While hard work and genetics lay the foundation of competitive bodybuilding success, the role of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in accelerating muscle growth and enhancing recovery is undeniable.
On June 29, 2024, pro Men’s Physique bodybuilder Sadik Hadzovic published a video on his YouTube channel pulling back the curtain on his PED stack and arm training techniques. Check out the video below:
[Related: The 20 Best (and Worst) Quad Exercises, Ranked by Bodybuilder Jeff Nippard]
Sadik Hadzovic’s Arm Workout
Here is an overview of Hadzovic’s high-volume hypertrophy-inducing arm workout:
- Cable Triceps Pushdown
- Close-Grip Bench Press
- Standing Overhead Triceps Extension
- Dumbbell Biceps Curl
- Barbell Curl
- Iso-Lateral Machine Preacher Curl
- Barbell Spider Curl
- Overhead Triceps Extension
[Related: A Guide to the Best Pre-Workouts]
Cable Triceps Pushdown
Hadzovic opens with cable pushdowns and recommends experimenting with different torso angles (upright, 45, and 90 degrees) to determine the optimal position for maximal triceps fiber stimulation. He advises minimal time between sets to maintain intensity and max out muscle pumps. (1)
Close-Grip Bench Press
Per Hadzovic, the close-grip bench press is among the best arms-building exercises. He recommends focusing on contracting the triceps during concentrics to minimize chest activation.
Hadzovic uses a narrower-than-shoulder-width grip (hands six to eight inches apart) and employs a double drop set on the final set.
Standing Overhead Triceps Extension
Hadzovic favors an EZ bar to a straight bar, as it puts the wrists in a more comfortable position. This variation also activates the core, the benefits of which can carry over to other compound lifts.
The 37-year-old Hadzovic flares his elbows while performing this exercise for greater long triceps head stimulation.
Dumbbell Biceps Curl
Standing alternating dumbbell curls are Hadzovic’s favorite biceps exercise. He fully extends the elbows at the bottom to promote hypertrophy. A study published in the Sports (Basel) journal found that training the biceps curl in the initial range of motion (fully lengthened position) led to greater increases in muscle size and strength compared to training in the final range of motion (ROM). (2)
Hadzovic recommends externally rotating the wrists during the concentric to achieve peak biceps contraction. He controls the eccentrics for increased time under tension, thereby promoting hypertrophy.
Barbell Curl
Hadzovic emphasizes a full ROM during barbell curls, bringing the barbell as close to the shoulders as possible on each rep and fully extending the elbows at the bottom. He employs a wider-than-shoulder width on the final set to bias the short biceps heads.
Iso-Lateral Machine Preacher Curl
The New York native recommends unilateral preacher curls to isolate the biceps and address any muscle or strength imbalances. He suggests the cue of contracting the biceps in the fully shortened position as if squeezing a water balloon about to burst.
Barbell Spider Curl & Overhead Triceps Extension
Hadzovic transitions to barbell spider curls, pausing in the fully shortened position. He concludes with overhead triceps rope extensions, maintaining his torso at 45 degrees, fully extending the triceps on each rep, and avoids locking out the elbows so as to maintain constant tension.
Sadik Hadzovic’s PED Stack
Anabolic steroids are synthetic hormones similar to testosterone and can help increase muscle mass and strength. (3)
Hadzovic disclosed he had cut Dianabol, a androgen and anabolic steroid known otherwise as Metandienone, from his stack because it was causing acne. He has instead added:
- Clenbuterol — a beta2-adrenergic agonist
- Proviron — an androgen and anabolic steroid medication used to treat low testosterone
- Winstrol — a synthetic anabolic steroid
- Testosterone Propionate — a slower-releasing anabolic steroid used to treat low testosterone
- Trenbolone Acetate — an androgen and anabolic steroid that promotes muscle growth
- Masteron — an androgen and anabolic steroid
- Nolvadex — a nonsteroidal antiestrogen
- Turinabol — an anabolic–androgenic steroid
[Related: Bodybuilders Explain the Side Effects of Anabolic Steroids]
Way Forward
While recording, Hadzovic was nine weeks out of his first competition of the 2024 IFBB pro season, the 2024 Chicago Pro on July 18, 2024. He must win a pro show before the September 15 deadline to qualify for the 2024 Olympia, scheduled for October 10-13 in Las Vegas, NV.
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References
- Hirono, T., Ikezoe, T., Taniguchi, M., Tanaka, H., Saeki, J., Yagi, M., Umehara, J., & Ichihashi, N. (2022). Relationship Between Muscle Swelling and Hypertrophy Induced by Resistance Training. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 36(2), 359–364. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003478
- Pedrosa, G. F., Simões, M. G., Figueiredo, M. O. C., Lacerda, L. T., Schoenfeld, B. J., Lima, F. V., Chagas, M. H., & Diniz, R. C. R. (2023). Training in the Initial Range of Motion Promotes Greater Muscle Adaptations Than at Final in the Arm Curl. Sports (Basel, Switzerland), 11(2), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports11020039
- Ganesan, K., Rahman, S., & Zito, P. M. (2023). Anabolic Steroids. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Featured image: @sadikhadzovic on Instagram
