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You are here: Home / Contest Preparation / Contest Mentality: Why Do I Want to Compete Again?

Contest Mentality: Why Do I Want to Compete Again?

November 1, 2013 By Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT 0 Comments

contest-mentality-2

The contest mentality is definitely a different one. Why would anyone want to have a restricted diet, long cardio sessions and intense weight training sessions? What benefit is there to the person competing? Let me try to answer those questions for you in the following paragraphs.

The Dieting

Honestly, the dieting part of contest preparation didn't bother me in the least. What I do is set up a simple menu and stick to it. I keep the variety at a minimum because I have worked to dial in the macronutrient ratios. I find it simpler to just stick with less variety in order to achieve the results I am after. To me it doesn't matter if I eat the same food every single day. Food is simply fuel and nothing more.

The Long Cardio Sessions

Cardio is boring. I will not argue that point. However, when you attack it with the proper mindset it isn't so bad. You have to tell yourself that it is a necessary evil and then, like Nike says, just do it! I find that mixing up what you use for cardio works wonders. I know most bodybuilders swear by the step mill and stick to that exclusively during contest preparation, but I believe that any intense cardio will do the trick. I stick to the step mill very closely, but not exclusively. I incorporate the treadmill on a regular basis, using various types of treadmill workouts I have designed myself. I also incorporate outside cardio. I will routinely run on a track or do long, brisk walks. Whatever it takes to raise my heart rate. I also use a heart rate monitor to get good results.

Intense Weight Training Sessions

This part is the easy part for me. I love intensity when training with weights. I love pushing hard and getting great gains as a result. I have used High Intensity Training with great results. I have used body part splits with great results as well. It is all about the intensity.

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Filed Under: Contest Preparation, Featured

About Michael Mahony, ISSA CPT

Mike is a passionate bodybuilder, NPC Competitor and ISSA Certified Personal Trainer who is always looking for ways to do things better. He also has a passion for correcting the misinformation that is prevalent in the bodybuilding and fitness industry today. Mike is currently working on his first eBook, Get Back to Lifting, which is scheduled to be released soon. He is also working on a second book, The Average Guy's Supplement Guide, that is scheduled to be released the end of 2016.

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