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Bucko

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Hey all,

I'm a mid-fifties lifter who's been living this lifestyle for over 30 years. Ten years ago I competed in the Classic Class of the IFBB here in Sydney and really loved that whole experience. I still say that the gym is my happy place.

I've been out of the loop for a while so joined up to learn what's new and hear what's working for people now.

Looking forward to chatting.
 
Hey brother, good to have you here. Your knowledge and experience will be a huge asset to our growing community of OGs. Looking forward to your insights and contributions!
 
Hey guys,

Thanks for asking. Competing was something I’d wanted to do for years, so after about seven years of solid training, I finally took the plunge.

The competition prep process was a real mental battle. I felt pretty awful during the final stages of the diet, but having friends who pushed me to get to the gym and work out really helped.

It was amazing to watch my body slowly ‘dial in’ as the fat stripped off, which fueled my focus and determination to look my best on stage. I worked with a retired bodybuilder on my posing and routine, and I quickly realized that posing was a lot more work than I had anticipated—it’s much harder than it looks! My takeaway here was to start earlier and spend WAY more time learning how to pose well.

My flatmate and colleagues were very understanding, even though I was emotionally all over the place and probably tough to be around. The poor team at the office was totally over the smell of chicken and broccoli by the time I was done, haha!

Overall, I loved the experience. I discovered a level of discipline and focus that I’ve been able to apply in other areas of my life.

I’d love to do it again.
 
Bucko said:
Hey guys,

Thanks for asking. Competing was something I’d wanted to do for years, so after about seven years of solid training, I finally took the plunge.

The competition prep process was a real mental battle. I felt pretty awful during the final stages of the diet, but having friends who pushed me to get to the gym and work out really helped.

It was amazing to watch my body slowly ‘dial in’ as the fat stripped off, which fueled my focus and determination to look my best on stage. I worked with a retired bodybuilder on my posing and routine, and I quickly realized that posing was a lot more work than I had anticipated—it’s much harder than it looks! My takeaway here was to start earlier and spend WAY more time learning how to pose well.

My flatmate and colleagues were very understanding, even though I was emotionally all over the place and probably tough to be around. The poor team at the office was totally over the smell of chicken and broccoli by the time I was done, haha!

Overall, I loved the experience. I discovered a level of discipline and focus that I’ve been able to apply in other areas of my life.

I’d love to do it again.
Click to expand...
I can imagine how tough it was. There's a few guys I know that have also competed and they said the same thing about the posing and how tough it is. Are you still training?
 
Bucko said:
Hey guys,

Thanks for asking. Competing was something I’d wanted to do for years, so after about seven years of solid training, I finally took the plunge.

The competition prep process was a real mental battle. I felt pretty awful during the final stages of the diet, but having friends who pushed me to get to the gym and work out really helped.

It was amazing to watch my body slowly ‘dial in’ as the fat stripped off, which fueled my focus and determination to look my best on stage. I worked with a retired bodybuilder on my posing and routine, and I quickly realized that posing was a lot more work than I had anticipated—it’s much harder than it looks! My takeaway here was to start earlier and spend WAY more time learning how to pose well.

My flatmate and colleagues were very understanding, even though I was emotionally all over the place and probably tough to be around. The poor team at the office was totally over the smell of chicken and broccoli by the time I was done, haha!

Overall, I loved the experience. I discovered a level of discipline and focus that I’ve been able to apply in other areas of my life.

I’d love to do it again.
Click to expand...
How many weeks out and what body fat did your prep start at?
 
musclemaniac said:
I can imagine how tough it was. There's a few guys I know that have also competed and they said the same thing about the posing and how tough it is. Are you still training?
Click to expand...
Yes musclemaniac, I've never really stopped training. Life changed and my focus changed but the gym is a constant.
 
NickLovesCybexHack said:
How many weeks out and what body fat did your prep start at?
Click to expand...
Here's a before and after showing the change over a decade - the before at 33 years old, the after at 44 when I competed.

I was around 22% body fat when I stated my diet in December, stepped in stage at 6% - 13 weeks later.

1891141_10152085888828687_1528360667_n.jpg
 
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Bucko said:
Hey all,

I'm a mid-fifties lifter who's been living this lifestyle for over 30 years. Ten years ago I competed in the Classic Class of the IFBB here in Sydney and really loved that whole experience. I still say that the gym is my happy place.

I've been out of the loop for a while so joined up to learn what's new and hear what's working for people now.

Looking forward to chatting.
Click to expand...
Welcome.
You sound like me, a old school bodybuilder trying to adjust to the modern way of communicating.
How I wish we had camera's like this 15yrs ago.
 
Broken man said:
Welcome.
You sound like me, a old school bodybuilder trying to adjust to the modern way of communicating.
How I wish we had camera's like this 15yrs ago.
Click to expand...
Hey Broken man, you gave a laugh.

So true, the old days of having a chat with the 'guy' in the gym about cycles and the quality of gear is long gone. If the gear was amazing you could pass on the feedback quietly while having a chat in the change rooms. Everyone's got headphones on now :LOL:

And not many photos from that time ... which is mostly a good thing :rolleyes:
 
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Bucko said:
Hey Broken man, you gave a laugh.

So true, the old days of having a chat with the 'guy' in the gym about cycles and the quality of gear is long gone. If the gear was amazing you could pass on the feedback quietly while having a chat in the change rooms. Everyone's got headphones on now :LOL:

And not many photos from that time ... which is mostly a good thing :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
As a gen Z-er I wish I got to experience those times. Sounds awesome.
 
Too true.

Always remember back then the hard-core juice heads would say smash your PBs and enjoy being injury free. By 35 I knew exactly what they ment. Always thought I'd up the dose, to lift the most.
 
NickLovesCybexHack said:
As a gen Z-er I wish I got to experience those times. Sounds awesome.
Click to expand...
Hey Nick,

It was no better or worse, just different. To me it was more personal, where as now there is much better information online (like this site). People can ask questions, and get better answers, to help make more informed decisions.

Broken man said:
Too true.

Always remember back then the hard-core juice heads would say smash your PBs and enjoy being injury free. By 35 I knew exactly what they ment. Always thought I'd up the dose, to lift the most.
Click to expand...
Yes Broken man, I'm dealing with some injuries now and know exactly what you mean o_O
 
Bucko said:
Hey all,

I'm a mid-fifties lifter who's been living this lifestyle for over 30 years. Ten years ago I competed in the Classic Class of the IFBB here in Sydney and really loved that whole experience. I still say that the gym is my happy place.

I've been out of the loop for a while so joined up to learn what's new and hear what's working for people now.

Looking forward to chatting.
Click to expand...
Keep it up brother smashing it
 
Welcome Bucko,
Think you’ll find not a lot has changed- more precise AI ,PCT and SARM’s . Dr’s are more helpful as medical industry has found a way to cash in
 
Bucko said:
Hey all,

I'm a mid-fifties lifter who's been living this lifestyle for over 30 years. Ten years ago I competed in the Classic Class of the IFBB here in Sydney and really loved that whole experience. I still say that the gym is my happy place.

I've been out of the loop for a while so joined up to learn what's new and hear what's working for people now.

Looking forward to chatting.
Click to expand...
Welcome brother
 
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