Jüri Leinvald: bodybuilding is my way of life

27-year-old Jüri Leinvald has placed seventh at the World Championships in classic bodybuilding and sees the sport as a way of life, rather than a job or a hobby. In this interview, he talks about how he got into bodybuilding, how he gets into contest shape and why he recommends that young athletes start with ball sports and athletics.

How he got into bodybuilding

Jüri has been involved in classic bodybuilding specifically for five years, but he has been going to the gym for much longer. It was a gradual journey: he took part in other sports before bodybuilding, then decided at one point to give it a try — and stuck with it.

Jüri does not have a coach as such. Taavi Koovit and Marek Morozov help him refine his posing, offering guidance and support before competitions. “There is only one leader in this sport in Estonia,” Jüri says with a smile. “Let him talk about it; he enjoys that.”

His greatest achievement so far is VII place at the World Championships — the result he is currently most proud of.

Bodybuilding as a way of life

Asked whether bodybuilding is a job or a hobby for him, Jüri gives a brief answer: a way of life. He says the physical side is not the hardest part — the mental side is. Finding motivation, putting in serious mental effort and pushing beyond his limits are all part of every contest prep.

Energy comes from your mindset. When you do something you really enjoy, that feeling gives you the strength for your next workout. Jüri admits that without visible results and progress, he would not have found the sport so rewarding — progress itself is part of the motivation.

His longer-term plans? The 2011 Classic Bodybuilding World Championships in Tallinn are his next clear goal. After that, Jüri would like to move from classic bodybuilding to conventional bodybuilding — time will tell exactly where life takes him.

Conditioning, food and recovery

Preparing for competition

It takes Jüri about two and a half months to get into contest shape. During this period, he follows a strict regimen and uses plenty of supplements. Outside contest prep, he uses relatively few — mainly protein, carbohydrates and creatine.

His worst habit

“Poor eating habits,” Jüri admits. Between competition periods, he loves junk food and craves a hamburger a couple of times a week. One thing contest prep teaches you is that maintaining a strict regimen all year round is unrealistic: sometimes you have to let things slide.

Unwinding by fishing

Fishing is Jüri’s favorite way to relax. Getting out of the city and into nature is how he releases tension. Nightclubs, he says, only leave him feeling more tired, not less.

Bodybuilding for young people — what age should you start?

Jüri’s view is clear: classic bodybuilding is not a sport for young people. They should take part in endurance sports — ball sports, athletics and wrestling — to build a solid physical foundation and allow their bodies to develop naturally. There is plenty of time to take up bodybuilding later.

His own experience supports this view. Until fourth grade, Jüri’s PE grade was a four. After he started wrestling, it rose to a five, and he excelled at dodgeball, volleyball, football, wrestling and long-distance running. It was during wrestling training that strength exercises were gradually introduced — and that led him to the gym.

FAQs

How long does it take to get into contest shape for bodybuilding?

According to Jüri, it takes about two and a half months of focused work before a competition. During this period, the regimen becomes significantly stricter — in terms of diet, training and recovery.

Is bodybuilding suitable for young people?

His view is that it is not. When you are young, you should choose endurance sports and ball sports to allow your body to develop naturally. Bodybuilding can come later.

What supplements does a top bodybuilder use every day?

Jüri mainly uses protein, carbohydrates and creatine on a daily basis. Most of his supplements only come into play during contest prep.

Author:Turg.Fitness.ee

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