Orhii’s eating regimen and coaching to maneuver up a weight class revealed.
In mid-February 2025, elite, record-holding 83KG powerlifter Russel Orhii vlogged his meals and coaching in bulk mode following his IPF world report squat on the 2025 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships.
Orhii is contemplating competing in the 93KG weight class, aiming to weigh a lean 195 kilos. Weighing 193 kilos, although not as lean as he’d like, Orhii has already seen progress in growing his energy — he boasts a 694-pound deadlift and 685-pound squat post-show. The American Powerlifter fueled his post-contest deload with fast food however deliberate for proper macronutrient intake to attain his physique purpose.
Since deloading post-meet, Orhii has expressed, “The whole lot I’m doing proper now gasses me out. ” He struggled with excessive bar squats (i.e., when the bar sits excessive on the traps), which require extra quad strength. Orhii’s dominant posterior chain favors low bar squats (i.e., when the bar sits on the rear delts). Nonetheless, he understands the carryover of excessive bar squats to energy lifts.
[Related: How Heavy Do Two of the World’s Best Powerlifters Lift When Training Together?]
Cheat Meal & Bulking Technique
After lifting, Orhii laid out his Chick-fil-A post-workout meal: 12 rooster nuggets, a rooster sandwich, giant fries, and a Powerade. He prefers cheat meals on weekends, nonetheless hitting his macros, and weight-reduction plan extra strictly on weekdays.
That is the perfect I’ve ever felt coming off a meet as a result of we have now a bulking plan.
—Russel Orhii
Orhii famous the distinction between dirty bulking and strategic bulking. “Simply since you achieve weight doesn’t imply it’s a bulk,” he asserted. Muscle progress takes time, and overeating might not add additional muscle tissue. A slight caloric surplus, with satisfactory protein and carbs, appears to optimize mass beneficial properties. “It’s worthwhile to method a bulk the identical means you do a [cutting phase],” Orhii suggested.
The distinction in physique and power once you’re consuming sufficient protein is silly.
—Russel Orhii
Orhii’s second exercise featured incline dumbbell presses, dumbbell shoulder presses, and machine chest flyes. Hypertrophy exercises typically require extra vitality than powerlifting. Orhii’s bulking eating regimen permits him to focus extra on time underneath stress and restoration to construct muscle tissue.
Grocery Haul
When bulking, Orhii shares his kitchen with lean floor beef, egg whites, and shrimp cocktails. Stir-frying beef noodles is a hack to spice up his energy, and “the macros are insane,” he confirmed.
Protein pancakes with Hershey’s chocolate syrup are a breakfast staple. Greek yogurt with granola is the Orhii’s go-to muscle gas combo.
Orhii’s Motivation
Addressing how Orhii stays motivated, he shared his perception that, “If it’s a must to ask the best way to keep motivated, you don’t like what you’re doing sufficient.” He cemented, “Re-evaluate your why. I don’t have to inspire myself. I really like the health club, I cater my life to it.”
When Orhii locks into coaching, he blocks everybody out — one other hack he attributes to his success. “I believe the trail to attaining one thing particular is a lonely highway,” he mentioned, emphasizing the significance of solitude. Folks say group is an efficient factor. I believe it will probably maintain you again.”
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Featured picture: @russwole on Instagram
