There are mass monsters, and then there is Ugolnikov Vitalii, popularly known as Good Vito. He emerged from Russia’s hardcore training culture and spent years as a viral physique. The kind of athlete who looks like a Photoshop prank until he shows up, and you see the muscle tie-ins are real.
As his photos and videos started circulating through the bodybuilding community, fans waited for his Pro arrival. However, his schedule crumbled when European visa denials shut him out in 2023 due to geopolitical tensions.
Good Vito did not let this setback stop him. He moved his training base to Brazil and kept the Olympia dream alive.
After a few career mistakes and a knee injury, Good Vito finally punched his ticket to the Big O, scheduled for Oct 9-12, 2025, in Las Vegas, NV, by winning the 2025 Arnold Classic South America, and finished 10th amongst a stacked lineup.
This is Good Vito’s life story, diet, training regimen, and more.
Athlete Stats
Here is an overview of the elite athlete’s stats:
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| Full Name: Ugolnikov “Good Vito” Vitalii | |||
| Weight | Height | Age | Date of Birth |
| 255-265 lbs (115.7–120.2 kg) | 5’11’ (180 cm) | 28 years | May 11, 1997 |
| Nationality | Era | ||
| Russian | 2020s | ||
Early Life
Everyone in the bodybuilding circuit caught the first glimpse of Good Vito when his social media photos started doing the rounds, where his lines, volume, and skin-tight conditioning turned him into an algorithm favorite.
He doubled down on this popularity and started posting heavy off-season updates that did not look sloppy. Instead, he looked like one of those anime characters, but in a hoodie.
Many people consider Good Vito as a Men’s Open and Classic Physique division aesthetic crossover. And this is also one of the primary reasons for his popularity.
Early Bodybuilding Career
The growing tensions between Russia and the Western world were a clear sign that if Good Vito wanted to take his bodybuilding career seriously, he had to consider moving out of Russia.
Relocating to Brazil gave Ugolnikov proximity to the top shows, a very passionate fan base, and a deep pool of elite training partners. Plus, Brazil’s growing bodybuilding scene adopted him fast.
This setup also helped create a base for his career-best win, the 2025 Arnold Classic South America.
Moving his base to South America actually worked out well for him as he got access to some of the best training facilities and coaches. Within a few weeks of moving, his training footage showed fuller legs, improved back detail, and a steadier look through long prep phases.

The Early Roadblocks & Breakthrough
Good Vito planned to debut on European stages amongst much fanfare in 2023, including doing shows in Italy and Spain. However, he was denied a visa, which forced a strategic pivot.
According to a few reports, his US visa was approved at that time, but his initial plan’s disruption messed up his momentum, leading him to make changes to his entire competitive schedule for the year.
This season of limbo ultimately stretched the suspense for him and his fans and eventually placed more pressure on every future update that he posted.
The troubles did not end for Vitalii there, as he suffered a knee injury during a guest posing appearance after jumping off the stage. The torn ligament made him pull out of the 2023 Europa Pro, where he was expected to compete.
After a long off-season, Vitalii competed at the 2024 IFBB Professional League Arnold Brazil Pro, where he won the bronze medal. He followed this up with a runner-up finish behind Martin Fitzwater at the 2024 IFBB Detroit Pro.
Good Vito’s breakthrough year finally came in 2025 when he conquered the Arnold Classic South America to win his maiden Olympia qualification.
The Arnold South America win also proved that he could peak on time, translate size to stage presence, and convince judges that his wide-shouldered silhouette belongs in first call-out.
Physique Breakdown
Every bodybuilder looks great in the gym under perfect lighting. However, it all changes when they step on stage and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other elite athletes. Let’s quickly go over what makes Vitalii stand out from his peers.
- Shoulder and Arms: His cannonball delts match thick biceps and triceps, creating a dramatic shoulder-to-waist ratio in the side poses.
- Quads: Sweeping outer quads and hanging teardrops frame his mandatories perfectly.
- Back: Vitalii has worked on his back and has made considerable improvements when it comes to width. His new lat density and lower back conditioning can make him stand out during the back shot.
- Chest: His full upper shelf is reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger. They also make him pop in front double and most muscular poses, with the crab pose being his favorite.
- Conditioning Trend: The Russian bodybuilder has fuller and rounder muscle bellies. His performance at the Arnold Classic South America proves that he can bring a diced package to this stage and give the top five athletes a run for their money.
Ugolnikov “Good Vito” Vitalii – Championships and Accomplishments
2025
- Mr. Olympia – 10th Place
- Arnold Classic South America – 1st Place
2024
- IFBB Professional League Arnold Brazil Pro – 3rd Place
- IFBB Detroit Pro – 2nd Place
*Source: NPC News Online
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Ugolnikov “Good Vito” Vitalii Workout Program
Vitalii is a fan of high-volume training, and his approach is anchored by heavy basics, pump-driven finishers, and aggressive leg workouts. (1)
He alternates between double and single-muscle workouts throughout the week to constantly challenge his muscles. In fact, he even switches up the muscle pairings each week to avoid hitting a plateau.
Day 1: Back & Rear Delts
Many lifters train their posterior delts on shoulder days, but Vitalii is different. He hits them during his back workout, as they are also a part of the upper back. These exercises usually come towards the end of the workout to ensure optimal isolation.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
| Deadlifts | 4 | 6 | 3–4 min |
| T-Bar Rows | 4 | 10 | 2–3 min |
| Underhand Lat Pulldowns | 4 | 12 | 90 sec |
| Dumbbell Rows | 3 | 12 | 2 min |
| Reverse Pec Deck | 4 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
| Rear Delt Dumbbell Flyes | 3 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
Day 2: Shoulders
The Russian bodybuilder goes big on lateral raises as they are key to building round delts. Use a relatively lighter weight and focus on contracting the target muscles throughout the range of motion for optimal target muscle stimulation.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
| Seated Barbell Press | 4 | 8 | 2–3 min |
| Dumbbell Lateral Raises | 5 | 15+ | 60–90 sec |
| Cable Front Raises | 3 | 12 | 60–90 sec |
| Machine Shoulder Press | 4 | 12 | 90 sec |
| Shrugs | 3 | 20 | 60–90 sec |
Day 3: Hamstrings & Glutes
Vitalii’s leg workouts are all about lifting heavy weights without compromising form. He rests for longer during heavy compound movements but limits the rest time during isolation exercises like lying leg curls.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
| Romanian Deadlifts | 4 | 10 | 2–3 min |
| Seated Leg Curls | 5 | 12–15 | 60–90 sec |
| Glute-Ham Raises | 3 | To failure | 2–3 min |
| Walking Lunges | 3 | 12–16 steps/leg* | 90 sec |
| Lying Leg Curls | 3 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
Day 4: Arms
Vitalii has incredible arms, and workouts like these are his secret. He prioritizes a deep stretch at the bottom of each movement and a sharp contraction at the top.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
| Barbell Curls | 4 | 10 | 90 sec |
| Hammer Curls | 4 | 12 | 90 sec |
| Preacher Curls | 3 | 12 | 90 sec |
| Close-Grip Bench Press | 4 | 8 | 2–3 min |
| Cable Overhead Extensions | 3 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
| V-Bar Pushdowns | 3 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
Day 5: Quads & Calves
Good Vito trains his quads and calves 48 hours after his previous lower body session. This allows ample time for his lower body to recover and recuperate.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
| Squats | 4 | 8–10 | 2–3 min |
| Hack Squats | 4 | 12 | 2–3 min |
| Leg Press | 4 | 20 | 90 sec |
| Leg Extensions | 3 | 25 | 60 sec |
| Seated Calf Raises | 5 | 20 | 60–90 sec |
This is his off-season training regimen. He cuts down the total volume and shortens the rest period between sets as he enters the cutting phase.
Day 6: Chest & Triceps
These high-volume workouts are not for the faint of heart, as they involve doing seven exercises and can involve up to 22 total sets. When training chest and triceps, avoid starting with triceps as they are a relatively small muscle group and might fatigue quickly, which can hamper your pec training potential.
| Exercise | Sets | Reps | Rest |
| Incline Barbell Press | 4 | 10 | 2–3 min |
| Flat Dumbbell Press | 3 | 8–10 | 2–3 min |
| Machine Press | 3 | 12 | 90 sec |
| Cable Flyes | 3 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
| Skull Crushers | 3 | 10 | 90 sec |
| Rope Pushdowns | 3 | 15 | 60–90 sec |
| Weighted Dips | 3 | To failure | 2–3 min |
Ugolnikov “Good Vito” Vitalii Diet Plan
Good Vito’s training diet program changes throughout the year, depending on whether he is prepping for a show. Nonetheless, he prioritizes frequent feedings and large meals during heavy training phases.
Off-Season Mass Plan
The aim here is to add muscle tissue steadily while minimizing fat gain.
Target Macros
- Calories: 4,400–4,900 kcal
- Protein: 280–320 g
- Carbs: 520–600 g
- Fat: 90–110 g
Meal Layout
Check out his sample meal plan:
- Meal 1: 8 egg whites, 2 whole eggs, 100 g oats, 1 banana
(55 P / 90 C / 20 F, ~790 kcal) - Meal 2: 200 g chicken breast, 150 g white rice, broccoli
(55 P / 50 C / 4 F, ~470 kcal) - Meal 3 (pre-workout, 90–120 min prior): 250 g 90% lean beef, 200 g sweet potato, 1 scoop EAAs
(60 P / 50 C / 20 F, ~620 kcal) - Intra: 20–30 g highly branched cyclic dextrin or dextrose + 10 g EAAs
(0 P / 20–30 C / 0 F, ~80–120 kcal) - Meal 4 (post-workout, within 45 min): 2 scoops whey isolate, 100 g cream of rice, 1 tbsp honey
(50 P / 95 C / 0–2 F, ~600 kcal) - Meal 5: 200 g cod or tilapia, 150 g jasmine rice, zucchini
(45 P / 50 C / 2 F, ~430 kcal) - Meal 6: 250 g Greek yogurt 2 percent, 80 g granola, 1 kiwi
(40 P / 80 C / 8 F, ~560 kcal) - Meal 7 (before bed): 6 egg whites, 30 g peanut butter, magnesium or ZMA
(30 P / 5 C / 16 F, ~290 kcal)
Contest-Prep Plan
Vitalii shifts gears as soon as he enters the cutting phase and is shredding down for a show. However, he prioritizes maintaining muscle fullness while shedding excess weight.
Good Vito eats clean foods year-round, but he tightens up his fat intake during the show season and dials down his carb timing around training to avoid storing too much glycogen around his midsection, which can hamper muscle definition and conditioning.
Target Macros
- Calories: 3,000–3,500 kcal
- Protein: 300–330 g
- Carbs: 300–420 g
- Fat: 50–70 g
Meal Plan
Going from a 4,400-calorie goal to 3,000 calories is a big shift, and it usually comes with feeling exhausted throughout the day. Adapting to a calorie-restricted diet can require up to a week to get used to, so be patient and let it work its magic.
- Meal 1: 8 egg whites, 1 whole egg, 80 g oats, berries
(45 P / 55 C / 8 F, ~460 kcal) - Meal 2: 200 g chicken breast, 180 g asparagus, 120 g jasmine rice
(50 P / 35 C / 4 F, ~420 kcal) - Meal 3 (pre-workout): 220 g sirloin, 180 g sweet potato, EAAs
(55 P / 40 C / 12 F, ~520 kcal) - Intra: 10–20 g carbs + 6–10 g EAAs
(10–20 C, ~40–80 kcal) - Meal 4 (post-workout): 2 scoops whey isolate, 80 g cream of rice, 10 g honey
(45 P / 75 C / 0–2 F, ~500 kcal) - Meal 5: 220 g white fish, 150 g zucchini, 120 g white rice
(50 P / 35 C / 2 F, ~370 kcal) - Meal 6 (before bed): 300 g egg whites scrambled, 20 g peanut butter
(33 P / 3 C / 13 F, ~240 kcal)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Ugolnikov Vitalii (Good Vito) a Classic Physique or Men’s Open athlete?
Good Vito is a Men’s Open bodybuilder.
What is his height and weight?
Most media outlets list him at 5ft 11in and 255-265 pounds in the off-season. Good Vito has also posted 286 pounds off-season updates previously.
Why was Good Vito’s debut delayed in 2023?
A European visa denial disrupted his competitive schedule in 2023. However, he got his visas in 2024, allowing him to compete in Europe and the USA.
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References:
- Hirono T, Ikezoe T, Taniguchi M, Tanaka H, Saeki J, Yagi M, Umehara J, Ichihashi N. Relationship Between Muscle Swelling and Hypertrophy Induced by Resistance Training. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Feb 1;36(2):359-364. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003478. PMID: 31904714.











