First show/ First coach/ Objective criticism needed

[mr.redpill]

I wasn't sure whether or not this belongs in the bodybuilding forum or steroid forum, but it has more to do with gear than training so I decided to post here...
I am doing my first show (NPC level) in about 9 weeks, and recently started working with a coach who has been begging me to work with him for years. He's not a pro, and he's only competed like twice himself...but I've known the guy for a while and the few clients that he works with have always won overall at NPC shows...so I decided why the hell not and started working with him about 4 weeks ago. He's doing my workout programing, nutrition and gear protocol...

I'm not super heavy into gear, I only have 3 cycles under my belt- 2 of which were test only (500mgs)...and the 3rd was low test, a sprinkle of primo, and a sprinkle of mast. I also used orals in my 3rd cycle but never stayed on them more than a few weeks because of acid reflux issues aswell as bad acne.

Then in comes my new coach. We had about 13 weeks to prep for the show...and he decided to beef me up a bit for the first 4 weeks before we started cutting because "I didn't need the whole 14 weeks to prep". So he had me run 750 test cyp, 400 tren a, and 100mg anadrol per day. Way more gear then I've ever used. I expressed my concerns to him and told him that I've grown on waaay less, but he insisted that was the protocol and basically to not ask questions. I put on about 15 lbs in those 4 weeks. Now we are at the 9 week mark and he wants to go into a full on prep for the show (1 hour of fasted cardio daily, carbs are basically non-existent, literally 1,600 cals 9 weeks out!!)...please note that that's basically half of my bulking calories...the kicker is he wants me to now run 750 test, 900 eq, 50 anavar ED, 50 winstrol ED. I'm a little fucking hesitant at this point because that's almost 2.5g of gear.

I have alot of respect for the guy, and I'm trying to trust the process, but my brain won't stop telling to get some input from others coaches here or anyone on meso who has experience competing.

Do I have a legit coach?
Is this what most guys are running for npc shows, like is this really what it takes?
The extreme deficit? Is that absolutely necessary?

Any input is appreciated guys, thanks.

Also my stats and some recent physique pics from the last couple weeks for reference*
25 yrs old
5'6
185lbs
Training for 7 years





*

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Thinking a new client doesn’t need 13 weeks to get peeled for a show immediately tells me your coach is probably a dunce. Nobody puts on keepable tissue in 4 weeks going straight into a massive deficit.

Sorry to say.

Drugs are what they are but that’s certainly more than I’d push on a first time competitor.

Your physique looks pretty good but nowhere near 9 weeks out. I’d tell you to expect 16 more if you were my client.

 

[mr.redpill]

Thinking a new client doesn’t need 13 weeks to get peeled for a show immediately tells me your coach is probably a dunce. Nobody puts on keepable tissue in 4 weeks going straight into a massive deficit.

Sorry to say.

Drugs are what they are but that’s certainly more than I’d push on a first time competitor.

Your physique looks pretty good but nowhere near 9 weeks out. I’d tell you to expect 16 more if you were my client.

I was hoping you'd answer.

Thanks.

Basically confirms my suspicions.

I'm at 12%...do you think there's ABSOLUTELY no way I could be show ready in 9 weeks? Or are you saying longer is just more ideal..

 

[Palifter]

I will co-sign @Mac11wildcat thoughts.

Thinking you can put on quantifiable tissue in 4 weeks (of prep nonetheless) is scary.

The drugs are higher than I’d like for a first show but the bigger issue is the caloric and cardio starting point. He’s setting you up for a very low ceiling from the get go.

I don’t like to step on other coaches toes, but this is just bad coaching. You need more time to be truly contest ready 14-16 weeks is a more realistic timeframe. That might mean ditching this coach and the show altogether.

 

[Mac11wildcat]

I was hoping you'd answer.

Thanks.

Basically confirms my suspicions.

I'm at 12%...do you think there's ABSOLUTELY no way I could be show ready in 9 weeks? Or are you saying longer is just more ideal..

I don’t coach by numbers I coach by mirror and my intuition tells me 9 weeks would be at BEST extremely taxing and require extreme measures.

There are plenty of shows and plenty of coaches. Pick others. You have some seriously hard earned tissue. Don’t sacrifice it for nothing.

 

[Avarice911]

Listen to your gut feeling on this one. You look solid but def more than 9 weeks needed. He probably knows that too and that’s why he wants to jack up your gear and tank your calories. A coach that doesn’t accept feedback from their client and just says “trust the process” with no explanation isn’t a good coach

 

[mr.redpill]

Fuck. This is all very discouraging. Guess I need a new plan. Thanks guys

 

[Avarice911]

Fuck. This is all very discouraging. Guess I need a new plan. Thanks guys

Don't let us drag you down. You still look amazing! If you wanna bring the best package to stage with minimal suffering, it's simply better to allow yourself more time to get prepared

 

[Mac11wildcat]

Fuck. This is all very discouraging. Guess I need a new plan. Thanks guys

Be encouraged you knew bullshit when you saw it and didn’t just go along with “authority.”

Stage isn’t going anywhere.

 

[Pulpfiction]

The cycle is almost exactly. Except for anadrol and primo, like the one I did for my first comp. It’s in the forumn under old competition cycle. I agree with these guys, In the pic you don’t look 12 percent but I could be wrong. Even if you aren’t as lean as you need to be, the competition will still be awesome experience and getting your foot in the door.

 

[laclark89]

Makes no sence run tren in the off season then eq for contest prep. Wouldent it be more beneficial to run the tren in the prep instead to hold on to some muscle instead or eq to give u a appetite. Who the heck would run eq for only 9 weeks?

 

[TheRingloVale]

So who has this coach coached before? Does he have some before/after pics? Maybe you can call some previous clients and ask if he legit helped?

After listening to guys like Jewett and Valliere and Meadows and Aceto, it's really important to trust the coach fully. So what is this guy's track record? SHOULD he have your full trust?

 

[cdoubleu]

On a positive note for you @mr.redpill, looks like the acne you were dealing with a while back cleared up nicely.

 

[BigTomJ]

basically to not ask questions

I don't need to read any further than this.

This is a bad coach, find a new one


Edit: read the rest of the post and the thread.

You look awesome, but your coach is doing you a disservice. Only 9 weeks to truly prep is asinine.

If I were you, I'd shop for a more qualified coach that's going to do things right, and who's willing to listen and respect your concerns and feedback.

Coach/client relationship is a partnership, your coach isnt your boss, he's your advisor.

The drug selection doesn't make sense, dosages and extended orals are not necessary for a first show given what youve accomplished so far. Prep cycles can be quite a bit more that normal, casual cycles, and 1-2 grams isn't unusual for the npc, however it has to be done safely and intelligently, neither of which your coach is doing.


Like @Mac11wildcat said, there are hundreds of shows out there, I'd rework your plans, shop around for a coach and settle in with them, then pick a show that gives you sufficient time to prep properly.

 

[Vanargandar]

I know you've already got your answer, which clearly sucks, and this is a late reply to the thread. But holy shit man...I've never competed in my life, nor do I ever plan to. But I can say with 110% certainty even I could do a better job than this knuckle head, and my only "real" credential is a BA in Nutrition. Just looking at your pics, stats, and those calories makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.

Hour of fasted cardio? 1600 kcal? 100mg of Anadrol? 9 weeks out? You have nothing to pull from or ramp up properly, unless he planned on starving you at 500 kcal or some stupid shit. It amazes me how some of these guys can place in a show or two and then decide they know how to coach someone.

 

[DECLAN]

I know you've already got your answer, which clearly sucks, and this is a late reply to the thread. But holy shit man...I've never competed in my life, nor do I ever plan to. But I can say with 110% certainty even I could do a better job than this knuckle head, and my only "real" credential is a BA in Nutrition. Just looking at your pics, stats, and those calories makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.

Hour of fasted cardio? 1600 kcal? 100mg of Anadrol? 9 weeks out? You have nothing to pull from or ramp up properly, unless he planned on starving you at 500 kcal or some stupid shit. It amazes me how some of these guys can place in a show or two and then decide they know how to coach someone.

Probably riding their genetic gift to win a trophy, then utilize it to over represent their coaching abilities. That's just my guess on some entry level coaches.

 

[Vanargandar]

Probably riding their genetic gift to win a trophy, then utilize it to over represent their coaching abilities. That's just my guess on some entry level coaches.

It could be genetic, although I surmise that his "coach" responded well to that exact protocol (shitty calories included) OR is overcompensating what he did to win (thinking more drastic = better results).

 

[mr.redpill]

I appreciate everyone who put time aside to provide input. I've decided to go ahead with the show just to get the experience and see what it is like, but in the future I'll be vetting more thoroughly for a new coach. I guess the guy really hard sold me on working with him. I don't have any expectations for placing but it'll be a cool experience. A few ppl I have to respond to when I get a minute.

 

[Deleted member 127229]

I was hoping you'd answer.

Thanks.

Basically confirms my suspicions.

I'm at 12%...do you think there's ABSOLUTELY no way I could be show ready in 9 weeks? Or are you saying longer is just more ideal..

You are absolutely not at 12% bf my brother. You look great though

 

[Vanargandar]

I appreciate everyone who put time aside to provide input. I've decided to go ahead with the show just to get the experience and see what it is like, but in the future I'll be vetting more thoroughly for a new coach. I guess the guy really hard sold me on working with him. I don't have any expectations for placing but it'll be a cool experience. A few ppl I have to respond to when I get a minute.

Life is one big learning lesson dude! Glad you took this experience for what it is, gained some knowledge, and matured from it.