SimplyShredded.com

Bobby Rosen from Simplyshredded.com interviews Team Universe competitor Christian Coronato.

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I started working out when I was young. My pops brought my brother and I to the gym when I was about 13, he was probably 15 at the time. He was much more into it than I was. I remember faking being sick and sit in the locker room. It’s not that I didn’t like being active, it’s just that I had no interest in lifting weights. I trained on and off for the next few years, including high school. I didn’t get really serious about it until I hit college. I wasn’t a school person, and I didn’t like where I was at, so instead of turning to drugs and partying, I turned to gym. In the four years of school, I probably missed a month of training, if that. I went 7 days a week, it was my outlet. I left HS at 140lbs; I began eating and eating and eating. I left college at 190. I wasn’t shredded by any means, but I had a good structure. I used to go to the food store, pick up a case of the cheapest burgers I could find, grille up 6 of them, and eat them plain with no buns post workout. My drink of choice was a no name brand weight gainer. It worked. Once I got out of college I decided to clean up a bit, and started being a bit more health aware, or so I thought. My GF had the owner of the gym approach me in the summer of 2008 and asked if I wanted to do a show. At first I was very hesitant, as it was not something I ever considered, but then I agreed. I did my first show only 8 weeks later.

I hated it the whole time, and swore I wouldn’t do another. But my coach talked me into doing the NPC Gold’s Classic a week later, and I won the overall Novice. I was hooked since then.

Where does your motivation come from?

Everyone and everything around me. I feed off of other people’s energy. I love to hear success stories, and motivational stories. It helps keep me grounded.

What workout routine has worked best for you?

I have been training 7 days a week for as long as I can remember. I like the feeling of being in the gym.

• Shoulders
• Back
• Chest
• Hams/Calves
• Arms
• Quads
• Repeat.

I think I will be switching it up and doing a 5 day routine, and try to benefit from some more rest and recovery time.

Shoulders

• DB – 2 x 15, 3 x 10-6
• BB Front Delt / DB Side Delt – 3 x 10-6 / 10-6
• Reverse Pec Dec – 3 x 10-6
• HS Press – 3 x 8
• DB Shrugs – 3 x 8
• Power Squat Shrugs – 3 x 8

Back / Calves

• HS Pulldown – 3 x 10-6
• Wide Pulldown – 3 x 10-6
• T Bar Row – 3 x 10-6
• DL – 2 x 15, 3 x 5, 1 x 1
• BOR – 3 x 8
• Seated Calf – 5 x 10
• Standing Calf – 5 x 10

Chest

• Flat Bench – 2 x 15, 3 x 8, 1 x 2
• Incline DB – 3 x 8
• Pec Dec – 3 x 8
• Incline Flyes – 3 x 10
• Incline HS – 3 x 10

Arms

• HS Curls – 2 x 15, 3 x 10-6
• Wide BB Curls – 2 x 10
• Close BB Curls – 2 x 10
• Pin Wheel Curls – 3 x 10-6
• Cable Curls – 3 x 10-6
• Pushdowns – 3 x 10
• CGBP – 3 x 10
• Standing Skullcrushers – 3 x 10
• Kickbacks – 3 x 10
• Forearm Circuit x 3

Legs

• Seated Leg Curl – 4 x 10
• Standing Leg Curl – 4 x 10
• One Leg DB SLDL – 4 x 10/10
• Extensions – 3 x 10-6
• Leg Press – 3 x 10-6
• Hack Squat – 3 x 10-6
• Lunges – 3 sets
• Squat – 2 x 15, 2 x 8

If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?

Deadlift is number one for sure. There is nothing more energizing than picking up raw dead weight off the floor. Plus it helps overall body growth. The Second would be Incline bench. Upper chest is something many people lack because they are flat bench advocates. I try to incorporate incline movements as much as I can.

The last I like would be the machine hack squat. The feeling of racking up and slamming down is unmatched.

What is your diet like?

Right now, off-season this is what I’m currently eating:

• Meal 1: 6 whole eggs, 1 piece Ezekiel bread, ¾ cup oats, ½ cup veg
• Meal 2: 4oz steak, 4oz chicken, 6oz potatoes, ¼ cup nuts
• Meal 3: 4oz steak, 4oz chicken, 6oz potatoes, ¼ cup nuts
• Meal 4: 4oz steak, 4oz chicken, 6oz potatoes, ¼ cup nuts
• Meal 5: 2 Scoops Sport Pharma Carb Max, 2 Scoops Universal Nutrition Ultra Iso Whey
• Meal 6: 2 cups Greek yogurt with mixed fruit added in.

They say that the pre and post-workout meals are the most vital meals for the day, what do yours consist of?

About an 1 – 1.5 hours before hand I have a dense meal of 4oz steak, 4oz chicken, 6oz potatoes, ¼ cup nuts, then about 30 mins before training I’ll have a pre workout drink that consists of Universal Nutrition Shock Therapy mixed with EAA Nitro. EAA Nitro gives me the extra amino acids as well as 40 extra grams of fast carbs. Post workout I have a shake consisting of 50 grams of protein and 50 grams of carbs. Then about an hour later I’ll have my 2 cups of Greek yogurt. I workout late at night, so that is my last meal before bed as well.

When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?

I actually just recently got into some HIIT cardio. I did it for my entire contest prep leading into Team Universe. I paired that with normal cardio in the AM and I came in at the best shape in my life. I will def continue to use both of them.

What is your supplementation like?

Currently my supplementation is pretty basic.

From the Animal Pak line, I have Pak, Nitro, and Omega. From the Universal Nutrition line I have Shock Therapy, EAA Nitro, 100% Beef Aminos, Ultra Whey Pro, and ZMA Pro. From the SportPharma line I have Beta Alanine, Carb Max, and Joint-V.

Favorite Bodybuilders?

There are so many out there. I am a big fan of Troy Alves physique. He looks unreal.

Favorite Quote?

I am the man responsible for who I am. When I look in the mirror each day, I stare my creator in the eyes. I am responsible for what I have and will become, I am accountable for what I will or will not accomplish. I believe in myself, I bow to no man and my only critic of any consequence has walked every mile of this journey in my size thirteen’s.

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