The Official Post-Arnold "The Cage" Impressions...

[Universal Rep]

Post 'em here fellas, and share with the rest of us who couldn't make the trip. Post your comments, your insights, your experiences in The Cage--and don't be stingy. Thanks from all of who couldn't make it...

[Mr.Totality]

I couldnt make the trip but would love to hear stories and see pics. Live vicariously through the brothers

[determined]

I am 5'11", 265lbs. needless to say people stare, people move out to the way when I am coming through. Alot of times I feel people are intimidated by me, I feel I am looked at as an object instead of a person. I think this happens to alot of us.
I have a dog. Half Jack Russell, half Schnauzer, 18 pounds of blind fury, I have watched this dog go up aganist Chow's, Pit's and Rottweiler's, she has no fear. She may get her ass kicked but she will not back down from nothing. She would fight to the death for me. I think of her as my little girl, but really she is a dog, she is an ANIMAL. What gives her that deterimnation? What gives her that strength? Than Courage? Its her heart. In that 18 pound little body, is a 17 pound heart.
I was standing at the cage during Friday's bench press competition. People were lined up to get into the Bench Press Competition, so thery could get some free stuff. There were some big individuals revolving through there. Vinny was annoucing. He walked over to a kid that couldn't have been 65lbs. He looked like he was about 8 years old. Vinny asked him if he wanted to come in and do some push ups for some free stuff.
As ANIMALS we live by strength, honor and courage. I think some times we forget about the heart, it takes to do what we do. Its good to see people who do not forget where they came from.
Now I do not know who that kid was, and too be honest it doesn't really matter to me. But giving that kid a chance in the mist of all the weight that was being pushed in that cage, Vinny, that makes you one stand up Motherfucker in my book.
So this is a thank you to all the guys at the cage. Looking forward to seeing you next year.

[Mr.Totality]

that sounded great, love to see the kids involved

[Wasteland]

that sounded great, love to see the kids involved

Agreed. To me, this is the true spirit of Animal... Animal is about heart and it's about community.

[HAAS]

I was there all weekend and loved it. Inside the cage was intence yet outside everyone was acting like pussy's. it seem that people were only there to get free shit. I was there to learn as much as I could form the people I read about and admire for there determination. Vinny, Machine, Wrath, G Diesel, House, J Rock. these guys were there giving class all weekend and on Sunday with Wrath and G Diesel, I was one of the only people asking question and trying to gain some knowledge form the men who live it everyday. So to the animal Crew Thank you for every bit of advise and knowledge that you were giving out it was UNMATCHED by any other Bull Shit company there.

Everyone else SACK UP, and LET Your BALLS hang out, and when they say make some noise bring the house down,so next year so no one even thinks of going any where but THE CAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAAS

[widdlewade44]

I am 5'11", 265lbs. needless to say people stare, people move out to the way when I am coming through. Alot of times I feel people are intimidated by me, I feel I am looked at as an object instead of a person. I think this happens to alot of us.
I have a dog. Half Jack Russell, half Schnauzer, 18 pounds of blind fury, I have watched this dog go up aganist Chow's, Pit's and Rottweiler's, she has no fear. She may get her ass kicked but she will not back down from nothing. She would fight to the death for me. I think of her as my little girl, but really she is a dog, she is an ANIMAL. What gives her that deterimnation? What gives her that strength? Than Courage? Its her heart. In that 18 pound little body, is a 17 pound heart.
I was standing at the cage during Friday's bench press competition. People were lined up to get into the Bench Press Competition, so thery could get some free stuff. There were some big individuals revolving through there. Vinny was annoucing. He walked over to a kid that couldn't have been 65lbs. He looked like he was about 8 years old. Vinny asked him if he wanted to come in and do some push ups for some free stuff.
As ANIMALS we live by strength, honor and courage. I think some times we forget about the heart, it takes to do what we do. Its good to see people who do not forget where they came from.
Now I do not know who that kid was, and too be honest it doesn't really matter to me. But giving that kid a chance in the mist of all the weight that was being pushed in that cage, Vinny, that makes you one stand up Motherfucker in my book.
So this is a thank you to all the guys at the cage. Looking forward to seeing you next year.

Great story determined and props to Vinny and all the other Cage brothers and sisters!

Kevin
widdlewade44

[Bombshell]

This was the first time I got to meet everyone and let me tell you, GRADE A class of people there. I've never met a group of guys and gals that were so willing to help out with ANYTHING you might need. I was there all weekend with my other half, Brian Weston, my brother and his wife bobby and Kathy Fields. We actually got to do a Nazbar bench press seminar on Sunday morning before our flight. That was one killer work out. A great big "THANKS" to Joe "The Lad" Lad for giving me some great advice in the deadlift and for commentating while we were lifting.
The Cage was intense and everyone inside gave 110%. But I have to agree with what the one guy said about the crowd being wussies. They didn't really cheer too much and I think they were there just to see what free crap they could get. Most of the "young" kids there were only out for that. Not a lot of questions asked but none the less, a great time with a great bunch of people.

[Kathy Fields]

First off, Bobby and I would like to extend a big and warm Thank You to Animal Pak for allowing us to do what we love to do most in the Animal Cage at the Arnold Expo. We are still on cloud nine over the entire experience. We cannot express how deeply we appreciated being in there and getting to meet the wonderful crew that ran the best spot in the house! These folks ran nonstop and brought to the expo the most enjoyable shop you could ever visit in any event or venue. They were extremely helpful, friendly and very professional. You cannot meet a greater group of folks anywhere and they really do know how to take care of the fans.

I don't know how to best describe the experience in The Cage other than feeling like being in a modern day coliseum. We lifters felt like the crowd's favorite gladiators doing battle with the iron. All the intensity and motivational cheers from the Animal Pak crew and crowd still gives me goosebumps. In powerlifting, performance during training and competition is dynamic in many ways. You never know if you're going to have an off day or experience injury until that day or moment arrives. To be able to perform with great intensity and have everything move smoothly many times requires even the planets to be aligned and all balanced with the universe it seems. We never know what kind of environment to expect when we go outside of our training home and have to be ready to do battle with whatever is thrown at us. This weekend we walked into an arena with a great setup, the best of the best in the world of iron supporting us, and great spectators who kept us motivated. We were very happy with our performance and managed to perform in one hour what usually takes us 3 hours to do on any typical training day. We walked away with one of the most memorable experiences of our lives and training sessions in our career. We definitely look forward to being there again next year.

Thank you so much for having us and providing us with such a fun and wonderful time!!!

[speedster00]

I stood at the cage for probably 3 hours on Saturday. Great place. some monsters in there. All though it was pretty funny when Vinny got challenged to push ups by a 9 year old.......and lost....That was awesome. Too see the raw lifting power of J-Rock is nuts.....he fookin warmed up raw bench with 500lbs... then pressed 635....no belt, no shirt....just chalk...and at a body weight of 250. Only guy I really got to meet was J-Dawg. had my coupon for the free cage shirt and I bought the "delts" DVD. Overall it was a great experiance. And one more thing....Wraths forearms are freekish. Just standing there he's extrememly vascular with some nasty meat hooks. And if Eric's (The House) calves get any bigger...there going to rub when he walks. Biggest I've ever seen.

[Mr.Totality]

I stood at the cage for probably 3 hours on Saturday. Great place. some monsters in there. All though it was pretty funny when Vinny got challenged to push ups by a 9 year old.......and lost....That was awesome. Too see the raw lifting power of J-Rock is nuts.....he fookin warmed up raw bench with 500lbs... then pressed 635....no belt, no shirt....just chalk...and at a body weight of 250. Only guy I really got to meet was J-Dawg. had my coupon for the free cage shirt and I bought the "delts" DVD. Overall it was a great experiance. And one more thing....Wraths forearms are freekish. Just standing there he's extrememly vascular with some nasty meat hooks. And if Eric's (The House) calves get any bigger...there going to rub when he walks. Biggest I've ever seen.

that is impressive

[Universal Rep]

First off, Bobby and I would like to extend a big and warm Thank You to Animal Pak for allowing us to do what we love to do most in the Animal Cage at the Arnold Expo. We are still on cloud nine over the entire experience. We cannot express how deeply we appreciated being in there and getting to meet the wonderful crew that ran the best spot in the house! These folks ran nonstop and brought to the expo the most enjoyable shop you could ever visit in any event or venue. They were extremely helpful, friendly and very professional. You cannot meet a greater group of folks anywhere and they really do know how to take care of the fans.

I don't know how to best describe the experience in The Cage other than feeling like being in a modern day coliseum. We lifters felt like the crowd's favorite gladiators doing battle with the iron. All the intensity and motivational cheers from the Animal Pak crew and crowd still gives me goosebumps. In powerlifting, performance during training and competition is dynamic in many ways. You never know if you're going to have an off day or experience injury until that day or moment arrives. To be able to perform with great intensity and have everything move smoothly many times requires even the planets to be aligned and all balanced with the universe it seems. We never know what kind of environment to expect when we go outside of our training home and have to be ready to do battle with whatever is thrown at us. This weekend we walked into an arena with a great setup, the best of the best in the world of iron supporting us, and great spectators who kept us motivated. We were very happy with our performance and managed to perform in one hour what usually takes us 3 hours to do on any typical training day. We walked away with one of the most memorable experiences of our lives and training sessions in our career. We definitely look forward to being there again next year.

Thank you so much for having us and providing us with such a fun and wonderful time!!!

Love the Roman references K... The same vibe in The Cage is here in The Forvm... The Cage is the embodiment of all that we do. It's an opportunity to bring the website alive and meet all the people who give the brand life... Glad you had such a great time.

[irondoc]

what a blast-this was my 1st time at the arnold and the cage made the trip worth while. All the guys were cool as hell, no matter how big (or small) someone was they looked at them with RESPECT. That was some cool stuff. The lifting was off the hook, Sgt Rock's 750 deadlift was unreal. And yes Wrath has some damn freakish forearms-those things had to be 18 inches!!! Machine gave a great seminar on Saturday and Vinnie was awesome on the mike. A class act all the way.

[Punisher]

a 300 pound freak tells you he feels small.....

[BigAnt]

Motivating, electrifying, awesome, got me fired up, damn those dudes are big, shit they are strong...words that where heard all weekend from The Cage.

I was very happy to meet and to talk to everyone in person, Vinny and Alex did a great job with the mic. Machine, Big Al, Wrath, Lad, Sgt. Rock, House and G-Diesel are much bigger in person, and can't forget J-Dawg, Punisher, Tom, and Jessica..all who did an excellent job. I had a little time to walk around and check out the other booths, sure with the
"throwing t-shirts" and rants-screams of their product line, the other booths did not impress me, no effort, no "let me help you" no I am hear for you attitude. The Cage was always crowded and from every Cage speaker to lifter...they did it for the people, the fans.

It was a No-Bullshit start and ended with No Bullshit. No fuss, no bells and whistles just people in The Cage to help, motivate, and educate the fans!

Glad to be a part of it and looking forward to next year!

BigAnt

[Greco]

Thanks to all for having the cage at the Arnold. My boys and me got in the the cage for the third year in a row still did my body weight at 235 for 20 reps not bad for 44 years old, still the Cage is the reason I keep going back.

[J-Dawg]

Haven't heard much other than The Cage is rocking... In fact, I was told as soon as the doors to the Expo opened, there was a line formed outside The Cage some 50+ deep, waiting for their free, limited-edition t-shirts... Also, Friday's lifting contests and free seminars were filling up mighty quick... Anyone else hear anything?

Man, the Cage was rockin' all weekend. We had those Cage shirts gone by early Sat.

As for the Animal seminars, these fellas are some real genuine dudes. They answered each and every question thrown at them. The seminar's kicked off with Vinny G. breaking down his diet, training and supplementation and then moved on to Big Al w/ special guest Big Ant (both more than worthy of their nicknames), the philosophical Machine, the massive House, and ended with the long awaited G-Diesel and Wrath seminar. These fellas gave out some real sound advice on all things bodybuilding related.

Here's a quick glimpse of some classic quotes that were overheard during the seminars and throughout the weekend:
Wrath: "I'd rather eat 100 eggs and puke then do 2 hours of cardio".

Machine: "I'd rather eat a turd than do cardio"

Machine: "I drink pure eggs. I can't stand the taste of cooked eggs. You gotta do what you need to in order to get in those calories."

G-Diesel: "You gotta eat big to be big. Sometimes to get in extra calories, I'll follow my meal up with a shake. When bulking you should never be hungry."

House: "In regards to your training volume... You need to experiment, find what works for you and stick to it."

Machine: "Building muscle is all about recovery. The things I put into my body are purely for the purpose of recovery."

Big Al: "It's tough eating on the road... sometimes it's rough getting all your meals in, that's why when dieting, I have to bring my food with me"

Vinny: "I get massive sugar cravings when first starting my diet. What I do is eat a little jelly to stabilize my blood sugar."

House: "When it gets closer to my show I get hunger cravings at night. Every night I do sit-ups or practice my posing... this helps me take my mind off of the cravings."

[G Diesel]

First off, Bobby and I would like to extend a big and warm Thank You to Animal Pak for allowing us to do what we love to do most in the Animal Cage at the Arnold Expo. We are still on cloud nine over the entire experience. We cannot express how deeply we appreciated being in there and getting to meet the wonderful crew that ran the best spot in the house! These folks ran nonstop and brought to the expo the most enjoyable shop you could ever visit in any event or venue. They were extremely helpful, friendly and very professional. You cannot meet a greater group of folks anywhere and they really do know how to take care of the fans.

I don't know how to best describe the experience in The Cage other than feeling like being in a modern day coliseum. We lifters felt like the crowd's favorite gladiators doing battle with the iron. All the intensity and motivational cheers from the Animal Pak crew and crowd still gives me goosebumps. In powerlifting, performance during training and competition is dynamic in many ways. You never know if you're going to have an off day or experience injury until that day or moment arrives. To be able to perform with great intensity and have everything move smoothly many times requires even the planets to be aligned and all balanced with the universe it seems. We never know what kind of environment to expect when we go outside of our training home and have to be ready to do battle with whatever is thrown at us. This weekend we walked into an arena with a great setup, the best of the best in the world of iron supporting us, and great spectators who kept us motivated. We were very happy with our performance and managed to perform in one hour what usually takes us 3 hours to do on any typical training day. We walked away with one of the most memorable experiences of our lives and training sessions in our career. We definitely look forward to being there again next year.

Thank you so much for having us and providing us with such a fun and wonderful time!!!

This is a strong woman fellas... "Man"handled 405 like it was nothing. Damn impressive. You, Bobby and Powerfreak brought it on Sunday--no doubt about that. Peace, G

[Powerfreak]

This is a strong woman fellas... "Man"handled 405 like it was nothing. Damn impressive. You, Bobby and Powerfreak brought it on Sunday--no doubt about that. Peace, G

As it has every year the Cage Rocked at the Arnold, it was definitely the place to be.
Although I managed to stretch a tendon in my leg during my squat warm-up,and had to end before I had even really started it was one hell of a good time in the Cage all weekend.
On Sunday we returned to the Cage, myself with one hell of a hangover, and were lucky enough to be able to run through part of what is normally the workout we do every Sunday at home only a lot faster. Bobby had an extra bench shirt for me to use and he was breaking in a new shirt.
The weight seemed to be flying for all of us, the energy in the Cage made it move even easier.
We are all looking forward to next year . If ya could not make it this year start your planning now for the next one, you've gotta see it to believe it.

[Giant Killer]

Great review J, I feel more like I was there now. Quality nuggets of wisdom to be heard.