September 26, 2023

When Shaun Clarida steps onstage on the 2023 Olympia Weekend in Orlando, FL on Nov. 2-5, 2023, he’ll look to win his second consecutive, and third general, 212 Olympia title. If he does, he’ll be a part of Kevin English and Flex Lewis as the one males to have received three titles for the reason that division started in 2008 because the 202-pound division. The New Jersey native has had a busy yr that included turning into a father and relocating to Texas, however now his sights are set on the duty at hand.

On Aug. 14, 2023, Clarida shared an arm coaching video he did at Vacation spot in Dallas, TX, that gave followers a glimpse at how he’s making ready to defend his world championship in Orlando.

Extra from Breaking Muscle:

This exercise featured 9 whole workouts and he carried out the exercise by alternating actions for the triceps and biceps. Many lifters have skilled their arms utilizing supersets, with workouts alternated back-to-back with out relaxation. Clarida opts to coach them individually, coaching a number of units of 1 train earlier than working the opposite physique half, so one muscle group may partially recuperate whereas the opposite was working.

Rope Triceps Pushdown

Clarida began with rope triceps pushdowns, which each labored the triceps and ready his elbows for the work to return. After warming up, he did units of 12 to fifteen reps whereas holding his higher arms braced to his sides and performing gradual eccentric actions (negatives) for the reps. The ultimate set was a double drop set, the place he lowered the burden to maintain performing further reps.

Cable Biceps Curl

He then switched to biceps with the EZ-curl attachment and did cable curls with a comparatively vast grip. Clarida shared that he needed to get three or 4 units of 12-15 reps at this level within the exercise. The purpose for this particular train was to start his biceps work the identical manner he used extensions to start his triceps coaching.

“Similar to triceps: do a great warm-up, do a feeder [set] the place it feels comfy, feels good. Now I’m going to begin including a bit of bit extra weight to get some more difficult reps.”

He added weight for every set, but it surely wasn’t clear about precisely how a lot he was lifting on the stack.

Shut-Grip Triceps Pushdown

Clarida went again to triceps for his third train of the day. He used the EZ-curl attachment for this model of pushdowns, selecting a better grip than his earlier curls. He shared that he did a feeder set (a transition between a warm-up and a working weight) with 140 kilos (63.5 kilograms) earlier than transferring as much as 170 kilos (77 kilograms) for 12 reps.

His third set was with 190 kilos (86.2 kilograms), however he acknowledged that was nonetheless “too gentle,” so we might tackle the complete stack for his fourth set. He stated he was getting stronger, which he’s happy with.

“I shouldn’t be getting stronger throughout prep. That’s a great factor. That’s referred to as prep finished proper.”

After getting eight reps with the stack, he did yet another set with a lighter weight.

Dumbbell Hammer Curl

The second biceps motion was a cross-body hammer curl. Clarida began with 60-pound (27.2-kilogram) dumbbells, alternating arms with every rep. His purpose rep vary was eight to 10 reps, however he felt that weight wasn’t difficult sufficient. So, he went to the 70s (31.8 kilogram) for his subsequent set, and he bought eight reps for every arm.

Single-Arm Overhead Triceps Extension

He stayed within the dumbbell rack space for overhead extensions with a dumbbell. Not all units have been proven of their entirety, however you may inform he felt assured within the work he put in. Three units for every arm have been accomplished earlier than he switched again to biceps.

Single-Arm Machine Preacher Curl

Clarida referred to as this train considered one of his favorites for biceps. He carried out the train on a machine that allowed him to make use of one arm at a time. He emphasised the significance of each the stretch and contraction with this motion. He maintained a rep vary of 10 to 12 reps for all three units. He gave himself time to relaxation between each arms so he may give max effort to every one.

Single-Arm Triceps Pushdown and Overhead Cable Curls

The subsequent triceps train was one other pushdown variation, placing his wrist by means of a leg cuff attachment. Going throughout his physique for these extensions allowed Clarida to get a higher stretch on the high of the rep. Just one set was proven earlier than Clarida stated what he would do subsequent for his biceps finisher.

The overhead cable curls have been carried out just like performing a entrance double biceps pose. Clarida stated that, though he used to consider that you may change the height of a bicep, he now is aware of which you could solely take advantage of out of what you have already got.

“If you happen to have been born with flat biceps, that means there’s no peak, you actually can’t develop that,” he stated. “When you have a flat biceps, you could have a flat biceps.”

As soon as he reached failure with each arms concurrently, he switched to doing all sides one after the other to complete the biceps off.

Triceps Machine Dips

He had 5 triceps actions on this exercise as a result of the triceps are sometimes larger than the biceps, when it comes to their anatomical location on the physique. The ultimate motion for this exercise was machine dips. He as soon as once more emphasised the significance of the stretch on the high in addition to the contraction on the underside of every rep. After three units of this train, he was completed for the day.

Extra from Breaking Muscle:

If you wish to carry out a exercise like this for your self, you possibly can observe the pattern exercise beneath.

Big Killer-Fashion Big Arm Exercise

  • Rope Triceps Extension — 3 x 12-15
  • Cable Biceps Curl — 3 x 12-15
  • Cable Triceps Pushdown — 3 x 8-10
  • Alternating Dumbbell Hammer Curl — 3 x 8-10 per arm
  • Single-Arm Overhead Triceps Extension — 3 x 10 per arm
  • Machine Single-Arm Preacher Curl — 3 x 10 per arm
  • Cross-Physique Triceps Extension — 3 x 12 per arm
  • Overhead Cable Curl — 3 x 12-15 (attain whole muscular failure on final set)
  • Triceps Machine Dip — 3 x 12-15

Clarida hopes to be the primary Olympia 212 champion to efficiently defend his title since Lewis’ final win in 2018. Kamal Elgargni received in 2019, Clarida claimed his first in 2020, and Derek Lunsford was champion in 2021. Lunsford moved to the Males’s Open division in 2022, and Clarida managed to reclaim the title. 

Featured Picture: @shaunclarida on Instagram