Exercise scientist Dr. Mike Israetel is taking a closer look at the training methods of the newly crowned Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda. In a recent YouTube video shared on October 17, 2024, Israetel critiqued the workout technique of Samson Dauda, offering tips and pointers along the way to help anyone maximize their fitness.
At the 60th anniversary of Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, history was made. Samson Dauda became the first Men’s Open competitor from the UK since Dorian Yates to claim gold. He defeated a stacked crop of the world’s best including finalists Hadi Choopan and former two-division Olympia winner Derek Lunsford.
Exercise Scientist Critiques 2024 Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda’s Training and Diet
As one of the tallest and most imposing competitors on the roster, fans are eager to learn how Dauda approaches his training. Luckily, physiologist, Dr. Mike Israetel, has broken down the inner workings of Dauda’s exercise routines, offering much-needed insight into how he built such an incredible physique.
“Samson Dauda, our athletes of the day. We’re going to review his training. We’re going to review his diet. We’re going to see about his lifestyle.”
To kick off his critique of Samson Dauda’s training, Dr. Israetel discussed ‘The Nigerian Lion’s’ preference for training calves first.
“He has to prioritize his calves so he’s going to hit them first and then moves on to something like chest after that.
By scientifically derived logic, this is absolutely the correct idea because in order to properly stimulate a muscle you really care about, you want to make sure you have the most focus mentally, and the most physical energy from a systemic perspective to pour into that movement.”
Concerning the range of motion and locking out weights, Dr. Israetel gives his opinion on its importance while training.
“Very good technique [on incline Smith machine bench press]. He’s not locking out but as much as it hurts me personally on the inside to say this, that probably doesn’t matter because if you don’t lock out your presses.
You probably have more of the range of motion completed at a slightly more lengthened bias. Your muscles are contracting more in the lengthened position.”
Taking a look at Dauda’s use of the Arsenal fly, he revealed the benefits of using this machine.
“It’s the Arsenal fly, it’s a really comfortable machine to use. I don’t love love it with a capital L because at the top it requires you to squeeze a little harder and it eases up a little at the bottom.
But even if you just get three-quarters of the way up and back down, the arch, the mechanics, the smoothness, it’s awesome.”
Dr. Mike Israetel also assessed the validity of including behind-the-neck presses in an optimal workout routine.
“It turns out when you really look into it, there is no movement really for the human body that is inherently unsafe as long as you can put yourself into it and get yourself out of it. That’s what your muscles and joints are kind of designed to do.
If you want to do some behind-the-neck presses, it’s totally valid. What you want to do is make sure to come down nice and slow under control,” adds Israetel.
Moving into the kitchen, Dr. Israetel analyzed the diet of Samson Dauda, who is known for boasting a monstrous 300-pound-plus physique. Having mass-prepped meat for much of his off-season and contest prep, Israetel opened up on the dieting challenges of a top-tier IFBB Pro.
“Staying on your exact macros and meal prep and eating the same damn boring foods day in, day out, etc, really does wear on you. A lot of people have a lot of pleasure that they receive sort of unknowingly from eating a wide variety of tasty foods that roughly meet their macros in the off-season.”
“It’s tough, The dedication is tough. It’s something I absolutely struggle with. Just kidding. I can eat the same goddamn shit over and over. You guys have seen my Instagram my food is terrible. It’s not as good as this.”
This is far from the first bodybuilding sensation that Dr. Israetel has examined. He has critiqued and evaluated the training routines of Lee Priest, Phil Heath, Jay Cutler, Ronnie Coleman, Tom Platz, and six-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead.
With an intricate level of knowledge of exercise methods and body mechanics, fans can learn factual and actionable strategies for maximizing their time in the gym. Overall, Dr. Mike Israetel was impressed with Samson Dauda’s grasp of training, which helped him make history as the 19th man to win the prestigious Sandow trophy.
RELATED: Dr. Mike Israetel Shares Top 3 Back Hypertrophy Exercises for Young Bodybuilders
Watch the full video from the Renaissance Periodization YouTube channel below:
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