PROMO: "Why I Remember..."

[Reacher34]

My favorite memory was from 2 years ago. I entered a strength contest and had to curl half my body weight. Of course, The Lip was MCing. I needed 105 on the bar but they loaded up a plate per side by accident. Vinny looked at them incredulously and told em that was too much. I said it was OK and he proceeded to give me shit about how I'll have to do "real" reps.

GAME ON.

Vinny said I needed a spot but there was nobody else from the Animal team in the cage, they were all outside signing autographs. I asked him if I could request someone. He said sure, and I asked for Machine. Machine was dumbfounded at why someone needed a spot for curls, but Vinny said that I had asked for him.

With the Cage surrounded with onlookers (as usual), Vinny's friendly defiance on the mic, and the mountain of a man they called Machine in front of me, I curled the 9 cleanest reps of my life, then got a bit of a spot from Machine for 3 more. Vinny on the mic went from adversary to motivator as he urged to crowd to support me, and the look in Machine's eye when he realized I was serious about giving this little exhibition everything I had...I'll never forget it, it was awesome.

When I was done and put the bar down, I turned to walk away when a big paw slapped me on the chest and turned me around.... Machine wanted to shake my hand. He's the dude that first piqued my interest in the sport, it was an unforgettable moment. And my dad was outside the Cage to see it all. I'll never forget it.

[Ricky P]

Some great stories here, going to be tough to choose. I'm still mad I couldn't make it to any of these.... Maybe this year????

[Firefist]

My favorite memory was from 2 years ago. I entered a strength contest and had to curl half my body weight. Of course, The Lip was MCing. I needed 105 on the bar but they loaded up a plate per side by accident. Vinny looked at them incredulously and told em that was too much. I said it was OK and he proceeded to give me shit about how I'll have to do "real" reps.

GAME ON.

Vinny said I needed a spot but there was nobody else from the Animal team in the cage, they were all outside signing autographs. I asked him if I could request someone. He said sure, and I asked for Machine. Machine was dumbfounded at why someone needed a spot for curls, but Vinny said that I had asked for him.

With the Cage surrounded with onlookers (as usual), Vinny's friendly defiance on the mic, and the mountain of a man they called Machine in front of me, I curled the 9 cleanest reps of my life, then got a bit of a spot from Machine for 3 more. Vinny on the mic went from adversary to motivator as he urged to crowd to support me, and the look in Machine's eye when he realized I was serious about giving this little exhibition everything I had...I'll never forget it, it was awesome.

When I was done and put the bar down, I turned to walk away when a big paw slapped me on the chest and turned me around.... Machine wanted to shake my hand. He's the dude that first piqued my interest in the sport, it was an unforgettable moment. And my dad was outside the Cage to see it all. I'll never forget it.

now THATS a fucking awesome story.

[Beowulf]

Some great stories here, going to be tough to choose. I'm still mad I couldn't make it to any of these.... Maybe this year????

Not going to the Arnold myself, but I agree, some great, great stories. Reading these makes me want to plan a road trip though.

[Ricky P]

now THATS a fucking awesome story.

Yeah, real awesome story brother. That last part about your dad being outside the cage to see that moved me a little bit, that must've been a great feeling.

[Reacher34]

Yeah, real awesome story brother. That last part about your dad being outside the cage to see that moved me a little bit, that must've been a great feeling.

Yeah, my dad is not into bodybuilding/lifting weights at all. But he is real supportive, he's seen how far I've come, and he knew how much I admire Machine. To have him cheering for me with the rest of the crowd will always be in my mind.

[mritter3]

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

Good luck keepin the mob off, winner hahahaha.

thats what im saying...wonder if they will be selling those as well.

[stolzenator]

The Cage is the reason to go to the Arnold. I hear there are always attractive girls there and free samples and stuff, but i only remember one thing thinkin back on my 5 trips to the arnold:

chain link, seas of yellow and black, intense workouts, the sounds of big dudes movin even bigger weights. My brothers and sisters in iron.

The Cage is all I remember, and all that's worth remembering.

It doesnt need bright neon signs and scantily clad women to convince people its for real. one look and you can tell its legit.

Its original, its badass, its the only booth in the whole BODYBUILDING expo that actually has weights in it.

BSN, VPX, Labrada, you can all bow down. We're talkin about The Cage. May it live forever.

[mritter3]

alright i was gonna let others jump in on this cause i got chosen to be an intern...but damn, only 2 pages....cmon, fuck it now im jumping in.....last year was my very first arnold experience let alone my very first cage experience. Let me tell you, my bud and i still talk about it to this day, how awesome of an experience it was. I had no idea how cool and chill all of the Animal family is...from the pro's right down the line to the smallest dude there...which was probally me..lol, anyway, my highlight was wathching Sam Byrd squat, insane is a word that comes to mind. Now the man is a pure beast, but not the biggest dude i have ever seen, but the amount of weight that he carried on his shoulders and brought to the ground and back up again was pure animal...just crazy in my book. Not to mention that he took time between sets to talk to the crowd, answer question, all while catching his breath, in preperation for the next set. On top of that he dropped a line that i will never forget...he said "anything over 5 reps he considered to be cardio"...that was hilarious. But watching him squat was pretty damn motivational for me. At that time i was working with 185 at the most and squatting half ass, so when i got home i used the ask the animal function, picked his brain a bit, and got to work, took his advice and nearly doubled my squat in the last year, with damn good form. So last year i go from sitting on the sidelines with my bud, just soaking in the whole Cage atmosphere...to this year getting the chance to be an Intern, and hanging out with my fellow Animals..its pretty damn amazing. Cant wait to meet everyone in person and bullshit with ya...peace

[Reacher34]

I remember that, mritter. Byrd was legit, for sure.

What about when the Lad was deadlifting with bands. I can't rememer the number, but he was going for a PR. He had Machine on one side, and Sgt. Rock on the other (If that's not motivational, what is?) The music was blasting, but through it all you can see Machine get right in Lad's face and scream "DIG"!!! Lad rocked that shit with us all looking on. Then went to the bench and hit 405 for 40 reps!!! When he was done, he sat up, took a few seconds to catch his breath, then yelled into the mic..."I love this shit!!!"

That was fucking awesome.

[Kon_Rock]

2008 - My 1st Cage Experience - Reign of Yellow

I had no idea what to expect. My friends and I drove all night from Springfield Missouri Thursday night. Arrived just in time as the doors opened to the expo. There it was, the huge black banner with the white A printed on it. The promise land was calling. Walking up to the cage was the most eye opening thing that I have ever seen. The sight of all theses Animals all together and sharing conversation and advise. I saw Wrath for the first time and could not believe my eyes. There was the guy who's journey got me started into this serious lifestyle. I walked up to and being completely dwarfed by him, I asked if I could take a picture with him and he looked down shakes my hand and said no problem man. I sat in on one of Vinny G's speeches and there I heard the most inspiring words that has changed my diet, lifting, and supplement routine. Vinny harped on the words "What works is what your not doing!" I didn't fully understand it at first, but as I began to think about it I realized that I was not eating enough, lifting correctly, and taking the right support. Even today I think upon those words to always make sure I'm not being complacent. This year was the Reign of Yellow, so I picked up a large yellow iconic tee and made it a goal that I would not fit into it by 2010 and sure enough I have out grown it and not its like a trophy. I have even thought about framing it. To wrap this year up lets just say I book my hotel for the next year the day I checkout.

2009 - The Bear Witness to the Blackout

This year I was prepared, I had been more active on the forvm and picked up my Box ticket and Free t-shirt ticket. I was ready, with video camera and regular camera all charged up, I had waited all year for this. This year my dad came with me. After hearing all about it and knowing how much it meant to me he decided to come along. It was a whole new experience for him. One thing he kept saying all weekend and still talks about is how like a family that Animal crew is and how they weren't showy, just real friendly guys. One funny thing was when we were leaving the cage for the day, he stopped me and goes "hey, maybe I should get my picture with Ox." Ha..I just laughed and said alright. So we had back to The Cage and talked to Ox and yes my dad got his picture taking with him.
Here it is:
This year the Box made its first appearance which was an AWESOME addition to the cage. All of us Animals can hang out and have a place to share lifting stories and advise as well as check out some new supplements for FREE. I hung out in here a good bit tried out some of the brand new flavors and even met up with Hola_Bola who I had seen his videos online and found out he doesn't live to far away from me. So he told me to come up to the Kansas City whenever for their ABC. The Cage continues to out do the selves and everyone makes that possible. The openness and willingness of everyone at The Cage bring people back and keeps them invested into this life and company. And what is really cool is that the Pros are there to even learn from the Bros which is an awesome idea when you think about it. The Cage is a place where we can unite from all year of talking on the FORVM and building this event up. This year coming up, XL tees are the must!

Good luck everyone and truly an awesome promo, Thanks Universal!
Can't wait tto meet up with all you guys at The Cage, Its gonna be AWESOME!

[belladiabla13]

March 2009. My very first Arnold Classic. I had just started lifting weights to try and lose weight from having my children. Although I enjoyed going to the gym, I didn't really understand most of it.
We walked around the event. Free samples, and hype everywhere I turned. Crazy, almost circus like in some areas. Then in the middle of it all, was THE CAGE. We stopped. And we stayed. This place was not about hype. There were no free samples, no magic pills. This was the real deal. I was amazed at the priceless information being given away for free. People like Evan, speaking words that for once, I could relate to. No gimmicks, no big medical terms, just real advice for someone who had been there. I watched House & Hula Bola curl. Freak & Rage squat. I was in awe. So much in me changed that day. How I felt about the iron, and about myself. It gave me hope and it made me believe. I could not imagine a woman even lifting the bar on the bench. The very thought of it stunned me. Today I am happy to say, I work out with 115lbs. I know where I will be standing this year at the Arnold. Can not wait for The CAGE 2010!!!!

[LittleMan55]

What a great promo! There are some great entries in here already...


I have many memories from my 2 trips, but I'm sure none will compare to this year!

[Universal Rep]

thats what im saying...wonder if they will be selling those as well.

The vintage Animal Pak t-shirts? Nope. Those were discontinued a while back. Were in high demand too, if I remember correctly. I just found a few which is why I'm contributing 'em to the package...

Great entries so far. Keep 'em coming...

[Mr. Dead]

A lot of great stories in here... I hope that I have one similar to these, this year...

[Kon_Rock]

The vintage Animal Pak t-shirts? Nope. Those were discontinued a while back. Were in high demand too, if I remember correctly. I just found a few which is why I'm contributing 'em to the package...

Great entries so far. Keep 'em coming...

Wait the vintage Animal Pak Tees are in this promo. Man I really want one of those, Old School Animal Pak, classic.

[Firedrake]

Memories . . .

My FIRST memory of the Cage isn't the Cage, per se, but down at Metro Fitness. I'd come in for a workout Thursday night, not knowing who else might be there, and found a bunch of Animals. I made to pay for my day pass, someone (J-Dawg, I think) saw my Animal t-shirt, told the lady at the counter "he's one of us" and invited me in.

I was stunned. I felt like I belonged.

I was a little intimidated, watching Vinny doing wide grip pulley rows, or seeing Wrath working chest, or some guy I didn't recognize at the time (Ox?) repping out curls with DBs I'd have trouble rowing with. Yet, I was welcomed. Encouraged, even. This older guy who felt like he had NO cred in the gym was treated like part of the family.

I had a hard time sleeping that night, excited for the morning.

The next morning, InkdMuscle and I got to the Cage as soon as we could get through the doors. I think I suffered from sensory overload. Whether it was House's calves (Geebus!), Ox's arms, Byrd's squatting, Bobby Fields' bench pressing, Big C's curling . . . or just the numbers of Animals who made me feel welcome, I hardly wanted to go anywhere else during the Expo. I made a trip or two around the floor, but the Cage is where I felt I belonged. People spoke to me like a brother; we compared notes on progress and what we were working on. We had meals together, and just shot the breeze. The feeling of camraderie was thick.

"The Blackout" was fun -- that many Animals crowded in -- no wonder the Cage will be larger this year! The seminars were informative and even funny. Vinny's MC-ing was priceless! There were so many things going on there that I didn't NEED to go anywhere else.

Friday night, I was back at Metro -- once again, I was treated like part of the family by the Animal crew who were there to train. I worked in with people whose names I'm sorry I don't remember, and went back to the hotel just completely wiped. And stoked.

Saturday was a zoo. No other word. The show floor was impossible to get through, so I stayed at the Cage. Had lunch with Broc, I believe . . . or am I misremembering? It's all such a blur. Then came the ABC.

Vinny couldn't have been more supportive or a better source of knowledge to train with. We worked shoulders and some biceps, and he kept this "old man" from trying to make a fool of himself with too-heavy weights, and got me to focus on the work. Lessons I won't forget.

Dinner afterwards with Zanderfever, Josh, Phil, Toni and others was a blast. I still have the picture the poor, bemused waitress took of us.

Memories. Memories like this are what makes a life, and I'm eager to make more this year.

[The Guardian]

As I approached the cage, I could already hear Vinny barking orders for everyone to get the hell in there and move some weight. Almost immediately there was a swarm of yellow, red and black Animals shirts pouring into the cage to show their mettle. I knew I had arrived. After watching Sgt deadlift 800lbs WITH a torn quad, I was inspired enough to move mountains. But it wasn’t the insane intensity or the massive amounts of iron being tossed around that I remember most…it was simply the guys themselves that left me with a truly new perspective on lifting as well as life.

With sitting down with the pros, G-Diesel and Wrath were on the mic. I couldn’t wait to hear them speak so I made sure I was on the bench directly in front. Diesel blew me away with phenomenal revelations of how lifting and life go hand in hand. Sitting in the cage, I felt like I was in a sea of giants. Hell, being only 5’4, everyone is huge. After the seminar, I walked up to Wrath. All I could think was, “oh shit, this IS Wrath.” Needless to say, I was shittin bricks. I never met someone I respected so much before. After shaking his hand, I didn’t want an autograph, neither did I want a picture, what I really wanted was what I think we all hunger for: knowledge. I simply asked, “Day in and day out, how do you do it?” With a simply reply his said, “There are days in which you don’t even wanna hit the gym, the food in front of you is like eating nails and you just beaten and broken. But those are the days that truly define you and separate yourself from everyone else. You have to become your own masterpiece.” That last line truly stayed permanently implanted into my head. On the days where I’m dragging, I just think about it, a painter has his canvas and a sculptor has his statues, but what the hell am I? A musician. What do I play? My body, the greatest instrument I’ll ever own.

Can’t wait for this year. Only gets better and better. See everyone there and be ready to tear it up.

[BigAnt]

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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I REMEMBER THAT...

My camera tells all!

Looking forward to another year with ya!

[BigAnt]

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),
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't forget that all important pose down pic (me-you-trish the dish)

And the "other" pics which shall remain not spoken about...LOL