THE ATLAS BROTHERS - MASTERS OF HAND BALANCING AND BODYBUILDING ARTS

THE ATLAS BROTHERS

OF BODY PRACTICE IN SPOKANE

ROBBY ROBINSON WITH ATLAS BROTHERS OF BODY-PRACTICE -
STEVE AND SAM, DURING BODYBUILDING MASTER CLASS AND
SEMINAR IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 2013
● www.robbyrobinson.net//master-class.php ●

I WAS CLUELESS THAT THERE WERE TWO MEN -- ALPHA-MALES, THAT WERE BODYBUILDERS, PERFORMERS, TEACHERS AND ARTISTS; THAT WERE HAND BALANCERS OF THE AWESOME KIND. 

● www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php ●

UNTIL I WAS INVITED TO COME TO SPOKANE WASHINGTON, IN WASHINGTON, THE HOME OF THE SEATTLE SEA-HAWKS, TO WORK WITH STEVE AND SAM ON THEIR TRANSITION FORM FROM A HAND-BALANCER TO BODYBUILDER, AFTER EACH ACT OR EXERCISE IN THERE ROUTINE. 

I LOVED THEIR ENERGY AND DRIVE SEEKING PERFECTION, WHICH HAS LEAD TO STANDING OVATIONS WHEREEVER THE ATLAS BROTHERS APPEAR. 

● www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php ●

TO SEE STEVE AND SAM DOING A LIVE PERFORMANCE LEAVES YOU SPELL-BOUND, AWE-STRUCK: 

THEIR STRENGTH AND POWER ON THE ROPES OR THEIR BARBELLS AND DUMBBELLS. 

EACH TIME I HAVE SEEN THEM PERFORM -- IT LEFT ME WANTING TO CHALLENGE AND CONQUER THOSE ROPES. 

SAM AND STEVE
ARE  PERSISTENT WARRIORS, 
BEGIN THEIR SUCCESS WHERE OTHERS END IN FAILURE. AT THEIR CRAFT.

BELOW IS THE 10-QUESTIONS INTERVIEW THAT STEVE ATLAS ANSWERED FOR MY BLOG:

1. WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THRILL WHEN IT COMES TO HAND BALANCING AS YOU ARE PERFORMING ARE PRACTICING?

● www.robbyrobinson.net/motivation.php ●

Answer:  The biggest thrill in training is the same as in performing... being perfect in our execution.  

We desire the ability to show the very best presentation for our audience knowing full well that if we do our job right, we'll get the most applause in return.  It is an amazing feeling when the crowd goes insane from a well performed act.

2. WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND YOUR PERFORMANCE AND WHAT MOTIVATES YOU OR SAM TO GET IN THE BEST SHAPE, EACH TIME YOU SHOW CASE YOUR TALENT OF HAND-BALANCING? 

● www.robbyrobinson.net//dvd_master_class.php ●

Answer:  We are really driven to be at the very top of 'our' game.  

Since we started late in this craft of DUO (it's also called the art of hand-to-hand) 

WE HAVE TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF OUR PHYSIQUES BE FULLY BALANCED WITH AESTHETIC APPEAL

● www.robbyrobinson.net//anabolic-pack.php ●

LEAN, MUSCULAR, 
AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE IT EFFECTIVELY IS THE GOAL WE CONSTANTLY STRIVE FOR

In terms of long term goals... We'd like to perform at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH.  

In addition we'd like to get on a regular contract circuit of performing our act in front of crowds all over the place.

3. HAVE EITHER OF YOU HAD ANY MAJOR INJURIES, THAT HAVE PREVENTED YOU OR SAM, TO NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM AT ANY TIME OVER THE YEARS? 
HOW OLD WERE YOU BOTH WHEN YOU GOT STARTED IN HAND-BALANCING? 
HOW OLD ARE YOU BOTH NOW AND HOW MANY YEARS AS TEAMMATES?

  

● www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php ●

Answer:  The only injury between us was a badly impinged left shoulder of the Base (Steve Atlas- myself). 

It was enough to drop off the most difficult elements for a while, but since it's healing and back to almost full strength the big elements are once again in our line of focus. 

Our preventative exercises have really saved our skins many times!  I (Steve) first got into DUO (Hand-to-Hand) in September of 2011.  

My Flyer (Sam) got into DUO (Hand-to-Hand) in June of 2012. 

I was turning 38, and Sam was 19 at the time. I'm now 40 and Sam is 21 years of age.  

I started training Sam almost 5 years ago, and then Sam's physical prowess and work ethic he became the designated training partner and the flyer of the Atlas Brothers effectively of June 2012.

4. WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU BOTH WITNESSED  A HAND BALANCING ACT AND DID THAT MOTIVATE YOU TO BECOME HOUSE WHOLE NAMES IN THIS VISUAL ART TODAY? 

ALEXIS BROTHERS - PAULO AND MARCO
LORADOR OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL -- MYSTÉRE
● www.robbyrobinson.net/motivation.php ●

Answer:  The first act that I saw was in 1999. 

It was the Alexis Brothers: Paulo, and Marco Lorador in the Cirque Du Soleil production: Mystère.  

That was such an amazing show...

Although Sam watched a live act about two years ago in DUO it was nothing by comparison was when we paid a visit to our mentors in June of 2013 -- they still are amazing to watch!  

We want to do what we can to be 'like them'.  This should NOT be misunderstood as copying them or cloning them. 

● www.robbyrobinson.net//anabolic-pack.php ●

We (the Atlas Brothers) have our own act that is continuously growing better and stronger by the week.  

WE TRAIN HARD 
TO BE AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE...

WE BOTH FEEL  THAT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE AROUND US, 
THE REST WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

5. HOW MANY HOURS DO YOU BOTH SPEND WORKING OUT AND PRACTICING YOUR ARTS TOGETHER, AND DO YOU BOTH STILL ENJOY PERFORMING TO SOLD OUT AUDIENCES? DO YOU FEEL YOUR FAN BASE APPEAL HAS GROWN?

● www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php ●

Answer:  We train together five days a week, it used to be six- it's been cut to five to keep us from overtraining and burning out.  

60-90 minutes are the typical training time with each other, but on top of that both Sam and myself train an additional 1-3 more hours each day on our own respective regimens.  

Of course, we always want to perform to a sold out audience.  

All the shows we're hired to perform at are completely sold out and we love that.  

With Facebook and the internet, our fan base continues to grow by the week: the Atlas Brothers have their own official Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Atlas-Brothers/158824214265146 

6. RUMOR HAS IT, AT YOUR LAST PERFORMANCE, MANY IN THE AUDIENCE THOUGHT THAT PROMOTERS HAD GONE OUT TO VEGAS AND HIRED YOU AND SAM TO COME AND PERFORM YOUR ACT… CIRQUE-DU-SOLEIL-STYLE. HEARING SUCH A LABEL, HOW DID THAT EFFECT YOU BOTH? 

● www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php ●

Answer:  It's very humbling and flattering to hear such sentiments.  It's true.  

After the show, people truly thought we were performers from the circus world.  Certainly, whenever you hear such complements you want to aspire to live up to them.  

We improve at every single performance we're in and it is because we want to do this on a more full time basis.  

So getting stronger, becoming more live moving art on stage...

IT'S ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS THAT WE TRULY PRACTICE WITH PASSION

7. DO YOUR FAMILIES SUPPORT YOUR WORK, AND WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST SUPPORTERS? TELL OUR FANS ABOUT YOUR FAMILY'S REACTION TO YOUR HAND BALANCING ACT AND BODYBUILDING FAME. DO THEY ENJOY YOUR SUCCESSES?

STEVE AND SAM ATLAS OF BODY-PRACTICE
● www.robbyrobinson.net/motivation.php ●

Answer:  Our families are passionate supporters on both sides.  

Sam's father Jim is extremely supportive of the Atlas Brothers, and super proud of his son and would make every performance he could.  

My own parents and wife -- Anne, are also staunch advocates of our goal in making this big for us.  

You know our act, It's not exactly a normal everyday thing people see when they witness our practice... 

You stop what you're doing to watch and to be amazed.  Our families and close friends understand this and remain great advocates of support in all of our efforts.

8. WHO HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR TEAM AND WHAT ROLE HAS  HE/ THEY PLAYED IN YOU BOTH DEVELOPING YOUR ACT?  HOW DID IT FEEL TO RECEIVE SUCH A HUGE STANDING OVATION AFTER THE LAST PERFORMANCE?  IT MADE ME FEEL PROUD.

STEVE AND SAM ATLAS DURING RR MASTER CLASS
● www.robbyrobinson.net//dvd_master_class.php ●

Answer: To be fair, there's a few people involved (coaches that MUST be mentioned).  I would never have learned DUO if I didn't see the Alexis Brothers Perform back in 99'. That said, it was performer and coach: Chris Jones, out of Las Vegas started us on our journey.  

Later, it was the Master -- Paulo Lorador who became and is the driving influential force of our hand to hand work.  

ROBBY ROBINSON AND STEVE ATLAS
● www.robbyrobinson.net/consultation.php ●

We recently brought the Black Prince on board of the Atlas Brothers team: 
ROBBY ROBINSON

This has been an incredible move bringing Robby on as the physique influence.  His championship status has nothing to prove because this guy has done it all!!!  

Now, we have bodies that are showcase worthy, and with the increasing skill sets- we're all very excited!

Standing ovations are the ultimate in appreciation of your efforts.  There's nothing like them, and they're ADDICTING!!!  

We always seek the standing 'O' at the end of our performance. Our physique coach Robby Robinson knows this feeling all too well.

9. GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF  THE BODY-PRACTICE TEACHING PHILOSOPHY FOR BOTH BODYBUILDING AND HAND BALANCING ART FORMS. DO YOU TEACH BOTH OR EITHER TO YOUR CLIENTS? DO THEY ENJOY THE SESSIONS?

Answer:  The Body Practice is a fusion of fitness and wellness that is compiled of several movement mediums that have been married together.  

*See the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El0UtR3BZtU

The philosophy is one of quality of movement and intention, over raw and sheer output.  It's effects of mobility, flexibility, balance, and coordinated movement within a single session is irrefutably the best structured (body weight only) fusion system today.  

● www.robbyrobinson.net//dvd_master_class.php ●

i AM QUITE PLEASED WITH MY CREATION OF THE BODY PRACTICE

I teach classes, seminars, tours- I will be teaching a tour in Europe in 2014. 

I also certify people to become coaches, that they too can lead others into a greater sense of wellness to benefit from.  

My students love these classes and will be looking forward to the Winter Immersion in December 2013!

10. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO TO KEEP SUPERSEDING PERFORMANCE AFTER PERFORMANCE? 
DO YOU BOTH STILL GET A THRILL OUT OF BEING IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF FANS OF BOTH ARTS? 
WHAT DO YOU BOTH LOVE ABOUT HAND BALANCING AND BODYBUILDING?. 
DO YOU FOLLOW A CERTAIN TRAINING AND EATING REGIMES TO MAINTAIN YOUR MUSCULAR PHYSIQUES?

● www.robbyrobinson.net//anabolic-pack.php ●

Answer:  Both Sam and I are extremely motivated to get better and stronger each week.  

We feed off the roar of the crowd, THAT gives us strength.  That's what motivates us to look our best.  

So the union of DUO and physique presentation is extraordinarily powerful.  

Both of us eat clean and regimented all the time, with the exceptions of (right after a performance) we eat some treat-food!  After that's over though, we're right back on track -- in the gym and eating clean again.  

You can't be taken seriously, unless you first take yourself seriously.  Food, training, support systems and lifestyle... they all dramatically shape the direction we're headed.  For us, the choice is a simple one -- excellence. 

Much gratitude, love and respect to Robby Robinson for the interview- it's a true honor that the Atlas Brothers are privy to his friendship.

ROBBY ROBINSON AND ATLAS BROTHERS OF BODY-PRACTICE
STEVE AND SAM DURING ROBBY'S MASTER CLASS AND
BODYBUILDING SEMINARS IN SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 2013
● www.robbyrobinson.net//master-class.php ●

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

IRON GAME LEGENDS - ROBBY ROBINSON TALKS EXERCISE METHODS AND OLD SCHOOL TRAINING WITH OTHER LEGENDS OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF BODYBUILDING

WHEN I TRAIN I WANT EVERY MUSCLE TO BE VISIBLE, SO WHEN A JUDGE SAYS, "GIVE ME YOUR BEST DOUBLE BICEP SHOT" I WANT MUSCLE TO JUST JUMP OUT OF NOWHERE. 

I AM ALWAYS THINKING AND VISUALIZING, I WANT TO FREAK THEM SUCKERS OUT, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SAYING IN THE GYM.

ROBBY ROBINSON ON TOUR - FRONT DOUBLE BICEPS - NEW YORK CITY 70'S
Read about RR's training and life experience, about other legends of Golden Era
of bodybuilding and what really happened behind the scenes of Weider's empire
 in RR's BOOK "The BLACK PRINCE; My Life in Bodybuilding: Muscle vs. Hustle"   ● www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php ● 

The Interview 

—————————————–

BK: How many sets do you recommend per body part?

RR: For big muscle groups I can say 15-20 because they need to be taxed, however a lot of people try to do too many exercises. 

I try to stick with 2-3 exercises for each body part, but if I am getting close to competition, I may increase it by one. However, that one exercise is something that will really try to create a change in my physique such as something I have not done before and with high reps.  

THAT IS WHAT BODYBUILDING IS - REPETITION

ROBBY ROBINSON - TRAINING - BICEPS PEAK
DUMBBELL BICEPS CURLS OFF THE KNIE
● www.robbyrobinson.net//dvd_master_class.php ●

Bodybuilding is a lot of finding the exercise that targets the muscles so it responds best, when that happens you get a lot of response and your progress goes to the moon.  

But I see a lot of people doing exercises and I look at them thinking “What are you doing?..” - it is like wasting your time.  

BODY POSITION 

PLAYS A HUGE ROLE

IN BODYBUILDING

-- such as having an upper back arch in the right movements, or not having your arms out to the side during barbell curls and keeping them close to the body.  

THAT IS MY WHOLE CONCEPT ABOUT BODYBUILDING:

ROBBY ROBINSON - BICEPS PEAK - 70S
● www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php ●

• BODY POSITION
  .
• A LOT OF VARIETY
  .
• LIGHT WEEKS - HEAVY WEEKS
  .
• ALTERNATING REPETITION RANGES 

Sometimes I may just pick one exercises and do 7 sets of 7, or do shoulder presses with only 30 seconds of rest or heavy with a minute to a minute 45 seconds of rest - this way the body does not get  used to any one method.

Another thing is positive self-talk, I definitely think you need to talk positive to yourself during your training to get one or two more reps and push harder. 

ROBBY ROBINSON AND MIKE O'HEARN
HEAVY TRAINING AT GOLD'S, CA 2013
● www.robbyrobinson.net//master-class.php ●

There are just a lot of things I just do not see bodybuilders doing anymore, I am not sure exactly where it comes from, but it is definitely not typical bodybuilding. They are just not using the typical things that actually build muscle.

I have been training with Mike O'Hearn the past few weeks and the routines are definitely long and intense.  

Around 4-5 exercises per body part, sometimes more and the body will definitely respond to that up to a certain point before it will not. 

Then you have to find another way to stimulate it through things like resting a bit longer between sets.

• Chest -2-3 exercises
  .
• Back 3-4 exercises
  .
• Triceps- 2-3 exercises
  .
• Biceps- 2-3 exercises
  .
• Shoulders- 2-3 exercises

Ab Training – 

To me ab training is hanging leg raises 5 sets of 10-15 every other day. I am not really into the whole ab thing because it really comes down to nutrition and how you eat. 

Sticking with crunches and abdominal raises along with eating properly will most definitely tighten and develop the abdominal area.  Another thing is staying properly hydrated. There again, I am just really trying to find the exercise that targets the muscle well for me.

BK: What are some of the most unique exercise methods you have seen work?

RR: How Mike Menzter used Heavy Duty training. I have just always thought that was very interesting to this day. The negative part of the movement should definitely be focused on, letting the weight be lowered back into position over a certain time period.  

MIKE MENTZER - HEAVY DUTY TRAINING
HEAVY BARBELL BICEPS CURLS
● www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php ●

I began implementing that into my training even more so and seeing the results. 

Really focusing on it the last few sets, of course I am emphasizing it throughout the workout, but especially those last few sets. 

I think, that plays a huge role in building some huge and dense muscle tissue.

Mike had a unique vision, and he and I were thrust at each other in those days because we both had balanced and symmetrical physiques, and both were valid for that top spot. Therefore, it was always a battle between him and me. 

"IRON MIKE" MENTZER AND ROBBY ROBINSON
● www.robbyrobinson.net/motivation.php ●

However, he did do a little bit more then was published at the time, because you know he had to. 

He would have to a couple extra more reps or drop sets preparing for those competitions.

But yea, that negative has and always will be very important in building a muscular physique. 

It is like doing a squat, you cannot just flop it into it, you have to move into it to get that positive and the negative effect. I think that is with any movement such as chins, Barbell Rows, Curls, Bench Press - any movement you perform.

BK: Do you have any general tips for taking a persons physique to the next level? I know you are a big fan of posing to bring out muscular detail and growth.

RR: You are what you think, you have to really think about bodybuilding, you have to think about having a big arm or chest or more muscular physique. 

Robby Robinson, Joe Weider; Mike Mentzer, Dan Padilla; Franco Columbu
● www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php ●

You have to think about all these things.  But you have to also practice all the parts: you have to eat, you have to rest, you have to keep a positive mind, work on your posing - you  just have to practice all the parts. 

As I said, bodybuilding is just repetition, you have to just keep going over these things. But visualization is my number one thing because the more you visualize something consistency throughout training it comes to be.  

You cannot just do the exercise like most folks, you have to create the image by visualizing the exercise, and how you want the physique to look.

BK: I think that is something that has been lost by many people today.

RR: Yea, you have to feel what you are doing. It is the same thing as a relationship: if you want to love someone or something, you have to feel the movement. 

ROBBY ROBINSON - REAR DOUBLE BICEPS SHOT
● www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php ●

I am in touch with the muscle fibers, I am in touch with the exercise, I am in touch with the barbell. When I train  my  Back I want every muscle on my back to be visible, so when a Judge says “Give me your best double bicep shot” I want muscle to just jump out of nowhere.  

I am always thinking and visualizing, I want to freak them suckers out, that is exactly what I have always been saying in the gym. It is inside of you, you just have to reach down there and grab it. 

You cannot just say, “Oh I am just going to go ahead and train my chest, I don’t feel like it but I will go ahead”, you have to visualize and make it a reality or you might as well not go in the gym.

SERGE NUBRET, FRANCO COLUMBU, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Mr Olympia 1973 ● www.robbyrobinson.net/consultation.php ●

You have to have to have this attitude of tenacity. Tenacity is something you have to stir up inside of yourself. 

That is what we had back in the old days with Arnold, Ed Corney, Franco Columbu,  Kenny Waller,  Serge Nubret….  I mean I can keep naming all day.

If you ever did a set of leg exercises with Arnold, he would just stand there for a minute and wonder if you were going to fall down or get your reps. 

The same thing with myself, If my goal is 20 reps I am going to get my 20 reps.

You just have to have it made up in your mind, this is what I want to achieve, this is what I want to do, and you do it.

BK: That is like Tom Platz , he was always really hardcore about legs.

"Golden Eagle" Tom Platz
● www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php ●

RR: Yes, I am glad you mentioned him. The thing with Tom Platz was he was just an absolute beast, it was like take no prisoners with him, take them all out right there, and that is how Tom was.  

I used to love to train around Tom. Yea that would be amazing, he said the squat rack was like a temple where he would go to live or die. 

Oh yea, he would put on a show, not even intending to it is just what he does.  

People would just stand around looking at him; people would just forget they were training and watch Tom or me.

BK: I know you have always said posing brings out the muscle detail, any more on that subject?

RR: Posing makes everything easier and gives you comfort, it is almost like meditation for the body.  

Ed Corney, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Franco Columbo
● www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php ●

If you work on those poses when you have to hit them when a judge calls you out  you should already be proud  because you already put in that work.  

Posing is really a final polish you put on that physique - back in those days we would pose after every session.  You see that is why we had that extra, because we worked on it, we did not just go in the gym, train, and leave.   

Especially before competition, that was done for 90 consecutive days every day after you workout, there was no backing off or “Oh I am not feeling it today “. 

We did it every single day…. Ed Corney started out by doing his part, then Arnold ,  then  Ken Waller ect, we would all be right there,   

By competition we didn’t even think about holding water,  we were just so tight and dense we would get that pump up and eat a couple tablespoons of raisins and that was it.

BK: So the mental drills were something you would just do all day every day correct?

RR: Oh yea, they were something you would do every single day, there was no lay off whether you are off-season or on season. 

Robby Robinson, Ed Corney, Arnold Schwarzenegger
hevy arms training - dumbbell biceps curls - Gold's, CA
● www.robbyrobinson.net//anabolic-pack.php ●

The focus was there, it was as if you were going to school every single day. There was just a meditative part to it, when you are done and go home you would sit there.

BK: What is your stance on the right amount of cardio? Especially for someone already relatively lean just trying to gain mass.

RR: I have never really gotten into cardio, the most cardio we would do is going to the steps in Santa Monica by walking, sprinting, or jogging them.  

Nowadays people want to do aerobics because they want to eat more, cheat on their meals, and think, "well, if I walk for 45 minutes - that will get rid of it." 

Robby Robinson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ed Corney, Denny Gable, Ken Waller
photo shoot during filming of PUMPING IRON at Gold's Venice, CA 70's
● www.robbyrobinson.net//anabolic-pack.php ●

There is nothing wrong with aerobics, you definitely need it, just not to the extent I see people doing it. 

People do it for 45 minutes and sometimes hours, which to me doesn’t make sense. 

I mean, if you are lean and muscular it should be easy for the body to stay in this condition.  

Keeping the body in a certain level of body fat, even in the off-season at least 10 to 12 % - this makes it easier for the body to adjust to get into competition shape again. 

Some people - they get so fat, they get a big belly,  - no disrespect to them but to me that just makes it much harder each year.

BK: So you were never into bulking or cutting and the such.

RR: Nah, I have always been lean and muscular, my best competition bodyweight was 215 pounds.   So for me to get into that body into the kind of astonishing competition shape is about 8 weeks.

IRON GAME LEGENDS - ROBBY ROBINSON TALKS OLD SCHOOL TRAINING

ROBBY IS A TRUE HERO THE SPORT NEEDS

AND WORLD CLASS REPRESENTATION OF

WHAT BODYBUILDING IS ABOUT

ROBBY ROBINSON - FRONT DOUBLE BICEPS VACUUM - ON STAGE POSING 70s
Read about RR's training and life experience, about other legends of Golden Era
of bodybuilding and what really happened behind the scenes of Weider's empire
- in RR's BOOK "The BLACK PRINCE; My Life in Bodybuilding: Muscle vs. Hustle" -
▶ www.robbyrobinson.net/books.php

Recently I had the privilege to speak with one of the most accomplished and admired bodybuilders of all time “Mr Lifestyle” Robby Robinson. 

Not only did he compete at the absolute highest level of bodybuilding from 1975 up until 2000 where he won over 20 titles including Mr. America, Mr. Universe, and   Mr. Olympia, but also he is still active in the game today inspiring and helping trainees worldwide. 

Robby is a true hero the sport needs, and world class representation of what bodybuilding is about. Here is what Robby had to say on the most important factors of training (Along with proper nutrition). - BRAD KELLY

The Interview 

—————————————–

What is your favorite time of day to train?

Early morning, between 4 and 5 am. It gets your heart rate up and really prepares you for the day.

Have you always liked early training? And did you ever get into twice per day training?

Yes, I have always enjoyed early training it just really gets you going for the rest of your day. I train one time per day, because my whole theory is 90% of bodybuilding is nutrition timing. The right nutrition with the right nutrients at the right time, making sure you take in a lot of water. 

DOING THE SAME THING RELIGIOUSLY

24/7 365 DAYS PER YEAR,

BODYBUILDING IS ALL ABOUT REPETITION

ROBBY ROBINSON - PHOTO BY JERRY FREDRICK FOR IRON MAN MAG
BUILT- Instructional Double DVD - Robby's philosophy on bodybuilding,
training and healthy lifestyle, and his old-school workout approach
▶ www.robbyrobinson.net/dvd_built.php

What is your favorite training split?

3 days on, 1 off, sometimes 4 on 1 off depending on recovery.  

But for years, I had no direction; I did the full body workout 10 sets of 10 every body part.  I just loved to train so that is what I would do, every afternoon and come home around 6 to get in my meals.  

I worked at the Tallahassee Democrat. I would get up at 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning and get to work at 5AM, work from 5 to around 3 in the afternoon and go home or straight to the gym. 

I WORKED THE WHOLE BODY
EVERY SINGLE DAY

But I loved it, I didn’t think in terms I was doing anything wrong or overtraining. 

THAT WAS MY WHOLE THING, 

I JUST LOVED TO TRAIN 

AND WANTED TO EXCEL 

AND BE THE BEST

I would travel throughout the south competing and winning competitions all throughout the area.

So just a slightly higher rep range?

Yes, but not so high that you get to a point you just do not want to do it mentally and physically. Just high enough I can get a great pump and still achieve my goal.

That is how Chuck Sipes used to train to a degree, mixing in heavy and light training.   

Yep, I do not think you should train heavy all the time. However, I have worked out with people who do heavy heavy heavy heavy, but somewhere in there, something breaks down. Or you just get to tired and the muscle does not respond as well, so I always rotate light and heavy for variety. 

Variety is key, not so much variety you get away from your goals, but enough the body can enjoy. One time I might do barbell curls then then the next time I might do   Scott Curls 4 or 5 sets with Zottman Curls or Reverse Curls, or then again I may just do Barbell Curls 7 sets of 7.

But when training arms I do always train the tricep first, because it is the biggest muscle on the arm, with say; close grip press, lying tricep presses (extensions), rope extensions with arms on the  bench  and then next time around close grip press with maybe standing dumbbell or rope presses. I keep the basics, but always try to alternate them with various angles and such.

ROBBY ROBINSON ON MUSCLE BEACH, LOS ANGELES, CA 70s
Robby's dietary anabolic SUPPLEMENTS, OILS and HERBS
for natural fat loss and muscle growth at any age
▶  www.robbyrobinson.net/anabolic-pack.php