Derek Lunsford has been on a mission since shedding his Mr Olympia crown to Samson Dauda final yr, and if present progress is something to go by, his look on the upcoming Arnold Basic may see a return to kind. In latest 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 publish 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 displaying simply how heavy he can go. In reality there are literally some delicate variations between the strikes he referenced, however the advantages of every sort of humble deadlift are related, irrespective of the variation. However which one was he performing?
Derek Lunsford Reveals His Big 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 shouldn’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 need to decrease all of it the way in which 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 lockout, however the knees shouldn’t flex additional on the descent. Whichever variation you select, you can be working your hamstrings and posterior chain onerous, 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 examine was gleaned from.
After all, to his followers, Lunsford was merely standing on enterprise. “Exhibits are gained from the again,” wrote one among 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 Basic 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 like 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 neighborhood is de facto one thing particular! In contrast to different sports activities, that is what makes bodybuilding so nice.”
The 2025 Arnold Basic 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!
