living proof it’s possible to bolt
dense muscle onto such a large
frame.
“I started training at Powerbase
Gym in Loughborough, learning how
to apply and endure some of the
toughest workouts in the book,”
says Josh. “This was the necessary
first step in order to get my muscles
to respond and start filling out my
huge, lanky frame.”
After a few months, Josh began
training with a powerlifting friend
named Rich Ellis. Ellis pushed his
lifts and the intensity of his lifting
to a completely new level.
“Training with Rich was a new
ball game for me,” recalls Josh.
“I had been training hard, but my
new training regime was insane.
My physique was growing rapidly
and I was reaping the benefits of my
efforts in very visible stages. Not
only that, I was getting stronger and
stronger,” he says.
Josh focused not only on his
lifting, but also on ensuring he was
18
FLEX | FEBRUARY 2018
fuelling his body with the nutrients
required for such huge growth.
“Eating for growth was complete-
ly new to me,” he says. “It was
imperative I concentrated on putting
the right nutrients into my body-
not only to fuel my workouts but to
aid my muscles in the repair and
recovery stages.”
Josh was soon ready to step on
stage, and his bodybuilding career
went from strength to strength.
“I strongly believe in staying
relaxed, focused and positive at all
times,” he advises. “People say I’m
a gentle giant and comment on how
laid back I am. I attribute these
qualities to my success as a body-
builder. Stress can have a huge
impact on muscle growth and
development and therefore I avoid
it as much as possible.”
This approach is taken ahead of
every show Josh competes in. And
whilst he was disappointed not to
place at the World Championships in
Malta, he remained focused and
bounced back to place 2nd at the
NABBA England and then 3rd at the
NABBA Mr Universe the same year.
This focus extends to his dietary
consistency too, as he confesses he
doesn’t believe in cheat meals…
“After so many years of complet-
ing and learning how my body
responds to dietary changes, I
made the decision to never have
cheat meals,” says Josh. “At most, I’ll
enjoy refeed days, on which I
consume higher quantities of
carbohydrates in order to give my
muscles more fuel to train hard-
without sacrificing my condition.”
THE BIG LEG
SESSION
EXERCISE
Leg Extension
SETS REPS
4 20
Hack Squat
2
5-10
(until reaching a working weight to perform
heavier sets)
Hack Squat
(working sets) 1st
2nd 8-10
15-20
Leg Press 4-5 20-30
Seated Leg Curl
(squeeze the quads
on each rep) 4 10-12
Stiff Leg Deadlift
(warm up set) 3 10
Stiff Leg Deadlift
(working sets) 1st
2nd 8-10
12-5
2 5-10
Glute Bridge