TT at the 2008 Northern Kentucky Championships

When is your next show?
I'm training for the USAs on July 25th and 26th in Las Vegas, Nevada. I've been shooting for a pro card for several years now, and I'm feeling pretty good about my chances. I'm moving up to the heavyweight class this year.

Why move up?

Several NPC judges and other people that follow the sport have told me that I would do better as a heavyweight. With my small joints, the extra muscle will make me look even freakier than I did as a light heavy. I knew it was time that I moved up to a different weight class. Last year I really had trouble making weight at the national shows, even though I stayed lean in the offseason. Last year I kept my weight around 215 just to make the light heavy cut-off, but the trouble I that gave me a lot of trouble in the last week of the show. I had to deplete my carbs so much to make weight, I didn't fill out in time.

You look huge. Are you going to have trouble making weight as a heavyweight?

Ha Ha. A lot of people have been telling me that I look like I'm over 250 right now. But some of that's because of the small joints. I'm actually at 235 and the heavyweight limit is 225, that make the week before the show a breeze because I won't have to deplete. I come in bigger, fuller and harder this time.

I have gotten a lot of positive feedback at this show. A lot of people were here last year when I won the overall at 187 pounds and they can't believe the difference.

How did you make such big gains in one year?

I've been training very heavy this offseason and working hard on my large muscle groups. I focused on my backside - glutes, hamstrings, and back. My poundages have gone way up - 200 pound seated leg curls, single leg, leg presses with 12 plates, deadlift 600lbs and T-Bar rows with 7 45lb for 10reps That's really improved my thickness as well as bring out the striations and details everywhere.

In years past I've tried to stay within range of the light-heavyweight cut-off, so I limited my food intake. Really, I was competing a lot and was somewhat depleted all the time. So when I upped my protein and calories, my body really responded.

The other thing I've done is concentrate on bringing up a couple of my weak points. I had tricep injuries from playing football in the left arm, and it wasn't until this year that I found a regimen that let me train around them effectively. They've really come up a lot. I also declared war on my calves and I'm seeing big improvements there as well.

So how are you approaching Pre-contest this year?

I will started my pre-contest prep 16 weeks out and I want to be shredded for the USAs. I really have surprised myself though, because even though I'm a lot bigger I've been able to keep I my body fat under 7.5% with a lot of vascularity, evenbin my legs. I have been training back a lot harder to since I tend to hold water there, so I figure some added mass will help with that problem.

I understand you'll be opening a your own gym soon?

That's right. We're planning on opening Hard Body Fitness personal training center in Cleveland this May. Ryan Wolkov is the headman in charge, along with his wife jackie Wolkov, and Trever Richardson as partners we all are putting together a 8000sq ft personal training gym, for all ages, and athletes.