The 2025 Arnold Classic Mega Thread

[Fleezy]

It will be interesting to see how much further Andrew and Samson can progress

And how much longer their careers will last - since they are both pushing 40

I guess Brandon is still going pretty hard, but he’s a smaller dog

 

[bbxtreme]

Derek needs more quads from the front to catch up to his upper body.

Andrew needs to bring up his hamstrings- especially for his back shots.

Both have a better shape and condition IMO than Samson, but Samson has the best overall package.

It could go either way between Samson and Derek. My guess is that Samson gets the nod, but could be wrong.

 

[Anabolic_Pound_Cake]

Question for you guys (Luki, bbxtreme, others) ...

clearly the size difference is evident between Classic competitors and Open. However, from my point of view, there was a huge difference in conditioning as well. Particularly in the abdominal area.

Why is that ? Or am I off-base ?

 

[WeakFNG]

It's closer than the Olympia was. Samson is far superior size and shape, but Derek is peeled to the bone. Cant help but think his legs are slightly downsized to get that shredded though. That thigh gap from the back is brand new, not sure hes ever had that before. This shit is totally dependent on how Samson/Derek look tomorrow.

And damn, Andrew is probably the most imopressive guy just standing there, but mannnnn his posing is off. That side chest looks so off compared to everyone else. And also...huge props to Brandon Curry for making one hell of a comeback to be in this top 4. He's coached by Justin Harris for this show and man he looks good.

I agree he's probably in 4th. But my eye was drawn to Brandon every time he was on stage. I love his look.

 

[bbxtreme]

Question for you guys (Luki, bbxtreme, others) ...

clearly the size difference is evident between Classic competitors and Open. However, from my point of view, there was a huge difference in conditioning as well. Particularly in the abdominal area.

Why is that ? Or am I off-base ?

Classic guys have a weight cap so they will always have to come in more conditioned in most cases.

In open there is no weight cap and your goal is to be as full, round and conditioned as possible.

Is there difference in genetics, amounts of insulin and forcing food between classes? Yes as judging criteria is different. An open guy may have a 34-36 inch waist and classic guys 28-32.

 

[Anabolic_Pound_Cake]

Classic guys have a weight cap so they will always have to come in more conditioned in most cases.

In open there is no weight cap and your goal is to be as full, round and conditioned as possible.

Is there difference in genetics, amounts of insulin and forcing food between classes? Yes as judging criteria is different. An open guy may have a 34-36 inch waist and classic guys 28-32.

Thank you !!!

 

[Biggerp73]

 

[Biggerp73]

Derek is absolutely shredded. Best he's ever looked.

 

[Biggerp73]

Samson is bigger in a few shots but Derek is tighter, absolutely crushes him from the rear, and is very close or slightly better in the rest. I understand if they give it to Samson because of his size but imo Derek is slightly better all things considered.

 

[juiceball44]

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[juiceball44]

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[Growthman]

The judges have spoken for the future of classic and I personally love it.

My unpopular opinions:

- Wesley was not impressive at this show. Maybe it was the GLP’s.

- Logan could have very easily been first place if the judges leaned towards old school classic. Most conditioned I’ve ever seen him.

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This guy looks amazing, but he looks like an open bb to me. I don’t know enough about classic but I thought it was supposed to resemble the guys from the 70’s no?

 

[juiceball44]

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Happy for him looked fantastic

 

[b-boy]

Derek pulls it off! Champion

 

[pistonpump]

This guy looks amazing, but he looks like an open bb to me. I don’t know enough about classic but I thought it was supposed to resemble the guys from the 70’s no?

Makes it seem like a capped bodybuilding division. Logan looks classic

 

[Biggerp73]

This guy looks amazing, but he looks like an open bb to me. I don’t know enough about classic but I thought it was supposed to resemble the guys from the 70’s no?

It's a strange class. I don't even know what "looking like the 70s" means. It's apparently extremely subjective and just sort of means "who makes you remember a dude that used to compete." They need to clarify what the judging actually entails. I would imagine as a competitor you would probably train and eat like a regular bodybuilder but just stick to AAS only and avoid any GH/Insulin. That would make you look exactly like you would have looked in the 70s. I don't know what else the judges would really want.

 

[Anabolic_Pound_Cake]

I feel like the placings were fair and spot on.

Am definitely curious what kind of package Samson will bring to the O.

 

[dantes]

I think Samson needs an actual coach. He struggles to bring that dry crisp look. He also has very slight gyno but wasn’t bad enough to detract.

Derek is fair and square winner. He brought the total package and improved greatly under aceto.

Andrew has the coolest physique per say but I don’t see him adding enough size to his gaint frame to ever be mr O.

 

[Bio]

This will make the Olympia quite interesting!

 

[tommyguns2]

What a great, competitive lineup. Jacked has a crazy physique, and one thing that really impressed me about him was how he was able to hold his poses for long periods of time and look relaxed while shredded. He obviously practices his posing and is in good cardio shape to hold those poses. That's tough to do.

When everyone is so good, it's too bad you can pick only one winner, but Derek looked great, and seemed like the right pick. Samson and Jacked are both beasts.