Looking back at those pictures is great, nice to see progress since that group picture. I remember lifting at the ABC and it being as hot, if not hotter than, a few layers of hell. Sweat filled the floor like a flood had erupted. Mirrors and glass became useless as the breathe of the Animals filled the place. But did this slow anyones pace? Hell no. It was at a fever pitch. You could hear the iron clanging, moaning and groaning as if it were the one training its balls off. Everyone was digging deep, pounding away rep after rep, set after set. It started off like a symphony...but ending up sounding like a war had erupting against iron and flesh. No matter where you turned, whether it was the guys in the back grippin and rippin to those going ass to grass squats right along side of them, everyone was just flat out gettin it. The amount of beef in one place was of epic proportions. Reading these stories reminds me of how great it is training with those of a similiar mindset, to become more than just mere mortals, but to become something of legend. Can't wait to see what this year holds.
"There are those who say they could have, should haves...and those who simply stayed the course and are still here...thats what separates the champions from the rest of the crowd."
-Greg Long
This opportunity was too good to pass up ......I've taken a couple weeks to jot some things down and gather what I wanted to say before I just threw something together.
My first year at the Arnold was 2004. I went down with a couple guys from my gym and walked the expo several times. I guess I thought free samples were cool back then...now that would be the last reason I go down there. I saw the Cage then but didn't know much about it. Each year after that I tried to spend more time around the Cage....until finally last year I spent my entire trip there pretty much. What struck me the most? I guess the "realness" factor. Real guys....real weights....real heart and passion for what they do. I don't think you can say that about any other company/booth. Sure, every company wants to make money.....but what other company actually would treat me as one of its own? I can't think of any.
The Cage means a lot to me....I'm proud that my home state can host such an event as the Arnold Classic. I take a lot of pride in that. But it's much more than that...it's the intangables....the countless lifetime friends I've met through the company....some which I only get to see once a year at the Cage, many others I train with throughout the year. Supplements and supplement companies come and go....but it's the FRIENDS and memories with those individuals that I will always have. All of that comes together in the Cage. In my opinion the sponsored athletes and Forvm members all have one unique thing that brings us all together.....CHARACTER. The world is full of shady, untrusting people and I don't see any of that in the Cage. I feel right at home.
The Arnold would definately not be as special if the Cage wasn't there....in fact, I doubt I would even have the desire to go. I get anxious around big crowds anyway. But it's so worth it. Each year I take something new away with me....and this year I expect no different. It made it extra special for me when I was asked to compete in the Pros/Bros contest last year. Hell, it wasn't about winning or losing which I've said several times...it was such an honor to be asked to do this....plus I kind of made a name for myself. But don't think for a minute I wouldn't trade places with Ox, he is the man and future of this sport. This guy is a future Mr. Olympia and I can someday say I got to step in the same ring as him.
In summary, I take a lot of pride saying I'm "affiliated" with Universal/Animal. I feel they care about me, so I care about them. The Cage gets better every year, and in 10 days I'll be rocking out in Columbus with the many friends I've met through this Web site and Animal Barbell sessions. For me, that's what counts the most.
"It's all a fucking waste if you're not eating right... if you're not supplementing right... if you're not taking the proper steps to induce growth post workout you might as well stay home and jerk off." - G Diesel
This will be my 5th year at the Cage... this year as an internist. There have been alot of good stories posted and memories posted. I've decided to add mine.
The Cage to put it simply is home. Kinda like when you grow up and move out on your own, and have your own family, once you step back into your parents house.. your home. Instantly comfortable, part of the family, welcomed. I've made friends over the years that I see once a year at the Cage, others I see every month or so at an ABC, others I text or call daily or weekly. Animal is more then just the best supps on the market, its a brotherhood. The Cage is always busy, always full of people. From the new guy struggling to bench his bodyweight, to the iron warriors who have been in the game for decades, along with the many Pros... shoulder to shoulder talking to each other man to man, no one above or better then anyone else. The Cage is the center of the Arnold Expo universe.
So.. my favorite memory from the Cage. There are too many to mention. The smiles and hand shakes from old friends. The nod and hellos from House or Vinny ... Pros I have actually talked to, not just the typcial 'Hi.. can I get a pic' you have at most booths with their pros, but real conversations. And once in a while.. real workouts. Talking, sweating, training right beside guys you see in the magazines, watch and cheer for at the shows. The Cage brings all that together. It brings the Animal Brotherhood .. together.
6' 274# Time to peel away the fat
Current Stack: Pak, Flex, Fury, Atomic 7, Shock Therapy, Animal Whey, PM and ZMA
One thing I can't believe i forgot in my original entry: When ARNIE passed the Cage!!!
It's all gravy for us Animals to recognize the Cage as a stand-alone force at the Arnold, but it brought it above and beyond when Arnold Schwarzeneggar himself walked by the Cage, looked in, and said something along the lines of "What are you doing in there?!" (this was reported to me as a third party, so it could be wrong). Regardless of the accuracy of the quote though, the fact that Arnold himself took a minute to acknowledge the Cage brought the "holy s#!+" factor of the event to a whole new level.
Less than a week until we make a whole new weekend of memories!
-Silva-
"This isn't about ego or manliness. You wanna see my manhood, just ask. I'd be glad to show ya."
-G Diesel
Figured i would jump in on this one. I don't post a lot on here but i do read a lot and the stories of trial and triumph on here are amazing. I have been going to the arnold for 6 years and every year i make a point to spend time at the cage. I will admit i make my way around to the rest of the booths as i am a free stuff whore so i cant miss the opportunity. My fondest memories of the cage have come from the casual conversations i have had with the athletes there, here are these men who are competitve bodybuilders and powerlifters and they sit and talk with you as if they have known you for years. Back a few years ago "rhino" sat and talked with me for almost an hour and then a year later i went back and he was no longer with animal but a different company and he picked me out of the crowd because he remembered me and wanted to talk to me about my progress and what i had been up to, this showed me that he actually paid attention and had a genuine concern for the people he had talked to, see if that happens anywhere else with the "other" guys. So although this may not seem like a hugely memorable experience it was for me and i still remember it and thik about it. So i have seen the cage from its early beginnings in a 10x10 space to what it has grown into now, and will continue to stick by them to see the immense growth it will continue to see in the year sto come. thanks for reading and i will see you all at the cage!!
DON'T YOU THINK LIFE WOULD BE AWFULLY BORING, IF THE GOOD TIMES WERE ALL WE HAD!?
time is winding down on this one fellas, so if you got a cool story...or damn a story for that matter, toss it in here....you may end up with a cool ass prize.
"This place, this darkness... There’s no better place to be." – Wrath
Some people say that when a part of you're life ends, a new one begins. In 2003 I was trying to find my place in this world. It was a time in my life where "things" were being lost and my purpose in life was nowhere to be found.....that is, until I found the cage in 2004. I have never been more speechless in my life. Words could not describe my amazement to what my eyes were seeing. Something just fealt right. Not sure what it was, but it fealt good. There was this cage, and inside this cage was a world...a life that I wanted. A secret place that only the elite in the world were a part of. At the time, I had no idea how to obtain it, all I knew was that it was for me. But how? As I ventured around the expo, I found myself gravitating to a place I had been in a few times before.... Outside this steel structure. Nothing was able to hold my attention like this place. NOTHING! Every year has brought a new excitement. Not because of what it is, but because of what it has done for me. The cage is life that has been given back. Not just to me but to so many people. It has provided me with inspiration in a world that most of the time is inspiration-less. It has given my life a new meaning. In the real world, my name is Josh. In here, my name is Survivor831. 8-31 for the day and month that it happened, and Survivor because of what I have overcome.....for those of you that know me, you know what this is For those of you that don't, you soon will. You might be asking yourself how this is important and why I am telling you this. Because of The Cage, I have been able to find a new strength. I have been able to find motivation to wake up every morning and look at the world in a positive light. It is freedom, it is encouragement and it is hope. Every year, the cage brings us all together to relive our first moments... to remind us that we do have a purpose, and that we do matter. On here, I am just another name, but at The Cage, I am Alive. We are all equal in a since that we all share in a common goal. And that goal is to find that Animal within. So for those of you that have never been, and those of you that have. I hope that you too will find your inspiration.....I DID! Thank you Animal for what you do, who you are, what you stand for, and most of all what you've done for me. ANIMAL FOR LIFE!
I'm looking forward to meeting you in the Cage, brother Survivor! This family has some of the most AMAZING people in it! I'll be the grey-haired, balding old phart pretending to be a bodybuilder <grin>.
This opportunity was too good to pass up ......I've taken a couple weeks to jot some things down and gather what I wanted to say before I just threw something together.
My first year at the Arnold was 2004. I went down with a couple guys from my gym and walked the expo several times. I guess I thought free samples were cool back then...now that would be the last reason I go down there. I saw the Cage then but didn't know much about it. Each year after that I tried to spend more time around the Cage....until finally last year I spent my entire trip there pretty much. What struck me the most? I guess the "realness" factor. Real guys....real weights....real heart and passion for what they do. I don't think you can say that about any other company/booth. Sure, every company wants to make money.....but what other company actually would treat me as one of its own? I can't think of any.
The Cage means a lot to me....I'm proud that my home state can host such an event as the Arnold Classic. I take a lot of pride in that. But it's much more than that...it's the intangables....the countless lifetime friends I've met through the company....some which I only get to see once a year at the Cage, many others I train with throughout the year. Supplements and supplement companies come and go....but it's the FRIENDS and memories with those individuals that I will always have. All of that comes together in the Cage. In my opinion the sponsored athletes and Forvm members all have one unique thing that brings us all together.....CHARACTER. The world is full of shady, untrusting people and I don't see any of that in the Cage. I feel right at home.
The Arnold would definately not be as special if the Cage wasn't there....in fact, I doubt I would even have the desire to go. I get anxious around big crowds anyway. But it's so worth it. Each year I take something new away with me....and this year I expect no different. It made it extra special for me when I was asked to compete in the Pros/Bros contest last year. Hell, it wasn't about winning or losing which I've said several times...it was such an honor to be asked to do this....plus I kind of made a name for myself. But don't think for a minute I wouldn't trade places with Ox, he is the man and future of this sport. This guy is a future Mr. Olympia and I can someday say I got to step in the same ring as him.
In summary, I take a lot of pride saying I'm "affiliated" with Universal/Animal. I feel they care about me, so I care about them. The Cage gets better every year, and in 10 days I'll be rocking out in Columbus with the many friends I've met through this Web site and Animal Barbell sessions. For me, that's what counts the most.
damn, you gotta love Big C's entry.
this is a brother who truly lives Animal.
C, for what it's worth, you got my vote.
I'm looking forward to meeting you in the Cage, brother Survivor! This family has some of the most AMAZING people in it! I'll be the grey-haired, balding old phart pretending to be a bodybuilder <grin>.
I am nobody of importance. But on here, we are all equal. This place brings peace to my life. I too am looking forward to the introduction. I will see you there.