Strongman Oleksii Novikov started his preparation for Arnold Strongman Classic 2022
Author: Every year at the Arnold Classic not only competitors from bodybuilding, but also from strongman sport. One of those strongmen who will show up at the Arnold Classic on March 4-5, 2022 will be Ukrainian strongman Oleksii Novikov. He managed to win the title of the world's strongest man in 2020 and can thus boast a title that only a handful of competitors have been able to win. The year 2021 wasn't all bad for Novikov, he managed to win the Worlds Ultimate Strongman (WUS) Dubai, WUS Bahrain and the Giants Live Strongman Classic.
However, it's clear that he'll be looking to improve on his results in 2022, which is why he's already preparing for the 2022 Arnold Classic, where he's been invited by the organizers.
Novikov's training started with some heavy squats and his first working set was with 200 kg with the goal of increasing it to 250 kg. Oleksii explained that he had not had much training before and that this weight was acceptable given his lack of training.
"It's about the 3rd workout... And since we will have squats in Arnold (ASC), I need to train them more often and in a slightly different way," Novikov said.
"The first discipline will be squat - three attempts to determine the maximum weight... Carrying wood, 400 kg (880 lb), down the ramp... Then dumbbell repetition (overhead press), that's my discipline, 124 kg (275 lb) , thank you very much to the organizers. Then it's gonna be a log lift to max... And the stone shoulder press, 186 kg (410 lb)," Novikov said about the competition disciplines.
After the squats, Oleksii moved on to the loglift, which he started at 80 kg with the intention of climbing up to 140 kg. At the same time, the youngster pointed out that the log is one of his weaknesses.
"I've never been able to lift 200 kg, I almost did it once, but I couldn't block it. That's why I consider it my weakness."
Novikov eventually surpassed his target weight by 5kg in his penultimate set. He completed three reps with 145 kg and did another set with the same weight, but this time he did 5 reps.
Novikov's goal for the 2022 season is to continue his performances similar to those he showed this year and to try to regain the WSM title. The first test he will face is the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic where he will compete against some great athletes.
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