passion, being allowed to eat my prep food "behind the scenes" (that's fellas), the Max & Erma's steak dinner fiasco (LMAO), the pig farming conversation that night (OHHHH MY), having Big Ant teach me the proper way to flex my biceps and bring out my lats (the only thing is I can't use that in figure...lol), when Machine asked me to watch his luggage, but being scared to death to talk to him, being enveloped by Big Al's squeeze (which is now a tradition), and to top the entire weeekend off the National ABC (HOLY MOLY)... and last but not least, I appreciate being accepted for who I am and who I strive to be, without having to expose the literal T&A that the other booths seem to "require" from females...

I met SO many people that have become my BEST friends and most are closer to me than my family!! I was accepted into the group from what seemed like day one. I wasn't quite sure where I would fit in the mix of things, but now, I know where I need to be.

It may not be the best written essay, I could've been more poetic (lol), but I logged on, saw this, and knew I had to write something...

[ghost]

Why do I remember the Cage?

My first trip to the cage was 2 years ago. I was hanging around and kept asking J-Dawg if there was anything that needed to be done... and he was being nice and kept saying that everything was squared away. 5 minutes later he came over to me asking if I would be willing to run and get change from $20's. a couple of hours later I was still behind the booth helping sell shirts and hand stuff out. One of the guys from Corporate asked if I was being paid to be back there helping... I started laughing and said I wouldn't accept anything and that I loved this company too much to be doing anything else. That was 2 years ago.

Last year, they started talking about doing "cage runners"... I doubt it was because of me, but I know I helped with the concept because I wasn't going anywhere. I have done everything from Running around, to racking weights, to spotting, selling merch.
2 years ago, BigAnt and I went walking around for a little while, and we were both commenting on the amount of other Pro's who were charging for autographs, or even face time.... and there I was, walking around with one of our Pro's, laughing and just having a great time. That is what makes this place so great.

Another really funny story was from last year. Mjsef and I were asked by Big_Byrd to give him a hand grabbing his Chains.

Here we are, chains around our necks pushing people out of the way on our way back to the cage so he could do his lifts. such great memories.

[mritter3]

last year was my first year, and a very memorable one at that...but like Inkd put it...im lucky enough to be chosen to be an intern, so i will let some other cats come forward and have a chance at this one....a great promo though...be crazy not to jump in this one fellas...good luck to everyone who enters.

[LayzieBone085]

O
M
G

Do want to enter, gonnna think this over from last year... a memory to remember.

[shortstack]

Last year was my second year at the cage and it exceded my expectations from the previous year. I signed up on the forum to workout with a pro and picked Derik "The Freak" Farnsworth. Nick "Inkdmuscle" also picked him and we had a little back and forth for a couple months, each trying to push the other to do more in order to "earn" the right to get picked

When I finally got to the cage and meet both Farnsworth and Nick for the first time we hit it of like family and Nick and I both got the opportunity to work with Derik not for just one night but for 2. Through out that weekend, in and out of the cage, I forged some lifetime friendships and got the chance to experience what training with and elite athlete is like...and all for the cost of friendship.

Universal and the Animal reps set up once in a life time opportunities, and then invite you back to do it year after year. They offer opportunities to make yourself better than you could on your own just for coming to the cage. They don't ask for anything in return except giving your all.

I chose to start using Universal products but the cage and the Animal family inside it are why I keep coming back to Ohio year after year.

Jeremy

[dannynb]

My first trip to The Cage was last year....and all I can say is wow. To be that close and personal with the Pro's and meeting people I had talked to numerous times on the boards was great. To me it didn't feel like I was at a bb'ing event, but more like a family bbq. Never being blown off and accepted by those that had a passion such as I. Finally feeling like I was at a place I belonged. I got to lift with House and that entire weekend talking with him really motivated me. I mean being a family man and having a love to compete, he is a walking proof that it can be done. Also on a more personal note, the trip to the Cage was special because me and my girl have a tendancy to fight more than not, and that entire weekend we did not have one argument. So that right there was nice to have a weekend with my girl and to have it be a great weekend. Back to the Cage, just getting to be in the atmosphere, listening to the Pro's talk, and to get to ask questions and to have them answered. Not to mention I was helping work the entrance to The Box and helping with people signing up for the Bench your weight contest when several people came up asking for my autograph like I was someone big...LOL now that right there is something I will never forget. Honestly it was awesome getting to see the Pro's, seeing NG and G again was great, hanging with House and having a serious father talk with him, but getting to meet everyone from all over the country was just great. This is one event I will not miss from now till dooms day. All I can do is thank Animal/Universal for the oppurtunity for all this...you guys don't have to have The Cage, you could have just another booth but you don't. You guys really take into consideration your supporters, and bring a top notch game, bettering it year after year. So I tip my hat to you boys and say thank you, thank you so much.

[naturalguy]

Great promo and great prize

[jayanticoli]

THE CAGE:......Ive only been to the cage once...slowly approaching my second time as we speak. But the first time is always gonna stick out in my mind. Now i dont want to try and be poetic and profound but there is a certain feeling that came over me the first time i saw an animalpak article thus leading to the first time i logged onto th forum. There was a feeling of excitment and rage all in one...Not a negative sort of rage but one to get the job done, like a fire under your ass. I posted and read posts for over a year..went to one or two ABC's and then finally took the 8hr trek to columbus last March. A trip that i will never forget. I was so excited the whole way there and i had plans of seeing all these different exhibitions and different shows throughout the weekend. But late on that Friday afternoon once i arrived i never left the cage or the area surrounding the cage....i was completley absorbed by everthing that was ANIMAL...i didnt want to leave because i didnt want to miss anything...everything else going on in that 500,000 some sq ft building was completly irrelavant....then came the National ABC....Now i was around the cage all day and talkin to some guys and seeing some of the pros....but nonetheless my anxiety about training with all these pros around me did make me slightly nervous....my friend and I went down to metro showing up late of course (lol)....and we were brought right into the gang and hung with all the members and pros like it was a normal day...no judgement...no concietedness....just an all around bettering of everyone there, cause everyone there wanted to help you.....these are some main reasons why the cage and the national of 09' were memorable and inspriring and as long as its humanly and financially possible i will never miss another one from here on......The cage puts off this certain aura and it draws onloookers to it constantly...people that have no idea what animal is...and they do it with such class and style...its an amazing thing to witness

[LayzieBone085]

The Cage. That place is just a collection of gym equipment, fencing, banners, benches and such. Yet, once filled up, is chock full of good times and memories. If you've been there, you know what I mean. So here's the score... If you've been, tell us the best memory you had of being in The Cage, from 2002-2009. What was it that struck ya most? What does the Cage mean to you? What makes The Cage so special? The three best entries will win...

Eligibility: You gotta be at least 18; you gotta be in The Cage to pick up ur prize; yo gotta have been to The Cage before; yo gotta be a member of the FORVM. That is all.

The best memory of the cage was my first trip last year, I was blown away walking into the Arnold Expo to be honest, because this is something you just cannot miss. It towers over any other booth and really is the mecca of the expo. People surround this cage, the individuals inside of it are all full of knowledge, and its people who want to take their nutrition, dieting, and supplementation to a whole nother level. The memory alone of seeing the cage, being in there, and being a part of the VIP section blew me away. Meeting up with Natural Guy, Broc (Littleman55), The House, and the rest of the pro's really made me realize that I am living a dream and in a place where millions of individuals would kill to be. It was a blessing to be a part of the cage and to remember the memory of what the pro's shot the shit about, and all the good times hanging in the VIP section meeting people off of this board and bodybuilding.com

What struck me most? The fact that I finally got to put faces to names. Its great to talk on these forums and gain a ton of knowledge, but being in the cage does not account for anything you ever get online. Talking to Natural Guy, hearing about what Universal had up their sleeve, and future plans was a great thing. It was also a pleasure to meet individuals on here who have supported me and talk to them in real life. Broc (littleman55) and burt (BCON) who I did not get to meet but we keep in touch was a lot of motivation to meet the people who tell me to keep pushing and leave all the BS behind and overcome the obstacles ( as i deal with low testosterone) knowing these brothers have been by my side through the thick in thin really hit my heart hard to meet the people who have backed me for so long. Seeing the house again and again as we lift every now and then at Pittsburgh ABC's was a treat, its always good to pick his brain and learn new stuff about training every time I meet the guy. Not the mention the amount of people that have to hang outside the cage because of how fast it fills up to the events Universal runs everyday.

What does the cage mean to me? Brotherhood, nothing else. You cannot find a group of individuals so dedicated towards one company. Weather its diet, supplements, training, and friendship Universal bonds all of this into their company and this place in the cage. You come here, you make life long friends, and you acquire knowledge that will never leave your head. You come in there a strong person, and leave a stronger person that has gained another edge in their training or learned a few tips to include in their diet. Knowing I can come to this place is like a second home. If it was held up all year I would pitch a tent and never leave because I know these individuals have my back like my family has my back thats how much I trust these people and how much they MEAN to me. Universal has been on top of the game since they started, now they have become a dominant force in the supplement industry on top of setting the bar for promo's and giveaways.

What makes the cage so special? Its presence. Everyone knows when they walk into the arnold expo that the cage is bringing the house down when it comes to events and give aways. People are lined up to just get in the damn thing because its crowded 24/7 and filled. It is one of the main attractions at the expo making it beyond exceptional. While other companies set up booths to give out samples universal is selling clothing, giving away supps, letting pro's give out knowledge and advice, they hold lifting events between individuals and pro's, and they hold a lifting event every saturday at the Arnold classic. Its special because it is not only something you remember in the expo, its the stuff you hear in there, the knowledge you take away that is forever lasting in your mind and on your heart. The brotherhood reach's out is felt for every individuals that steps foot in that cage.

With that said, I look forward to the cage this upcoming year, and i dreaded leaving last year and had my Animal calendar on my wall with a countdown ever since. So 1 month is left, and I have busted my ass harder then ever to show up this year with 15lbs of extra LBM to not look like a bitch compared to the pro's and bro's. Its motivation and fuel to the fire to see others in there and those pro's you look up to and consider role models.

[Mr. Dead]

Damn!!! Now that's a sweet PROMO!!!

[B Con]

Great promo and great prize

x 2.

I've seen several great entries... this is what it's all about.

[Kon_Rock]

This is Freakin awesome promo. I gotta get mine in here this weekend.

[Big C]

This is Freakin awesome promo. I gotta get mine in here this weekend.

This right here. Same here bro...I'll be snowed in probably this weekend so I will be writing mine up as well.

[Kon_Rock]

This right here. Same here bro...I'll be snowed in probably this weekend so I will be writing mine up as well.

Thats right snowed in, so story time about the Cage.

[smith06]

Last year was my second trip to the cage. In 2008 I didn't hang around nearly as much as in 2009. It felt great to be recognized by fellow forvm members who I had met at the 2 ABC's I had been to (Big C, Madcat, Anti-Asian, Stolz, and Dee). I also enjoyed being able to put faces to the names I had followed on here.

But my most memorable moment was when Arnold passed by during the "Blackout". I have looked up, admired, and idolized Wrath and House for as long as I have been hitting the weights. To see these guys starstruck the way we are to them was awesome. Just reminds ya that these guys are just like the rest of us. Just that they are at different stages in achieving the goals they have set forth.

[kymeat]

my first trip to the classic and immediately was drawn to the freaky cage in the middle of the convention room. got some pics, but didnt get to talk to many of the guys, every one seemed real busy. im definitely going to make another stop by this year and am pumped to meet and maybe get a set in of deads, bench, squat.... get some info and talk about adding more meat to my frame... 230 and can't bench 400 yet... getting close... 370 last summer for a max

everything is about intensity during sessions, and patience between right? pumped for the classic and see'n all my fellow freaks out in the open

[Firefist]

as much as id loooove this promo. this entry is just for kicks. im already blessed to be an intern, and anything more would be too much.

im gonna keep this short and simple.

I remember the first year i went to the arnold, just a few months after i picked up weights. I had heard a TON of stuff about it, and like most first time goers, i decided to go, just to load up on all the free samples. Waiting in line, up the escalators and through the skywalk, the anticipation was like no other. The line started moving, and we began our way through the long hallway.

We get in and I damn near shat myself. Hundreds of booths, a sea of gorgeous very.....revealing.....women, and plenty of colorful packets filled with shit I had no idea what it was. We start moving through the left side of the expo, doublehittin everything, filling up our bags and our greed. The day moved onwards, as did I and my partner. We made our way to the right side of the expo.

I start hearing a voice over a loudspeaker, counting, "4.....5.....6......7.....COME ON MAKE SOME NOISE!" We make our way towards the noise, coming from this fucking huge iron cage.

I make my way up to this huge contraption and see a group of fuckin HUGE guys walkin around, them and the crowd cheering on some freak in the squat rack putting up rediculous ammounts of weight for reps. To be honest, i was more scared and inspired. I thought everyone in that thing was fucking insane, and needed a mental institute more than a protien shake. "theres a damn good reason why that chain fence is there" i said to my freind. "One of those guys could fuckin eat me." that was my extent of stay at the cage. I went around again, freeloading like no other and left the expo at close. But, that single moment at the cage changed me forever.

Went home. Googled animalpak. Ordered some stuff from bb.com. Got results. Joined the FORVM.

The rest is history.

[Firefist]

One of EACH shirt at the cage, PLUS the old animalpak shirt?!?!?!

Good luck keepin the mob off, winner hahahaha.