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Bodybuilding Program
for Serious Trainers

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Bodybuilding Training after 40

Bodybuilding Program Basics|2009 NABB Competition

2009 North American Bodybuilding Competition by Scott Jameson

If you have never been to a national level competition…you should. It has two distinct impacts on me when I do. First, I when I look at the competitors and then think I look like crap. Almost like I have never trained a day in my life. I stand next to Dan Decker or Armon Adibi and it can give me an immediate inferiority complex.

The second thing it does to me is it hypes me up to hit the gym hard and with renewed intensity. I guess what I am saying is….I move past the feeling of inferiority and turn the event into a positive.

Also keep in mind even the physiques of the event are incredibly and genetically gifted, they are drug enhanced and their diet is highly imbalanced to create the best look for that day. So when the contest is over they still have incredible physiques but they are not quite as ripped in the off season. Some can look pretty disgusting.

As you may know from other articles, I am personal friends with Dan Decker. To some including myself, Dan has one the most balanced and pretty (can I use that word) physiques in the sport. He currently is still not pro but has graced more magazine covers than all those that have beaten him in all contests put together. Sadly, the perfectly balanced physiques don’t often win. Look at what happened last weekend at the 2009 Olympia. Jay Cutler wins but has a bloated waist that rivals the obese. Yep he is big, really huge, but for me I take no interest in achieving such that disproportioned from the small waistlines that should grace a bodybuilder.

Dan Decker with Scott Jameson

Dan Decker with Scott Jameson

Also politics still prevail. I guess it always will. It was apparent early in the promotional videos and interviews on Muscular Development (MD) that certain bodybuilders were being favored. And the results turned out similarly. It seems to me that newer faces of equal muscle sometimes get more sizzled attention than those that been on the scene nationally for a few years. Old hats are old news so to speak. But as I kept in contact with Dan after the contest, he again had several photo shoots lined up. Clearly others recognize quality physiques that give the sport the image they seek but judges do not reward. Good for him that they still seek him out.

The Winner Is?

The winner for the competition overall was Shawn Rhoden. Both Shawn and Dan were in the Heavyweight Class. Twenty eight competitors were in that class and clearly this was going to be the class to dominate for the overall win. As I watched prejudging unfold, Dan was never compared to Shawn Rhoden side by side. Hum….why was that? Could it be that Dan was clearly superior.

Normally the top three competitors get pulled and compared to see who was the best of the best. That did not happen this time and I believe it is a reflection on the quality of the judging that night. Now I know pictures sometimes don’t tell the whole story but check out Muscular Development and you be the judge of the top three competitors.. Dan looked harder and sharper than Shawn or second place winner Miguel Garcia. Again check it and see for yourself.

As far as coverage of the contest, this has moved into the computer age. Muscular Development Forums covered at electron speed the event by posting live the details as competitors appeared. Former greats Shawn Ray and Flex Wheeler sat immediately in front of me posting their thoughts. Bill Comstock, competition photographer, had the pictures posted within minutes of there routine. It was quite a organized process. My hat is off to MD for the efficient way they handled all this.

Scott Jameson and Flex Wheeler

Post contest, I met Armon Adidi. I thought he was older but he is only 25. My twin sons are year older. I guess when you are that big, it is hard to guess the age. Armon did not even place that night which gives you an idea how fierce the competition was. Everybody has a genetic parts that grows like weeds. For Armon it is his shoulders and arms. He confided in me that his shoulder training was going to be removed so he could focus on his legs. Frankly his legs are really good but not matching his upper body. Anyway, I noticed his tank top strap was actually trapped in a crevice or valley between his shoulder muscle and traps. It was phenomenal to see.

Armon Adibi and Scott Jameson

Evening wrapped up with a trip to the Hard Rock Café where Dan, I and other friends did some carbo loading. (AKA pigging out). It was fun to review the day and encourage Dan. Of course he had his sites on a Pro Card. On a personal level Dan is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in bodybuilding. He is just as friendly to an unknown new admirer or one of the elite bodybuilders that he already knows. No pretense for Dan. Respect for everyone. And even when he did not get a fair shake during prejudge, Dan maturely accepted the results. If you could have seen Sean Allen’s behavior that day, you would have seen the other extreme of immaturity.

Dan Decker, Scott Jameson and Entourage

One last highlight of the day took place between prejudging on Friday and the contest on Saturday. I was with Dan just after he got “painted” and oiled up for the evening show. I shot a few amateur photos that really show off the quality, balance and symmetry of his physique. Enjoy.

Dan's Amazing Definition and small waist.

Symmetry, Proportion, Size, Muscularity...Nothing Missing in Dan's Physique

Peaks on Biceps that many consider to be the best

Legs Ripped. Striated and hard as granite

Abs in perfect plate position. Legs are amazing here too.

Relaxed and still showing amazing separation and striations.

Check the Shoulder to Chest definition

Arms, Back, Glutes, Hams and Calves in perfect presentation

Check the size of Dan's Arms even in relaxed position

So if you haven’t been to national level contest GO!. It’s better than any supplement you can buy. It will juice your attitude and motivate you to kick butt in the gym. I am still riding the wave of that contest.