Time to get shredded, contest prep pics!

[alexISthrowed]

My abs are in really good, I just never think of doing an ab and thigh.

[pikenat]

Looking good bro, how is it to have your dad as a motivator/work out partner? Pretty awesome situation.

[FireGuy]

Conditioning is coming along nicely! I hope you dont mind the critiques but here's #2. On your side chest get rid of that space between your back arm and lat. Pull that back forearm right into your upper midsection and roll that front shoulder back a bit. This will raise your chest and bring out the upper pec. It is also going to give you much more width across the chest as well.

[alexISthrowed]

Conditioning is coming along nicely! I hope you dont mind the critiques but here's #2. On your side chest get rid of that space between your back arm and lat. Pull that back forearm right into your upper midsection and roll that front shoulder back a bit. This will raise your chest and bring out the upper pec. It is also going to give you much more width across the chest as well.

Thanks fireguy, that's always good to hear! I don't mind the critiquing one bit! I'll work on my side chest for next week and see if I can get it dialed in. I have posing practice tomorrow so I'll work on this.

[alexISthrowed]

Looking good bro, how is it to have your dad as a motivator/work out partner? Pretty awesome situation.

I guess I kind of took it for granted when I was younger. I was taught proper nutrition and lifting habits from the get go. I try to get at least a few workouts in with him a week. He's always the one person I can trust to give me an honest opinion and know he's not blowing any smoke up my ass. If I look like crap, he'll let me know. In this sport you need that, I always want an honest opinion. I'm lucky to have the support I do.

[oatmeal69]

Never knew that much precise positioning went into each pose...

[t-gunz]

Never knew that much precise positioning went into each pose...

me either.

looking unreal mate. keep it up. im just trying to get abs is my mission. a comp to train for is a whole different ball game.

im backing ya though

[oatmeal69]

im just trying to get abs is my mission.

Never knew that would be so hard either. I seem to be perpetually stuck at where my avatar pic is. If I lose more, it's muscle.

[alexISthrowed]

Posing can make or break a good bodybuilder. It's good to have experienced people like fireguy on here! Getting abs comes down to diet 100%.

[oatmeal69]

Not to hijack, but am I just gonna be stuck with losing some muscle to get them (abs)? Is it just the price you pay? How many times have you contest prepped like this?

[alexISthrowed]

Not to hijack, but am I just gonna be stuck with losing some muscle to get them (abs)? Is it just the price you pay? How many times have you contest prepped like this?

This is my second contest prep. You will lose some muscle no matter what, how much depends on a lot of things. With aas and a good diet you really shouldn't lose too much.

[FireGuy]

Not to hijack, but am I just gonna be stuck with losing some muscle to get them (abs)? Is it just the price you pay? How many times have you contest prepped like this?

What makes you beleive you are losing muscle? Are you getting body comps done to confirm this or is it just because you feel smaller. Getting to 10% and having abs can be done naturally by just about anyone with zero loss of muscle with a little hard work and detailed planning.

[Bossman]

Conditioning is coming along nicely! I hope you dont mind the critiques but here's #2. On your side chest get rid of that space between your back arm and lat. Pull that back forearm right into your upper midsection and roll that front shoulder back a bit. This will raise your chest and bring out the upper pec. It is also going to give you much more width across the chest as well.

Good point Fireguy. We do preach that during practice. No light showing between the arms. Some of the lighter weight guys have a hard time if they don't have the mass but we try.

It helps to choke up on the grip.

I also try to twist the upper torso a little to widen the upper body.

[FireGuy]

The posing aspect is definately the most under estimated part of competing by those who have never done it. The thing is we are talking about simply the posture of the poses here. I am sure we could both write a full paragraph on everything that is going on head to toe in any certain pose. Most people dont realize the incredible amount of hours that go into learning how to pose and getting into posing shape. I was thinking just about my side chest pose which is one of the easier ones in my opinion. I came up with 13 different "checkpoints" that I do simply getting into the pose.

[Bossman]

Agreed^^^

Most don't realize just how taxing posing is. Alex was covered in sweat today during practice. The newbs that we help every year quickly gain respect after that first posing session.

The one pose I am changing since I tore my right bicep tendon is the side chest. I'm so well programmed on my right side, but having a hard time dialing it in on the left. Every time I look at my pic, there is something I believe I need to improve upon. Either my leg pla***ent, holding too high, low, etc. Not competing for a season has left me bit rusty too. But practice makes perfect. I'll keep trying.

Thanks for you help Fireguy!

[Ca$tro]

Alex well done mate, looking in awsome shape you look good in all the pics mate. As you know I ain't a pro in any way so can't comment on posing techniques etc but keep up the good work. I will be watching your log to gain experience and to add support.

[FireGuy]

^I remember a show I did in 2005,the judge called for a front double bi followed by a front lat spread. He then says "quarter turn to the right". I am like WTF, we already did 1/4 turns??? He then says "Side Chest". It was at that very moment I realized I had NEVER done a side chest pose with my left side facing front. I swear it was like trying to throw a football left handed. I have since learned to do it from either side and of course I have never had a judge call out mandatories like that again either thank god.

[oatmeal69]

What makes you beleive you are losing muscle? Are you getting body comps done to confirm this or is it just because you feel smaller. Getting to 10% and having abs can be done naturally by just about anyone with zero loss of muscle with a little hard work and detailed planning.

Good point, I have no solid evidence. I just "feel smaller."

[alexISthrowed]

Just messing around the other day

[oatmeal69]

Get a haircut, hippie.

[alexISthrowed]

[gbrice75]

Looking damn good Alex, sorry i'm late to the thread, but subscribed!

[gearbox]

I have enjoyed the updates and reads. keep up the good work. cant wait to see you shredded for contest time

[Bulkn]

lookin good mate!

[alexISthrowed]

Thanks guys! I will have some new pics up this weekend hopefully.

[ironpumpindoc]

Off topic, but I just saw your location: the murder mitten, LOL! That means either D-town, Sag-nasty, or worse yet Flint. Sorry, just brings back childhood memories. Seriously though, lookin strapped. Keep up the good work, and good luck at your comp.

[grumpee]

Looking good. Keep it up

[alexISthrowed]

Off topic, but I just saw your location: the murder mitten, LOL! That means either D-town, Sag-nasty, or worse yet Flint. Sorry, just brings back childhood memories. Seriously though, lookin strapped. Keep up the good work, and good luck at your comp.

Lol! None of the above actually, just the same state.

Looking good. Keep it up

I'm trying to impress the girl in your avi! haha thanks man!

[survey]

U look nice and lean man, arms look full. Ur forearms pop out from ur wrists nice, do u use straps? I never do... Haven't found any lift that pulls my fingers apart yet cept dead lifts, and I use wrist hooks for anything above 315. Overall tho looks good man, I got problem calves too, one foot is a size diff from the other and one calf is smaller lol. I'm no one to critique tho bro, I'm a shade tree bodybuilder at best, I'm either a fat punk or yolked depending wether I'm in the gym or not lol. My body responds to everything fast tho so I guess I'm blessed a little. I've always worked out to have somethin warm in my bed but I've always been dazzled by it all. Who knows I may try a masters one day if I can start talkin to someone to help me pull it all together. I just pound weights 2 on 1 off and eat liquid egg whites and oatmeal out of a blender lol

[alexISthrowed]

I always use straps, I like to focus on contracting my back. I have a very strong grip and have pull 500+ without straps but still use them. There is definitely a difference, I think your missing out if your not using them. My big forearms and strong grip come from my powerlifting days, I used to do a lot of grip training for that. I did a strongman at 16 years old and did the farmers walk with 180lb cylinders.

[survey]

Nice. I don't mean to bite on ur thread, but check mine out titled " gettin back in the game" I'm dyin to know where everyone thinks I am fat wise lol. I wanna get on stage, check out my underwear haga! But really tho I need someone to help me dial it in is all.... I've wanted to try for a while tho

[oatmeal69]

Where's a good place to buy the straps? My grip is strong too, but I think you're exactly right about them focusing the work on your back.

[gixxerboy1]

the new pics look great alex

[slfmade]

Great work Alex! I love seeing the progression

[alexISthrowed]

Thanks guys! no pics this weekend because I was lazy, but I'll get some this week.

[xelnaga]

New pic looks great- looks like your abs are really starting to come in.

[Razor]

Alex you look dope man...really proud of you..sorry about all the beer and. Pb&j sammies I tempted you with

[alexISthrowed]

Thanks guys! I'll get some pics this weekend, I have been busy.

[DanB]

how did you get into the pose in your avi, was it just back double bi then extend arm or?

[alexISthrowed]

how did you get into the pose in your avi, was it just back double bi then extend arm or?

I was just messing around with some weird poses. It's called the archer.