Samir Troudi is a 30-year-old, 5’5” (167cm), 220 lbs./100kg (offseason), 195 lbs./88-89kg (stage ready) competitor from Sweden who currently lives in and competes for Norway. Troudi is one of the hardest working and more successful bodybuilders in the Nordic countries. As an amateur, to name just a few of his competitions, he placed 1st at the 2012 Battle Of Scandinavia, -91kg (200 lbs.), 2nd place at the 2012 BMR Grand Prix, -90kg and 1st place at the 2013 Oslo Grand Prix, -90 kg.
We welcome the hungry Samir Troudi, who is struggling to get what he deserves, an IFBB Pro card in the 212 division.
RX: Sami
r could you tell us how you first got into bodybuilding and where it all started?
ST: It all started when I was 19 in my hometown, Uddevalla in Sweden. The Neo-Metal band where I was a Scratch-dj split up and all of a sudden I had a lot of spare time to fill. I have always been involved in sports during my childhood. Soccer, handball, karate and swimming and I loved to compete in everything, not only sports but everything. So with all the extra time I had I started to work out.
In the beginning it was more about getting back in a better shape but I got good results pretty fast and that motivated me to first send in my pictures to the Swedish magazine BODYs yearly readers competition where you get judged at the same way as on a bodybuilding competition. The year after I competed for real and won my first show as a lightweight weighing only 145 Ibs. (65.5kg). I went on and won a few lightweight shows my first years and got kind of hooked.
RX: If you knew then what you do today, what would you do differently when you started with weight training?
ST: Not so much really regarding the way I train today. I have been training almost in the same way with the same type of exercises since the start. Of course, I have learned a little more along the years what works for me and not, but that is knowledge that you really can’t learn any other way. But I would have listened more to my body’s signals regarding lack of energy, electrolyte balance, etc. and might have prevented a few injuries.
RX: What are your future goals in your career; do you have any plans to compete in the United States?
ST: As an amateur I see no reason to compete in the U.S. except for the AC Classic. I would love to compete in the NPC if it would mean that I actually could earn a Pro card, but as a non U.S.-citizen it is out of the question. My goal is to turn pro in the 212 class and eventually move to the USA. After all there is where most of the competitions are and the endorsement deals and contracts are. If I turn Pro I am ready to move immediately.
My next show is the Olympia Amateur in Prague where the overall winner gets a pro card. I am doing the -90kg class and will be bringing my A-game.
RX: Do you have any favorite athletes among the Pro bodybuilders?
ST: Don’t we all? There are a few I admire for their personalities and h
ow they represent the sport as ambassadors and always take time for fans and being down to earth like Sami Al Haddad, Tommi Thorvildsen, Mohammed Salama among others and then there are the aesthetic physiques of Chris Cormier, Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, Guy Cisternino, Phil Heath, Troy Alves, and, yeah, there are probably a few other guys I have forgotten.
RX: What are the most important things you need to become a successful bodybuilder?
ST: Except for good genes, dedication, determination and love for the game! I would probably say good support. Not only mentally but also a good sponsor providing the economic support you need to focus entirely on the training and competitions.
The last one is the part I am missing now. Of course it’s possible to work full-time and have a decent career, but bodybuilding is one of few sports where you – as a top national athlete – can’t really make a living as a competitor and that makes it even harder to advance to the next level and turn pro.
I am very thankful for the support I get from my current sponsor Gymgrossisten.com but it’s a basic supplement sponsorship and even if it helps me a lot it’s not even close to what I think top amateurs of any sport deserves.
RX: Could you please tell us about your training split each week?
ST: I train every muscle group 1-2 times a week depending on how my body feels and what I prioritize during that period. But basically it’s every muscle group every fifth to seventh day.
This is how it looks right now:
Day 1 Back
Day 2 Arms
Day 3 Legs
Day 4 Rest
Day 5 Delts
Day 6 Chest
I train calves 2-3 times a week. Abs I rarely train.
Then I either start over ag
ain and rest day 2 or take a day rest before I start from day 1 again.
RX: Do you have any favorite exercises?
ST: Standing leg curls, almost all shoulder exercises, incline flyes, dips machine and T-bar rows. But I kind of like most of the exercises I perform.
RX: Samir, can you give us your top 3 placing in the 50th Mr. Olympia later this year?
ST: Easy one. I give you top 5:
1. Phil Heath
2. Kai Greene
3. Dennis Wolf
4. Big Ramy
5. Shawn Rhoden
Round up; is there anyone you would like to thank or anything you would like to mention in the end of this interview?
First of all, I want to thank my family for all the support, my fiancée Emma for always being there for me, IFBB Pro Tommi Thorvildsen for all the help and support.
I would like to thank my head sponsor Gymgrossisten.com and, of course, a big thanks to Rx Muscle for featuring me and giving me this opportunity to show myself.
Thank you for the interview and good luck with the competitions in the closest future. We look forward to connect with you later on when you are in hold of your pro card!!!
Have a great summer, Samir.
The Rx Muscle Crew
You can follow Samir on:
Instagram: SamirTroudi
Facebook: Samir Troudi or Samiro El Fakiro
Website: www.alwaysdoweit.com
YouTube channel: Samir Troudi
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