It isn’t very common for someone as young as 11 to become interested in weight training. As a matter of fact, most kids that age are still getting their feet wet with team sports such as baseball and football. But for William Neco, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

In the old days, the sport of bodybuilding was known as ‘physical culture’ and was represented by strong men such as The Mighty Atom. Now at 49, Neco marvels at the long list of champions he has had the pleasure of meeting, and that of course includes the aforementioned, whose given name was Joseph Greenstein. The 5’4″, 140-pound Atom was able to perform feats of strength that men twice his size could only imagine doing. This was the type of role model that Neco has used to enjoy what has become a lifelong dedication to fitness.

“I started out with a 110-pound weight set,” the Brooklyn native said, “and by the age of 13, I won my first competition – going against grown men.”

Neco weighed a mere 145 pounds “soaking wet” when he took home the first place trophy at an open powerlifting event held in Bensonhurst. He competed in powerlifting for four more years before an injured knee put him on the shelf. The year was 1981 and Neco found himself rehabbing the injury at the famous Ritchie’s Gym in Sunset Park.

“Bodybuilding became my new passion but because I had little knowledge of the sport, I grew discouraged after about two years,” said Neco, who eventually gave up the long hours at the gym. By 1998, he gained weight and suffered a herniated disc through an unfortunate accident when a 30-pound piece of a roof fell 13 floors onto him.

Where lesser men would stayed on the sideline, Neco decided to return to the site of his previous accomplishments and was once again a member at Ritchie’s. He needed to deal with the pain and discomfort in his back and find exercises that would not aggravate the injury any further, while also strengthening his core.

That was 13 years ago and Neco can still be found at his favorite gym. “Ritchie’s has always been my inspiration” he said with a smile, but said that he also trains at Spartan Gym. He has had success on the stage, winning Muscle Mania on three separate occasions and Mr. New York, but is still hoping to earn his pro card. “It’s my ultimate goal,” Neco concluded.

After persevering through so much, who would doubt him?

‘This is Your Magazine’ is merely one of the reasons why MuscleSport Mag is far and wide better than any other publication out there. What other media outlet features the up and coming athlete, the same as if he or she was a professional in their industry? This is the place to get your face and story out there, and who knows what opportunities may arise from that type of exposure?

ATLAS STONES:

In the world of strongman the Atlas stones are by far the most recognized by the public. From the time of the Celtics, Romans and now modern athletes, the Atlas Stones have been and remain to be one of the most technical and whole body events.

For those of you who don’t know what the Atlas stones are here is a brief description: Take one large stone (concrete sphere), pick up and place onto designated platform. The weight of the stones will vary depending upon the level of competition entered into. A typical starting point might be 220 pounds progressively moving up to a weight of over 400 pounds. The height of the platform may also vary depending the competition; you might find a progressive height up or one consistent height.

STRONGMAN AT A GLANCE:

There are many different events in the sport of strongman. The different leagues sometimes have different events for their lines ups. However there are recognized staples by everyone, such as Atlas Stones, Log Press and Farmers Walk.

Strongman contests have common roots with Highland Games and Powerlifting, but still differ from both. Many great strongmen have come from these two sports. My personal favorites are the novices who come out to compete; generally they have no experience but have a ton of heart.

This sport is not only for the monster size men of the world, we also have light weights, teen, women’s classes, team events and we have even seen husband and wife teams, as well as the big heavyweights.

INTENSITY TIPS:

Some athletes will use music, smelling salts (ammonia) and other methods to get ready for their big lifts. I prefer to use visualizations – see it and do it.

Don’t over analyze it, JUST DO IT!

INTRUCTIAL:

For starters, the athlete must stand over the ball. Next squat down over the ball and essentially hug it getting the hands down under the bottom. Once you have a good grip on the ball, push through with your legs and start pulling through with the back, drop the bum and place the stone on the lap.

The ball should be balanced. Re-grip if necessary, roll-up the body and place the stone. I have tried to explain this as if you were to do the lift in slow motion, however in real life you will want to move faster to help keep your momentum going. Some athletes do the lift in one motion.

ONE MAN’S OPINION:

Like in any sport you need to enjoy what you are doing! If you don’t it is time to try something else. I got into strongman because I was bored of just training for the sake of training. My genetics are not that of a body builder and powerlifting did not peak my interest. I saw the sportsmanship and functionality of strongman and an opportunity to direct my energy in a positive direction.

A friend of mine asked me in the gym one day, “Robin, you have all this strength and power! What are you going to do with it?” I did not know how to respond. I did not know about strongman at that time. But that statement had great implications in my life and lives of my wife and children. So I pose that same question to YOU!

You have strength and power!  What are you going to do with it?

Robin Wright, rwright@bceaa.org, Kamloops, BC Canada

Founder and Director of the British Columbia Extreme Athletics Association www.bceaa.org

Special thanks to my webmaster Diane Roberts: www.sbwebstudio.ca

Justin Cuzzetto: Reflex Nutrition, Kamloops, www.reflexnutrition.com

The City of Kamloops, BC, Canada Tournament Capital of Canada, www.kamloops.ca

and many more sponsors who have helped and are helping make the BCEAA strong in its continued success.

Known as ‘Zap,’ Holitt was one of the more popular Gladiators over the six years she was a member of the cast. She also was the host of the Radiant Pro Women’s Strength Show.

Be sure to visit her official website, www.rayehollitt.com.

MuscleSport Radio can be heard live every Tuesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Eastern time onwww.blogtalkradio.com and all episodes are archived on Blog Talk Radio, MuscleSport Mag and iTunes.

Please feel free to join us and give us your opinion, ask a question or make a comment. Our call-in number is 347-884-8157.

UPCOMING GUESTS

July 21 – IFBB Figure Pro & Lingerie Football League player Heather Mae French

P.J. initially started out in powerlifting and was successful, but decided that his ultimate goal was standing in the winner’s circle on the bodybuilding stage. At 22, he entered his first competition and placed fifth as a novice light heavyweight at the 2003 Atlantic States.

“I was the youngest in the class,” Braun wrote on his official website, www.pjbraun.com. “Success. This felt amazing and I was now addicted to the sport for life.”

Two top-three finishes in a row gave Braun the confidence that he needed to make the commitment to take it to the next step. He took off nearly two years to add some size to his frame and came back at 220 pounds for the 2006 Junior USA, where he finished what he described as a “controversial” fourth. A week later, Braun won the New England Bodybuilding Championships with a heavy heart. “Two days prior to the show, John Stavidris, one of my best friends, had passed away,” wrote Braun. “That winning moment was so surreal. It will live with me forever.”

Since then, Braun has finished 11th at the 2007 IFBB North American Championships and 9th at the same show a year later. He then was victorious at the 2008 NPC Atlantic City Amateur as the super-heavyweight and overall champion.

Braun is also one third of the famous Brat Pack along with Evan Centopani and Guy Cisternino. P.J. is the last one without a pro card, so he is keeping good company and on his way to joining his mates before too long.

This is part of an exclusive series by MuscleSport Mag on the 2009 NPC Empire States for which we are one of the show’s official sponsors. The show will take place on Saturday, July 18 in Suffern, New York.