Men’s Physique bodybuilder Christian Guzman is revamping his diet and training under the guidance of his new coach, Justin King. In late March 2025, he confirmed that while a pro contest wasn’t on his radar, his target is to earn an IFBB Pro card.
Guzman most recently stepped on stage in 2023. He shared that preparations took a painful toll. Despite personal challenges, he clinched fifth place at the NPC USA Championships and North American Championships. In a better mental state, Guzman is devoting attention to furthering his bodybuilding career.
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For the past 12 weeks, Guzman’s been in good company. King is known for guiding six-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead before his retirement and uses data to tailor training approaches.
King considers performance metrics before programming a routine. This meant measuring Guzman’s vertical jump and pulling strength using a mid-thigh overcoming ISO, an isometric test that evaluates strength and force output, two key factors for building muscle. (1)
By getting more force production, you’ll get more hypertrophy.
Justin King’s Plan for Guzman’s Chest Gains
- Incline Bench Press
- Dumbbell Incline Flye
- Hammer Strength Chest Press Machine
- Flat Bench Dumbbell Skullcrusher
- Cable French Press
- Standing Multi-Flight Machine
This workout featured a combination of free weight and machine exercises, which have been shown to promote hypertrophy. (2) Tempo and form were focal points for Guzman throughout pressing movements.
Guzman maximized time under tension using a six-to-eight rep scheme with five-second eccentrics and one-second pauses. This effective intensifier induces hypertrophy and helps with strength gains. (3)
After hammering his chest, King had Guzman zero in on triceps stimulation with dumbbell skull crushers. He controlled the weight slowly with two-second pauses at the bottom of each rep.
The upper body workout comprised six exercises. Without the burden of travel on his schedule, Guzman expects a near-stage-ready physique after sticking to this program paired with proper nutrition.
By the end of this four-week period, I’m going to look like a four-to-five-week-out physique.
—Christian Guzman
Guzman’s Revamped Diet: Clean Eating and Consistency
Guzman’s entering uncharted territory in 2025 with his diet. He plans to stay locked in with whole foods complemented by consistent sleep, a total shift from his 20s.
Those two things have completely transformed my life.
—Christian Guzman
Guzman oversees a handful of companies he helms, including Alphalete Athletics, Alphaland, and 3D Energy.
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References
- Oranchuk DJ, Storey AG, Nelson AR, Cronin JB. Isometric training and long-term adaptations: Effects of muscle length, intensity, and intent: A systematic review. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2019;29(4):484-503. doi:10.1111/sms.13375 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30580468/
- Schwanbeck SR, Cornish SM, Barss T, Chilibeck PD. Effects of Training With Free Weights Versus Machines on Muscle Mass, Strength, Free Testosterone, and Free Cortisol Levels. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(7):1851-1859. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000003349 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32358310/
- Wilk M, Zajac A, Tufano JJ. The Influence of Movement Tempo During Resistance Training on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy Responses: A Review. Sports Med. 2021 Aug;51(8):1629-1650. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01465-2. Epub 2021 May 27. PMID: 34043184; PMCID: PMC8310485. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8310485/
Featured image: @christianguzmanfitness on Instagram
