IFBB Open bodybuilder Regan Grimes shared a peek into his final preparations two days before claiming the 2025 California State Pro title and qualifying for the 2025 Olympia on May 24. Coached by Miloš Šarčev, Grimes ranked ninth at the 2023 Olympia and fourth at the 2025 New York Pro.
Grimes linked up with Šarčev and four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler for a vodcast episode, wherein they discussed the fuel that contributed to Grimes’ victory over fast-rising star Sasan Heirati. Nick’s Strength and Power‘s post-show analysis lauded Grimes’ physique as the best he’s ever brought to the pro bodybuilding stage.
Nutritional Rigidity
Grimes’ meals center around alternating cream of rice and rice. His fundamental strategy is to load carbohydrates to maintain fullness and muscle volume.
These meals…feel so flat in the stomach. They don’t just run through me.
—Regan Grimes
[Related: The Perfect Pre-Workout Meal According to Science]
Grimes demonstrated meticulous show prep details, measuring salt precisely with a scale. He was allotted six grams of salt for the day, spread across meals. This precision ensures a balance of sodium, carbohydrates, and hydration to achieve peak aesthetic by showtime.
Carb loading and sodium manipulation can significantly alter intramuscular water and glycogen levels. Mistiming or improper nutrient dosing can lead to a flat or bloated appearance.
Sleep, Recovery, & Rehab for Bodybuilders
Grimes credits his CPAP machine for some of his on-stage success since quality sleep is tied to better recovery and performance.
If you’re over 250 [pounds], you need a CPAP…just the way you feel during the day, not like a zombie.
—Regan Grimes
Grimes’ regimen, involving bodywork, foam rolling, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, addresses his knee issues. When paired with weight training, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) enhances muscle growth and strength while reducing body fat. (1)
My knee is feeling amazing.
—Regan Grimes
The Classic Physique Debate
Grimes opened up on Jay Cutler’s podcast as a former Classic Physique competitor. “You’re like Classic plus,” a fan told him. “I’ve always been a fan of the classic look… keeping the waist tight,” Grimes said. This aligns with current IFBB trends that value proportions and balance over sheer size.
The 6-footer still carries plenty of mass to hang with the world’s elite pro heavyweight bodybuilders and will further put that to the test in Las Vegas at the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
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Reference
- Lee MC, Ho CS, Hsu YJ, Wu MF, Huang CC. Effect of 8-week frequency-specific electrical muscle stimulation combined with resistance exercise training on muscle mass, strength, and body composition in men and women: a feasibility and safety study. PeerJ. 2023 Oct 16;11:e16303. doi: 10.7717/peerj.16303. PMID: 37868059; PMCID: PMC10586320.
Featured image: @regangrimes on Instagram
