January 10, 2006

#3: Strength and Sex Appeal

Q: Hello Autumn,

I enjoyed your article about dieting. I have a question, though. How strong are you? I know it’s not really important for a bodybuilder, but I’m curious.

...Helen

A: Hello Helen,

I am very pleased that you enjoyed my article about dieting. I am happy to say that I have finally finished dieting for 2005. As for my strength, I am not super strong, but I am training for bodybuilding, not powerlifting. Powerlifting has more to do with strength, whereas bodybuilding is about building muscle. I also don’t want to injure myself at the gym so I don’t lift weights that I know are too much for me.

I make sure I hit my training goals of 10-12 reps and have to struggle to push the last 2 reps out; I know I am really working the muscle hard by doing this. If I were to do a bench press for only one rep, I am sure I could do 300 pounds! I won’t do this because I don’t wish to injure myself or tear something or drop the weight on my chest. I train each muscle until it burns and total fatigue sets in. I love the way heavy weight feels when I am moving it for reps, and feeling my muscles tighten and my pump intensify.

I did record some of my "Best Lifts" a long while back. My bench was 205 pounds, squat was 275 pounds, leg press was 900 pounds, dumbbell curls with the 60-pound dumbbells, and dumbbells and shoulder press with the 70-pound dumbbells. My weight on the machines goes up and down depending upon whether I am dieting or not. It also depends on how I am feeling on a particular day, my energy levels, and time constraints at the gym. When I am there, I just concentrate on what I am doing on the machine and I feel the effect really deep in my muscles.

Training for bodybuilding isn’t about how much you can lift; it is about proper form, technique and drive in the gym. Strength is relative to muscle growth. My training is the same all year round, but I am continually gaining strength, and more muscle size and maturity each year.

If you have any other questions I would be happy to help. Now off to the gym with you so you can get ready for your next competition!

...Autumn Raby, IFBB Pro

Q: Autumn,

I think that you’re the sexiest female bodybuilder I’ve ever seen. I know I’m not supposed to ask this, but will you tell me how old you are? And are you married?

...Steve Donaldson 

Hello Steve,

A: Thank you very much for such a wonderful email. You make me blush! I generally don’t tell people my age but seeing that you asked so nicely… 31 years young. My birthday is January 30.

As for being married, yes, I am. I married my husband six years ago and I have known him for ten years now. It was he who took me to the gym for the very first time. He is very knowledgeable about the sport, supportive, encouraging, and the driving force behind www.teamautumn.com. To be honest with you, I consider myself a very lucky woman!

I hope that you have a great day Steve and thanks again for the e-mail. Keep in touch.

...Autumn Raby, IFBB Pro

If you would like to ask Autumn a question, please e-mail: askautumn@seriousaboutmuscle.com.

SeriousAboutMuscle.com contributor Autumn Raby is from British Columbia, Canada, and is the 2005 CBBF Canadian Bodybuilding Championships Women's Middleweight and Overall Champion. Autumn's win at the Canadian Championships earned her an IFBB Pro Card. Autumn plans to make her pro debut in 2006.