The future looks bright for bodybuilder Sam Sulek after holding his own in the Pro circuit. On April 5, 2026, he explained how he’s rebuilding size and strength to bring improvements in his next contest.
Once just a fitness influencer, Sam Sulek has quickly turned into a legitimate bodybuilder. He turned Pro at the 2025 Arnold Amateur and found his footing in the packed Classic Physique category. A year after his first stage appearance, Sulek swam in the deep end and took eighth place at the Arnold Ohio.
Instead of calling it a season, Sulek tested himself overseas at the Arnold UK event. He presented an improved physique and carb-loaded properly for a stronger, fuller look. In the end, he achieved seventh place, with the bodybuilding community anxiously awaiting his next move.
Sam Sulek Addresses Weak Points After Arnold Classic UK, Details ‘Maintenance’ Diet Approach
In the video, Sulek confirmed that one area that needed work was his back thickness.
“I may be underestimating the amount of mass that my back should have. Historically, I always thought my back was a really strong point, to the point where I can kind of chill out on it.
But seeing how all these guys look, literally top of the game Pros, which is what I want to look like. Not for the sake that I want to look like that so that I can compete well, more so, I just want to look like that because it’s freaking cool. What that tells me is I think some more back mass is solid. Not so much that it’s a singular, jarring weak point.”
Additionally, size is a top priority for the rising star; he wants just about every body part bigger:
“I want bigger triceps, I want a bigger chest, and I want bigger legs, and I want bigger shoulders, and I want bigger forearms and calves, and hamstrings, and calves.”
“We’re just back to normal. Phase one of this post-show period of time is going to be regaining some strength. Today is not off-season day one. We’re not there yet. I’ve kind of got to build up that momentum first. This is going to be a few-week phase of getting back into the groove, a maintenance phase. I don’t want to eat too much, too fast,” Sam Sulek shared.
As for nutrition, Sulek shared that he plans to adhere to a maintenance plan and slowly increase his calories. This plan ensures that he doesn’t tack on any unnecessary body fat from overeating.
“If I eat too much, too soon, right now, I’m just going to start putting on body fat like nothing. I’ve been on mid-2500-ish calories the last few months.
If I start trying to ramp it up to 4,000, it doesn’t even feel like ramping it up, I could just start eating 4,000 a day, to the point it wouldn’t even be a challenge. Well, that’s a big ass surplus. I nearly doubled my calorie intake for the day. Am I really going to be able to use all that energy productively to put on size? I’ve kind of got to ease into it.”
Bodybuilding figureheads have been clear about what they believe Sulek should do next. Judge Terrick El Guindy recently suggested that Sulek find a coach. He argued a seasoned second eye could help Sulek, especially in the final weeks leading up to an event. Though fans have wanted to see Sulek one day test himself in the Men’s Open, he said his only concern right now is Classic Physique.
Sulek has yet to confirm when or where he’ll compete next. In the meantime, it appears most of his focus will be on bringing up his back thickness and detail.
RELATED: Bodybuilder Sam Sulek Shares Contest Prep Grocery Haul 19 Days from 2026 Arnold Classic
Watch the full video from the Sam Sulek YouTube channel below:
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