Eric Halperin Athlete Profile

Your Background

Competition History

• 2010 NABBA Eastern Seaboard Open, 1^st Place, Junior Men’s, 2^nd place, Men’s Novice Tall.

What is your background and how did you get started in bodybuilding?

I was always a scrawny kid growing up. I guess this is how most bodybuilders start out. I wanted to see if I could attract the hottest girls in school or on the beach so I decided to hit the iron. That started the whole process. I wouldn’t say I started actually ‘bodybuilding’ until about 2 years ago as far as the nutrition goes. I kept getting bigger, learning something new every day, and now I have people coming up to me for advice! Unbelievable!

Why do you love bodybuilding?

It’s a microcosm of life. The highs, the struggles, the pain. It adds structure to your life. You gain a purpose. While all of these kids are out in the bars every night blacking out, you’re in the gym on a Friday night deadlifting. It’s about the sacrifices and the undying will to be better each and every day.

Training

What is your training philosophy?

I train instinctively. I never use a magazine’s workout or anyone else’s for that matter. All I know when I walk in the gym is what body parts I’m training. I let the rest take care of itself. I basically gravitate towards what I feel makes the most sense at the time. In the offseason, I’m trying to really move as much weight as possible. I try to incorporate a lot of drop and rest-pause sets. Gotta lift big to get big.

For contest training, it’s really about keeping things short and sweet, connect with the muscle, get your pump, and go home. Reality is that you’re not going to gain a significant amount of muscle when preparing for a show, but you definitely want to hang out to what you already have at the least.

What's a good workout routine that has given you results?

• Monday - Abs and Back. Total back – 18-21 sets, 7-10 reps, including seated cable rows.
• Tuesday - Legs. Total legs – 20-25 sets, 7-10 reps, including squats.
• Wednesday - Abs and Chest. Total chest – 15-20 sets, 6-8 reps, including flat bench flies.
• Thursday - Shoulders and Traps. Total delts – 18-21 sets, 6-9 reps, including seated military press.
• Friday - Abs, Biceps and Triceps. Total arms – 15-18 sets, 7-10 reps, including preacher curl.
• Saturday - Cardio.
• Sunday - OFF.

If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?

1. Squats - Squats assist in your overall size. They work everything. You do your work in the squat rack, you’ll get somewhere.
2. Stiff-Legged Deadlift - Quads need hamstrings just like biceps need triceps. Stiff-legged really stretch out your hams and bring new muscle growth every time if you do them correctly.
3. Incline Dumbbell Press.

What’s the best training tip you could give to others?

Do what’s best for you. If it takes a month, a day, a year, find out what works best for you. Don’t ask me for my exact routine because I won’t give it to you. What works for me may very well not work for you.

 Nutrition

What is your philosophy on nutrition?

Be organized, be prepared, watch  the portions, and eat often.

Give us a typical day in your off season diet:

• Meal #1 - 8-10 egg whites, ½ cup of oats.
• Meal #2 - IDS protein shake (2 scoops w/ 5 g of creatine).
• Meal #3 - 8 oz of tilapia, broccoli, brown rice.
• Meal #4 - 3 Hard boiled eggs, can of albacore tuna.
• Meal #5 - 10 oz of chicken breast, sweet potato, brown rice.
• Meal #6 - One packet of Cream of Wheat, ½ cup of raisins and handful of natural almonds.
• Meal #7 - Optimum Nutrition casein shake, 2 small tablespoons of cottage cheese.

Give us a typical day in your diet (contest prep):

• Meal #1 - 6-8 egg whites, ¼ cup of oats.
• Meal #2 - IDS protein shake (1.5 scoops w/ glutamine).
• Meal #3 - 8 oz of tilapia, green beans.
• Meal #4 - 1 can of albacore tuna, 1 cup of lettuce, tomato/onions/Swiss cheese.
• Meal #5 - 8 oz of chicken breast, asparagus w/ lemon juice.
• Meal #6 - ¼ cup of natural almonds.
• Meal #7 - 4-5 tablespoons of cottage cheese.

What are your favorite meals and foods?

I’m a big fan of chicken, brown rice, and sweet potato all together, but that’s really an off-season treat. Leading up to contest, I really enjoy a home-made tuna salad tossed with tomatoes, onions, Swiss cheese, and lemon juice.

Favorite cheat food?

I have so many. Even a good protein bar really gets me. But I’m a sucker for all breads and especially everything bagels. So any chance I get my hands on an everything bagel with sausage, egg, and cheese it’ll be a good day.

What’s the best nutrition tip you could give to others?

Be prepared and never go hungry. Always keep your meals and other food close to you at all times, whether you’re on the road, at a party, or at work.

Supplements

List 3 supplements that you’ve used to with good results.

1. N.O. Shotgun by VPX. I have never gotten such focus and tunnel vision as I did with Shotgun. It helped me break through plateaus and pack on some size. I always need a kick before training and this definitely did the job. I always used it 15-30 minutes before, mixed with 8-10 oz of warm water. I find that when mixed with warmer water, it absorbs quicker.
2. Animal Pak by Animal (Universal Nutrition). All of the multi-vitamins I’ve taken in the past had everything jam packed into one pill. Truth is, once the day is over, it isn’t likely you held onto much of those nutrients. Animal Pak brings it all amongst separate pills, and you really feel a boost with it. I take it every morning with my first meal.
3. Multi-Pro Whey Isolate by IDS. This is by far the best whey protein I have ever had in my life. Not only is it delicious, but you actually feel it replenishing your body after a workout. I love the differences it makes. It’s loaded with BCAAs and loads of amino acids. I usually have 1-2 shakes per day either in between meals or after a workout. It is one of the most effective proteins on the market that few people even know about.

What brands do you think are offering the best products at the moment?

Optimum Nutrition does a great job with their line, as well as Animal and Universal. Optimum just released Amino Energy and Animal is on its way to releasing Agent-O.

What do you think is a good off season muscle building stack?

• Multivitamin
• Whey Protein
• Nitric Oxide PWO
• Waxy Maize
• Creatine
• Glutamine
• Casein Protein

What do you think is a good pre-contest/fat loss stack?

• Multivitamin
• BCAA Powder
• Whey Protein
• Glutamine
• Vitamin C
• Dandelion
• Fish Oil

Advice For Others

What are the 3 best tips you'd give to someone thinking about competing in natural bodybuilding?

1. Step back and evaluate your progress. Is your nutrition right where it needs to be at? Are you really being effective in your training? Have you really made the sacrifices needed to help you move ahead?
2. Make sure you have support. Even though the end result of a bodybuilder lies on his shoulders, it helps so much to have your parents, family, and best friends supporting you in your endeavor.
3. Move your chips all in. Have everything you do each day correlate back to your contest prep. Once you mail that registration form everything gets real. Bump up the intensity if you haven’t and perfect your nutrition plan.

What is your best advice for looking your best on competition day?

Don’t do anything too drastic. Everything you’ve done to that point has gotten you in that condition. Don’t introduce anything new the day of or you might regret it. Make sure to experiment well in advance as far as what affect certain foods have on your body. Keep things simple. Don’t let yourself get confused by all of the peak week contradictions.

How do you stay motivated? What advice would you give to someone who's having trouble staying on track?

I have something inside of me that makes me want to be better than everyone. Now that isn’t being cocky or selfish, it’s probably the best way to be if you’re a bodybuilder. I see so many people in the gym and can tell immediately whether they have heart or not. If you don’t have heart, you’ll never have it. It isn’t something that’s taught. Take pride in yourself and be the one who moves closer to his goals each day unlike the majority of people who keep taking steps backward.

Future Plans

What shows have you got coming up, where can we see you compete?

The next time I’m stepping on a bodybuilding stage will be in the summer of 2011. I may do an NABBA show in May, but I’m setting my sights on the OCB Mid-Atlantic Battle for the Belt in August.

What would you like to achieve in your natural bodybuilding career?

I love natural bodybuilding. I think it’s the ultimate test of character and will to succeed. I would love to get my pro-card by age 26. I’m just excited to keep competing, learning every day, and bring everything I got each time out.

Favorite Competitors/Idols

Who are your favorite bodybuilders and idols?

Frank Zane and Arnold.

How Can People Contact You?

You can e-mail me at huntertke@gmail.com!