Classic Physique bodybuilder Mike Sommerfeld has a few days to turn sacrifice into gold at the 2025 Arnold Classic. In a recent posing update, Sommerfeld unpacked how fusing diet, training, and supplements gives him his stage presence edge.
With a new look in the works, Sommerfeld is chasing a physique that can best his top rivals. Chris Bumstead’s retirement from competitive bodybuilding compounds the pressure behind Sommerfeld’s performance as one of the frontrunners to helm the division.
After pushing the six-time Olympia champion to the limit, Sommerfeld secured a silver medal on the 2024 Olympia stage. Sommerfeld isn’t downplaying the role posing endurance plays in his upcoming match-ups at the 2025 Arnold Classic, scheduled for Feb. 28 through March 1, 2025.
[Related: 2024 Classic Physique Olympia Runner-Up Mike Sommerfeld’s Hypertrophy Chest Training]
Sommerfeld’s Supplement Stack and Training
Sommerfeld overhauled his training split using push-pull variations rather than dividing upper and lower body training. He tapped supplements like methylene blue and BPC-157 to supercharge his recovery. He aims to outlast rivals like defending Arnold Classic champ Wesley Vissers when the judges call for a pose-off.
Methylene blue has been shown to diminish oxidative stress, making bouncing back from hardcore workouts easier. (1) “That’s my personal game-changer,” Sommerfeld shared, crediting methylene blue for its role in boosting his recovery. “This makes me feel so good.”
BPC-157 has gained traction in the fitness industry as a synthetic peptide often used by bodybuilders for joint and ligament support. Research has shown its potential anti-inflammatory effects. (2)
Classic Physique Bodybuilding Poses
Classic Physique competitors are required to hit five mandatory bodybuilding poses during contests. These individual shots allow them to showcase symmetry, proportions, and Classic lines, staying true to the division’s aesthetic.
- Front Double Biceps: Spread the lats, flex the biceps high, and keep the waist tight for a V-tapered look.
- Side Chest: Twist slightly, push the chest forward, and flex the arm and hamstring facing the judges.
- Back Double Biceps: Pull the shoulder blades wide, flex the biceps, and show hamstring and glute detail.
- Abdominals and Thighs: Exhale fully, crunch the abs down, and flex one leg to highlight quad separation.
- Favorite Classic Pose: Choose a signature stance, emphasizing symmetry and flow — think graceful lines, not just muscle.
Sommerfeld’s Go-To Exercises
- Chest Press Machine — Compound movement for targeting the pectorals, triceps, and anterior deltoids.
- Side Lateral Raises — Isolation exercise for targeting the side (lateral) head of the shoulders.
- Dumbbell Pullovers — Compound Golden Era exercise for targeting pectorals, lats, triceps, and shoulders (and the core for stabilization).
- Seated Cable Crossovers — Isolation movement for targeting the pectorals using a single joint (the shoulder joint).
Sommerfeld is all about precision under pressure. To prepare for the stage, he refined his side triceps, hands-clasped most muscular, front lat spread, and front double biceps poses as if head judge Steve Weinberger was present.
The Arnold Classic this year will be something special
—Mike Sommerfeld
In addition to low-carb two-a-days at the gym and his newly crafted posing formula, Sommerfeld is leaving no stone unturned in his quest to win his first Arnold Classic title.
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References
- Xue, H., Thaivalappil, A., Cao, K. “The Potentials of Methylene Blue as an Anti-Aging Drug.” Cells, December 1, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34943887/
- Sikirić, P., Seiwerth, S., Rucman, R., et al. “Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Novel Therapy in Gastrointestinal Tract.” Current Pharmaceutical Design, April 1, 2010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20388954/
Featured image: @mikethebadass on Instagram
