文章基本信息

标题：The big picture: the Claude Groulx file
作者：Jim Rosenthal
期刊名称：Flex
印刷版ISSN：8750-8915
出版年度：2002
卷号：May 2002
出版社：A M I - Weider Publications

The big picture: the Claude Groulx file

Jim Rosenthal

FULL NAME: Claude Groulx.

AGE: 39.

BIRTHDATE: June 24,1962.

BIRTHPLACE: Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Hallandale, Florida -- 20 minutes north of Miami Beach.

HEIGHT: 5'8".

CONTEST WEIGHT: 225 pounds.

OFFSEASON WEIGHT: 250 pounds.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to Nevine.

FIRST CONTEST: The Mr. Montreal in 1984. I placed second in the middleweight division at a mere 175 pounds. I'd decided to give bodybuilding a try because a friend of mine -- whose name escapes me now -- challenged me to train with him. He got in my face and said that I'd be lucky to last a single day in the gym.

That was really funny, given that I took care of business in no time and I went on to become a professional bodybuilder; ironically, he quit training completely and hasn't been heard from since.

EARLY CONTEST HISTORY:

I started training in LaPierre's Gym, a tiny club in the rustic neighborhood of western Montreal. That gym was so small that it had only one changing room with showers and so there were special days for men only (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and women only (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday).

Once I had developed a sense of confidence about my physique and its proportions, I felt ready to take a chance on my first national-level contest: the 1986 Eastern Canada, which was the top amateur contest for all of the eastern provinces and a qualifier for the Mr. Canada [Canadian Nationals]. I won the overall at the Eastern Canada and dropped all the way down to seventh at the Canadian Nationals, as I was still a middleweight and too small to do any real damage. I continued to train over the next couple of years, but I put more emphasis on my studies at the University of Montreal. I did an all-Quebec show in 1989 and placed third before getting back to serious business at the 1991 Eastern Canada -- as a light heavyweight -- where I won the overall. I followed that up with an overall triumph at both the 92 and '94 Canadian Nationals and finally turned pro in '95.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT:

Qualifying for the Mr. Olympia in 1998 with a fourth-place finish at the San Francisco Pro Invitational. That contest opened the door to do the '98 Mr. O -- a huge thrill for me. Perhaps I was not at my best on the night of the biggest show of my life, in New York City [he finished 17th], but that didn't take any of the pleasure away from competing onstage with the best bodybuilders in the world.

CAREER DISAPPOINTMENT:

My placing at the 2001 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas. I thought I deserved better than 20th place. I was overlooked by the judges -- they were way too far from the stage and could not see who was in top condition. got lost in a crowd of prime beef. I promise that I'll do some damage at the 2002 Mr. O, as I already qualified by taking third at the 2001 IFBB Grand Prix in New Zealand. Taking this entire year off to prepare for the Mr. O will help me get in top shape and peak right on time. I'll keep my symmetry and come in ripped to the bone at 226 pounds.

BODYBUILDER WHOSE PHYSIQUE YOU MOST ADMIRE: Chris Cormier in top shape has everything (small waist and world-class back) it takes to defeat Ronnie Coleman and become the next Mr. Olympia. I admire his blend of muscle mass, shape and ideal symmetry. Right now, Cormier is the only guy who can beat Ronnie.

BODYBUILDERS WHOSE PERSONALITIES YOU MOST ADMIRE: Gunter Schlierkamp is the nicest guy in bodybuilding. He's always smiling. He always has a kind word to say.

Emeric Delczeg [Masters Olympia competitor] has been a huge asset to me throughout my career and is a positive person to spend time with at contests.

BEST BODYPARTS: Legs, shoulders and back. My legs and shoulders have been strengths since day one, but my back has improved consistently over the past 10 years.

WORST BODYPART: My midsection. I admire athletes with tiny waists, which make the back look wider and more impressive and the physique more aesthetically pleasing.

FAVORITE EXERCISES: I love the pump I get from training back. Cable movements have really helped me bring up my lats.

LEAST-FAVORITE EXERCISE: I'm not into doing chinups, because I can't control the movement, and that makes it impossible to focus on a peak contraction.

PERSONALITY TRAITS YOU ADMIRE MOST IN OTHERS: I like people who are modest, humble and self-effacing.

PERSONALITY TRAITS YOU ADMIRE MOST IN YOURSELF: My distaste for ego-driven behavior.

I don't talk much about what I want to achieve; I let my actions do my talking. I'm a very focused and motivated person--in and out of the gym.

FAVORITE TV SHOWS: Seinfeld and I police-action dramas like Law & Order and NYPD Blue.

FAVORITE MOVIE: Gladiator.

FAVORITE BAND: Metallica.

FAVORITE FOOD: Italian.

FAVORITE BINGE-OUT TREAT: A good Italian dinner followed up with tiramisu.

FAVORITE AUTOMOBILE: Any Porsche will do.

IDEA OF A PERFECT VACATION: A trip to the Bahamas with my wife. Relaxing on a beach is where it's at for getting rid of stress and having a great time.

WHAT YOU WOULD WANT TO BE IF YOU WEREN'T A PRO BODYBUILDER: A professional hockey player. I'm a very good skater and was a talented center in my school days.

LONG-TERM BODYBUILDING AMBITION: Snagging a top-10 finish in the Mr. Olympia.

LONG-TERM PERSONAL AMBITION: I would like to own a gym and supplement company.

WHAT YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT BODYBUILDING: The opportunity to help people with training and nutrition advice.

WHAT YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT BODYBUILDING: Dealing with the misguided perception that bodybuilders are stupid. I take offense to that stereotype.