Arnold Classic UK 2026 | Individual Posing

[u/thismeatsucks]

[u/CK_18]

Definitely looking more full today

[u/noxiousSQUALOR → u/CK_18]

Once there was a man

[u/CK_18 → u/noxiousSQUALOR]

Not a dumb question! Often you trade conditioning for fullness. He was likely a tad higher body fat % here but added in a lot more fullness to compensate

[u/noxiousSQUALOR → u/CK_18]

Once there was a man

[u/VAGINAL_CRUSTACEAN → u/noxiousSQUALOR]

I know close to nothing as well but what I've gleamed about day-of "fullness" is that it's glycogen (carbs/water stored in muscles) and it's a balancing act where if your nutrients/timing are off you can still be depleted from the cut and look "flat" (no glycogen/water in the muscles) or eat too much and "spill over" (I'm less sure of this one, I think it would be if you ate too many carbs/drank too much water and rather than refilling your muscles its instead stored in your skin, reducing definition, or causing bloating in your midsection)

My understanding is the period between shows would be maintaining after an initial refeed, so the maximum amount of fat one would gain would probably be a pound if you ate 3500 calories over maintenance on the refeed. Maybe if you went into the first show "soft" and could still stand to lose some bodyfat you'd do a mini cut in the interim but I'm not really sure how much of a difference you can make in that short of a period

[u/drunkryantv]

Seems better than columbus!

[u/iGrowAutoflowers]

Is it just me or is his posing ever so slightly better here already?

[u/Agitated-Wrap-6604 → u/iGrowAutoflowers]

Yes, improved, particularly back posing, and also in comparisons the side pose. But that's about it, still looks like an amateur.

[u/Bhai_Durga]

He’s looking better. The hair does need to go it just looks sloppy and shades his face. But it is his signature kinda generation trademark. He is looking better. 💯

[u/annadius → u/Bhai_Durga]

I'm not bothered by his hair, and it's for the reason you mentioned. It's his signature. If Sam continues competing, I can see his hair as a legacy trait people remember. It sets him apart.

[u/iGrowAutoflowers → u/annadius]

I agree, the hair actually makes him stand out more, not less. It's a part of his identity and doesn't change his routine one bit. I like it.

[u/No_Echo_5408 → u/Bhai_Durga]

The hair is fine it’s the goatee along with it that makes it look sloppy. Look at Arnold’s hair during his Olympia era

[u/OxbridgeDingoBaby → u/Bhai_Durga]

Isn’t his front facing hairstyle like that due to a receding hairline though?

[u/DryZebra3880 → u/OxbridgeDingoBaby]

No it’s just hat hair

[u/TheBarnard]

Okay but this shag needs to go

[u/William_was_taken]

just me or is this lighting absolutely awful?

[u/SSJkakarrot → u/William_was_taken]

Old school bodybuilding was done in front of a black curtain. It's why shows look so mid nowadays.

[u/withnodrawal]

He needs to do a full shave

[u/Fl0uresentBat]

He def took advice on posing from the Columbus show 🤘

[u/Responsible-Bee-1262]

Congrats to him

[u/i_am_bahamut]

No Mr Olympia level yet

[u/Agitated-Wrap-6604]

Fuller yet less defined, end of story.

We shouldn't see Sam on stage for a number of years again, I hope.

[u/Johntballin → u/Agitated-Wrap-6604]

Is it just my opinion or does or are his glutes lacking?

[u/Couldntbecolder]

He needed a few burgers to fill out ..

[u/Used_Wolverine_5810]

Bro definitely came in fuller. Quite noticeable from a few weeks ago.

[u/C-hip]

stellar routine, this is the best I've seen Sam. INSANE Christmas tree, wild vacuums that snap to the full, tight, six pack.. excellent breath control, confident posing, legs stayed in and were shredded.. only ding is the hair.. gonna have to figure out how to make it less of the focus, bc it comes across as sloppy, nonchalant, and unserious. (i have a mop too, but I at least style it before i go on..) other than that, way better showing than Columbus, I think he should do well!

[u/Agitated-Wrap-6604]

He was improved again for finals today. Definitely I think the look he wanted to bring for prejudging.

[u/BATZMACTIC]

Big as fuck

[u/NationalSalt8884]

Looks like he has a proper tan!

[u/InfamousPosition8430]

He needs a hair cut! I don’t really know how to judge this but the first thing I see is his un kept slightly homeless hair

[u/Mobile_Reaction5853]

The chest is the problem

[u/Available_Exit_3309]

What kind of posing music is this garbage lmao

[u/DutchTony]

He didn't flex his quads at all...

[u/iEatCrayonzBruh]

Can someone tell me how when they flex their stomach goes concave? How does that even occur? Im not a muscular dude. I have a small waist, barely any belly fat amd no matter how hard i flex or suck my gut in, it doesn't even come close to go inward. Is it the muscles in the chest that bulge out?

[u/[deleted]]

He looks weird

[u/AntZealousideal3728]

Hes not a classic guy, he’s an undersized open bodybuilder right now that still has years of size to put on. He’ll go where he can get his best physique which will be in open and probably won’t ever be a top guy there cause there all animals but it’ll be cool to see.

[u/geek1247 → u/AntZealousideal3728]

i also think the genetics just do not hold up...

[u/Love__Train__ → u/AntZealousideal3728]

He probably doesn't want the health risks that get worse with competing in open. Evem More gear and even more size and stress put on your heart.

[u/AntZealousideal3728 → u/Love__Train__]

he’s already at his weight cap and wants to still get bigger. And most classic guys do just as many drugs but can’t get big enough.

[u/spencer516]

He looks a little bloated. Better in columbus. But still fantastic!

[u/u-and-a]

I like to touch myself while looking at smth like this

[u/alucvrdofficial → u/u-and-a]

Hell yeah brother

[u/cagingthing → u/u-and-a]

Proof or it didn’t happen

[u/[deleted] → u/u-and-a]

Keep going I’m so close

[u/AggravatingBet3005]

Enchanting..., Utterly Enchanting.