Has S.Kuclo improved over the last 2 years since he droped DC training?

tr · Nov 21, 2009

I've found old Steve photos on another bb board and was amazed by the improvements he has made in less than a year when he and Justin Harris was using DC style training.
The first pic is from Jr. Nats July 2005 at 209 lbs, 2nd and 3rd pics are 7 months later March 2006 at 280lbs offseason weight. Huuuge improvements! 4th pic - 2007 North Americans and 5th - 2.5 years later 2009 Nationals. Has he made any improvements overs the last 2.5 years? Even last offseason his weight was about the the same as he was in March 06... I was wondering (maybe Dante could clear this?) why Steve has stopped doing what is working for him and returned to the tradicional bb routines? Injuries? He stopped progressing with DC? or he has just reached his max potencial (at only 24 y/o??) and there is no room for growing/improving? else?

Phidias · Nov 21, 2009

Improvments (or lack of) don't ONLY depend on training style... far from it actually.

tr · Nov 21, 2009

Phidias said:
Improvments (or lack of) don't ONLY depend on training style... far from it actually.

I agree with that, but it would be hard to believe that he hasn't upped his dosages over those last few years also...

buselmo · Nov 21, 2009

Phidias said:
Improvments (or lack of) don't ONLY depend on training style... far from it actually.

agreed..

sarcoplasm · Nov 21, 2009

Funny you should bring this up. Dante already commented on this on the MD boards stating that he felt Steve neeed to return to the methods that got him to the dance in the first place. I did sense that he appeared small for a super judging by his recent training vids. I am a fan of his nontheless as he has all the tools to go all the way

PHIL HERNON · Nov 21, 2009

Well

these guys flip back and forth from trainer to trainer.....program to program.....I agree if he stuck to DC training he would be far ahead of where he is now.....obviously training is more important then everyone thought. But......never judge your progress by your off season weight........it is all about contest weight.

KillerStack · Nov 21, 2009

Isn't he a firefighter? Just a wild guess, but maybe he feels he has to be careful with the drugs, just use items he has a script for. Because if he is busted for illegal stuff he can kiss that career goodbye.

betito · Nov 21, 2009

We already have one topic discussing that subject so... don´t turn this in So sick of this 2 part. Let´s Steve do hid thing, he looks like a nice guy with a nice family and job

KillerStack · Nov 21, 2009

betito said:
We already have one topic discussing that subject so... don´t turn this in So sick of this 2 part. Let´s Steve do hid thing, he looks like a nice guy with a nice family and job

This is not about lies. Drugs and their impact on progress is very relevant in a discussion like this. I see no problem here.

What should we say otherwise, "yes he hasn't progressed like crazy recently, it might have something to do with dru..... eh, we can't talk about it. Must be because he dropped DC training".

KillerStack · Nov 21, 2009

sarcoplasm said:
Funny you should bring this up. Dante already commented on this on the MD boards stating that he felt Steve neeed to return to the methods that got him to the dance in the first place. I did sense that he appeared small for a super judging by his recent training vids. I am a fan of his nontheless as he has all the tools to go all the way

How does he train now? Has he completely dropped any strength gain oriented work? Lightened everything considerably?

sarcoplasm · Nov 21, 2009

KillerStack said:
How does he train now? Has he completely dropped any strength gain oriented work? Lightened everything considerably?

I don't know for sure but I would guess he's adopted a higher volume system

Dusty Hanshaw · Nov 21, 2009

Steve is a great guy and a great bodybuilder. Has his progress slowed? YES! Does he still train heavy? Max says he does, but he doesn't train DC anymore that is for sure. I think he does need to go back to DC training because that is the training he was using when he was at his best. Not only was he making his biggest gains while training DC but he also had a more dense look to his muscle that IMO comes from progressively getting stronger and moving heavy ass weight.

I always say that this sport is a mental one and often times we find our self looking for the secret but in this case he was following the best program for his body years ago.

Lastly i want to say congrats to Steve. Not because he is doing well at the Nats but rather because he has grown a big enough fan base that people are analyzing where he went wrong. He is a great bodybuilder and will go pro, it is just a matter of time..

rAJJIN · Nov 21, 2009

Does DC do contest prep? I dont think he does....I thought his specialty was taking a guy that weighs 220 and getting him up to 280?
Maybe it was a problem with the contest prep?

The guy Looks awesome and is one of the best around at a very young age.... Much respect to him.

betito · Nov 21, 2009

DC training just doesn´t allow you to look the same every year, it forces you to grow, it forces you to improve your nutrition, resting suplementation and "vitamins" so the logbook keeps being beated time after time and every year you are stronger than the previous one. IMO there is no way to DC it right and look the same year after year.

Alex A · Nov 21, 2009

im with Dusty on this one..

Steve is a damn good guy and a hell of a bber.. A great person with a career and an awesome wife... He was making some great gains and really put his name out there last year.

I was really proud of him... and especially cuz the guy is so young..

But these nationals are tough... Its all a learning process...

I know how it feels to not get the call outs ! trust me.. it hurts.. Especially when you have so many people, fans, friends pulling for you...

But.... the true test is how you bounce back...and im sure he will bounce back, learn and improve... Like steve.. that is my plan...

I know what i need to do, now i need to do it.. I wont hesitate to address my weaknesses and put the plan in action right away... Im sure steve already has a plan for this coming year..

cannibal · Nov 21, 2009

Doesn't it stand to reason that over time his gains are, of course, going to slow down considerably, regardless of training approach
I don't know of the dude personally as I don't follow the competitive side of the sport, but regardless of training protocol, EVERYONES gains are going to slow the closer they get to their muscular limit.
As far as I am aware Jay Cutler has always trained "high volume" and at 21 was carrying close to 85-90% of his muscular weight he has now. He carried on with what got him big, and the gains slowed dramatically. Most of the muscle gain was in the first few years....most really big guys are the same....they get huge quick. The rapid growth cant and isnt going to happen forever.
sure, there's the odd Dex that gains over years, but thats more the exception than the rule in the sports elite.
Whether he'd look better today or not if he stuck with DC, I have no idea, but its surely a safe bet that the gains per year, DC or not, are going to decrease quite rapidly...

PHIL HERNON · Nov 21, 2009

Well

cannibal said:
Doesn't it stand to reason that over time his gains are, of course, going to slow down considerably, regardless of training approach
I don't know of the dude personally as I don't follow the competitive side of the sport, but regardless of training protocol, EVERYONES gains are going to slow the closer they get to their muscular limit.
As far as I am aware Jay Cutler has always trained "high volume" and at 21 was carrying close to 85-90% of his muscular weight he has now. He carried on with what got him big, and the gains slowed dramatically. Most of the muscle gain was in the first few years....most really big guys are the same....they get huge quick. The rapid growth cant and isnt going to happen forever.
sure, there's the odd Dex that gains over years, but thats more the exception than the rule in the sports elite.
Whether he'd look better today or not if he stuck with DC, I have no idea, but its surely a safe bet that the gains per year, DC or not, are going to decrease quite rapidly...

Common sense tells us that is correct.....but there is a difference between that and regression.

almard · Nov 21, 2009

I don't beleve it's because the training style.....Much important, Nutration, Drugs, Rest....ect

they guy was in keto diet for the last two weeks only, with hours of cardio!!!

PHIL HERNON · Nov 21, 2009

Ok

almard said:
I don't beleve it's because the training style.....Much important, Nutration, Drugs, Rest....ect

they guy was in keto diet for the last two weeks only, with hours of cardio!!!

So now the consensus is that drugs are more important...........training is not as meaningful? Who needs rest if training is not important...........if training is of no issue then so is rest.