Logan Kwiatkowski Interview with CBB
Competitor Name: Logan Kwiatkowski
CBB Handle: Talo
Age: 32
Height: 6’1”
Competition History:
2005 – Northern Alberta Bodybuilding Show, weight was 170lbs – Took second Last
2009 – GPC Nationals, 220lb class – Took second
2010 – Western 100% Raw Western Canadians, 240 class @ 232lbs – Took 1st for 30-34 yrs. and 3rd for 240’s
2010 – 100% Raw Worlds in Las Vegas 220 class @ 220 – Took 1st for 30-34 and 3rd for 220’s (Also got the Canadian Squat record with 463lbs) –
Hometown: Oshawa, Ontario
Currently Residing: Whitecourt, Alberta
Offseason weight – 235-240
Competition weight – 220 (or under)
Have you always been an active person?
Yes. My whole life I have played sports. Soccer and baseball in the summer and Hockey in the winter. I started lifting weights in my basement at a young age, (maybe 13) with an old set that my dad made (he worked at the steel plant) which consisted of two 35lb plates a bar and a bench. I remember needing my brother’s help to lift it off and I would struggle to get two reps. My oldest brother was into the gym at that time so I wanted to be like him – he was a very good role model for a young kid like myself. In High School I played some football and in College I made the switch to rugby for a few years, but always lifted it was the one thing that never stopped.
How did you get in to powerlifting? Was it that you first got into bodybuilding and liked the strength part and then branched out or just got into powerlifting right away?
I never got into competitive bodybuilding or powerlifting until I moved to Whitecourt. The gym here had some very active people with about a dozen or so competing in bodybuilding. The gym owners (Shane Bounds and Carmen Tocheniuk) played a big role in why my wife and I entered our first bodybuilding show. We did it as a couple and probably had the hardest time doing it being as neither one of us had done this before ( the diet), however we did it and that was the last time I ever stepped on a bodybuilding stage. It just wasn’t for me. Placing almost last place wasn’t the reason I didn’t continue I just couldn’t handle being up on stage and being the center of attention.
After that I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I did know I wasn’t going to stop training.
In late 2006 I found some online forums and the powerlifting world. I read Bill Starr’s 5x5 program and low rep training became a staple in my life. My strength numbers were getting higher each week . I was amazed that this was happening and that I’ve never found this style of training before. I was hooked!
What made you get into powerlifting competition?
One of the guys at my gym, Mike competed and held a few Canadian records in the squat. I started training with him when I could also reading more about the sport and the style of training. I was going to compete in 2007, but I blew out my knee (ACL)playing in a soft ball tourni. I thought I was done for good , but managed to rehab myself back to health ( in two years ) and then I did my first show with the GPC in Calgary. This is a geared federation and since training with Mike I’ve had a shirt on maybe three times and a squat suit about ½ dozen. He mentioned to me that they were having a comp down in Calgary and he signed me up. I’m glad he did. I came in at 216lbs and managed to take second place in the 220’s with a total of 1495lbs…. Like I said, I was hooked. My next comp would be in the 100% RAW federation. The only equipment the lifter is able to use is a belt.
How has the sport impacted your life?
This is a hard question because it is something I don’t think about, I just do it. Is it the fact that I can train for 3 years with a torn ACL while getting stronger everyday or that I can diet down to make weight if I need to mean that I can do anything? Is it that I bust my ass at work to make sure my family is taken care of? I can put so much focus on my body and what I need to do to become the best that I can be and carry that forward into my personal life and be the best husband, father and employee that I can be. It’s just life – I’ve never really put that much thought into it. I guess I would say that training has built a foundation at such an early part in my life that I can just accomplish anything I set my mind on.
What is it like doing this sport in a smaller community - do you have a good circle of powerlifters around you?
Being in a small town like Whitecourt was great at first, but it has changed over the years. This town has less than 10,000 and for me that was small, however it is a very active town. This town and the people in it is the reason I started training competitively and with a goal in mind. Whether it was bodybuilding or Powerlifting, from the gym owners to the people in it, lots of people were competitive and being around that atmosphere makes a big difference in how a person trains. There were not as many powerlifters as there were bodybuilders and that is one of the reasons I started off in bb’ng. But once I made that switch (Thanks, Mike) more people started to take notice and started to train the way we trained. We had a great group of guys and some are still around but we don’t have a gym to train at!
Who do you look up to in your sport and who has helped you along the way?
First, my family has been my biggest support and there is no way I would be able to get to where I am today with out them. They have sacrificed lots and that includes the basement so that I could continue to train after the gym closed down.
In the industry I would have to give credit to Dave Tat and Louie Simmons. I put Dave first because I have read more articles, watched more you tube / DVD videos and sent more emails than anyone out there. This is why I support him and try to buy my stuff from EFTS. I also need to give credit to the guys on the forums. I read lots of articles posted by lots of different people and lots of that info has helped me become a better lifter. So keep it up because without people like this I would have lots more injuries
Does a powerlifter’s typical diet differ much from a bodybuilder diet? What is a normal food day for you?
I would think so, especially while prepping for a show. I still eat healthy about 80% of the time and I do not beat myself up if I get off track for a few weeks or so.
Today I ate:
6 eggs with ham and cheese
3 scoops of protein powder with ¼ cup cream, blueberries and strawberries
Hummus dip and blue corn chips
Chicken pot pie
2 cups of blueberry yogurt with protein powder
2 chicken breasts with Jalapeno Cheese.
And this is without caring what I eat. Not too bad I guess. I mean there is no fast food in there. When it comes time for me to drop 20lbs I can do that over night or I can take my time and what works for me is cutting out my carbs and increasing my cardio. I do very well on protein / fat diets. The first week is always a ruff one! I typically keep it simple.
Are there any sports supplements that you cannot live without?
Xtend by Scivation is my number one supplement. This has been a staple in my diet for the past 3 years. I try to get in 8 scoops with 4L of water every day.
Whey protein
Fish Oils - 10g
Glucosamine
Vitamin D @ 5000Ui
Are you sponsored by a company? If so, who?
I wish. If anyone out there wants me I’m available
what is a typical workout week for you when you are training and cutting weight for a competition?
When I’m getting ready for a show I plan out my training about 5-6 months in advanced. I will have my weights , sets and reps all planned out with a goal of being over my last max . It takes some figuring out and I always make changes as I go because life gets in the way but I like and need a plan with a goal written out in advanced. Main goal is to break my old records.
I focus on the squat, bench and the deadlift because this is what I do in the meet. I like to train 3 or 4 days a week with 2 heavy sets and 2 lighter, higher reps and more assessory work.
What do you find the most difficult about this sport?
What I find hardest is increasing my numbers. Sure it all looks great on paper, but in reality so much has to be perfect to have that increase. Things like sleep, diet and work play a huge role in how I do in the gym. Working shift work can be taxing and I will not train if I have not had enough sleep. So with this sport it is more of the “other” things that get in the way that make it more difficult that it has to be. Injuries and recovery will always be in the back of my head so I have to know what my limits are so I don’t get injured.
Do you have any tips or advice to give to men or women who are thinking of trying out the sport?
Make sure you have a good group of people around you that will help push you through. If possible get a coach to help with your form. Your form is the most important thing while training and you might not think you have bad form until someone shows you the correct way. Form will add lbs. to your total and save your body from early wear and tear.
When will we next see you compete?
Hopefully in the summer of 2011 – GPC possibly in May or June. Then 100% Raw Western’s in July and then the Worlds again. This year is going to be a bit different because I am getting my ACL worked on hopefully soon. I also have a CT booked for my lower back in the future. Right now training is not on, but with 8 months to go I should be recovered and breaking some PR’s .
Do you have a website/contact?
I do not have a web site, but my wife is an amazing photographer so I will take this opportunity to post her site. http://www.timelessstudio.ca/ and if your in the Edmonton area and want some work done just give her a shout.
My last meet totals and Personal Records for 100% Raw Power lifting :
Squat : 210 kg / 462.97 lbs.
Bench : 152.5kg / 336.20 lbs.
Deadlift: 240 kg / 529.11 lbs.
Total : 602.5 kg / 1328.30 lbs.
Video
http://www.youtube.com/user/Talo2000?feature=mhum
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