A brand new coaching model may make Hooper much more dominant
Final up to date on November nineteenth, 2024
Contemplating he conquered the Arnold Strongman Classic, Rogue Strongman Invitational, Strongest Man on Earth contest, and Giants Live World Tour Finals, it may appear unfathomable that Mitchell Hooper may take his recreation to a different stage.
However as essentially the most profitable yr of his strongman profession involves a detailed, it’s clear the Canadian native has large plans to make 2025 much more memorable than 2024.
Already boasting elite energy, agility, and athleticism, the 29-year-old’s considerably svelte physique (at the least by strongman requirements) ought to look extra menacing within the coming months. On Nov. 18, 2024, Hooper introduced he employed a bodybuilding coach within the first video of his “Turning into a Mutant” sequence on his official YouTube channel.
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Whenever you set the gold normal by successful 4 of essentially the most prestigious competitions in your sport in a single yr, it will be simple to relaxation in your laurels. Nonetheless, Hooper has the precise reverse angle heading into what he calls a “change of season,” moderately than an offseason.
- “It’s time for me to chop a little bit of weight, add a little bit of muscle, and are available into subsequent season with a greater physique composition,” the 2023 World’s Strongest Man defined.
To assist navigate the muscle-building process and push him to a brand new stage, Hooper employed his coaching companion, Matt, who’s additionally a national-level bodybuilding competitor and coach. And it hasn’t taken lengthy for the massive man to be taught a painful lesson on the distinction between coaching for strongman vs. bodybuilding.
- “We’re a couple of days into this, and we began with again and that’s sore as sh*t,” Hooper mentioned. “Then went to legs and so they’re much more sore as sh*t, so I’m slowly destroying the physique half by half.”
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Mitchell Hooper’s Bodybuilding-Model Shoulder Exercise
The duo kicked off the primary episode of “Turning into a Mutant” with a grueling shoulder exercise that includes extra depth and quantity than Hooper’s accustomed to. Right here’s an outline of the workouts carried out through the session:
- Incline Hammer Chest Press — 3 units of 6-10 reps (warm-up); 2×12 working
- Excessive-Incline Dumbbell Shoulder Press — 2 units of 8-10 reps (warm-up); 2×12 working
- Dumbbell Lateral Raises — 4 units of 12-15 reps
- Machine Shoulder Press — 1 set of 8-10 reps; 1 set of 12-15 reps (back-off)
- Rear Delt Machine — 3 units of 12-15 reps
- Alternating Biceps Curls — 3 units of 8-10 reps
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Interested by his possibilities of competing in a physique-focused sport, Hooper threw a hypothetical curveball at his coach, asking him to charge his bodybuilding potential if he misplaced “40 kilos of pure fats.”
Though 2024 Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda shouldn’t have to fret in regards to the Strongest Man on Earth coming for his crown, Hooper’s coach believes his consumer/coaching companion may do nicely on an area stage.
“Conditioning is the whole lot, so for those who obtained completely peeled you’d most likely have extra muscle than anybody there,” he defined.
Nonetheless, there’s a catch.
“Issues like joint dimension and the issues that make you pretty much as good as you might be at strongman would most likely hinder you in bodybuilding,” Hooper’s coach highlighted.
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One benefit Hooper does have heading into this new chapter is his intimate data of how the human physique works due to his kinesiology diploma and years of hands-on expertise. Having practically torn his biceps off the bone through the Rogue Invitational, the achieved strongman delivered some knowledgeable perception as he labored via a set of curls.
“You’re not going to do a managed biceps curl and rip off a biceps that wasn’t going to come back off anyway,” Hooper defined. “That common motion goes to assist clear irritation and strengthen the tendon.”
Between his want for greatness and his willingness to strive totally different coaching types, the sky’s the restrict for Hooper. If 2024 appeared like the top of success, don’t be shocked if subsequent yr seems even higher for somebody who already has a stacked resume.
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Featured Picture: Mitchell Hooper / YouTube