VITAL STATS Name: Eric Helms E-mail: ericrhelms@sbcglobal.net Age: 24 Where: Sacramento, California Height: 6' 1" Weight: 220 Lbs., Contest: 180 Lbs. Years Bodybuilding: 3 Favorite Bodypart: Back Favorite Exercise: T-Bar Rows Favorite Supplements: Controlled Labs Purple Wraath, Controlled Labs Blue Up - Stim Free, Universal Torrent, Controlled Labs Green Bulge, and Optimum Nutrition Whey Gold Standard.

How Did You Get Started?

I began lifting to deal with a difficult time in my life; got through it and fell in love with bodybuilding and powerlifting along the way. I attended my first natural bodybuilding show as a guest "test judge" and was inspired by the impressive physiques and dedicated athletes and decided that I wanted to compete one day.

View My BodySpace Profile: bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/Quelly.

What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?

My current split is working wonders, it is designed to bring up my upper body and maintain my legs which are a bit overpowering comparatively.

Mon: Chest & Tri's - high volume bodybuilding style
Tue: Back & Bi's - high volume bodybuilding style
Wed: Shoulders - high volume bodybuilding style
Thu: Legs - alternate weekly between high volume bodybuilding and low volume powerlifting
Fri: Upper Body Push - low volume powerlifting style
Sat: Upper Body Pull - low volume powerlifting style
Sun: Cardio, Grip Strength Training, Abs, stretching & active recovery

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What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?

Being an ecto I find I need in around 4500-5000 calories to grow effectively, and I eat approximately in a 50% carb, 30% protein, 20% fat ratio. When dieting for a show I start around 3000 calories and slowly ramp down and add in cardio as necessary, keeping my ratios approximately in a 45% carb, 40% protein, 15% fat ratio.

What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?

I have recently started using Purple Wraath, and Green Bulge by Controlled labs and my workouts have been excellent. In addition to the creatine and amino acids from Controlled Labs I take various protein powders and bars, a multivitamin, joint support and essential fatty acids as my staple supplements.

Why Do You Love Bodybuilding?

Because it is such a unique sport and it provides incredible challenge both mentally and physically. I love the off-season, molding my physique and getting bigger and eating a lot of food feels great and is wonderful lifestyle. I feel like an artist with my own body. Contest prep is also fun watching your physique get dialed in (until you get into the last few weeks, which is pure hell), but the best part about bodybuilding is the reward of getting on stage. It is an amazing experience that I honestly can't describe, one would have to experience it to truly appreciate the feeling.

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What Are Your Future Bodybuilding Plans?

I recently finished my contest season after competing in the ABA/INBA Silver & Black Muscle Classic which was a small natural show, I did well but, I want to come back in 08' or 09' and win the Novice and the Overall and get my PNBA pro card.

I also competed in the NPC Contra Costa, which was an untested show which was a regional level national qualifier. It is one of the bigger shows in California and brought out a lot of competition. It was an awesome experience but really showed me how much size I'll need to add in order to compete in higher caliber, untested competitions.

So my short term plans are to bulk up approximately 220lbs at 10% body fat so that I can step on stage with 20lbs or so of additional mass. By doing this I plan on winning my natural pro card in 09' and hopefully being competitive in large NPC shows in the Open category.

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Competition History

• 2006 YMCA 1st Annual Powerlifting Championships: 2nd place 196lbs-220lbs Weight class
• 2007 ABA/INBA 12th Annual Silver & Black Muscle Classic: 1st Place Novice Tall Class, 4th Place Men's Open Tall Class
• 2007 NPC Contra Costa Bodybuilding Championship: 16th Place

What One Tip Would You Give Other Bodybuilders?

Be true to yourself. Remember that there is a life after bodybuilding, and remember that this sport in the end should be about living a healthy balanced lifestyle. Bodybuilding does bring about the extremes in life but, always maintain your identity when you make decisions about your bodybuilding career.

If you decide to be natural or not, make sure YOU make the decision and not anyone else for you, never feel pressured or forced into doing anything you aren't 100% sure of. Once you make your decision, stick behind it 100% and be up front an honest about what you doing, you should be proud of any decision you make or you probably shouldn't have made it.

Who Are Your Favorite Bodybuilders?

Frank Zane, Bob Paris, Tom Platz, Darrem Charles, Serge Nubret, Ben Tenneson (WNBF Pro), Jim Cordova (WNBF Pro),

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