Post Contest Recomendations...

Rob Roy · Jul 23, 2006

Well, this year is over for me. Somewhat relieved, but hours later already feeling the seperation from competition. I LOVE TO COMPETE. Too bad my body can only handle soooo much. I had a good showing considering that I jumped into this show with a two day notice. 2nd in the L.A. I can't complain. It was another tight matchup between myself and number 1. I came to the realization that I am definately not a welterweight. At about 5'6" (on a good day) I am just too tall for that class. 1st place was about 2-3 inches shorter me and thick all around. Time to take a year to pack on a solid 15-20lbs. of lbm. I ordered the pics from graphic muscle so I'll post them soon. Now I have mixed thoughts. Do I take time off? Do I start slamming it hard? Everybody seems to have mixed opinions on this subject. I'd like to get some thoughts from my bro's (or girls) of the PM on this subject. I'll say this again "I could not have done as well as I have without all of the awesome info and advice that I recieve from the wonderful people on this board.
Thanks again Rob Roy:st:r-wars

b-boy · Jul 23, 2006

ha rob i feel ya bro, i always have a hard time taking time off after my show! I usually take a week off then ease back into training for about two weeks (my joints usually hurt a little after a show) then its all out hard training! for those two weeks i just go in get a good pump and leave. then its all out heavy training.

congrats on another great placing bro!

bigfatandugly · Jul 23, 2006

imo...

post- contest is the best time to make gains...

your body has been deprived of nutrients and calories for say 20 weeks. you start back at the gym, consuming high quality foods and your body is going to respond amazingly as it is now basically a sponge just waiting to soak up all those calories it has been deprived of for so long.

we all know that our bodies have a genetic setpoint. in order for us to keep making gains from year to year we have to trick our bodies, or use chemicals to take us past that set point. that being said the body will do everything thing it can to remain in a state of stasis. now, ever notice how the body supercompensates by holding onto fluid the days after the show cause it is afraid that it will be once again deprived of the fluids it so deperately wants? well, the same thing goes for calories- it will super compensate with those as well- couple that with some intense training and you have a platform for some of the best gains you'll make all year.

i'll bust ass in the weeks following a show, unitl my body tells me its time to slow down, and then i'll take a little break, usually cut down to 3-4 times a week instead of 5-6. just can't seem to stay away for a whole week though. love the iron too much.

hope this helps.

BFU

HUTCH · Jul 23, 2006

I would get right back in the weight room for 4-6 weeks to put on as much size as you can then take a lil tim off then get right back to the heavy weights....I will probably do this then take a month off and just to 1 upper body workout and 1 lower body workout a week...

bigbadasian · Jul 23, 2006

Reply

|--[\\\]>--------- you body is extremely tired after 3 shows back to back to back, so would def. take time off. i wouldnt say months, but maybe 2 weeks tops...then start back slow by changing your workout for the next 3-4 weeks. I personally like to switch it up to where im not taking time off consistantly, but i do cut out the # of days im in the gym. in those times i like to workout only 3 days a week. the split is as follows:

day 1: Chest, shoulders, tris
day 2: legs
day 3: back and bi's

I would suggest after this, then going back to your normal workout schedule where you focus more on a one particular bodypart per workout.

Also, congrats on LA's. Man 2nd place in a top CA show like that! you are #1 if you ask me!

HUTCH · Jul 23, 2006

Hey I just noticed the guy who beat you was a guy who helped me out back in 03' for my first contest...Just thought that was kinda funny...

bigbadasian · Jul 23, 2006

Reply

HUTCH said:
Hey I just noticed the guy who beat you was a guy who helped me out back in 03' for my first contest...Just thought that was kinda funny...

|--[\\\]>--------- Hutch, go get me some doughnuts!

FutureFreak · Jul 23, 2006

Dood, I feel you, I LOVE TO COMPETE. First few days after its over, your happy and relieved, than a week later, you'll be driving and hear a song you could maybe pose to or something and you get almost depressed that you cant go out there and display yourself some more.....at least I get that way. Well, I am an actual nutcase and I train the day after, everyday if I please, sometimes twice a day post contest, because I know my body is so anabolic and primed for new growth, plus the fact that I DONT HAVE TO DO A CERTAIN amount of cardio or a specific post w/o meal. Its a luxury at that point and all fun. Sure I could take a week or more off, but me personally, I go by my instincts and train immediately with the next show already on my mind. Im not saying I lift extremely hardcore right after a show, but I believe in lots of blood volume, pumping repetitions to partition the much needed nutrients for growth. I also feel that High Intensity Cardio post/w/o is ideal for nutrient partitioning and perhaps a mainstay for off-season. I feel it would keep metabolism more efficient and regulate blood flow for better disposal of foods, plus increase appetite. Im talking like, 12 mins on the stair stepper and going full blast every 1.5 minutes for 30 seconds. Thats my take on post-contest.

Rob Roy · Jul 23, 2006

Ya know. The messed up part about these thoughts is that I was so ready to be done days before the show. Then immediately following I was feeling that seperation anxiety. Not even days, but minutes or maybe hours following. I guess that is just my desire to win. Anyway, I like what I've seen so far in terms of the post contest training thoughts. I think that I'll ease into a heavy 4 day split and I need to keep my cardio up atleast this week cause I have landed a couple of shoots for next weekend in Vegas. I'd love to hear some thoughts on post contest performance enhancement products. Over n under the counter. From vitamins to chem. Thanks for all of the awesome feedback so far.
BBA, thank you bro. I'm ready to start back up in your gym. It's nice to hear such great comments from a guy that's been around like yourself.
Future, I like the ides of the cardio blast. I've been using the stairmaster at a moderate pace for two hours a day for such a long time that'll be a nice change.
BFU, I have to agree. My body feels like a dried up sponge just waiting to fill up. Thanks for the toughts.
Hutch, That is crazy that he helped you get ready for a show. What a small world. I didn't see Lil Savage? I thought that he was competing?
Oh, by the way AZ. represented with me runner up, Frank won the light heavies and he looked great and hard as nails, Patty Farow took the figure overall and just looked tight as hell. I can't believe how much she came down in the last week or two.
Rob Roy:st:r-wars