Interview with Brad Heck

Submitted by Westy0404 on October 14, 2008 - 7:04am.

Critical Bench interviews bench presser Brad Heck. Heck, a top 181'er, who is moving to the 165 pound weight class comments on the move: "I was kind of forced into the 181 weight class when the WPO changed the lightweight division to 181 and under. Guys like Joe Mazza and I were forced to try and gain weight. The weight gain was affecting my health and nothing seemed to go right after I hit my 705 at seniors in 07. Rick Hussey thought it would be a good idea for me to drop some weight and take another crack at 165. The past year I have had a few injuries and it really hasn't been fun for me. I lost my drive. As for goals I would really like to hit 705 but anything over 579 is a personal best so you can't be disappointed with that. The way to the top is to beat yourself and eventually you will get there."

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 7:27am. » quote

How could a move from 165 to 181 affect his health? Unless he is three feet tall, I don't see how that little of weight...at that light of a weight would matter.

Submitted by Al Caslow on October 14, 2008 - 7:37am. » quote

Anonymous wrote:

How could a move from 165 to 181 affect his health? Unless he is three feet tall, I don't see how that little of weight...at that light of a weight would matter.

I am not an expert, but in essence it's not necessarily the rise in weight but more importantly how it's done. I'm not at all certain if Brad went about the climb in the right way or not, but I would imagine health is MORE dependent on WHAT rather than HOW MUCH. Both are obvious factors, I just believe one has more depth than the other.

Submitted by NASAKYCHAIRMAN on October 14, 2008 - 9:30am. » quote

Great interview!!

Also, I like your 10 bp tips, especially #6!

TRAIN HARD
"BIG WILLIE" J.T. HALL
ATLARGE NUTRITION
INZER ADVANCE DESIGNS
BMF SPORTS
USP LABS
ADRENALINE GEAR

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 11:09am. » quote

Anonymous wrote:

How could a move from 165 to 181 affect his health? Unless he is three feet tall, I don't see how that little of weight...at that light of a weight would matter.

Read the interview not just the headline. The weight gain was more then just 165 to 181.

Submitted by Andrew Cohn on October 14, 2008 - 11:10am. » quote

He competed at 181. He said he weighed around 210.

Sponsored by APT Pro Gear and Monster Energy

Submitted by Mick Manley on October 14, 2008 - 11:58am. » quote

Brad hecks a nice guy.

Submitted by Rob Kolberer (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 12:12pm. » quote

Great interview Brad! Not only a gifted lifter but someone I consider to be a true friend as well.

Submitted by freakshow (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 12:22pm. » quote

I hate to admit this but Brad is a awesome lifter and a great fiend. Even though I'm not sure what him an Coker do in his room together all night!!

Submitted by Putt Houston on October 14, 2008 - 2:27pm. » quote

Heck is fresh...

LMAO @ "I have a cheer bear teddy bear and a hulk doll that I bring with me to every meet. Two x girlfriends gave them to me before meets years ago and I have kept bringing them with me."

Putt Houston.... now with more Bom Chicka Wahwahhhhhh

Submitted by Dr. Dudley-Robey (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 4:13pm. » quote

People forget Brad was a dominating lifter at 165 before going 181. Now that he is comming back to 165 mabye I can bulk up and go 181! LOL I look forward to competing against you again!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 4:39pm. » quote

Brad is a great guy and a great lifter. I think we have not seen the best of Brad yet! I believe he can get that 705 @165. Good luck and stay healthy Brad.

Jeff Johnston
XXXPOWERLIFTING

Submitted by Josh Stottlemire (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 5:42pm. » quote

Brad again to re-interate is a great guy and lifter, and undoubtably will be a top five in the world bencher regardless of which class he is in. As far as health I AM SURE HE MEANS WHAT WE ALL SEE and do, which is for example, bloat all up tryin to gain weight to fast and rapidly. Being in a weight class or body just normally and nautally would not wanna carry, breathing heavy, and struggling simply with our shoe strings , and pilling on massive amounts of food in order to get to that weight in full asap, he is a former bodybuilder and small in height and done stature he is doin the right thing nad much healthier, kudos to him for doing the right thing.

Submitted by joe mazza (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 6:05pm. » quote

brad is an awesome guy and great bencher no matter what weight class!

Submitted by Lyle Latimer (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 6:43pm. » quote

I am part of Brad's nutrition team, and we changed where his calories were coming from. We added in healthy fats,complex carbs, and better protein choices. We also changed his supplements so he wasn't taking in so much sugar from cheap weight gainers. He has dropped over 20lbs and has maintained his strength.We look forward to helping Brad with his nutrition all the way to the 165lbs record.

Submitted by Shane Judd (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 7:28pm. » quote

Brad is my hero!!

Submitted by brad heck (not verified) on October 14, 2008 - 7:39pm. » quote

looks like im a pretty cool guy! thanks everyone for the kind words.. check out the latimers website... www.latimerfitness.com

and again thanks to inzer! John has gone above an beyond to help me!

Submitted by Dave Geistlinger (not verified) on October 15, 2008 - 1:13am. » quote

Nice interview Brad.

Submitted by jay fry (not verified) on October 15, 2008 - 7:36am. » quote

Anonymous wrote:

How could a move from 165 to 181 affect his health? Unless he is three feet tall, I don't see how that little of weight...at that light of a weight would matter.

He didn't just go from 165 to 181.It was more like 165 to 205. ?he knows his body. Sometime people aren't meant to cary that much weight.

Submitted by Ervin Domanski on October 15, 2008 - 12:04pm. » quote

Very interesting article. I'm wondering what kind of grip your using when doing shirted close grip boards. Are you talking a couple inches in from comp grip or something different. If you read this can you please explain. Thanks.

Submitted by brad heck (not verified) on October 15, 2008 - 12:09pm. » quote

Ervin Domanski wrote:

One hand length in from your normal grip. so your pinky where your pointer finger usually is.

Submitted by Slopy Joe (not verified) on October 15, 2008 - 8:53pm. » quote

Brad cool interview! What if any customizations do you recommend when ordering a Rage X ?

Submitted by brad heck (not verified) on October 16, 2008 - 3:44pm. » quote

Slopy Joe wrote:

Brad cool interview! What if any customizations do you recommend when ordering a Rage X ?

I get them grid stitched, 2 inch scooped collar, seems renforced, sleeves shortened 2 inched(because im short)

Submitted by Sloppy Joe (not verified) on October 16, 2008 - 8:35pm. » quote

Thank you for the info. I am going to be ordering one and was unsure about what to get.