Fitness influencer Jesse James West has amassed nearly three million YouTube subscribers. Some of his most notable collaborations include training with multiple-time Mr. Olympia champions Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman and decorated strongmen like the Stoltman brothers.
On July 13, 2023, West published a video on his channel featuring a chest-training session with Classic Physique bodybuilder Urs Kalecinski and Men’s Physique competitor Sadik Hadzovic. West was 21 days out of competing in a bodybuilding show at the time of recording. Check it out below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JYL1InLyLM
Kalecinski of Germany ranked fourth in his Olympia debut in 2021. He returned in 2022 to improve one rank to the bronze position.
Hadzovic has Olympia appearances — thrice as a Men’s Physique competitor (2013, 2014, and 2015) and twice in the Classic Physique division (2016 and 2017). Hadzovic has three Olympia podium finishes — runner-up behind Jeremy Buendia in 2014 and 2015 and third behind Danny Hester and Arash Rahbar in 2016.
Jesse James West, Urs Kalecinski, and Sadik Hadzovic’s Chest Workout
The trio did these three exercises before moving into a posing session:
[Related: Discover Men’s Open Bodybuilder Hunter Labrada’s Push Day Six Weeks Out From Competition]
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press & Machine Chest Press
West prefaced that the session’s goal was to learn the “secrets to becoming an Olympian bodybuilder.” The chest session biased the upper pecs and opened with the incline dumbbell bench press.
Hadzovic disclosed to West that Hadzovic is currently training heavy every day. Hadzovic works in the six-to-eight rep range for each exercise with a 60-minute time cap to his workouts. Limiting time compels high-intensity sessions.
Kalecinki lifted 140-pound dumbbells for his third set. He locked out eight reps with 170-pound dumbbells for his final set, which knocked on the door of his personal best, which was revealed to be 180 pounds.
Before the first set of machine incline chest press, Kalecinski shared his off-season goal of adding muscle tissue while staying close to the Classic Physique’s weight limit of 220 pounds. “The Miracle Bear” had five weight plates on each side of the iso-lateral machine for the final set. After completing five full reps, he performed partials to failure.
Cable Flye
The trio used slow eccentrics to increase their time under tension. According to a 2021 Sports Medicine study, “greater time under tension can create an adequate stimulus to induce hypertrophy and strength gains.” (1)
Kalecinski revealed that he trained for nine years before being confident about his IFBB Pro League prospects. The two pro bodybuilders emphasized the importance of mastering the trifecta of eating, training, and recovery before considering using performance-enhancing drugs.
[Related: Bodybuilding Versus Powerlifting Programs: Three Big Differences]
Way Forward
Kalecinski’s third-place finish at the 2022 Olympia earned him a direct qualification for the 2023 Olympia, scheduled for Nov. 2-5 in Orlando, FL. The German bodybuilder is in a long off-season, adding mass to his physique to challenge the four-time reigning Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead. Kalecinski will need to drop significant weight as he was 26 pounds over the weight cap while still lean earlier in his off-season.
Although Hadzovic qualified for the 2022 Olympia in the Men’s Physique division by winning the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro, he pulled out of the Olympia one week before stepping on stage. Hadzovic last competed at the 2022 New York Pro, where he earned bronze. While he hasn’t disclosed the details of his next competition, he has his fans hopeful for an Olympia comeback soon.
References
- 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.
Featured image: @jessejameswest on Instagram
