Bodybuilding.com - An Interview With Pro Bodybuilder Dave Hawk.

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In the following interview, Dave gives an excellent overview of his life in bodybuilding and provides valuable commentary on the finer points of muscle-building.

An Interview With Pro Bodybuilder Dave Hawk.

By: David Robson

By the 80s, professional bodybuilding had become very popular and, it was at this time, many of its greats were awarded their pro cards. After winning the NPC Mr. USA, and thus attaining his pro-card, Dave Hawk established himself as one of these pro-bodybuilding immortals as he went on to place highly in every pro-show he entered in the mid to late 80s, and made a name for himself as a marketing consultant and fitness specialist. Today, Dave still works in these areas.

In addition, he manages a number of WWE and TNA professional wrestling athletes. A life-time lifter and health advocate, Dave continues to train hard and will contest the next Masters Olympia. Dave is renowned for his great conditioning and excellent symmetry, and is still making significant physical improvements (as the accompanying photos illustrate).

Dave in a recent photo.

In the following interview, Dave gives an excellent overview of his life in bodybuilding and provides valuable commentary on the finer points of muscle-building.

[ Q ] Give us some background Dave. What drew you to the sport of bodybuilding and what titles have you won?

As a JR in high school I began weight training for the same reasons most young guys do - to get bigger and stronger. In high school I joined a weight lifting club called the 300 pound bench press club, and if you worked out, this was the IN thing. This bench club gave me my first goal to strive for.

Within one-year of consistent training I hit the mark in the beginning of my senior year. What was even greater in the process of trying to obtain the bench goal was that I gained close to 20 pounds, put 2 inches on my arms and 12 inches around my chest. I also started to get the nick name of Arms!

In the beginning I never knew what to really expect from my training. I found out that with a little dedication and effort, all the hard work pays off. When you set a personal goal and begin to accomplish it, it improves one's self confidence which improves one's life.

During my senior year, I read my first bodybuilding magazine. This was IronMan and Bill Pearl was on the cover. Bill was my first Bodybuilding idol, then came Arnold and Frank Zane.

What really sparked my interest in competition was an article in the publication on a rising star, Teen Mr. Pennsylvania, Ron Teufel. When I read Ron's article it sounded like me and it set my mind on fire to compete.

In 1980, while training for football, I found out about a bodybuilding contest called the AAU Teen Mr. Pittsburgh, Jim Manion was putting on. I enjoyed training, so I gave up football and trained strictly for this show. It was at this point I dedicated myself to the sport of bodybuilding.

Dave's Titles Include:

[ Q ] What's your current age, weight and height?

Age:

Height:

Weight:

Contest:

[ Q ] What are you doing these days Dave?

For 17 years I've been self employed and have worked as a marketing consultant and fitness specialist for Basic Media Group, Solae and GNC. I also work in sports management with a few clients contracted with WWE and TNA professional wrestling.

[ Q ] I hear you are also preparing for the 2005 Masters Olympia and the Canadian Pro. How much of your time is currently spend on preparation for these events?

I train around 12 to 16 weeks for a show. 12 hours a week with a ratio of 50% weight-training and 50% cardio.

[ Q ] Describe your current training schedule.

Powertec equipment

Day 1: Chest, Biceps, Forearms
Day 2: Hamstrings, Calves, Abs
Day 3: OFF
Day 4: Back, Traps
Day 5: Shoulders, Triceps
Day 6: Quads, Calves, Abs
Day 7: OFF

[ Q ] What is your diet like at the moment?

Normally My Diet Is Around:

450-475 gm carbs, 350-400 gm protein, 95 gm fats.

My Daily Protein Consists Of:

60% Protein Food: egg whites, flank steak, chicken breast, and fish.
40% Protein Powders: blends of Soy 45%, Whey 35%, and Caseinate 20%.
Complex Carbs - (Oat Meal, Yams, Brown Rice)
Fats - (Olive oil, Natural Peanut Butter and Almonds)

For extra calories I normally make sandwiches made of whole wheat bread, peanut butter and jelly. Otherwise my diet is pretty clean.

[ Q ] How will your training and diet change leading up to next year's competitions?

But there is no guarantee this will get me where I need to go. The bottom line is looking in the mirror, checking your weight and adjusting your diet according to weekly changes. I try to lose only about 1 to 2 pounds a week at most.

Something I've learned in my many years of training is there is no single way to diet. Each year it's always a little bit different.

For training I add cardio in the morning and in the afternoon. At the beginning, I start with 15 minutes first thing in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening. As my cardio condition improves each week I increase my intensity to where I get up to 1-hour in the morning and 1-hour in the evening for 4-weeks before a show.

Dave & Arnold

[ Q ] You competed in the 2002 and 2003 Masters Olympia. I have seen the photos of these events and you looked awesome. Describe your experience of competing at these Masters events.

Vince Taylor

Don Youngblood

If I didn't do well I' d just blame it on my years off. Prejudging was the toughest because the guys I competed against were incredible and I felt a lot of mental pressure. Anyone who competes normally puts his or her heart and soul into preparation and you never want to get you're a$$ handed to ya, but when you're on stage for the first time in 10-years and you get picked first in the call outs, it feels incredible to be back. Then you just do your best. At the night show you have fun and give the folks who came to see you a good showing of appreciation.

In 2003, it was a little different. I had time to think, and since I placed 4th last year I was fired up and set my sights on winning in 03. In 2003, I came back 18-pounds heavier and tighter so I thought WOW, maybe I can win this one. To my surprise it didn't happen that way.

Actually, I got sick the morning of Friday prejudging and spent most of the morning throwing up. This caused me to strain the right side of my neck and trap. I found out later that the eggs on the buffet I ate that morning were undercooked, and a few other fitness competitors got sick as well.

This made prejudging extremely hard as I was very dehydrated and flat which made it almost impossible to pose. I even had to hold myself back from not throwing up on the judges. But I wanted to be there and fought it out. Rich Gaspari later that day thanked me for not chucking on stage, or especially on him. He knew I was very sick and I was directly in front of him during the call outs.

Luckily, the night show was the following day. I didn't feel one-hundred-percent but was well enough to present myself better. I found out that I went from being around 7th place on the Friday to 4th (and almost 3rd) on the Saturday. Many people on Saturday said they thought I should have taken second. Well, what's it matter. I was just happy to be in the top five again. All the guys there were great.

[ Q ] I understand your son David is preparing to compete in next years Teen Nationals and Jim Manion's Pittsburgh, and you will be his training partner for these events. At what age did David begin bodybuilding?

Dave's son.

When David was much younger I participated as his youth wrestling and football coach for about 8 years. When he hit JR high, I had to step back and watch from the sidelines. As a father, you like to be in there with your kids, but they also need room to grow and be independent. Now that David's 18 and competing, I can again participate as a coach, training partner, father and friend.

I'm thankful we do have a great relationship and that he does listen to me and respects me enough to guide him. This doesn't mean we don't have arguments - we do! Actually, we are too much alike. But its all good and he knows I love him to death and want nothing but the best for him.

David and I have similar interests but watching him compete in bodybuilding is by far the best. He's actually a much better bodybuilder than I was at his age and his stage presence is something to see.

[ Q ] Did you encourage him from the beginning or was he inspired by your success to compete?

David's said he doesn't aspire to be a pro bodybuilder, nor does he really want that look. David sees himself looking more like a Frank Zepe fitness model in the future, hopefully finding a career in commercial work or sports entertainment. I'll support him in whatever direction he takes.

What started David? He played sports and wanted to get bigger for football and Lacrosse. Sounds familiar. He was also at a great age to begin weight training. In 2001 I was getting ready to participate in a fitness program with GNC and Physical Magazine called Dave Hawk's Return to Dominance.

It was a program designed to show guys in their mid to late 30's how to get back into shape properly, after an extended layoff. Since I was doing this program, I asked the publication if we could also add a beginners program and, if so, David would also participate.

[ Q ] Describe your involvement with Olympic, and now professional, wrestling great Kurt Angle.

I'm foremost Kurt's friend but have the privilege of being his trainer and business manager.

[ Q ] How instrumental were you in helping him to attain his current physique?

dedication

[ Q ] You have trained many people over the years. What attributes are essential to be a successful trainer in your view?

This is something you can't learn from a book, or school. It comes from the heart.

[ Q ] What would you consider to be your biggest achievement in bodybuilding?

Most people may think that winning a show is a great achievement. My feelings of achievement occur when I meet with a fan or followers, and I learn I've affected their life in a positive way. That's a great feeling of achievement.

[ Q ] Any disappointing moments?

None - I always try to look at the positives of things and block out the disappointments.

[ Q ] What would you consider to be your main strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths:

Weakness: Thick muscle density.

[ Q ] What are your non-bodybuilding related interests and hobbies?

I most enjoy going on vacations with my family, playing golf, and any outdoor activity.

[ Q ] If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring bodybuilding, what would it be?

Try to live a balanced life. Bodybuilding should be only one aspect of your life. It is such a selfish individual hobby, it can consume you. You must keep in mind that there are things in life, other than how you look.

[ Q ] What are the keys to a successful competitive career in bodybuilding in your opinion?

Again, a balance in your life and an understanding that you can use your hard work and great physique for more than winning shows. Your body reflects the fact that you are a dedicated individual, who can set a goal and achieve it. Use this principle in all aspects of your life to gain respect. Respect nurtures success.

[ Q ] What degree of importance would you attribute to diet and aerobic training when building mass?

Diet

When bulking, I eat more calories from complex carbs and less fat. When cutting, I cut carbs down but increase unsaturated fat for calories to have muscle energy for intense training. I never get super fat and bulky like I once did. I try and stay about 10% out of contest shape year round because it's much too hard on your body to cut a lot of fat without losing muscle size.

Aerobic's or cardio at low impact for about 20 minutes a day 4-days-a-week, or every other day in the off season, is important if you have the time. It helps keep your metabolism up and burn excess fat and calories when at higher nutrition intake than normal.

It also helps with the stimulation and release higher percentages of growth hormone, which helps in muscle recovery, as compared to not doing any cardio.

[ Q ] In your experience, is supplementation worth considering, and if so, what supplements would you recommend and why?

Protein Powders - to support lean muscle growth while raising nitrogen levels.

50% - From Blends Of Proteins (Soy, Whey and Caseinate) - in between meals for additional protein needs.

50% - Protein Isolates (Soy or Whey): Fast acting protein for the early morning, immediately before and after training.

Creatine - 5-grams 1-hour before training, 5-grams after training a day to help improve and spike strength 10 to 15-percent.

L-Glutamine - 5 in morning, 5 after training, 5-grams before bed a day to improve recovery time and keep immune system strong.

BCAA's - 3-grams 1-hour before training daily to improve muscle energy while keeping the metabolism functioning optimally.

HMB - 3-grams a day to help prevent muscle wasting and soreness.

ZMA - before bed, to boost natural test levels while improving rest (sleep-mode) recovery.

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[ Q ] How important do you consider goal setting to be?

The most important aspect. If you don't set a goal, how can you focus on a result.

[ Q ] What do you do to psych yourself up for major contest?

www.bodybuilding.com

This is one reason it's so fun to train with David and our other training partner John Rearick, 28. Their hearts and passion to win and be the best is displayed their training intensity. When I'm tired and burnt from a long day at work, I feed off their youth and passion, and try to show them that this 42-year-old is not slowing up.

[ Q ] Is your bodybuilding success attributable to the possession of good genetic potential or have your results come largely through consistent effort? What percentage of each do you think?

It's 50/50 basically. I have good genetics, not great genetics. My good genetics give me a balanced look, but I also lack the thick muscle bellies which some others tend to get easier. Good or fair genetics will only take you half-way to success. The other half comes from the individuals willingness to sacrifice, train intensely, and dedicate themselves to the goal of winning.

[ Q ] What was the bodybuilding culture like around the time of your first professional show, 1986 IFBB Los Angeles Pro Championships? In your view, how has bodybuilding changed since then?

I feel for the upcoming competitors who love the sport because the industry demands unrealistic looks where the risk really out weighs any reward, and the little niche market it does have keeps getting smaller and smaller each year. I love participating in pro competition but "Thank God" I don't depend on it for my lively-hood.

[ Q ] How long do you plan on competing as a bodybuilder?

A few more years, I hope. Win or lose I just truly enjoy being part of the sport and having this activity as part of my life. I have a healthy body and the ability to keep it fit so I will continue to challenge myself while trying to reach personal fitness goals.

[ Q ] Have you any plans for your post-bodybuilding life?

If anyone wants to get a hold of you?

Go to: www.davehawk.com

Email: hawk@davehawk.com

Mail: P.O. Box 97007, Pittsburgh, PA 15229

davidrobson19@hotmail.com