Derek Lunsford Victorious at the 2025 Arnold Classic (Full Division Results)

Plus, Hafthor Bjornsson's teasing a World’s Strongest Man comeback and Arnold Schwarzenegger debunking fancy training myths.

March 03, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes

The 2025 Arnold Classic crowned Derek Lunsford as its champ, proving once again that biceps and charisma are a winning combo. The bodybuilding world buzzed as he out-posed and out-muscled the competition, while other divisions—like women’s physique and strongman—delivered their own jaw-dropping results. Full breakdowns of every category are available for those who live for the flexing details. [Check out the full results here.]

The fitness community is mourning the loss of coach and athlete Jodi Vance, who died from severe dehydration during the 2025 Arnold Sports Festival. Her dedication to the sport inspired many, making her sudden passing a heartbreaking blow to peers and fans alike. Organizers are now facing tough questions about safety protocols at such high-stakes events. Details are still emerging, but her legacy as a passionate competitor endures. [Read more on this somber story.]

Mitchell Hooper lifted his way to the top at the 2025 Arnold Strongman Classic, proving he’s still the guy to beat in the world of tossing heavy things around. The Canadian strongman outpowered a stacked field, including legends like Hafthor Bjornsson, to snag the title with a performance that left jaws—and barbells—on the floor. Day one saw him dominate the Timber Carry, while day two’s Atlas Stone finale sealed the deal. Full results show he’s not just strong—he’s annoyingly consistent, making the rest of us wonder if he’s secretly a cyborg. [See the Herculean breakdown.]

One brave soul doubled their arm workouts for 30 days and emerged with pipes that could rival a plumbing store. The experiment pushed biceps and triceps to the limit, revealing surprising gains in size and strength—proof that more curls might just be the answer. Consistency was key, though the mirror selfies probably didn’t hurt motivation either. Check out the full saga for tips or just to feel inadequate about your own gym routine. [See the arm-tastic results.]

Mike Sommerfeld went all-in for the 2025 Arnold Classic, hammering his upper body with 24 working sets and perfecting his posing game. The result? A physique that screams “I lift things up and put them down” with a side of stage-ready polish. His grueling prep paid off, earning him his maiden Arnold Classic title. Want to know how he survived the DOMS? Dive into the details. [Witness the upper-body madness.]

Hafthor Bjornsson, aka The Mountain, is teasing a return to the World’s Strongest Man, saying “there is a possibility” he’ll reclaim his throne. The strongman legend’s been busy breaking records and starring in HBO epics, but the pull of lifting absurdly heavy things might be too strong to resist. Fans are already hyped for a potential showdown of titans. His next move could redefine “strong” for a new generation. [Hear his thoughts.]

Erin Stern’s dropping wisdom for long-legged squatters with five quick fixes to perfect form and avoid folding like a lawn chair. The two-time Ms. Figure Olympia breaks down tweaks—like stance tweaks and core bracing—that turn wobbly reps into powerhouse lifts. Her tips tackle the tall folks’ struggle, ensuring your knees don’t stage a revolt mid-set. Want to squat deeper without looking like a confused flamingo? These pro moves have you covered. [Master the long-leg squat.]

Arnold Schwarzenegger is back with wisdom from the iron temple, saying straight sets pack as much muscle-growing punch as fancy cluster sets. The Governator cites science to argue that simple reps can still sculpt a Terminator-worthy bod—no advanced techniques required. So, maybe your gym bro’s overcomplicated routine isn’t the golden ticket after all. His take could save you time and overthinking on your next lift day. [Arnold’s got the scoop.]

Fat fasting is the latest buzz for shedding pounds fast, leaning on high-fat eats to spike ketones and torch body fat. This guide breaks down how guzzling butter coffee might just transform you into a leaner machine. It’s not for the faint of heart—or stomach—but the results could be worth it. Curious about dropping weight without kissing carbs goodbye forever? Here’s the skinny. [Dive into fat fasting.]

One athlete ditched the chair for a standing desk for two weeks and came away with more than just better posture. The switch shook up their daily grind, boosting energy and cutting that mid-afternoon slump—though their calves had opinions about it. Turns out, standing might be the productivity hack your cubicle’s been missing. Want to stand taller at work? Check out the full story. [Here’s what went down.]

Trying the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique for 14 Mornings Left Me Surprisingly Calm

The 4-7-8 breathing trick—inhale four, hold seven, exhale eight—got a two-week morning test drive, and the results were zen-tastic. This simple ritual dialed down stress and made waking up feel less like a personal attack. It’s not a magic cure, but it might just keep you from yelling at your alarm clock. Curious about chilling out without a yoga mat? Take a deep breath and read on. [Breathe in the details.]

Strength Standards Reveal How Your Lifts Stack Up Against the World

Ever wonder how strong you really are? Strength standards lay out the benchmarks, from newbie to beast, so you can see if your deadlift’s a flex or a flop. These numbers cut through the gym hype to show where you stand—pun intended. Grab your lifting log and prepare for a reality check or a humblebrag. [Measure your might.]

Smson Dauda wins the most muscular award at the 2025 Arnold Classic 📹💪

Breakfast Recipe of the Day: Poached Eggs with Broccoli, Tomatoes, and Wholemeal Flatbread

Boil 300g broccoli for 4 minutes, then sauté halved cherry tomatoes in 1 tsp olive oil for 2 minutes. Poach 2 eggs in simmering water with a splash of vinegar for 3 minutes, while you warm a wholemeal flatbread (cheating with store-bought is fine, we won’t snitch). Stack the tender broccoli and juicy tomatoes on the flatbread, crown it with those runny eggs, and season to taste—breakfast domination, achieved.

The Strength Bulletin

  • Inez Carrasquillo muscled her way to the top at the 2025 Arnold Strongwoman Classic, proving she’s the queen of strength—and maybe logs too. (Check out her epic win.)

  • Golden Era icon Mike Katz reflects on a legendary career after receiving the 2025 Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award. (Relive his epic moment.)

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