Patrik Herčzík and his form before Classic Physique Olympia 2022

We have for you the current form of Patrik Herčzík, who got among the professional competitors this year and at his first EVLS Prague Pro 2022 he secured his participation in the most prestigious competition in the world. In three weeks Patrik will take to the boards in the Classic Physique Olympia category, where he will compete with names like Cbum, Urs, Ruffin etc. Since the Olympia is just around the corner, we have prepared a few questions for Patrik that you might be interested in and will bring you closer to what it is actually like to be the first Czech in the Classic Physique category heading to the Olympia.

1. Hi Patrick, the Olympics are in four weeks so we're wondering how you're feeling? Are you feeling a little nervous or are you looking forward to it?

Hi, hello to all the readers. Probably a little bit of everything. I'm looking forward to Las Vegas and the American Christmas spirit. I'm looking forward to seeing the world's biggest stage with all the stars. I'm excited to stand next to them, but nervous at the same time. I feel a kind of pressure from the anticipation of how I'm going to do.

2. You mentioned in our previous interview that you're flying to Vegas early, that's in a few no?

Yes, we are leaving on December 12 (I should be racing on December 17). This is to deal with the time delay and good water handling in the final days. It will also give us time to do a bit of scouting in Vegas.

3. Well, back to your preparation and your current training. Could you tell us how you train now, if it's not a secret? How do you split up your games, like this at the end, or is it still the same?

I don't think it's a secret. The plan has changed a little bit depending on the groin and now looks like this:
Monday: back + biceps + abs + 30min cardio

Tuesday: chest + back shoulders + abs + 30min cardio

Wednesday: off

Thursday: Legs + calves + abs + 30min cardio

Friday: pecs + triceps + abs + 30min cardio

Saturday: shoulders + biceps + abs + 30min cardio

On top of all that, I also do an abdominal workout in the morning on an empty stomach, every day including non-training days. These are three core exercises to improve my mid-body, which is often criticized.

4. It would be great if you wrote down your shoulder workouts for example, because we know they are brutal and many of us would love to be inspired by them!

I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint a few people. Because I don't think my shoulder training is ever anything special. My shoulders are a God-given shape. Moreover, for me personally, it's a bit of a disadvantage, considering that in some parts like breasts, for example, the dominance of my shoulders takes over, let's say, part of the movement or the force exerted and thus limits me in a good workout of the desired part. I then have to pay a lot of attention to technique and skipping delts during the exercise, which brings one back to square one a bit. At least in terms of weights lifted and often progression. My current Saturday shoulder workout looks like this:

Exercise: Shoulder Presses with Single Arms (Possibly Multipress):
1x 4-8op. - HEAVY
2x 10-12op.

Exercise: Shoulder Spreads with Single Arms:
1x 8-12op. Always 2s in upper contraction
2x 10-14op. Always 1s in upper contraction

Exercise: Deadlifts on the bottom pulley. Each arm separately:
1x 8-10op. Always 1s in upper contraction
2x 15-20op.

Exercise: 6 ways
1x 8-12op.
2x 12-15op.

5. We know you've been on a diet for a very long time, something like 7 months, that's a hell of a long time. Do you have any food on your menu that you still look forward to and enjoy after all this time? Or has it all fallen into such a rut for you and you're just eating for a purpose?

I've been treating food as a kind of stereotype for years, otherwise I'd probably go crazy. I see food as fuel, I know it's going to make me lose weight/gain/energize my body for the day or for a workout or whatever. The stereotype doesn't bother me. I know plenty of people who can't eat the same food for dinner as they can for lunch. Luckily, I don't have a problem with this and have been eating stereotypically like this for a few years now. What bothers me, though, is the limitation of ingredients and the feeling of being forbidden. One then starts to miss specific tastes and this escalates with the feeling of being forbidden. Still, there are two foods in my diet that I usually look forward to, and that's pre- and post-workout rice porridge with protein on Sci-Tec Nutrition. These are sweet versions of the meals and I love sweet.

6. We're still wondering what your first meal after the Olympics will be.

It's hard to say what my girlfriend and I will meet tonight in Vegas and what will catch our eye, but I'll definitely eat everything :D

7. Fingers crossed and good luck!

Thank you so much.