Month: February 2020

Male Fitness Models, Men's fashion, Photography

Content Creator, Mens Lifestyle: Josh Riquelme

by Andre M.3 Comments on Content Creator, Mens Lifestyle: Josh Riquelme
Content Creator, Mens Lifestyle: Josh Riquelme

Josh’s Social Media and Training Website:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitch | Snapchat | FWRD App

Introduction

Josh Riquelme, 26, is an actor and a men’s lifestyle and grooming content creator from upstate New York. In June 2022, Josh moved to San Diego, California. Josh is currently a content creator for his social media channels. He is a Gemini, with a birthday on May 28.

A YouTuber, Josh has begun to add more content to his channel (lifestyle and fitness tips). [Be sure to subscribe.]

In 2021, Josh went to the Dominican Republic to visit his dad.

Josh has had several photo shoots with several photographers. Josh worked with one photographer, Carlos “Trey” Salazar, in Texas. He continued to work with him to add photos to his portfolio.

(In 2019, Josh worked with another model, Kyle Hynick, in New York and Texas. In 2022, Kyle, Josh, and Vince Aldiere had a photo shoot in Tulum, Mexico.)

Photo by Carlos “Trey” Salazar. T-shirt by Dsquared2.
(See a blog post on five-inch inseam shorts.)

Television

On October 11, 2022, Josh announced that he will appear on a U.S. television program on the MTV network titled “Love at First Lie.”

Sadly, Josh and Monica were voted off. They spoke about their experience on the show in an interview with In Touch Weekly.

FWRD Lifestyle

On January 1, 2023, Josh started his workout-related website, FWRD Lifestyle.

Josh also posts fitness and lifestyle content on his YouTube channel. One video provides five tips for incorporating into your morning routine.

The Five Habits for The Morning

  • Deep breathing and stretching.
  • Splash some cold water on your face.
  • Make your bed.
  • Drink water.
  • Workout.

Mens Style Tips

Mens Hairstyling

Taking good care of your clothes

Mens Shoes 2023

Josh produced a short video on his suggestions for stylish mens shoes.

  • High top sneakers-versatile and timeless
  • Clunky trainers (cross-exercise sneakers)-accompany baggy jeans and cargo pants well.
  • Clunky boots-trendy, warm, and go with many outfits

Trendy Fall Clothing

Josh, in collaboration with Aetos Apparel, demonstrated three parts of a sharp fall outfit: a flannel shirt, cargo pants, and a bomber jacket.

I would add sunglasses to the list as well (a year-round staple item).

Facial Hair Grooming Tips

Josh created a video on how to maintain a neatly trimmed beard. Josh also provided tips on how to avoid razor bumps. Given that more guys like having facial hair, his tips have been popular.

Josh’s Fitness Journey

Eight-year fitness transformation (2021)

Houston, Texas 2022

Josh traveled to Houston, Texas. He got in some training time at Christian Guzman‘s gym.

Summer 2021

Los Angeles, California

Josh went to Los Angeles, California for photo shoots.

Josh’s Photographers

Photo by David Anthony
Shorts, Tucann
Photos by David Anthony
New Hairstyle

In addition, he had his hair dyed blonde. (Hair stylist, Keon Cruz.)

At the Beach

Josh’s Photo Shoots

Aldrin Del Carmen
Josh Solano

Photographer Joshua Solano also is Josh’s friend.

Josh’s Social Media and Training Website:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitch | Snapchat | FWRD App

Rob Anthony

Josh and New York-based Photographer Rob Anthony create awesome images. (See a related blog post on Photographer Rob.)

Josh’s Social Media and Training Website:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitch | Snapchat | FWRD App

Eduardo Fermin

Eduardo Fermin is a photographer based in New York City. He and Josh have created outstanding images.

See more photos on Eduardo’s website

Carlos “Trey” Salazar

Carlos “Trey” Salazar is an Austin, Texas, based photographer. (I have a post on Trey on the blog.). Josh has worked to create images multiple times, at a photo shoot for Box Menswear (discussed below), and then other times when Josh went to Texas.

Anh Nguyen Henry

When Josh went to Texas, he had a photo shoot with Houston, Texas, based Photographer Anh Nguyen Henry.

Bill Lagaret

Photographer Bill Lagaret works in New York City.

Asbury Park, New Jersey

Josh in July 2020, visited a beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and had some photos taken.

Shot by Lester / Lester Villarama

Josh did a photo shoot with Photographer Lester Villarama of Shot by Lester. Josh wore an awesome olive-brown overcoat.

Peter Rock

Josh had a photo shoot with Photographer Peter Rock of Rock Photo.

Photo by Peter Rock in NYC (2021).
Josh in Tulum, Mexico (2022). Photographer: Peter Rock.

In a previous photo shoot, Josh had trimmed facial hair.

Mark Aquino

When Josh went to Los Angeles, California, he did a photoshoot with Photographer Mark Aquino.

Allan Spiers: A Blast from 2016

Through an Internet search, I found some photos from a shoot that Josh did in 2016 with Photographer Allan Spiers.

Josh’s Social Media and Training Website:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitch | Snapchat | FWRD App

Josh Riquelme sits on concrete stairs in SoHo, NYC, gazing at you. Josh wears a navy blue hoodie with Apostrophe in white letters on the front and white, distressed jeans.
Hoodie: Apostrophe Vision

Josh’s Haircut with Fade

Josh showed his fresh, new haircut on his Instagram page (August 2020). The new haircut style is shorter than previous hair styles, with a fade on the sides.

Josh’s Social Media

Josh’s Social Media and Training Website:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitch | Snapchat | FWRD App

Gaming PC

Josh is a gaming PC enthusiast. He has some unboxing videos on YouTube.

Josh also streams on Twitch.

Mens Physique Competition

Mens Physique Competitor, 2016

Josh competed in a mens physique contest while a teenager. He covered his contest preparation on his YouTube account in 2016.

Josh prepared for a contest just after he graduated high school. He was 19 and a social media marketing coordinator. He started a video log to show his progress as he got into contest shape.

While doing the contest preparation, Josh also did a photoshoot with lifestyle shots.

Josh did a video with his bodybuilder friend, Adonis Grahovic.

Separately, during this period, there was a video of Josh trying on clothing from the Beyond Genetics brand.

Contest Preparation Macronutrients

Josh explained that his contest preparation macronutrients (aka macros) break down was–

  • Contest cut: 200 g protein, 250 g carbohydrates, and 55 g fat. For carbohydrates and protein, each gram is 4 calories and for fat, each gram is 9 calories. So the calories for Josh’s macros were 2295.
  • Refeed (for days to regain energy): 180 g protein, 390 carbohydrates, and 50 g fat. The calories for this was 2730.

Josh has a YouTube video showing his progression from the start of his contest preparation through his final contest shape.

He started contest preparation at about 165 pounds (74.8 kg) and competed at about 148 pounds (67.5 kg).

Josh ultimately earned his pro card at his contest. Josh states on his website that, in 2016, he became a pro in mens physique in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF).

(Related post: See a blog post on mens physique board shorts.)

After the Show

After the YouTube videos covering this contest, there were no updates to the channel until mid-2019. Josh prepared a video explaining what had happened in an update video.

Josh discussed his observations about his journey through depression and after depression on an Instagram page.

Workout Videos

Several of the newer videos were about Josh demonstrating the workouts he performs to develop and maintain his physique. Unlike other videos with muscular fitness models, Josh also shows his personality in the videos.

This helps the viewer see the person who is a fitness model as well as gaining workout inspiration. This is in line with the level of disclosure Josh showed in discussing his bout with depression.

Josh’s Social Media and Training Website:

Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Facebook | Twitch | Snapchat | FWRD App

Conclusion

From starting with gym training, to competing in mens physique and building his social media pages, especially Instagram and YouTube, and finally becoming a male model, Josh appears to be moving up in the fitness model industry. In addition, he appears to be a personable and friendly guy, that side comes through on his video logs.

Support Josh by following him on his social media channels, including subscribing to his YouTube profile.

I wish him continued success.

leg day shorts, Male Fitness Models, Men's fashion, Workouts

Gym Shorts for Leg Day Workouts

by Andre M.1 Comment on Gym Shorts for Leg Day Workouts
Gym Shorts for Leg Day Workouts

Table of Brands

Introduction: The Struggle and Benefits of Leg Day

The legs are a large muscle group. It takes focus, dedication, and time to add size. The effort produces impressive results, as seen with some examples in this section.

This blog will describe some shorts that will allow you to maintain your focus on the important leg training day.

Note: Read another blog post on five-inch inseam shorts.

Model: Brayan Lopez.
Model: Cristian Lopez Florez.
Model: IFBB Elite Pro Pavel Koukal.
Model: Roynier Benitez
Model: Andrew Morrill. Shorts, Athletegy. (Read more about the brand in another blog post.)
Model: Nate the Hemi. Photographer: Aldo Vazquez. Boxer briefs, Danny Miami.
Personal Trainer Miguel Santos.
Mauro Betancourth
Model: JC, from Colombia (en español)
Video: Fit Media Channel. Model: Nick Topel.
Model and Online Fitness Coach, Roynier Benitez.
David Ortega

Read below for leg-day training information so that you can build your own tree-trunk thighs.

Jordan Morello

Jordan Morello, owner of Era Supply Co, demonstrates his favorite leg-day exercises in his warehouse gym.

Some Leg-Day Results

Mauro Betancourth, Colombia
Crispy, cross-striated thighs of Richard Duchon.
Deve Carvajal. Read more about five-inch inseam shorts.
Model: Jakob Bergen. Shorts, Inaka Power. [Five-inch inseam workout shorts.]
Mens Physique Pro Jorge Tabet’s leg day in soccer shorts.
Baxter Linn’s leg day
Deve demonstrates his leg day in Colombia.
Model: Fraser Wilson, Australia
Shane Crommer on leg day.

Leg Day Shorts Brands

Athletegy

Quad Shorts

Andrew Morrill and Michael Tedesco created the Athletegy brand “with the goal of combining high-quality gymwear with a style and fit they felt was missing from the market.” The brand is based in New York City.

ClothingFabric Composition
Quad Short (five-inch inseam)88 percent polyester, 12 percent Spandex.

The quad short is designed in New York and manufactured in China.

Read more of my review on the quad short in a separate blog post.

Model: Andrew Morrill, wearing the Quad Short and Ace Tee.
Model: Andrew Morill. Shorts, Athletegy.

Leg Day Lifting Shorts

Strong Lift Wear

Strong Lift Wear is a fitness clothing company based in Australia. Of the shorts available on the Strong Lift Wear website, I liked the premium lift shorts for the colors, length, and design. (Stong Lift Wear is a brother brand to Tucann.)

The premium lift shorts are marketed for leg day but they could be used for a cardio session or just relaxing at home as well. The fabric composition is 94 percent polyester and 6 percent spandex. The shorts are made in China.

My Review

I selected the XL size (orange bolt color). It is hard to find the size guide. I have found sometimes that sizes for clothes from Australia can be on the smaller side. After an Internet search, I found the size guide.

I ordered the shorts (before the COVID-19 pandemic) from the US-based website. (The shorts still are shipped from Australia using Australia Post.) At the time I ordered, I was offered a deal to add socks for 10 US dollars and I accepted that.

I had no issues with the shipping before the pandemic. During the pandemic, international mail is affected as flights are being disrupted for the moment.

Shipping and COVID-19-related disruptions. For United States readers, there is a United States Postal Service webpage that details international postal service disruptions. In addition, Australia Post has a webpage for international mail deliveries affected by COVID-19. There are delays in shipments to the United States.

The shorts arrived in a large mailing envelope. Inside, the shorts were in a plastic bag and the sock was in plastic in the same envelope.

The lift shorts have a liner. It is the wearer’s preference to wear the shorts with or without underwear. The shorts fit great and I used them for an at-home HIIT workout and weight-training session.

The length of the shorts was perfect for HIIT training with lots of exercises similar to what was done in my physical education classes in the United States (mountain climbers, burpees, jumping jacks, and so on). The shorts were perfect with the weight-training portion of my routine as well.

I am very happy with the lift shorts. I will order another pair.

Care Instructions

According to the label on the shorts, the shorts can be machine washed with warm water (no bleach) and tumble dry low, removing promptly from the dryer.

Stay Shredded Quads for the Gods Lifting Shorts

Stay Shredded, based in Australia, makes shorts designed for leg day. The shorts, named quads for the gods lifting shorts, have a lining like swimwear and a short length (mid-thigh) to allow the flexibility for leg exercises, like squats and deadlifts.

The website states that the fabric composition of the shorts is polyester and cotton. See the website for the size chart for the shorts.

My Review

I ordered these shorts to try them out. At the time that I ordered, the sizes that I was looking at (L & XL) were only available in certain colors. I ordered the black with white logo and the black with black logo.

When I tried them on they felt a bit tight around the hips but overall there was good support and flexibility.

I did a workout with them, particularly high-rep squats and walking lunges. The shorts worked well for both the exercises. Going deep with the squats was no problem with these shorts.

They have quickly become one of my favorite shorts for leg day.

Care Instructions

The lifting shorts have cotton in them. Cotton, the company explains, can shrink in the first wash, if the shorts are not washed correctly.

Thus, Stay Shredded recommends washing the shorts by hand in cold water or dry clean only.

For drying, the company recommends drying on a flat surface or hanging on a clothing hanger.

2Eros Icon Shorts

The company, 2Eros, is based in Australia. The shorts, S01 Icon shorts, have a mesh brief, are mid-thigh. The shorts are designed for swimwear as well as working out, according to the description on the website. A physique enthusiast named Aziz Sergeyevich Shavershian (1989-2011), also known as Zyzz, used to wear these shorts in his social media posts.

The fabric for the shorts is 100 percent polyester and the mesh brief is made of polyester Elastane. A potential issue is that the shorts tend to be small. Check out the 2Eros size chart before buying.

Love Leg Day; Get Thigh Gains

I enjoy training legs in the gym. The legs happen to be a big muscle group and I love to do squats, walking lunges, and deadlifts. Many shorts are too long and interfere with leg-exercise form. (See another article about Crossfit shorts for men.)

Perhaps, some guys have great leg development and are physique or bodybuilding or are workout enthusiasts who are concerned about muscle size and development. These guys might want to see the legs working while they exercise. (In general, short shorts seem to be making a comeback.)

Cap, shorts, t-shirt, Athletegy. Model and brand co-owner, Andrew Morrill.

Why Leg Day is Important

What is Leg Day?

For fitness enthusiasts or people just starting out with weight training, leg day is the day that exercises for the legs (quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves) are done.

Some people train legs more than one time per week following a full-body training routine. Others do a body-part split training routine. The all parts of the legs could be worked on the same day or the quads, hams, and calves are trained on different days.

The legs, especially the quads and hams are huge muscle groups that carry our bodyweight everyday. Because of this the legs can handle a lot of weight and be exhausting to train. The reward is well-toned legs.

I typically focus on the barbell squat and deadlift for leg day. I have found that shorts that do not get in the way on the movement are better.

Conclusion

Leg day is much talked about because the legs are such a large muscle group that takes effort and energy to train. The benefits of having well-conditioned legs makes the effort worth it.

The shorts (in this post) that have been designed for leg day have worked well. The high quality of the Strong Lift Wear shorts impressed me.

Are there other shorts that you like for leg day? Any favorite leg day exercises or routines you would like to share? Let me know through a comment.