It’s not every day we get to see two iconic bodybuilding veterans throw around weight inside the training room, but today is our lucky day. In a recent YouTube offering published on August 11, 2024, Lee Labrada and Rich Gaspari showcased their ‘ultimate’ back and shoulders workout.
In the 1980s and 1990s, standing out as a bodybuilder was a tall task. There were significantly fewer IFBB Pro cards handed out by the league, making it extremely challenging to develop a notable following. However, there was no denying the aesthetics, shape, and posing skills of Lee Labrada. He gave eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney all he could handle on stage but never managed to secure a Sandow trophy. Despite giving up 30-50 pounds to his adversaries, Labrada still found success as an Open Pro.
Rich Gaspari, meanwhile, etched his name into the history books with hardcore training and an undying will to be the best. As the inaugural Arnold Classic champion (1989), Gaspari’s muscle hardness and striated glutes set the standard in the Open class. Like Labrada, Gaspari was unable to win the Mr. Olympia but gave some of the best bodybuilders in the world a legitimate run for their money.
Ultimate Back Workout With Bodybuilding Veterans Lee Labrada and Rich Gaspari
Check out their exercise selections below:
- Back Lat Pulldown Nautilus Machine
- Chest Supported Row
- Machine Hammer Strength Low Row
- Seated Cable Row
- Lat Pulldown Machine
- Seated Lateral Raise Machine
- Machine Reverse Fly
They begin the workout with back lat pulldowns on the Nautilus machine, focusing on smooth and controlled repetitions. Firing on all cylinders, they move to the chest-supported row machine where quality of contractions became their top priority. After demolishing repetitions on the machine hammer strength low row, the boys round out their back pumps with the seated cable row machine.
The back day wouldn’t be the same without sets on the lat pulldown machine. After utilizing a full range of motion, it was time to build bigger shoulders. They proceed with seated lateral raise machine sets before topping off their gains with machine reverse flyes.
“There you got it. Thank you Lee for the workout, 30 years later but we got to work out together. Did some back, did some shoulders in this great Labrada Gym. I got to definitely come here and train some more,” said Gaspari. “Listen, I had a great time, got to pump some iron, got to talk about old times, this was a great great time.”
“Great catching a workout together,” said Labrada. “You’re still driven. This guy never stops. He’s relentless. He’s always driven. I love it.”
Although they haven’t competed in decades, Gaspari and Labrada joined forces to break down some of their best-kept bodybuilding secrets. During a recent collaboration, Gaspari opened up on his analytical approach to dieting, emphasizing that carb depletion played a major role during his prep for bodybuilding contests. In addition, the pair of bodybuilders discussed how training has changed since eclipsing the age of 60.
From rivals to training partners, Labrada and Gaspari are a testament to what lifelong training can produce. Their longevity and intense workouts undoubtedly played a role in their lasting success on and off the bodybuilding stage.
RELATED: Rich Gaspari Talks ’40, 40, 20′ Diet For Metabolism Control: “Do Not Believe In Starving Yourselves”
Watch the full video from the Labrada Nutrition YouTube channel below:
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