Name:
Neil Gardner.
Nickname:
MonstaDwarf.
Age:
42.
Marital status:
Married with children.
Nationality:
Born in Edgeware - United Kingdom. Currently living in Melbourne, Australia. Dual nationality.
Height:
5' 2".
Weight:
Off season: 90 plus kg's, (I have been as heavy as 98kg).
Contest weigh: 75 - 77kg's, (first competed at a bodyweight of 62 kg's).
Current measurements:
Chest: 44" - Neck: 18" - Biceps: 17.5" - Waist: 28" - Thighs: 26" - Calves: 17.5".
Body part most liked to train:
Quads.
Favorite Music:
Chill out music at home, hard bass and drums in the car.
Favorite movie:
The Abyss.
Favorite movie actor:
Robin Williams.
Favorite food:
Chocolate biscuits.
Favorite relaxation:
Lying in the sun.
Favorite bodybuilder:
Lee Priest.
Favorite bodybuilding magazine:
Muscle Mag or the old Flex.
Qualities most attracted to:
Humor.
Best known qualities:
Easy going.
Greatest moment in bodybuilding:
Coming sixth in the IFBB world championships in Jordan, and having the local Jordanians mob me and carry me out of the auditorium after I had
gotten changed.
Greatest anticipation for the future:
Turning professional.
What got you started in bodybuilding in the first place and did you have any aspirations of competing early on you training?
Injuries from playing rugby union got me into the gym to recover where I discovered power lifting and, a few months later, bodybuilding. Once I
bought my first bodybuilding magazine, (U.K. Bodybuilding Monthly, with Bertil Fox winning the 'Junior Mr.Britain' on the front cover), I knew right there I wanted to
compete.
What is your current basic training philosophy and how does this differ from previous training strategies?
Currently, I aim for a large variety of exercises for one set of ten. I move from exercise to exercise without warming up on each one. I only
warm up at the start of the workout. If I am able to do 10 reps, I will add 25% and do another set. That weight, then becomes my 10 rep weight for next time. I do not always get ten reps, but I look to consistently increase reps. By doing this, I have been able to use 200lb d/b's for 12 reps on one arm rows and 130lb d/b's on incline d/b press for 10 reps. Previous to this, I had followed a more heavy duty style of workout, doing maybe 6 sets for one body part, once a week. The reps would be around 4-6.
How long have your been competing?
Since 1981, so that is 22 years.
List your Bodybuilding achievements:
Too many great memories to mention. Winning my national title was a great experience and placing 6th at the IFBB Worlds made me realise I
had some potential.
What's a typical off-season weight and contest weight for you?
Off season weight is around 90kg's although I have been known to reach 98kg's. However, as my heaviest contest weight was 76k, it is too heavy to maintain.
Have you got any particular shows you have your sights set on this year?
Pro Qualifier in my own backyard, then possibly to Austin Texas for the Lee Priest Classic. Followed by the Commonwealth, then Pan Pacific
Games. Later in the year, (November) the Worlds in India.
What's been your secret to making continual improvements to your physique over the years?
Being consistent and avoiding injuries through stretching and massage.
What are your main supplements off-season and pre-contest?
A WPI powder once a day off season, multi vitamins and Glutamine. Double the Glutamine and add in Branched Chain Amino Acids pre contest. Drop the protein shake.
How much importance, if any, have nutrition and supplementation contributed to your success?
Supplements have less to do with my success than I thought. They are definitely needed, but not to the extent I once used them. Nutrition IS
important but I like to think of it all as a balanced triangle of training, diet, and sleep.
What's your motivation when faced with grueling workout?
Suck it up or bite off more than you can chew! Then chew like hell.
What's your current workout routine?
Monday: Chest shoulders and triceps, (pressing).
Tuesday: Back and biceps.
Wednesday: Hamstrings, Calves and Quads.
Thursday: Same as Monday, (all flying).
Friday: Back, biceps and abs.
Saturday: Quads, hamstrings and calves.
Has bodybuilding always been your main sporting interest?
I was originally a rugby player at school but have been training with the goal to compete for 24 years.
Do you have any interests outside of the gym?
My family.
What do you do for a living?
PT, canine behaviorist and masseuse.
What do you like to do to relax?
Lay in the sun, or listen to chill out music.
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?
Win a World Championship.
When you finally hang up your posing trunks, will you always be actively involved in bodybuilding in one way or another?
Yes. I am currently Head and Chief Executive of my States, (Victoria), Amateur Division and I am a registered IFBB pro judge having judged four pro shows including Ronnie Coleman, Chris Cormier, Dexter Jackson, and Kevin Leverone.
When competing at the level you do, you no doubt benefit from the help and support of others. Is there anyone you would particularly like to extend your thanks to?
My wife Kathryn, for her never ending love. My parents, for continually inspiring me to be a better person and my Many training partners who
seem to come and go but are always there when I call on them.
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