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Home » Bodybuilding News » Jeremy Buendia Will Contend 2025 Arnold Classic Title; Hints at Retirement

Jeremy Buendia Will Contend 2025 Arnold Classic Title; Hints at Retirement

The 4x Men’s Physique Olympia champion kicked off his contest prep with a high-volume chest session.

Written by Matt Magnante
Last updated on October 8th, 2024

On Oct. 2, 2024, four-time Men’s Physique Olympia champ Jeremy Buendia announced via social media that he’ll likely retire from competitive bodybuilding after the 2025 season. Buendia has already started his prep for the 2025 Arnold Classic (AC), scheduled for March 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio — his AC debut.

Buendia is laser-focused on his strategy, as showcased in the first workout of his prep — a push session.

After losing his Olympia crown in 2018, Buendia took a four-year hiatus from the competitive stage before returning in the 2023 Olympia, where he ranked eighth overall. The California native had high hopes for redemption at the 2024 Olympia, but they were tarnished due to re-injuring his Achilles tendon while running in April. 

Buendia still needs to apply for and receive an invitation to the 2025 Arnold Classic. The rules differ from those of the Olympia, in which Buendia holds lifetime eligibility as a former champion, with the exception of a five-year gap between appearances. 

High-Volume Chest Workout 

Below are Buendia’s six chest exercises ordered in performance sequence:

  • Hammer Incline Press
  • Pec Deck Flye
  • Dumbbell flat press
  • Standing Cable Flye
  • Machine Press
  • Bodyweight Dip

[Related: Jay Cutler’s 2024 Mr. Olympia Predictions]

Buendia’s Push Techniques 

How does Buendia build thick upper pecs? He prioritizes incline presses using an overhand grip. After working to a max set of 320 pounds on the Hammer Strength machine, Buendia stripped fifty pounds to drop set for three sets of eight to 10 reps, including partial reps.

There are two benefits of this strategy. First, incline chest exercises have been proven to grow the upper chest growth better than flat or decline angles. Second, studies indicate that half reps performed in an exercise’s stretch phase enhance results. (1)(2)(3)

Precision Tactics and Free Weight Functionality 

Buendia paired the press with machine flyes, extending his arms back to overload his pecs in a deeper stretch. He then pulled them together for optimal pec isolation. To vary the stimulus, he drop set again, pushing through 190, 120, and 70 pounds. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jeremy L. Buendia (@jeremy_buendia)

Buendia employed a similar strategy, alternating between neutral and underhand grip cable flyes, moving horizontally and low to high, to bias the middle and upper pecs, respectively. The advantage of cable versus pec deck flyes is more angle variety.

The former champ included dumbbell flat presses for functional mass and strength. He reached a top-end set of seven reps with the 100-pounders, touching the weights to his outer chest, which helped keep the motion in a safe and efficient movement path. 

More Bodybuilding Content

  • Do You Agree With These Critiques of Ronnie Coleman’s Thick Back Workout?
  • Fitness Coach Dan Go’s 6 Tips To Get in Better Shape Than 99% of People
  • Top Bodybuilding Coach Makes Chris Bumstead Do “Roller Flyes” for Chest Gains. Here’s Why

Featured image: @jeremy_buendia on Instagram

About Matt Magnante

Matthew Magnante is a seasoned writer and content editor who has authored hundreds of articles in various categories including bodybuilding, strength sports, CrossFit, general health and fitness, and MMA. His childhood fascination with the 80s and 90s bodybuilding legends fueled his passion for living and breathing weight training, nutrition, and everything in between. Matt was involved in martial arts for most of his youth and is a huge UFC fan. Having beaten the worst of anxiety and chronic stress using natural techniques, he’s also learning just as much about the mind and loves to help others improve their well-being and overall health.

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