As a two-time 212 Olympia champion, Shaun Clarida wasn’t thrilled about his second-place finish at the 2023 Olympia to Keone Pearson. Clarida will attempt to reclaim the 212 title in 2024, sharing his plans for next season in a YouTube video published on Dec. 4, 2023.
Additionally, Clarida relayed updates on how his pallet has changed and influenced his diet choices, and broke down his off-season leg training. Check it out below:
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Shaun Clarida’s 2024 Plans
Clarida will not compete at the 2024 Arnold Classic. However, he’ll be in attendance for promotional purposes and in support of his fellow bodybuilders. Clarida’s been busy with other ventures, including fathering a 10-month-old daughter, building his private gym, and creating a line of GK-1 (Giant Killer 1) training sneakers.
Clarida’s current travel schedule is also hectic. He’s expected to travel to Texas, Italy, Florida, and Los Angeles in the first quarter of 2024, attending various bodybuilding events leading up to the 2024 Arnold Classic in early March.
Clarida doesn’t need to pack on more mass in 2024 — he weighed 185 pounds on the 2023 Olympia stage. Instead, conditioning and diet are his priorities, as he feels those were his shortcomings in 2023. For reference, Clarida’s two Olympia 212 titles were won at bodyweights of 177 and 179 pounds, respectively.
Clarida believes returning to a slightly lower body weight with his current musculature is pivotal for his success in 2024. Regarding his diet, Clarida’s cravings have naturally pivoted toward healthier options — a favorable shift heading into 2024.
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Clarida’s Post-Olympia Leg Training
Below is a breakdown of Clarida’s quad-focused leg workout:
- Leg Curls
- Leg Extensions
- Standing Single-Leg Curls
- Cybex Leg Presses
- Kettlebell Standing Lunges
Warm Up — Leg Curls, Leg Extensions, & Standing Single-Leg Curls
Clarida began his quad session by warming up his hamstrings to prime the back of the knees for the heavy pushing movements to come. Leg curls, leg extensions, and single-leg curls promote blood flow while he keeps the weight light and repetitions high.
Hack Squats
Hack squats allow Clarida to lift heavy without straining his back. His knees travel over his toes to lengthen his quads. Clarida used to barbell back squat from 2005 to 2018 but switched to hack squats due to shoulder mobility issues. The more back-friendly hack, Smith machine, or safety bar squat are his preferred options now. Durng this particular filmed session, he hack squatted 630 pounds for 15 reps.
Cybex Leg Presses & Kettlebell Standing Lunges
The Cybex leg press, reduces tension on the knees and lower back, allowing Clarida to focus the tension on his quads. He pressed 900 pounds for 14 reps.
Clarida performed kettlebell standing lunges with a wedge underneath his front foot. The wedge allows for more flexion, meaning Clarida can better bias his quads. Clarida held the Smith machine bar to maintain balance during the eccentrics. Clarida took both legs to failure.
Overall, Clarida feels at home in Texas, creating a friend group, building his own gym, and furthering hs shoe line, all while enjoying fatherhood. He said losing the top spot at Olympia was a blessing in disguise, as it strengthens his mindset toward the sport and what he has to do moving forward.
Featured image: @shaunclarida on Instagram
