[absolution]

I was filmed training the day before my guest spot in July but didnt know it was gonna be on youtube. Wow.
John Heaton

Hope the bodybuilder haters dont slate me too much

[Gubernatrix]

Good stuff mate - great to see the sandbag/sledgehammer/keg action as well as the more traditional curlz! Pretty unusual for a dedicated bodybuilder I'd guess.

How does the functional stuff fit into your overall approach to getting in shape for a show? Is it a core part of the routine or a bit of fun - or something in between?

[Franz29]

absolution, on Oct 21 2009, 07:53 PM, said:

I was filmed training the day before my guest spot in July but didnt know it was gonna be on youtube. Wow.
John Heaton

Hope the bodybuilder haters dont slate me too much

I don't think too many people here are as down on the bodybuilder scene as some other sites you could mention - it's your chosen sport and you do what you need to do to win, no different to my American football (well, maybe I wear more clothes..... ). I still love watching "Pumping Iron" as a means to psyche me up for lifting on those occasions when I lack the motivation so I'd be a hypocrite if I said otherwise. It's the less-than-natural bodybuilders that drive me up the wall - guys that use dubious methods then deny, deny, deny.

Loving the training shots in the video, especially the way you are mixing it up there with the barrels and the tyre.

[absolution]

Cheers guys

I kinda fell into bodybuilding in my 30's after playing rugby in my teens and early twenties then just lifting weights for fun after my ACL rupture. I think that bodybuilding as a sport (drug free of course) is ideal for people that have been active sportsmen from an early age like myself then found themselves either injured or too old to continue at a reasonable level. Only a couple of weeks ago I had a female client competing (38ys old) and she was up against a 16 yr old girl. I am astounded that a 16 yr old (and her parents/coaches, etc) would want to get into a life of dieting. The same goes for the boys. 16 yr olds should be running and jumping while they can. When you get into your late twenties and thirties, it may be time to slow down. Just my opinion.

I like the tyres, barrels, etc. I use em more for conditioning than strongman. I have 3 barrels. One is approx 25kg, the other 40kg and my big bad boy is 50kg plus. I cant clean that yet. too big and heavy.

Lets see if a full 18 months of functional stuff can take my physique even further.

[Gubernatrix]

That is a bit scary about the 16 year old. On the other hand, gymnasts, ballet dancers etc also have those kinds of pressures. It's not good, but I guess one can't single out bodybuilding.

[absolution]

I agree. But most sports are about performance. Bodybuilding is purely how you look. We all know the problems young girls have with body image. This girl stood on stage in a bikini, slightly podgy and came last. I just felt for her. I know we all need to know how to lose but bodybuilding is saying you dont meet our standards in the way you look. You need a thick skin (excuse the pun).

[Red]

John.....If anyone comes down on you for the fact you are a bodybuilder, then they are truly ignorant and very closed of mind. The discipline and focus needed to be a success in your chosen sport is tenfold!! I know I could not envisage myself being that disciplined thats for sure!!

Please do not try to justify why you were a bodybuilder. You have the drive and motivation, whilst others flit from one sport to another not even knowing what their plan is to make them stronger or fitter. I, for one admire you.

Sorry to rant, but there are to many know it alls out there who actually know f$%k all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andy]

agree with red completely bud. Great vid and completely agree with the comment red made about discipline and focus.

[absolution]

Thanks guys again

I must admit, I have only had positive stuff on here. This is why I frequent it more than the bodybuilding forums which i find can be sometimes a bit bitchy. I have made some lifetime friends on the natural forums but recently a handful of small minded people have ruined the community.

I am hoping to get a DVD out next year with DNS. We are going to try and make it a bodybuilding DVD never seen before (almost impossible)

I will try to show that you dont need to be a bum bag wearing baggy trousered roid head to create a physique to stand on a stage. I may even get him to film my back flip lessons, I am sure i will still be having them. Not sure I'll be flying solo anytime soon. It will contain all the usual training stuff but I would like to include more on contest nutrition and posing which when I started were the subjects least available to learn about.
As you all know on here, my training is not 'bodybuilding' so i hope to get a plug in there for FK.UK. (Chet, t shirt or beanie would be ace, hint hint)

I am hoping to get down to 'The Box' before the end of the year to see Mark so that may be a killer. Looking forward to meeting him. He has a physique to be admired as do lots of functional guys.