VITAL STATS Name: Peter Fitschen E-mail: chuckles_345@hotmail.com Age: 23 Where: La Crosse, WI Height: 5'9" Weight: 162-163 Contest, 185-190 Off Years Bodybuilding: 6 Favorite Bodypart: Legs Because They Are Challenging, My Best Bodypart Is Probably Abs Or Chest. Favorite Exercise: Bench Press Favorite Supplements: Optimum 100% Whey Chocolate, Scivation Xtend, Scivation Dialene 4

How Did You Get Started?

At 16 years old in the spring of 2002, I was 5'9" 125lbs. I was in baseball, but I was too small to really be good so I started heading to a local gym once the season ended. I worked hard and by December of 2003 I was up to 170lbs. Some local bodybuilders at my gym were doing the NANBF 10,000 lakes in the spring of 2004 and convinced me to compete as well. I ended up competing at 145lbs and taking 2nd out of 2 in the teen class and 4th out of 5 in the novice class.

After that, I was only more motivated to keep lifting. I tried to put on as much mass as possible and ended up at a fat 210lbs by the spring of 2006. I dieted down for 2 shows in the fall, NANBF Eagle's Wings and NANBF Best of the Midwest, with the help of Layne Norton. I ended up competing at 158lbs. I won my novice class, took 2nd in my open class, and won best poser at the Eagle's Wings contest and then went on to take 2nd out of 8 in the Best of the Midwest.

I kept myself leaner over the next off-season only getting up to 190lbs by November 2007. I enlisted the help of Layne Norton again for my contest prep and ended up competing at 162-163lbs and leaner than I'd ever been in April of 2008. I took 2nd out of 9 in my open class at the OCB 45th parallel, 2nd out of 7 in the collegiate class at the NANBF Mr. Natural Minnesota, and won my open class at the Mr. Natural Minnesota which was a pro qualifier. I did not win the overall so I'm still an amateur.

Click To Enlarge.
Peter Fitschen.

What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?

I've tried a number of workouts including max-ot, doggcrapp, DFHT, non-linear periodization, etc. I've seen the best progress with high volume, high frequency splits. Two of my favorite splits are:

Split 1:

• Day 1: Lower Power
• Day 2: Push Power
• Day 3: Pull Power
• Day 4: HIIT Cardio
• Day 5: Lower Hypertrophy
• Day 6: Push Hypertrophy
• Day 7: Pull Hypertrophy
• Day 8: Low Intensity Cardio Or Off

Split 2:

• Day 1: Upper Power
• Day 2: Lower Power
• Day 3: HIIT Cardio
• Day 4: Back/Chest Hypertrophy
• Day 5: Legs Hypertrophy
• Day 6: Shoulders/Arms Hypertrophy
• Day 7: Low Intensity Cardio Or Off

Click To Enlarge.
Peter Fitschen.

What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?

Let me start off by saying I have a very fast metabolism and therefore eat a lot more than most guys my size. In the off-season I alternate periods of bulking and cutting to keep myself growing, yet lean. When bulking, I usually get 1.2-1.3g/lb protein, 500-600g carbs, and 80-100g fat per day.

During my mini-cuts my diet is similar to contest prep. During contest prep, I work with Layne, so I pretty much go by what he advises. Contest prep is slightly higher in protein and lower in carbs and fat. I typically have 2 re-feed days per week.

Click To Enlarge.
Peter Fitschen.

What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?

Optimum 100% Whey, Scivation Xtend, Scivation Sesamin, Scivation Dialene 4, Optimum 100% Casein, NOW Dextrose, and Higher Power Creatine Monohydrate.

Why Do You Love Bodybuilding?

I love bodybuilding because it gives me a chance to relax and relieve my stress. I just received my B.S. in biochemistry last spring and am currently going for my Master's in Biology with a Physiology concentration and ultimately continuing on to get my Ph D. With all that being said, I spend a lot of time at school, in labs, and studying which all adds up to quite a bit of stress. Getting in the gym gives me a chance to get away from all of that and forget about everything for that hour or so a day.

What Are Your Future Bodybuilding Plans?

I'm currently in the off-season. I plan on gaining as much mass as possible while staying relatively lean. As of right now I don't have a contest picked out, but I plan on competing again in 2010 or 2011 at an IFPA pro qualifier.

Click To Enlarge.
Peter Fitschen.

What One Tip Would You Give Other Bodybuilders?

If you want this bad enough, you can make it happen. In 6 years I went from 125lbs, without lifting or watching my diet, up to 162-163lbs stage weight at the same height. It is a slow process that has its ups and downs, but if you keep with it, good things will happen.

Who Are Your Favorite Bodybuilders?

• Brian Whitacre
• Joe Franco
• Layne Norton
• Kurt Weidner
• Doug Miller

BodySpace

http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/chuckles_345/

You Could Be Our Next Amateur Of The Week!

Male Amateurs. No longer content to sit on the sidelines? These guys & gals have gone from wimp to ripped!

Fitness Amateurs. Done with giving excuses, these ladies have given themselves the bodies they always wanted!

Teen Amateurs. These amazing teenagers have made changes in their lives that most adults only dream about!

Over 40 Amateurs. Age is no excuse for these over 40 men & women who have decided to feel and look young again!

More Bodybuilder Profiles:

:: Current Amateur Of The Week.
:: Other Previous Amateurs Of The Week.
:: Teen Bodybuilder Of The Week.
:: Over 40 Bodybuilder Of The Week.
:: Fitness Competitor Of The Week.