The biography, life, and accomplishments of Victor Martínez
The second Dominican in history to earn an IFBB pro card, nicknamed the “Dominican Dominator“, Víctor Martínez is a veteran of the sport. Bodybuilder, athlete, autism activist, and Generation Iron Podcast host, he has done it all, including starring as himself in the award winning film, Generation Iron.
Below is a complete breakdown of Víctor Martínez’s profile, stats, biography, training and diet regimens.
|
Full Name: Víctor Martínez (Men’s Open Bodybuilder) |
||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 240-245 lbs | 5’9″ | 07/29/1973 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Bodybuilding | 1990, 2000, 2012 | Dominican |
Victor Martinez Biography
Originally from San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic, Víctor Martínez has had a long history in competitive sports. His interests came early on when he moved from his homeland to the USA, where he played baseball, football, and other competitive sports throughout his teens. Then later on, Víctor transitioned into weightlifting.
Once he was out of high school, Víctor became hooked on the bodybuilding lifestyle and this is something he decided to pursue. It did not take long for him to consider competing.
Víctor knew he would need to further develop his physique in order to step on stage and compete against others, so he put his diet and training into overdrive. Consistency paid off for him, and at only 19 years old he was ready to grace the stage for the first time.
He competed in NPC tournaments from 1997 through 2001 and earned his pro card at the 2000 NPC Nationals. His bodybuilding career was put on hold in 2009 when his sister, Eridania Rodríguez, was murdered by a handyman working in her building. However, Martínez persevered through his personal struggles and returned to the sport in 2010.
His career was again put on hold in 2011, after he complications with returning to the United States. He thankfully overcame those complications, and was allowed to return to the US in 2012. He had been an on-again, off-again regular on the Olympia stage.
After graduating from high school, Víctor’s priorities changed completely – he became hooked on the new bodybuilding lifestyle, and it didn’t take him long to consider competing.
Víctor knew that in order to compete on a bodybuilding stage, he would need to further develop his physique, so he started training rigorously. Eventually, the consistent hard work paid off for Víctor, and at the age of 19, he was ready for his first ever competition.
Víctor Martínez Competition History
Víctor has an extensive history in the sport of bodybuilding, competing in numerous shows both throughout his amateur and pro career.
Amateur Career
- 1993 Elmo’s Gym, Teenage, 1st place
- 1994 NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States, 27th place
- 1997 NPC New Jersey Suburban State Bodybuilding Contest, Light-Heavyweight, 1st place and Overall
- 1997 NPC New York Metropolitan Championships, Light-Heavyweight, 1st place and Overall
- 1999 NPC Bev Francis Atlantic States, 16th place
- 2000 NPC Junior USA, Heavyweight, 1st place
- 2000 NPC Nationals, Heavyweight, 1st place and Overall (Pro Card Earned)
Pro career
- 2001 IFBB Night of Champions, 8th place
- 2002 IFBB Arnold Classic, 13th place
- 2002 IFBB Ironman Pro Invitational, 9th place
- 2003 IFBB Night of Champions, 1st place
- 2004 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 9th place
- 2004 IFBB GNC Show of Strength Pro Championship, 1st place
- 2005 IFBB Arnold Classic, 7th place
- 2005 IFBB New York Pro Championship, 3rd place
- 2005 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 5th place
- 2005 IFBB San Francisco Pro Invitational, 5th place
- 2006 IFBB Arnold Classic, 3rd place
- 2006 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 3rd place
- 2007 IFBB Arnold Classic, 1st place
- 2007 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 2nd place
- 2009 IFBB Arnold Classic, 2nd place
- 2009 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 6th place
- 2010 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 8th place
- 2011 IFBB Arnold Classic, 3rd place
- 2011 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 4th place
- 2011 IFBB Arnold Classic Madrid, 1st place
- 2013 IFBB New York Pro Championship, 2nd place
- 2013 IFBB Toronto Pro Supershow, 1st place
- 2013 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 11th place
- 2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Madrid, 5th place
- 2014 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 8th place
- 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic, 4th place
- 2015 IFBB Mr. Olympia, 9th place
- 2016 IFBB Baltimore Pro, 1st place
- 2016 Mr. Olympia, 11th place
- 2017 IFBB Muscle Mayhem, 1st place
- 2019 Arnold Classic, 10th place
Training
Víctor Martínez is known for his incredible size, symmetry, and conditioning. He tends to stick to specific routines, and focuses extra where he feels he lacks. He utilizes a variety of different methods, from heavier weight and low reps to lighter weight and higher reps.
When he feels that he needs to add size to a specific muscle group, Víctor finds that the best possible way to do it is by training with heavier weights. He believes in heavy sets and not going too high on reps when you want to add muscle mass, and it clearly has worked for him.
When it comes time to cut and lose fat, cardio becomes another focus for Víctor. Around this time he will occasionally use HIIT workouts, but consuming few calories throughout the day is more of the preferred method to drop fat.
We have actually had the pleasure of training with Víctor at the Generation Iron Training Facility in New York. He is always open to sharing his knowledge and showing us unique methods of training.
First is our chest day with Víctor:
The Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Cable raise (shoulder warm up) | 2 | 25 per arm |
| Incline dumbbell fly (warmup) | 2 | 20 |
| Hammer Strength Incline Press | 4 | 10-15 |
| Decline Dumbbell Press | 4 | 10-15 |
| Cable crossover | 3 | 10 upper 10 lower |
Víctor also let us in on his shoulder and tricep workout, which he pairs with chest day. You can check that out here:
The Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raise | 2 | 15 reps |
| Shoulder Press | 4 | 15 |
| Upright Rows | 4 | 15 |
| Cable Tricep Pushdown SS Overhead tricep extension | 4 | 15 |
Finally, Víctor took us through his intense bicep workout, which you can take a look at here:
The Workout
| Exercise | Sets | Reps |
| Cable Bicep Curls (Warm Up) | 3 | 20-15-12 reps |
| Barbell Curls | 4 | 10-12 |
| Dumbbell Preacher Curls | 3 | 12 |
| Cable Hammer Curls | 3 | 15 |
Nutrition
Alongside his strict training routines is a diet to match it. Even throughout the offseason, Víctor likes to keep his carbohydrates under control, and not go overboard with them. He tends to consume fewer carbohydrates in the evening, and rather larger amounts around his training and in the morning. Víctor will also consume more carbs on leg days and back days, as those tend to be more demanding workouts.
When it comes to contest prep, it is all about losing fat according to Víctor. During the prep period he will eat far less carbs and consume more protein. The target protein intake is around 1.5-2g per pound of bodyweight, to maintain and even possible build more muscle mass.
Víctor always carefully plans the timing between each of his meals, and always likes to eat clean. Some of his favorite healthy foods are:
- Brown rice
- Salmon
- Broccoli
- Sweet potatoes
Despite staying strict on the diet pretty much year round, Víctor will still treat himself to a cheat meal from time to time. A cheat meal here and there is good for not only easing the mind, but also resetting the metabolism, which can actually help in the process for losing fat.
Victor Martinez Personal Life
Outside of bodybuilding, Víctor Martínez has two sons, Justin and Jared and four daughters, Victoria, Zayde, Vivian and Zoe.
He is also very active in raising money for Autism Awareness, a nonprofit organization that promotes autism advocacy and research. Beginning in 2007, he started “Fit for Autism,” an event held at Signature Fitness in Belleville, which the proceeds go to Autism Awareness. The event gets bigger and bigger every year!
Aside from all of that, Víctor is the host for the Generation Iron podcast. He really does it all!
