Advice for an actor (please)

[Croix]

Hi guys,

This is my first post and I'm looking for some advice...

I'm an actor and have just scored a role in an Australian film that is due to start filming toward the end of 2006. I'll be playing a guy on the wrong side of the tracks - street fights, scenes in jail etc.

I've been told that I need to have a hell of a physique for the part and need to pack on some serious muscle between now and the filming. - I've never worked out in my life!

So far I have a personal trainer and a nutritionist that are keeping me on a tight schedual.

Currently I'm 6'2 and about 90kg, 20% BF.

The goal is to cut the body fat down to 11% over the next 18 weeks and pack on as much muscle initially. Then to go through a build phase in winter next year and a final cut before filming which should land me around 8-9% BF.

Basically I want to pack as much muscle on as possible during these next 19 weeks (if at all possible while slowly bringing the BF down). I have pathetic muscles at moment but a good solid frame.

Can someone please reccomend me some supplements that will help me achieve this growth? I am looking seriously at some creatine (CEE), but this is all I have researched so far.

Is there anything else I can use at this stage. Also (and forgive my naiveness) would it be a possibility to may be go on a cycle of something (possibly superdrol etc) that will help pack on some extra lean mass at some point? Or can I achieve all I need to naturally during this short time frame?

Any help or suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Growth]

I think you have pretty much got the right idea.

The first thing that i would say is that a person would LOOK a lot bigger on screen if they were ripped. Having a low BF can give the impression of a very nice physique.

Just look at fightclub, brad pitt wasnt exactly huge but he had a fair amount of muscle and was ripped, the combination made him look bigger than he actually was.

So youve got about a year, i would divide it up half and half, beginging a serious cut now for about 1/4 of the year, then start bulking for 1/2 the year, and cut down any excess fat at the end with the last 1/4 of the year left.

Just lift the whole time as if you are always trying to build muscle, do compund lifts mainly etc, im sure the PT has told you all this already.

If money isnt an concern then i would splash out on food and supplements, protein, meats, creatines, flax seed oil etc, thermos, just everything that works to make a difference.

A cycle is a really viable option, especially if you have the cash, but like you said, you will probabley be able to achive what your looking for without a cycle, but then again it would make everything a lot easier

My $0.02 :grin:

[char_k]

Interesting post! I'll be keen to see how you get on.

This isn't supplement or cycle advice, but just advice to train hard and heavy. Train with an ideal in mind and it'll really help. Every time you think you want to quit cause the weight's too heavy or the diet's too hard just think about your goals and how you want to look in the long run.

Keep a training diary and aim to do one more rep for each set than you did the previous week, or do more weight than you did the previous week. Always have a goal when you go in to train.

Good luck!

[Pseudonym]

The goal is to cut the body fat down to 11% over the next 18 weeks and pack on as much muscle initially. Then to go through a build phase in winter next year and a final cut before filming which should land me around 8-9% BF.

Yup... I think that sounds like a good plan. Being leaner, you'll be able to see your progress better too. :nod:

As Growth says, when you're ripped you look a lot bigger. Depending on where you store the fat, you may need to go a bit lower than 8-9%, but you'll get an idea of that after this first cutting phase. For instance, I tend to lose the fat on my upper arms last - so for me to have good separations between shoulders and arms, I have to get pretty lean.

If there's one thing that makes you appear bigger, it's large shoulders, so really hit those hard. I found a really intense shoulder routine that worked wonders for my lagging shoulders - but because it's so intense, I wouldn't recommend it yet if you're just starting. Remind me about it when you do your bulk next year, and I'll dig it up for you.

Finally, good lighting on the set will do more for your physique than any amount of workouts - so make sure you suck up to your DoP!

Let us know how you get on.

EDIT: How rude of me... Welcome to the forum, Croix! 8)

[Croix]

Thanks a lot for the sound advice and warm welcome to the boards!

Yeah I'm hoping that good lighting and that extra 20lb the camera puts on will certainly help! Though Id love to take it as far as I can on my own for personal achievement sake too (not to mention a little bit for the pretty aussie girls that will be on set as well!

Growth, if I do decide it's worth it to do a cycle at some point in the next year, when would you reccomend be the best time? My major concerns are over 1: My Liver - I had glandular fever a couple years back and it's never really been the same since. and 2: Gyno! (I'd rather have excessive access to tits being a fringe benefit of my career rather than the very thing that could potentially end it if you know what I mean!) So I guess this rules any 'real' cycles (test etc.) out, would using a neo-prohormone (i'm sure there'll be more legal ones out soon) be the answer to this?

In the meantime, any suggestions on brand name supplements would be much appreciated, I've been trying to find what everyones favorites are, but not having too much luck. eg. who makes the 'best' creatine ethyl ester? should I use N02? anything else I can stack safely that could be reccomended for size gains? Any help is much appreciated.

I'll be sure to keep you all posted on my results - and more about the film as it approaches

Cheers!

[CutTaBits]

Hi Man And welcome,

Well it looks like it's time to get "Anal" with your diet! Be it Cutting up Or Bulking. Don't cheat with your eating, your really going to have to listen to your nutritionist.

And your training well... Train till you :puke: Puke

1 of my favorite supplements is AST's Dymetadrine Extreme. It is a thermogenic intensifier, i use it as a pre-workout stimulant.

Have you looked into using a testosterone Booster? Like Tribulus or similar. I would recomend that over a Nitric Oxide Booster. I like Biotest Tribex500.

Sweet Man Welcome to the world of muscle building... immerse youself!

[Varven]

Creatine I think everyone on here would agree as being beneficial.

Any brand will do mate.

I prefer creatine monohydrate and just mix in the amount required with my protein shakes.

You also get pre-mixed creatine shakes. You mix it up and it has creatine and a few other useless odds and bits.

Good old creatine monohydrate is just as good.

[frogie2001]

I would say if money isn't an issue go a 12 week cycle of sus25o( or simialr) and dbol, as well as creatine. for 12 weeks. eat shit loads of protein and lift heavy. when you have about 5 months to go, start cutting and get lean as hell. up the cardio and eat maintenance calories. you should be able to pack on a bit of weight in the 12 weeks. and then lean up to f*ck in the last couple of months.

good luck

[Mercury]

I disagree with the comments about doing a cycle. As he said he has never trained in his life. I would not tell anyone that has never lifted a weight before to try a cycle this early on, no matter what the circumstances. Your 1st priority is to get your trainer to design a good basic workout program for you and show you how to do all the exercises correctly. Correct form is #1. I would also consider seeing a dietician to get you started eating right early on.

IMO Basic supps like Protein powder, creatine and glutamine are sufficient. Remeber when you first started weight training??? Some best gains in your life come in your first 1-2 years of training when you body responds to the stress it has never been placed under before.

[Varven]

I disagree with the comments about doing a cycle. As he said he has never trained in his life. I would not tell anyone that has never lifted a weight before to try a cycle this early on, no matter what the circumstances. Your 1st priority is to get your trainer to design a good basic workout program for you and show you how to do all the exercises correctly. Correct form is #1. I would also consider seeing a dietician to get you started eating right early on.

IMO Basic supps like Protein powder, creatine and glutamine are sufficient. Remeber when you first started weight training??? Some best gains in your life come in your first 1-2 years of training when you body responds to the stress it has never been placed under before.

yeah Im with mercury.

Hes never trained before.. so when he starts this bulk, with loads of good food, creatine, whey and a good routine, in as little as 5 months he can pack on 10kgs of muscle or so. Begginers gains.

[Growth]

An aas cycle may not be the best option but surely some cutters wouldnt go astray, especially for the final cut, dropping an extra % or 2 will make a huge diffrence once he gets low.