Mike Sommerfeld's Arnold Classic Push Workout
IFBB Pro Mike Sommerfeld has shared his current push-day workout routine as he prepares for the 2026 Arnold Classic less than a week away. His program focuses on high volume and intensity, offering a timely insight for those following bodybuilding's annual marquee event.
As the reigning 2025 Arnold Classic champion, Mike Sommerfeld is not just defending a title; he's chasing a legacy and a record-breaking payday. The 2026 event in Columbus, Ohio, boasts a historic $100,000 prize for the Classic Physique winner, the largest ever for the division. Sommerfeld's preparation has been intense, focusing on creating a "perfect 3D look" to impress from every angle. This comes after back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Mr. Olympia in 2024 and 2025, the latter being a narrow one-point loss that has fueled his current drive. His prep hasn't been without challenges, as he recently battled through two hospitalizations due to food poisoning, forcing him to take antibiotics mid-prep. His push-day routine emphasizes pre-exhaustion and muscle fiber activation. He starts with cable flies, moving from high reps with low weight to slower, more controlled heavier sets. This is followed by machine-based presses like the incline and flat press, where he utilizes rest-pause sets to increase time under tension and maximize muscle contraction. The workout concludes with compound movements like dips, which he calls a "three-in-one exercise" for hitting the chest, front delts, and triceps simultaneously. This high-volume approach is a shift from his previous upper-lower split, designed to burn more energy and increase sets per muscle group during his fat-loss phase. The Arnold Classic, first held in 1989, is considered the most prestigious bodybuilding contest after Mr. Olympia, co-founded by its namesake, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Winning this title is a significant step toward bodybuilding's highest honors. The 2026 competition features a stacked lineup, including the highly anticipated professional debut of Sam Sulek. Sulek earned his IFBB Pro card by winning the 2025 Arnold Amateur and brings a massive social media following and intrigue to the stage.
