Could you be our Body of 2009?

At the start of 2008, Maximuscle launched an exclusive Body of 2008 competition - offering the winner a £5,000 prize and an appearance on the cover of our January 2009 catalogue. Read on to see what it took to reach the Photo Shoot Final and win Body of 2008..

Take the Challenge

Over 750 Maximuscle customers entered Body of 2008 - including doctors, office workers, policemen, builders and students. However, what was most impressive was the quality – with literally hundreds of guys transforming their bodies into cover model shape, often dropping 20lbs of fat and building 10lbs of muscle.

Impress the Judges

When we started our quest for a cover model, we were looking for a regular guy - with an extraordinary dedication to training and nutrition. We wanted to see guys transform their bodies, while balancing every day commitments like work, friends and family. Ultimately - we wanted people to look at the front of our catalogue and say, “I want to look like that”. However, the winner had to have a 'realistic body image' – a look that regular guys could genuinely develop.

Make the Final Cut

After painstaking analysis, the Body of 2008 short-list was cut to 8 finalists – who battled it out in a professional photo shoot. It was agony for both the judges and contestants! As fitness expert and Body of 2008 panellist, Christian Finn noted, ''picking the winner was extremely difficult, with 8 everyday guys who had built cover model physiques, all with compelling stories of how and why they transformed their bodies...”

Training and Nutrition

Inspired by his fitness loving father – Rez' first experience of training, came courtesy of a set of old dumbbells and a rusty bench in the garage. However, there was another reason for picking up a barbell, and that was self-confidence. As Rez says, “I was very thin for my age and had a negative self-image, which contributed to a lack of self-confidence, and my father always stressed the benefits that a healthy lifestyle could bring to both body and mind”.
Rez balances work as a fitness advisor, with a realistic training plan. His favourite session is the '300 Workout', which was featured in Men's Health Magazine and used by the cast of the blockbuster movie. As Rez says, “The guys in the movie were in great condition, and once you try the workout, you'll know why!” Along with the 300 workout, Rez performs a combination of cadiovascular and weight training sessions to achieve his cover model physique. Un-surprisingly, Rez' ripped abs aren't just the result of training – they come from consistently maintaining a healthy, balanced diet. After the gym, Rez takes Promax Extreme - and used a stack of Promax Extreme, Promax Meal Bars and Thermobol to get in shape for Body of 2008 . He cites 'research backed products that really work' as the reason he loves Maximuscle.

A Typical Day Meal Plan

• Breakfast: Promax Extreme mixed with oats, with a spoonful of honey.
• Mid-Morning Snack: Promax Meal bar and fruit.
• Lunch: Chicken salad coupled with a small amount of wholemeal pasta and raw broccoli.
• Mid-Afternoon Snack: Promax Extreme.
• Evening Meal: Monkfish fillet, brown rice, green veg, spinach, asparagus, drizzled with some extra virgin olive oil.

Q: What advice would you give someone trying to achieve a cover model body?
A: Set a challenging long-term goal, but break it into smaller milestones. For example, you may want to build 12lbs of muscle in 2009 – but it's more realistic when you aim for 1lb per month! Maximuscle.com is an excellent source of nutrition and training information.

Q: Other than training, do you play any sports?
A: I love sport, and from a young age my friends and I used to play badminton. Badminton was another reason I took-up weight training – and it quickly enhanced my jumping. I won my School Championship when I was only in year 2, and went on to represent my city, Edinburgh.

Q: What music do you listen to when you train?
A: Music that aids my motivation, usually up-tempo dance tunes - something that harnesses my focus, gets the blood pumping and drives me to squeeze out that all important last rep!

Q: What is your biggest food vice?
A: I love eating healthy food – so cakes and crisps aren't much of a temptation to me! However, Protein bars are a great way to curb a craving. If I eat out – I'll usually have a steak with salad and vegetables.

Q: What are your other hobbies?
A: I love socialising, meeting new people and outdoor activities; nothing beats getting out on my road bike and taking in some incredible views.