weight of expectations
Who is Hunter Labrada? Bodybuilder and Mr Olympia contestant
See what Lee Labrada thinks about his son's prospects of becoming Mr Olympia
HUNTER Labrada is a Mr Olympia contestant from a legendary bodybuilding family.
Here’s everything we know about the son of former Mr Universe Lee Labrada.
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Who is Hunter Labrada?
Hunter Labrada is the son of legendary bodybuilder Lee Labrada and his wife Robin.
Growing up in a household where bodybuilding was a way of life, Hunter was exposed to the sport from an early age.
Background
He was born on May 17, 1992, in Houston, Texas.
As a child, Hunter was relatively small for his age, standing at about five feet tall and weighing only 90 pounds at age 12.
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Initially, his interest in weightlifting stemmed from his desire to excel at football.
During his high school years, he dedicated himself to strength training, gaining approximately 20 pounds a year.
By his senior year, Hunter had transformed his physique, reaching a weight of 205 pounds and standing at 5'8".
Transition to bodybuilding
Hunter played football throughout high school and was named all-state in his senior year.
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He concluded his football career following a series of injuries — including three concussions, a fractured hip, broken arm and dislocated shoulders — but his passion for training persisted.
Despite his father's illustrious bodybuilding career, Lee never pressured Hunter to follow in his footsteps.
I'm a 6-time Mr Olympia with 40 years in the industry - I never changed my routine & my quads have 'still got it' at 62
Hunter's decision to enter competitive bodybuilding came at the age of 18 in 2010.
Demonstrating remarkable patience and maturity, he spent six years preparing for his competitive debut.
This measured approach was influenced by his father's advice that "bodybuilding is a marathon, not a sprint".
Amateur success
Hunter made his competitive debut at the 2016 NPC Branch Warren Classic in Houston at the age of 24.
I do see a Mr Olympia win in [Hunter's] future
Lee Labrada
He won both the heavyweight division and the overall title, showcasing the results of his meticulous preparation.
For this contest, Hunter underwent a 16-week preparation, sculpting his physique from an off-season weight of 251 pounds down to a contest-ready 223 pounds.
Professional career
Hunter earned his bodybuilding pro card by winning the overall title at the 2018 NPC Nationals.
He won his first professional event at the 2020 Tampa Pro.
This victory earned him qualification for the 2020 edition of Mr Olympia — the first time he earned a place in one of the sport’s biggest events.
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Mr Olympia performances
Hunter finished eighth on his Mr Olympia debut.
His best placing to date came at the following year’s competition, when he came in fourth.
This performance automatically qualified him for the 2022 Mr Olympia, where he finished seventh.
And at Mr Olympia 2023, Hunter placed sixth overall.
Training philosophy
Hunter's training philosophy combines elements from his football background with traditional bodybuilding principles.
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He adopts a push-pull training style, focusing on hypertrophy-oriented exercises while minimizing the explosive movements that were more suited to his football days.
His shoulder workout, for example, demonstrates his unique approach.
He often starts with single-joint exercises like dumbbell lateral raises for high reps as a warm-up and pre-exhaust technique before moving on to heavier compound movements.
Family business
In addition to his competitive career, Hunter is actively involved in the family business — Labrada Nutrition.
He frequently shares training tips and nutritional advice through various platforms, including Bodybuilding.com and social media.
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Hunter takes pride in helping others achieve their fitness goals, finding satisfaction in providing valuable information and motivation to his followers.
His approach emphasizes not just sharing knowledge, but also empowering individuals to take action and make positive changes in their lives.
Legacy
As the son of a bodybuilding icon, Hunter embraces the legacy of the Labrada name in bodybuilding.
Rather than viewing it as a burden, he sees his father's achievements as a source of motivation and a goal to strive towards.
Hunter's dad Lee has expressed confidence in his son's potential, predicting that Hunter is destined to one day win the Mr Olympia title.
During a 2021 episode of The Menace Podcast, Lee said: "I would love for him to win the Mr Olympia. I've told him before 'Hunter, you're going to finish what I started. You're going to be Mr Olympia one day’.”
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He added: "I do see a Mr Olympia win in his future."
With his genetic pedigree, dedicated work ethic, as well as the guidance of his experienced father, few would disagree.
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