IFBB Professional League Males’s Open bodybuilder Hunter Labrada is prepping for 2 exhibits in 2023 season previous to the 2023 Olympia in November. He kicks off his season on the Tampa Professional on the weekend of Aug. 3-5, and intends to enter the Texas Professional on the weekend of Aug. 19. That provides the second-generation competitor a minimum of two alternatives to qualify for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest, scheduled for Nov. 2-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL
Labrada has overtly shared his prep with followers and followers, as he did on a current pull session exercise printed on his YouTube channel on Might 8, 2023. He was 16 weeks out of the Tampa contest when that exercise was filmed. Test it out under:
This was the primary exercise of Labrada’s contest prep. His again and hamstrings had been the main target of this exercise. The quantity for his first few coaching classes throughout this prep is larger than he’s usually accustomed to and can lower the quantity as the competition approaches.
Seated Machine Row
Labrada began with a Rogers model seated row machine. His heaviest set was with 5 45-pound weight plates and a 25-pound plate on all sides. By the final set, he was all the way down to 4 45s per facet. Parts of three units had been proven, with the ultimate one apparently a rest-pause set.
Why He Does It: Labrada began with a heavy rowing motion to assist develop again thickness, particularly in his decrease lats. This helps him enhance his general width and make his waist seem smaller.
The right way to Do It: Sit on a machine and place your self so a stretch is important to grip the handles. Sit straight and tall with the handles in hand and arms outstretched. Pull the handles in towards the chest by contracting lats because the scapulae are depressed and engaged. Squeeze and maintain this place briefly earlier than easing the handles again to the beginning place. Permit the lats to stretch earlier than performing the following rep.
Impartial Grip Lat Pulldown
The 2021 Chicago Professional winner moved to a lat pulldown for his second train. He connected two single handles to a connecting bar and sat on an adjustable bench along with his chest in opposition to the again pad. Parts of three units had been proven, however the fourth one was proven in its entirety. Labrada carried out 10 reps plus one assisted rep.
Why He Does It: Although Labrada pulled in a unique course, his goal for the second motion was additionally the decrease lats. It’s doubtless he feels the necessity to convey up his decrease lats as a result of he devoted his first two actions of the session to them.
The right way to Do It: Place an adjustable bench with the again pad on the best place subsequent to a pulldown station. Seize the handles and sit on the bench with the chest on the again pad. Pull the deal with down in the direction of your higher chest by contracting the lats.
Squeeze and maintain this place for a second earlier than releasing the stress slowly. There must be a stretch within the lats with out permitting the pinned weight to the touch the stack.
Excessive Seated Machine Row
Labrada’s third again motion was one other seated row however on a Magnum machine with a number of handles. He used two of them, with the vast majority of the reps carried out with an underhand grip. This train biased the higher again.
Why He Does It: Labrada focused the higher lats, rear delts, and rhomboids, and his underhand grip allowed him to tug farther again.
The right way to Do It: Sit on the machine and seize the handles with the popular grip. The arms ought to have the ability to stretch whereas holding the handles with out the pinned weight touching the load stack. Pull the handles in and contract by drawing the elbows again. After a quick maintain, permit the arms to return to the beginning place. Repeat for the specified reps.
Lat Pulldown Machine
Labrada’s fourth motion was much like his second because it was one other lat pulldown. He used an overhand grip whereas mendacity again at an angle and pulling in the direction of his chest, biasing the mid-back.
Why He Does It: The Nautilus machine Labrada used focused his mid-to-upper again. That may be a important space for muscle separation as a again double biceps pose for the judges is a requisite in competitors.
The right way to Do It: If you happen to don’t have entry to a Nautilus machine, a standard lat pulldown station will work. Sit with the knees beneath the knee pads whereas holding the handles for the machine or attachment if on a cable station. Drive the elbows down and pull the deal with in the direction of the shoulders. Contract the higher again on the backside earlier than slowly returning to the beginning place. Repeat for the specified reps.
Mendacity Leg Curl
Labrada shifted focus to his hamstrings with the mendacity leg curl. The particular machine he used let him emphasize the portion of the rep nearer to peak contraction. Labrada highlighted three units; the heaviest weight used was one 45-pound plate and three 25s.
Why He Does It: Labrada desires denser, thicker hamstrings. Doing a paused contraction and managed unfavorable assist him management the load.
“Not transferring the load with the muscle is wasted power and put on and tear in your physique.”
The right way to Do It: Lie face down on the bench and place the toes beneath the foot pad. The knees ought to connect with the pad on the machine. Bend the legs and elevate the foot pad towards the glutes by contracting the hamstrings. As soon as on the high of the train, slowly return to the beginning place and repeat.
Deadlifts
Labrada stated he’s been deadlifting usually for 4 months. He began pulling from blocks till he had the flexibleness to tug from the bottom. His heaviest weight was 224.4 kilograms (495 kilos). Parts of 5 whole units had been proven.
Labrada’s last set was with 206.3 kilograms (455 kilos). He wore a weight belt and used lifting straps to help his grip.
Why He Does It: Deadlifts work the complete posterior chain, however Labrada appeared to bias his erectors and hamstrings due to his slower movement from the ground to close lockout. For the reason that train was final in his routine, he didn’t use as a lot weight.
The right way to Do It: If you happen to’re utilizing a standard stance as Labrada did, stand behind the barbell with the toes at shoulder-width. Bend the knees and decrease the higher physique to safe a grip on the bar. Bend the knees and place the bar as shut as attainable to stack the shoulders over the ankles. Don’t permit the toes to maneuver, preserve arms straight, and preserve the chest up and proud with the shoulders again.
Maintain the backbone and neck impartial after bracing earlier than the preliminary pull. Consider driving the toes via the ground when starting the ascent. As soon as the bar reaches the knees, consider driving the hips ahead to face tall with the load. As soon as at lockout, flex the decrease again by bringing the hips ahead barely. Slowly decrease the load again to the ground and repeat for the specified reps.
Pattern Again Exercise
A basic pattern exercise that you could attempt is under.
- Low Seated Row — 2-3 x 8-12
- Impartial Grip Lat Pulldown — 2-3 x 8-12
- Excessive Seated Row — 2-3 x 8-12
- Lat Pulldown — 2-3 x 10-12
- Mendacity Leg Curl — 2-3 x 10-12
- Deadlift — 3-4 x 8-12
Labrada completed seventh on the 2022 Mr. Olympia, three spots under the place he positioned within the 2021 contest. Since he completed out of the highest 5 in 2022, he must win a professional present to qualify for the 2023 Olympia.
Labrada appeared assured he can win both or each the Tampa and Texas exhibits to clinch his 2023 Olympia invite. He was the 2020 Tampa Professional winner, so he is aware of the best way to carry out on that stage. If he competes within the Texas Professional, will probably be his debut in that contest.
Featured picture: @hunterlabrada on Instagram
