Ricky

Male

39

Texas, United States

PR

1993

After I finished growing, I wanted make sure my arms and chest caught up with my beefy ass. That, and a muscle guy I was dating back in '94 took a swing at me when I had a useless AnF body so I figured I better start working on my guns to level the playing field in case something like that ever happened again. Having a bubblebutt has had many advantages, but it didn't do much in terms of self-defense.

I don't "LOVE" bodybuilding, but I like it enough to make it a part of my daily routine ( remember, you are still, in effect, building your body during "off days"). Bodybuilding, much like fluency in another language, demands full immersion and commitment, or you'll end up with mediocre results. It also requires the patience to enjoy delayed gratification. Plus I like the way my arms look in my favorite T-Shirt. I cannot stand when dudes on the sidewalk ask me, "What do you bench?" They might as well ask me "How far can you piss?" I mean, what are they going to do with the answer I give? Most of the guys asking look as though they have never seen the inside of a gym anyway. I think it must be a safe way for straight guys to just express, "Wow, buddy, you have a great body," without the fear of sounding gay.

I'm not really motivated by other bodybuilders, although I can still appreciate the end result from hard work, diet, good genes and a good connection for a Jose Canseco "supplement" program which is evident on the biggest boys. I get real inspiration from a quadriplegic at my gym who has to lift himself out of his wheelchair onto the Hammer Strength machines without any help. He's got a strong upper body, great form and sports this tough "straight-out-of-prison" look yet surprises you with positive, upbeat energy and a very friendly personality- unlike some of those chest-beating prima donna weightlifters who never make eye contact with anyone except for themselves in the mirror and are too busy checking their voicemail in between exercises to replace their weights back on the rack. I have been training hard with my meatball of a boyfriend who has turned out to be the best workout partner I have ever had. Too often, male couples of comparable size and build will focus less on inspiring one another while trading techniques and instead see their efforts deteriorate into competing with and "out-benching" the other- a symptom of a greater problem beyond the gym. My boyfriend and I have different builds and therefore different strengths and we focus on pushing the other, constructively. The results have been indicative of this synergy between us. My advice is to rememeber that whomever you train with can make or break your level of enjoyment and success in the gym. If your workout partner is also a life partner and he makes you feel less like a companion and more like a competitor, consider one mantra I live by: If he doesn't complement your life- HE COMPLICATES IT.

Not forgetting that one day we will all be back to our skinny clothes. I was also on Bigmuscle.com* (Member 19700/ Muscle Monkey). Avoid that site if you are heterosexual and don't want to see gay dudes and dick. I've deleted the profile on there and I do not appear on ANY OTHER Internet site now except for here. There are some cyber stalkers and imposters out there who have swiped my pics over the years and have created phony profiles on pages like Facebook or MySpace (which I am on NEITHER). What's worse is that those bogus profiles have attracted hundreds of "friends" who carelessly engage in a sick cyber-relationship with the imposter who is no doubt, some deranged fan or some creep I tricked with years ago who is cracked out of his mind. Whatever the case, only YOU are to blame for getting burned if you're that stupid and naive to carry on with a stranger on the Internet. Only live video chat or a personal meeting can verify authenticity. Out of respect for myself and for my partner, please keep your comments or inquiries strictly within the scope of bodybuilding and supplements. THANKS!