Don’t lose sight of the joy on your way to the top.
This might come as a surprise to some, but sometimes the road to success can take the joy out of something you love. Sometimes you need to make a conscious effort to balance the joy of your passion with the rigorous drive of success. Here are a few tips to help you on that road:
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Set Goals
I often find those that are competitors, or those that are considering competing in their first bodybuilding show, are indecisive with an entire host of significant factors. The main factors are usually centered around whether to bulk, whether to cut, and the debate on how long the off season should really be. I’ve seen many competitors decide to bulk for an extended period of time and then six months later, that same competitor is cutting again for another show. In order to put on mass, one must give the body ample time to grow and develop. I will give you an example from personal experience.
After finishing my first bodybuilding season, I allowed myself two years to properly bulk and return to stage. It made a world of difference. I was able to add serious mass to my legs, which were a weak point of mine, as well as increase my overall musculature. The judges noticed and commented on the progress of my overall body. It was also very noticeable when I looked back at the photos.
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Find enjoyment outside of the Gym
For some of us gym rats out there, this can be hard to believe, but there is life outside the gym. There should be more to look forward to than just training. Let loose and enjoy things, in moderation. Too often I witness people speak about the fear of having a drink, or consuming an “unclean” food because of their false belief that their gains will be reduced or lost. There is this attitude that sacrificing all enjoyment, all year around, makes a bodybuilding competitor “hard-core or more “disciplined” than the average athlete. This couldn’t be further from the truth. What it does do is create unhappiness and a lack of balance in the athlete’s life, which can then impact not only the athlete, but also the family and friends of the competitor. There is plenty of time in which an athlete must be more strict and track every single calorie and macronutrient entering the body, however, the off season should not be one of those times.
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Take the time you need to prepare
Whether trying to add muscle size or cut down the body fat percentage, both require an adequate amount of time, something that we all struggle to understand. Giving an ample amount of time to reduce body fat will allow the athlete to avoid making his or herself a slave to a contest date and to prep. The more time the athlete allows themselves to do a proper cut, the more lean muscle mass remains and the better the conditioning is on stage.
Personally, the first time I cut weight, I gave myself approximately twenty weeks. Though I came in lean, it was not enough time for me to obtain the conditioning that I wanted. My body happens to be stubborn when losing that last little bit of fat that really helps to bring those striations out. So, after learning how my body responded the first time, I gave myself forty weeks the following time. I also utilized some strategically placed diet breaks to bring a much better, more conditioned package to the stage.
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Use compound movements, but do not avoid machines
I believe everyone should use compound movements when they first start bodybuilding, as they are great mass and strength builders. Do remember as we get older, however, that we may need to alter our training methods.
Due to hard training and heavy weights, combined with previous injuries, I have to ensure that I train intelligently. Backs, knees, hips, shoulders etc. do start to suffer some wear and tear throughout the years. This should not stop us from using compound movements, but the most important part to keep making gains is to stay healthy and consistent in the gym. Therefore, machines and cables can come in handy. Using periodization in my programming, where I move through strength blocks that are then followed by volume blocks helps to reduce the stress on my joints, and has been very helpful in keeping me healthy and consistent.
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Practice, practice, practice
The one thing I must stress as someone that competes and judges bodybuilding shows is that the competitor must be prepared in every way. When the stage date arrives, the athlete needs to be firing on every cylinder and working every positive attribute that he/she has earned. I see too many athletes focused on coming in the biggest with the attitude that size will guarantee first place. These athletes may be the biggest, but if his or her poses are weak, they end up hiding, or not highlighting their musculature. It leaves the door wide open to another athlete that knows how to highlight strength areas in order to win the show. It is evident to the judges which athletes have taken the time to practice, to work on posing, and to prepare for every aspect that competing entails.
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Stay relaxed throughout the process, be prepared, and create a process that works for you!
Greg Robinson is 33 years old and a natural pro bodybuilder. This year he has placed first in his Men’s Open Bodybuilding Class at the OCB Battle for the Belt in Burlington, NJ and took 2nd in his pro debut on Sept 27th, 2014 at the ANBF Jersey Shore Natural VIII. He currently is the bodybuilding representative for the American Natural Bodybuilding Federation and maintains a full time job as an Index Manager
You can find Greg Robinson on his Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram page. He also has aYouTube channel where you can find exciting and informative videos about natural bodybuilding.
