How Did You Get Started?

It all started when I broke my femur playing lacrosse and was put in a hip-to-toes cast. I started lifting upper body to stay in shape, and then began researching bodybuilding. I've been hooked ever since. Watching myself grow amazed me. Before I knew it, I was hitting the weights on a constant basis. Every week had a goal at the end of it. That feeling of the never-ending chase for every new goal is what got me going.

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Juan Angel.

What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?

A three-day split in which I work chest/triceps, back/biceps, shoulders/legs.

Day 1: Chest/Triceps/Core

• Barbell Bench Press: 1 warm up set of 8-10 reps, 5 sets of 5 reps
• Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press: 4 sets of 6-8 reps
• Decline Dumbbell Bench: 3 sets of 6-8 reps
• Barbell Skull Crushers: 3 sets of 8 reps
• Tricep Pushdowns: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
• Pushups: 2 sets to failure
• Weighted Decline Crunches: 3 sets of 10-12 reps

Day 2: Back/Biceps

• Weighted Pull-Ups: 3 sets of 8 reps
• Bodyweight Pull-Ups: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
• Dumbbell Rows: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
• Dumbbell Shrugs: 3 sets of 10-15 reps
• Dumbbell Reverse Flyes: 3 sets of 12 reps
• Standing Barbell Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
• Standing Dumbbell Hammer Curls: 3 sets of 10 reps
• Dumbbell Concentration Curls: 2 sets of 5 reps per arm

Day 3: Shoulders/Legs/Core

• Seated Dumbbell Military Press: 3 sets of 8 reps
• Barbell Squats: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
• Seated Barbell Military Press: 3 sets of 6 reps
• Barbell Stiff Leg Deadlifts: 3 sets of 8 reps
• Dumbbell Standing Front Raises: 2 sets of 10-15 reps
• Dumbbell Standing Lateral Raises: 2 sets of 10-15 reps
• Machine Calf Raises: 3 sets of 10-12 reps
• Shoulder Raises: 3 sets of 8 reps
• Decline Weighted Crunches: 3 sets of 10-12 reps
• Crunches: 1 set to failure

Day 4: Cardio

• Sprints: 300 yards

Day 5: Start Over At Day 1

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Juan Angel.

What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?

Meal 1:

• 3 eggs (sunny side up or boiled)
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 slices whole grain bread

Meal 2:

• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 4 oz turkey
• 1 slice provolone cheese
• 1 cup fat free milk

Meal 3: Post Workout

• 1 slice whole wheat bread
• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
• 1 scoop ON Whey Protein in 1 cup 2% milk

Meal 4:

• 8 oz grilled steak
• 1 cup brown rice
• Salad

Meal 5:

• 6 oz grilled chicken
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup raspberries

Meal 6:

• 1 serving ON Whey protein in 1 cup 2% milk

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Juan Angel.

What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?

Morning:

• Fish Oil Capsules: 1 cap 900mg
• Animal Pak: 1 pak

Post Workout:

• ON Double Rich Chocolate Protein Powder: 1 scoop

Why do you love Bodybuilding?

I love bodybuilding because it is a sport in which you can never be truly satisfied with yourself and therefore you will always push harder. You are always hungry for more improvement, for seeing more gains. Watching your body transform is an indescribable feeling that only those who hit the gym can say they have experienced. That feeling of knowing that at the end of the day you've done something productive, that you've climbed a step in your journey, is what I wake up looking forward to.

It is a sport that goes on with every breathing moment. If your sleep isn't right, your diet isn't right, or your mind isn't in the right place, you're not going very far. It takes sacrifices, all of which pay off, and all of which make you not only physically stronger but mentally as well.

What Motivates You To Follow A Healthy Lifestyle?

As Socrates once said "No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." I want to live with the best of myself. The question I always ask myself is- Why be content with average, or less than average, if you know you can excel and always push yourself farther? Knowing that every effort I put in goes to help better myself, physically and mentally, is something I know I'll be grateful for in the long run.

What Made You Want To Achieve Your Goals?

I was always determined to finish what I started. I gave sports and hobbies my undivided attention. When I got into lifting and then into bodybuilding, I realized there was no way to really 'finish' what I had started. There was no stage where I could stand and look at myself and say 'wow, I really reached the top.' I realized it was an infinitely long climb to the top of the mountain, but I love every minute of it.

I set progression goals and right as I hit them I start to think about how much more proud of myself I will be when I add another 20 pounds to that lift or when I'm five pounds heavier in lean muscle mass. You can never say 'I've done it' and that's what makes every goal you reach seem like a small step on the way to your next.

What Are Your Future Bodybuilding Plans?

I plan to keep improving. I am an athlete and a bodybuilder so I need to continue to be functional both in the weight room and on the field. I don't see competition anywhere in my future, but I do see myself in the weight room for a very long time. As my interest in weight lifting and nutrition has both come naturally, studying something in the field of nutrition is something I could see myself doing.

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Juan Angel.

What One Tip Would You Give Other Bodybuilders?

Listen to your body. If your chest is sore and chest day comes around, give it another day of rest. Recovery will always be more beneficial than additional stress to recovering muscles. I hear a lot of people saying they feel lazy missing a day in the gym. It doesn't take rocket science to figure this one out though. Would you rather walk into the gym sore and hope to get the same reps and weight as your last workout, or walk into the gym pumped up and ready to break last time's personal records?

Who Are Your Favorite Bodybuilders?

Arnold Schwarzenegger has always been my source of inspiration for bodybuilding. He revolutionized the sport and brought that die-hard mentality in his training. The dedication he had to the sport is something truly admirable.

What Features Do You Use On Bodybuilding.com?

I give and take advice on the forums, buy my supplements from the store, and always keep learning from the articles on the SuperSite. This site is what made me make the jump from casually throwing around the weights to living the bodybuilding lifestyle. Thanks Bodybuilding.com!

More Bodybuilder Profiles:

:: Current Teen Of The Week.
:: Other Previous Teens Of The Week.
:: Adult Amateur Bodybuilder Of The Week.
:: Over 40 Bodybuilder Of The Week.

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