Mahsudur Rahman: Body and Soul

There is a common belief that professional bodybuilding is mostly for the young. To prove that idea wrong Mahsudur Rahman started bodybuilding in 2008 at the age of 42. Mahsudur Rahman is a corporate official by profession and started bodybuilding to stay in shape. But soon he and his friends realized that he can do more with bodybuilding than just to stay in shape. Since 2009 he has participated in number of bodybuilding competitions in Bangladesh and has won many of them. This year in June, the 49th AFBF (Asian Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Bodybuilding Championship took place in Japan. Mahsudur Rahman participated in the competition bearing his costs out of his own pocket. At the competition he not only represented Bangladesh but made the whole country proud by wining bronze in the classic category. Weekend Independent met with him for an exclusive interview.      
What prompted you to begin competitive bodybuilding in the first place? Were you always big on fitness?

It was in 2008, I was 42 years old when I started bodybuilding. Within these six years or so I have participated in different bodybuilding competitions. In 2009 I came to know about National bodybuilding competition, I participated and I won the fifth position. After that I was more motivated than ever and I kept on participating, in 2011 I became the runner-up. Again in 2011, I entered Dhaka City Bodybuilding Competition and became Mr. Dhaka. In 2013 in the 8th Bangladesh Games I won gold medal. In 2014 I became Mr. Bangladesh in National Bodybuilding Competition in the master category. I was always into sports one can say, once I became very sick and became very thin and I didn’t want to see myself like that. I also had keen interest towards martial arts in my younger days.       
         
Please tell us about your experience in Japan?

The experience was phenomenon. I needed to participate through Bangladesh Bodybuilding Federation as it is a member of (AFBF) Asian Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness. In the 49th AFBF Bodybuilding Championship more than 200 athletes from 21 different countries participated. I got to meet with different athletes. While I was there I noticed that male athletes from Middle East are more dominating in this sport. And in this part of the world female athletes from China and Mongolia are leading in bodybuilding.

What is your training programme?  What are your thoughts on warming up before workout?  

I do cardio for 40 minutes in the morning then in the evening I take weights. Taking weights depends on what type of muscle you want to grow. For every different muscle you have to do various types of exercise and you have to take different weights as well. For example in bodybuilding one has to develop some items like, chest, biceps, triceps, back, leg, abs. Now to grow certain muscles you need to take different weights. Now I give 30 to 35 pushups manually but when I lift weights I make up for that.     Warming up for 5 to 10 minutes before lifting weights is good enough. It helps you to avoid certain injuries.  

What is your diet like?

From morning till dinner I have to take seven to eight meals. That’s nearly one meal every three hours. In the morning I take oats and a bowl of fatless milk, then five to six eggs (only the white portion). Around 11 to 12am I have to take another meal, I normally eat a few pieces of bread and six eggs. During 2 to 3pm I eat two large fried chicken breasts with salad. Before leaving the office from 4 to 5pm I normally eat a chicken piece alongside some fruits. Before going to gym around 6.30p to 7.30pm I eat oats or two to three pieces of tuna fish. For dinner I take chicken soup with five to six eggs in it. Now alongside the diet and workout, sleep is another important part, for bodybuilders 6 to 8 hours of sleep is good enough.   

What do you think are the three most important things that people who want to get bigger should focus?

Both diet and exercise are important. I would say in bodybuilding its 30 per cent exercise and 70 per cent food. So in order to get bigger one has to focus on these two aspects very carefully, and you need to be very discipline.       

Do you take any supplement like Creatine or protein powder?

No, nothing. I tried a protein powder once but that didn’t do me any good. I believe in natural bodybuilding, it gives you the best result. I have seen many take steroids, pills. In one of the competition in abroad I have seen athletes who use steroids, they appeared to me as too aggressive.

Do you have a favorite bodybuilder?

Arnold Schwarzenegger is my icon.  

How has becoming a bodybuilder affected your self-image and relationships?

Yes it has affected me is a positive way. In the gym people, especially the young ones talk about me. I have seen youngsters pointing fingers at me and saying to their friends, man you need to make a body like that. When I am walking young or old people look at me and get inspired, they want to know about different exercise. Some ask for tips, some get motivated start going to gym. Now when I see I am inspiring people to follow a healthy lifestyle obviously my own self-image gets better. I believe I have become more close to my family. All my family members have always supported me and they are proud of me for what I have accomplished. Both my daughters are into martial art.              

Do you get annoyed when people approach you in gyms and ask for training tips?

Never, I become happy for the fact that people want to learn from me. I always welcome people who want to know.  

Which is your favorite muscle/workout magazine? There are so many that advertise things like, “Get a six-pack in two weeks!”, -- curious to know if there are any with truly valuable tips.

I don’t have a particular favorite muscle/workout magazine. Most of our trainers are inexperience. I keep updated by reading on the internet. Normally it takes around six months to get a six-pack. If we see the common day labors, we will see they have six-packs but very little muscle. That’s because they work extremely hard but doesn’t have a rich diet. So you need nutrition beside exercise.            

You are a corporate person; please tell us how you manage time for work out?

Actually I like to do my own work, I exercise, I drive myself, I pickup my children. After all these I always manage to find some time for work out. I am also associated with different organisations like commonwealth Society of Bangladesh, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujon), Transparency International of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Dhaka Rifles Club, Treasurer, Rotary Club of Baridhara, I have also been the Ex president of Lions Club of Dhaka Blues.              
You have featured in some advertisements, please tell us about that. Do you have any plans to enter the popular medium even more?  

Yes I have worked in some advertisements; it’s an interesting experience to do advertisements. I have been approached by some directors but due to lack of time till now I am not able to say yes.

Can one work out at home and still build a good physique?

For fitness people can always work out at home but for bodybuilding you need to go to gym. I always suggest my colleagues and others to work out, although they don’t always listen to me. Exercise brings discipline in your life, you stay young and energetic.              

What are your future goals?

Even If don’t take part in the competitions anymore, I will always try to develop my physique. I will like to make people more aware about the benefits of bodybuilding.

Mahsudur Rahman: Body and Soul

There is a common belief that professional bodybuilding is mostly for the young. To prove that idea wrong Mahsudur Rahman started bodybuilding in 2008 at the age of 42. Mahsudur Rahman is a corporate official by profession and started bodybuilding to stay in shape. But soon he and his friends realized that he can do more with bodybuilding than just to stay in shape. Since 2009 he has participated in number of bodybuilding competitions in Bangladesh and has won many of them. This year in June, the 49th AFBF (Asian Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Bodybuilding Championship took place in Japan. Mahsudur Rahman participated in the competition bearing his costs out of his own pocket. At the competition he not only represented Bangladesh but made the whole country proud by wining bronze in the classic category. Weekend Independent met with him for an exclusive interview. What prompted you to begin competitive bodybuilding in the first place? Were you always big on fitness? It was in 2008, I was 42 years old when I started bodybuilding. Within these six years or so I have participated in different bodybuilding competitions. In 2009 I came to know about National bodybuilding competition, I participated and I won the fifth position. After that I was more motivated than ever and I kept on participating, in 2011 I became the runner-up. Again in 2011, I entered Dhaka City Bodybuilding Competition and became Mr. Dhaka. In 2013 in the 8th Bangladesh Games I won gold medal. In 2014 I became Mr. Bangladesh in National Bodybuilding Competition in the master category. I was always into sports one can say, once I became very sick and became very thin and I didnt want to see myself like that. I also had keen interest towards martial arts in my younger days. Please tell us about your experience in Japan? The experience was phenomenon. I needed to participate through Bangladesh Bodybuilding Federation as it is a member of (AFBF) Asian Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness. In the 49th AFBF Bodybuilding Championship more than 200 athletes from 21 different countries participated. I got to meet with different athletes. While I was there I noticed that male athletes from Middle East are more dominating in this sport. And in this part of the world female athletes from China and Mongolia are leading in bodybuilding. What is your training programme? What are your thoughts on warming up before workout? I do cardio for 40 minutes in the morning then in the evening I take weights. Taking weights depends on what type of muscle you want to grow. For every different muscle you have to do various types of exercise and you have to take different weights as well. For example in bodybuilding one has to develop some items like, chest, biceps, triceps, back, leg, abs. Now to grow certain muscles you need to take different weights. Now I give 30 to 35 pushups manually but when I lift weights I make up for that. Warming up for 5 to 10 minutes before lifting weights is good enough. It helps you to avoid certain injuries. What is your diet like? From morning till dinner I have to take seven to eight meals. Thats nearly one meal every three hours. In the morning I take oats and a bowl of fatless milk, then five to six eggs (only the white portion). Around 11 to 12am I have to take another meal, I normally eat a few pieces of bread and six eggs. During 2 to 3pm I eat two large fried chicken breasts with salad. Before leaving the office from 4 to 5pm I normally eat a chicken piece alongside some fruits. Before going to gym around 6.30p to 7.30pm I eat oats or two to three pieces of tuna fish. For dinner I take chicken soup with five to six eggs in it. Now alongside the diet and workout, sleep is another important part, for bodybuilders 6 to 8 hours of sleep is good enough. What do you think are the three most important things that people who want to get bigger should focus? Both diet and exercise are important. I would say in bodybuilding its 30 per cent exercise and 70 per cent food. So in order to get bigger one has to focus on these two aspects very carefully, and you need to be very discipline. Do you take any supplement like Creatine or protein powder? No, nothing. I tried a protein powder once but that didnt do me any good. I believe in natural bodybuilding, it gives you the best result. I have seen many take steroids, pills. In one of the competition in abroad I have seen athletes who use steroids, they appeared to me as too aggressive. Do you have a favorite bodybuilder? Arnold Schwarzenegger is my icon. How has becoming a bodybuilder affected your self-image and relationships? Yes it has affected me is a positive way. In the gym people, especially the young ones talk about me. I have seen youngsters pointing fingers at me and saying to their friends, man you need to make a body like that. When I am walking young or old people look at me and get inspired, they want to know about different exercise. Some ask for tips, some get motivated start going to gym. Now when I see I am inspiring people to follow a healthy lifestyle obviously my own self-image gets better. I believe I have become more close to my family. All my family members have always supported me and they are proud of me for what I have accomplished. Both my daughters are into martial art. Do you get annoyed when people approach you in gyms and ask for training tips? Never, I become happy for the fact that people want to learn from me. I always welcome people who want to know. Which is your favorite muscle/workout magazine? There are so many that advertise things like, Get a six-pack in two weeks!, -- curious to know if there are any with truly valuable tips. I dont have a particular favorite muscle/workout magazine. Most of our trainers are inexperience. I keep updated by reading on the internet. Normally it takes around six months to get a six-pack. If we see the common day labors, we will see they have six-packs but very little muscle. Thats because they work extremely hard but doesnt have a rich diet. So you need nutrition beside exercise. You are a corporate person; please tell us how you manage time for work out? Actually I like to do my own work, I exercise, I drive myself, I pickup my children. After all these I always manage to find some time for work out. I am also associated with different organisations like commonwealth Society of Bangladesh, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujon), Transparency International of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Dhaka Rifles Club, Treasurer, Rotary Club of Baridhara, I have also been the Ex president of Lions Club of Dhaka Blues. You have featured in some advertisements, please tell us about that. Do you have any plans to enter the popular medium even more? Yes I have worked in some advertisements; its an interesting experience to do advertisements. I have been approached by some directors but due to lack of time till now I am not able to say yes. Can one work out at home and still build a good physique? For fitness people can always work out at home but for bodybuilding you need to go to gym. I always suggest my colleagues and others to work out, although they dont always listen to me. Exercise brings discipline in your life, you stay young and energetic. What are your future goals? Even If dont take part in the competitions anymore, I will always try to develop my physique. I will like to make people more aware about the benefits of bodybuilding.