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Casey Viator! The name itself implies raw power and almost superhuman potential. It fits. He emerged on the bodybuilding scene in the early 70's like a bolt of lightening, or a high powered locomotive driven by high octane diesel. in the same vein, his workouts were often described in a very similar manner. Arnold Schwarzenegger, after visiting the Nautilus compound and seeing the mighty Casey train, described Viator as "a gym monster". Somewhat ironically, after Casey won the AAU Mr. America title, he was already being compared the aforementioned Austrian Oak; at age 19!
No wonder bodybuilders at the time were stunned by this new champ. His thick, defined physique, raw power and intense training found thousands of fans, admirers and want to be imitators. There was, and is, only one Casey Viator though. One youngster, who was admirer, also competed in the 1971 Mr. America, also at age `19, finishing tenth on his first try. Not too bad, either. His name was Mike Mentzer. He spoke to Casey at the show and was stunned to learn that the massive, defined Viator was training a mere three times a week for less than 2 hours. At the time, Mentzer, like almost everyone else at the contest had been training up to three hours or more a day, six days week. Tough, when you work 12 hour days and want to have a life outside the gym.
A one time Arizona resident for several years, the occasionally nomadic Casey also lived in Florida, and spent his professional bodybuilding career mostly living in California, though originally from Louisiana. No matter where he resided though, his was often the most powerful thickly muscle physique in whatever gym he trained at. How was Casey able to develop such a thick, powerful, leanly muscled physique that dominated the best amateurs in the country and do it a couple years out of high school. Incredible genetics to be sure. But more than that. But lets let Casey tell the rest..
1. How did you get into bodybuilding?
My uncle started me training, and it took off.
2. Who or what were your early influences?
Arnold and Sergio were a great help in the beginning.
3. How did you come to work with Arthur Jones?
He witnessed my intensity with training and hired me on the spot.
4. What was it like winning the Mr America at such an early age?
It was one of my best accomplishments, and very exciting to win over all those older well trained guys.
5. Which other famous bodybuilders did you train with?
Mike Mentzer and his brother were great training partners.
6. What was your experience like training with them?
It was very competitive type of workouts, trying to outdo each other all the time.
7. You were famous partly for your enormous strength and HIT training. Did you always train like that?
Yes, at 13 I had brutal training intensity , I also had that certain intensity that carried through my pro career.
8. Have you made any modifications to your training as you have gotten older?
Yes , I train 3 days a week and still train hard, I don`t know any other way to train.
9. You lived in Arizona for several years. What brought you here? What did you like about it? dislike?
I had a home in Tucson for 8 years, and had a gym in my pool room, and I trained many clients in my home.
Arizona is a nice quiet place to live and get away from LA, which is where I came from.
10. Anything else you would care to share with Examiner readers?
Please check out my website , www.caseyviator.com.
I have a great line of products and services everyone needs.
Thanks
Casey
Bodybuilding.com's TOP 50 selling products!
Source: examiner
