Shaun Clarida Goes By way of Large Arm Exercise Throughout 2023 Olympia Prep

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 total, 212 Olympia title. If he does, he’ll be part of Kevin English and Flex Lewis as the one males to have gained 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 training 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.

This exercise featured 9 complete 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 get well 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 come back. After warming up, he did units of 12 to fifteen reps whereas preserving 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 load 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 broad grip. Clarida shared that he needed to get three or 4 units of 12-15 reps at this level within the exercise. The aim 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 an excellent warm-up, do a feeder [set] the place it feels snug, feels good. Now I’m going to start out including a bit bit extra weight to get some tougher 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 more in-depth 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 your 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 an excellent factor. That’s known as prep executed proper.”

After getting eight reps with the stack, he did 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 aim 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 received 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 would 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 known as this train one in every 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 following 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 larger stretch on the prime 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 much like performing a front double biceps pose. Clarida stated that, despite the fact that he used to consider that you would change the height of a bicep, he now is aware of that 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. “You probably have a flat biceps, you might have a flat biceps.”

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

Triceps Machine Dips

He had 5 triceps actions on this exercise as a result of the triceps are sometimes greater than the biceps, by way of 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 prime in addition to the contraction on the underside of every rep. After three units of this train, he was completed for the day.