Sponsored by www.boditronics.co.uk
James Collier: Hi Ian and thanks for agreeing to take part in an interview for MuscleTalk, of which many of our members saw you win at the WABBA Capital City Classic on Sunday 13th May.
Ian Buckley: Thanks for asking me!
JC: You are sponsored by Boditronics Ltd, who fixed this interview for us. Can I ask why you chose to go with these guys?
IB: After winning the Nabba South East 2006 I was introduced to Boditronics by Dunstable Sports Nutrition Centre, (namely Martin Halston), where I use to get my protein supplements from. I was offered sponsorships by several other leading companies and I chose Boditronics due to the fact they seemed more interested in what I was trying to achieve in the sport.
JC: How old were you when you started training?
IB: I have always liked training since my teens; I enjoyed athletics and boxing too.
JC: What made you decide to start working out/bodybuilding?
IB: There never was a moment when I said to myself I want to be a bodybuilder, it was a natural process/progression, as I got stronger and bigger people around me suggested I should maybe think about competing.
JC: How long have you been competing and what competitions have you entered to date, and where did you place?
IB: My first show was the Open Ultra Classics 2000 in Bedford where I came second. In 2001 I entered the Nabba South East Novice and I won 1st place. Next show was in 2003 the Nabba South East Mr Class 2 I won.
In 2004 Mr Class 2 again I came 4th. The 2005 UK BFF British Qualifier in Mansfield, I was first in the same year I won the British Championship under 80 kg. Last year I entered again the Nabba South East and won and was the overall winner. Then I competed for Wabba and won Class 2 after I took part in the Britain Final for Nabba Class 2 and came 7th (just missed qualification for the Mr Universe) and in the same year I went to Germany for the European Championship. As for this year I won The Nabba South East Seniors, Wabba Seniors and was the overall winner plus in the Britain Nabba Final came second and qualified for the Mr Universe.
JC: Have you got any other shows coming up this year or next?
IB: In the middle of June I am going to Germany for the European Championship with Wabba. The Mr Universe is in October which I have qualified for.
JC: I haven't seen pics of you in the off season, just wondering if you prefer to stay relatively lean or if you like to really bulk up as much as you can like some pros? How strict is your diet off season? Do you eat clean while trying to gain size or do you allow any junk food in your diet?
IB: My best gains have been whilst I've been eating fairly clean. I do think for me it is a lot to do with genetics. Saying that if I fancy something I'll eat it, but not too often and not too much.
JC: What's the worst piece of bodybuilding advice you have ever been given?!
IB: Carb up on flapjacks!
JC: How many times a week do you train and for how long?
IB: I train 5 times a week for maximum 60 minutes of intense training.
JC: Do you ever have problems with motivation for both sticking to your diet and for training?
IB: No. Prior to my shows that I do I put in my head that I am going to diet and nothing else will disrupt my focus. It helps if you have an understanding family.
JC: Many beginners who read today's bodybuilding magazines and websites are inundated with complex and in some cases dubious routines for building mass. What worked best for you in the early years and do you still stick to those same principles these days?
IB: Stick to your core exercises; benching, squatting, cardiovascular and repetitions.
JC: What kind of cardiovascular work do you do?
IB: Stepper. This is normally the first month when I start my diet.
JC: In brief, what's your typical daily pre-comp diet like?
IB: Obviously chicken, rice, as much salad as you can eat, Udo's oil, Boditronics Whey Protein. And at least I drink 4 litres of water a day.
JC: Which supplements do you use? Do these differ on and off season?
IB: I use Express Whey Protein when I am dieting. Also Bulgarian Tribulus and ZMA Complex made by Boditronics. As for off season Nu-Topia meal replacement and R'n'R (Refuel and Recovery) drink. British Dragon supplements too.
JC: Do you have any 'Ian Buckley gems of wisdom' which you could pass onto our readers and members?!
IB: Believe in yourself, have positive people around you, stay focused.
JC: Lastly Ian, do you ever visit the MuscleTalk forums or other bodybuilding websites, and do you feel that people's knowledge of nutrition and training has improved since bodybuilding forums, like MT have become so popular?
IB: Sorry guys, I am not the best visitor of these websites. I can just about operate my mobile phone. In principle I think it is a good thing when you have other bodybuilders who share their knowledge and experiences with other enthusiasts.
JC: Many thanks for taking the time to be interviewed and on behalf of all the MuscleTalk members, I'd like to wish you all the best in your future career.