Muscle Ventures Podcasts

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 52MB; Google streaming flash video) Jim and I continue footage from the Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding Competition.  We begin with video in front of the Ohio River.   I am checking out the show this year and may decide to compete here in 2008.  While attending the prejudging I was able to interview some competitors and get their thoughts on the show.  There is also video of the women's heavyweight division.  This would be the weight class that I would be competing in so I was quite interested in this division.

The first interview is with Rich Lurow.  He is from Columbus, Ohio and  competed in the Men's Open Welterweight Division.   At the time of this interview Rich was still waiting to get on stage for the prejudging. He was kind enough to share his thoughts about the show and give a bit of background on himself.  He had competed in two shows approximately a year and a half ago.  After those shows he felt that he wanted to put on more muscle so he could move up a weight class.  During his time off he was able to make gains in the gym and decided that he would compete in the Northern this year.

The next interview is with Carrie Walend.  Carrie has competed many times but never in the Northern Kentucky show.  Carrie and I actually competed against one another in the Flint Mid Michingan in 2006.  She won her weight class and the overall title (beating me in the posedown!) at that show.  Carrie states that she changed a couple of things preparing for this show.  First of all she made an adjustment to her diet.  She changed her last meal from chicken to beef and really felt that this helped her come in leaner for the show.  She also kept her training heavy through her entire prep phase.  Although she was tired from the heavy training she believes this also contributed to her being leaner for this show.

This video concludes with commentary from both Jim and I about the prejudging and if he thinks I would do well here next year.  We both thought the judging was quite thorough.  Evidenced by the fact that the women were asked to perform a most muscular pose.  This is usually a pose only the men are asked to perform.  We also noted that the judges were asking for side triceps and side chest from both sides rather than having the competitors chose their best side. Jim's final thought was that I could compete with the women that were at this show.  Something to think about!!

Additional Links

• Here are professional photos of the female heavy weight prejudging.
• Why is nutrition important in bodybuilding?  Here are some basics.

This podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 27MB; Google streaming flash video) marks the first in a series that my husband, Jim, and I (Nancy) did while checking out the NPC Northern Kentucky Bodybuilding and Figure Championships.   We decided to combine a weekend getaway with the Kentucky show for a couple of reasons.   My husband coaches varsity softball at a local high school and his already busy schedule becomes even more so when the season begins in March.  The season doesn't end until June and his schedule remains crazy for the entire time.  We wanted to use this weekend to spend some time together and regroup.  I also wanted to take the time to investigate the Northern Kentucky show. I'm thinking  ahead to 2008 and what shows to compete in. I have heard and read quite a bit about this show and decided to see what it was all about.

Also on this video you will see 2005 Mr Indiana, Michael Barnes. He was supposed to compete in the show but due to some confusion with the check in time was told by show officials that he could not compete. He was gracious enough to explain his story to me and also performed his routine. Check out his routine-he looks like he would have done quite well in Kentucky. He will next compete in the Junior Nationals in Charleston, South Carolina.

Additional Links

• Check out photo's of all the competitors at the NPC Northern Kentucky 2007

In this podcast (Quicktime ipod compatible, 20MB; Google streaming flash video), Bud and Paul conclude their discussion about Paul's decision to do another show by talking about Paul's weak areas and his will to compete.

Bud continues this discussion by first asking Paul if there are any weak areas that he is trying to improve for the show.  Paul feels that the two areas he would like to improve are his back and quads.

  Although he does not carry much body fat he states that the fat he does carry is all on his back.  He also mentions that he isn't likely to see great definition in his back until very close to the show.  Paul also says that he needs to improve the width of his back.  He states that he has good thickness but feels more width is needed for better presentation.  He says that he will also hit his quads hard during the next four months and try to improve their overall size. 

When asked why he competes Paul had a few different reasons.  He feels that it is exciting to work towards a goal and then do well at the show.  He also like the fact tha the training takes his mind off of other things that are happening in his life.  He says that his training is fun and he enjoys the thrill he gets when he competes.

Additional Links

• We have a whole section on back exercises in this site.
• How else can you improve your back?  There are a number of back training articles that provide information and routines.