Pumping Up

[Blahzay128]

Ok....so I've seen people doing soooo many things to pump up backstage.

I've competed a couple of times and was never really able to get a great pump before stepping on stage. Not sure why! I'm considering a little work with a band...then just posing hard before getting on stage.

What do most of you guys do? How long do you pump up for?

I'm competing next weekend...so I'm trying to go in there with a plan in place.

Thanks,

G

[rushki]

in for this

[Bnizzle163]

I had the same problem with this (only competed once so far) but I think it was more a problem of not having enough carbohydrates and sodium in my system.

I did push ups, light rows, laterals and just posing... I'm curious to see what most other guys do as well.

[Barn01]

Add carbs, fat, sodium slowly and constantly while you're back stage. Work in a nice 20mins of pump up before getting in line to go out. So time it right. If you get in enough of that kind of food then you should be able to hold a good pump for the duration that you're on stage.

Carbs fill you out
Sodium helps absorb the carbs and holds a pump
Fats help make you vascular

Leave the protein at home that day!

[MarkVI]

Everyone backstage including myself used our normal Pre WO supplement as well, I pumped up very well for the pre judging but not as well for the night show.

[GetCarved]

I actually like resistance bands for pumping up, I use those for side laterals/curls, do some rows, push ups, and then hit the stage. Its all about timing, find out when you are going on and start about 10-15 minutes before you go on. Really move and get that pump going, you'll know if you time it right. That works for me, experience is the best teacher.

[OnTheRoad]

why not leave your sodium, carbs and water in your diet right up to comp day and use comp day as another 'normal' day???

No questions on what your body is going to do, it will do the same as the night/week before.

I competed all last year, had the same problem of no pump onstage and massive rebounds. I was taking a massive chance each time I stepped onstage.

This year I was ready 4 weeks out, changed nothing at all, dropped my water a little (so I didn't need to go to the toilet at the wrong time), put on a bikini and tan. I had no cramping...a great pump and the knowledge of exactly what my body looked and how how it was going to act. It was a fantastic experience!

I have done exactly as above 3 times this year.....

[AustrianOakJr]

I had the same problem with this (only competed once so far) but I think it was more a problem of not having enough carbohydrates and sodium in my system.

I did push ups, light rows, laterals and just posing... I'm curious to see what most other guys do as well.

Yes, its most likely a diet or water issue.

Everyone backstage including myself used our normal Pre WO supplement as well, I pumped up very well for the pre judging but not as well for the night show.

Yes, if you have pre-workout that you use normally that gets you pumped and vascular.....I used vasocharge at a couple of shows and I liked that beta-alanine effect prior to stage.

why not leave your sodium, carbs and water in your diet right up to comp day and use comp day as another 'normal' day???

No questions on what your body is going to do, it will do the same as the night/week before.

I competed all last year, had the same problem of no pump onstage and massive rebounds. I was taking a massive chance each time I stepped onstage.

This year I was ready 4 weeks out, changed nothing at all, dropped my water a little (so I didn't need to go to the toilet at the wrong time), put on a bikini and tan. I had no cramping...a great pump and the knowledge of exactly what my body looked and how how it was going to act. It was a fantastic experience!

I have done exactly as above 3 times this year.....

The only problem with this is that most people are not eating into a show.....most people are still very depleted in the final weeks of contest prep (myself included as of last year). So, a carb load is really necessary in order to come in hard and vascular. Your approach is very conservative and thats good.....you know there isnt much chance to screw up. And please dont be offended when I tell you that a figure competitor has less to worry about in this area because they arent looking to come in shredded, hard and veins popping everywhere, so its a bit of a different story. For a bb'er loading properly on carbs and a little sodium and fat bump just prior to stage really can do wonders for your ability to pump and come in looking noticeably better.

Add carbs, fat, sodium slowly and constantly while you're back stage. Work in a nice 20mins of pump up before getting in line to go out. So time it right. If you get in enough of that kind of food then you should be able to hold a good pump for the duration that you're on stage.

Yes^......my only exception is that I nibble on chicken as well probably because I feel like I "cant go a day without protein or my muscles will fall off".

[simpleguy4]

why not leave your sodium, carbs and water in your diet right up to comp day and use comp day as another 'normal' day???

No questions on what your body is going to do, it will do the same as the night/week before.

I competed all last year, had the same problem of no pump onstage and massive rebounds. I was taking a massive chance each time I stepped onstage.

This year I was ready 4 weeks out, changed nothing at all, dropped my water a little (so I didn't need to go to the toilet at the wrong time), put on a bikini and tan. I had no cramping...a great pump and the knowledge of exactly what my body looked and how how it was going to act. It was a fantastic experience!

I have done exactly as above 3 times this year.....

Very good advice....unfortunately, most are not in proper shape to begin with and are looking for that "magic" protocol that will get them stage ready in the last week. I am like you....be ready early and cruise into the contest changing as little as possible.