Dave Weeks

Would you buy a car from this man? well ofcourse you would wouldn't you ladies? Hunky Dave is 34 years old and runs a car yard in Grey Lynn Auckland with his one of his brothers. All up he has 4 older brothers who happen to be quite an athletic lot. 3 of them have run marathons and 2 of them are tri-athletes who have completed Taupo Ironman (that race is nuts! says Dave). Kerry did ironman this year in 10 hours 3 min, and is doing Ironman Australia in December in the hope of going under 10 hours.

Needless to say fitness is in Dave's genes and it shows in his athletic physique, which he will be showing at the NABBA Wellington Champs on 10 October. Dave is about 170 cm tall, 75 kg normally (around 5% bodyfat) and just under 70kg when competing (2%).

How long have you been training and your contest history?
I have been weight training half my life. My first show was in 1994 when I won NABBA north harbour teen and National teen titles. I didnt compete again until 2000 when I won NZFBB Auckland Novice under 70kg.

In 2002 I did Akl champs again as Open under 70kg, won my class and went on to win overall Mr Auckland. I didnt expect that, especially being a light weight.

My next, and last show was last years (2008) NZFBB Pro and Elite Show where I was on stage with 25 Elite guys including Jamie Cameron, Darren Onekawa and Nathan O'Hearn the current NABBA Mr NZ. These guys are monsters! and they only filled placing 3-5, first and second went to a Polish world champ and another european guy. Anyway, it was an amazing experience, I placed in top 15 but apparantly only just missed out on top 10.

What inspired you to comeback and compete this year?
My training was hampered by tendonitis in both forearms so after the Elite show I decided to have a crack at running, and did the Auckland half marathon in nov. 08 in 1 hour 42 min. my brother, who has done Ironman twice, nearly convinced me to do this years full marathon.

That brings me to your question of why compete this year?

Well once I saw how much extra training I had to do for the full marathon, I went back to bodybuilding!! bugger that! my training altered to keep the forearm problems under control, where i would have to do biceps directly after back, and triceps directly after chest, so they were nice and warm. Along with alot of trips to the physio, daily stretching, icing and some voltaren, I am doing ok.

Your training split?
Training is pretty standard, split into 4 days, complete in a week. No secrets, I just keep all movements slow and controlled to isolate the muscle group rather than worrying about how much weight I am lifting.

What's your typical meal plan?
I always do my cardio before breakfast, 6 days a week, walking/jogging, bike, stepper, even aqua jogging. diet goes like this...
Meal 1, oats mixed with protein powder and flax oil.
Meal 2, chicken rice veges.
Meal 3, chicken kumara veges.
Meal 4, protein shake made in rice milk with flax oil and a banana.
Meal 5, steak potato veges.
Meal 6, fruit and a protein bar.

I take glutamine twice daily and drink Restore electrolyte drinks. (total 3000 calories) This is what I am eating in the 3 months leading up to Wellington champs oct 10. It might drop to 2500 cals closer to the date but never below this. I have a fast metabolism!! I like having a beer with friends so this would be my "cheat" meal, but not in the 2 months leading up.

In the off season I dont change my diet too much, I just have a few more sweets chucked in here and there.

	Do you have a good support network? I have a great support crew, you know Matt Clark from LA Muscle is a very close friend who helps with advice, Alison Rainbow of RNC for nutrition is a good friend of mine, I have known her for 15 years. And I have 3 brothers who help with training.
I have chosen NABBA this year as I think i would be suited to the Athletic division, I will compete in open short class, and should squeeze into the weight ok. Yes, I hope to do more shows, starting with Nationals in Auckland Oct 25. see ya there!! Dave Weeks 17 August 2009

Dave Weeks

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