Derek Lunsford is making moves as he sets his sights on his first Arnold Classic title. On January 5, 2025, Lunsford revealed he’s now working with coach Chris Aceto and shared an intense chest workout eight weeks from the 2025 Arnold Classic, which is set to take place from February 27 to March 2 in Columbus, Ohio.
After becoming the sport’s first two-division Mr. Olympia winner, thanks to earning the Sandow trophy in 2023, there’s no denying Derek Lunsford‘s abilities as a bodybuilder. However, when it came time to defend the honor in Las Vegas, Nevada, he failed to hit his peak perfectly. As a result, he presented a flat physique, lacking volume in his lower body. This led to a third-place finish whereas his rival, Samson Dauda, pulled off gold.
Despite the setback, Lunsford decided to get right back into action. He threw his name into the 2025 Arnold Classic where a historic $500,000 in prize money will be fought for. While he’s been training alongside Chris Cormier, who many assumed would be his new coach, it now appears Lunsford plans to follow the guidance offered by bodybuilding guru Chris Aceto.
Derek Lunsford Reveals Chris Aceto as His New Coach, Crushes Intense Chest Workout
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Find his exercise selections below which were featured in his latest YouTube video:
- Pec Deck Fly Machine
- Incline Dumbbell Press
- Decline Chest Press Machine
- Decline Flat Bench Press Machine
- Standing Fly Machine
- Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Lunsford aims to replicate Jay Cutler’s 2009 comeback by working with ‘The Real Technician’ Chris Aceto. This comes after he parted ways with Hany Rambod, who has retired from coaching.
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“I’m trying to do a reverse Jay Cutler ’09, going from Hany Rambod to Chris Aceto this time instead of Chris Aceto to Hany Rambod. There it is.”
He revealed that he started utilizing Aceto’s diet plan, sharing that they linked up 15 weeks out from the 2025 Arnold Classic.
“Firing up our training, ramping things up now and rocking and rolling. The big news is I’m now working with Chris Aceto. We started working together 15 weeks out from the Arnold. We started speaking a few weeks after the Olympia but hadn’t locked anything in for certain.
Then, like I said, 15 weeks out, we started rolling on this diet plan. Many of you may have already had that idea but it had not been mentioned or announced officially. So, I know there was some rumors going around that I was working with other coaches and nope. I’m thankful to be working with one of the best once again,” he shared.
Out of all options, Lunsford explained that he’s always wanted to work alongside Aceto given his history of shaping Mr. Olympia champions.
“I would say between Hany Rambod and Chris Aceto, they are the two coaches that I have always admired the most as an up-and-comer in the NPC, as an amateur aspiring bodybuilder, I always had the dream of working with one of them or both of them.”
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Derek Lunsford expressed excitement over working with coach Chris Aceto, who has experience helping several top-tier Open bodybuilders. Aceto has guided names such as former four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and the late Shawn Rhoden to success at the highest levels of the sport. He also coaches notable athletes in the Classic Physique category like Matt Greggo and Ramon Queiroz.
Derek Lunsford appears optimistic and motivated about his rematch with Samson Dauda in Columbus, Ohio. Don’t miss their battle on stage; Fitness Volt will have comprehensive live coverage of all the action!
Watch the full video from the Derek Lunsford YouTube channel below:
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Brutal session??? Sitting on ass using all machines…
All drugs and nonsense…