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UKBFF ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - MARK TAYLOR

The Scottish Championships had a new feel this year, as the event moved from Paisley to Dundee's Bonar Hall.

But some things didn't change – Mark Taylor, who has been competing for more than 20 years, took home yet another winner's trophy in the up to 90 kg bodybuilding class.

Here Mark talks about his career and how his training has evolved as he's got older.

Harry Ogg, who did a great job by stepping in at short notice to promote this event, will once again be staging it next year, aided by IFBB Elite Pro Michelle Morris.

 

Savouring the moment with his nearest and dearest. PHOTO: Bill Cullen

Mark Taylor

AGE: 46
HEIGHT: 173 cm / 5 ft 8
CONTEST WEIGHT: 90 kg / 198 lbs
BEST CONTEST RESULT: 2009 Overall UKBFF Mr Scotland
AMBITION: To try to win a British title.
 

What does it mean to be Scottish champion?

It feels great, particularly as this is my ninth title.

When did you get into training and competing?

I started in 1994. I had already built some strong muscles at work from lifting Irn-Bru crates all day.

How has your training evolved over the last two decades?

I've gone from training four days a week to six days a week. Now I focus more on training one muscle group at a time.

How long do you plan to continue competing?

As long as I'm healthy and enjoying it.

What is your training split?

I follow a six-day split.

Monday: chest and triceps

Tuesday: hamstrings and glutes

Wednesday: biceps and abs

Thursday: back

Friday: shoulders and calves

Saturday: quadriceps

Saturday: rest

What do you do for cardio?

I do 10 minutes of hard pace cardio five days a week as well as going on walks with the dog.

Showing impressive detail as well as muscularity. PHOTO: Bill Cullen

Describe a typical day's eating

I have a high carb diet consisting of 10 meals a day – lots of sweet potatoes and chicken.

10 meals a day! How do you manage that?

I start with 120 g of oats then have six meals of sweet potato and chicken - 300 g of sweet potato and 100 g of chicken. Then I have a CNP carb recovery drink, then 350 g of white potatoes with 120 g chicken then 6 scrambled egg whites with 1 yolk. That's a training day - I cut back the carbs on biceps day and rest day. I tweak things weekly with my coach Vicky McCann. We don't count macros – Vicky uses her eye.

Training partner – good or bad?

I train with a guy called Derek Gallagher. I prefer it to training alone because I feel more motivated, as he pushes me to train harder. I also like training with my son Dalton, as it brings him on with his bodybuilding career and builds a great father and son bond.

If you were starting out now would you do bodybuilding or men's physique?

I'd still do bodybuilding.