All smiles as Earl shakes hands with John Hewlett winner of the Nabba Amateur Mister Universe

Nabba photo

In 1963 I am again competing for this great title and training harder than I have ever done before. I decided to make this a do-or-die effort and I trained six days per week for this event. At

the judging I thought that Joe

Abbenda was about ten pounds overweight, but I was tremendously impressed with the physique of Serge Nubret, who I saw in the flesh for the first time. I had previously seen several photographs of him, but when I saw him stripped I was absolutely amazed at his huge arms and fantastic chest. I thought that he should have beaten Abbenda. I was a little disappointed at the result, but nevertheless still went away with the feeling that third place in the N.A.B.B.A. contest is better than a win in several other contests in the world today.

Next comes 1964 and the results are now history, but to me the moment of victory is as fresh today as it was that September day last year. At the judging Serge Nubret seemed as though he lacked something, while on the other hand, Reinhard Smolona, of West Germany, really gave me a surprise and I was indeed amazed at the improvement he had made since I last saw him in Germany two years ago when I was starring in a show there.

I was pleased to see John Hewlett take the Amateur title, but in my opinion Adrian Heryet should have beaten Vern Weaver for the Class 1 title. Adrian should win this class and the overall title in another year. I have been asked what my plans are now that I have won the title; first of all I always wanted to judge one of those contests, and secondly I would love to compete for this great title again with the hope of becoming the first to win the professional title twice. I am still in hard training for exhibitions and if I succeed in winning the title again I shall probably retire from contests but will always train to remain in top condition.

WHAT BECAME OF THE

BREATHING SQUAT

BY IVAN DUNBAR

NOT TOO many years ago the breathing squat commanded a fairly regular place in most training programmes. Today it would seem it is seldom practised; many fellows I know have never done the breathing squat at any time during their bodybuilding career. This is a great pity, especially if one is looking for a big increase in chest size, or indeed an increase in bodyweight.

I suppose one of the reasons why it is no longer popular is because it is a tough one and requires a good deal of drive and stickability. Yet for anyone prepared to give it a good try the results can be well worth the effort. Many fellows complain about their lack of chest and rib-box size and yet continue to do five or six reps with one or two chest movements. This can work for some, and probably will for most for a period, but not indefinitely. To those of you earnestly seeking to stretch that old rib-box as never before I suggest you can do no better than a couple of sets of twenty on the breathing squat. If you are a fairly experienced trainer take a poundage equal to your own bodyweight. (If you haven't been training very long adjust the poundage to suit the method I will describe.) For the first ten reps take a deep single breath and squat as in the normal manner. On the next five take two breaths between each squat-before going down. For the next three (bringing you up to eighteen) take three deep breaths between each and on the final two reps take four. By the time you have finished this one the old lungs will be working overtime. Follow with a light breathing pullover (max. 25lb.) for twenty-five reps and don't be alarmed if you feel a pain around the sternum area. This is due to the unusual stretching and there is no need to worry. Do two sets in conjunction with and before your normal workout.

If you want to specialise on the rib-box follow your squats with three or four chest exercises, three to four sets of 12 reps. A good selection could be the windmill motion (or circular pullover) with dumbells, straight arm pullover, bent arm pullover and inclined flying motion. Once you have built a reserve of stamina try increasing the poundage slightly (10lb.) but never use a weight that stops you from doing the exercise properly. Remember the bar will be on your shoulders for a considerably longer period of time than usual, so give yourself a chance to get used to it. When you do get used to the stretch you can keep it going by either increasing the poundage as recommended or by increasing the number of breaths between repetitions.

If you feel you can't bear to be parted from the heavy squats then follow your breathing squats with 3 x 6 reps on the heavy squat-done, of course, in the normal way. A highly successful version of chest improvement is to do a couple of breathing squats and follow with the chest exercises I have already given, going as high as fifteen reps in each set. Do this for two months and follow with a programme of low reps-5 x 5 reps on each, on the squat, press behind head, bench press, rowing motion, curl, tricep stretch and dead lift. The switch can prove the medicine required to add those extra inches. Happy squatting (and breathing).