Contest prep question......

[la_triathlete]

Hey guys- I'll be doing my first show this Dec 1st. Since I have never done one before, I am not sure how many weeks I should give myself to lean down and cut up. I guess 12 weeks is the typical amount, but since this is my first time, I'm wondering if I should give myself 15 weeks. I'm trying to figure this out because:

1. I am trying to plan out my cutting cycle (12 or 15 weeks)
2. I am going to start my final mass cycle, and trying to figure out its timing
3. I don't have a great feel for how long it might take to get ready for the show

Anyw help would be appreciated.

LA

[oldtimer]

How much bf% do you currently have?

[la_triathlete]

Originally Posted by oldtimer

How much bf% do you currently have?

No more than 8.5%, and I am very honest and accurate with myself. Most of it is right at my waist and lower back.

[oldtimer]

Originally Posted by la_triathlete

No more than 8.5%, and I am very honest and accurate with myself. Most of it is right at my waist and lower back.

I'm not an expert in this, but 15 weeks for an 8.5% person seems a bit steep imo. I think even 12 weeks would be much, but I can't say for sure since I've never been 5%-6% myself (iirc the best I reached was probably 7%-8%). Some people I've seen through the years suffered from peaking way too early.

[la_triathlete]

Can any of you guys who have done a show tell me if the first time you cut down for a show took longer or shorted than you expected. I would almost rather take a longer time and have to slow myself down at the end, than have to speed up and worry about not being ready.

Thoughts....

[jsupstarz]

Bodybuilding forum deleted 05/21/07 goodnight

[MaxRep]

Originally Posted by jsupstarz

Bodybuilding forum deleted 05/21/07 goodnight

???????????? I'm confused...

MaxRep

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by MaxRep

Which means you get on a cycle now and your cycle ends Dec 1st, the day of the show. Yes folks, that's right. A 6 month cycle. We're talking contest time, not beach time and the rules all change. If you can't hang with the new rules, then don't try to play with the big boys.

LMMFAO! Some is a little reved up tonight, eh? LOL

[MaxRep]

Hello LA,

I'm going to give you all my secrets here...

The Excalibur is a very good show. Even though it's your first show and you will (or should) enter the novice division, you're going to need to go balls out to do well. And my philosophy is you do a show to win. You may or may not win, but you do everything possible to win.

Which means you get on a cycle now and your cycle ends Dec 1st, the day of the show. Yes folks, that's right. A 6 month cycle. We're talking contest time, not beach time and the rules all change. If you can't hang with the new rules, then don't try to play with the big boys.

Here's the cycle I laid out for a friend of mine who's doing that show in the open light-heavy's... he's been off AAS for the past 3 months and his 6 mo. contest cycle starts in one week;

June 1 - Aug 31

Test Enan 1,000mg/week
Deca 600mg/week
EQ 600mg/week

GH at 3 iu/day - 5 x /week
T4 at 100 mcg/day

Arimidex at .5mg/day (he's susceptible to gyno)

Month of June only - as a kickstart:

Test transdermal 80mg/day
Deca transdermal 80mg/day

Months of June & August

IGF-1 at 50mcg after every workout
pegMGF at 100mcg after every workout


Sep 1 - Dec 1

Test Enan 250mg/week
Tren Enan 600mg/week
Eq 600mg/week
Primo Enan 800mg/week
Masteron 400mg/week

Winstrol 50mg/day - last 6 weeks leading up to contest

GH at 3 iu/day - 5 x /week - stop 1 week before contest
T4 at 200 mcg/day

Arimidex at .5mg/day

Month of Sep

ECAY stack - 6x/week

Months of Oct & Nov

IGF-1 at 50mcg after every workout
pegMGF at 100mcg after every workout

HGH fragment 177-191 ED (this is the portion of the GH molecule responsible for GH's fat burning effects.)

Last 2 weeks of Oct and last 2 weeks of Nov:

Clen at 120mcg/day


Training first 3 months: Mon=chest - Tue=arms - Wed=legs - Thu=back - Fri=shoulders - Sat=legs

Training months 4-5-6: Mon=chest/arms - Tue=legs - Wed=back/shoulders - Thu=chest/arms - Fri=legs - Sat=back/shoulders

Diet=3 months of clean diet with med-large amounts of food... approx 4,500-5,000 cal/day... followed by 3 months pre-contest diet which is similar food but approx 2,500 cals/day plus cardio.

Goal is to be at 4% BF by 2 weeks prior to show. From there make minor adjustments and last week carb deplete and carb load.

There you go, that's all it takes... Based on my observations over 3 decades, I feel this above is something less than 1% of the population has the ability to do. BB's are indeed a special breed.

Best regards,
MaxRep

[MaxRep]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

LMMFAO! Some is a little reved up tonight, eh? LOL

Hey buddy, yes indeed.

I haven't forgotten about getting back to you. Look for it tomorrow.

All the best my friend!
MaxRep

[jsupstarz]

Originally Posted by MaxRep

???????????? I'm confused...

MaxRep

jOKE MAX

[MaxRep]

Originally Posted by jsupstarz

jOKE MAX

Wow! I must be getting old! That one went right over my head...

MaxRep

[Grizzly]

Oh, LA, you'd better get your prep done properly because December 1 is my birthday and I expect you to win for me.

[oldtimer]

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Oh, LA, you'd better get your prep done properly because December 1 is my birthday and I expect you to win for me.

Only bigkarch "does things" for you on your birthday Grizz !!

[la_triathlete]

Originally Posted by MaxRep

Hello LA,

I'm going to give you all my secrets here...

Holy crap! I'm kind of speechless right now. I don't know what to say, but Thank you!!!!! That is an amzaing amount of information and support you just gave me, and for free!!!!

To let you know, my plan was to start my last mass cycle on June 1- August 31, and then start my cutting cycle on Sept 1 through the show date. My mass cycle was going to be somewhat similar:

1000mg Sus250 + 600mg Deca every 8 days (500mg Sus250 + 300mg deca every 4th day to keep the amount per injection day easier to manage). I did not think to put in the EQ, but will do so at your advise. I already have all the Sustanon and Deca, so at this point, I'll have to switch out the Test E for Sustanon250. Hopefully that won't break the cycle concept you laid out. As for the GH, I would love to take that, but at this point, my finances does not allow me. Might you recommend something in its place, or just do without it for now?

As for the cutting cycle, its sounds great. I Should be able to save up all the money needed for that cycle.

Given that it is my first show, my goal has just been to take one of the top three spots in the novice division and top 5 in the open. I'm certainly not planning on not making the evening finals. All that said, I am starting to work on my posing, and realize that my posing is what is going to make or break my goals- I'm sure my body will be in great shape, I'll just need to work on showing it off. I have help with that from two good friends, each of who have competed for some time and scored major victories.

I'll start taking picts so you guys can see my progress.

I really don't know how to thank you enough for this info.

LA

[MaxRep]

Originally Posted by la_triathlete

Holy crap! I'm kind of speechless right now. I don't know what to say, but Thank you!!!!! That is an amzaing amount of information and support you just gave me, and for free!!!!

To let you know, my plan was to start my last mass cycle on June 1- August 31, and then start my cutting cycle on Sept 1 through the show date. My mass cycle was going to be somewhat similar:

1000mg Sus250 + 600mg Deca every 8 days (500mg Sus250 + 300mg deca every 4th day to keep the amount per injection day easier to manage). I did not think to put in the EQ, but will do so at your advise. I already have all the Sustanon and Deca, so at this point, I'll have to switch out the Test E for Sustanon250. Hopefully that won't break the cycle concept you laid out. As for the GH, I would love to take that, but at this point, my finances does not allow me. Might you recommend something in its place, or just do without it for now?

As for the cutting cycle, its sounds great. I Should be able to save up all the money needed for that cycle.

Given that it is my first show, my goal has just been to take one of the top three spots in the novice division and top 5 in the open. I'm certainly not planning on not making the evening finals. All that said, I am starting to work on my posing, and realize that my posing is what is going to make or break my goals- I'm sure my body will be in great shape, I'll just need to work on showing it off. I have help with that from two good friends, each of who have competed for some time and scored major victories.

I'll start taking picts so you guys can see my progress.

I really don't know how to thank you enough for this info.

LA

Hello LA,

Well, you made my day just by appreciating the info. Because the first time I got this kind of help was from a top 5 National level competitor and it cost me $500... and that was back in the '80's when $500 was a lot of money. What I've laid out for you is different than what we did in the '80's but the concept is the same... just the ingredients and quantities have been updated to today's standards.

From your existing plans... it looks like you're already on the right track and doing things right for a top finish.

As far as the Sust and Enan... just stay with the Sust... it's all testosterone and won't change anything so stay with what you have.

You can skip the GH but try to get the IGF and p-MGF. If not enough $ for both, just go with the IGF. PM me for that info.

Even without the GH you'll still need the T4 and other ancillaries but that stuff's cheap.

As far as your goals... your sole goal should be to take the top spot in your weight class. That should be your single minded focus. It makes a big difference when you get on stage. You can see it in the attitude of the guys that are just shooting to place versus the attitude of the guys determined to WIN.

I don't recommend for novices to also go into the open division. First of all, they usually get blown away. Second, it is hard enough just trying to peak for one prejudging, but trying to peak for two prejudging's just doesn't usually happen and you screw yourself for one or the other.

What weight class are you shooting for and how much do you weigh now? Also it would help if you post up a front and a back shot now... to gauge where you're starting from.

Good luck!
MaxRep

[la_triathlete]

Hi MaxRep,

Trust me, I very much understand not only the depth of information you provided, but the price of it! As for your request to put up picts, I will do so in the next few days- Front and back.

I stand 5'8 and am CURRENTLY ~200lbs, 8-9%bf. I was originally shooting for the top weight of the middle weight division (176lbs goal), but as I have put on more weight (and it is coming on pretty solid), I figure I will likely compete in the light heavy (right up against your buddy). Some people say that I should have a specific goal weight range, but again, since this is my first show, my goal is to look as big, lean, and symetrical as I can. As such, I have not set a particular goal weight.

As much as I plan on winning (otherwise, there is no point), I want to be realistic about going through the prep for my first show. I really want to do the contest prep right, but I also need the experience of my first contest to put things in perspective for my future contests. I guess a particular number for a goal weight is not as important to me as kicking ass in which ever weight division I compete in. If you think this is a messed up mind set, please, call me on it.

As for entering the Novice and open contests, I will take your advice to heart. I was figuring to see how good I looked when time came, and then decide if I would only do the Novice, or both. I honestly thought that it wouldn't be too tough to do 2 prejudgings a few hours apart. I also figured that since in the finals, you can do your final routine once, and have it count for both, I woudl do that. But again, I will take your advice seriously.

In regards to taking the T4, IGF and p-MGF during the June-Aug cycle, I will do so.

Anyway, again, thanks for your help and knowledge. I really didn't expect someone to take such an interest and express so much information and knowledge. I really do appreciate it.

LA

[Grizzly]

Hey, Max, I notice you advocate the ECAY stack. Years ago I know this was popular at Elite, but, according to my readings, E and Y are a nasty combination. Is that just scaremongering or what?

[MaxRep]

Grizz, it's funny you mention that. I do not recommend high dosages but at 25mgs of ephedrine and 2.5mg's of yohimbine, it's a very effective fat burner over time.

When I was experimenting with dosages one time I took 50mg's of ephedrine and 10mg's of yohimbine, downed with 2 cups of coffee. By the time I got to the gym 15 minutes later, my heart was racing. By the time my warmup was done, I was Done! I had the cold sweats and thought my heart was going to explode and felt like I was going to barf. I really felt like I could die from either a blood vessel or my heart bursting. All I could do was go home and wait it out.

Lesson learned is start low and go up slowly.

Best to you!
MaxRep