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Anabolic Round Table I -
"On March 26, 1996, the first “Anabolic Round Table” met at Dan Duchaine’s beautiful summer townhouse in Westbrook, Maine. The discussion was moderated by the Guru himself, Dan Duchaine. Suffice it to say, we all know about Dan’s accomplishments in the areas of nutrition and ergogenics. Will Brink was also present. An accomplished author, Will has just launched his first book entitled Priming the Anabolic Environment and has given training advice to top bodybuilders such as Vic Richards, Craig Titus, and Craig Licker. Will’s writings have been printed in bodybuilding and life-extension magazines worldwide. Will is also an NPC judge. Completing the threesome was Bruce Kneller, Dan Duchaine’s research assistant and a contributing editor for MM2K.
What you’re about to read is the first part in a two-part series. What happens when you lock the aforementioned three individuals in a room with a tape recorder? Buckle your seat belts: you’re about to find out!!!
DD: When people are dieting for a show or otherwise, what do you guys think of their doing forced reps in the training scheme?
WB: No way!!! Unless the person is “chemically enhanced,” I wouldn’t suggest forced reps while dieting hard.
BK: I totally agree. You need extra time to recover when you’re dieting hard. This is an additional stressor on the body’s hormonal system.
DD: [Charles] Poliquin says you should only do enough sets so that you train at 85% of pre-diet intensity. As soon as you dip below 85%, you need to change something.
WB:I agree 100%.
BK:Yes, I think the more your training changes from off-season to pre-contest, the worse you’re going to look. Whatever you’re doing for a workout off-season, you should stick with it as long as possible. If you’re shrinking, don’t eat more. Just take a day off from training to recuperate. I believe you retain more control by taking the day off rather than eating an extra 100 grams of carbs and 60 grams of protein.
DD: Will, you’ve worked with top bodybuilders. Do they follow that advice?
WB:Most of the time they do.
DD: They really listen? That’s rare in bodybuilding.
WB:Well, I think the keys to success in bodybuilding are drive and the ability to take constructive criticism from others. You can’t honestly assess yourself.
BK:Who does Dorian Yates listen to?
WB:Well, Dorian is pretty smart. He may be the exception.
DD:I talked to Dorian years ago, and he is pretty smart—not brilliant, but you don’t need to be brilliant to be a great bodybuilder.
BK: But let’s be honest. How many bodybuilders do you know who have the drive and ability to listen to criticism?
WB:Not as many as should. More bodybuilders should follow good, objective advice from coaches.
DD: How high in bodyfat should a bodybuilder go during the offseason? I was talking to Alq Gurley, who, at the time, weighed 218 lbs at under 5% BF [bodyfat]. I feel that’s way too lean for the off-season.
WB:Alq is a great guy, but you’re right, five percent is far too lean for the off-season.
BK:I say let the guys go to 11%-12%, maybe 15% for women.
DD:Now see, I say don’t go much above nine percent for the guys. Twelve percent is pretty sloppy.
WB:I agree with Dan.
BK:Yeah, but some guys look like total crap in the off-season only to show up shredded for a show. It goes back to the drive and ability-to-take-criticism point Will has made many times before. I also think most of the guys are using some thyroid meds before the shows to get rid of that “sticky fat.” DD:I’m sure most of them are. In fact, it’s a prerequisite.
WB:Definitely. But is it Synthroid [T-4] or Cytomel [T-3]?
BK: Cytomel. I don’t know of anybody using Synthroid if they can help it.
DD: I know plenty of guys who are using Synthroid because it’s getting harder to find Cytomel.
WB: Some guys are convinced they’ll spare more muscle with Synthroid, so I know a few who have played with it instead of Cytomel. The net effect seems similar between the two. You get ripped.