40 Days to ANIMAL Status!

[The_Animal11]

OK, I'm 40 Days out so I think its finally time to start a contest prep log. I will be mirroring this log from my workout journal, which ive been keeping since something like 2008 now (will give a link in the next post). Anyways, quick history:

Competed twice last year:

INBA Southeastern States: 1st in Novice, 2nd Overall Open
INBF Natural Buckeye Classic: 4th in Middleweights

Since then (last April) I bulked slowly, ran both Mesocycles of Smolov, and added what I think is some good size. Started prepping at 20 weeks out in the beginning of March at 200lbs. Am now down to about 175 (was on stage last year at 170 at the Buckeye) and am (I think) past that conditioning already.

This season I'm again working with INBF Pro Rich Lauro, who I worked with last year, but this year unfortunately it is from a distance. Now, lets get to some workouts huh??

40 DAYS OUT: LEG DAY!

LYING LEG CURLS
65x10, 80x10, 90x10, 110x8, 120x8x2
sick focus on these today, good start

LEG EXT
110x15, 130x15, 150x12, 180x10x3
again focus was awesome. vascularity comin out on quads some here

HACK SQUATS
140x12, 230x10, 320x6...320x5...230x6...140x6...50x6
right into:

BW SQUATS
BWx30x4
Doin these right after that squat dropset=so much burn. reps were slow with no lockout, TUT was like 2 min/set at least

HORIZONTAL LEG PRESS
290x15, 320x18x3
pumped these out, again burn was nasty

SLDs
135x12x4
again sloooow with no touch or lockout... long TUT

SEATED LEG CURLS
80x15x2
Legs were exhausted

SEATED CALF RAISES
90x15x3
so tired

STANDING CALF RAISES
150x10x3
More tired

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Such a nasty workout. hit a wall after SLDs but everything was $$$

[The_Animal11]

link to last journal: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=110349501 (started 9/08!! holy cow!)

Pics from last season:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/Competition/DSC_0139.jpg
at Southeastern States

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs034.snc1/3258_853492367415_12455602_47966187_7417943_n.jpg
at Buckeye

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/6-2-10/DSC_0313.jpg
last week

[nmsk80066]

in! awesome progresss wowww

[itsgroll]

huge leg improvements! im in!

[ErickStevens]

Looking good brah, I'm in on this.

[co1e_train]

In for sure! Kill it bro!

[metroins]

Subscribed. I aspire to compete next year. You look beastly.

[rich55]

OH YEAH!!! Now, you need to throw up one of those sick looking back shots. Will be following along daily now that you are posting in the proper section :D

[The_Animal11]

in! awesome progresss wowww

thanks man!!


huge leg improvements! im in!


Looking good brah, I'm in on this.


In for sure! Kill it bro!

glad to have you guys along for the final stretch!! thanks guys!


Subscribed. I aspire to compete next year. You look beastly.

keep workin hard man!! bein on stage=awesome


OH YEAH!!! Now, you need to throw up one of those sick looking back shots. Will be following along daily now that you are posting in the proper section :D

oooooh ok... i guess i could throw one of those up

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/6-2-10/DSC_0309.jpg

[IndianForeigner]

Deep back separations; it's gonna be epic.


I guess I gotta sub here too, lol.

[ErickStevens]

dem lats. o_o

[Ryanmckd]

Good Luck bro, i'm sure you'll destroy the competition!

[JHICKS3301]

Good luck. I'll be following :cool:

[The_Animal11]

Deep back separations; it's gonna be epic.


I guess I gotta sub here too, lol.

not deep enough yet! id say they need another....
oh five weeks or so ;)


dem lats. o_o

dey got hit hard this offseason!


Good Luck bro, i'm sure you'll destroy the competition!

thanks man!


Good luck. I'll be following :cool:

good to have ya along!

[Diskd]

IN

extremely well balanced and proportioned!

[GyMgrrrL]

Ooh hellowwwwwww.

You've made tremendous gains. Looking forward to seeing the cut action ;)

[The_Animal11]

IN

extremely well balanced and proportioned!

thanks alot man!!


Ooh hellowwwwwww.

You've made tremendous gains. Looking forward to seeing the cut action ;)

the cut has done alot of its work already... this is the really exciting part now



incoming workout!

[The_Animal11]

INCLINE DB PRESS
70x10, 80x8, 90x8+20 pushups, 90x5+15 pushups, 80x8
Good start! normally give the 100s a go, but was feelin it well at the 90s today so i stuck with it.

FLAT BB PRESS
135x8, 185x6x6
Anyone remember the Scivation Hellsets? 666, 6 sets of 6 reps in 6 minutes? yeah buddy

INCLINE NAUTILUS PRESS
125x6x4
Really focused here

DB AROUND THE WORLDS
25sx6x3
These give such a good squeeze/pump

CHEST SQUEEZES ON PEC DEC
130x8x4
Again, great squeeze/pump

REVERSE GRIP PRESSDOWNS
80x10x4
Tris are poppin a little more! SOOO close to striations as i do these

OH ROPE EXTENSIONS
70x8x4
Same as above!

CABLE KICKBACKS
30x8x2
Tris were dead haha

SMITH SHOULDER PRESS
45/sidex8x3
Took a while to get this set up right... smith machine FTL

MACHINE LAT RAISE
50x14x3
Long holds at the top!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Posed after this workout today... am officially leaner than last year at the buckeye... muscles are more mature and theres more vascularity. getting really excited. oh btw, there may or may not have been a step aerobics class in the room while i was posing. hahaha EXCUSE ME CLASS I NEED TO USE THE MIRROR KTHANXBAI!

[JHICKS3301]

oh btw, there may or may not have been a step aerobics class in the room while i was posing. hahaha EXCUSE ME CLASS I NEED TO USE THE MIRROR KTHANXBAI!

That is EPIC!!

Great job :D

[co1e_train]

[b]INCLINE DB PRESS
oh btw, there may or may not have been a step aerobics class in the room while i was posing. hahaha EXCUSE ME CLASS I NEED TO USE THE MIRROR KTHANXBAI!

haha made me lol.


Could there have been possibly may or may have not been some attractive women attending such class that may have added to motivation?

[The_Animal11]

That is EPIC!!

Great job :D

haha i had fun with it. gotta be able to pose in front of a crowd right??


haha made me lol.


Could there have been possibly may or may have not been some attractive women attending such class that may have added to motivation?

no :( unfortunately

[The_Animal11]

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
105x10, 130x10, 150x8, 160x8x3
Decided to change it up a little and start with these today. let me go a little heavier with better form

SEATED CABLE ROWS/PULLUPS
120x8/BWx8, 150x8/BWx8, 180x8/BWx6, 210x7/BWx8
Killed the last couple sets here. this is a rough superset

DB ROWS (knee on bench)
80x8, 90x8, 100x7
Really tryin to focus on these ones. felt good

HAMMER STRENGTH LOW ROW/STRAIGHT ARM PULLDOWN
90x12/--, 180x10/80x8, 270x8/90x8, 270x8/100x8, 270x6/110x8
I'm gunna miss this machine when i go back to school

EZ BAR CURLS
25/sidexrandom
Did a couple different variations of rep schemes here, mainly just keeping the form tight though

HAMMER CURLS
50x10x3
Big veinage

SEATED CURLS
35x8x2
Was all i needed. roasted.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
A little run down today. this was the last day my split since i got my cals cut, so thats understandable though. hopin my body adjusts and i can really hit it hard next week.

quick PWO shot (moms has super shaky hands apparently):

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/c65449a5.jpg

[GyMgrrrL]

Dayummm... nice back. *Thumbs up*

[tsajdak]

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
105x10, 130x10, 150x8, 160x8x3
Decided to change it up a little and start with these today. let me go a little heavier with better form

SEATED CABLE ROWS/PULLUPS
120x8/BWx8, 150x8/BWx8, 180x8/BWx6, 210x7/BWx8
Killed the last couple sets here. this is a rough superset

DB ROWS (knee on bench)
80x8, 90x8, 100x7
Really tryin to focus on these ones. felt good

HAMMER STRENGTH LOW ROW/STRAIGHT ARM PULLDOWN
90x12/--, 180x10/80x8, 270x8/90x8, 270x8/100x8, 270x6/110x8
I'm gunna miss this machine when i go back to school

EZ BAR CURLS
25/sidexrandom
Did a couple different variations of rep schemes here, mainly just keeping the form tight though

HAMMER CURLS
50x10x3
Big veinage

SEATED CURLS
35x8x2
Was all i needed. roasted.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
A little run down today. this was the last day my split since i got my cals cut, so thats understandable though. hopin my body adjusts and i can really hit it hard next week.

quick PWO shot (moms has super shaky hands apparently):

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/c65449a5.jpg

I'm in. Back has definitely got some deep cuts. Keep up the posing, squeeze it even more. Next 38 days should be awesome.

[The_Animal11]

Dayummm... nice back. *Thumbs up*

hey thanks!


I'm in. Back has definitely got some deep cuts. Keep up the posing, squeeze it even more. Next 38 days should be awesome.

where do you work out in columbus man?

we've probably run into each other before!

[tsajdak]

hey thanks!



where do you work out in columbus man?

we've probably run into each other before!

I just moved here 3 years ago. I work out at our base fitness center at DSCC(Defense Supply Center Columbus). Can't beat the membership fee.....Free. Drop a line if ur ever back in the C-Bus. We can grab a workout there or at Rich's place.

[The_Animal11]

off day from weights today, which = low carb day, fasted cardio, AND another cardio later in the day. besides that just been relaxin, tryin to find myself some energy!

did a little tannin today, the sun brings out spiderwebs on the quads. its fuuuuun!

[IndianForeigner]

Oh yeah, tanning is the bomb. How long are your cardio sessions normally?

[The_Animal11]

Oh yeah, tanning is the bomb. How long are your cardio sessions normally?

30 mins each!

[co1e_train]

Back is looking awesome. Triceps poppin. They are gonna be striated real nice.

[nmsk80066]

i see some lower back striations :eek:


damn, it seems like you got absolutely shredded in no time. but the strength is still strong! :D

[The_Animal11]

Back is looking awesome. Triceps poppin. They are gonna be striated real nice.

they are definitely getting closer to where i want them. still want moar mass on them though! will be a focus this offseason


i see some lower back striations :eek:


damn, it seems like you got absolutely shredded in no time. but the strength is still strong! :D

im gettin REAAALL close. slow and steady is the name of the game at this point IMO.

[The_Animal11]

LYING LEG CURLS
70x12, 85x10, 100x10, 115x10, 130x10x3
First few were warmups, all of these were VERY focused and held for a second at the top

LEG EXTENSIONS
115x12, 130x12, 155x10, 180x10, 210x10x3
Same as above. blood just rushed to my quads... i love that feeling

VSQUAT/LEG PRESS SUPERSETS
3ppsx10/320x20, 4ppsx8/410x20, 4ppsx8/410x21, 4ppsx10/410x22, --/410x7
These got NASTYYYYYY. each set i got a little mentally stronger and just told myself to keep pushin a little more. (*you didnt work this hard for second!* was goin through my head). almost tossed.

FRONT SQUATS
135x8x3
Quads were roasted

SINGLE LEG DEADS/BWSQUATS
135x6/BWx25, 135x7/BWx25, 135x7/BWx20, --/BWx20
SO much burn

ABDUCTORS (yarly)
100x15x3
uhm.... yeah. i gotta admit these wailed on my glutes.

KICKBACK MACHINE
60x8x2
Same as above....

STANDING CALF RAISE
130x12, 150x10x2
Was just exhausted.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS
Posing after this workout was SIIIIIIICK. never been this lean and large before. since this is my last couple days at home, i will take some pics tmr prob.

[The_Animal11]

INCLINE SMITH PRESS
135x12, 185x8, 225x8x3 last set drop to 135x12, 135x10
Havent done these in a while... really helped with focusing on the pecs!

BB BENCH/INCLINE HAMMER STRENGTH
(135x10/140x8)x4
Kept up the solid focus here

CABLE FLYES/NAUTILUS INCLINE PRESS
(60x12/125x8)x4
BIIIG pump!

HAMMER STRENGTH DIPS
90x15, 180x10x3
So fun

OH CABLE EXTENSIONS (vbar)
70x10, 80x10x3
Tris poppin!

REVERSE GRIP PRESSDOWNS
80x8x3
Slow and controlled

UPRIGHT ROWS
95x8x3
Shoulders were lookin crazy

LAT RAISES/DB UPRIGHT ROWS
(35x10/45x10)x3
VEEEIIINNSSS

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Killed it!!

FIVE WEEKS OUT PIC!!!

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/Food%20adventure%20day/6-12-10/DSC_0393.jpg

[ehlisl]

Come on Matt, making me work to see them buddy! 5 WEEKS! Looking great buddy!!

[fittofattofit]

Looking fantastic - great mass and balance. Condition is excellent at 5 weeks out. Only weakness is that your calves look relatively small after your great quads and hammies.
Good luck!!

[MarkVI]

Um hai, wuzl not told about new journal thanks a lot.


looking ridic dude!

[The_Animal11]

Come on Matt, making me work to see them buddy! 5 WEEKS! Looking great buddy!!

32 days left man... 32 days is nothin. can do anything for 32 days.


Looking fantastic - great mass and balance. Condition is excellent at 5 weeks out. Only weakness is that your calves look relatively small after your great quads and hammies.
Good luck!!

agree with you on calves. they dont like to grow. dont have the calf genetics of this guyvvvv


Um hai, wuzl not told about new journal thanks a lot.


looking ridic dude!

uhm maybe you should pay more attention to my other journal where i announced it.

kthanxbai.

[The_Animal11]

Watching the World Cup at the moment so kinda distracted, will explain any typos i may make while writing this up. that or tiredness.

LEG EXT
120x15, 150x12, 180x10, 210x10x3...or 4...
I did alot of these is all i remember. slow, controlled, squeezed reps.

SEATED LEG CURLS
150x10, 180x10, 190x3
Hams were PUMPED from these. borderline cramping already

HACK SQUATS
90x20, 140x16, 180x16x2
did half the set wide stance, without racking switched and finished set narrow stance. really slow reps again. so much burn

SINGLE LEG PRESS
90x10x4, 90x30
Quads were already on fire... by the end of these they were also covered in spider-veins

KNEELING LEG CURLS
70x10, 105x8x3
not much to say about these

BOX SQUATS
BARx25x2, 135x12
Very deep box used... just kept reppin.

ABS AND CALVES

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Very tired today... partly cuz of low day yesterday, but also because classes started today. waking up early+boring classes+low cals=sleepy matt.

however, quick posing sesh after workout looked SICK.

[MarkVI]

uhm maybe you should pay more attention to my other journal where i announced it.

kthanxbai.

:( I see wut happened naow. I'm blind, maybe I need an optometrist? btw, I have noticed in the last 6 months or so the vision in my left eye has deteriorated....too much time on computer?



KILLER leg workout btw dude -- really looks good, hang in on the classes, I start monday :mad:

[The_Animal11]

:( I see wut happened naow. I'm blind, maybe I need an optometrist? btw, I have noticed in the last 6 months or so the vision in my left eye has deteriorated....too much time on computer?



KILLER leg workout btw dude -- really looks good, hang in on the classes, I start monday :mad:

haha could be, also could be from lots of time spent reading or studying, generally the higher your level of education the more likely you are to be nearsighted due to the amount of time we spend reading.

[MarkVI]

haha could be, also could be from lots of time spent reading or studying, generally the higher your level of education the more likely you are to be nearsighted due to the amount of time we spend reading.

Alright, so I can sue the ASC you're saying!??! :D

[The_Animal11]

Alright, so I can sue the ASC you're saying!??! :D

if you do, lets make it a class action.

[rich55]

I think you should do the "Man Set" challenge on squats during your next workout. Go heavy up to a 8RM and then take a few minutes and rep out 225 for max reps. 30+ seems to be the par. :D

[ErickStevens]

I think you should do the "Man Set" challenge on squats during your next workout. Go heavy up to a 8RM and then take a few minutes and rep out 225 for max reps. 30+ seems to be the par. :D

The Widow Maker always seems like a good idea at the time. I remember I did 225 x 32 one time and it fried my CNS so badly I came down with the flu the next day lol.

[nmsk80066]

epic leg day, you are pushing hard with only 30 days left



one thing i notice is that your side poses are so tight/compact (but in a good way) with insane hanstrings and capped shoulders, then when you open up into a front bi shot you are wide as hell haha, it's awesome.

[The_Animal11]

I think you should do the "Man Set" challenge on squats during your next workout. Go heavy up to a 8RM and then take a few minutes and rep out 225 for max reps. 30+ seems to be the par. :D

if something around 225 wasnt my 8RM right now... id go for it. plus im just not gettin much outta back squats ATM. dont know what it is. hack squats and front squats ftw!


The Widow Maker always seems like a good idea at the time. I remember I did 225 x 32 one time and it fried my CNS so badly I came down with the flu the next day lol.

that suuuucks haha. but totally worth it.


epic leg day, you are pushing hard with only 30 days left



one thing i notice is that your side poses are so tight/compact (but in a good way) with insane hanstrings and capped shoulders, then when you open up into a front bi shot you are wide as hell haha, it's awesome.

i do need to open up my side shots a little i think... was one of rich's suggestions for my poses. wanna look wide from the side too!!

[The_Animal11]

SMITH INCLINE PRESSES
135x15, 185x8x5, 135x10
Really SLOOOOOOW, controlled reps. focusing hard on the stretch and contraction

CABLE CROSSOVERS/NAUTILUS INCLINE PRESS
(60x10/125x7)x3
BIIIG pump

DB FRONT RAISE ON INCLINE BENCH/BENCH PUSHUPS/FLAT DB PRESS
(20x10/BWx25/65x7)x3
Really a pretty grueling tri-set when done this deep in a chest workout. pump was nasty

HAMMER STRENGTH DIPS
150x10x3
couple diff hand positions here

OVERHEAD VBAR EXT
70x10, 80x10x3
Felt these really well today!

REVERSE GRIP PRESSDOWNS
70x8x3
tris roasted.

UPRIGHT CABLE ROWS
100x10x4
Shoulders looked sick

MACHINE SHOULDER PRESSES
Used a couple machines here, tris still roasted

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
After the workout i posed in front of a national level NPC womens bber, who gave me some pointers and encouragement. as soon as my shorts got rolled up the leg comments started rollin (there was a class getting ready to use the aerobics room, plus they are lookin NASTY lately). was helpful having someone who knows what theyre looking for there in person for once. need to get someone around here to start doin that for the last couple weeks.

[MarkVI]

Hell yeah dude!! way to hit it hard and strong Matt. Keep it up, 3 weeks until peak week and 4 weeks till show time!

[rich55]

if something around 225 wasnt my 8RM right now... id go for it. plus im just not gettin much outta back squats ATM. dont know what it is. hack squats and front squats ftw!

You'll get a bunch out of back squats if you do them like this.....

dMPrBNGfhVA

Besides Bryce hit 40 at 3 weeks out and your legs are better/stronger. Do it! C'mon, everybody is doing it! Heck, Brinkman hit 35 reports facebook. :D I promise to hit more than this next fall when I'm 5 weeks out. Stay tough!

[The_Animal11]

ISO NAUTILUS HIGH ROWS
1ppsx14, 2ppsx10+4, (3ppsx8+4)x2, 2ppsx8+2
Started sets with single arm rows, then went directly into double arm rows as they got tired

CLOSE GRIP OVERHAND ROWS/SEATED SUPINATED CABLE ROWS
(135x10/150x8)x4
Really grueling superset here. felt AWESOME

PULLUPS/UNDERHAND PULLDOWNS
(BWx10/130x8)
Another great superset!!

DEADS @ HAMMER STRENGTH SHRUG STATION
180x15x3
Wanted to try these out... would be better on a hammie day i think

SEATED BB CURLS
65x10x4
Really slow and controlled, great pump

"INCLINE" CABLE CURLS
40x8x3
Great stretch and ROM from these

HAMMER CURLS (FST-7 Style)
40x7x7
NASTY! 7 reps, 20-30 second rests, alternating between long stretches and HARD flexing between sets

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Wanna thank John for the inspiration behind this workout! didnt do the exact workout he laid out, but the ideas behind it are def present in this one. the FST-7 was my own little touch though.

[JHICKS3301]

Looking SICK!

[MarkVI]

Killed it man!! 30 days left, give it your all. You can do anything for 30 days man, and 3 weeks till peeeaaaak

[Kharig]

i'm a few days late but sub'd anyway, keep up the hard work!

[The_Animal11]

Looking SICK!


Killed it man!! 30 days left, give it your all. You can do anything for 30 days man, and 3 weeks till peeeaaaak


i'm a few days late but sub'd anyway, keep up the hard work!

thanks guys! FOUR WEEKS LEFT!!!!!

[The_Animal11]

Got some new instructions last night: time to start throwin a little bit of heavier training back in again. YESSSSSSS. What better way to start things off than with squats????

SQUATS
135x7, 185x6, 225x5, 275x5, 365x2, 365x3, 225x15, 225x8
Warmed up with some OHS. Last set was about 6 second negs with pause at the bottom. Felt GREAT gettin heavy squats in

DEADS @ HAMMER STRENGTH SHRUG STATION
140x10, 180x6, 270x5, 320x5x2, 270x8
I was right, these are AWESOME for hams. really good focus on SLDs

HACK SQUATS
180x15, 180x16, 180x10x2
First two sets were like last week, half wide stance immediately to close stance. Last two were TUT and slooow.

LYING LEG CURLS
90x10, 110x10, 120x8x2
Pushing hips hard into pad to get a good squeeze

LEG EXT
150x12x4
Squeezin HARD and concentrating

SEATED LEG CURLS
80x12, 110x10x3
Goood squeezes here

CALVES

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Felt awesome gettin some heavy work in. really motivated to squat well today. missed it!!

FOUR WEEKS OUT!!!!

[ErickStevens]

Strong squatting brah! Hey, how close are you to Coral Springs? I'm thinking about doing the NGA Florida Natural Championships on November 11th.

[The_Animal11]

Strong squatting brah! Hey, how close are you to Coral Springs? I'm thinking about doing the NGA Florida Natural Championships on November 11th.

for a fellow MENer, i bet i could make it to Coral Springs. i always love watchin shows.

[MarkVI]

HELL yeah dude! Way to hit it big and bring ze payne!

[The_Animal11]

Continuing my battle with the bigger weights today!

FLAT DB PRESS
75x8, 85x5, 95x5, 105x5x2, 110x1, 90x4
Felt pretty good about these weights today! pushed them hard.

INCLINE SMITH PRESS
135x10, 185x5, 225x5x2, last set dropped to 135x8, 135x8
good focus on these today.

FST-7 MACHINE FLYES
110x7x7
Alternated stretching and flexing between sets

NAUTILUS INCLINE PRESS
110x6x4
Great on these today

FLOOR PRESSES
135x8x4
Stopped on the floor for each rep here

OH VBAR CABLE PRESSES
70x9x4
Great concentration!

DIPS
BWx20x3
Just busted them out... really focused!

UPRIGHT BB ROWS
135x5x3
WOOOO heavy on these!

DB LAT RAISES
40x8x3
Exhausted!!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Another day of a little higher weights again. these workouts are fun, and i get into them, so i leave exhausted!! also pushed cardio hard today

[ErickStevens]

My rotator cuff ached from just reading about those upright rows. Good work.

[co1e_train]

Brother you are KILLIN IT! Tryin to see dem dat dere legz you keep talkin bout. Post dem pics (no homo) !

[MarkVI]

You're killing these workouts as of late dude!! Keep this up!!

26 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The_Animal11]

PULLUPS
BWx8, +25x5, +45x5, +70x5x2, +25x8, BWx8x2
Biggest pullups ive had in quite a while. felt good!

SEATED CABLE ROWS
135x8, 160x5, 180x5, 210x5, 240x5x2(lolwut??)
hahahah a PR?? huh??

UNDERHAND PULLDOWNS/STRAIGHT ARM ROPE PULLDOWNS
(150x8/100x10)x4
Nice slow reps, felt these so well.

MOTO ROWS
70x10x3
Really focused in on the tie in on these.

ISO PULLDOWN MACHINE/ROW MACHINE
(150x8/150x8)x3
Back was just roasted.

FACE PULLS
160x10x3
Back even more roasted

EZ CURLS
25/sideX8, 50/sideX5x2, 25/sideX8x2
Heaviest curls in a loooong time. woot!

HAMMER CURLS
45x7x5
FST-7 style but with a few less sets.

CALVES AND ABS

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
abs are beginning to just be covered in veins PWO. its awesome. legs are still sore from leg day two days ago. everything is tired from the past 16 weeks. gotta keep pushin though. just a couple weeks left!!

[The_Animal11]

My rotator cuff ached from just reading about those upright rows. Good work.

they were awesome man!


Brother you are KILLIN IT! Tryin to see dem dat dere legz you keep talkin bout. Post dem pics (no homo) !

see below


You're killing these workouts as of late dude!! Keep this up!!

26 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

26 days oh yeah man!!!!


quick iphone pic (theres another one in my other journal)

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/IMG_0808.jpg

[MarkVI]

Damn bro you are LEAN! Way to get it buddy!!!

Sweet WO too - PR's ftw!!

[rich55]

OH YEAH!!! Peaking! Awesome training these last 3 days. Keep it up bro.

[co1e_train]

Legs are hyoooge! Shredded as well. Your on fire!

[The_Animal11]

SQUATS
135x7, 185x5, 225x5, 275x5, 365x1, 315x3, 225x5...4...3
Very unhappy and actually kinda pissed about these today. everything felt SOO heavy.

DB SLDS
80x8, 90x6, 95x7x2
These were a little better. heaviest DBs available today.

LEG PRESS
2ppsx75, 2ppsx35, 2ppsx8x3*, 2ppsx12
*these sets were single legged. first set just got into a groove and kept going. saved the workout a little bit here

SEATED LEG CURLS
180x8x4
Good squeezes, still just felt heavy though

HACK SQUATS
180x10, 180x12x2
TUT style. slow with toes pulled up off the footplate

LEG EXT
120x12x3, 220x6
Ugh. really focused and great connection. squeezing haard

LUNGES
BWx20, 90x10
Thats it.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Squats started things off on a bad foot and i just had a hard time gettin away from that. i'm pretty sure the reason was that instead of my normal LISS yesterday I ran some sprints on a track. legs felt heavy and weights felt even heavier today. efff.

[MarkVI]

It happens man! we're 24 days out! 315 felt like 405 my last leg day....just keep pounding it out bro, workout looks solid.

[rich55]

It happens man. You just came off of low carb days with sprints...yeah it's going to feel heavy. Keep your head up and just keep battling. When it get's tough, you just keep working! The last thing I'm worried about is your legs haha. No one will ask you how much you squat on the day of the show, especially a judge.

[IndianForeigner]

shizz, I missed the last pic because I don't think that it was in the other log, but dang, your progress is even better than I had originally expected :)

[ErickStevens]

Looking lean as shiit. Don't get discouraged brah, you're almost there. Keep pushing!

[wrkoutfrq]

^this... you are freaking lean as all get-out, and your still more than 3 weeks out... you're gonna kil on stage

[The_Animal11]

It happens man! we're 24 days out! 315 felt like 405 my last leg day....just keep pounding it out bro, workout looks solid.

i know being back at the school gym has some to do with it too... i noticed a little weight jump on squats when i switched gyms before... guess this is just like the fall back to that spring forward


It happens man. You just came off of low carb days with sprints...yeah it's going to feel heavy. Keep your head up and just keep battling. When it get's tough, you just keep working! The last thing I'm worried about is your legs haha. No one will ask you how much you squat on the day of the show, especially a judge.

so true. and i did manage to save the leg day some... so thats good. just gunna keep pluggin away.


shizz, I missed the last pic because I don't think that it was in the other log, but dang, your progress is even better than I had originally expected :)

yeah i post diff pics to the diff logs, so that people keep postin in both mwahahah


Looking lean as shiit. Don't get discouraged brah, you're almost there. Keep pushing!

thanks man... so close!!


^this... you are freaking lean as all get-out, and your still more than 3 weeks out... you're gonna kil on stage

thats the plan! bein ready a little early has been the plan all along for sure.

[IndianForeigner]

You're tricky, lol. Italy is killin' me keeping this game interesting. Too late, though, I believe.

[RooRooTJ]

Damn Matt, look bigger and leaner than last year. Finish up strong

[The_Animal11]

You're tricky, lol. Italy is killin' me keeping this game interesting. Too late, though, I believe.

unfortunately, yes it was for italia. was a extremely disappointing world cup for them.


Damn Matt, look bigger and leaner than last year. Finish up strong

thanks man. tryin hard!

[The_Animal11]

Long day in the gym today, but better than yest!

INCLINE DB PRESS
70x8, 80x5, 90x5, 100xfail, 90x5
Hundos just wouldnt budge from my shoulders. woulda been good for a couple with a spotter though.

FLAT DB PRESS
90x5x3
Already had them at the bench so just rolled with it.

FLAT BB PRESS
185x5x3, 135x10
Slow, controlled reps

SLIGHT INCLINE DB FLYE
40x8, 50x8x3
Felt these pretty well. Also superset them with pushups

SEATED CABLE FLYE MACHINE
"14"x10x3
Focusing in on a gooood squeeze with these

INCLINE SKULLS
70x8, 80x8x3
Changed it up with these today... havent done skulls in a long time.

OH CABLE EXT
60x8x3
Really like the setup for these at this gym.

SEATED TRI EXT MACHINE
70x12x3
Long holds at the ext.

SHOULDER PRESS MACHINE
150x8, 180x6x2
Tris were roasted already... these were rough.

LAT RAISE MACHINE
80x8x2
So done.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Not a bad day in the gym today. am def roasted now and will be feelin it tmr.

[MarkVI]

Way to get in there in and smash some db's around matt! Keep it up, the 17th is right around the corner.

[The_Animal11]

TBAR ROWS
1ppsx8, 2ppsx6, 3ppsx5, 4ppsx5, 5ppsx5x2, 4ppsx7...3ppsx6...2ppsx7
These were NASTY today. got things started on the right foot!!

RACK CHINS
BWx8, +60x8, +110x6, +110x5...BWx8, BWx10
Again, really solid on these. def no PR, but felt them well!

UNDERHAND LAT PULLDOWNS/MOTO ROWS
(120x8/75x8...5)
Again, awesome with these today. was a really solid superset

SEATED CABLE ROWS
150x8, 180x6x2
Squeezin hard and form focus on these

EZ CURLS
25/sidex8, 50/sidex5, 50/sidex3...25/sidex6, 25/sidex8
workout slowed down a little after the heavy set here... longer rests

SEATED HAMMER CURLS
45x6x3
biiiig pumps

PREACHER CURLS
25/sidex8x2
OK i was done.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Good workout today for 22 days out. Saw alot of people i havent seen since finals week of last semester (about 5-6 weeks now) and they all commented on how different and lean i looked. win!

[GyMgrrrL]

win!

Fo' sho!

[MarkVI]

Hellz yeah bro! HEAVY weights today, way to get it done bud 3 WEEKS!

[The_Animal11]

Fo' sho!

oh fo sho!


Hellz yeah bro! HEAVY weights today, way to get it done bud 3 WEEKS!

yeah i tossed em around a little bit today! was fun!


three weeks aint got nothin on me!!

[The_Animal11]

SQUATS
135x8, 225x5, 275x5, 315x4, 365x2(.5), 365x1, 225x10, 225x5, 135x8
Felt alot better with these today... combo of no sprints yesterday and getting used to these weights again i think. the last set was box squats

LEG PRESS/HACK SQUATS
4ppsx15/--, 6ppsx10/90x8...8, 7ppsx8/90x7...7, 7ppsx10/90x6...6, 7ppsx8/---
started and finished with extra leg presses cuz i was feelin em well.

LEG EXT
150x15x3, 60x10x2
Last two sets were single legged

SEATED LEG CURLS
150x10, 180x8x3
Man these were awesome today. focus was great on the hams

KNEELING LEG CURLS
70x8x3
pretty good. gettin tired

KICKBACKS, ABDUCTORS, CALVES, ABS

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
better than last time through for sure today. hamstring seperations are getting deeper and theres starting to be some noticable tri striations. gettin CLOOOOOSE!!

[The_Animal11]

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/DSC_0445.jpg

probably the last one till contest pics!!

[JHICKS3301]

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/DSC_0445.jpg

probably the last one till contest pics!!

Looking nasty brah... Great job

BTW, I like the UP Whey on the fridge :D

[The_Animal11]

Looking nasty brah... Great job

BTW, I like the UP Whey on the fridge :D

i like it too! most delicious protein ever.

[stanzione1017]

Your tan is AMAZING.. alot of ppl mess it up by making it patchy, too light, too dark.. very nicely done overall. Congrats!

[The_Animal11]

Your tan is AMAZING.. alot of ppl mess it up by making it patchy, too light, too dark.. very nicely done overall. Congrats!

haha for now... we'll see on stage. while a natural tan looks fine in my kitchen, it doesnt hold up on stage. ya gotta get much darker than youd ever want to normally.

makes every day walkin around for a few days after a little awkward haha

[wrkoutfrq]

lookin good brah, keep training hard!

[The_Animal11]

INCLINE DB PRESS
70x8, 80x5, 90x7, 90x6, 90x3
Rocked these (relatively lol) today! felt them really well and decided not to try heavier, but was happy with the work i did at 90s

INCLINE SMITH PRESS
135x10, 185x6x6, 135x8
6x6 was done scivation 666 style. 6 sets of 6 reps in 6 mins. was rough by the end!

CABLE CROSSOVERS/PEC DEC
(70x10/90x8)x4
Really squeezed the crap outta these. good pump!

BENCH DIPS
BWx12, +45x10...BWx12, +100x6...BWx10, BWx20
I may have forgotten a chest thing i did here... but these dips were good!

CABLE OH EXT/ROPE PRESSDOWNS
(50x8/70x8)x3
Someone tried to steal my pressdown rope. dont think so!

CABLE KICKBACKS
25x8x2
WOOO tris were toast!

UPRIGHT BB ROWS
95x8, 135x5, 135x3
HEAVY!

LAT RAISES
35x8x3
Slow and focused with these

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Holy eff. so tired. haha LESS THAN TWENTY DAYS NOW!!! BIG THINGS WILL BE HAPPENING AROUND HERE, STAY TUNED!!

[MarkVI]

Killed it man!! NINETEEN! Get it all bro, everything you've got!

[ErickStevens]

Thanks for the posing assitance brah.

19 days! Keep pushing!

[stanzione1017]

haha for now... we'll see on stage. while a natural tan looks fine in my kitchen, it doesnt hold up on stage. ya gotta get much darker than youd ever want to normally.

makes every day walkin around for a few days after a little awkward haha

oh im sorry i should have been more exact.. i meant the tan in your very first pic posted, in your trunks, before a competition.. on the first page lol.. but damn your doing great brother keep it up and il see you at the mr olympia next year =P

[The_Animal11]

Looking nasty brah... Great job

BTW, I like the UP Whey on the fridge :D

haha when i replied to this at first i didnt see that you were a XF rep.

WHAT HAPPENED TO BIG HUGENESS MAN?! wanted to get in on that but it only last like a week!

[rich55]

LESS THAN TWENTY DAYS NOW!!! BIG THINGS WILL BE HAPPENING AROUND HERE, STAY TUNED!!

Yes sir!! How does it feel to be peaking like this. Beautiful huh? I gotta post a progress pic on my Facebook if that's cool?

[The_Animal11]

Yes sir!! How does it feel to be peaking like this. Beautiful huh? I gotta post a progress pic on my Facebook if that's cool?

go for it man! haha if you post a new one ill post one from the beginning of last prep, and then we can laugh at the difference

[ehlisl]

INCLINE DB PRESS

[b]WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Holy eff. so tired. haha LESS THAN TWENTY DAYS NOW!!! BIG THINGS WILL BE HAPPENING AROUND HERE, STAY TUNED!!

Progress has been spot on Matt! That last side tri is $$! Keep killing it, good things ahead!

[The_Animal11]

CLOSE GRIP BB ROWS
115x8, 135x8, 185x5, 225x5, 275x3, 275x5x2, 135x8
$$$$! switched the using straps at 2nd set of 275 cuz i knew i had more left in the back.

RACK CHINS
BWx8, +50x8, +90x8...+45x6...BWx8, 135x3...BWx8
CRUSHED THESE!!

UNDERHAND PULLDOWNS/SEATED ROPE ROWS
(150x7/140x8)x4
Great focus on these today!! lit the back up

INCLINE PRONE DB SHRUGS
90x6x3
Hold for a count at the top

BB CURLS
115x5, 115x4, 100x5, 80x8
115 is the heaviest ive bb curled in a while now

HAMMER CURLS
55x8, 55x6, 50x8
Squeezin bis hard between sets

PRONE INCLINE BRACED CURLS
50x8x2
Sick pump from these

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Really feel like I crushed this workout today. arms just looked nasty. 18 days left!!

[ErickStevens]

275lb rows at 18 days out? Beast mode.

[JHICKS3301]

haha when i replied to this at first i didnt see that you were a XF rep.

WHAT HAPPENED TO BIG HUGENESS MAN?! wanted to get in on that but it only last like a week!

LOL it was only for about 72 hours... It was an epic 72 hours at that :D

May have another one when we release the new flav of UP whey

[MarkVI]

LOL it was only for about 72 hours... It was an epic 72 hours at that :D

May have another one when we release the new flav of UP whey

That would be AWESOME! I missed out on it by mere hours :(




MATT! KILLED IT! 18 days bro, keep this intensity going and smash smash smash!

[The_Animal11]

275lb rows at 18 days out? Beast mode.

heck yeah man! was feelin good today!


LOL it was only for about 72 hours... It was an epic 72 hours at that :D

May have another one when we release the new flav of UP whey

only 72 hours :( :(

theres a new whey flavor comin out???

you dont happen to have samples of it do you? :D


That would be AWESOME! I missed out on it by mere hours :(




MATT! KILLED IT! 18 days bro, keep this intensity going and smash smash smash!

disappointing right??? big hugeness is the best.

only a few workouts left for each bodypart man! gotta make each one count!!

[ErickStevens]

May have another one when we release the new flav of UP whey

http://platinum.soundcircuit.com/platinum_avatars/omgcat.gif

[JHICKS3301]

LOL.. Ummm Watermelon? :D

[The_Animal11]

LOL.. Ummm Watermelon? :D

speaking of new flavors...


when is dave gunna give us a Vanilla UP Whey???? i hate havin to buy vanilla protein from brands i dont like as much (cough*ON*cough)




anyways, workout incoming

[The_Animal11]

SQUATS
95x8, 135x5, 185x5, 225x4, 275x2, 315x2, 365x2, 365x1+neg
On second set I just did the slowest negative I could and let myself bottom out

BOX SQUATS
315x1*, 225x5x2, 135x8x2
*was actually a suspended squat to rerack from before. these were good!

LEG EXTENSIONS
150x8x4, 180x8
Really slow with decent holds at the top

HACK SQUATS
90x20 (TUT), 90x10, 180x8, 270x8, 270x8 (TUT)
I think those numbers are right... quads were on fiyah!

BB HUMPS
135x12, 225x8x2
Really focusing on hams

SEATED LEG CURLS
180x8x3
Again, really focusing in

ABDUCTORS
110x8x3
Really hammers the glutes when done right

LEG EXT.
150x8x2
Yeah... again

CALVES

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Workout started off slow... squats were feelin super heavy... but the box squats saved the workout.

Talked to Rich today and we decided on a really quick and dirty food switch for the next couple days to try and eek out just a teeeeeny bit more fat before i start feeding back in next week. tmr will be a low day and we're pushin the normal high day back one day. low day after legs will be interesting to say the least. if anythings gunna squeeze out that fat, this will. am livin on adrenaline and prayers right now (and more are always welcome!!)

[MarkVI]

Way to hit it man!!! you'll eek those last oz of fat off in no time -- GET IT!

[The_Animal11]

Low CHO day today... which is extremely different for a push day. haha regardless, hit it hard!

FLAT DB PRESS
70x8, 80x6, 90x5, 100x4, 100x2 (w slow neg)
These were pretty solid! wish i had grabbed a spotter on the heavier ones... woulda had a couple more

SMITH INCLINE PRESS
155x10, 155x8, 155x7, 155x6...3...2, 115x10
Connection was sooo good during these today. practically nothing firing but upper chest

CABLE CROSSOVERS/SEATED CABLE PRESS (INCLINE STYLE)
(70x8/"14"x8)x4 or 5?
These felt awesome, so i kept goin with them.

INCLINE PEC DEC
90x8x3
Honestly... kinda a throwaway exercise here. shoulda skipped it.

OH CABLE EXT
70x7x4
Again, connection was solid here

SINGLE ARM PRESSDOWNS/MACHINE DIPS
(40x6/150x10)x3
Details were jumpin in the tris

CABLE LAT RAISES/BENT LAT RAISES
(30x8/30x7)x3
Again, tons of details jumpin out

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
1 more low CHO day left in the diet! tomorrow is 2 weeks out!!!

posed some PWO today... was a PR on appearance so far. things were just jumpin out everywhere!

ive noticed that the quads always look so much better the day immediately after leg days... i'm not sure what that means... but thought it was interesting to note. so much more detailed on these days.

[MarkVI]

Awesome Work Matt! 2 weeks bro, you got this! Keep pushing. That's funny about the quads, mines different lol, always watery and looks like big water balloons.

[The_Animal11]

Awesome Work Matt! 2 weeks bro, you got this! Keep pushing. That's funny about the quads, mines different lol, always watery and looks like big water balloons.

yeah weird right? i know most peoples are like that, but the detail is just so much better that next day!

[ehlisl]

Low CHO day today... which is extremely different for a push day. haha regardless, hit it hard!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
1 more low CHO day left in the diet! tomorrow is 2 weeks out!!!

posed some PWO today... was a PR on appearance so far. things were just jumpin out everywhere!

ive noticed that the quads always look so much better the day immediately after leg days... i'm not sure what that means... but thought it was interesting to note. so much more detailed on these days.

Good luck with the last lower day! On the legs, how is your intake the day of and day after?? Lowe/higher?

...and you beat me to it on FB! Your always a few hours a head of me! ;)

2 WEEKS OUT!!!

[The_Animal11]

Good luck with the last lower day! On the legs, how is your intake the day of and day after?? Lowe/higher?

...and you beat me to it on FB! Your always a few hours a head of me! ;)

2 WEEKS OUT!!!

Mwahah advantage of being on eastern time!

As for food around leg day, leg day is a normal day, the next day is a high day. But even before breakfast that day they look better. And this last leg day was a normal day followed by a low day, same outcome! Dunno what to think of that, seems totally counterintuitive.

[The_Animal11]

CLOSE GRIP BB ROWS
95x8, 135x5, 185x5, 225x5, 295x4, 225x5, 135x6
These started slow and got NASTY. 295!

RACK CHINS
BWx8, +45x8...BWx5, +90x5...BWx5, +135x5...BWx5, BWx8
One more than last time @135. felt good.

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS/MOTO ROWS
135x8/100x6, 150x7/90x6, 150x7/75x7, 135x6/--
Was really feelin the RG pulls today... notsomuch the moto rows

FEET ELEVATED HIGH CABLE ROWS (?)/STRAIGHT ARM PULLDOWNS
100x8/100x8, 130x8/100x8, 150x8/100x8
No idea what to call these rows, but the contraction was great

EZ BAR CURLS
25/sidex6, 45/sidex5, 45/sidex4...25/sidex5, 25/sidex6
back was tired on these

EZ BAR PREACHER CURLS
25/sidex7x2
TIIIRED

HAMMER CURLS
40x8x4
Was all I needed today. was exhausted.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Good workout overall. faded alot towards the end. have been feelin groggy all day today for some reason. but the back got crushed pretty well.

[ErickStevens]

Only 14 days dude. You excited or what?

[The_Animal11]

Only 14 days dude. You excited or what?

gunna be honest man... im super nervous at this point. so many things to consider and so many things that can go wrong in the next two weeks that can mess everything up.

i will feel alot better when i have a plan in front of me and know whats going on for the next two weeks.

[Ryanmckd]

Whats your macro's lookin like atm?

[Lunchbox1989]

Great consitency. Goodluck in the next two weeks!

[The_Animal11]

Whats your macro's lookin like atm?

really depends on the day... and right now theres not really a pattern to the high/low/normal days. varies between about 110gcho and 300gcho, like 40-60gfat and 260gpro

[Rsardinia]

really depends on the day... and right now theres not really a pattern to the high/low/normal days. varies between about 110gcho and 300gcho, like 40-60gfat and 260gpro

You are better off staying on the low end of the fats these next 2 weeks. That's probably the only thing that could mess up your final 2 weeks. And keep your refeeds to a max of 2 a week until peak week.

[rich55]

really depends on the day... and right now theres not really a pattern to the high/low/normal days. varies between about 110gcho and 300gcho, like 40-60gfat and 260gpro

Carb cycling depends on the day, but we have thrown in a few more low days at the end to get that last little bit off.



You are better off staying on the low end of the fats these next 2 weeks. That's probably the only thing that could mess up your final 2 weeks. And keep your refeeds to a max of 2 a week until peak week.

Nothing is going to mess up here at the end. His peaking starts Tuesday at 12 days out. Most don't peak early, but Matt is on it! :cool:

[The_Animal11]

You are better off staying on the low end of the fats these next 2 weeks. That's probably the only thing that could mess up your final 2 weeks. And keep your refeeds to a max of 2 a week until peak week.


Carb cycling depends on the day, but we have thrown in a few more low days at the end to get that last little bit off.




Nothing is going to mess up here at the end. His peaking starts Tuesday at 12 days out. Most don't peak early, but Matt is on it! :cool:

to quote Iron Chef Symon:

OH WE'RE GUNNA BE GOOD DON'T YOU WORRY!

we got a plan goin, i feel comfortable now knowing whats going on, been thinkin about and working on the posing routine some, and i am leaner than i have ever been! we're ready to rock everyone!

[The_Animal11]

First day startin to add some carbs back in to the diet today! Only two more workouts per bodypart, gotta make each one count!!

SQUATS
135x6, 185x5, 225x5, 275x4, 315x5x2, 225x5x2, 135x8x2
Headphones broken. was so angry. also music in the gym was so retarded. "barbie girl" and "and then i got high" were the two songs playing during my heavy sets" :| working my way back down the reps were slooooow and deep.

LEG PRESSES
3ppsx10, 5ppsx10, 7ppsx8, 7ppsx8...6ppsx7...5ppsx6...4ppsx6, 4ppsx10
Triple drop set=BRUTAL. wooooooo

RDLS
225x8x3
Somewhere between a dead and a stiff leg. killed the hams

OLD SCHOOL BB HACKS
135x8x2, 185x8
Havent done these in SO LONG. these are gunna find their way in more often they were KILLER.

SEATED LEG CURL MACHINE
160x8, 190x8x2
Good contractions and focus on these

LEG EXT
150x10x3
Quads were POPPIN!!

CALVES

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Hit some PWO cardio after this. my legs are gunna be roasted tomorrow, this was a good workout. didnt go quite as heavy on squats (for music/motivation reasons) but i feel like i got alot out of the reps i did all the way through the workout. twelve days!!

[MarkVI]

SOLID Matt. 12 days to go bro! Now 11!

[co1e_train]

Dude your beyond killin it, keep going man! Throw dem pics up!


-the train

[The_Animal11]

SOLID Matt. 12 days to go bro! Now 11!

11 days! i can almost taste it!


Dude your beyond killin it, keep going man! Throw dem pics up!


-the train

no more pics till stage pics, sorry guys! dont wanna ruin the surprise! will be taking them to document the process though and throw them up sometime after the show ;)

[co1e_train]

no more pics till stage pics, sorry guys! dont wanna ruin the surprise! will be taking them to document the process though and throw them up sometime after the show ;)

Well shucks;)

[The_Animal11]

Class pretty much put me to sleep right before this workout, so it took me a minute to get the blood pumpin again, but once I did this one was solid. Only got 6 workouts left till stage time!

FLAT DB PRESS
70x8, 80x5, 95x6, 95x5, 75x5
Couldnt find the hundos today? so 95s was what i had to work with haha

INCLINE SMITH PRESS
135x8, 185x8, 185x7...6...5...135x7...5, 135x5
I think thats right... I did alot of sets of these hahaha

CABLE CROSSOVERS/PEC DEC
60x10/100x8, 70x10/150x6, 70x10/150x5...130x8...100x6
Kept goin into:
PEC DEC (FST-7 style)
100x7x5
Alternated stretching or flexing between sets

OH CABLE EXT/DIP MACHINE
(70x7/150x15)x3
Uhm... dont have any notes here

ROPE PRESSDOWNS
70x8x3
Tris were super full here

CABLE LATERAL RAISES/BENT CABLE LAT REVERSE FLYES
(30x8/30x6)x2
Decided to move to DBs

DB LAT RAISES/DB UPRIGHT ROWS
35x8/45x8, 40x5/55x8
Liked these much better

RANDOM ABS

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Upper body was pretty roasted after this. Felt like a good day in the gym! Def feelin it in the legs from the beating they took yesterday.

Note: talked to the INBA office today since I havent heard anything from the promoter yet, was told that the show coming up in 11 days has over 40 competitors (male and female). thats a much bigger show than my first last year.... rich, how many did the Buckeye have when I was in it?

doesnt make a difference to my mindset, cuz i want to come out on top even if theres over 100 competitors, just curious for comparisons sake so i know what to expect.

[Justin.Martin]

For 11 days out looks like your still killing it in the gym man. Good luck with your show. So far it looks like your going to kill it.

[ehlisl]

doesnt make a difference to my mindset, cuz i want to come out on top even if theres over 100 competitors, just curious for comparisons sake so i know what to expect.

Yep, size of the comp never matters.... You just have to come in and be "that" guy :D


Getting soooooooo cloooooose now Matt!! Keep it rolling buddy!!

[MarkVI]

Down to the wire bro and you're coming in BIG time! Keep it up, I have no doubt you'll blow em away.

[The_Animal11]

For 11 days out looks like your still killing it in the gym man. Good luck with your show. So far it looks like your going to kill it.

thanks man!


Yep, size of the comp never matters.... You just have to come in and be "that" guy :D


Getting soooooooo cloooooose now Matt!! Keep it rolling buddy!!

just gotta be the one on top at the end! who cares how many are under ya!


Down to the wire bro and you're coming in BIG time! Keep it up, I have no doubt you'll blow em away.

so close man!!

[ErickStevens]

no more pics till stage pics, sorry guys! dont wanna ruin the surprise! will be taking them to document the process though and throw them up sometime after the show ;)

You tease.

[The_Animal11]

You tease.

Haha I'm pretty sure the fact that I've made it very clear there will NOT be pictures is the opposite of teasing...

[The_Animal11]

CLOSE GRIP BB ROWS
95x8, 135x8, 185x5, 225x5, 295x3, 225x8, 135x8
Rocked these out today. Felt awesome! 295 was a leeeeeetle heavy, but still got outta it what i wanted

RACK CHINS
BWx8, +45x8...BWx4, +90x8...+45x3...BWx4, +135x3...+90x2...+45x3...BWx3, BWx8
These drops were killer! Just nasty

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
120x8, 150x8, 160x8
Felt these pretty well, but was a little off balance

WEIRD SEATED HIGH CABLE ROWS/ISO PULLDOWNS
80x8/200x5, 100x8/180x5, 130x10x2/180x6
Last two sets of the weird rows were $$$$

FACE PULLS
120x8, 170x8, 200x8x2
Was the whole stack. felt gooood

EZ CURLS
25/sidex8, 50/sidex4, 50/sidex3...25/sidex5, 25/sidex6
Were heaaavy today... had already done alot of work

HAMMER CURLS (FST-7 Style)
55x7x2, 50x7x2, 45x7x3
So much veinage. it was ridiculous.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
First round of adding carbs back in, almost complete. Got a low day tomorrow, then next time through the split is even high carb. woot woot! Sure is a good thing my two favorite things to eat are sweet potatoes and oatmeal!!!

oh btw, lookin nasty atm. be ready in 10 days. its gunna be good.

[MarkVI]

NICE work Matt -- good to see some heavy shiz being thrown around. Enjoy the extra foodz :D

[rich55]

Sure is a good thing my two favorite things to eat are sweet potatoes and oatmeal!!!

oh btw, lookin nasty atm. be ready in 10 days. its gunna be good.

Yeah isn't that funny how that happens. Heck, I still love that stuff in the middle of my offseason haha.

I second. NASTY!!! Stay tuned :D

[The_Animal11]

SQUATS
135x5, 185x5, 225x5, 275x5, 315x3x3
right into:

BOX SQUATS
225x4x2, 135x8x2
after the triples on squats (all sets with super slow reps today) these were pretty good! was feelin them nice!

OLD SCHOOL BB HACKS
135x8, 185x5, 185x7
Last set was pushin hard!

LEG EXT
165x10x5
Between last couple sets squeezed the crap outta the quads... brutal

LEG PRESS
4ppsx12x5
10 seconds rest between sets... more or less rest paused

KNEELING LEG CURLS
90x8x3
Really good focus on these

DB SLDS
90x8x2
DONE

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
PWO cardio after this leg day kinda flew by. This was the last leg day before the first show!!! rest of my leg work is just gunna basically come from posing hard for the final week

[JHICKS3301]

haha when i replied to this at first i didnt see that you were a XF rep.

WHAT HAPPENED TO BIG HUGENESS MAN?! wanted to get in on that but it only last like a week!

Big Hugeness is back ;)

Last one for the year

[MarkVI]

KILLED it Matt!!! Way to get it done for your last leg day for this show. Do you have any more regular WO's or have they been altered for the last week?

[co1e_train]

Way to finish strong! Glory is in sight!

[The_Animal11]

Big Hugeness is back ;)

Last one for the year

:-O BRB orderin.

im runnin low on ICE too thats good!!


KILLED it Matt!!! Way to get it done for your last leg day for this show. Do you have any more regular WO's or have they been altered for the last week?

i finish off this split normal, then a off day, then back to push and pull days to finish it off.


Way to finish strong! Glory is in sight!

not glory for me man. any success i have this year is because of strength i've been getting from Above to make it through this long prep and offseason full of hardcore programs. no way i could make it through on my own.

[co1e_train]

[QUOTE=The_Animal11;516405213

not glory for me man. any success i have this year is because of strength i've been getting from Above to make it through this long prep and offseason full of hardcore programs. no way i could make it through on my own.[/QUOTE]

Now that^^ is what im talking about man! Way to give it right back to the One who deservers all credit.

[co1e_train]

[QUOTE=The_Animal11;516405213

not glory for me man. any success i have this year is because of strength i've been getting from Above to make it through this long prep and offseason full of hardcore programs. no way i could make it through on my own.[/QUOTE]

Now that^^ is what im talking about man! Way to give it right back to the One who deservers all credit.

[rich55]

not glory for me man. any success i have this year is because of strength i've been getting from Above to make it through this long prep and offseason full of hardcore programs. no way i could make it through on my own.

Yes sir!! Keep up the great work Matt! Enjoy your push day.

[WhiteFiberz]

Dude looking great 20 days out, I'll be competing right about the same time as you. Keep killing it!

[The_Animal11]

Now that^^ is what im talking about man! Way to give it right back to the One who deservers all credit.

couldnt agree more man.


Yes sir!! Keep up the great work Matt! Enjoy your push day.

always enjoy the push days!!


Dude looking great 20 days out, I'll be competing right about the same time as you. Keep killing it!

thanks man! good luck to you!

[The_Animal11]

FLAT DB PRESS
80x8, 90x5, 100x4...85x5...70x5...50x7
Killer dropset at the end here. best ive FELT db presses in the pecs in a long time, and just kept droppin!

CABLE CROSSOVERS/INCLINE BB PRESS
70x12/135x7, 80x10/135x5, 80x10/135x5, --/135x5 (singles)
Really good connection again

PEC DEC/FREEMOTION HIGH PRESSES
100x8/"14"x10, 100x8/"16"x10, 110x8/"18"x10...x6
Again just felt solid with these

BENCH DIPS
BWx20, +60x15, +60x15...BWx10
Really wish there was a better place to do actual dips here

CABLE OH EXT
60x8, 60x6, 60x6
Focusing in hard on these

REVERSE GRIP PRESSDOWNS
50x8x4
Done on outside (single) pulley

MACHINE SHOULDER PRESS
150x8, 170x7x2
Deep burn!

DB LAT RAISES/BENT DB REVERSE FLYES
(45x8/15x10)x3
These db reverse flyes were a awesome finisher

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
ONE WEEK OUT EVERYONE!!!! gettin so close! seriously just felt like the energizer bunny at the gym today. coulda kept goin for another hour. still fillin out from these higher carbs and a quick PWO pose looked nasty. NASTY.

went to see a NPC prejudging this morning (Southern States, pro qualifier) and it got me even more pumped to get on stage! so ready!!!

[wrkoutfrq]

hell yeah man peak week! countdown to stage! this is gonna be epic

[co1e_train]

Yeahhh buddaaayyy!

[The_Animal11]

hell yeah man peak week! countdown to stage! this is gonna be epic

this:


Yeahhh buddaaayyy!

[The_Animal11]

CLOSE GRIP BB ROWS
115x10, 185x5, 225x5, 275x4, 275x3, 135x15
Last set was actually the most $$$ here... connection was so good!

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
135x8, 160x5, 190x5, 165x7
Just wanted to focus on these and feelin um well today, so no superset here

ROPE PULLOVERS/UNDERHAND HIGH ROWS
70x10/105x10, 90x10/105x10, 100x10/105x10
Did the high rows standing at the lat pulldown station. they were awesome.

WEIRD SEATED HIGH ROWS
135x8x2, 165x8
I feel like i supersetted these with something but i forget what lol

FREEMOTION CABLE REVERSE FLYES
"12"x8x3
Used these more for the traps, were good.

EZ BAR CURLS
25/sidex10, 50/sidex4, 35/sidex5...4...25/sidex6
Good pump from these

HAMMER CURLS
50x8x2, 60x6...50x6...40x6...35x8
Veins poppin!!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
That was enough for today! when i worked on posin with my friend this morning we worked alot on back shots/getting the lats out so my back was already kinda tired.

in other news, being more or less ready and not being on stage yet is starting to wear on me. just want to compete and get it on!!

[MarkVI]

Awesome work Matt!! Doing some SERRRIOUS Work in here.

Keep it up, the stage is around the corner :D

[metroins]

Keep it up. You're doing great.

[LBsomeIron]

Back is looking awesome. Triceps poppin. They are gonna be striated real nice.

You got some good genetics bro. Good muscle bellies, small joints...and your hard work is paying off. Just need you wider (which is going to come with time) and thicker (which you have made some serious progress).... Keep pounding. Good luck this show.

Sorry I missed it, which one are you doing?

[LBsomeIron]

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
105x10, 130x10, 150x8, 160x8x3
Decided to change it up a little and start with these today. let me go a little heavier with better form

SEATED CABLE ROWS/PULLUPS
120x8/BWx8, 150x8/BWx8, 180x8/BWx6, 210x7/BWx8
Killed the last couple sets here. this is a rough superset

DB ROWS (knee on bench)
80x8, 90x8, 100x7
Really tryin to focus on these ones. felt good

HAMMER STRENGTH LOW ROW/STRAIGHT ARM PULLDOWN
90x12/--, 180x10/80x8, 270x8/90x8, 270x8/100x8, 270x6/110x8
I'm gunna miss this machine when i go back to school

EZ BAR CURLS
25/sidexrandom
Did a couple different variations of rep schemes here, mainly just keeping the form tight though

HAMMER CURLS
50x10x3
Big veinage

SEATED CURLS
35x8x2
Was all i needed. roasted.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
A little run down today. this was the last day my split since i got my cals cut, so thats understandable though. hopin my body adjusts and i can really hit it hard next week.

quick PWO shot (moms has super shaky hands apparently):

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/c65449a5.jpg

That's a good pic - pin that up and imagine it wider - details are there - like it.

[The_Animal11]

You got some good genetics bro. Good muscle bellies, small joints...and your hard work is paying off. Just need you wider (which is going to come with time) and thicker (which you have made some serious progress).... Keep pounding. Good luck this show.

Sorry I missed it, which one are you doing?

im really sorry, but i dont understand why you would come into a prep journal and start throwin out things that need to be improved 5 days before a show. even if its true, its just not very considerate.

while i appreciate what i think you're TRYING to say, i wish ya woulda saved the things that need improvement for AFTER the shows. especially considering im in peak week right now and theres nothing i can do to fix those things before saturday.

[MarkVI]

im really sorry, but i dont understand why you would come into a prep journal and start throwin out things that need to be improved 5 days before a show. even if its true, its just not very considerate.

while i appreciate what i think you're TRYING to say, i wish ya woulda saved the things that need improvement for AFTER the shows. especially considering im in peak week right now and theres nothing i can do to fix those things before saturday.



X2, no offense to you man but at the very least PM this kind of stuff.

Matt also has a solid physique, really no weak spots at all -- he's just gonna get bigger and that's about it. Proportions are solid and he looks like flawless at this point.

[The_Animal11]

X2, no offense to you man but at the very least PM this kind of stuff.

Matt also has a solid physique, really no weak spots at all -- he's just gonna get bigger and that's about it. Proportions are solid and he looks like flawless at this point.

i wouldnt want a PM that said that at 5 days out either!! negative criticism can wait for another week is all i am saying. at 5 days out no one wants to hear negatives.

[MarkVI]

i wouldnt want a PM that said that at 5 days out either!! negative criticism can wait for another week is all i am saying. at 5 days out no one wants to hear negatives.

Good point! and dude you look friggin awesome, have FUN with this show for sure, jaws will be dropped.

[JHICKS3301]

The home stretch :cool:

[wrkoutfrq]

i wouldnt want a PM that said that at 5 days out either!! negative criticism can wait for another week is all i am saying. at 5 days out no one wants to hear negatives.

don't sweat it brah... u look incredible, and are going to kill it on stage...

[rich55]

You got some good genetics bro. Good muscle bellies, small joints...and your hard work is paying off. Just need you wider (which is going to come with time) and thicker (which you have made some serious progress).... Keep pounding. Good luck this show.

Sorry I missed it, which one are you doing?


That's a good pic - pin that up and imagine it wider - details are there - like it.

First, as Matt mentioned the feedback is totally inappropriate for ANY competitor getting ready to compete. Second, you should realize that his lats are not flared in that picture, but actually in transition to emphasize the mid-back and christmas tree.

He does not have any problem with width or thickness (4-week out pic):

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b98/rich55/MattBackDoubleProgress.jpg

Hey Matt, you're looking kinda soft and should really diet harder. And your legs are small too. :D Just kidding haha. Tear it up. Constructive advice....keep doing your thing and rock the stage!

[LBsomeIron]

im really sorry, but i dont understand why you would come into a prep journal and start throwin out things that need to be improved 5 days before a show. even if its true, its just not very considerate.

while i appreciate what i think you're TRYING to say, i wish ya woulda saved the things that need improvement for AFTER the shows. especially considering im in peak week right now and theres nothing i can do to fix those things before saturday.

100% ignorant of me and in no way was it meant to be condicending. When I posted that, I had all good intentions and knew you were 'currenly' going to destroy the comp....I was talking 5-10 years from now.

I see how it could have been interrepted as such and I apologize brother - I also apologize for not reading the enitre thread first. I had no idea you were that close. I say page 1 and then the last page.

It's my fault - I do sincerely apologize.

[The_Animal11]

jaws will be dropped.

i am confident in that man. im havin fun right now


The home stretch :cool:

heck yeah man!!

PS- big hugeness with no UP whey??? what gives??


don't sweat it brah... u look incredible, and are going to kill it on stage...

so ready!!!


Second, you should realize that his lats are not flared in that picture, but actually in transition to emphasize the mid-back and christmas tree.

Hey Matt, you're looking kinda soft and should really diet harder. And your legs are small too. :D Just kidding haha. Tear it up. Constructive advice....keep doing your thing and rock the stage!

mainly, that pic is old... the back looks a little different atm doncha think rich???


100% ignorant of me and in no way was it meant to be condicending. When I posted that, I had all good intentions and knew you were 'currenly' going to destroy the comp....I was talking 5-10 years from now.

I see how it could have been interrepted as such and I apologize brother - I also apologize for not reading the enitre thread first. I had no idea you were that close. I say page 1 and then the last page.

It's my fault - I do sincerely apologize.

its cool man. like i said in the rep comment, i am way too psyched and focused to notice too much at this point.


workout incoming!

[The_Animal11]

High CHO day today! 300g!! woot! was instructed to go "light push day" today.

FLAT DB PRESS
75x8, 85x5, 100x4x2, 75x5...5
I couldnt resist.... was feelin ok today!

FLAT BB PRESS
135x6, 12, 12, 10...5
Think thats right. wasnt really counting. haha

CABLE CROSSES
80x10x3, 60x10
Focusin super hard on the squeeze

INCLINE SMITH PRESS
135x5...5...5
Just go with it ok

CHEST SQUEEZES (on pec dec)
100x18x3
Finishin out teh pump

DIP MACHINE/OH CABLE EXT
(150x15/70x12)x3
Good focus on these!

CABLE KICKBACKS
30x8x3
Tris=puuumped

SHOULDER PRESS MACHINE
130x8x3
Woot

DB FRONT RAISES/DB LAT RAISES
(55x8/45x6)x3
Finished these off with a couple sets of DB reverse flyes

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
This was a great way to say goodbye to push days for a couple days. Posed after the workout and hooooolllyyy crap. just you wait ;)

[MarkVI]

Way to kill it Matt!! Cannot wait to see the stage pics -- will motivate me even moarrrr!

[rich55]

This was a great way to say goodbye to push days for a couple days. Posed after the workout and hooooolllyyy crap. just you wait ;)

OH YEAH!!! Man, precontest peak week fun makes gets me all fired up to compete! I'm going to have to live vicariously through you and James right now.

[The_Animal11]

Way to kill it Matt!! Cannot wait to see the stage pics -- will motivate me even moarrrr!

be ready man. its gettin close!!


OH YEAH!!! Man, precontest peak week fun makes gets me all fired up to compete! I'm going to have to live vicariously through you and James right now.

only if i can lift heavy vicariously through you for a little bit longer!

[The_Animal11]

TBAR ROWS
45x18, 90x15, 135x10x3
Tryin to wake up here... these werent really bad though

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
135x8, 150x8x3
concentrating on feel over anything else here

MEDIUM GRIP PULLDOWNS
150x6x3
Slow and controlled

UNDERHAND SEATED CABLE ROWS/WEIRD HIGH CABLE ROWS
(120x10/120x8)x4
Feel again

STRAIGHT ARM ROPE PULLDOWNS/FACE PULLS
(110x8/150x8)x3
These SAPDs were $$

EZ CURLS
25/sidex12...10...6, 35/sidex5, 5
First set just let it hang for a second between rest pauses

HAMMER CURLS
35x8x3
Just concentrating really hard with these

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Its a good thing this was scheduled as a light pull day, cuz i could NOT wake up during this workout. wasnt happy about it one bit.

everything still lookin on point though IMO

[MarkVI]

BIG day Matt!! Congrats, I think you're in that brain fog, cause you titled this your push day when...well you wasn't pushin nuttin!



KILLLL IT! I expect text updates on saturday :D

[wrkoutfrq]

BIG day Matt!! Congrats, I think you're in that brain fog, cause you titled this your push day when...well you wasn't pushin nuttin!



KILLLL IT! I expect text updates on saturday :D

THIS... (except for the text updates lol) you are gonna do great this weekend!

[ErickStevens]

I'll be checking the board for updates after I'm done grappling with sweaty men in their undies! KILL IT!

[JHICKS3301]

heck yeah man!!

PS- big hugeness with no UP whey??? what gives??

!

We sold out brah :o

[The_Animal11]

BIG day Matt!! Congrats, I think you're in that brain fog, cause you titled this your push day when...well you wasn't pushin nuttin!



KILLLL IT! I expect text updates on saturday :D

will be updatin!


THIS... (except for the text updates lol) you are gonna do great this weekend!

thanks man


I'll be checking the board for updates after I'm done grappling with sweaty men in their undies! KILL IT!

i will be shaved, tanned, oiled, and in posing trunks and that still sounds weird.


We sold out brah :o

man i checked the DAY you told me! holy crap! maybe if supplement warehouse works out, you can hook a brutha up ;)




QUICK UPDATE:

Two days out, spending most of my day recovering and getting food, clothes, products, etc ready for the trip to Orlando tomorrow. no cardio, no weights, just some posing today, and lowish cho. ready to get this thing rollin andd hit the stage!

[JHICKS3301]

Nice update!

Yup, Going to work on that this weekend. See if we can't get out there :D

Plus I wouldn't mind spending a weekend in FL doing some training/demos :D

[The_Animal11]

Just got back to the hotel from prejudging. Got compared well I think. Ended up in the middle of the lineup right next to the guy that I had picked as the best competition. As of now the only person I knew at the show, my mom, said that the class has some guys bigger than I am, but that I am more dialed in. Will come down to size vs. Conditioning I guess! Won't know results till tonight obviously, but will update as I do!

[MarkVI]

Just got back to the hotel from prejudging. Got compared well I think. Ended up in the middle of the lineup right next to the guy that I had picked as the best competition. As of now the only person I knew at the show, my mom, said that the class has some guys bigger than I am, but that I am more dialed in. Will come down to size vs. Conditioning I guess! Won't know results till tonight obviously, but will update as I do!

YEAAH BUDDDY!!! Get it matt, this is yours bro - we're all praying for you

[The Solution]

Overall champion
yeahh buddy!

[ErickStevens]

Congrats champ!

[MarkVI]

MATT MATT MATT MATT! That's what the crowd must have been screaming :D YEAAH BUDDY!

Now time to win the overall next week

[wrkoutfrq]

congratulations! glad to see all your hard work paid off...

[The_Animal11]

overall champion!!!!!!!!

[IndianForeigner]

Oh yeah!

[rich55]

overall champion!!!!!!!!

Oh, yeah!!!!! Someone rolled onto stage with some spinners on their wheels and blew everyone away! Nice work man. WNBF Pro Card up for grabs this week!

[nmsk80066]

Be proud, you owned :) great job with training, diet, and passion for being the best you can be on the stage.

[LBsomeIron]

That's tough...if you need someone to unintentionally get your riled up before the next one, please let me know. I'm kidding....you killed it. Props.

Pics, I assume, aren't up yet?

[JHICKS3301]

Awesome my man... Guess that means a free tub of XF Whey??? :D

[The_Animal11]

Alright everyone, here we go!! the main update post (complete with a few pics!!). Friday morning my mom and i left for Orlando, drove the 4 hours (shoulda been 3ish but large amounts of water+diuretic veg=lots of bathroom stops!!! [including one on the side of the highway]). We got in around 4, i hit all my meals along the way, and then hit a long, relaxed, pump up upper body workout to get some blood flowing at the hotel gym (which was surprisingly well stocked!?). After the workout, some posing happened, followed by a final shave and the most awkward moment of the weekend, applying a coat of Dreamtan with mom (for those of you unfamiliar with Dreamtan, you have to blot it on, then SMACK it in. gets awkward with the hard to reach spots.....) Anyways!! Point is it went on well and looked great.

After a night of laying extremely still to keep the tan together, and a little sleep, it was finally time for the big show.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0502.jpg
^^^Me writing down my bio for the announcer^^

The show, like all shows, got started extremely late. They flew through the masters and novice classes and before i knew it after they announced it it was time to pump up. I relished my apple cinnamon rice cakes, pb, and honey. then, as time got a little closer, i threw down a big scoop of Scivation Quake. That combo already had my veins poppin and got my blood flowin!!! it was sunny outside so i decided to do most of my pump up in the sun, which was a awesome choice, more veins!

They called us on stage for comparisons and prejudging, which fleewww by. about 7 minutes of mandatories (i regret to say, i have NO good pics of prejudging, my mom is a photard and didnt know how to focus the camera!!!!) I knew there were some guys in my class that were thicker than i am, but i knew i had everyone on leanness (BIIGGG shoutout to Rich, his diet plan and peaking plan were AWESOME!!!!!). I got alot of comments between shows on my leanness, and the guest poser told me he gave me the nickname "Shredder!!"

Between shows, moms and i went to the mall nearby and killed some time by hanging out in Barnes and Nobles. Was a good choice because it kept my mind off the show for a little.

When we got back to the venue, I actually got into my own head a little bit after seeing some pics of me next to who i know was my biggest competition as i sat around and waited and waited to be on stage (the night show moved SO SLOWLY). It took a extremely well timed text from my mom to me back stage and a pep talk from my friend to get me back into the mindset to get ready to kill it. once i did, it was gametime. crammed the pump meal and Quake again and was all set to head on stage. the pump at the night show was even better than the morning and i felt great. went out for my routine and the crowd was AWESOME!! from my first pose to the end their support grew and grew, especially when i hit a ab and thigh shot. Heres some pics of the routine:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0559.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0560.jpg

i posed to Todd Agnew's song, "This Fragile Breath". I wanted to make sure that the crowd knew that of everything that got me to where I was on stage, God and the strength he gave me were by far the most important.

They then called us out for a posedown:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0574.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0578.jpg

And announced the winner: MEEEEE!!!!!!!! It was SUCH a close class, and i know alot of people disagreed with the decision. In the end, the judges thought that my conditioning beat out the size of the next guy in the class (by only ONE point!!!!!!).

Finally, the overall posedown (tall class vs short class, guess which i was! hahaha):

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0591.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk242/mattstolz11/INBA%20Sunshine%20State/DSC_0596.jpg

Finally, the overall announcement: Matt Stolz FTW!!!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs037.ash2/35203_10100218469487315_12455602_57597360_2729102_ n.jpg

After the show, talking to the judges, and hanging out staring at the sword in disbelief for a little, we went to eat at bahama breeze. i got Jerk Chicken with rice and black beans (did not get a pic, not very exciting) and no dessert. Already was in the mindset of getting ready for next weekend. sooooo pumped!!!

I really want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement as i've gone through prep. your words and prayers have been unbelievably helpful as i've worked through this process so far. I couldn't have done it without you guys and your support. I especially wanna thank Rich, because without his plan, encouragement, and well-timed words, I would never have been able to be as prepared as I was. I got so many compliments about how lean I got and questions about my diet and who I worked with to get as lean as I was this weekend. everything worked, and worked well.

Above all, I want to thank God for the strength, drive, and numerous blessings Ive gotten through this prep so far. without Him, none of this would have been possible, and I know that He gave me drive when I had nothing left.

OK, gunna work on epic multiquote now.

[The_Animal11]

YEAAH BUDDDY!!! Get it matt, this is yours bro - we're all praying for you

thank you for the prayers man!!!


Overall champion
yeahh buddy!

YEAH BUDDAAAAAYYYY!!!


Congrats champ!

thanks man!! i like the ring of "champ!" haha


MATT MATT MATT MATT! That's what the crowd must have been screaming :D YEAAH BUDDY!

Now time to win the overall next week

they were actually screaming "THIRTY SIX!!!!!!" and then on my lat spread one guy yelled "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!" due to lower back striations. hahahahhaa


congratulations! glad to see all your hard work paid off...

Thanks man!!


Oh yeah!

oooohhhhhhh yeaaaaaahhhhh!


Oh, yeah!!!!! Someone rolled onto stage with some spinners on their wheels and blew everyone away! Nice work man. WNBF Pro Card up for grabs this week!

if its in His plan man, we all know I'm gunna do everything I can on my end! leavin it in God's hands for this week!!


Be proud, you owned :) great job with training, diet, and passion for being the best you can be on the stage.

Thank you so much man!!


That's tough...if you need someone to unintentionally get your riled up before the next one, please let me know. I'm kidding....you killed it. Props.

Pics, I assume, aren't up yet?

Pics are up now!! thanks man!


Awesome my man... Guess that means a free tub of XF Whey??? :D

I am NEVER gunna turn down a free tub of XF whey!!!! haha

btw, did you get a hold of Supplement Warehouse??

[The_Animal11]

SQUATS
135x5, 185x5, 225x5, 275x4, 315x3, 225x8, 135x8x3
wooo these felt HEAVY today. felt great hittin some squats though after over a week off.

LEG EXTENSIONS
135x12+ 5...4...2...2...2
Rest/pause was only on the last set. quads were just jumping off my leg today. looked sick

LEG PRESS
4ppsx25, 4ppsx15x4
I think i did 5 sets.... dont remember

DB SLDS
80x8, 90x8x2
still just lookin crazy

KNEELING LEG CURLS
90x8x4
Seated leg curl machine is broken... not super happy about it.

KICKBACKS
80x8x3
SHREDDED GLUTES FTW!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS
Time to get after it again! felt great hittin legs!!! SIX DAYS OUT!!

[Justin.Martin]

SQUATS
135x5, 185x5, 225x5, 275x4, 315x3, 225x8, 135x8x3
wooo these felt HEAVY today. felt great hittin some squats though after over a week off.

LEG EXTENSIONS
135x12+ 5...4...2...2...2
Rest/pause was only on the last set. quads were just jumping off my leg today. looked sick

LEG PRESS
4ppsx25, 4ppsx15x4
I think i did 5 sets.... dont remember

DB SLDS
80x8, 90x8x2
still just lookin crazy

KNEELING LEG CURLS
90x8x4
Seated leg curl machine is broken... not super happy about it.

KICKBACKS
80x8x3
SHREDDED GLUTES FTW!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS
Time to get after it again! felt great hittin legs!!! SIX DAYS OUT!!

Wow man, truly an inspiration. Just coming off a show and still coming back into the gym 6 days out from another show and putting in a solid pump. Oh not to mention your still dieted down to nothing. Dont let up and great job at your show.

[wrkoutfrq]

dude you were super lean! that guy from the tall class was a mammoth... but the thing is he was just thick... and not even muscularly (or at least for his height). you match him in muscular size, he was just taller, with some wider shoulders... really impressed man, great work

[The_Animal11]

Wow man, truly an inspiration. Just coming off a show and still coming back into the gym 6 days out from another show and putting in a solid pump. Oh not to mention your still dieted down to nothing. Dont let up and great job at your show.

thanks man!! im just doin what i gotta do! cant let up now, just 6 days left!!


dude you were super lean! that guy from the tall class was a mammoth... but the thing is he was just thick... and not even muscularly (or at least for his height). you match him in muscular size, he was just taller, with some wider shoulders... really impressed man, great work

haha there is a awesome shot that the event photog got where he was doing a front dub and i stood right in front of him and hit mine... hes like 7 inches taller than i am hahahaha

[WhiteFiberz]

Congrats man! Those hams look ill in the Lat spread. Someone's been squatting ;)

[The_Animal11]

FLAT DB PRESS
80x8, 90x5, 100x4...85x5...75x5...50x6, 75x7
Just kept droppin till the weights got embarrassing haha. felt these well

INCLINE CABLE FLYES (on bench)/INCLINE SMITH PRESS
(60x8/135x8)x4
This was a pretty awesome superset! havent done flyes like this in a while

CABLE CROSSOVERS/FREEMOTION INCLINE PRESS
(70x10/"16"x8)x4
Another good superset. chest was poppin!

OH CABLE EXT
60x8x3
Really focusin in with these

ROPE PRESSDOWNS/MACHINE DIPS
(70x10/150x12)x3
Slow focused reps on pressdowns

CABLE KICKBACKS
30x8x2
Finishin em off!

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Good workout today. got plenty of motivation in the gym right now from this past weekend. FIVE DAYS!

[MarkVI]

Hitting it BIG 5 days out of your 2nd show champ!!! Keep this up Matt, and who knows what could happen on saturday :cool:

[The_Animal11]

CLOSE GRIP BB ROWS
95x10, 135x10, 185x5, 225x5, 295x3...225x6...135x8
was KINDA a dropset... took me a min to get the weights off and then strap back in. we'll call it a RUSHED set.

REVERSE GRIP PULLDOWNS
135x8, 150x8, 165x8x2
Can tell i'm gettin light... 165 is hard to get into position hahaha

NORMAL GRIP PULLDOWNS
135x8x3
felt these all the way down to the tie in. awesome.

SEATED ROPE ROWS/WEIRD HIGH CABLE ROWS
(135x8/135x8)x4
I think 4 sets...

STRAIGHT ARM ROPE PULLDOWNS
120x8x3
Really slow and controlled

ISO PULLDOWN MACHINE
150x8x3
Slow and controlled again, felt um all the way down

FACE PULLS
180x10x4
Slow and controlled... AGAIN

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Really wanted to focus on feel today. it was a pretty good back workout! tomorrow is gunna be a shoulder/bi/tri/really light chest day, and then its time to rest up for the show! so close again already. cant wait!

[MarkVI]

KILLED it Matt!!! Wow, serious volume and work done today :cool: Keep it up buddy, so so close and then Hawaii

[The_Animal11]

pics from the photog!

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/12991218_dftXe#940581854_T2WkD

[wrkoutfrq]

is the guy in the purple trunks (can't read his #) the guy who you beat out for ur class?

if so he's got some sick wheels... so much so that they're a lil outta proportion... but i agree with the judges that your conditioning def put you on that next level

edit: in img 3392 from the photog...

[The_Animal11]

is the guy in the purple trunks (can't read his #) the guy who you beat out for ur class?

if so he's got some sick wheels... so much so that they're a lil outta proportion... but i agree with the judges that your conditioning def put you on that next level

edit: in img 3392 from the photog...

yeah, thats the guy who i edged out in my class. he had me pretty worried.

i really wanted everyone to see this because i know my pics didnt do him justice (or even include him i think?) and he really looked good. gotta give credit where credit is due.

[fgfan1]

not to be disrespectful to other competitors, but that first guy on the page (his number isn't showing) seems to really be lacking sufficient color...

keep killing it matt! looking forward to seeing you kick ass this weekend (no homo)

[The_Animal11]

not to be disrespectful to other competitors, but that first guy on the page (his number isn't showing) seems to really be lacking sufficient color...

keep killing it matt! looking forward to seeing you kick ass this weekend (no homo)

his number's not showing cuz he was a guest poser. and they asked him to guest pose 5 minutes before he stepped out on stage. he literally had to borrow someone else's posing trunks.

considering that, what do ya think? haha

edit: if we're thinking of the same guy. one of the guys really was lacking color though.

[The_Animal11]

EZ BAR CURLS
10/sidex12, 25/sidex8, 35/sidex5, 50/sidex4, 50/sidex4...35/sidex4...25/sidex10, 10/sidex10x2
Drop set was ridonkulous.

HAMMER CURLS
50x10, 55x8, 60x8...50x8...40x8...35x8
Was feelin the drops to start out i guess huh?

SPIDER CURLS
10/sidex10, 25/sidex6x3, 10/sidex8
Wanted to do preachers, but i think half the machines and benches today at the gym were broken? was weird

SEATED DB CURLS
45x8x3
Just pumped these out

SHOULDER PRESS MACHINE
150x20, 160x12x3
Again, just busted these out

DB UPRIGHT ROWS
55x6x3
Felt heavy today!

DB LAT RAISES
35x8x3
Slow and controlled

DB REVERSE FLYES
15x8x2
Finishin off shoulders

STRAIGHT BAR PRESSDOWNS/MACHINE DIPS
(70x8/150x10)x3
Just wanted to get a little tri work in

FLAT PRESS MACHINE
150x15x3
Same idea, just wanted a little chest work.

WORKOUT THOUGHTS:
Pretty solid workout today! last one besides a pump up workout on Friday before this next show and i made it count. energy is good, am possibly even leaner than last weekend, and am feeling good. excited to see how i stack up!

[wrkoutfrq]

heck yeah man, time to prolong the winning streak this weekend...

[little rambo]

Good stuff brotha!! Counting down the days here as well haha...couple questions regarding your carb up and water intake. I know so many people cut water, myself at my last show being one of them and really think it kept me from filling out all that I could and did make me look a little softer than I had wanted to on stage. This time around I've been doing 2 gallons a day since Sunday, staying pretty full and waking up in the mornings extremely dry, only thing I'm concerned with is my reintroduction of carbs (plan on starting my carb up Friday) with the amount of water. I won't be taking in 2 gallons Friday, more than likely just a gallon if that and most of that revolving around my meals containing protein, so every other meal, plan on using the same dry carb sources I've been using the whole prep (dry oats and rice cakes) to really suck that extra subcutaneous water into my muscles and keep em full, question regarding show day is I'm more than likely just going to be sipping on Gatorade to keep hydrated and only when I need to, more than likely about an hour or a half hour before going on stage to keep everything in balance and not cramp up. I know a crap ton of people need to mess with water due to anabolics, but just hoping I don't mess this up going into my first NPC show not being on anabolics and not doing something proper with my carb up and water intake haha

I also plan on taking in a solid amount of fat before pre judging as it REALLY fills me out and gets my veins popping, should also help with any bloat due to it slowing down the rate at which the carbs are being absorbed correct? Just like hearing opinions on this stuff as the final days here just have my mind wondering and about every which angle of the show haha

[The_Animal11]

Hey guys! Just a quick update for 2 days out.

I am at home, food is all cooked, bags are packed for both the show and Hawaii. Was on my feet a ton today so am just trying to relax and keep my feet up for the rest of the night. Tomorrow we are gettin up early and have about a 8 hour drive to Macon. Does anyone have any advice on making sure everything stays solid for that long of a drive? Will be stopping plenty to walk and stretch and have a pump circuit and light posing when we get there tomorrow, any other advice?

[rich55]

Good stuff brotha!! Counting down the days here as well haha...couple questions regarding your carb up and water intake. I know so many people cut water, myself at my last show being one of them and really think it kept me from filling out all that I could and did make me look a little softer than I had wanted to on stage. This time around I've been doing 2 gallons a day since Sunday, staying pretty full and waking up in the mornings extremely dry, only thing I'm concerned with is my reintroduction of carbs (plan on starting my carb up Friday) with the amount of water. I won't be taking in 2 gallons Friday, more than likely just a gallon if that and most of that revolving around my meals containing protein, so every other meal, plan on using the same dry carb sources I've been using the whole prep (dry oats and rice cakes) to really suck that extra subcutaneous water into my muscles and keep em full, question regarding show day is I'm more than likely just going to be sipping on Gatorade to keep hydrated and only when I need to, more than likely about an hour or a half hour before going on stage to keep everything in balance and not cramp up. I know a crap ton of people need to mess with water due to anabolics, but just hoping I don't mess this up going into my first NPC show not being on anabolics and not doing something proper with my carb up and water intake haha

I also plan on taking in a solid amount of fat before pre judging as it REALLY fills me out and gets my veins popping, should also help with any bloat due to it slowing down the rate at which the carbs are being absorbed correct? Just like hearing opinions on this stuff as the final days here just have my mind wondering and about every which angle of the show haha

No, he doesn't cut his water. And you're right. If you cut water, then you will not fill out as much as you could as if the water was present. We have just focused on getting Matt pealed and taking care of the rest. Too much carbs makes Matt look watery when he is dieted down, so we had to be careful with the carb up. Yes, we use a bit of fat before getting on stage, but nothing with much sodium.

TEAR IT UP MATT!!!

[The_Animal11]

No, he doesn't cut his water. And you're right. If you cut water, then you will not fill out as much as you could as if the water was present. We have just focused on getting Matt pealed and taking care of the rest. Too much carbs makes Matt look watery when he is dieted down, so we had to be careful with the carb up. Yes, we use a bit of fat before getting on stage, but nothing with much sodium.

TEAR IT UP MATT!!!

There ya go, from the man himself!

Thanks rich!

[JHICKS3301]

What's going on in hur?!?!

[JHICKS3301]

BTW, thinking of hiring Rich so I don't have to think for my first prep :o

[The_Animal11]

BTW, thinking of hiring Rich so I don't have to think for my first prep :o

Goin on in here: by this time tmr I will be backstage gearing up for my first pro qualifier finals. You in to follow along?!

As for hiring rich, I definitely reccommend him. His plan has been awesome for me and it's one less thing to worry about. It's well balanced, reasonable, no frills, and WORKS

[JHICKS3301]

Goin on in here: by this time tmr I will be backstage gearing up for my first pro qualifier finals. You in to follow along?!

As for hiring rich, I definitely reccommend him. His plan has been awesome for me and it's one less thing to worry about. It's well balanced, reasonable, no frills, and WORKS

You know I've been here from day one brah :D

BTW, calling your store down there. Should be good stuff tomorrow hopefully..

HOpefully I'll be letting you know what we spoke on earlier this week over the weekend maybe

[rich55]

BTW, thinking of hiring Rich so I don't have to think for my first prep :o

I can certainly help you do your very best. Let me know if you have any questions man.

BTW, talked to Matt tonight and when I asked how he is feeling, "I feel REAL good!" Leaner than last week (as if it was possible), feeling nice and full and will be in the lightweights (165 & under). WNBF card up for grabs to the Overall winner!!

[The_Animal11]

Heeerrrrrrreeeeeeeeee weeeeeeeeeeeee ggggoooooooooooo

[ErickStevens]

Did you ever know that you're my herrrroooo? You're everything that I hope I could bee!
Kill it again, brah!

[MarkVI]

Heeerrrrrrreeeeeeeeee weeeeeeeeeeeee ggggoooooooooooo

Yeaaaaa buddy!!

[JHICKS3301]

Updates??


I can certainly help you do your very best. Let me know if you have any questions man.

BTW, talked to Matt tonight and when I asked how he is feeling, "I feel REAL good!" Leaner than last week (as if it was possible), feeling nice and full and will be in the lightweights (165 & under). WNBF card up for grabs to the Overall winner!!

Thanks Rich.. I'm about 99% sure I want to give you a call

[ErickStevens]

In for epic post contest eats.

[Sporto1633]

Congrats on everything so far big guy - you've made some hellacious strides just in the last year alone! Looking forward to some updates!

Sporto

[IndianForeigner]

Congrats, buddy. You've worked so hard so now rest up on your vacation. I'm sure that this experience will have you that much hungrier the next time around

[Ryanmckd]

In for updates! Put down the fork and let us know how you did!

[wrkoutfrq]

In for updates! Put down the fork and let us know how you did!

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