Derek Lunsford has been on a mission since dropping his Mr Olympia crown to Samson Dauda final 12 months, and if present progress is something to go by, his look on the upcoming Arnold Traditional might see a return to type. In current Instagram posts, Lunsford has been offering perception into his psychological and bodily preparation, revealing his humungous hamstrings and apparently, he’s an enormous proponent of a tried and examined transfer that has a number of variations.
“HAMSTRINGS!” wrote Lunsford in an emphatic submit on Jan 30, 2025. “Straight Leg Deadlift, Stiff Leg Deadlift, RDLs… no matter you wish to name this train, I’m a fan!” defined the large man, together with an accompanying video exhibiting simply how heavy he can go. In fact there are literally some delicate variations between the strikes he referenced, however the advantages of every sort of humble deadlift are comparable, irrespective of the variation. However which one was he performing?
Derek Lunsford Reveals His Large Hamstrings
For individuals who wish to dig into the element, the RDL (Romanian Deadlift) seems to be the transfer that Lunsford is performing on this video demonstration. The RDL stance permits for a slight bend of the knee, however the knees mustn’t proceed to bend an excessive amount of as soon as you start to decrease the bar, that means that there’s much less knee flexion than in a conventional deadlift. To that finish, Lunsford begins the train by inserting the barbell on the rack in order that he doesn’t must decrease all of it the best way to the ground.
On the flip facet, the straight or stiff-leg deadlift (SDL) nonetheless permits for the knee to be bent within the stance to keep away from harm by way of lockout, however the knees mustn’t flex additional on the descent. Whichever variation you select, you can be working your hamstrings and posterior chain exhausting, though some studies have proven that RDL’s are extra taxing on the outer hamstrings whereas different studies have shown SDL’s are better for middle hamstring activation (supply context from the research was gleaned from.
In fact, to his followers, Lunsford was merely standing on enterprise. “Exhibits are received from the again,” wrote one in all Lunsford’s 1.4 million followers on Instagram. “Cuts getting deeper, and pores and skin getting thinner by THE DAY!” wrote one other excited fan, prepared for the Arnold Traditional in Columbus, OH.
As for his psychological state, Lunsford recently reflected on what he nonetheless will get out of bodybuilding after an look on the East Coast MECCA occasion, “We do that as a result of we adore it,” he wrote. “We present up as a result of we share the identical ardour and love for bodybuilding. Regardless of the titles or accolades… All of us have this one factor in widespread. Being a part of the bodybuilding group is de facto one thing particular! In contrast to different sports activities, that is what makes bodybuilding so nice.”
The 2025 Arnold Traditional will happen between February 27 and March 2, 2025.
To observe Derek Lunsford’s quest to dominate the bodybuilding stage as soon as once more, follow him Instagram!