JOSHUA TRENTINE

I've been a competitive bodybuilder for 15 years. I discovered H.I.T. in 1996 after reading Mike Mentzer's Heavy Duty Mind and Body. As a H.I.T. bodybuilder, I've competed 10 times, never placing lower than 2nd, the majority of times first, with the exception of the UIBBN World Championship in Paris, France where I placed 7th.

Over the years my approach has become more refined, although the longer you are in this game the harder it becomes to produce continued results, therefore I have adopted what I call extreme H.I.T. methods. These are methods that go beyond the basic H.I.T. approach of one set to failure. I believe the more advanced you are the further you must push the extremes while conserving precious "recovery" resources.

Perhaps the most intense, efficient approach to extreme high intensity training is the Max Contraction method. I've been aware of this method for some time now, and have found it particularly useful for single joint movements on the Vintage Nautilus Machines. My favorite exercise that I have used the Max Contraction technique on, over time, is the Nautilus Compound Bicep Curl. I wonder if it's any coincidence that this is my best body part?

I do find that different techniques lend themselves better to certain equipment and certain exercises. Therefore I have certain exercises that Max Contractions have been used more often than others. For example Nautilus biceps, triceps kickback on the Nautilus OME with max straps, weighted chin on the Nautilus OME, leg extensions, leg curl. The mentioned exercises have been cycled into my training on a regular basis, although I had not used Max Contraction training, exclusively until Oct 1st 2006.

At this time I had committed a solid year in order to prepare for the NGA Natural USA Bodybuilding Championship, which is also a Pro Qualifier. I had my heart set on a 15 year dream of becoming Pro, although I hit a major bump in the road. I began to have severe knee pain, and ridiculous swelling due to complications from a reconstructive knee surgery in 1990 from a college football injury. The pain and swelling prohibited me from using any of my other H.I.T. techniques. Although I found that I could do Max Contraction leg extension and leg curls PAIN FREE! - no motion, no pain. These events just so happened to coincide with the delivery of my Max Contraction Machines ( of which I currently own a full line). Prior to this time, I found it nearly impossible to perform Max Contraction on any exercise that required heavy loads like leg extensions. On my conventional equipment I had to use two spotters and even with two strong helpers we could not progress past 430 pounds. Now, even with a severe knee condition, I was able to continue to train my legs hard and improve right up to the show. The intensity was ultra high and the workouts extremely short.

Yes my dream did come true; on Nov.18th, 2006 I qualified as Pro Natural Bodybuilder and will continue to take the lessons I have learned as I prepare for Pro Mr. Universe in November 2007.

(In a future article I would like to discuss how I used (with John Little's permission) what I call Extreme Max Contraction as I trained. These will also be discussed in an interview on Dr. Darden's site.)