The Jr. Nationals, do I have a shot?

Dave_19 · Aug 23, 2008

I'll be very straight forward I have never stepped on stage a day in my life. I always thought about it in the past even dreamed of competing, the posing routine scared me more than any thing else! But for the last few years I lost the desire and focused more on speed/endurance doing very little resistance training, focusing more on maui thai and boxing, steering away from bodybuilding training/eating. I also have been on a low carb diet for over a year doing tons of cardio, low volume, little sets, little resistance, high reps.

I have been a trainer for the last 6 years and recently have shifted towards competitive athletes. I think the fact that I cannot speak from experience of BEING on stage takes away from my credibility, regardless of education/experience and the countless peak weak experiments I have performed with my self and Guinea pigs. For that reason and the sake of a huge personal accomplishment I feel like I finally should just suck it up and compete.

I know many will say work you work your way up, start off at the small show and progress over time. But that doesn't motivate me. Some thing as big as the Jr Nationals puts a fire in my belly. I know I lack the leg mass currently but I also don't train legs for mass, and only 1x/month so I could start. For those of you who judge, or are also competitive, please be honest with me, do you think I have a chance at taking a show like that with no competitive experience? The dieting/conditioning is not a problem for me, posing Is weak so I would hire a coach for that locally 10 weeks out.

Here is a link to my pics: http://www.professionalmuscle.com/forums/showthread.php?p=444699#post444699

I'm 5'9 203lbs in those. I won't get into detail about my regiment but I will say I hardly did much in terms of supplements since my previous goals were not to get big, but to be fast and fit. You can PM me if you wish about it.

I would love to get some input from some of the really knowledgeable members we have that also compete, such as Big A, Phil H, Chris250, Big Mike, TPFU, bapper, kiwi, emeric, ect...

Thanks guys, and by the way I'm so serious about this.

Iabadman · Aug 23, 2008

Dave..........I 've always thought you had the shape and balance to do very well in bbing.............definately willl need to hit a a show before the jr's .[ since you are in Cali ....try for the contra costa ......or the orange country ....both are around mid may I think] Obvisously , legs need to really come up as well as back [ the two most important bp's as well ] But I believe you have the genes .......so now you just have to lift the heavy weight s , eat right , rest and grow .......With your knowlege of your body and diet ...............you should do very well . Realistically , you would have to be shreaded at around 225 to impact the national level at your height ........can you gain 30 pounds of muscle in 8 months ? I believe that you can [ will be fun to see if you can pull it off ] I think you have been up to 240 or so before in decent shape and you know your stuff.....[ shit you have grown up on this board ] If I can help you in anyway ......let me know ......You , Ivan , and Steak are 3 guys here that i have always wanted to see what you could do as bbers full time.....[ plus you are all cool fuckers] .........good luck bro ........national level physique should have a certain flow .....most will never have it ........I believe you do .[ but would need more pics to know for sure .......front full relaxed , side , and rear ] ......good luck and all my best ..........

Dave_19 · Aug 23, 2008

Iabadman said:
Dave..........I 've always thought you had the shape and balance to do very well in bbing.............definately willl need to hit a a show before the jr's .[ since you are in Cali ....try for the contra costa ......or the orange country ....both are around mid may I think] Obvisously , legs need to really come up as well as back [ the two most important bp's as well ] But I believe you have the genes .......so now you just have to lift the heavy weight s , eat right , rest and grow .......With your knowlege of your body and diet ...............you should do very well . Realistically , you would have to be shreaded at around 225 to impact the national level at your height ........can you gain 30 pounds of muscle in 8 months ? I believe that you can [ will be fun to see if you can pull it off ] I think you have been up to 240 or so before in decent shape and you know your stuff.....[ shit you have grown up on this board ] If I can help you in anyway ......let me know ......You , Ivan , and Steak are 3 guys here that i have always wanted to see what you could do as bbers full time.....[ plus you are all cool fuckers] .........good luck bro ........national level physique should have a certain flow .....most will never have it ........I believe you do .[ but would need more pics to know for sure .......front full relaxed , side , and rear ] ......good luck and all my best ..........

Thanks Ibadman, I really respect your opinion and agree with what you say on back/legs for sure. One thing though I thought I would strive for light heavy's (176.5-198lbs) I know time is on my side but trying to jump into heavy weights really scares me. Looking at previous years winners I feel it would be a complete embarrassment to show up.

Iabadman · Aug 23, 2008

The prob is you would be too tall for that class bro.........most of those guys are peter putnum and b-boy's height....5'5 - 5'6 ......if you haven't been gearing or training as a bber and also have been much bigger before .......you could actually pull it off ......I have seen and made some serious transformation in my time.............you could however be very competive at a quality show[ it a national qualifier] like the contra ......as a light heavy .....the guy that won this year was like 5' 8 183 is a friend of mine.....he has some of the best shape and genetics I ve seen.......once he is big enough [ a heavy ] he will be very competive at all levels....don't limit yourself .....you have lots going going for you..........lay out a plan and go for it .

b-boy · Aug 23, 2008

shit after Iabadman's post not much to add, the first thing is to get on stage and get your feet wet, come in the best you possibly can and you will know from there what to do I believe, after all you have to qualify for jr. nationals anyway, so first thing is to see if you can qualify and take it from there.

MAINEVENT · Aug 23, 2008

Imabadman nailed it. Think about the rebound effect you could have in the next 8 months training like a bodybuilder. You could have a good showing in the HW class, I think you can do it.

As b-boy said you have to be qualified first for the jr. nationals. You just cant jump into the jr's without getting 1st or 2nd in the open division of a national qualifier.

TooPowerful4u · Aug 23, 2008

I think you can do very well in a regional. Now as far as a national level show, you are going to have to be at the top of the heavies. From looking at the pix, you will probably hold 220 well. MUCH easier said than done. From the progress in the pix, tho, your body responds well and you know what the fuck you are doing haha. As said...catch that rebound effect and add some solid muscle. Junior Nationals next year? QUITE POSSIBLE if you hammer it from here no out....i say do it..

BuffD · Aug 24, 2008

I did the USA's and sucked down to the Light Heavies at 5'8" and Shawn Ray said I was "TALL". Made me look a bit thin compared to the guys that were the same weight and 2-3 inches shorter.

chris250 · Aug 24, 2008

Dave,

I think you could do very well in a NQ show, and place near the top (depending on conditioning ofcourse)...As for doing Junior's, I think with the right amount of food and correct training over the winter months you could have the size to compete at that level...But, again it would come down to conditioning...That has always been my problem is getting into conditioning good enough to place in a show that big...I can win all the NQ's in the world with my good conditioning, but taking it to the next level is harder than what alot of people think...But, should you go for it...HELL YEAH !!! That's what life is all about, going for your goals and trying your hardest...To be the best Dave that you can be...So I say go for it !!!

Chris250

Dave_19 · Aug 24, 2008

Thanks for all the opinions/advice guys. Regardless I know I have some work to do before I step on stage. I haven't trained for mass in years so that is the first step.

marbalizer99 · Aug 24, 2008

go for it Dave...since the day I joined this board you've helped me (training then and diet as of lately) and are more knowledgeable about transforming your body than anyone I know (you've almost written a book to me in PM's answering my various questions about dieting).

Phidias · Aug 24, 2008

You look good and obviously knows how to get in great shape, but as already stated, you need to add A LOT of lean tissue before even thinking about stepping on a National stage; at your height 30lbs at least.

Focus on a small show first and then yes WORK YOUR WAY UP (even if you don't like the idea).

Unless you have Levrone's genetics (which you'd know by now I think

) you won't be competitive against guys who bust their asses all year long with that very show in mind...

In 2010 maybe. But not now.

Sorry if I came accross rude, but I'm just being honest and say things as I view them.

bigguns078 · Aug 24, 2008

Good luck bro if you do decide to compete.. Im in the same boat and need to add alot of mass.. I think it will be good motivation since we have similiar goals and i will be working under your guidance..