I believed lengthy and arduous about this installment—whether or not to mix the ultimate two weeks into one “peak week” article, or separate them into two particular person weeks: two weeks out and peak week. Clearly, I opted for the previous. And right here’s why: At two weeks out virtually nothing is happening. You’re mainly simply holding your breath.
Apart from some guys beginning their diuretic schedule and perhaps carb-depleting towards the top of the week, you’re largely making an attempt to carry it collectively whilst you grind—coaching, cardio, meal prep, posing apply, tanning mattress, maintaining along with your social media. It’s as robotic an existence recognized to man. To not point out one of the vital making an attempt. Should you’re going to lose your thoughts, that is the place you’re going to lose it.
Additionally, nowadays, the “final week” might really be the final 10, 12,15 days. The time period “peak week” is nebulous. What I’m providing you with right here is the proverbial “residence stretch.”
Respect The place It’s Due
First, let’s pay deference to the women and men who make it this far. No matter division or present, in the event you began a contest prep and ran it by means of all 12- to 16-plus weeks and truly stepped on stage, what you’ve achieved is inexplicably extraordinary. Over three a long time I’ve prepped athletes from each stroll of life—clerical staff, medical doctors, attorneys, truck drivers, captains of business—and with out exception, each single one has mentioned prepping for a bodybuilding contest was the only most tough factor they’ve ever completed. Now think about that on the Olympia degree. The order of magnitude is meaningless to anybody however a fellow Olympian.
So after I say one thing as seemingly trite as “in the event you’re going to lose your thoughts, that is the place it’ll occur,” it’s mentioned with reverence. From a bodily, social, non secular, and emotional perspective, what occurs throughout this residence stretch shouldn’t occur to any human—not to mention somebody willingly doing it to themselves.
The Bodily Grind
This half’s the simplest to elucidate. Should you aren’t prepared now, you’re not going to be. You’re not constructing any extra muscle throughout this section. Your physique construction isn’t going to alter. You’ve mainly acquired what you’re bringing to the stage—plus or minus a bit water, glycogen, and perhaps a hint of fats. That’s why this era is all about manipulation.
Some guys go for radical carb depletion. Some solely barely. Some cycle. Some don’t deplete in any respect. Again within the Haney/Gaspari period, virtually nobody used diuretics. As of late some guys begin as much as a month out. By two weeks, loads of rivals are on some type of diuretic. Some wait till the final couple days. However in 2025, there’s a great probability that everyone’s utilizing one thing.
Past that, the playing cards are held near the vest. Olympia-level pre-contest pharmacology can embody plasma expanders, anti-cortisol medicine, insulin, clenbuterol, painkillers, web site oils, and different substances to mitigate muscle loss and hold metabolic fee excessive. It’s a Pandora’s field I’m not opening all the best way with specifics. At this degree the medicine, dosages, and functions are complicated, harmful, and—in the event you’re not below somebody who actually is aware of what they’re doing—lethal. Multiple athlete has died making an attempt to “nail” their peak.
The Psychological Spiral
That is the true killer. Psychological, non secular, and emotional stress will damage a champion physique sooner than grazing on the Chinese language buffet. Self-doubt, second-guessing, distorted self-image, reacting to destructive feedback on-line, irritability, foul moods, constipation, diarrhea, the final displeasure of each breath—that is the norm. You simply need it to be over.
And then you definately begin pondering: Again within the day they didn’t do any of this shit and a few say the physiques seemed higher! Wind that thought loop tight sufficient and also you’ve acquired a recipe for a crash. Most guys maintain on. Some don’t. Some come shut. On the finish of the day, the strongest thoughts wins.
All the things Else
Throughout these remaining days the schedule ramps up. Some guys are touring from abroad with a pharmacy of their suitcases, risking customs within the US the place what’s in these vials is a federal felony. Sponsor appearances, picture shoots, interviews—some reduce them off, others can’t afford to. A couple of even maintain down day jobs. In the meantime there’s nonetheless raining, cardio, meal prep, posing apply, tanning periods, massages, chiropractor visits, pores and skin therapies, social media obligations. Fixed movement turns into a type of distraction from the starvation, the stress, and the ready.
The coaching itself normally shifts: nonetheless intense however lighter, concentrated, cautious—prepare it, don’t break it. One freak damage this shut to point out day can erase a complete yr. The food plan is tighter than ever, starvation at its peak, the urge to cheat insufferable. And sure, some guys do break. I’ve heard tales of trench coats and ball caps, for a Taco Bell run at 1 a.m. Starvation units the temper. “Resting bitch face” turns into the default look.
The Residence Stretch
That is the house stretch—the end result of months of arduous work, struggling and sacrifice —not simply the manipulation of sodium and water, however the navigation of your individual thoughts. The champions you see onstage aren’t simply physiques. They’re survivors of a crucible that assessments every part: physique, thoughts, and spirit. And in the event you’re nonetheless standing, nonetheless shredded, nonetheless smiling on recreation day, you’ve already gained one thing most individuals won’t ever perceive.
