Here’s a few pictures of some amazingly shredded bodies of a few people around the world, with an emphasis on their insane V lines. Check them out and hopefully it will help motivate YOU to get that V line going as well!

Check out Part 2 here!

The post Motivational and Inspirational Physiques, With A Capital V | Part 1 appeared first on FitNish.com.

Quick Stats

Name:  Charles “Chuck” Luck
Age:  29
Height:  1.70 m
Competition weight:  78 Kgs
Current weight:  90 Kgs
Current city:  Pretoria, South Africa
Occupation:  Personal Trainer / Furian Nutrition Sponsored Athlete

Tell us a bit about how you got into Bodybuilding

Well I’m originally from Margate (South Coast) where I was born. I was a real beach bum as I was a life guard.  I was always a skinny guy who was more of a fitness individual, I saw myself as more of a long distance runner due to how my body was genetically engineered. Haha!

“I studied ‘Sports Science’ at ETA in Durban and worked my practical hours at Virgin Active. This is when I first became aware of weight training. I knew nothing about gym!”

After my studies I moved to Pretoria where I continued training at Virgin Active and was approached by Hennie Kotze, who offered to train together with me. After a couple of months of training he asked if I would like to do a body building show and so I did and won my first show which was the IFBB Gauteng North Provincials 2004.

From there I was hooked. After that first year I realized I should take 2 to 3 years off and in 2009 I competed again where I was assisted by 3x SA Champ, Kobus Niewenhuizen and I won the senior men u/80 Kgs and won my first of many Best Poser awards!

I then competed in 2011, 2012 and 2013 where at almost every show I won my division and the Best Poser award.  I am officially the best Poser in South Africa.

What do you love about it and what’s your secret to staying motivated and on track?

The fact that I was always small, and, also receiving support from friends and family helps to motivate me. Also setting realistic goals and staying positive helps, as well as the fact that unlike a lot of people, I love training.  Additionally, being sponsored by Furian Nutrition has made my dreams come true and I hope for big things in the future.

What competitions have you competed in and your placings?

2004

•  IFFB Gauteng North | Junior Light Wight | 1^st
• IFBB SA Champs | Junior Light Weight | 7^th

2009

• H & H Classic | 3^rd
• H & H Classic | Best Poser
• IFBB Gauteng North Provincials | 1^st
• IFBB Gauteng North Provincials | Best Poser
• IFBB SA Champs | Top 6

2011

• H & H Classic | 2^nd
• H & H Classic | Best Poser
• Boksburg Classic | 3^rd
• IFBB Gauteng North Provincials | 1^st
• IFBB Gauteng North Provincials | Best Poser
• IFBB SA Champs | Top 6

2012

• H & H Classic | 3^rd
• H & H Classic | Best Poser
• IFBB SA Champs | 5^th
• IFBB SA Champs | Best Poser

2013

• H & H Classic | 2^nd
• H & H Classic | Best Poser
• Boksburg Classic | 2^nd
• IFBB Gauteng North Provincials | 1^st
• IFBB GN Provincials | Best Poser
• IFBB SA Champs | Top 6
• IFBB SA Champs | Best Poser

Have you encountered any setbacks and how did you deal with them?

Sometimes you’re unhappy with a decision (placing at a show) but you pick your chin up and focus on your weak points.  This will always make you better and more humble.

Injury wise I hurt my back end of 2009 which set me back and I lost a lot of thickness in my back and legs. But I focused on the fact that if I could not have the biggest legs I would have the hardest and most ripped legs.  Luckily these last couple of years I’ve taken it easy on my body so this year (2013) I can get back to heavy training and get back the thickness I used to have on my upper legs.

What’s the longest break that you ever took from training? Do you think you need to take some time off from training occasionally?

The longest break I’ve taken from competing is 4 years, as realistically, in order to pick up quality muscle you need sufficient rest and a higher body fat.

As far as training, about 2 weeks which is normally after a long competitive season or injury as its important to rest and allow your body to heal and recover.

“People are still unaware that you cannot strengthen an injury or muscle tear with training. Rest is the best thing.”

What are your future plans?

I’m planning on taking a year or two off as I’ve come to realize I carry lots of water in the off season and because I have heavy bones and a small bone structure, I need to focus on muscle mass and having a wide waist means focusing on a wider back and fuller shoulders.

I will go wherever the Lord guides me and personal training is a dream job, but owning my own gym would be the cherry on the cake.

Most people are quick to fit a stereotype to bodybuilders. What do you think are the most common misconceptions people have of bodybuilding?

Yes, it sucks because people have no idea how it all works. So I try to get all types of people to come watch a show and its amazing how their view on it all changes.

“That’s why you should never judge something until you experience it properly.”

Yes there are negative aspects to the sport, but what sport does not have these.  People need to be more open and what a change they will experience and they will also have more respect for what our athletes go through to look good.

Take us through an average day of yours:

Off-season:

• 4h15    | Wake up and consume Meal 1
• 5h00    | First client and several follow
• 07h30 | Meal 2
• 09h30 | Training with My Boer training partner
• 10h45  | Post workout meal replacement
• 11h20  | Meal 3
• 14h00  | Meal 4
• 17h00  | Meal 5
• 20h00  | Meal 6

Normally between meals I snack on rice cakes with Peanut Butter….Yum!

*Between meals normally training clients.

Competition time:

• 04h15   | Wake up and Meal 1
• 07h00  | Meal 2
• 09h00  | Cardio followed by weight training
• 11h00   | Meal 3
• 13h00   | Meal 4
• 16h00   | Meal 5
• 19h00   | Meal 6
• 21h30   | Meal 7, which consists of high protein and no carbs
• 23h00   | Sleep

 Most Body builders go though this regime on and off season.

“What I do near shows is a lot of posing as it helps to keep you hard and ‘posing fit’ which helps with presentation when on stage.”

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your diet

When I do compete, the last 6 weeks before the competition, I become very focused and make sure I stick to my regime 7 days a week.  A lot of people ask me what is my secret to conditioning and its simple, diet, diet, and guess what …. more diet.  A trick that works is consuming broccoli in small portions with all my meals.

I wanted to write my diet but honestly it’s similar to most, the true trick with diet is to stick to it and try NOT to cheat.  That is where self discipline and motivation is the key to success.

Your posing routines are always very enthusiastic and amazingly thought out. What actually goes into planning and perfecting your routines to such a great standard?

One word “Personality.”

It honestly is not that hard but my true secret is 3 factors:

1. I’m a big transformer fan and everyone loves robot moves, cause its cool and that’s what makes the audience aware and wakes them up from boredom!
2. Picking a song that has a great beat and is currently doing well, which I do with some posing as its still body building not a dancing parade, but a little bum shaking doesn’t hurt! Haha!
3. As people feel its cool and just above average, I shock them with something super funny as most routines are slow and boring with a pinch of cliché and I want people to laugh their asses off as they pay to be amused and I love to keep people coming to more shows and bring the sport to new dimensions and show people that there is more to the sport.

“As far as planning, I realized that I actually visualize what to do as I’m putting music together, then I adapt my routine according to the music, then I fine tune my music and posing gradually till the end result.”

Charles ‘Chuck’ Luck Posing Routine Videos

[youtube_sc url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eXFfoYeNhk rel=0 fs=1 autohide=1]

[youtube_sc url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2spNC92s2IY rel=0 fs=1 autohide=1]

What does your supplement regiment look like?

Off season and prep time I normally stick with my basic supplements like:

• Multi-vitamin
• Digestive enzyme
• L-arganine
• Flaxseed oil
• Dolomite
• Co-enzyme Q10

And of course my breakfast and post workouts I use my sponsored supplements from Furian Nutrition called ‘Core’ which comes in Vanilla or Honey. Great whey protein.

My Fat burner, works like a bomb called ‘Torch’ and does exactly like the name says…Burns fat!!!

Also before training and till about a week before my first show I use my ‘shock wave’ pre-workout which works well, because it increases my stamina even when I don’t use it so its more than just a quick fix, it works naturally in your body.

What are some of your top nutrition tips for beginners?

If I can give any advice it would be never to “Not” have carbs in your diet except your evening meals, but using them during the day is important as it regulates your body’s blood sugar levels and transports nutrients through your body.

Also making sure that 90 % of all meals contain protein as it helps with recovery, muscle growth and actually pushes fat out of the body.

This advice applies to men and woman.  Remember the saying “You are what you eat!”

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your training and on average how long do you workout for?

My philosophy is simple – Never ever sacrifice form and posture for heavy weights because you want to grow symmetrically and in proportion and that can’t be obtained with bad form and posture.

“Also remember that your mind is your strongest tool and an individual’s potential is infinite if you just believe in yourself.”

I train every possible aspect off and on season, high intensity, super-sets, drop set failures. You need to push yourself and if you have no weaknesses you have no excuses.  I always joke with my clients when they rest too long..“Resting is for old people, and you rest when you sleep so why do it now?”

I never train (weight training) more than an hour and a half as its been scientifically proven that a muscles activation time is about 50 minutes long.

Do you utilize a lot of cardio in your competition prep? What’s your favorite form of cardio?

Yes, cardio is important as most people think it burns the most fat/calories but its more to the fact that it speeds up your body’s digestive system and increases fitness levels and heart stamina, allowing for more blood flow/circulation.

Honestly, to me cardio is cardio but I prefer the bicycle as it keeps my legs fuller and its been proven that too much treadmill, because of its impact on joints, also can break down muscle.

What are your 3 favourite exercises?

• Leg Extensions

To be completely honest the best pump and contraction you get is from this exercise, because you can concentrate without a lot of movement.

• Incline Dumbbell Press

As we all know everyone likes the bench press, but I never feel the individual isolation, and the upper chest is always an under-developed muscle. This exercise allows for individual strength, stamina, balance, etc. so in overall this exercise is perfect for anyone who wants upper chest volume.

• Standing Side DB Raises

This is your ultimate overall shoulder exercise as it works on most of the shoulder and because its standing and with dumbbells, means it requires more balance, core and isolates the shoulders well.

Favorite bodybuilders/fitness models:

Body Builders:

Dexter Jackson, because even though he is smaller than 90 % of his competitors, he is “still” in the big leagues.

Fitness Models:

Christina Vujnich, Samantha Baker.   They don’t get any better than these 2 ladies.

Which do you prefer and why.  Today’s bodybuilders like Jay Cutler and Phil Heath versus the smaller physiques like Frank Zane.

Honestly the bigger guys are impressive but the smaller guys look more realistic and put in more work to their conditioning to make up for their lack of mass.

Like myself, I want to be big but not abnormal. So to tie my shoe lace, must not become a nightmare.  LOL!

Favorite Quote:

“Everyone has the potential to be great, but it requires that you believe in yourself and never let anyone tell you that you won’t achieve great things, because you will!”

What are some of your strategies for the final week of preparing for a photoshoot or a competition?

I find if I just decrease my carb intake, but increase protein intake and slightly cut down on my water, that works well, but only for photo shoots.

When I compete, honestly my diet stays the same.  I increase my carbs gradually as I cut my water and make sure I’m doing enough cardio. I pose 2 – 3 times per day to optimize maximum conditioning.

Advice for someone wanting to start competing?

Always remember that anyone can become a good body builder (female or male) but it requires that you remain disciplined and focused.

Where can people get hold of you?

• Facebook: Charles Furian  Athlete Luck
• Email: Luck.chuck8[at]gmail.com
  
• Websites: Furiannutrition.com | nellasgym.co.za

Charles “Chuck” Luck Gallery

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The post One on One With Bodybuilder And Ifbb Best Poser, Charles “Chuck” Luck appeared first on FitNish.com.

Quick Stats

Name:  Johnny Starr
Age:  23
Height:  1,84 m
Competition weight:  78 kg
Current weight:  81 kg
Current city:  Melbourne, Australia
Occupation:  Real Estate Agent

At what age did you start training consistently and how did you get into this lifestyle?

I started lifting at a very young age; when I was 14 and 9 months (the earliest you are allowed to starting working in Aus).  I saved up and bought my first bench press.

“I literally did incline and flat bench every night in my garage before I went to bed for months on end.”

I then joined a local gym with all my mates at 16 and have consistently been training ever since.

What do you love about it and what keeps you motivated?

I love looking back at older photos of myself and then realizing that even though I’m not the biggest or most shredded guy going around, I have still come a very long way from my early ectomorph days.  I was also nearly murdered in a stabbing incident which woke me up and made me realize that life is far too short to not achieve greatness.

What are your thoughts on competing?

I didn’t start training to compete and it has never really been something I have considered.  Though allot of people of recent have suggested it might be a path I should consider….

What are your future plans?

Growing up I lacked allot of guidance regarding nutrition and training, and also received some terrible advice from people whom I thought knew what they were talking about.  I wish I had someone like myself now when I was young who could show me how to do things properly rather than wasting my time in the gym.

“So my plans for the future are to help inspire, motivate and educate new lifters to be better in all aspects of life not only gym.”

Take us through an average day of yours:

I am currently in a “lean bulk mode” …so I will wake up, have my vitamins and BCAA’s and a bowl of oats.  Cook my eggs, drive to work eat 4-5 meals at work.  Then come home have another meal, then go train, come home again, prepare my meals for the next day…troll facebook and go to bed

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your diet.

Below is my current lean bulk diet:

Please note, I have never ever counted calories or macros.  I go by the way my body is looking.  For example, if I need to lean up I cut out most carbs.

• 6:45am – 10g BCAA’s/glutamine/creatine/2 slices watermelon – protein shake                                                                      Krill oil, Vitamin C, Inner Health Plus, Multi V
• 7:30 – Bowl of Oats with Berries (add 1 scoop protein and cinnamon).  8 Egg whites and 2 whole eggs scrambled.
• 10:00 – 100g sweet potatoes, ½ cup red kidney beans, Broccoli, can of tuna in spring water, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1:00pm – Same as above but change Tuna for lean meat (Kangaroo/Chicken Liver/Veal)
• 3:00 – Same as above (change meat)
• 4:30 – protein shake -WPI (I use ISO SENSATION 93)
• 6:00 – 200g chicken/lean meat, 100gram sweet potatoes/broccoli

Pre Workout – BCAA’s (I use XTEND)/creatine/vitargo
Intra workout – BCAA’s (XTEND)
Post workout – Immediately 2 big slices watermelon THEN PWI Protein shake with creatine

• 9:45 – 200g red meat, sweet potatoes/broccoli
• 11:30 – (before sleep) Casein protein shake, Glutamine, GABBA, ZMA

Are you a firm believer in using supplements?  If so what are your top 3 fundamental supplements which you use and which you would recommend?

I am lucky enough to have the support from AAA Supplements Knox, who in Melbourne are one of the biggest and best supplement stores.

I LOVE

• ISO SENSATION 93 CHOCOLATE PWI protein.  (I use every day); low carb, high protein, easy to digest.
• Xtend (especially during cardio, keeps me from going Catabolic)
• Creatine.  I always use this when I am trying to put on size as I feel it helps with strength and fluid retention in the muscles.

Give us a brief description of your philosophy on your training and on average how long do you workout for?

I tend not to do anything too fancy with my training.

“I usually train one body part a week and start my sessions with compound movements first as they recruit more muscle fibers”

and better cellular breakdown (rather than doing an isolation movement for 15 minutes and using 3-4 muscles).
I love to drop set and superset nearly every session, and every now and again I go very light weight and super high reps to mix it up.  Always trying to stimulate my body to grow and develop.

What’s your favorite form of cardio?

If it wasn’t for those dirty house beats I would hate cardio!  But my favorite form is simply walking at 5 – 6 km per hour on full incline on a treadmill.
I have never really done HIIT.

What would you say are the best exercises you can do to really achieve well developed arms?

As we all know, the triceps make up a large percentage of our arms, but I feel some times we focus too much on our biceps.

• Close grip bench press
• Perfect curls with some drop sets have helped me over the years.

Do you believe in the philosophy of having a positive mindset in all that you do and visualizing everything that you want to achieve?

I am a firm believer in this philosophy.  I like to visualize where I am going with my life and set myself short term and long term goals to work at.

“I advise anyone reading this to remove any negative people from their lives as they will only bring you down.”

This is something I have done recently and since then things have only spiraled upwards.

How do you measure your progress and how often?

I used to be stuck on “HOW MUCH I WEIGHED” and was too concerned with packing on the KG’s.  This was a rookie mistake and I went through a terrible stage of getting fat from trying to eat everything in sight.  Though I reached 90 kg I looked terrible.  I now sit at approximately 80 kg with fairly low body fat….In other words don’t worry about the scales.
I measure myself on how proportioned I look and usually how lean I can get

Favorite Fitness Models:

My biggest inspiration hands down would be Zyzz.  I trained for years then saw him and wanted to take it to the next level. (RIP).  I also love Greg Plitt, Jaco De Bruyn, Ulissesjr, David Morin and my good friend and up and coming fitness model Jad Darwish.

Which do you prefer and why.  Today’s bodybuilders like Jay Cutler and Phil Heath, or the smaller physiques like Frank Zane.

I think most people would agree that the bodybuilders of yesteryear looked much more appealing and realistic.  I have complete respect for today’s champions but would prefer to look like Zane in his peak because I feel it is more aesthetic and more achievable.

Favorite Quote:

“Don’t tell people you’re gonna do it, just get it done, it will speak for itself!” – Myself

Advice for someone wanting to change their lifestyle and achieve their ideal physique?

The best thing I ever did was seek advice from someone that was a professional.  In the space of 6 weeks I learnt more than I had learnt from 5 years of training.  Learn through other peoples mistakes instead of making your own.

Where can people get hold of you?

• Website: www.johnnystarr.com.au
• Facebook fan page: www.facebook.com/jstarrofficial
• Email: johnny[at]johnnystarr.com.au

Photography By:

Ross Brownsdon | www.rossbrownsdon.com

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