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Twenty seven year old Ian Duckett is a very knowledgeable, intelligent and impressive bodybuilder. A staunch A.N.B supporter, Ian competed in the A.N.B “93 Britain finals in October, placing a close 2nd in a very hotly contested U – 70kg class, just losing out to the eventual overall winner Lee Williams.

Having amassed countless trophies and awards over the past few years, I’d like to update BodyPower readers on Ian Duckett, who was featured the June 1989 issue of BodyPower. A lifetime natural bodybuilder, Ian is a credit to the sport.

He’s been a milkman, warehouse man and even a Tarzan – a – gram (the shortest ever!) and fulfilled a lifetime ambition by becoming the proud co-owner, with his wife Louise, of Future Bodies Gym in Morley, near Leeds, Ian has plenty of interesting things to say about the sport. Michael Phillips – How long have you been training, Ian? Ian Duckett – Just 10 years now, I was 6 stone wet through, with 9 inch arms when I started, so I’ve put on a little bit since then!

MJP What training system did you employ in preparation for the “93 ANB Britain?

ID I did one day on, one day off, splitting the body into 3 workouts, doing chest and arms on day 1, rest a day, back and shoulders on day 2, rest a day, then back to chest and arms and so on. I have two training partners, on large body parts we use about 8 sets, small body parts 6 sets. All sets are done to failure (after warming up) in the minimum amount of time, using good form as much as possible. For example, chest, we use 4 exercises of 2 sets each, declined bench press, inc bench press, pec-deck, and cable crossovers, any more is over training for me. If we’ve just done 6 sets, for example, on chest and feel we’re pumped enough, then that’s it. It’s all about training hard, not training long. We also make use of giant sets and drop sets, anything to make the training more productive. Up to the ANB Britain, I was doing Aerobics and Abs daily as well.

MJP After your 2nd place at the “93 A.N.B Britain how did you feel about the contest, and what are your plans for next years?

ID I was pleased with my placing, especially after Lee Williams (the winner) went on to win the overall. I think I was in my best shape ever, so I’ve no complaints.

MJP Yes, quite a few people said you’d improved tremendously from when you qualified four months before the ANB Yorkshire.

ID Yes, I felt my condition let me down there, when I wasn’t as sharp as I can be. For the Yorkshire, I kept my fats low, but ate too many carbs and certain new supplements which didn’t work for me. Also my calorie level in hindsight was too high, and I didn’t do enough aerobics. I changed for the Britain, doing aerobics twice daily, stationary bike or treadmill first thing in the morning and the same again in the late afternoon, about 20 – 30 mins, each time. I find doing aerobics at these times is more beneficial as my glycogen/blood sugar levels are low then, particularly after a gruelling workout (Ian trains in the afternoon). So the aerobics attacks the fat levels. For next year, I’ll concentrate on more thickness on my frame, especially my chest, if I can keep my symmetry and add more thickness. I’ll be pleased and naturally. I want to win the ANB U-70k Britain title!

MJP Do you stray far from your competing bodyweight?

ID In the past I’ve gone up to nearly 13 stone, but I’ve no intention of doing so again. It took too long for me to get into shape from that weight and it can leave your skin a bit loose. For me 10lb above my competing weight is enough.

MJP Your wife Louise also competes in the ANB. How much help is it being married to someone who goes through the dieting and training with you?

ID I can’t put enough emphasis on how much help Louise has been. Apart from the dieting, just knowing mentally, that you’ve got 110% support from your better half is great. Some meals she does for me are very tasty, transforming otherwise boring foods into lovely dishes. How’s this? – Chicken breasts, various herbs and peppers, stir-fry in pineapple juice. I don’t have any problems dieting with Louise’s help!

MJP My mouth is watering just listening. Wow important is diet for the competing natural bodybuilder?

ID Very important, personally, I write down everything I eat, so I can determine what proteins, fats, carbs ect… I have eaten. I think a lot of ANB competitors re ignorant are ignorant about diet. You should take time to write down your food so you know what’s needed to build size, or, in contest preparation, to reduce fat and gain muscularity. If you’re willing to give 100% towards your training, you should be prepared to do the same for your diet. Crash diets are not good for competition, they leave you flat and listless.

MJP I get the impression that you don’t fine dieting difficult.

ID You’re right, everything is planned. I’m a healthy eater anyway. I hardly ever binge, and with Louise’s help, dieting is no problem. I also take supplements regularly, mainly amino acids, vitamin C and muli-vitamin and minerals.

MJP What’s your opinion on the current Kamikaze competition

preparation methods of a lot of bodybuilders from other organisations?

ID I think putting your life on the line for the chance of winning a trophy (worth £100?) is crazy, and this is what’s going on. Surely, life is more important than to play Russian roulette with it?

MJP Yes I agree. Some guys are going too far, even using diuretics as well as not drinking for days to dehydrate further.

ID I feel that bodybuilding should be a healthy sport, and the ANB is trying to keep it that way. I actually won a few trophies competing outside the ANB but came to realise I was at a big disadvantage against guys who were taking drugs. Since 1988, I’ve been 100% ANB having never taken drugs so I prefer to compete in the ANB where everybody has the same chance.

MJP How do you feel about the ANB drug-testing programme?

ID I think both the polygraph (lie detector) and the urine analysis tests are very good. I personally have been tested 4 times I’m particularly pleased to see that the ANB have instigated out-of-competition testing, as I think if anybody is trying to cheat the test, they are more likely to be caught out of competition. In fact somebody from the Sports Council came to my gym not so long ago to urine sample one of my members, so for any doubters out there, the ANB does indeed drug test out of competition. More power to them!

MJP I know you’ll be promoting the 1994 ANB North East Championships. How do you feel about the ANB as an organisation?

ID I think the ANB is very good, and of course the principles behind it are excellent, but certain things could be improved. For example, better trophies, especially at the qualifiers: having the judging/show combined would help lower costs. But more than anything, the ANB needs more publicity. I’ve spoken to some bodybuilders who don’t know the ANB exists, so to this end, I’d like to see the ANB news and views published every month in Body Power and of course, having your photograph published in a magazine is a great boost for any competitor.

MJP One final question, Ian. What’s this book about you’re working on?

ID That’s true Michael. I’m currently preparing a book on Natural Bodybuilding, training, nutrition, the whole works. It’s another ambition of mine. I’m having a load of training photographs done, and am working hard on preparing the text. So publishers interested in the subject, please let me know!

MJP Ian, I’d like to thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future, particularly in your efforts in staring a family with Louise!