Ruffin Shares Recent Setbacks, Contest Plans, and More
Personal Setbacks & Time Off
After a successful 2023 season with wins in Las Vegas, NV, Dubai, and India, Ruffin faced much tougher personal challenges. "I took [2024] off. It was a lot—ending a relationship and a serious injury where I couldn’t really train my upper body," he revealed. Physical therapy and stem cell treatment helped Ruffin recover before he moved from Tampa, FL, to Houston, TX, where he’s forged new connections and a stronger mindset.
Bodybuilding Beginnings
Ruffin described the catalyst for his bodybuilding passion as a blessing in disguise. "I joined the military young. I wanted to do Special Forces, but I washed out near the end of training. I was only 120 pounds and struggled with the heavy carries," he divulged. Upon a gym-goer’s suggestion, Ruffin picked up a magazine featuring Dexter Jackson, inspiring him to pursue a bodybuilding career. Ruffin admired the no-nonsense approach of four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler, Flex Wheeler’s unmatched aesthetics, Kai Greene’s masterful posing, and Shaun Clarida’s triumphs over taller competitors.
Evolution of Classic Physique
Ruffin commented on the rapidly evolving Classic Physique division with a new wave of emerging talent: "Every year, I think we’ve hit the peak of Classic Physique. Then, someone new comes along, and it keeps evolving. The young guys coming up have insane genetics." Complacency is career suicide, as Ruffin stated, "It’s scary, I got to stay on my s***. Staying the same get one ‘passed up 100%," Rambod added. A prime example is Mike Sommerfeld, who catapulted from eighth at the 2023 Classic Physique Olympia to runner-up, behind reigning, six-time Olympia champion Chris Bumstead, in 2024.
Training and Mental Approach
Ruffin credits his former trainer, Joe Bennett, for helping him analyze weak points and adjust. "Many bodybuilders don’t sit down and make a real game plan for improvement." Classic weight limits also present unique challenges: "Some guys get too big and struggle to make weight. Symmetry is key. You can’t blow up one body part — you’ll run out of room to grow elsewhere."
Pittsburgh Pro & Beyond
Size is Ruffin’s priority for the Pittsburgh Pro. He is content with his symmetry after making off-season improvements, but recognizes he needs to bring up his back and hamstrings and improve his side triceps pose. "I was severely underweight at my last Olympia. I expect to step on stage about 10 pounds heavier this time." That’s most of the difference between Ruffin’s 170-pound stage weight in 2023 and his 187-pound weight allowance.
Conclusion
Ruffin remains optimistic about his potential, ranking fifth at the 2023 Olympia and committed to Classic Physique. While considering a potential switch to the 212 division, Ruffin expressed, "You never know when your time is up. That fear of ‘what if I’ve already seen the best of my time on stage.’"
FAQs
- What are Ruffin’s goals for the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro?
- Size is Ruffin’s priority, aiming to step on stage about 10 pounds heavier than his 2023 Olympia weight.
- How does Ruffin plan to approach the competition?
- Ruffin intends to spice things up with trash talk, focusing on good competition, not negativity.
- What is Ruffin’s current training and mental approach?
- Ruffin credits his former trainer, Joe Bennett, for helping him analyze weak points and adjust, emphasizing the importance of symmetry and game planning for improvement.
- Will Ruffin consider switching to the 212 division?
- Ruffin is open to considering a potential switch, acknowledging the fear of "what if I’ve already seen the best of my time on stage."
