Bruce Lester NPC Amateur Bodybuilding Profile

Bruce Lester

STATS
Name:	Bruce A. Lester
Location:	Hillsboro, Oregon
Birth date:	10-17-1974
Height:	5'11.5"
Off season Weight:	250lbs
Competitive Weight:	205-210lbs

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

When did you start bodybuilding, and where?

I started bodybuilding at around age 25. I had been in and out of the gym from my teens on, but never with a purpose. I was a typical gym guy, not seeing any results and wasting time doing the wrong things. I had to get educated to understand that my eating and training styles I "learned" from the other "gym guru's" was mostly bullshit.

Explain your training style and philosophy.

I periodically switch my routine a small bit, maybe a new exercise or angle, or a new order for the exercises. But, my philosophy is always the same. Push yourself to the limit, safely, with your failure falling between 8-12 reps for most exercises. 3-4 sets per body part. 1-2 minutes rest. Focus on your BASIC exercises for growth (ie. squats, bench, rows).

My routine currently looks like this:
Day 1 : Legs/Light Calves
Day 2 : Chest
Day 3 : Back/Medium Calves
Day 4 : Shoulders
Day 5 : Arms/Heavy Calves
Day 6 : Traps/Abs

Favorite body part to train?

I like Legs a lot. I used to hate them, just like everyone else, but then got strength and growth which made me love them Plus people seem to think my lateral sweep is freaky, which fuels my drive even more!

Least favorite?

All other body parts fall into the same category, I like to train them all!!!

What supplements do you take?.

I keep my supplements simple, it is easy to waste tons of money on well advertised supplements.
Whey and Casein Protein
Glutamine (5-10g per shake)
Preworkout (Jack3d, 1MR, etc)
Vitargo (Nutrex brand)
Multivitamin
Vitamin C
Creatine (10-20g/day)
Test Boosting Complex (Horney Goat Weed, Testojack, Tribulus)

What is your precontest diet like?

I followed a Palumbo style diet for the 2008 season. Basically protein and good fats. A sample "Protein/Fat" day is the following:

1)6-8 Whole Omega 3 Eggs
2) 2 Scoops Protein, 2 tbsp Natty Peanut Butter
3) 6-8 oz Turkey, Chicken Or Fish & Green Beans
4) 2 Scoops Protein, 2 tbsp Natty Peanut Butter
5) 6-8 oz Turkey, Chicken or Fish & Salad
6) 2 Scoops Protein, 2 tbsp Natty Peanut Butter

I added in a Fish Oil cap with every other meal, and Primrose Oil caps with the remaining meals.

At about 4 weeks out I switched to just chicken breasts and fish and did more Protein/veggie days than Protein/fat.

What is the hardest part of precontest?

I like the dieting process, seeing changes really motivates me and makes me not hate it. I do get that craving every once in a while to just eat everything in sight...

How do you deal with it?

I usually end up eating half a jar of natural peanut butter or a shitload of bars or something. It's always a splurge on "healthy" foods at least! :)

What is the first thing you want to eat after a show?

Fruity Pebbles! The 2008 season was almost my last! I basically went into a high blood sugar shock after I downed a whole family sized box in about 10 minutes after the Oregon Ironman. Lee (my girl) thought I was crazy! My vision got blurred and I went into dry heaves, luckily I got into a mummy position and slept it off, very painfully to say the least. My gas could have killed her that night, talk about rancid!

Best nutrition tip?

Keep it simple! If you complicate things and have to have all this variety and fanciness to your diet, then you wont succeed. You have to get your basic foods, find out your caloric and macronutrient needs, and then stick with it.

Do you have a trainer or coach?

No, I am the trainer of most of the competitors, which makes it a real challenge when we are all competing at the same show! I love it though, just ask any of the athletes I have worked with.

Who do you admire in the bodybuilding world?

Number one is for sure Jay Cutler. Very dedicated and actually has a brain. Others are Dorian Yates, Mike Mentzer, Arnold, and Iris Kyle.

What would you like to achieve in bodybuilding long-term?

To win a nationally qualifying show, go the USA's and at least compete. Just getting on the biggest Amateur stage possible would be a dream for me.