The a dominant force in Classic Physique?
German bodybuilder Mike Sommerfeld has been steadily climbing the ranks in the competitive bodybuilding scene since he first stepped onto the amateur stage in 2014. That year, he competed at the Arnold Classic Europe in the amateur division, placing third. It wasn’t until 2019, however, that he made his breakthrough into the IFBB Pro League. His professional debut took place in Romania at the Romania Pro, where he competed in the Men’s Bodybuilding (up to 212lbs) category, finishing in 13th place.
Following his debut, Sommerfeld’s progress was swift and impressive. He soon entered a number of professional competitions, steadily improving his rankings. His hard work paid off with wins at events such as the Xtreme Bodybuilding & Fitness Pro and the Poland Pro Supershow. His success and unique approach made him one to watch, especially in the Classic Physique category at Mr. Olympia, where he’s often seen as a wildcard contender.
Although a podium finish at the Olympia still eludes him, Sommerfeld has consistently shown improvement year after year. He made his Mr. Olympia debut in 2021, finishing 7th, and climbed to 5th place the following year in 2022. Fans and experts were ecstatic to see him place second in 2024 at the Mr. Olympia, and then take the title at the 2025 Arnold Classic.
Our team at Generation Iron is going to break down who exactly he is.
| Full Name: Mike Sommerfeld (Classic Physique Bodybuilder) | ||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 232-243 lbs | 5’8″ | 11/13/1994 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Classic Physique | 2010s, 2020s | German |
Mike Sommerfeld’s Training Philosophy
What sets Sommerfeld apart from many competitors is his strong belief in the mental aspects of training, which replicates the old school training of guys like Mike Mentzer and Arnold Schwarzenegger. On his YouTube channel, he frequently discusses the importance of the “muscle-mind connection,” a concept that he views as more essential than the actual weight being lifted, diet, or even recovery. For Sommerfeld, the key to effective bodybuilding lies in deeply focusing on the muscle being worked, rather than just moving weights from point A to point B.
To achieve this intense focus, Sommerfeld has developed a unique set of training habits. He wears headphones with no music playing to drown out external noise and often closes his eyes during sets to block out distractions, which helps him concentrate solely on the movement. He believes this approach is crucial for anyone serious about bodybuilding and encourages others to adopt the same techniques, emphasizing precision and mindful control over every motion.
Beyond his own training, Sommerfeld also coaches clients who want to either lose weight or improve their physique. A major component of his coaching revolves around teaching this muscle-mind connection, helping others tap into the mental side of their workouts for better results.
Mike Sommerfeld’s Diet
When it comes to sculpting a truly classic physique, diet plays just as much of a role as training, if not more!
Sommerfeld takes a strategic approach to his diet, sharing many of his insights on meal prepping through his YouTube channel. Like many bodybuilders, he prepares all his meals at the start of each week to make it easy to stay on track. His diet mainly consists of protein-rich foods, with beef and chicken being staples. Interestingly, Sommerfeld prefers to mince both types of meat before cooking, a practice that ensures even preparation and easy portioning. He also uses a spray bottle for oils to control calorie intake—a detail often overlooked but crucial for professional bodybuilders.
A distinctive feature of Sommerfeld’s meals is his use of pink Himalayan salt, something he sticks to based on the advice of his coach, despite numerous debates over its benefits.
Competition History
Mike Sommerfeld has a good history of competitions under his belt, so let’s take a look.
- 2019 IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro: 13th Place
- 2020 IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro: 6th place
- 2020 IFBB British Grand Prix: 2nd Place
- 2021 IFBB Xtreme Bodybuilding and Fitness Pro: 1st Place
- 2021 IFBB Poland Supershow Pro: 1st Place
- 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 7th place
- 2022 IFBB Mr. Olympia: 7th Place
- 2023 IFBB Battle of Bogota Pro: 1st Place
- 2023 IFBB Mr. Olympia 8th Place
- 2024 IFBB Mr. Olympia 2nd place
- 2025 Arnold Classic: 1st Place
The Olympia
Sommerfeld has continued to make waves in the bodybuilding world, with each season showing greater potential for the German athlete. After a 7th place finish at his first Mr. Olympia in 2021 and a leap to 5th in 2022, his 2023 showing brought him an 8th place finish.
In 2024, Mike Sommerfeld brought a physique that no one expected and came in second place, right on the heels of Chris Bumstead. This shocked many fans, as Sommerfeld came in and beat out top competitors such as Ramon Dino and Urs Kalecinski.
Sommerfeld also managed to secure a win at the 2025 Arnold Classic, making him a strong contender for the Mr. Olympia this year.
Wrap Up
With his continual progress and a steadfast approach to both training and competition, Sommerfeld has positioned himself as a serious contender for future Olympia podiums, and possibly the future of the division as a whole. As he refines his physique and sharpens his competitive edge, many believe that it’s only a matter of time before he claims one of the top spots on the world’s biggest bodybuilding stage.
What are your thoughts on Mike Sommerfeld?
Generation Iron may receive commissions on purchases made through our links. See our disclosure page for more information.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
