Bobby Barker
Q: What have you been up to, lately?
A: At the moment, Val and I are working with a strength ministry team, using feats of strength to delivery the Gospel message and reach the lost. Our team is mainly made up of youth because we feel that God has placed us as a training field for the next generation. It is an awesome place to be!!
Q: What got you started in bodybuilding?
A: My father made me when I was twelve. Since then I have grown to love it for the dedication, effort and discipline it requires. So many things can go on in your life but the weights are always there like a faithful dog. The big bonus is that God has changed it and allowed me to use it for His Glory, without compromise, of course. It does not have the flavor of mainstream bodybuilding. No drugs, or sexual undertones, but it is far better.
Q: What’s your training program?
A: I have , at times, subscribed to the Vince Gironda way of training but lately, because of the strength ministry, I am going more towards more power moves. As for supplements, I am old fashioned: Milk, eggs, cheese, meat, poultry and a good multi-vitamin and plenty of water. As for diet, I eat five to six times a day every three hours, getting about 30 grams of protein per meal. I don't really subscribe to the mega dosing of the protein because I feel it stresses the system unnecessarily.
As for my training, I train 3 on, 1 off, 2 on and 1 off. So it would be train Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Rest on Thursday and train Friday and Saturday, taking Sunday off to honor God.
I train shoulders/chest/triceps/calves, back/biceps/forearms, and legs on the third day.
At the moment training goes something like this: For shoulders I do 6 sets of standing military presses for 6-8 reps. I then do 6 sets of seated barbell presses, alternating behind the neck and in front for 8 reps only raising the bar enough to clear the head, resting only 15 seconds between sets ala Vince Gironda methods. 3 sets of rear dumbbell laterals finishes off the shoulders.
Chest starts with 6 sets of incline bench presses going 3/4 up - no lock out for 6-8 reps. I follow that with 6 sets of flat bench dumbbell presses for 6-8 reps. If I am not burned out, I will finish off with a few sets of crossovers of flyes.
For triceps I do Decline triceps extensions super-set with close grip bench using a cambered curl bar. 8 sets for 8 reps. I finish this day off with one set of no-weight calf raises for 100 reps.
Back training consists of wide grip pull-ups for 6 sets of 6-8 reps. Bent over barbell rows for 6 sets of 6-8 reps and some stiff-leg dead lifts 6x6 for the lower back. For biceps, I subscribe again to the Vince Gironda method of straight bar body drag curls 8 sets for 8 reps. What you do is pull your elbows as far back as you can when curling the bar up. It takes the shoulders out of the lift, stressing the biceps pretty hard. 15 seconds rest between sets. I superset this with standing forearm curls where you hold the bar behind your back, palms out and curl your hands up, trying to touch your butt with your knuckles. I do this for 8 sets and 15 reps.
For legs I do the standard leg curl 4 sets for 8 reps for the hams. Then on to 4 sets of 8 on the leg extensions. For quads I do the old-fashioned hack squat where you hold the bar behind your back and squat down. This REALLY bombs the quads hard with no chance of back injury. 8 sets of 6-8 reps really finishes off the legs. 5 sets of standing calf raises 20 reps with 30 seconds rest between sets ends this day. I alternate doing trunk twists and crunches on training days.
I rotate my training as the days roll forward. BUT on Saturdays the fun begins! I train with some Atlas stone lifts, tractor tire flips, farmers walks, kettle bell tosses, power cleans, and dead lifts with a rear axle!
Hope I didn't bore you with all that!
Q: What’s your best memory of bodybuilding?
A: I have a few. My first was spotting for Albert Beckles on the bench (yes I am showing my age!) at Steve Michalik's Mr.
Meeting Dave & Laree Draper. What wonderful people!
Becoming friends with Joey Meeko.
But my best of all is becoming very good friends with Anibal Lopez. He has a very special place in my heart as well as my wife and son's
Q: What advice would you give to the newcomer?
A: I guess the best advice I could give is that when you start training, don't think of it as something you will do for a little while, but think of it as a lifestyle. If you go into it thinking, "I just want to get big for this of that", what happens after you reach those goals? If you make up you mind that you are in it for the long haul, it becomes part of your daily routine. I would also say that you should not look to the world of professional bodybuilding for idols. That is a dangerous place to tread. Instead, look to those around you who train. Those who haven't sold their soul to the devil - yes that means getting big at any cost - steroids, drugs, growth hormone, etc. Don't let training consume and control you! Do not let it become your god, instead, honor God with your training! He gave you your body, take care of it! If someone gave you a car for free, would you run it into the ground? No you'd take care of it. So much more your body!
(Submitted Photos)
Click here to learn more about Bobby!
