While Open and Classic Physique bodybuilders are judged on different criteria, that doesn’t mean they don’t mix it up inside the gym. On May 27, 2025, Derek Lunsford and Ramon Queiroz pushed each other’s limits with a demanding leg workout.
Derek Lunsford‘s been on fire this year. While he dropped his Olympia title to Samson Dauda last October, he bounced back with a huge win over Dauda at the 2025 Arnold Classic. He could have cut his contest season short, but wanted to make history at the Pittsburgh Pro. In the event, he was challenged by Nick Walker, and even though the scorecards read a tie, Lunsford secured the victory.
Meanwhile, Queiroz also struggled at the last Olympia. He finished in fourth place and has taken this time to improve his physique. The Brazilian star has a big opportunity in front of him as the Classic Physique Olympia title is wide open following Chris Bumstead‘s retirement. With both men eager to bring up their lower bodies, they joined hands for a brutal session.
Derek Lunsford Pushes the Pace With Ramon Dino During Grueling Leg Workout
Find their exercise selections below, featured in Derek Lunsford’s latest YouTube video:
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- Leg Extension Machine
- Linear Hack Squat Machine
- Leg Press
- Leg Curl Machine
- Hip Adduction Machine
Throughout leg extensions, Lunsford used partial reps and drop sets for a better squeeze on his quads.
“This is definitely top weight for me today, especially with how I feel. I’m thinking for the partial reps and the extra reps, maybe you just take two plates off and just let me do the reps. I can get a better squeeze,” explained Lunsford.
After crushing assisted leg press reps, Lunsford and Ramon Queiroz moved on to the leg curl machine. The former Mr. Olympia shared that he varies his leg curl options, though he stuck with seated curls for this workout.
“Sometimes the single leg, sometimes this, sometimes the lying, I just pick one and do it but this one is probably the best.”
In between exercises, Lunsford discussed the drawbacks and benefits of hitting intense workouts in the morning.
“After you sleep, when you wake up in the morning, your cortisol is higher, so your fight or flight is –you’re more amped up in the morning. It makes sense, the later I go in the day, the more I get tired but if I’m dieting down and I wake up, my body is flat. I’m tired. I usually go do my cardio fasted so then I need like at least two or three meals before I can go train,” he shared.
They finished with the hip adduction machine before Lunsford reflected on the quality of the training session:
“What a workout. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to lift that but man, you know when I get in here, I start warming up the quads, it’s always going to be a great day. I think quad-focused leg days are my favorite training days. You just have to love it. If you’re a bodybuilder, you have to love leg day, especially quad day. Came in here and got after it.”
Fans are excited to see what’s next for Ramon Queiroz and Derek Lunsford as we head into the second half of 2025. The Mr. Olympia contest is set to return from October 9-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.