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Bodybuilder wins titleDate: 26.11.2006
Posted by: Anabolic Info Team
Weeks of training and dieting all come down to one moment when Bruce Madeya stepped on stage, muscles taut, in front of a few thousand people at the OCB Yorton Cup III National Bodybuilding Competition in Pittsburgh.
As Madeya moved through various poses, muscles flex beneath tanned skin, every fiber and vein pronounced. The judges studied his body, taking muscularity, definition, symmetry and presentation into account before scoring him.
Madeya scored well, placing first in the men's 35 and older category and third in the overall men's open middleweight category.
"I trained since January with this contest in mind, so it was great to win, especially since I was competing against guys from across the country," the 42-year-old Uniontown man said while relaxing in his home a couple weeks after participating in the Nov. 4 competition.
Madeya said training for a natural bodybuilding contest takes a lot of time and effort, mostly because competitors can't depend on steroids and other performance-enhancement drugs to give them what Madeya refers to as the "extra oomph."
"Natural bodybuilding is much more difficult, and you have to put much more effort into your diet and workout because you don't have the drugs to assist you," he said.
Madeya said natural bodybuilders must be extremely self-disciplined. They also have to be willing to spend a lot of time in the gym.
During the off-season, Madeya lifts weights about an hour a day. But when training for a competition, he said he works out four to five hours a day.
"The last six to eight weeks before a competition you kick it into gear. The last two weeks you really kick it up a notch," Madeya said, noting that he varies his workout routine by rotating heavy weights and low reps with lighter weights and more reps.
"The key is to always be changing your workout," he said.
In addition to lifting, Madeya follows a strict high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
"I eat a lot of chicken, steak and fish, with some yams and a little bit of rice mixed in," he said. "The last few weeks before a competition it's a lot of boiled chicken."
Looking at Madeya, it's hard to believe the buff bodybuilder wasn't always a health guru.
"I've always lifted weights, but I used to eat badly," he said. "I thought McDonald's was good for you, and I smoked two packs of cigarettes a day."
Madeya put the cigarettes aside and started training seriously about 10 years ago. He's won several contests since then and has a room full of trophies to prove it.
He credits personal trainer Mod Giachetti and late Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Steve Courson for his success, saying both men inspired him over the years.
"I owe them a lot," he said. "They've really helped me, gave me tips and advice."
Madeya also gave thanks to fellow bodybuilder Josh Mrosko of Uniontown, who he's trained with in the past.
Although many bodybuilders idolize Arnold Schwarzenegger, Madeya said he's always looked up to Chet Yorton, who is considered the "Father of Natural Bodybuilding" because he held the first-ever drug-tested contest in 1975.
Yorton, an adamant opponent of steroids, won the title of Mr. Universe in 1966, toppling Schwarzenegger in the process. In addition, Yorton won 15 competitions from 1960 to 1979 and appeared on the cover of several magazines.
Madeya said bodybuilding has a bad reputation, but that it's a wonderful sport.
"You don't have to take steroids," Madeya said. "Look at Yorton. He's the perfect example. If you're willing to work hard, lift the weights and watch your diet, you can succeed."
However, Madeya admits it's hard for natural bodybuilders to compete against those who use performance-enhancement drugs.
Nonetheless, Madeya said he enters a few competitions from time to time that aren't drug-free to see if he can "compete with the big boys."
Proud to say he is "drug-free," Madeya said he has placed over bodybuilders who aren't.
"It's all hard work, not magic," he said.
The OCB Yorton Cup III national competition Madeya recently placed first in is a drug-tested event that requires competitors be drug free for at least five years. Random drug tests are given to participants.
Madeya said he had the opportunity to meet the 67-year-old Yorton while competing in the OCB.
"It was really great meeting him," Madeya said. "He still looks great."
Taking some time off from his strict diet and workout regime, Madeya said he hasn't decided what bodybuilding competition he'll compete in next.
"I always take a couple weeks off after a competition and then it's back to the gym," he said. "Bodybuilding is kind of addicting. I'll always do it."
Madeya is sponsored by Dr. George Wilhelm of the Hopwood Fitness Center, where he trains.
Madeya's wife, Suzanne, said she supports her husband's hobby and that he motivates her to be healthier and more active.
"I'm really proud of him," she said.
Madeya himself is modest when it comes to his many athletic accomplishments.
"Bodybuilding is something I enjoy, and it makes me feel good," he said. "It's just something I do."
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