With a brand new coach and revenge on his mind, Derek Lunsford is controlling every variable within his power to dominate his next show. In a recent YouTube video released on January 2, 2025, Lunsford joined by his new coach, Chris Cormier, crushed a demanding leg workout weeks from the 2025 Arnold Classic.
Derek Lunsford entered the 2024 Mr. Olympia as the reigning champion, having conquered the stage a year prior with unparalleled back width and detail. Although fans expected him to pull off a successful title defense, his performance did not go as planned.
Instead, Lunsford struggled against Hadi Choopan and Samson Dauda due to a lack of leg volume, which is something he’s hoping to fix in the coming weeks alongside his coach Chris Cormier, a decorated 1990s bodybuilding legend.
Derek Lunsford Joins Coach Chris Cormier to Dominate Brutal Leg Workout In Prep For The 2025 Arnold Classic
He’ll have a chance to exact revenge against Dauda when they meet at the upcoming Arnold Classic, set to take place from February 27 to March 2 in Columbus, Ohio. In a recent YouTube video, Lunsford can be seen pushing himself to new limits under the tutelage of ‘The Real Deal’ Chris Cormier.
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Derek Lunsford’s Leg Day Workout
- Leg Extension Machine
- Leg Press
- Hack Squat
- Lying Leg Curl
Leg Extension Machine
Cormier wants Lunsford to take his leg extension reps higher than he’s used to for an optimal contraction. They started with light weights so Lunsford could get accustomed to the movement. He also gave Lunsford advice on how he wanted him to breathe throughout sets.
“I like the angle. I like the contraction, but that’s how high I want you to get because there’s going to be a hell of a lot more weight but I’m still going to want that same flexion.
I want you to try to get that breathing [down] because that’s what’s going to hold you back if you don’t get that out.”
Leg Press
They continued on the leg press machine, slowly progressing in weight. Eventually, Lunsford was pushing six 45-pound plates on each side.
“I don’t know if it’s because I’m very pumped or it’s the machine or what, but I feel like really contracted,” said Lunsford.
“When you’re in that hole, that’s going to load up, [explode],” advised Cormier. “If you feel comfortable [then your foot position is fine].”
Hack Squat
With the hack squat, Cormier emphasized the importance of limiting the number of exercises per muscle group.
“We’re going to do three for the quads,” says Cormier. “Yeah, four is the max [amount of exercises when I trained]. It’s not about loading up a bunch of exercises, it’s about the effort you put behind specific areas. Just pound that. Real push movements is only two four six super push.”
Lying Leg Curl
Lunsford is hanging on Chris Cormier’s every word throughout the workout, determined to bring his best physique yet to the Arnold Classic stage.
“Whatever you say goes,” says Lunsford. “I’m really ready to bring my best. I know I won the 212, I won the Open Mr. Olympia but I just know my best is yet to come and I want it man. I have so many reasons this year of why I want to bring my best.”
If Lunsford hopes to walk away as the winner in his Arnold Classic debut, it won’t just be Dauda he has to worry about. The former two-division Mr. Olympia winner will have to surpass Andrew Jacked, who continues to improve as an Open threat from show to show. Aside from those threats, the lineup is stacked with other notable contenders standing out like former Olympia winner Brandon Curry, Akim Williams, and James Hollingshead.
Derek Lunsford appears to be training with a chip on his shoulder judging by the intensity he brought to this training session. Don’t miss his debut on the Arnold Classic stage next month!
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Funny old pros training new pros? Both have crazy genetics ( although Chris doesn’t look that good anymore) it takes absolutely no training talent to train a Mr O.