The Arnold Classic is as much a celebration of bodybuilding as it is a competition. While the classic is second only to Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia, there is no event like the Arnold Expo in bodybuilding. Among the main attractions of the event is the meet-and-greet with some of the biggest names in bodybuilding. Over the years, Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler have become regular special guests at the Arnold Expo. Even Chris Bumstead has appeared multiple times. However, 21-year-old Sam Sulek has found himself among a list of bodybuilding icons.

Sam Sulek emerged as a young, rising star in the online bodybuilding and fitness community. However, through 2023, the 21-year-old bodybuilder had a meteoric rise on social media. The former diver has sculpted a chiseled physique and captured the attention of young fans across the globe. Such is his popularity that veteran bodybuilders and fitness influencers have an opinion of the young athlete. So how did Sam Sulek land a spot beside Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler at the Arnold Classic 2024 despite never even stepping on the bodybuilding stage?

SamSulek: An inspiration to millions

Despite being a freshman in social media fitness and bodybuilding, Sam Sulek is now its biggest star. Within a year of making his debut, the former artistic diver has impressed a young audience that dreams of achieving a physique like Sulek. Just like eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman and four-time champion Jay Cutler inspired a generation of bodybuilders, Sulek is doing the same. However, the young bodybuilder’s physique isn’t the only thing that’s garnered him millions of followers on social media.

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Unlike the average fitness influencer, who makes content that feels educational, Sulek makes the same content in a conversational tone. Instead of making well-edited videos or shorts with precise scripts about subjects and scientific studies, Sulek simply talks to his audience. Wherever the 21-year-old goes, the camera follows him. The Arnold Classic 2024 special guest makes it feel like a one-on-one conversation, whether he’s inside the car or the gym.

The tone of his videos makes fans stick around as the bodybuilding enthusiast talks about what comes to his mind. In between his ‘conversations,’ the fitness influencer also gives beginners some useful tips. Sulek talks about everything fitness-related, from exercise selection, frequency, diet, and everything in between. 

Training and diet advice

Besides feeling like someone they can talk to, fans also follow Sam Sulek for his advice. The 21-year-old has no shortage of bodybuilding knowledge. From trying to achieve maximum gains in the gym to critiquing established training philosophies, Sulek does it all. The fitness influencer refuses to stick to a rigid training philosophy.

He has even critiqued approaches like high intensity or high volume, although he borrows elements from both approaches. The 21-year-old also trains without a coach, learning through trial and error. Hence, all these qualities combine to form a personality that his young fans can relate to. Instead of an experienced fitness influencer with decades of experience, Sulek seems like someone who is learning alongside his fans.

Another reason why Sulek has become such a fan favorite to become a guest at the Arnold Classic in Ohio is his method. The bodybuilding prodigy often goes against conventional wisdom when it comes to training and diet. Many veteran influencers, like Greg Doucette, Jeff Cavalier, Jeff Nippard, and others, have spoken about Sulek’s methods.

Influencers like Greg Doucette have criticized the 21-year-old’s training technique because Sam Sulek rarely utilizes a full range of motion. However, Jeff Nippard has highlighted a study that seems to indicate that partial reps might be more beneficial than many people think. Even Ronnie ‘The King’ Coleman has reacted positively to Sulek’s work ethic in the gym.

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However, everyone has criticized his cereals, soda, and junk food bulking diet. Sulek has never responded to criticism, leading fans to applaud him for not creating internet feuds. However, Sulek has faced criticism for far more than suboptimal training and diet.

The concerns about Sam Sulek

Sam Sulek’s explosive popularity concerned bodybuilding veterans. One might think that the criticism about exercise and diet might be overblown, as Sam Sulke has built a muscular and shredded physique. However, many argue that the 21-year-old has been able to do so with a suboptimal approach because he is on steroids.

Bodybuilding veterans like Greg Doucette and Jeff Cavalier of Athele X believe that the bodybuilding prodigy is using copious amounts of PEDs. They worry that, while Sam Sulek has inspired millions, he has set an unrealistic precedent. These fitness influencers believe the 21-year-old’s even younger, impressionable audience might follow in his footsteps and end up suing PEDs.

“Hasn’t Done Anything to Be in the Same Room as Other Legends”: Fans Enraged as Sam Sulek Shares Special Honor With Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler and Chris Bumstead

While there is no doubt that Sam Sulek, despite never stepping on the bodybuilding stage, has inspired many like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler before him, Arnold Schwarzenegger also loves to provide a platform for young talents like the former diver. However, one has to remember that the 21-year-old isn’t perfect.