First Time Competitor

[travis.hearn]

Alright, so after about two years off from bodybuilding due to injuries incurred in Iraq, I've decided I want to try to compete in an Amateur show next year around this time. Right now I'm 5-10 and weighing in around 250 and around 20% BF. Just looking for some advice on what weight classes I should be looking at with this much time to bulk. Also how much cardio should I be doing. Right now I'm doing 30 min 3X per week in the morning before my first meal.

[ffmiles26]

im kinda in the same boat as you. without the injury. cheers and thanks for ur service btw. almost 3 years ago i was like 12 weeks away from my first show. job change forced me to opt out. i just started eating a little better two months ago and cut out beer lol and dropped from like 245/250 down to 233 @ 20.4%bf as of last week. i wouldnt even worry about what class right now. but ull prob be a heavy (over 198-228 i believe.) u doing a tested show or no? cuz u sound beast if 250 and 20%

i just started back with my trainer and he got me on a cutting diet just to lean up for a bit before i bulk. im @2100cal/day. five meals. doing cardio six days for 30 mins, and lifting 4 days a week. i used to be a trainer and would still like to get back into that too. keep in touch maybe we can help eachother out dont find too many ppl in this situation. cheers

[Jtrain71]

Alright, so after about two years off from bodybuilding due to injuries incurred in Iraq, I've decided I want to try to compete in an Amateur show next year around this time. Right now I'm 5-10 and weighing in around 250 and around 20% BF. Just looking for some advice on what weight classes I should be looking at with this much time to bulk. Also how much cardio should I be doing. Right now I'm doing 30 min 3X per week in the morning before my first meal.

Honestly, you need to drop your body fat to a lower percentage before you start bulking (10-12%). 10-12% is more manageable especially when you start cutting. As far as losing body fat your going to have to put in some extra time in the gym. 5 days a week.

Cardio: in the morning on an empty stomach (walking - treadmill 8.0% incline and 3.2 speed for 35 min)

Post workout - 30 min walking 8.0% incline and 3.2 speed and then 15 min on stair stepper for 15 min @ level 5.

Trust me when I tell you this, bulking at 20% is a bad idea because depending if add more body fat while bulking you may have to cut for 5 months. By that time your muscles will be so depleted and you'll look flat when you get on stage. It's all about timing, you may even want to postpone your bodybuilding debut to the beginning of 2012.