Robin Balogh

Professional Bodybuilder

Born in Hungary, Robin Balogh is one of the best talents to have come out of the country. He began competing at 19, and earned his Pro Card a year later, making him the first ever physique pro in Europe.

By 2016, Robin had battled against the likes of Jeff Seid and appeared in such prestigious shows as the Mr. Olympia.

This is his story:

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“I love what I am doing and that is more than enough to keep me going”

Athlete Statistics

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“I started to live the healthy lifestyle of a fitness muscle model and did my first show the same year.”

Accomplishments

Competitions

• 2012 Hungary World Junior Championships, 1st
• 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe, 2nd
• 2012 IFBB World Championship, 3rd
• 2013 IFBB Junior European Championship, 1st
• 2013 IFBB European Championship, 1st (Pro Card)
• 2013 IFBB Tampa Pro, 7th
• 2013 IFBB Valenti Gold Cup, 10th
• 2014 IFBB Europa Dallas, 11th
• 2015 IFBB San Marino Pro, 2nd
• 2016 Mr. Olympia, Men’s Physique, 5th

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“Weight training and bodybuilding was what I felt I was made for! I had always been a big fan of strength training when I was younger”

Biography

Early Years

Born in Hungary’s capital, Budapest, Robin had always been into fitness, being a keen cyclist as a child. However, the sport meant that his legs bulked significantly more than his upper body.

He soon became unhappy with his appearance, wanting a more balanced figure. At the age of 16, in 2009, Robin began lifting weights in the gym, determined to sculpt his dream physique.

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Robin’s transformation from 16 to 19-years-old.

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Fitness Journey

With the help of his great genetics, Robin made serious progress very quickly. By the age of 19, in 2012, he’d developed an incredible physique and was ready to compete.

Robin stepped on stage at his first competition that year – the 2012 Hungary World Championships. Impressively, he placed 1st in his debut show.

But he was only just getting started.

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“I just exploded with motivation and hunger to achieve more in this sport”

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Pro Card

Robin wasted no time in entering his second competition, the 2012 Arnold Classic Europe. This was much bigger than his previous contest, but he managed to place a close second.

Robin placed in the top 3 in his third show of the year, but his greatest achievement yet came in his second year as a competitor. At the start of 2013, the youngster took home the trophy from the IFBB Junior European Championship.

However, he’d also earned his Pro Card along with the victory. At the age of 20, Robin had realized his dream of becoming a professional bodybuilder.

As well as reaching his personal goal, he also became the first Men’s Physique Pro competitor in Europe.

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Robin (left) posing next to Jeff Seid (right) at the 2013 IFBB Tampa Pro.

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Life as a Professional Bodybuilder

Over the course of the next 3 years, Robin entered a further 5 shows, competing against such athletes as Jeff Seid and Artemus Dolgin. He placed in 2nd in the 2015 San Marino Pro, which qualified him to enter the prestigious Mr. Olympia competition in 2016.

Although he didn’t win, Robin gained valuable experience to help him in future contests.

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“I prefer normal cardio over HIIT. I do 30 minutes on the treadmill in the morning and 30 in the evening”

Training

Unlike other bodybuilders, Robin only trains 4 times a week, allowing himself the weekends free from the gym.

He enjoys training multiple muscle groups per session, except when he trains his back and legs. Robin performs high reps (10-12) in sets of 3-4.

In terms of cardio, he runs for 30 mins in the morning and evening, to keep his heart healthy and burn some extra calories.

Workout Routine:

Monday – Chest/Biceps

• Incline Dumbbell Press 4×10 + 1 drop set to failure
• Flat Bench Press with Close Grip 3×10
• Cable Crossovers 4×10 + 1 drop set to failure
• Pull Over 3×10
• Barbell Curls 3×10 + 1 drop set to failure
• Cable Machine Curls 3×10
• Hammer Curls 3×12

Tuesday – Shoulders/Triceps

• Smith Machine Shoulder Press 4×10
• Standing Side Lateral 4×10
• Wide Grip Upright Rows 3×10 + 1 drop set to failure
• Standing Rear Laterals 4×10
• Rear Lateral Machine 3×10
• Triceps Push Downs 4×10
• Reverse Grip Push Downs 3×12
• Dumbbell Tricep Extensions 3×10
• Push Ups 2x failure

Wednesday – Off

• Recovery

Thursday – Back

• Wide Grip Pull Ups 4x failure
• Lat Pull Downs behind the neck 4×10
• Cable Rows4x10 + 1 drop set to failure
• Barbell Rows 3×10 + 1 drop set to failure
• One Hand Dumbbell Rows 4×10
• Hyper extensions 4 sets

Friday – Legs

• Lying Hamstring Extensions 4×12 + 1 drop set to failure
• Standing 1 Leg Hamstring Extensions 4×12
• Leg Press Machine 4×10 + 1 drop set to failure
• Smith Machine Squats 4×10
• Leg Extensions 3×12
• Standing Calf Raises 4×12

Saturday – Off

• Recovery

Sunday – Off

• Recovery

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“I never eat the same thing every day and I always like to keep my diet nice and healthy with top quality foods”

Nutrition

Robin gets bored of eating the same thing, keeping his diet varied on a daily basis. He plans his meals around lean proteins, vegetables, and complex carbs.

He aims to eat up to 7 meals per day to provide his body with enough nutrients and keep his metabolism high.

Diet Plan

Robin’s daily diet would look something like this:

• Meal 1: 120g Oats, 6 Egg Whites & 30g Whey Protein
• Meal 2: 200g Beef, 100g Wild Rice & 100g of Vegetables
• Meal 3: 50g Whey Protein
• Meal 4: 200g Turkey Breast, 1 Sweet Potato & 100g of Vegetables
• Meal 5: 200g Chicken Breast, 1 Sweet Potato & 100g of Vegetables
• Meal 6: 30g Whey Protein
• Meal 7: 200g Fish

Supplements Stack:

• Whey Protein
• Multivitamins
• Glutamine
• Omega 3
• BCAA

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“Believe in yourself. If you do not believe in yourself no one else will”

Idols and Influences

Since he was a child, Robin’s main idols in bodybuilding have been Flex Wheeler and Shawn Ray.

He looks up to them and what they’ve achieved in the industry and hopes to get his name alongside theirs one day.

“Their physiques were like a piece of art! Very muscular yet aesthetically pleasing at the same time”

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“I always strive to improve myself, mind, body and soul, always giving 100% in what I do”

What we can learn from Robin Balogh

Robin has taught us to always chase our dreams. He began lifting weights at the age of 16 and earned his Pro Card only 4 years later.

One thing we can take away from Robin’s story is that you’re never too young or old to achieve your ambitions.