The life story, career, and achievements of Chul Soon Hwang
Affectionately referred to as the “Asian Arnold”, Chul Soon Hwang has become a prominent figure not just in Korea, but globally within the fitness community. Making his mark in 2009, Chul has dramatically impacted the industry.
Presented here is a comprehensive overview of Chul Soon Hwang’s profile, statistics, biography, training regime, and dietary plans.
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Full Name: Chul Soon Hwang |
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| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 215-225 lbs | 5’10″ | 09/01/1983 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Fitness Model, Social Media Influencer, Bodybuilder, Personal Trainer | 2010 | Korean |
Bio
Receiving the nickname “Asian Arnold” is a notable accolade, especially considering Arnold Schwarzenegger, a seven-time Mr. Olympia titleholder, is someone Chul has admired since embarking on his fitness endeavor. Hailing from Korea, Chul Soon Hwang is distinguished for his remarkable physique, including his “sculpted” 8-pack abs, defined deltoids, and a classic, vintage physique.
Since his entry into competitions in 2009, Chul has gained immense popularity both in his native Korea and the global fitness arena. He has amassed numerous bodybuilding titles across both the U.S. and Korea, in addition to featuring in commercials and television shows, underscoring his impressive achievements.
However, Chul’s journey wasn’t always filled with success and admiration. During his youth, he was frequently ridiculed for his slight build and underdeveloped frame. Much like many fitness enthusiasts, these criticisms drove him to embrace weight training and commence his fitness journey.
Initially, Chul would perform 3000 crunches daily and endure training sessions exceeding two to three hours. Over time, he realized this method was inefficient for muscle growth. Transitioning to a structured workout plan and a focused diet led to significant improvements in his physique.
Three years later, Chul transformed into a figure of considerable size and definition, almost becoming unrecognizable.
Competition Record
Chul Soon Hwang began competing in bodybuilding in 2009 and has since accumulated numerous awards. His experience in the field is extensive. Here are his notable accomplishments:
- 2016 Musclemania Universe at Fitness Universe, Professional Medium, 1st place and Overall Champion
- 2015 Musclemania Universe at Fitness Universe, Professional Medium, 1st place and Overall Champion
- 2015 Musclemania World at Fitness America Weekend, Professional Medium, 2nd place
- 2014 Musclemania Universe at Fitness Universe, Professional Medium, 1st place
- 2013 Musclemania World at Fitness America Weekend, Professional Medium, 2nd place
- 2012 Musclemania World at Fitness America Weekend, Professional Heavyweight, 1st place – Overall Champion
- 2011 Musclemania World at Fitness America Weekend, Professional Heavyweight, 4th place
- 2010 Musclemania World at Fitness America Weekend, Lightweight, World Champion (Pro Card)
- 2010 Model Universe at Fitness Universe, 3rd place
- Musclemania Universe at Fitness Universe, Lightweight, 4th place
- 2010 Musclemania Universe Korea, Sports Model, 1st place
- 2009 Fitness Korea, Sports Model, 3rd place
- 2009 Musclemania World at Fitness America Weekend, Lightweight, 2nd place
Workout Routine
Chul’s training is nothing less than rigorous. To develop his substantial “old-school” physique, Chul dedicated countless hours at the gym. It took relentless effort and determination.
Chul attributes his size gain primarily to compound exercises such as bench press, squats, pull-ups, and deadlifts. Despite their simplicity, he believes these four exercises are foundational for building an impressive Golden-Era physique. Proper form, mind-muscle connection, and high volume are key elements in his training.
In addition to compound movements, Chul incorporates isolation exercises to address weak points in muscle strength and definition. Some isolation exercises he includes are cable flys, dumbbell rear delt flys, and wide-grip lat pulldowns.
Chul’s workout split is laid out as follows:
Day 1: Back
Day 2: Chest
Day 3: Legs
Day 4: Arms
Day 5: Shoulders
Chul Soon Hwang follows a “bro split”, training one muscle group at a time, which allows ample rest and recovery before each session.
Here’s an example of his back day routine:
| Exercises | Sets | Reps |
| Wide-Grip Cable Pulldown | 3 | 10 |
| Close Grip Rows | 3 | 10 |
| Seated Rows (Normal Grip) | 3 | 8 |
| T-Bar Row | 3 | 8 |
| Rack Pull | 3 | 10 |
| Pull-Ups | 3 | Until Failure |
Chul emphasizes relatively high volume with 8-10 repetitions per exercise and doesn’t shy away from heavy weights. Notably, he also takes his final exercise of each set to failure!
Diet
A chiseled physique like Chul Soon Hwang’s isn’t achieved through exercise alone; nutrition is crucial to both his muscle definition and strength.
Chul adheres to a stringent diet nearly year-round, high in protein, moderate in carbohydrates, and moderate in fats. Interestingly, he times his macronutrient intake: most carbs are consumed in the morning and post-workout, while protein and fats are spread throughout the day, particularly before bedtime. He also ensures a meal every 2-3 hours, maintaining continuous nutrient replenishment.
Key elements of his diet include:
- Bananas
- Chicken
- Brown Rice
- Whey Protein Shakes
- Avocados
Summary
In conclusion, Chul Soon Hwang offers a distinct perspective to the fitness industry, emphasizing not merely muscle mass but also the importance of balance and muscle definition.
What are your thoughts on Chul Soon?
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*Images courtesy of Chul Soon Hwang Instagram