Old School Goes Back To School

Old school training and supplement plan

By: Gary Benkendorf

It was some time back in the early 90»s; I was climbing the corporate ladder, head down, working hard like most Americans trying to get ahead. Years on the road, hotels and airplane trips contributed to my weight ballooning into the unhealthy sphere. I began a simple running and cycling exercise program that I did during my lunch hour or after work. My weight began to drop. I added some weight training in my garage with equipment I had collected over the years and fell in love with the effect of getting back in shape. I eventually joined a gym. But, it was still years later that I decided I wanted to do something competitive.

That idea came to light a couple of years ago when my friend Tony, a more experienced bodybuilder at the gym, took me aside and said I should do a bodybuilding competition. I didn»t think much of the idea. The fact was I didn»t think I had the muscle needed to succeed. But I trained hard for another year. I»d been collecting issues of the No Nonsense Magazine and now they really came in handy. Within these pages were the keys to my small series of success, training tips, supplementation and diet plans. I read it all, cover to cover.

The 2008 Texas Shredder Classic in Austin, TX was my first show. I placed 2nd in the Masters Division (50-59). I was very pleased, but now I was hooked. If you»ve done a show, you»ll know what I mean. Two weeks later I won the overall at the NGA Southern States Pro/Am Classic and earned my Pro Card in the Open and Masters Division. The following year at the 2009 Texas Shredder Classic, I placed 1st in the Masters Division (50-59).

Contest Prep Meal Plan:

Beverly International Supplements:: Meal 1; 6 egg whites and 1 whole egg; 1⁄2 cup oatmeal with 1 scoop of Beverly Muscle Provider; 1⁄2 cup berries (strawberries/blueberries); Meal 2; 1 medium yam; 6 oz chicken breast (roasted/grilled); Meal 3; 3 cups salad; 6 oz chicken breast; 1⁄2 bag steamed vegetables (12 oz. frozen); Olive oil and balsamic vinegar; Post Training; 2 scoops Chocolate Muscle Provider with water; Meal 4; 3 cups salad; 2 cans of tuna or salmon (lowest sodium available); 1⁄2 bag steamed vegetables (use up 1⁄2 remaining bag); Olive oil and balsamic vinegar; Meal 5; 6 egg whites and 1 whole egg; 1⁄2 cup oatmeal; 1⁄2 cup berries

Training Schedule:

My weight training schedule consists of split days; 2 on, *1 off with 30 minutes of low intensity cardio, 3 days a week. Abs and calves are worked every other day. I change my routine approximately every 6 weeks, but keep the body parts on the same days noted herein. Off days consist of cardio/abs/calves.: Monday – chest/bi»s/ abs/calves/cardio; Tuesday – legs/cardio; *Wednesday – abs/calves/cardio; Thursday – shoulders/traps/triceps/cardio; Friday – back/rear delts/abs/calves/cardio; *Saturday – abs/calves/cardio (light leg workout/traps); Sunday – off; Workouts: On just about every exercise I start light and add weight each set.; MONDAY; Chest (recovery 60-120 seconds); Flat Bench-superset Pushups (*w/u = warm up); 2 warm-up sets of 12, then 3 sets 10-8-6 each; Hammer Incline-superset-Pec Dec; 5 sets of 12 each; Biceps (recovery 60-90 seconds); Standing (Cambered) Curl Bar; 4 sets of 15; Dumbbell Concentration Curl (single arm) inside thigh; 3 sets of 10; Cable Preacher Curl w/Cambered Curl Bar; 3 sets of 10-12; TUESDAY; Legs (recovery 90-120 seconds); Leg Extensions -- superset -- Leg Press; 4 sets of 12 reps each; Hack Squat -- Straight Leg Deadlift –– Lying Leg Curl; 4 sets of 12 reps each; Squat –– superset –– Hyperextension; 5 sets of 12 reps each; THURSDAY; Shoulders/Traps/Triceps (recovery 60–90 seconds); Smith Shoulder Press –– superset –– Front Raise; One warm–up, then 3 sets 12 reps each; Dumbbell Laterals –– superset –– Upright Row; 3 sets of 12 reps each; Shrugs –– superset –– Seated Dumbbell Shrug; 3 sets of 15 reps each; FRIDAY; Back/Rear Delts (recovery 90–120 seconds); Pull Ups –– superset –– T–bar Row ––or–– Dead Lifts (every other week); 3 sets of 10–12 reps each exercise; Dumbbell Pullover –– superset –– One Arm Dumbbell Row; 3 sets of 10–12 reps each exercise; Seated Rear Laterals –– superset –– Incline (face down) Raise; 2 sets of 10–15 reps each; Pec Dec Standing Facing Reverse (chest against back pad); 3 sets of 12 reps; MONDAY – WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY –; Calves/Abs/Cardio (recovery 60–90 seconds); Calves – Giant Sets; Leg Press –– Standing Calf Raise –– Seated Calf Raise –– Standing Body Weight; 3 x 30 3 x15 3x10–12 3x50; Abs; 3 exercises –– 4 x 20–30 reps each; Cardio; *Off Season 20 minutes easy; *Pre–contest 30 minutes higher intensity (stair master/treadmill walks); *Posing 4 weeks pre–contest; daily 10–15 minutes mandatory poses and 60 second routine. Always think about posing from the feet up.

Final Tips

Drinking water is noted in a journal next to my filtered water dispenser on my kitchen counter. I try to maintain a daily regimen of 10–12, 8 oz glasses every day, contest or no contest.: Contest cheat food if absolutely needed – 4 oz sugar free jell-o cup(s), assorted flavors.; Competition presentation tanning – I prefer air brush tanning in competition shade. I get this done 2 days before the show and it cures to a dark deep shade that is very durable.; For me age is no longer a factor – it all comes down to discipline, training, and nutrition practiced on a consistent basis.

Gary Benkendorf at a Glance: Age: 54; Occupation: Certified Personal Trainer; Current Residence: N Richland Hills, TX; Height: 5′11″; Off-Season Weight: 205 pounds; Competition Weight: 190; Gym: Womack»s, The Body Firm; Favorite Contest Cheat Foods: Sugar–free Jello – 4 oz cups; Favorite Meal: Chinese Food, Tex Mex, Blueberry Pancakes; Favorite iPod Bands: Saliva, Velvet Revolver, Tool, Disturbed, Creed, Linkin Park and many more; Favorite Quote: “Believe it, achieve it. If it»s to be, it»s up to me.”; Contest Accomplishments:; 2009 NPC Texas Shredder Classic, Austin, TX – 1st Place – Masters 50–59; 2008 NPC Texas Shredder Classic, Austin, TX – 2nd Place – Masters 50–59; • 2008 NGA Southern States Pro/Am Classic ∇ Overall Champion 1st Place Masters Division 50–59 – Won Pro Card Open and Overall Masters; • 1st Place Novice Heavy Weight Division and Novice Overall; • 1st Place Open Division – All Divisions and Weight Classes; 2008 NGA Pro Show, Houston, TX – 6th Place (1st Pro Show)