Ok, Here's my 2 cents
1 Are GOODMORNING'S (seated/standing) an integral part of your training regime?
Yes, they are. For me, I like the stretch I feel in my lower back and hams.
2 Do you do Floor Presses. If so have you seen and felt any difference in your benching??
Yes, barbell on the floor, out of the rack and DB off the floor. I think they have helped may get through some sticking points in my bench.
3 What are your personal bests in the big 3 currently and at what bodyweight? Hmmmmmm...still working in this, my current bodyweight is 175 lbs, so I will compete in the 185 lb class, and masters. I will also compete RAW (no equipment):
Bench 285
Squat 300
Deads 455
Please remember, I'm a newbie at this. Watch these numbers. You ain't seen nothin
yet!
4 What is your favorite way to psyche yourself prior to the lift.
I listen to whatever music is on, and just visualize that this is really light weight. As long as my grip holds out, I'll move whatever you put on the bar.
5 What goes through your mind prior to breaking your previous record or attaining a new personal best record.
Prior ~ I try to stay blank...Just do it.
After ~ sense of accomplishment, pride, and a co*ky "machoness"! BOOYA!
6 How does your nutrition differ now as opposed to when you were primarily into bodybuilding?
Still 5-6 meals. Still clean, but not as concerned about an occasional cheat meal. I'm still keeping pumped and vascular. The 6 pack is hiding now, but it's there, I can feel it. I don't sweat this anymore.
7 What impact has powerlifting had on you so far??
Certainly stronger. Has added a new dimension to my bodybuilding goals (not done with that yet!) A new respect for the powerlifting world.
9 Which out of the three is your fav lift and why?
I like the feel of a good bench press ~ Just feel strong when I do it, but Deads are the best for me. Just a great feeling of lifting that weight, letting it down, and just thinking, "YEA BABY!" You feel like the biggest, baddest, Mother f___in the valley!
9 What is it that you love and hate about powerlifting.
Love~Great Trainer, get to work with my wife again, easier diet, better sense of accomplishment, great bunch of people.
Hate~the nauseous feeling after a seriously heavy, as* to the grass squat! I lose my peripheal vision, my BP goes through the roof, I get lightheaded and dizzy, break into serious dripping sweats, and feel like I'm gonna blow chuncks. Takes awhile to recover after that.....Ain't it great ?
10 What is your source of motivation? Whom do you idolize or look upto for inspiration?
My wife, she is a warrior, and has accomplished so much. I am REALLY proud of her. My trainer, he is 100%, unconditionally committed to my goals. He calls, texts, or e-mails me all the time to make sure I'm ok, and see if I have any questions. He not only sets this example in the gym, buit outside as well, and Mariusz Paderweski (Polish, World Strongest man for 3 years. He's a strongman, powerlifter, but LOOKS like a bodybuilder....very rare thing!)...and yes, he's my home boy 'cause I'm Polish too
11 What is your supplementation like?
I am staying away from any thermos now. I needed them for energy and cutting before, but they were pushing my BP too high.
Now I'm still using a good multi-vitamin,multi-mineral. I'm using a VYoTech product called Nitrobolics (aminos, creatine. glutamine, etc) on my off days, and Muscle Tech Vapor 15 minutes before training. Vapor will kick your butt, so I only use 1 tablespoon in 4 ozs of water 15 minutes before my wo. I tried one scoop as recommended, but I was WAY too shaky. I've also increased my joint supps too. I'm using MDS and Flexamine. I very rarely have DOMS, but I do get a lot of joint pain after heavy days.
One other comment is that I must stretch. My body has become so tight from bodybuilding, that I'm having difficulty with form. For example, my delts cramp up when I squat because I now hold the bar a little further down my back. Also, the ligaments and tendons in my elbows and legs are as taunt as guitar strings. LOTS of stretching now.
One last comment: Competition.
As a bodybuilder, we SAY we compete against ourselves, to get better, but there is always that sense of "beating" the other guy. I don't care what others may say about that, but I've witnessed it too many times. Plus, even in the natural contests, I've seen some guys who are serious monsters...and there is NO WAY they got thay way naturally...real fair, right?
THe drug testing in powerlifting is monitored by the World Anti-Doping Association. Vry strict, and written out in black and white. If positve, you pay the consequences.
In powerlifting, It's you against the weights. YOU set the numbers. No question on stage about who might have looked better, who might have the best symmetry, or who has the best "politics". It's is you against your own numbers, and there is no cheating against that. It's cut and dry. You either lift the weight, or you don't . Period. I have witnessed at every meet, that powerlifters help each other out through the competition, cheer each other on to hit those new PR's. I'ver even seen a guy give up his singlet to his competition, because his had torn. It's more of a family then what my experience has been in bodybuilding.
Now, that might disgruntle some people, but I am only reflecting from my own very limited experience of a few years. I came into the iron game a little later in llfe, so many will have a lot more and different experinces then I have had. Both good, and bad. Please don't take any of my comments as a bad thing, it's just different, that's all.
I will still compete as a bodybuilder, but right now, I have found a new family that I feel very comfortable with. I feel healthier, my physical and emotional self have found a nice balance. My family tells me that I don't act like an as_ any more (happens during carb depletion
)
I think I have found a good balance with bodybuilding and powerlifting. For me, they are not two different things but compliment each other...Yin/Yang, black and white, etc.
Well, sorry for the rambling, but there's my 2 cents
Mr Beefy
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