Mike Sommerfeld

[slesh]

I know it’s in a IG and can be manipulated and out of context but I’m sorry - this is not Classic Physique…

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View this content on Instagram

 

[Fleezy]

What era is classic representing?

Early 70? Mid-late 70s?

80’s?

 

[slesh]

What era is classic representing?

Early 70? Mid-late 70s?

80’s?

I dunno dude - in that pic he just looks like a slightly smaller Open competitor…

 

[Alan1]

I dunno dude - in that pic he just looks like a slightly smaller Open competitor…

Totally agree. I just watched Nick's Strength and Power vid with the full body shot of that pic and hard to look at that and say it's Classic, though in the posing clips he doesn't appear as extreme.

First few minutes below:

 

[M@NU]

Those insta pics suck.
check this video from 15:40 on

imo very classic lines

 

[aDw32]

His "problem" is short mid-section, when you add full, opened chest and good legs you get rather 212/open than classic type of structure.

He's great bb, but mother nature has rather had different plan for him than classic

 

[FrenchBench22]

His "problem" is short mid-section, when you add full, opened chest and good legs you get rather 212/open than classic type of structure.

He's great bb, but mother nature has rather had different plan for him than classic

I don't think his short mid-section takes away from how "classic" his physique looks, as Serge Nubret had a very similar torso. Like Serge, Mike has pecs that come very far down on his rib cage and short a abdominal wall, compared to guys like Terrence, Chris, Urs, etc. I think Terrence has one of my favorite "classic" physiques. When we look at Mike next to the other guys, his pecs/shoulders/waist are all structurally larger than the other guys.

Mike's structure could be better suited in the Open than these other guys, but certainly not "not classic."

 

[KingOfSushi]

What era is classic representing?

Early 70? Mid-late 70s?

80’s?

None, imo. It’s just bodybuilding with a bigger focus on an aesthetic structure.

 

[bbxtreme]

I have said this on here before, but I think Mike has a “modern day” classic look. A lot of that is purely selfish though as my physique looks a lot more like his than it does CBUM’s.

I’ll be curious to see where the judges take classic, or really Tyler as he’s calling the criteria shots now.

 

[PRorER]

I’ve always been under the impression that the Arnold and Olympia are judged slightly different. As in Arnold=favor towards aesthetic/posing vs. Olympia=favor overall musculature with conditioning. I’m not saying that entirely determines the winner but if Mike comes in with this package then I’m putting my money on Vissers 1st, Urs 2nd, Mike 3rd

 

[Aikman56]

Don’t forget that the Arnold judges loved Wesley last year…he’ll be a factor.

 

[Mute]

Mike presents himself very well on stage, I’m not sure why he photoshops some of his pictures though.

 

[td]

Don’t forget that the Arnold judges loved Wesley last year…he’ll be a factor.

Without Bumstead, I think this show starts to define the criteria for the next era of classic. I think they'll try to encourage a look closer to Wesley than Mike.

 

[danieltx]

Without Bumstead, I think this show starts to define the criteria for the next era of classic. I think they'll try to encourage a look closer to Wesley than Mike.

And the classic becomes mini bodybuilding, then we introduce another division for smaller guys...

 

[bbxtreme]

I am a classic guy and was discussing this yesterday with Toney F. during our workout. We all have to acknowledge that classic saved the sport. Nobody wants to look like the open guys, they just want to come see them on stage.

We also have to acknowledge that classic is still new so the guidelines are being dialed in and defined knowing that it’s what saved the sport. I think we are seeing this reflected in placings and the increased weight cap from the previous years back. Who knows where they will continue to take it.

 

[danieltx]

I am a classic guy and was discussing this yesterday with Toney F. during our workout. We all have to acknowledge that classic saved the sport. Nobody wants to look like the open guys, they just want to come see them on stage.

We also have to acknowledge that classic is still new so the guidelines are being dialed in and defined knowing that it’s what saved the sport. I think we are seeing this reflected in placings and the increased weight cap from the previous years back. Who knows where they will continue to take it.

Just think of the first Classic Olympia winner Danny Hester and compare him to Mike Sommerfeld- it's a world of difference.

 

[aDw32]

Just think of the first Classic Olympia winner Danny Hester and compare him to Mike Sommerfeld- it's a world of difference.

Weight limits are also much higher - 12-17 lbs higher which is a lot

Mike Sommerfeld once said, he didn't have classic offseason for years. Only after last weight limit increase in August 2023 he could pack some more muscle on and 2024 was the year he came different.

 

[PRorER]

I’ve always been under the impression that the Arnold and Olympia are judged slightly different. As in Arnold=favor towards aesthetic/posing vs. Olympia=favor overall musculature with conditioning. I’m not saying that entirely determines the winner but if Mike comes in with this package then I’m putting my money on Vissers 1st, Urs 2nd, Mike 3rd

Misspoke, was looking at 2024 competitors list, 1st Vissers, 2nd Mike, 3rd Daboul. Entirely depends on what look the sport wants to go with classic and how the Arnold judges view Vissers physique vs. Mike’s

 

[bbxtreme]

Mike gained 70lb after he fixed his spine in Dubai and maintained 15lb of new lean tissue. The new weight cap allowed him to do this.

Fouad isn’t everyone’s favorite here I know, but good content from Mike:

 

[joos23]

Just think of the first Classic Olympia winner Danny Hester and compare him to Mike Sommerfeld- it's a world of difference.

I was thinking this the other day.