Calum Von Moger Chest Workout For Golden Era Aesthetics

By
Vidur Saini
-

Build pecs with this Calum Von Moger chest workout that the bodybuilding Gods would be proud of. 

You have got to be living under a rock if you have never heard of Calum Von Moger, and especially if you are on Instagram. Today when bodybuilders are criticized for steroid use and bloated guts, Calum’s symmetrical physique and golden-era aesthetics make him stand out. Heck, some people even call him the modern-day Arnold Schwarzenegger. The similarities are so striking that he is sometimes referred to as Arnold 2.0. Calum even appeared in the 2018 feature film ‘Bigger’ where he plays the role of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

WATCH: Arnold Schwarzenegger Compares Modern Bodybuilding To Pregnancy

Looking like Arnie is no coincidence. When asked about his physique goals, Calum said that –

“I’m not interested in any of today’s bodybuilders. That doesn’t appeal to me at all. It’s not what I want to look like, it’s not what I want to be, it’s too much. What I like are the old classic physiques. That’s my favorite. Quality over quantity. Bodies made in the ’60s and ’70s. Aesthetic, with perfect symmetry and proportion. My ultimate goal, would be to build a body like that one day. But then again, probably just a little bit better.” 

The Calum Von Moger Story

 

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Calum grew up in a small Australian town called Geelong. He was a skinny kid growing up. Calum’s first encounter with weights happened at age 14 when his elder brother asked him if he wanted to tag along to the gym. And by the gym, we mean an old warehouse with basic equipment and rusty dumbbells. 

Although people compare Calum to Arnold Schwarzenegger, his motivation for lifting came from watching Steve Reeves in ‘Hercules.’ He then knew what he wanted to look like when he saw Arnold Schwarzenegger in the critically acclaimed documentary ‘Pumping Iron.’

Conquering The Stage

After years of hard work in the gym, Calum started competing in local shows. He won his first bodybuilding competition in 2010, and shortly after that, in 2011, he qualified for WFF Junior Mr. Universe competition. Calum subsequently won the NABBA Junior International championship and Jr. Mr. Universe titles.

Calum had an incredible run from 2011 to 2016 where he won almost all the shows he competed in.

An opportunity presented itself in 2017 when NPC and IFBB introduced the Classic Physique division. Calum Von Moger set his eyes on getting the pro card and starting training for the newly introduced division. His journey preparing for the NPC/IFBB league was chronicled in Generation Iron 2.

WATCH: Video Of Calum Von Moger Tearing Bicep With Chris Bumstead

Things then took a turn for the worse when Moger suffered two serious injuries (November 2017 and April 2018) that prevented him from training at full capacity. In November 2017, Calum suffered a bicep tear that was followed by a knee injury incurred during cliff climbing in late April 2018. 

WATCH: Calum Von Moger Injured Falling Down A Cliff

But if you know Calum, you know that keeping him out of action is impossible. He treated these injuries as setbacks and had his eyes set on winning the big titles. His recovery and return to training at full capacity are narrated in the documentary feature film Calum Von Moger: Unbroken. We highly recommend watching the movie to experience Moger’s grit, discipline, unwavering determination to win, and passion for the sport. 

Road To Mr. Olympia 

 

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Calum Von Moger won the NPC Universe title in 2020 and earned his pro card. Not only has he recovered but is at his prime. He is now a serious threat to the reigning Mr. Olympia Classic Physique champion. But before he can compete for the Mr. Olympia title, he needs to earn a qualification. 

In our interview with Calum, we asked him to tell us more about his future competing plans. Although he does not have an exact show in mind, he expects to compete in his first pro show in August or September 2021. He is utilizing the off-season to improve his physique so that he can bring his best package to the pro stage. 

Although the chances of Calum competing in the 2021 Mr. Olympia are bleak, we look forward to seeing him wear the Mr. Olympia Classic Physique crown soon. 

Before we get to Calum’s chest workout routine, we need to talk about his new tattoo. Before stepping on stage for his pro card, Calum got a phoenix tattoo on his arm. Not only does it look dope, but the rising phoenix is the perfect metaphor for his comeback.

Calum Von Moger Chest Workout

“I train by instinct. Which means I don’t follow the rules others have made that might work for them. I always use exercises that I know work for me and I generally warm up at the start for 1-2 sets then complete 3 working sets.”

Go Heavy or Go Home

Calum uses heavyweights and low reps to annihilate his muscles. He uses a pyramid structure in his workouts and increases weights with each set. 

Moger relies heavily on compound exercises like deadlift, bench press, squat, and barbell rows. If you are someone who likes spending time on machines, this workout is not for you. 

Calum Von Moger Chest Training Routine

1. Pec Deck Fly – 3 Sets 8-12 Reps – 1-2 Minute Rest

 

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Steps:

  1. Sit on the machine with your back against the pad.
  2. Place your feet flat on the floor.
  3. While maintaining a slight bend in your elbows, grab the handles at your chest level.
  4. Pull your arms towards your body until the handles are in front of your chest.
  5. Hold and squeeze your pecs at this position for a couple of seconds. 
  6. Return to the starting position and repeat for desired reps.

In this workout, you will be starting with isolation (single-joint) exercise to pre-exhaust your pectoral muscles before you get to the compound lifts. It will ensure you get the same amount of muscle stimulation without having to go super heavy. 

Remember: This workout is not just about going through the motions. You have to lift as heavy as you can and target failure with each set. If you hit failure on the first set of 12 reps, increase the weight in the next set so that you hit failure on 10 reps.

2. Incline Bench Press – 4 Sets 8-12 Reps – 1-2 Minute Rest

Steps:

 

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  1. Grab the barbell with a slightly wider than shoulder-width grip.
  2. Plant your feet firmly on the floor. 
  3. Unrack the bar and hold it above your chest while your elbows are locked out.
  4. With a controlled motion, lower the bar until it is a few inches away from your chest. 
  5. Press the bar in a straight line back up to the starting position while exhaling. 
  6. Repeat until failure.

Many noobs make the mistake of bouncing the bar off their chest. While this might help in the eccentric motion while lifting heavy, it also increases the risk of a shoulder or pec injury.

If you are a beginner or an intermediate lifter, make sure you have a spotter while performing the compound lifts. You should follow a full range of motion while performing all the exercises in the workout. 

3. Flat Machine Chest Press – 4 Sets 8-12 Reps – 1-2 Minute Rest

You could use a flat bench or a seated chest press machine for this exercise. For this tutorial, we will use the seated chest press. 

Steps:

  1. Place your back against the pad and plant your feet on the ground.
  2. Adjust the handles so that they are at your middle chest level. 
  3. Push the handles by extending at your elbows. 
  4. Return to the starting position with a controlled motion.
  5. Don’t lock out your elbows at the top of the movement. Doing so takes off the tension from your pectoral muscles and puts it on your shoulders and elbows. 
  6. Repeat for reps.

Most people make the mistake of rushing through the machine exercises. Follow a rep-tempo where you can maintain a mind-muscle connection. Your pecs should be filled with lactic acid and begging for mercy by the end of your set.

4. Dips – 3 Sets 12-15 Reps – 1-2 Minute Rest

Steps:

  1. Grab the parallel bars and raise yourself above them by extending at your elbows. Lock your elbows at the top of the movement as you get ready to begin the exercise.
  2. Bend your legs at your knees so that your lower legs are parallel and your upper legs are perpendicular to the floor.
  3. Tilt your torso forward slightly (20-30 degrees) and slowly lower yourself until your shoulders are just below your elbows. 
  4. At the bottom of the movement, your lower arms should be perpendicular, and your upper arms should be parallel to the floor.
  5. Return to the starting position explosively. 
  6. Do not lock out your elbows at the top of the movement. 
  7. Repeat for recommended reps.

Chest dips are a reminder that you do not always need heavy weight to build muscle mass. 

On the other hand, if you are an advanced lifter and knocking out 12-15 reps is too easy for you, feel free to use a weight belt to add resistance. Even with a bodyweight exercise, your goal will be to progressively overload your muscles. 

5. Incline Dumbbell Fly – 4 Sets 8-12 Reps – 1-2 Minute Rest

Steps:

  1. Set the bench at a 60-degree angle to the floor. 
  2. Grab a dumbbell in each hand with a neutral (palms facing each other) grip.
  3. Lie down on the incline bench while maintaining the natural arch of your back.
  4. Press the dumbbell towards the ceiling by extending at your elbows.
  5. While maintaining a slight bend in your elbows, slowly lower the dumbbells to your sides until you feel a stretch in your chest.
  6. Exhale and bring the dumbbells back to the starting position. 
  7. Repeat for recommended reps.

Upper pecs are one of the most stubborn muscle groups. Although the incline dumbbell flyes might feel like an easy exercise, it takes a solid mind-muscle connection to make the most of this lift. If you do not have a muscle-ripping pump by the end of your set, you might be going a little too heavy. 

6. Dumbbell Pullover – 4 Sets 8-12 Reps – 1-2 Minute Rest

Steps:

  1. Lay face up on a bench with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
  2. Maintain a slight arch in your back. 
  3. Grab a dumbbell at one end with both hands.
  4. While slightly bending your elbows, press the weight over your chest.
  5. Without letting your lower body or hips move, move the dumbbell over your head, and lower it to the floor.
  6. Keep lowering the dumbbell until you feel a stretch in your pectoral muscles.
  7. Pull your arms back to the starting position. 
  8. Repeat for reps.
  9. Tip: If you feel a stretch in your lats at the bottom of the movement, bring the dumbbell closer to your head by bending at your elbows and pulling them towards your chest.

The dumbbell pullover is an incredibly effective exercise for building a V-taper. It is a tried-and-tested movement from the golden age of bodybuilding. 

Calum Von Moger Diet

 

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You obviously cannot look like Calum if you do not eat like him. Here is Moger’s bulking diet plan:

1. Breakfast

2. Snack

3. Luch

  • Chicken
  • Rice

4. Snack

5. Dinner

  • Beef
  • Rice

6. Snack

  • Protein shake
  • Nutella
  • Toast

As you might have noticed, Calum Von Moger loves his protein shakes. If you want to know more about the best protein supplement on the market, we have put together a guide for you.

Related: Best Protein Powder Supplements For Strength & Size (Updated 2021)

Conclusion

Calum Von Moger might be blessed with perfect bodybuilding genetics, but what sets him apart is his dedication and discipline. Even after suffering two career-threatening injuries, he turned around his physique in a short time and won a pro card. 

You now have the workout and diet program you need to build pecs like Moger and Arnold. We will be waiting to see your progress pics. Best of luck!

Do you think Calum Von Moger can win the Mr. Olympia show in his first attempt?

Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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