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How did you get started with bodybuilding?

I first started bodybuilding back in April of 2006.  I obtained interest in the sport after watching my best friend’s father compete a few times.  I admired his physique and after watching a whole competition, I knew one day I would step on stage.  It took me years after that before I committed to bodybuilding with a strict routine and diet.  I had been lifting for a number of years prior to 2006 through highschool football and as a hobby that my uncle first got me into when I was about 11-12.

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So what is the bodybuilding training routine that you use to achieve that killer physique?

For years, I have done a very simple routine of 2 days on, 1 day off, 2 days on, 2 days off.  My split was broken up into three different workouts, Chest and Triceps, Back and Shoulders, and Legs.  Also I would do abs and calves every other workout but not both on the same day.

Recently in this past offseason, I’ve begun a transition to strength and hypertrophy workouts that look something like this:

• Day 1: Upper Strength
• Day 2: Lower Strength
• Day 3: Rest
• Day 4: Chest/Triceps (hypertrophy)
• Day 5: Back/Shoulders (hypertrophy)
• Day 6: Legs/forearms (hypertrophy)
• Day 7: Rest

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

When cutting, I use a mix of HIIT and slower steady state type cardio.  HIIT has many advantages over steady state, but lower intensity cardio has its place as well.  As far as which I prefer, I couldn’t tell you.  They both have their ups and downs. After experimenting with both as well as just lower intensity, I felt as if I kept my strength and held onto muscle much moreso when I incorporated HIIT than without.  In my opinion, you can’t have one without the other.

What is your Diet like?

My diet is a pretty normal high protein, bodybuilding type diet.  My staples are eggs, egg whites, chicken (breasts and thighs), lean steaks, lean hamburg, pasta, sweet potatos, sprouted grain breads, basmati rice, and some fruits.

What is your supplementation like?

I don’t take a lot of sport’s nutrition type supplements.  I tend to focus on supplements for general overall health and body function/regulation.  My supplement staple is basically just a whey protein isolate.  Creatine monohydrate is also a good staple to have as well as BCAA’s.  I also regularly take something for healthy blood support and O2 delivery (BLBD).  If I need a 30-60 minute pre-workout boost, I’ll grab a cup of coffee or a sugar free caffeine source.

Plans for the future?

I recently suffered a partial tear of my patella tendon, so my first and foremost plan is to let it fully heal so I can squat 500lbs again (a major milestone of this offseason).  I was hoping to compete in the spring of 2010 but decided I should wait it out. I still hope to compete in 2010 and would like to think I am going for a pro-card in the IFPA

Favorite Quotes:

“Ain’t nothin’ to it, but to do it” -Ronnie Coleman
“If you’re going to beat me, it’s not because you outworked me” -Layne Norton

Bodyspace: www.bodyspace.com/yzrider400f/

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