Bodybuilders Rich Gaspari and Sadik Hadzovic linked up in South Korea for a special training session. On November 14, 2024, they smashed a back and biceps workout. In addition, they discussed correcting physique imbalances and natural diuretic tea.
During the 1980s, Rich Gaspari emerged as a massive name in the Men’s Open thanks to his dry conditioning and willpower. While former eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney prevented him from earning the Sandow trophy, Gaspari still enjoyed success at the highest level. He is the inaugural 1989 Arnold Classic winner and pioneered striated glutes in Pro competitions.
Sadik Hadzovic has also carved out a respectable tenure in the sport. Having placed runner-up twice at the Men’s Physique Olympia to Jeremy Buendia (2014,2015), he understands the sacrifices necessary to stand out on the sport’s most celebrated stage. In Hadzovic’s last contest appearance, he placed fifth at the 2024 Tampa Pro.
Rich Gaspari Old School Back & Biceps Workout With Sadik Hadzovic
Find their exercise selections below:
- Lat Pulldown
- Seated Cable Row
- Dumbbell Bent-over Row
- Cable Biceps Curl
- Standing Alternating Hammer Curl
Lat Pulldown
During lat pulldowns, Gaspari discussed his use of behind-the-neck presses, revealing that they are now frowned upon as they can affect shoulder health.
“I did behind-the-neck presses but not really the pulldowns as much. I found out now that they are really bad for you,” says Gaspari. “Supposedly they are bad for your shoulders because it’s in an unnatural plane of motion.”
Gaspari also explained how he approached his physique asymmetry and the influence former eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney had on him.
“My legs were too big for my upper body so I stopped really training heavy on legs,” he shared. “He taught me a lot. I have to say, if it wasn’t for Lee Haney, I don’t think I would have been able to turn Pro. Then, we became rivals.”
Seated Cable Row
While pulling reps on the seated cable row machine, Sadik Hadzovic asked Gaspari about his water-loading techniques and diuretic use. Gaspari shared that he utilized a diuretic tea made with Uva ursi and dandelion root.
“I didn’t believe in diuretics. I was one of the few that didn’t take it. I was known for my conditioning. I did restrict fluids the last day, a day before the show. I would drink, like you said water-load, the week before, drink over two and a half gallons and the day before the show cut it down to a gallon.”
“I’d also do a diuretic tea, Uva ursi, some herbs, I would take. I would drink a whole big gallon of that tea the day before [a show]. So I never really took diuretics. It really works [the Uva ursi/dandelion root tea].”
Dumbbell Bent-over Row
Before hitting dumbbell bent-over rows, Hadzovic gave an update on what body parts he intends to bring up in time.
“Obviously, you can never have enough back, you can never have enough arms. That’s a golden rule of bodybuilding. Just trying to just mold my physique into the best it can possibly be.”
Cable Biceps Curl
Gaspari and Hadzovic moved into cable biceps curls, executing controlled repetitions to maximize their pumps.
Standing Alternating Hammer Curl
They finished off the routine with alternating hammer curls. Hadzovic touched on Gaspari’s bodybuilding accolades.
“’86, ’87, ’88 runner-up at Mr. Olympia. Not to mention countless other accolades in bodybuilding. He was the guy that made striated glutes a thing.
Nobody had striated glutes until he was there because he was so focused on the conditioning because he didn’t have the genetics so he had to come in crazy conditioning. Rich now is 62. It’s great for me to pick his brain.”
Rich Gaspari hasn’t taken a backstep when it comes to training. While pumping iron alongside bodybuilding great Lee Labrada, they discussed industry secrets together, where Gaspari laid out his analytical approach to dieting, carb depletion, and how training has changed later in life.
Despite having long retired from the sport, fans continue to learn from bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari. At 61 years old, he continues to train five days a week, focusing on health and longevity.
Watch the full video from the Sadik Hadzovic YouTube channel below:
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