Dave Palumbo
David Christopher Palumbo is a retired American bodybuilder. He competed in his first bodybuilding competition in 1990, an NPC national competition in New York City, where he placed 6th place weighing in at 168 lbs. In just 5 years, Palumbo would gain 70 lbs and win the overall at the 1995 NPC Junior Nationals. His best placing in competition came at the 2003 NPC USA Championships where he finished 2nd place in the Super Heavyweight class.
Palumbo is the former Editor-in-Chief of Muscular Development Magazine. Today, Palumbo is the CEO and Founder of RxMuscle.com and owner of Species Nutrition. Palumbo is also contest prep coach for several NPC and IFBB bodybuilding, fitness, and figure competitors. He is known for his low carb approach to preparing his athletes for competition. Palumbo is also the founder of the S.M.A.R.T. personal training certification program.
Competition history
Dave Palumbo's athletic beginning did not start in bodybuilding. He was a long-distance runner throughout his youth and onto college. At the age of 22, Palumbo began to lift weights and in 6 months of training he competed in his first bodybuilding competition at the 1990 NPC Natural New York City weighing in at 168 lb. where he took 6th place in the middleweight class.Palumbo would quickly rise in bodybuilding and in 5 years he would win the 1995 NPC Junior USA Championships. At this point Palumbo would embark on a quest to turn professional in the IFBB. From 1995 – 2004, Palumbo would attempt to turn pro 16 times at qualifying events, but never placed higher than runner-up position at the NPC Nationals and NPC USA Championships.
Competition results
1990 NPC Natural New York City - 6th, Middleweight1992 NPC NJ Suburban Bodybuilding Champs - 5th, Light Heavyweight
1992 Natural Tri State Championships - 1st, Heavyweight
1992 NPC Eastern USA - 3rd, Heavyweight
1992 NPC Westchester - 2nd, Heavyweight
1994 NPC NY Metropolitan Bodybuilding Champs - 1st, Heavyweight
1994 NPC Jr USA - 3rd, Heavyweight
1994 Amateur Grand Prix - 1st, Heavyweight and Overall Champ
1995 NPC Jr Nationals - 1st, Heavyweight
1995 NPC USA Champs - 7th, Heavyweight
1996 NPC USA - 7th
1996 NPC Nationals - 4th
1997 NPC USA - 6th
1997 NPC Nationals - 5th
1998 IFBB North American - 6th
1998 NPC Nationals - 8th, Super Heavyweight
1999 NPC USA - 9th
2000 NPC NY Metropolitan - 1st, Super Heavyweight and Overall
2000 NPC USA - 4th, Super Heavyweight
2000 NPC Nationals - 8th, Super Heavyweight
2001 NPC USA - 7th, Super Heavyweight
2001 IFBB North American - 5th, Super Heavyweight
2002 NPC USA - 3rd, Super Heavyweight
2002 NPC Nationals - 2nd, Super Heavyweight
2003 NPC USAs - 2nd, Super Heavyweight
2003 NPC Nationals - 6th, Super Heavyweight
2004 NPC USA - 6th, Super Heavyweight
Muscular development
In 2001, Palumbo was hired to write a monthly column for Muscular Development Magazine titled The Anabolic Freak. Several years later, he was promoted to editor of the website, a position he held until being terminated in 2009.Human growth hormone
In 2004, Palumbo pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 months in federal prison for distributing human growth hormone to athletes.Palumboism, named after Dave Palumbo, also known as “steroid gut" or "bubble gut,” is a condition that primarily affects bodybuilders and other athletes who heavily use muscle growth enhancing drugs or hormones. It is characterized by the abnormal enlargement and protrusion of the abdominal area, specifically the oblique muscles, in relation to the chest. This condition results in the appearance of a bloated and distended abdomen, which can be disproportionately large compared to the rest of the body.