Fitness & Exercise

Shawn Rhoden isn't letting his rape case get in the way of his training ... the 2018 Mr. Olympia hit the legendary Gold's Gym in L.A. this week -- and thanked all his fans for their support.

The 44-year-old bodybuilder is accused of raping a female bodybuilder at a Utah hotel back in October 2018 ... but he's adamantly denied the allegations, pleading not guilty in court and releasing several denial statements.

But, the guys that run the Mr. Olympia contest have barred Rhoden from competing in the 2019 tournament regardless, saying they were breaking off their relationship with the superstar until his case played out in the court system.

Rhoden fans have started a change.org petition to get the Mr. Olympia honchos to change their mind, and more than 17,000 people have already signed it.

Rhoden clearly appreciates the love ... because after we got him getting in a lift in at The Mecca in Venice -- he shouted out his supporters and gave us a bunch of thumbs ups.

Rhoden also says he has yet to hear from the Mr. Olympia competition since the petition has gained traction.

By the way, the gym we spotted Rhoden at is one of the most legendary in the country ... some of the greatest bodybuilders ever -- including Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime -- have pumped iron there.

Colin Kaepernick is still busting his ass to get back in the NFL ... the ex-49ers superstar just posted a workout video -- and it's INTENSE.

The video shows Kap getting after it in the weight room -- there's push-ups, bench presses, rows, tricep pull-downs and dips ... the guy is CLEARLY still in fantastic shape.

And, with the NFL season starting ... it's obvious Kaepernick wants people to know that despite a settlement in his collusion case with the NFL -- he's still working to make a roster.

In fact, the video starts with the number 889 -- the amount of days Kaepernick says he has been "denied" a job in the league.

Of course, the 31-year-old last played in the NFL in 2016 when he was San Francisco's quarterback ... but he claims controversial kneeling protests during the national anthem forced him to be blackballed from the league.

By the way, Houston Texans backup quarterback AJ McCarron suffered a thumb injury this week and the team is reportedly looking to sign a quarterback for camp ASAP.

Clearly, Kap is hoping to get the call.

Jon Gruden said this week he expects "more drama" involving Antonio Brown ... and guess what -- he got it.

The Oakland Raiders superstar has been sued by his famous personal trainer who claims the WR stiffed him out of thousands of dollars stemming from a week-long off-season workout program.

The man behind the suit is Sean Pena -- who's trained pro athletes like NFL star Darius Leonard.

Pena somehow connected with Antonio Brown in 2019 -- and the two started working out together.

Pena claims AB had him fly up to NorCal for one week of hardcore training in April -- and he even posted footage of the two grinding it out in the gym at the University of California Berkeley.

They did everything from foot speed drills to weight training, balance work and water-resistance work in a pool. The sessions actually looked pretty intense.

But, when it came time to pay up, according to the lawsuit ... Brown never ponied up the dough.

According to court docs, obtained by TMZ Sports, Pena is demanding $7,194.81 for "unpaid therapy and training services; agreed-upon reimbursement for hotels, airfare, rental car, and [miscellaneous fees], in addition to late penalties disclosed on accepted invoice."

The case has already been assigned a trial date for October -- which will go down unless the two sides can reach a settlement before that.

When reached for comment, Brown's attorney, Darren Heitner, tells TMZ Sports ... "Mr. Brown has already paid the Plaintiff everything that he was due. The Plaintiff has no foundation for coming after Mr. Brown, and we will ensure that this case disposed of quickly."

FYI, Brown signed a 3-year, $50 MILLION contract with the Raiders during the off-season.

Nicole Murphy looked like she couldn't wait to hide under a rock after leaving the gym ... just days after she was caught smooching a married man.

Nicole tried her best -- keyword, tried -- her best to keep a low profile Thursday as she left a gym in Beverly Hills. It's the first time she's been seen in public since apologizing for kissing actress Lela Rochon's hubby ... director Antoine Fuqua.

As we first reported ... Nicole apologized for locking lips with a married man while vacationing in Italy over the weekend. She initially said they were just "family friends" and had simply exchanged a "friendly hello."

But, as you know by now ... her version quickly changed when she told TMZ, "Without going into the entire situation, I want to apologize to my family, and to Lela and the Fuqua family for what transpired."

BEST VIDEO EVER!!!!

14-year-old Tim -- who was born without arms -- was nervous about trying to hit a 20" box jump at the NubAbility Camp ... you can see it in his face.

But what you also see ... SHEER DETERMINATION!!!

Check out this incredible footage of Tim and his team of trainers and spotters encouraging the kid even after he stumbles on the first two tries.

Did Tim give up?! HELL NO!!! He pushed and pushed and pushed and HIT THE JUMP!!!

Good luck trying not to get emotional ... this might be the most inspirational thing you'll see all day.

Brad Vineyard posted the footage and said, "My favorite moment from Nubability Camp. Tim overcoming his fears and self-doubt and landing a 20” box jump. If you have not heard of Nubability Athletics and its founder, Sam Kuhnert, check them out."

We're told Tim has been coming to the camp for years and has usually participated in a variety of sports -- including playing volleyball with his feet.

But in 2018, Tim took an interest in strength training ... and he's been focusing his time in the  gym ever since. We're told the program brings in accomplished adults with similar conditions as the kids so they can learn from someone who's been in their shoes.

We spoke with NubAbility founder Sam Kuhnert who tells us he's extremely proud of Tim -- and explained that the word "can't" isn't allowed at their camp!

By the way, if you recognize Tim, it might be because he was featured in a Shriners Hospital commercial back in the day!

Bodybuilding superstar Shawn Rhoden -- the 2018 Mr. Olympia winner -- has been charged with 1st degree rape in Utah after allegedly sexually assaulting a female bodybuilder in 2018.

Cops in Salt Lake City tell TMZ Sports ... 44-year-old Rhoden -- who goes by Flexatron -- has not been arrested, but a warrant has been issued. 

According to court docs, first obtained by KSL.com, Rhoden's accuser claims she visited Rhoden in his hotel room in Oct. 2018. The unidentified woman told cops she viewed Rhoden as a mentor. 

But, during the visit, the woman claims Rhoden forced himself on her -- and despite repeated pleas to stop, he refused. She claims he eventually stopped and let her leave the room. 

Officials say the woman went to police and they collected evidence from her body that tested positive for Rhoden's DNA.  

Rhoden has been hit with multiple criminal charges including felony rape, object rape and forcible sexual assault. 

Rhoden is a huge star in the bodybuilding world -- he has 1.6 million followers on IG and is the reigning Mr. Olympia ... the most prestigious title in the sport. He famously dethroned Phil Heath, the legend who had won the Mr. Olympia competition 7 years in a row. 

Forget about downward dog, there is a new way to unwind after a long week, and we're sharing the trendy way to meditate just in time to celebrate goat day!

Stars such as Lizzo, Maren Morris, Tove Lo, Brooke Hogan, and plenty of other famous faces are all about following the wild ways ... and adding some furry friends to their weekly workout seems to be all the rage these days!

Here's all the proof you need to know Manu Ginobili is lovin' retirement ... riding a bike through Manhattan Beach with his family and a big ol' smile on his face!!!

TMZ Sports spoke with the San Antonio Spurs legend while he breezed by our camera guy on Tuesday ... and he told us he's enjoying life with his wife and children off the hardwood.

FYI -- the 4-time NBA champ called it a career just before the start of the 2018 season ... saying "It's been a fabulous journey. Way beyond my wildest dreams."

It's a good sign for Ginobili's ex-teammate Tony Parker ... who just joined him in the retirement life after 18 seasons in the Associaton.

UFC legend Daniel Cormier says he's tired of people thinking combat sports is a beauty contest, saying both him and Andy Ruiz Jr. prove the fact that FAT GUYS CAN FIGHT!!!

Ruiz set the Keto diet back 10 years when he knocked out Anthony Joshua a couple weeks ago ... making blubbery brawlers all over the world believe in the power of the ponch.

We talked to Cormier and he told our guy it's about damn time, saying fighting is less about looks and more about ability.

"All that physical sh*t don't mean nothing. Go be a bodybuilder if you think that your physique is what's gonna determine a fight."

As far as Ruiz, Cormier says anyone paying attention could see Andy was more than capable of beating Joshua, but they all got fooled by the fat.

"That dude's an athlete. Look at his Instagram, look at his work ethic. His feet are very quick, his hands are very quick, and he's got a killer's mentality."

D.C. left all you dieting jerks with one last message ... and he delivered it with passion.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is moving on from that crushing Conference Finals loss to the Raptors by getting right back in the gym ... and dancing his ass off!!

The Greek Freak and his fellow NBA playing brother, Kostas, channeled their inner MadeinTYO for their workout cooldowns ... bustin' out the woah dance while "Chucky Cheese" blasts in the background.

If you have no idea what these kids are trying to accomplish, check out this vid.

Giannis is obviously one of the best players on the planet right now ... but that doesn't make him immune to the IG trolls ... with some people joking his moves look like a grandpa trying to be cool.

Worth noting -- if you think these guys are good hoopers, the Antetokounmpos have a younger brother, Alex ... and Giannis previously told us he's gonna be the best in the bunch!!

3:40 PM PT -- Jay Glazer ran into Pratt at the gym and congratulated him, and Chris used it as an excuse to show off his wedding ring as well. Pratt also had a very quick but interesting message ... check it out.

2:26 PM PT -- Chris also seems to be in the mood to work out before he and his new bride get into honeymoon mode -- but he's doing so across town from his wife. The actor was spotted Tuesday leaving a WeHo gym, right around the time Kat was doing the same in Brentwood.

Sure, they just got hitched three days ago -- but hey, it's 2019. Do your thing, babe! See ya at home.

Katherine Schwarzenegger's not off on a fabulous honeymoon yet ... but she's still rocking that newlywed smile and GIANT ring while working on her fitness.

Katherine was beaming Tuesday as she left a pilates sesh in Brentwood. We're guessing that ear-to-ear grin has more to do with her husband, Chris Pratt, than working up a sweat ... but ya never know. She IS Arnold's daughter!

As we reported ... the couple tied the knot over the weekend at the ritzy San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito. The event, as you can imagine, was a pretty star-studded affair. Heck, the wedding rehearsal alone was at Rob Lowe's crib!

This is Katherine's first marriage, and Chris' second. He was famously married to Anna Faris, who was so happy for him and Katherine, she volunteered -- jokingly, we think -- to marry them.

That wasn't necessary, as it turned out, and the wedding went off without a hitch.

Congrats ... to Katherine, we mean. Pilates is hard!

Arnold Schwarzenegger made a clean getaway when his bodyguard got into a showdown -- that involved a taser -- with an alleged bicycle thief outside of Gold's Gym.

The bizarre confrontation went down Friday in Venice, CA, just as Arnold was wrapping up his morning pump.

We're told he was inside the gym when a man with a bandana on his face came up on the rack outside and tried to steal Arnold's gold bike. The Governator had his own private security parked nearby in an SUV keeping an eye on things, and they sprung into action.

One of Arnold's guards busted the potential thief by pulling a Taser on his ass. While they stood a few feet apart, Schwarzenegger swooped in, grabbed his wheels and took off.

Justin Theroux's either throwing some serious muscle behind the #FreeBritney movement, OR he just likes super trendy tees that show off his muscles and his love for Britney Spears.

Justin was tooling around NYC Friday on his bicycle ... making sure his biceps and triceps got plenty of vitamin D while showing his love for early Brit.

His graphic tee -- sleeves optional -- featured the cover art for the 2001 "Britney" album. Justin definitely seems like a "Slave 4 U" kinda guy.

Based on how ripped the guns of Theroux were looking during his ride around Gotham, we'd say someone's gonna "Get it get it, get it get it" in the gym ... or wherever he's heading on his bike. He won't deny it, and he damn sure ain't trying to hide it!!!

Mandy Moore is getting some super cool social media content on her way up Mount Everest, but Sal Masekela says she's also putting herself in danger ... and she might not make it down alive!!!

We got the former X Games host at LAX Wednesday and asked him about the recent deaths at Mt. Everest ... and Sal delivers a dire warning to rich people who are climbing just for the social media snap -- and for Mandy, who just reached Everest's base camp.

This climbing season has already resulted in 11 deaths in the Himalayas, with the latest casualty an American lawyer. The way Sal sees it, even the most elite athletes can succumb to Everest's harsh conditions ... so Mandy's gotta be extra cautious, even though she's being guided by experts.

Kevin Hart says he's known around the gym as "The Rock" for his sculpted body ... and he's claiming Dwayne Johnson stole the famous handle and pawned it off as his own!!!

We got Kevin Monday in New York City and asked about getting in great shape for some recent movie roles, and that's when Kevin dropped a bombshell ... Dwayne's NOT the original 'Rock.'

Ya gotta see Kevin's reaction when our guy suggests the comedian needs a cool nickname like Dwayne's ... he's visually shocked and upset, imploring Dwayne he's got some 'splainin' to do!!!

We also wanted Kevin's take on Chris Rock crossing over to horror films and signing up to produce the next "Saw" chapter ... and gauged Kev's interest in getting involved with scary movies himself. Sounds like Kevin's got some demons to face before going down that road.

Kate Middleton designed a garden that she hopes will inspire others to get their kids outdoors and playing -- and her kids set a great example by leading the way on that front.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had themselves quite a day exploring Kate's new "Back to Nature" garden that she's officially unveiling to the public in a few days as part of the annual Chelsea Flower Show. The point of all of it ... early childhood development and getting folks (especially kids) reacquainted with the great outdoors. A great cause, really.

Before she opened the doors to everyone else, she had Will bring their own kiddos by to scope the joint out. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and the newest addition, 1-year-old Prince Louis, definitely had their run of the place ... it's practically a kid's playland paradise.

Charlotte and Louis rode the rope swing, which looks super fun ... and Georgie boy dipped his toes in a running stream under a baby bridge. We don't usually say this ... but damn, this is cute.

Seeing how they got a little cousin now who'll be able to play along soon enough -- ya gotta imagine the Royals might be here quite a bit in the near future.