• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • Strength
    • Best Home Gym Machines
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Budget Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Cable Machines
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Smith Machines
      • Best Smart Home Gyms
    • Best Barbells
      • Best Budget Exercise Bikes
      • Best Budget Barbells
      • Best Powerlifting Barbells
      • Best Barbells For Women
    • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Adjustable Kettlebells
    • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
    • More Strength Equipement
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Weight Plates
      • Best Bumper Plates
      • Best Slam Balls
      • Best Weighted Vests
      • Best Weight Sleds
      • All Other Strength Equipment
    • Training
      • Exercise Guides
        • Deadlift
        • Bench Press
        • Back Squat
        • Overhead Press
        • Lat Pulldown
        • Shoulder Exercises
        • Chest Exercises
        • Ab Exercises
        • Quad Exercises
        • Biceps Exercises
      • Training Guides
        • Beginner’s Guide to the Gym
        • How to Build Muscle
        • Guide to Muscle Hypertrophy
        • How to Train on a Cut
      • Workouts
        • Back Workouts
        • At-Home Workouts
        • Chest & Back Workouts
        • Full-Body Workout
        • HIIT Workouts
        • Bodybuilding Workouts
        • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
      • Programs
        • 5×5 Program
        • Bodybuilding Programs
        • Push-Up Program
        • Pull-Up Program
        • 5/3/1 Program
        • Powerbuilding Program
        • German Volume Training
        • Build Your Own Program
    • News
      • CrossFit
      • Strongman
      • Bodybuilding
      • Powerlifting
      • Weightlifting
      • HYROX
    • Individual Strength Equipment Reviews
  • Nutrition
    • Best Protein
      • Best Protein Powder for Men
      • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
      • Best Protein Powder For Women
      • Best Tasting Protein Powders
      • Best Protein Bars
      • Protein by Goal
        • Best Mass Gainer
        • Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss
        • Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain
        • Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain
      • Protein by Diet
        • Best Egg White Protein Powder
        • Best Keto Protein Powder
        • Best Organic Protein Powder
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
    • Best BCAA’s
      • Best BCAA’s for Women
    • Best Fat Burners
      • Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
      • Best Fat Burners For Men
      • Best Curved Treadmills
      • Best Fat Burners For Women
    • Best Pre-Workouts
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
      • Best Pre-Workout for Women
      • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
      • Strongest Pre-Workouts
    • Best Creatine
      • Best Creatine Gummies
      • Best Creatine For Women
      • Best Creatine for Men
    • Other Nutrition Products
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
        • Best Greens Powder for Pregnancy
      • Best Meal Delivery Services
        • Best Budget Meal Delivery Services
        • Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service
        • Best Healthy Meal Delivery Service
        • Best Meal Delivery Service for Weight Loss
        • Best Paleo Meal Delivery Services
        • Best Multivitamins for Women
        • Best Multivitamins for Men
        • Best Supplement Stacks
        • Best Multivitamins
    • Guides
      • Diets
        • Carb Cycling
        • Vertical Diet
        • Reverse Dieting
        • Carnivore Diet
        • Ketogenic Diet
        • Intermittent Fasting
        • IIFYM Diet
      • Muscle Gain
        • How to Dirty Bulk
        • Go From Cutting to Bulking
        • Eat These Carbs
        • How to Eat for Muscle
      • Fat Loss
        • Macros for Fat Loss
        • Calorie Deficits
        • Natural Fat Burners
        • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
      • Supplement Guides
        • Pre-Workout
        • Whey Protein
        • Mass Gainers
        • Greens Powders
        • Creatine
        • BCAAs
      • Daily Protein Needs
      • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
      • Foods With Creatine
      • Bulking Tips
    • Individual Supplement Reviews
  • Conditioning
    • Best Treadmills
      • Best Manual Treadmills
      • Best Compact Treadmills
      • Best Budget Treadmills
      • Best Treadmills Under $2000
      • Best Treadmills Under $1000
      • Best Treadmills For Tall People
      • Best Commercial Treadmills
      • Best Under Desk Treadmills
    • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Water Rowing Machines
      • Best Budget Rowing Machines
      • Best Compact Rowing Machines
      • Best Foldable Rowing Machines
      • Best Air Rowing Machines
    • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Best Folding Exercise Bikes
      • Best Exercise Bikes For Seniors
      • Best Air Bikes
    • Best Ellipticals
      • Best Budget Ellipticals
      • Best Compact Ellipticals
      • Best Rear Driving Ellipticals
      • Best Ellipticals For Seniors
      • Best Under Desk Ellipticals
      • Best Ellipticals Under $1000
    • Other Conditioning Products
      • Best Jump Ropes
      • Best Plyometric Boxes
      • Best Speed Sleds
      • Best Agility Ladders
      • Best Vertical Climbers
      • Best Commercial Stair Climbers
      • Best Affordable Stair Climbers
    • Individual Cardio Equipment Reviews
  • Recovery
    • Best Cold Plunges
    • Best Saunas
      • Best Infrared Sauna
    • Best Massage Guns
      • Best Mini-Massage Guns
    • Best Compression Boots
    • Best Back Massagers
    • Best Massage Chairs
    • Other Recovery Tools
      • Best Inversion Tables
      • Best Vibrating Massage Rollers
      • Best Massage Balls
      • Best Ice Wraps
      • Best Foam Rollers
    • Recovery Guides
  • Fitness Accessories
    • Fitness Tech
      • Best Fitness Apps
        • Best Weightlifting Apps
        • Best Workout Programs
        • Best Cycling Apps
        • Best Treadmills Apps
        • Best Workout Streaming Services
        • Best Workout Apps
        • Best Running Apps
    • Best Bluetooth Earbuds
    • Best Digital Scales
      • Best Smart Scales
    • Best Fitness Trackers
      • Best Heart Rate Monitors
      • Best Pedometers
      • Best Stopwatches
    • Apparel
      • Best Running Shoes
      • Best Weightlifting Shoes
      • Best Cross Training Shoes
      • Best Gym Shorts
      • Best Sports Bras
      • Best Trail Running Shoes
    • Support Gear
      • Best Lifting Straps
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Lifting Chalk
      • Best Dip Belts
      • Best Pull Up Assist Bands
      • Best Lifting Belts
  • Community Forum
Home » News » How Former 212 Mr. O Kamal Elgargni is Training for His Olympia Return

How Former 212 Mr. O Kamal Elgargni is Training for His Olympia Return

Exclusive insight into the 2019 212 Mr. Olympia's weekly workouts.

Written by Roger Lockridge
Last updated on November 26th, 2024

Bodybuilding is a sport of patience and perseverance. Professional bodybuilders train for upwards of a full year for a few moments under the bright lights when they face the judges. Whether it’s the offseason or during contest prep, letting off the gas even briefly could result in sliding down the placings when the big day finally rolls around.

2019 Olympia 212 Champion Kamal Elgargni has been in the game for a while, and he knows his body pretty well by this point. Combining machines and free weights into his routine, Elgargni has a sound strategy when he enters a weight room.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Kamal Elgargni (@ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni)

[Related: The Best Bodybuilding Calf Workout for Your Experience Level]

Elgargni currently trains out of the MI40 Gym in Tampa, Florida. Even though he is in his offseason, he still follows a healthy and clean nutrition plan. This means he doesn’t have to devote too much time to doing cardio to burn off an excessive caloric intake.

The 51-year-old bodybuilder trains five days in a row during the offseason. This is an exclusive look at the battle plan of one of the Olympia’s most tenured and mature competitors.

  • Monday: Quadriceps
  • Tuesday: Chest 
  • Wednesday: Back
  • Thursday: Shoulders
  • Friday: Hamstrings
  • Saturday: Arms
  • Abs & Calves
  • Supplements

Monday: Quadriceps

Elgargni starts with quads because he traditionally has a day off beforehand. This means he can commit more to the workout that is to come. After warming up with leg extensions, his first major exercise is the leg press.

“I may start with two plates (45 pounds, per side), then jump up to three, then five, eventually getting up to a maximum of ten plates. Then, I do my work sets.”

Those work sets are around 15 reps each. Now that he has two machines under his weight belt, he moves on to the safety bar squat. While squats are a power movement, he doesn’t go super-heavy.

He then moves on to hack squats. At this point, Elgargni notes that the execution of each rep matters more than the weight he’s using.

“Now that I’m older, I do these sets slower because my muscles aren’t as fresh as these young guys. I always take it slowly.” Elgargni will work up to five or six plates per side, depending on how he feels. On his final set, he will remove some of the weight and shoot for 20-25 reps.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Kamal Elgargni (@ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni)

[Related: The Best 20-Minute Muscle-Building Workouts to Get Big Fast]

He finishes up his first workout of the week by going back to the leg extensions. He goes 20-30% heavier this time, and he also adds walking lunges in as a superset. Whenever he goes to prepare for his next contest, he will add front squats into the rotation as well.

  • Leg Extension: 4-5 x 25-30, as a warm-up. 
  • Leg Press: 3 x 15
  • Safety Bar Squat: 3 x 10-12
  • Hack Squat: 3 x 12-15, then two drop sets with 12-15 and 20-25 reps. 
  • Leg Extension superset Walking Lunge: 3 x 15-20 and 10 reps per leg. 

Elgargni isn’t getting paid by the hour to train. So, he keeps his rest periods short for this and every other workout. If he has a partner, then that person goes as soon as Elgargni is finished, and vice-versa.

Tuesday: Chest

Next up is chest day. Elgargni trains for hypertrophy and physique development — that means he feels there is no need for him to train with super heavy weight for low reps.

“I never do anything for less than 12 reps,” he says. Among the exercises he does for the chest is the flat dumbbell press, which he works up to a top weight of 110 pounds in each hand. He will do all three working sets with this weight.

Note that Elgargni likes to do multiple warm-up sets on each exercise he performs. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Kamal Elgargni (@ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni)

[Related: How to Properly Spot in the Gym]

  • Pec Deck: 5-6×25 as a warm-up.
  • Incline Machine Chest Press: 3×12-15
  • Dumbbell Bench Press: 3×12-15
  • Cable Flye: 4×20
  • Incline Smith Machine Chest Press: 3×12-15
  • Dip: 3×12-15

Wednesday: Back

Elgargnioccasionally swaps wide-grip lat pulldowns with single-arm machine pulldowns at the beginning of his back workout. For this session, he starts with the former. His next movement is a seated row machine, and he works up to five plates per side by the time he’s ready to start his work sets.

He explained that his top weight is also used for all his working sets. Elgargni then moves on to the behind-the-neck lat pulldown.

“For me, if I go light, and not heavy, with good technique, then it works like going into a back double biceps pose,” Elgargni says. “So, I go down, squeeze, and then I let it go. I don’t go crazy heavy on it.”

He then moves on to the wide-grip seated row, which he uses to target the middle portion of the back. His back workout also includes close-grip pulldowns and a superset of hyperextensions with his bodyweight and low seated rows.

  • Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown: 3 x 12-15
  • Single-Arm Seated Row Machine: 3 x 12-15
  • Behind-the-Neck Lat Pulldown: 3 x 12-15
  • Wide-Grip Seated Row: 3 x 12-15
  • Close-Grip Lat Pulldown: 3 x 12-15
  • Back Extension superset Low Seated Row: 3 x 12-15 each.

Thursday: Shoulders

The former Olympia 212 champion’s shoulder day starts with a machine lateral raise to focus on his side delts. He starts with both arms simultaneously, but as he progresses in weight, he may switch to doing one side at a time.

“You don’t want to start with free weights or dumbbells. The machine is easier to control,” says Elgargni.

His first press is on the Smith machine. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Elgargni isn’t a fan of the dumbbell shoulder press. He finds it awkward and cumbersome to get the weights into the correct position.

Elgargni uses a wider grip for his presses and goes through a full range of motion, lowering the barbell all the way below his chin.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Kamal Elgargni (@ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni)

[Related: 10 Iconic Bodybuilding Rivalries That Shaped the Sport]

Once his shoulders are warmed-up and ready, he then moves to the dumbbells for more lateral raises. He will work his way up from 14 kilograms to a top weight of 20 kilograms. Once he reaches that weight, he starts his working sets. He then shifts to the rear delts by doing reverse pec-deck flyes.

His approach to front raises is different from the standard version of the exercise: “Let’s say I lift the weight in the right arm. When I go up to shoulder height, I also move it to the left slightly,” he said. “I do the same with the left arm, lifting up and to the right slightly.”

  • Standing Lateral Raise Machine: 3 x 15-20
  • Smith Machine Shoulder Press: 3 x 12
  • Dumbbell Lateral Raise: 3 x 12-15
  • Reverse Pec Deck: 3 x 15-20
  • Front Dumbbell Raise: 3 x 15
  • Barbell or Dumbbell Shrug: 3 x 15

Friday: Hamstrings

Elgargni will train hamstrings with quads during the early part of his offseason. When he goes into the phase that he calls “offseason prep,” he splits them up. Even though he only has three movements on the agenda, he makes the most out of each of them.

As with the other days, he starts hamstring training with a machine movement — lying leg curls. He also focuses on flexibility in between sets.

“I really like stretching my hamstrings between sets. I do a lot of stretching,” he states. He also increases the reps for lower body training. He explains that while he may be doing more reps, it isn’t exactly like he’s going light:

“The weight I use for that rep range is a heavy weight. I’m working hard to get the set done.”

After lying and standing leg curls, he loads up a barbell for stiff-legged deadlifts.

“The smaller plates help me lower the bar further. I can get a deeper stretch than with the 45s.”

  • Lying Leg Curl: 3 x 15-20
  • Standing Leg Curl: 3 x 15-20
  • Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 3 x 15-20

These movements are some of Elgargni’s favorites, but he does work in other options as well.

“I may go with deadlifts instead of hyperextensions, or I may do partial deadlifts sometimes. Changing things up can be good. Every now and then, I will change up one or two exercises from each of these workouts.”

Saturday: Arms

Arm day begins with biceps training. After warming up with a curling machine, he moves over to the dumbbell rack. He will warm up to a top weight of roughly 20-kilogram dumbbells and do three working sets.

Next, he moves on to the EZ-Bar for curling, which he likes better than a standard barbell.

“I don’t use a close grip on those curls,” says Elgargni. “It’s about in the middle range, or shoulder-width.” The top weight he works with is two 25-pound plates on each side.

He finishes biceps with four sets of concentration curls. Elgargni then transitions into triceps with two cable movements. He starts with a close-grip pushdown and then goes into a reverse-grip version with the cambered handle.

I like finishing with something that I can really squeeze the triceps with.

If he’s feeling good, Elgargni will do a tried-and-true superset of the skull crusher paired with a close-grip chest press. The last exercise will be either rope extensions or single-arm overhead extensions. He also likes single-arm cable kickbacks.

  • Machine Biceps Curl: 3 x 15
  • Dumbbell Curl: 3 x 12-15
  • EZ-Bar Curl: 3 x 12-15
  • Concentration Curl: 4 x 15
  • Close-Grip Pushdown: 6 x 25
  • Reverse-Grip Cable Pushdown: 6 x 25
  • Skull Crusher superset Close-Grip Bench Press: 3 x 15 (each side)
  • Rope Triceps Extension: 3 x 15

Abs & Calves

Elgargni doesn’t neglect his abs and calves, either. As a matter of fact, he alternates training them twice each during the week.

“One day I will train abs, the other calves, and I will repeat throughout the week. I also train them year-round.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnYExNiUEhA

[Read More: Best Upper Chest Exercises for Building Muscle]

Among his favorite ab exercises are decline crunches and 45-degree leg raises for four sets of 25 reps each. He will also occasionally use cable crunches. The last movement is standing twists with a broomstick on his back, which he does for 100 total reps.

Calf movements may include seated calf raises, standing calf raises, and calf raises on the leg press. 

Supplements

Elgargni occasionally will use a pre-workout, but he described himself as someone who traditionally relies on coffee before he starts training. He’s also a big fan of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and creatine.

[Read More: The Best Quad Exercises and Quad Workouts for Muscle Gain]

“I use the Best BCAA from BPI, that’s my favorite. I can drink that all day. I even use it with meals instead of soft drinks. I like adding creatine during or after the workout too.”

Future Plans

Elgargni will seek to reclaim the Olympia 212 title when he competes in the 2022 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV on the weekend of Dec. 16-18, 2022. He will face current champion Derek Lunsford, 2020 winner Shaun Clarida, and a slew of other contenders.

Based on the vigor and volume of his off-season training, Elgargni should be in prime fighting shape when the big contest rolls around in Vegas at the end of the year. 

Featured Image: @ifbb_pro_kamal_elgargni

About Roger Lockridge

Roger "Rock" Lockridge has been writing professionally for 10 years and has been training for 20. His work in the fitness industry has been seen in numerous outlets and has been a part of coverage for several events including the Mr. Olympia, Arnold Classic, the CrossFit Games, and the Olympics. He's also shared his own personal success story in several interviews and articles. Lockridge lives in West Virginia with his wife and son.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest Reviews

Featured image for the Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review

Ironmaster Super Bench Pro V2 Review (2025): Our Expert’s New Favorite FID Bench

Titan T3 Power Rack Review

Titan T3 Power Rack Review (2025): An Expert-Approved Rig Beckoning to Budget-Minded Athletes

Our tester works out at the beach in preparation for the Rogue Resistance Bands Review

Rogue Resistance Bands Review (2025): Tested by a Certified Personal Trainer

Barbend tester Jake Herod works out on a Force USA Trainer

Force USA G3 Review (2025): Our Experts Tested This Compact All-In-One Rack for Small Home Gyms

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap