Fresh off his impressive runner-up finish at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, German bodybuilding sensation Mike Sommerfeld is wasting no time in his quest for the Classic Physique Olympia title.
Determined to dethrone the retired Chris Bumstead and claim the top spot in 2025, Mike Sommerfeld is focusing on sculpting a physique that can rival the best in the world.
As part of his preparations, he’s turning to renowned Hypertrophy Coach Joe Bennett for expert advice on building massive, Olympia-worthy shoulders.
The 2024 Mr. Olympia and Mike Sommerfeld’s Rise to Stardom
The 2024 Mr. Olympia competition was an event to remember, with some of the biggest names in bodybuilding competing for top honors.
While many fans expected Wesley Vissers or Ramon Queiroz to give Chris Bumstead a run for his money, it was Mike Sommerfeld who emerged as the real threat, securing an impressive second-place finish.
With Mike Sommerfeld’s surprise retirement following his sixth Olympia win, the door is now wide open for Mike Sommerfeld to rise to the occasion in 2025.
He’s already hard at work, taking pointers from Joe Bennett to ensure his shoulders are more dominant than ever.
Building Bigger Shoulders: Sommerfeld’s Collaboration with Joe Bennett
In a recent YouTube video released on October 22, 2024, Mike Sommerfeld joined forces with Joe Bennett, also known as the Hypertrophy Coach, to uncover the secrets to growing massive shoulders.
Bennett is known for his precision when it comes to targeting specific muscle groups, and Mike Sommerfeld is eager to apply this knowledge to his own training.
One of the key exercises Bennett recommended to Mike Sommerfeld was the Lying Crossover Cable Lateral Raise.
This movement, according to Bennett, is highly effective for stimulating the shoulders, especially for individuals who are already advanced in their training.
“Your front delt can get plenty of stimulus from all your pressing and overhead pressing, so sometimes starting with lateral raises makes sense,” Bennett explained. He emphasized that for lifters who have been training for a while, being precise with exercise selection and prioritizing lateral raises can yield better results.
Prioritizing Shoulder Growth: Overhead Pressing and Injury Prevention
Bennett also stressed the importance of overhead pressing, particularly for front delt development.
While many bodybuilders focus heavily on lateral raises, Bennett believes that overhead pressing should still play a crucial role in any shoulder-building routine.
“It’s still a little individual-dependent,” Bennett said. “I don’t think it’s wrong for people to prioritize overhead pressing because obviously that gets predominantly front delt, but you get a lot of side delt as well.”
During the Nautilus Overhead Press Machine exercise, Bennett shifted the conversation to injury prevention, an area that becomes increasingly important as athletes push their limits.
“The number one thing you never ignore is pain, or if you just feel really off,” Bennett advised. He shared his own experiences with ignoring warning signs in his 20s, only to suffer injuries that derailed his progress. By listening to the body and stopping when something feels wrong, Bennett hopes to help Sommerfeld avoid unnecessary setbacks as he prepares for his next Olympia campaign.
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Related: Mike Sommerfeld Diet Plan and Workout Routine
Effort, Intensity, and the Key to Shoulder Growth
In addition to exercise selection and injury prevention, Bennett also shared his philosophy on effort and training intensity.
He encouraged Mike Sommerfeld to find a balance between pushing to failure and maintaining good form, especially during compound movements like overhead presses.
“You just need to find what you progress with best over time,” Bennett said. He added that while going to failure can be beneficial on smaller movements like lateral raises, it’s often better to stop just short of failure on bigger, more complex exercises to avoid overloading the body.
Related: Mike Sommerfeld Diet Plan and Workout Routine
Following in Chris Bumstead’s Footsteps
It seems that Mike Sommerfeld is taking a page from Chris Bumstead’s playbook by teaming up with Joe Bennett.
The six-time Classic Physique Olympia champion frequently sought Bennett’s guidance to fine-tune his physique, with a particular focus on chest development and mobility.
Now, Mike Sommerfeld is hoping to achieve similar success by applying Bennett’s shoulder-building tips as he prepares for his next competition.
With Bennett’s expert guidance and a relentless drive to improve, Sommerfeld is well on his way to building Olympia-caliber shoulders.
As he continues to hone his physique, fans can expect to see a more powerful, more refined version of Sommerfeld on stage at the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
Suppose his recent collaboration with Joe Bennett is any indication. In that case, MSommerfeld’s shoulder growth won’t be an issue—and the bodybuilding world will be watching closely as he takes his next step toward greatness.