Sam Sulek is leading the charge in a new era of bodybuilding. In a recent YouTube video shared on Sept. 9, 2025, he discussed the validity of science-based lifting and how gym culture has evolved.
Before ever stepping foot onstage, Sulek amassed an enormous following in the sport. For years, fans watched him develop his physique from the sidelines, hoping one day that he’d actually make his bodybuilding debut. Sulek finally put an end to the waiting — earlier this year, he captured Overall Classic Physique gold at the 2025 NPC Legends Classic.
This allowed him to compete at the Arnold Amateur, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Sulek won his IFBB Pro card and has set his sights on competing at the Arnold Classic contest, scheduled for next year. While gaining muscle for the division, he opened up on how the fitness landscape has shifted.
Sam Sulek Says Science-Based Gym Culture Full of ‘Weird Elitism,’ Talks Motivation for Training
In the video, Sulek emphasized that there is more than one way to train effectively.
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“I think there are people who are gimmicky about it and make it a thing because an older guy who works out is going to stick to the basics that he knows work for him, which is sweet, but it’s going to be harder for him to accept new ideas.”
He said that while science-based lifting can be silly, it doesn’t entirely lack value.
“For a younger guy, it’s this clout mentality of oh I’m on the new wave train — some of it is a little silly. I don’t think all of it is. The point isn’t exactly what they’re doing, but a lot of the idea behind it, and it’s kind of its own sub-culture; it’s a weird elitism because it’s not Chris Bumstead saying this, it’s just the whole thing is this is right and you are wrong. That sucks, that’s not cool, and it’s not even true.”
Sulek believes chasing perfection through science-based lifting could hinder progress:
“There are so many people who get so many different results doing so many different things,” he shared. “The idea that their following is if I’m not perfect, then there’s no point.”
“It’s a snake oil of an idea instead of a product.”
He also discussed gym motivation, noting that he doesn’t pursue efficiency alone, but maximum enjoyment.
“If you hate working out, then you want a routine where it’s one set a day. The ideal would be zero sets. In their world, it’s I wish there was a pill, a real pill, where you never have to work out again. This is where my bias can come in because it’s not an objective — I’m just adding to a conversation. I can’t say anything completely objective.
But from my perspective, I like it in the gym. If I could do 20 sets and that was actually pretty efficient and it worked, that’s what I would do. But I’m not chasing a maximum efficiency in a way, I’m half chasing maximum enjoyment because I like to be in the gym,” shared Sulek.
Sulek is making the most of his time away from the stage to bring improvements. He recently linked up with powerlifting star Larry Wheels, who recently earned his IFBB Pro card. They teased a potential battle at the 2026 Arnold Classic.
Sulek believes there’s some validity to science-based lifting. However, he cautions that there are tons of ways to build muscle and enjoy the gym without fretting over a particular exercise or perfect form.
RELATED: Sam Sulek Signs With Gymshark, Teams Up With Chris Bumstead & David Laid for Intense Back Workout
Watch the full video from the Chris Williamson YouTube channel below:
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