How Aaron Baker Trained During His Prime Bodybuilding Years

Originally posted on BodyBuildingBros
By Supradeep Dutta | Last updated Jul 1, 2026 1:20 AM ET

When talking about Aaron Baker, one thing that instantly comes to mind is his passion for bodybuilding. And while he used to train as everyone else back in the day, a training shift gave him the results he finally hoped for.

After that, in 1987, Baker made his amateur bodybuilding debut at the NPC USA Championships, where he placed 5th. Just 2 years later, in 1990, Baker earned his pro card by winning the NPC Championships.

Then came 1993, when Baker debuted in professional bodybuilding at the Pittsburgh Pro, placing 9th. Despite not earning the 1st title at the Pittsburgh Pro, his immense size put him in the spotlight. By 1995, Baker’s refined approach had elevated him to the Mr. Olympia stage, a milestone few achieve.

So, what was the secret of Baker’s massive physique during his peak? It was his intense workout routine. According to Fitness Volt, it was a shift in training philosophy.

“In the early years of training, Aaron Baker was a high-volume and high-intensity trainer like most of the yesteryear bodybuilders. But with time, he started getting diminishing returns with this style of training and also started losing muscle mass”.

‘Baker turned to legendary trainer Mike Mentzer, who diagnosed the problem: overtraining, and as a result, his body began burning muscle to maintain intensity.

Mentzer designed a training routine for Baker that included high-intensity workouts and maximized muscle recovery. Mentzer was known to prioritize intensity over frequency, and as such, Barker did two days on/one day off, followed by one day on/two days off.

This is what Baker’s weekly training split looked like, as per mikementzerheavyduty.com:

Day 1: Chest and Back
Day 2: Shoulders and Arms
Day 3: Rest
Day 4: Legs
Day 5: Rest
Day 6: Rest
Day 6: Repeat the cycle.

Several bodybuilders also followed the philosophy advocated by Mentzer, including the great Dorian Yates.

Apart from his intense workout routine, Baker also followed a diet that supported his training and recovery during the peak.

Aaron Baker’s diet to support workout and recovery

Although Mentzer changed Baker’s workout routine for the benefit of his health, Baker also consumed a diet that supported his training.

Aaron Baker followed a diet that was typical of his time: high-protein, moderate carbohydrate, and low-fat.

He focused on eating low-calorie, nutrient-dense foods all year round, and during the competition prep, he significantly decreased his carbohydrate intake. This is usually done to remove excess water so that the muscles pop out more.

While there was a place for cheat meals during off-seasons, those days were few.

This article first appeared on BodyBuildingBros and was syndicated with permission.

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