Hey Scooby in particular and all other fellow workoutaholics in general! I wanted to get your opinion on workout in relation to elite competition in fitness. This site has provided me with the best information and inspiration available and has a huge part in getting me where I am today fitness-wise. Good work!
I'm all for safety-first policy in regards to preparation and technique when it comes to working out. I'm a natural bodybuilder at heart (the only way to go). The thing is, I'll be competing in the national championships (Sweden), in Athletic Fitness (AF) and Fitness Five (FF) and the events involve (among other things), a maximum ammount of reps in chins, dips, curls (half bodyweight with barbell), squats (bodyweight times 1,5) and bench (bodyweight).
I train with the elite in sweden, but the workouts are really hard on my joints since "good form" involves almost a maximum range of motion in every event (especially squats and dips are really hard on my knees and shoulders respectively).
My personal best in the five major events (mentioned above) is: chins (31 reps), dips (57 reps), curls (29 reps), squats (16 reps. my "achilles heel") and bench (21 reps. Getting better, but I don't like this particular exercise/event. Dumbells are superiour when it comes to working out in general =) ). I'm 34, 185 cm, 85 kgs with a bodyfat-percentage of 8-10% off (I'm not one of those "lazy bodybuilders"; nutrition and good cardio is vital!)
Without getting into my workout in specifics (periodization and intensity, but a bit to hard on my joints and risk of injury I guess) I wonder how you would go about it. Can I train with a limited range of motion and still make gains (not just mass) to be competitive at an elite-level? I need to add perhaps 5-10 reps in almost every event and I feel as if I've reached my maximum potential - the workouts are really hard both mentally and physically.
My goal is to be the swedish champion in both af and ff within a handful of years. In some events, I'm top 5 already (dips and curls).
I would very much appreciate some general input since I consider this community the most valuble source of information in this world of bs - not without losing the "question everything"-attitude. Of course...
Best Regards, Morgan
mnigl96@hotmail.comPs. Scooby, say hello to Hans for me! Ds.
