Ask anything related to competition prep, Training, diet,cardio, PEDs anything goes
I would like to know about your qualifications and history. Assuming that’s you in the Avatar photo, very nice physique. Why not start with something about you and why somebody would want your advice?
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Sure that’s a fair question. So I’ve been training on and off for 28 years with the last ten years being super consistent with everything. I’ve completed in 5 bodybuilding shows in men’s physique and classic bodybuilding winning some high level amataur shows. Now I am a trainer and prep coach having coached several people to the bodybuilding stage. Yes that’s me in the pic, from 2021
I’d be interested to know your stage stats. Height, weight, any bragging measurements? How does it differ in the off season? Do you stay fairly lean year round?
5’5" 155lb there, retired now but I stayed relatively lean in off-season , weight went up to 165-170 in off-season with some visible abs. Not a fan of dirty bulking
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what if I don’t do health phase aka cruise or bridge after a contest straight go into bulking cycle then a pre contest cycle (the entire thing last a year) do you think cruise phase is necessary for desensitise the androgen receptors and break greater plateaus in the bulking cycle? Some says you won’t be able to grow go straight into bulking cycle after contest prep how do you deal with this? Changing compound increase doses etc
Whats up team?!?!?
I started a cycle of 500mg test per week alongside 600mg EQ, and 300mg Mast. I ran 500 test and 300 mast from weeks 1-3, and I slept like a baby and felt great! Then I threw in EQ at 600mg per week, and all of a sudden, I am getting practically no sleep…I fall asleep fine, but then im up 3-4 hours later, and my mind is racing. I havent gotten any anxiety which I know can happen. But honestly, the sleep impairment has been worse than when I used Tren… Any ideas on what I can do to survive this? Sleep aids, AI’s, etc? I am on a contest prep, so I am contemplating dropping the EQ entirely, and upping the Mast to compensate.
I really value all your opinions so all are welcome!
I have heard that bodybuilders are really bitchy in that they are very judgmental toward anyone who seeks to join the sport, in contrast to, say, powerlifters and weightlifters, who are known to be very supportive of beginners. For instance, I’ve heard that if bodybuilders think your genetics suck, they will ask what the hell you’re even doing there and encourage you to never even think about competing. Have you found this to be true?
That sounds like people who play Bridge.
I’ve met a couple pros and know some guys who are huge. All of them are friendly and supportive. It sure where you got your info from.
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Has anybody experimented with different forms of cardio? Bike, stairs, HIIT, etc. if so, what were your experiences/results like?
I’m a novice and have only competed twice. I only did stair master and mixed it up with some steady stare and HIIT.
Through out the pre my body felt really beat up. My legs were constantly sore, and I think I might’ve lost some size.
I’m 4 weeks into my 3rd contest prep (20 weeks) and doing bike only so far…legs feel pumped all day, and my body feels fresh.
Any input on this would be greatly appreciated!
When I started doing cardio as contest prep, I mostly did moderately fast walk around the block (about 2 miles). It took about 30 minutes a lap. It started with 30 minutes as soon as I woke in the morning. The closer the contest got, I would add another lap. I would do cardio both in the AM before eating and in the PM an hour after dinner.
I started at 30 minutes in the AM.
Then added another 30 minutes in the PM.
Finally added an additional 30 minutes in the AM.
I never felt beat up or worn out from the cardio. Actually, the blood flood lifted my spirits. The diet is extremely painful the final month, as only feeling good when eating, training, and sleeping.
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“I’ve met a couple pros and know some guys who are huge. All of them are friendly and supportive.”
I should have been more specific. No question, successful bodybuilders can be totally cool to talk to. What I was getting at is how they feel about someone actually stepping on stage to compete. That’s where I’ve heard they often take the attitude that if you do not have Hercules-level genetics and perfect proportions, you are just wasting space on the stage. I can kind of understand where they’re coming from. Absent the right genetics and “supplementation,” people don’t generally look great in a shredded (as opposed to just really lean) condition. Moreover, most bodybuilders don’t really enjoy the process; in fact, they hate it, especially the last few weeks of dieting. So if you don’t have a realistic shot at looking pretty big and proportional in your shredded state, it’s understandable why guys with competitive physiques might say “Dude, why are you even doing this?”
Not really sure where you are getting this from? Personal experience? I competed in open BB at 172lbs and 5’”11” I stood next to a. Inch of shorter more muscles guys and they gave me nothing but support. I also got nice comments from the guy who won super heavies.
We all have commonality here we love bodybuilding.
The only reason I think someone would be looked down upon is if they showed up completely out of shape and it was apparent they didn’t take it seriously.
Kinda seems like you have a chip on your shoulder for some reason.
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Never had a problem with anyone who competed except one guy who had a bad attitude, but that one guy from a hundred
The majority are super cool humans
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Fast walking outdoors was my preferred cardio during prep too
Morning first thing after a black coffee and evenings , always tried to keep cardio away from my workouts
I competed over 3 decades. From my many experiences, at least 60 competitions, I observed that when I wasn’t in contention it was almost like I was just there. I felt welcome by all involved in the competition. The better I got the greater the tension between competitors. But I should admit that I might have contributed to the tension.
The nature of the judging doesn’t help the atmosphere. Powerlifting is pretty much completely objective, though a few “gifts” and “robberies” happen during occasional meets. Bodybuilding judging is completely subjective, so the final placing can displease many competitors and observers. This just heightens the tension.
That all said, most contests went fairly well. I had one particular event when I won over another guy, who seemed mad at me for the judges selecting me over him.
Not at all. My question was not at all rhetorical; I am genuinely curious as to how the more successful competitors might view those who are less gifted/accomplished but who want to compete. I had heard some negative things, but I was unsure how representative those comments were. Glad to hear you had a positive experience.
This notion that an entire grouping of people will act and think with some sort of hivemind is patent internet silliness. Bodybuilders are humans: they will respond the way humans do about things.
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The more successful ones are competing at regionals, national, pro shows.They are all gifted. It is not like anyone can just step on stage with them.