💪 Arm Workouts a Day Before Competition???

Friday brings the weekend, which means lots of sleep and extra-long gym sessions. Please plan accordingly. 

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The bodybuilding world is still in shock at Samson Dauda's underdog victory at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Today, we're highlighting one of his arm workouts in prep for that comp — in fact, his FINAL workout before taking the stage.

Instagram superstar, record-breaking powerlifter, and multi-sport strength athlete Larry Wheels is diving back into the bodybuilding world and wants to make a run at Classic Physique. When could we see him take the stage?

What exactly is the "Natural Olympia," and why should you care about this drug-tested bodybuilding show?

Strap in and get your mind-grapes ready. It's gonna be a fun ride.

WORKOUTS

The Nigerian Lion Hits Arms

The 2023 Arnold Classic crowned a first-time champion in Samson Dauda over the weekend in Columbus, Ohio. The decision by the judges was a nailbiter between the “Nigerian Lion” and runner-up Nick Walker.

The commentary team covering the Men’s Open at the Arnold Classic was torn on who brought the better package between the top two athletes but agreed that it could have gone either way. The judges on the day felt Dauda brought a better physique.

On March 9, Dauda published a video on YouTube that showed his final arm workout before pre-judging at the Arnold. Check out that video below, followed by a breakdown of his arm routine:

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NEWS

Larry's New Bag of Tricks

Larry “Wheels” Williams is a bit of a jack of all strength sports. He’s dabbled in everything from powerlifting and strongman to arm wrestling over the years, and now it looks like he’s focusing back on his bodybuilding pursuits.

In a recent interview filmed during the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival, Wheels reveals that he just moved to Los Angeles and is training with the legendary Charles Glass, who has earned the nickname “The Godfather of Bodybuilding.” The goal is to make his Classic Physique division debut sometime this year. And according to Wheels, the change in divisions comes down to both his chances of winning and his health.

“Open Bodybuilding, I didn’t see [how I] can be very competitive because, at my height, I need to put on an unrealistic amount of muscle,” Wheels says. “That just wasn’t happening — and if I was to pull that off, I’d be extremely unhealthy in doing so. [With] Classic, I’m already as big as I need to be. If not, I have to gain a few more pounds and then cut down to the cutoff at 220 or 230.”

Watch the entire interview below:

COMPETITION

Natural Contenders 

In the most straightforward terms, the Natural Olympia is a drug-tested bodybuilding contest held annually by the International Natural Bodybuilding Association and Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association, more commonly referred to as the INBA/PNBA.

Intended as a venue for elite bodybuilders who master their craft under strict tests for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, the Natural Olympia is tied to a larger mission of the INBA/PNBA: to promote a version of the sport that could one day be recognized by the Olympic Games. Here’s how the show came to be.

THE DROPSET

Bonac Bows Out (For Now)

• Fan favorite Men's Open bodybuilder William Bonac has decided to hit pause on competing and won't take the stage again in 2023. Here's why.

• Bikini Pro Ashley Kaltwasser competes a lot, and that might seem to defy traditional conventions. Here's how a frequent, unconventional approach has brought her success.

• Andrew Jacked is reflecting on his third-place Arnold Classic finish. Here's why he thinks he ended up exactly where he should have been.