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At first at first glance Arnold Valentine would remind you of the old photos of Robby Robinson. Skull cap, blue jeans, and a pair of boots are all common attire for this Ironage bodybuilder throwback.
 

Just like the Black Prince there are just no frills about whom he is or why he comes to the gym. His goal is to move heavy weights, to build big muscles, and to turn pro after only two years of competition.

But don’t let those two years of competition fool you, his knowledge of the sport extend way back to the early 80’s his favorite bodybuilders are considered Legends of Bodybuilding. He been around the block, but here’s my warning to everyone he is about to arrive!

When I first asked Arnold about giving us his arm routine his response was simple “I was wondering what took you so long” So I took a Saturday to stop by River’s Gym to get his routine and do a little interview at the same time!

FIM: I know who you are but I’m sure there are others out there that don’t, are you ready for a formal introduction?

AV: Sure, my name is Arnold, and I have been competing for just one year. I’ve won the WPF Raw War in Philadelphia 1st place and overall, and came in 4^th place in New York for my pro card (PDI). I hope to compete again this year in New York Night of Champions (amateur division) I need to get 1^st or 2^nd to get my pro card.

FIM: Wow the NOC in New York is a pretty big show for only two years are you ready for those guys?

AV: I think I can put my arms peak and symmetry up against anyone’s arms, I got them old school gangster ( Ironage ) arms big, full, and balanced. When you looked at their ( ironage bodybuilders) arms you knew they came from years of hard work gangster arms!

Like Arnold Schwarzenegger he had arms nasty peaks, and massive size, then there was the black Prince Robby Robinson, Brain Buchanan, Ronnie Coleman, and Lee Priest. These guys were arm monster!
 

FIM: Ok but how did you build your 20 inch arms?

AV: Not just my arms but my whole body comes form years of power lifting, heavy weight year in and year out.  So now that I have them its time to flex these 20 inch gunz for all to see.

I used to follow Arnold Schwarzenegger’s arms for years because they were so mind blowing.  But when you have 19 or 20 inch arms yourself you have got to put something together because other people are always asking how did you get those arms? And how do I build arms like those?
 

My arm training starts with standing barbell curls superset with triceps press down. I do 4 sets of 10 -12 reps.
After I’ve done 4 sets of 10 for standing barbell and triceps press down I go to the incline dumbbell curl for 4 set of 10 reps. And superset that with kickbacks for 4 set of 10 as well.
 

My final superset is close grip triceps press (bench press) for 4 sets and concentration curls. I keep the weight fairly heavy but with good form  to avoid injury. If you want to grow you got to stay real to your body.

My mom stays on my back so I don’t miss many workouts. There are a lot of people that believe in me, like Rivers Gym  (Dr Brown ) my family, and my hood, South-Side Thank you.

I can’t forget Empire Pizza they feed my body lots of protein, and Fire Iron Magazine for putting me in there, Good magazine, that’s the truth.
A special thanks to Stevie “Rock” Howard my sponsor

So look for me on stage at the Philadelphia Classic Championship flexing these hardcore muscles on May 12 2007,

Thank You

Arnold Valentine