Dorian Yates, a bodybuilder who revolutionized the entire era of Open Division competition. Recently, revealed the journey and mindset that motivated him to become the “complete package.” After 1991, Mr. Olympia, where he felt his chest was lacking compared to Lee Haney’s, Yates decided to transform his massive feature.

The Shadow aimed to be the best, and he dedicated the next few years to bringing up his weakest body parts- his chest and biceps. The focus on chest development became a crucial part of his journey toward being the Mass Monster.

Dorian Yates’ quest to have the perfect physique in bodybuilding

Yates took to his Instagram and shared two pictures of himself, showcasing his huge chest with a story behind his gigantic upper body. The motivation came after losing to Haney during the 1991 Olympia. He was determined to gain more muscles thereafter.

He expressed in his caption, “In 1991, it was clear when Lee Haney beat me that his chest was far superior than mine. But this was something I could work on and gave me even more drive for the following year. I wanted to be the complete package, so over the next two years, in particular, I really brought up my two weakest body parts.” Yates recognized the importance of addressing his weaknesses and tailored his workout accordingly.

Yates incorporated into his routine incline, pressing on the Smith machine. This move, done with determination and precision, added significant thickness to his chest. The chest workout routine during that era included a decline barbell bench press, incline Smith machine press, incline dumbbell flyes, and cable crossovers. Yates emphasized training to failure in the 6-8 reps range, employing high-intensity techniques like forced reps, rest-pause, and extra negatives. These techniques were carefully applied, particularly on machine-based exercises for safety reasons of course!

Top Stories

Bodybuilding Legend Arnold Schwarzenegger Exposes the Food Directly Linked to Depression

What Are Pre-Workout Supplements? Difference Between Stim vs. Non-Stim Preworkout Drinks

Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals How to “Boost Your Performance” While Training During Summer

?I Was Already Genetically Gifted?: Bodybuilder Who Didn?t Stop Steroid Abuse Until He Suffered a Life-Risking Heart Attack Was Living in Delusion

?Eventually Your Willpower Runs Out?: IFBB Pro Warns Fitness Enthusiasts Against Weight-Loss Shortcuts

The technique he followed for optimal growth

Smith machine presses were a vital part of Yates’s routine, and he often utilized rest-pause sets. This involved reaching failure, briefly resting, and then pushing out a couple more reps. The smith machine at Temple Gym, where Yates trained, was notably heavy even without additional plates, adding an extra challenge to his workouts.

Incline pressing on the smith machine became a favorite for Yates, as he felt a strong connection that significantly contributed to his chest development over the years. Both incline presses and flies were performed on a low incline, approximately 30 degrees, to target the chest muscles rather than the deltoids.

READ MORE: “There Was a Chink in My Armour”: 6X Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates Takes a Look Back at the Unified Camaraderie He Experienced in Temple Gym

WATCH THIS STORY: 6X Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates Reveals Why He Once Turned Down A Life-Changing Offer From Bodybuilding Legend Tom Platz