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Name – Liam Armstrong
Born – 01/11/1983
Marital Status – Single
and looking.
Q.1 When did you start weight training
and what inspired you to start?
I started general weight training shortly before
my 16th birthday as a means of becoming stronger
and more muscular to remain competitive whilst
playing rugby, my chosen sport at the time. I
had played rugby since I was 8 years old and size
had never really been an issue until around the
age of 15; I remained dwarf like in stature whilst
all my peers surpassed me in height and body mass
in general. My initial foray in to weight training
was quite camp, I trained hard but trained wrong.
My routine wasn’t conducive to building
anything like the strength and physique I aspired
towards, think Ronnie Corbett rather than Ronnie
Coleman and you get the picture. Seriously though,
I ran cross country, rock climbed, played rugby
and remained very lean and athletically built
until I got myself sorted and began to read up
on nutrition and devote time to learning about
serious training. At this point, I joined what
is probably still the most hardcore gym I’ve
trained in and started my iron apprenticeship
proper (can’t beat a good cliché).
This was just after I turned 17 and when the fun
really began.
Q.2 Did you have any goals of competing
initially?
My goals initially were to become bigger and stronger
for the sole purpose of being big and strong.
I had always been fascinated by feats of strength
and physical endurance, but would have much rather
shared the physical characteristics of a strong
man than an iron man. After getting a years training
under my belt, I developed an interest in competing
in a bodybuilding show to test myself, see what
my hard work in the gym and at the dinner table
had achieved and because I had a thing for shiny
pants and stage lights. Shortly after my first
year as a competitive bodybuilder, I took the
inclination to test out my unequipped Powerlifting
abilities. I have since devoted a lot of training
hours to both. It is a case of one or the other,
Powerlifting or bodybuilding, as I don’t
feel that it is possible to take both to a high
level simultaneously, the training for one contradicts
the training for the other.
Q.3 What is your current training schedule
like?
For the vast majority of 2007 I have been following
specific powerlifting programs for my comps. Now,
however, I am following a more relaxed bodybuilding
routine and enjoying the change of pace in my
training. I am on a basic 4 day split; legs, chest
and biceps, back and traps, shoulders and triceps.
My reps are change on a weekly basis as do my
exercises although Squats, Deadlifts and Bench
Press remain a constant.
Q.4 How long have you been competing and
what are your main competitive achievements?
I first competed as a bodybuilder in 2003. My
first powerlifting comp was 2004.
2003 BNBF Scotland Junior 1st
2003 BNBF Britain Junior 2nd
2004 BDFPA Scottish Junior 90kg 1st
2004 BNBF Central Junior 2nd
2004 EFBB North East Junior 1st
2004 BNBF Britain Junior 2nd
2004 EFBB Britain Junior 6th
2005, 2006, 2007 BDFPA Scottish Junior 90kg 1st
2005 BDFPA Britain Junior 90kg 1st
2006 BDFPA Britain Junior 90kg 2nd
2006 WDFPF European Junior 90kg 2nd
2006 WDFPF Worlds Junior 90kg 2nd
2007 BDFPA Britain Junior 90kg 1st
2007 WDFPF European Junior 90kg 1st
Former WDFPF European Junior Deadlift Record Holder
WDFPF World Junior Squat Record Holder
Q.6 What differences if any are there
in your training in the off season and prior to
contest time?
Very little. There is no ‘off season’
as such in powerlifting, strength is a continual
progression so even if you back off slightly after
a meet to let your body recover the general training
parameters still apply and the goals are the same.
Similarly, for me, the only thing that alters
prior to a show is my nutrition. Training stays
very much the same, although rest periods may
decrease slightly and training frequency may increase
if necessary.
Q.7 What are your current competitive
goals?
In 2008 I want to continue to grow in anticipation
of my return to bodybuilding. I still have weaknesses
that need addressed and need more size overall
to be competitive in the open categories. With
regards to powerlifting, I will now be in the
open categories here also. I am going to move
in to the 100kg weight division and work towards
a RAW 260kg squat, 180kg bench and 300kg deadlift.
I feel that, injury permitting, these are all
within my capabilities
Q.8 What motivates you to put yourself
through the training every day over the years?
I love it. I can’t handle not being in the
gym. Whether I’m on holiday, extremely busy
in other aspects of my life or whatever I’ll
always make time to train. The prospect of being
a hambone with an average physique is unappealing
enough to me to keep me committed to my goals.
It’s just become part of who I am, I think
I need it to keep me balanced.
Q.9 What is your sporting background?
Were you heavily into any particular sport as
a youngster?
I think I covered this above. I talk too much.
Q.10 What supplements do you
use and why do you see them as being important
to you?
Unfortunately as I have stomach problems, I am
unable to utilize supplements as much as I’d
like. I do however swear by our Glutamine Complex
and Kr-Evolution. My recovery is greatly improved
by both and my strength seems to rocket with the
Kr-Evolution. I wouldn’t want to prepare
for a meet without either.
Q.11 Who inspires you and who (if anyone)
would you like to thank over the years for their
help?
I’d like to thank my good friend and employer
Doug Black for keeping me in a job when no one
else would, his support, his advice and his friendship.
I’d also like to thank my friends from the
BNBF, namely Guy Addison and Vicky McCann for
there continued support and friendship and for
getting me started in the competitive arena. Lots
of other folks need props too but this isn’t
an acceptance speech so they can work it out themselves.
Q.12 What else do you do when not training?
What would you do to relax?
Very occasionally, and I mean seldom, I might
enjoy a Guinness or two. I also enjoy eating,
sleeping, music, film, the great out doors and
looking for a hot new woman to help me practice
for my career in porn.
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