What the Judges Want: Figure Division

darinstarr
What the Judges Want:  Figure Division Bodybuilding competitions are always tricky, subjectively scored events – the old mantra of “you are your own competition” is 100% true, but at the same time if you can bring a better version of yourself to the stage and give the judges what they’re looking for at the same time, it can’t hurt, right? Of...
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NPC – Judging is Broken, so Let’s Fix It

darinstarr
We’re going to fix the NPC But first, we have to acknowledge that it’s broken. Judging a bodybuilding show is, to be certain, a completely and totally thankless job.  Controversy abounds and most often times is subjective – how many times have you heard that competitor ‘x’ was WAY better than competitor ‘y’ but finished lower?  Occasionally actual “mistakes” are...
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VIDEO! Bodybuilding Mistakes – Part 1: Neglecting Your Off Season

darinstarr
Is your progress slow to non-existent? Do you focus too much on getting (or staying) lean? If so, you’re likely selling your growth potential short. You don’t need to put on a bunch of excess weight, but shifting gears clearly into a growth phase is a hard but useful tactic you should consider. In this video I talk about WHY...
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The Drop Set – Episode 5: Gym Efficiency & Coping w/Holidays!

darinstarr
More Q&A, a total softball thrown my way in “bodybuilding myths”, a discussion on how to be more efficient in the gym and also how to cope with holidays and all the associated food!
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The Drop Set – Episode 3: Prep Do’s & Dont’s

darinstarr
In Episode 3 of The Drop Set, I introduce two recurring segments – listener Q&A as well as a personal favorite of mine, bodybuilding myths.  In the main segment I go over my top 5 do’s and dont’s of contest prep, focusing on planning, seeing the “big picture” and also helping maintain some perspective.
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10 things that will make your meal plan easier to follow

darinstarr
How much someone struggles with sticking to a meal plan long-term is directly related to how bland they insist on making their meals and how crappily their food is prepared.  Utilizing a handful of products and techniques can turn following a plan from a chore to something you can actually enjoy.   1 – Salt          ...
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No one matters but you

darinstarr
Ok, listen up – I’m giving everyone reading this permission.  Permission to be completely self-centered, absorbed, and borderline narcissistic.  You are the center of the universe.  Block everyone else out.  Picture yourself, alone, on top of a mountain somewhere.  You, and nothing else. This is the prism through which you need to assess your progress. You are the only one...
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Why everyone should practice posing

darinstarr
Yes, even non-competitors. If you have any desire to step on stage, you need to being practicing your posing now.  It is absolutely impossible to spend too much time working on it.  The more time you spend on it, the more automatic it becomes.  The more opportunity you have to see room for improvements and adjust the way you are...
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Using body fat percentage to gauge your progress

darinstarr
When you go through the certification process to be a personal trainer, you learn about various ways of assessing the body to determine progress.  We’re taught to take measurements with a tape (waist, hips, etc), get a scale reading, and how to determine someone’s body fat percentage (typically using skin fold calipers).  With a weight and a body fat percentage,...
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