LA Muscle Meets.....

LA Muscle recently caught up with Muscle Model and qualified L5 (master) personal trainer, nutritionist and sports injury therapist Alistair Richardson.

Alistair studied his first Masters In Sport Science Bio-Mechanics in Middlesex University over 5 years ago and is currently undergoing a second Masters in Osteopathy at the London School of Osteopathy. (LSO)

Alistair has a Masters in Sports Performance Analysis with a specialism in Bio-Mechanic movement. He uses various specialist treatments to achieve the best results for his patients and clients. Through the initial consultation, the diagnosis of performance issues or understanding of current injuries is obtained before treatment begins through either hourly or half hourly sessions.

Alistair, an avid body builder and practices what he teaches through his own extensive training and nutrition programme. He has competed in Pure Elite and Miami Pro as a muscle model placing in the top 5 in both competitions. His dedication to health and fitness alongside his undoubted passion and unique training methods separate him from other professionals within the same industry.

Checkout this exclusive one on one interview with the man himself to find out how he has come so far in the industry as well as delving into the life of Alistair Richardson.

What age did you start bodybuilding?
15 Years old

What made you get into lifting weights?
My older cousin who lived in the USA played American Football for his College Team at Columbia University in NY. He was my inspiration to start training and adding muscle.

How many titles have you won?
I have yet to win a title but I have placed top 5 in both Miami pro and Pure Elite, April 2016

What has been your greatest achievement in the sport?
Taking part is always an achievement, including being able to meet the other competitors as each and every one goes through an incredible journey to get to the stage. I will always be grateful for the experience I had and the knowledge I gained toward my own abilities in that intense a challenge that I count as my greatest achievement in that sport.

What's your favourite body part to train?
I love a good leg day! Quads and Glutes in particular

What's your most dreaded body part to train?
Hamstrings are a pain to train but I don't particularly hate any part as I love training

How much do weigh off season mode?
105-109kgs

How much do you weight on-season?
100-103kgs

How many carbs and protein do you have off season?
1575 kcals of carbs and 1050 kcals of protein

How many times a week do you train?
6 days a week

How many carbs and protein do you have on season?
720 kcals carbs and 960 kcals protein

What's the toughest thing about comp prepping?
The fatigue can be the biggest effect on depletion, especially in the last two weeks when everything counts! The body is at its unhealthiest due to the lack of sustenance and yet the intention is to put it through its paces even more so in the gym with huge physical exertion. The impact is not ideal for the body but yet, its all about the end result.

Who is your favourite bodybuilder?
Always have been a huge Kai Greene fan and of course the all impressive Arnold Schwarzenegger. I do however really like Artemus Dolgin and Mike O'Hearn as their old school yet current workout ethics are something to admire.

What supplements do you use on a lead up to a show?
I usually have Vitamin C, B complex and D complex as well as Minerals Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium and Potassium. I will stop taking on any protein or BCAA's 2 weeks before show day but I will otherwise have a whey or pea protein powder as well as BCAA's for intra workout. I really recommend LA Muscle Whey Gold and LA Muscle Repo intra-workout.

How much water do you drink on a normal day?
Between 3-5 litres a day

How much water do you drink on a last week of a show?
I will decrease as the days go on but I would be on about 1-2 litres a day that week until the last day when I will drink nothing including on show day.

What's the first thing you eat after a show?
I will always try to stay on form with diet after the show so despite the need to tale on refined carbs before stage, I will go back to a full meal of rice, chicken and greens for the first meal out. I will then reverse diet.

What's your favourite food?
Honestly, chicken! I will eat that in any form!

What do you like doing outside of bodybuilding?
I am an osteopath student at the London School of Osteopathy and sports therapist as a profession, which I love very much as I get to treat and heal people daily. That is immensely satisfying. I otherwise enjoy time with my fiancé and family.

What's your favourite film?
Couldn't give you just one but I like shawshank redemption, a fault in their stars and the green mile to name a few.

What's your favourite book?
The Alchemist. Just fantastic!

Who has inspired you to become a bodybuilder?
My cousin who I mentioned before that played American Football for his college team inspired me to get in to body building. I always admired his quads! Impressive stuff when your just an aspiring teen.

What advice would you give anyone who wants to take up bodybuilding?

Make sure you take professional advise on technique and always read up on nutrition! There is a lot of information out there... learn your body. Every one is different, don't fall for the fad diets and silly challenges that are out there. Body building takes time, your body is a finely tuned machine and you should treat it with respect. We often crave for an immediate response when actually that will nearly never occur so we get dismayed. The key is patience and goal setting. If you want to achieve something, be prepared to work for it your whole life.