World Physique

What does it take to become a champion bodybuilder? Determination, discipline, will power, sacrifice, meticulous nutrition, and methodical training. These are just a few of the distinguished attributes our September Bodybuilder of the Month possesses. Competing since 2003, Ace Baldwin has continually proved himself to be a fierce competitor. Constantly striving to bring a better package to the stage, he is quickly rising to the top of this industry. Meet our September Bodybuilder of the Month, Ace Baldwin! "We all have 24 hours in our day; you just need one of those to train right. We've all had to workout early, late, or even on our lunch break. You just have to care enough to make it happen."

"As bodybuilders, we get judged a lot and assumptions are made before we even get to open our mouths or shake your hand. So, keep in mind that it's not the car I drive that defines me. It's my huge heart, soft spoken gentle nature, and willingness to do anything for the ones I love."

WP: Hi Ace! Congratulations on being chosen World Physique’s Bodybuilder of the month! Tell us about yourself!

AB: Thank you so much! It is quite an honor. About myself, huh? That could take a while! I have lived quite an amazing life so far. I’ll try and keep it short and sweet! I was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, and grew up near the active volcano with no electricity or running water. So, it was only a matter of time before we lost not one, but two houses to the lava flow! I moved back and forth from Hawaii to California every other school year so I could see both of my parents. I was an active kid, always playing sports and being at the beach. Having three brothers and no sisters, we were quite a rowdy bunch. I stayed in CA with my dad for high school and continued playing sports (Water Polo, Track & Field). That is where my love for weight training began. After high school, I went right into the United States Marine Corps, where I received the Company Ironman award for the highest Physical Fitness Test out of over 1,000 graduating recruits. After four years of active duty as a Stinger Gunner Sergeant, I became a personal trainer. I wanted to help people live a healthy life and feel as good as I did. Ten years later, I’m still doing it.

WP: You really have lived quite a life! You began weight lifting in high school, but what made you want to take your weight training to the next level?

AB: I guess I just wanted to lead by example for my clients. There are a lot of out of shape trainers out there, so when it came to my business, it wasn’t hard to see who people would rather hire. And, of course, I just loved the way training felt!

WP: When was your first bodybuilding competition? Can you tell me about that experience?

AB: My first show was the INBA Grand Prix in 2003. I had a co-worker talk me into it after suggesting that I would do well. I basically crash dieted for 5 weeks and looked up the mandatory poses online, since I had never even seen a bodybuilding competition before. At the show, I quickly realized that a good beach body doesn’t cut it on stage. When it was all said and done, I still placed 3rd and was hooked. I had found what I was meant to do and realized I had some work ahead of me.

WP: Everyone has to start somewhere! And placing third in your first show is very impressive! What did you learn from that first show?

AB: I learned that if you ever think you’re ripped enough, you’re not! I also learned that the little things really count, like posing, tanning, and stage presence.

WP: This year, you competed in the NPC Contra Costa in May and the INBA Oakland show prior to that; how did you do?

AB: I did well. At the INBA Silver & Black (sponsored by the Oakland Raiders) I won my class as well as the Most Muscular trophy. Three weeks later at the NPC Contra Costa, I showed up twice as ripped and placed a respectable 6th in the toughest lineup of the show. To make the first callout at an NPC show felt good, especially being a natural competitor.

WP: That is awesome! You must’ve been so proud that all your hard work paid off! Are you currently training for any competitions?

AB: Yes! I’m preparing for two pro shows: the INBA USA’s in Las Vegas on Sept. 25th and the Natural Olympia in Reno, Nevada on Nov. 13th.

WP: We, at World Physique, will be anxiously waiting to see what you’ll be bringing to the stage! You are sponsored by Muscle Tech; how did that come about?

AB: I just got lucky. They found me on the internet from my Bodybuilding.com BodySpace profile. They contacted me, said they really liked my look, and offered me a great contract! I had always said that if I could be sponsored by any company, I’d want it to be MuscleTech, and it happened. It’s kind of weird how things work out.

WP: Ironic, but obviously meant to be! As a natural competitor, what are some of your favorite supplements?

AB: Being drug-free, my diet and supplementation are that much more important without the edge that drugs may give you. I always make sure that the basics are covered. I use MuscleTech’s Vitakic (multi vitamin), Alpha Prototype 216 (BCAA’s), Creakic (creatine), Nitro-Tech (whey protein), Hydroxycut Hardcore X (thermogenic), and Six Star Glutamine.

WP: You really have your supplementation down to a science. How does your training differ now from when you first started weight training?

AB: These days I train a lot smarter and safer. When you’re young and not as knowledgeable, you’re just in there with reckless abandon trying to bench as much as you can, just like the day before! Now, after years of learning what works and doesn’t work, certain injuries, and getting to know my own body, everything is a lot more thought out and precise.

WP: How does your training differ from off-season to on?

AB: I tend to train a few less days a week in the off-season to allow greater recovery. I use more compound movements hard and heavy but still safe. It’s a time to make improvements in muscle mass and lagging body parts, not just get fat. I still like to see some abs in the off-season and feel that I grow best around 10% body fat. Leading up to a show, I increase training days, include more isolation exercises, and add cardio to the mix.

WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?

AB: Since I’m about five weeks out from the USA’s, I do 30 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Then, I do strength training around 8:00pm. I go on feel from day to day as far as variety of exercises and how heavy I want to lift. A week might look like this:

MON- Hams/ Calves (light quads)
-Lying Leg Curls: 5x 20, 12, 10, 8, 20
-Seated Leg Curls: 3x 12, 10, 8 (drop set to 20 total)
-Stiff-legged Deadlifts: 3x 10 (135, 225, 315 lbs.)
-Standing Calf Raises: 5x 20, 15, 10, 8, 6
-Seated Calf Raises: 10 sets/ 10 reps/ 15 seconds rest with moderate weight
-1 set each: Leg extension, Squat, 20 steps walking lunges with 135 lbs. on my back

TUES- Back/Abs
-Pull-ups: 5 sets to failure with a variety of grip width (prefer over pull-downs every time!)
-Bent-over Rows: 5x 20, 15, 12, 10, 20
-Deadlifts: 5x 20, 10, 8, 6, 4 (alternate every week with dumbbell pullovers)
-Barbell Curls: 3x 20, 15, 10
-1 set each: Hanging leg raises, decline sit-ups, seated trunk twist with medicine ball

WED-Chest
-Incline Dumbbell Press: 3x 20, 15, 10
-Flat Barbell Press: 3x 12, 10, 8
-Pec Flies: 3x 12, 10, 8
-Dips: 3x 20, 15, 10
-Cable Pushdown (w/ straight bar): 3x 20, 15, 10

THURS- Rest

FRI- Quads (light hams/calves)
-2 sets each: seated/ standing calf raises, seated/ prone leg curls
-Leg Extensions: 5x 20, 15, 10, 8, 6
-Squats: 5x 20, 15, 10, 8, 6
-Walking Lunges: 3x 20 steps with 135, 185, 225 lbs. on my back

SAT- Arms/Abs
-Superset biceps and triceps throughout entire workout
-Barbell Curls/ Cable Pushdown (w/ rope): 5x 20, 15, 10, 8, 6
-Incline Dumbbell Curls/ Lying Triceps Extensions (Skull Crushers): 5x 12, 10, 8, 6, 20
-Same Abs routine as above.

SUN- Shoulders
-Seated Dumbbell Lateral Raises: 5x 20, 15, 10, 10, 50 reps in five-stage drop set down the rack
-Seated Dumbbell Overhead Press: 5x 20, 12, 10, 8, 6
-Rear Delt Machine: 5x 20, 15, 12, 10, 10
-Dumbbell Shrugs: 3x 30, 20, 10

WP: Thank you for being so thorough! I’m sure a lot of our readers will love seeing your full routine. What is your favorite muscle group to work? Favorite exercise?

AB: Legs! I have grown to love my leg days. A good chest or arms are a dime a dozen, but a well developed set of wheels is what impresses me the most. So, my favorite exercise has become SQUATS. Everyone that knows me understands that as good as my upper body is, I want one thing said about me, “Yeah, but have you seen his legs?!” Ha! Someday!

WP: With the routine you have in place for yourself, I think it’s safe to say that day is not far off! What are some of your best lifts?

AB: I’m afraid I might not impress too many big guys with these numbers: Around 300/ Bench, 400/ Squat, and 500/ Deadlift (all for reps). But, how about a marathon in 4 hours, a mile in under five minutes, and the hundred meter in 11 seconds!

WP: Well that is extremely impressive! What is your mindset when you step into the gym?

AB: Time to go to work! And, it’s gonna be a tough day at the office!

WP: I love it! You are one busy guy; how do you find the time to train?

AB: You’ve got to make time. As a trainer, I hear excuses all day long and not finding time is at the top of the list. We all have 24 hours in our day; you just need one of those to train right. We’ve all had to workout early, late, or even on our lunch break. You just have to care enough to make it happen. Plan ahead, know how your next day looks, and adjust accordingly.

WP: That is great advice! How about your diet? Has anything changed from when you prepared for your first show?

AB: Oh wow. That first show, I was clueless. I just ate exactly what my buddy scribbled down for me every day for five weeks. Welcome to eggs whites and sweet potatoes, Ace! I learned everything I could after that (and still am). Nowadays, of course, everything is exactly precise for what my body needs. I think every good bodybuilder eventually becomes a nutritionist.

WP: Do you ever allow yourself a cheat meal? If so, what is it that you crave?

AB: Yeah, once a week I’ll have something to keep me from going crazy. As I get closer to a show, the empty calorie cheat meals have to go, but I still have cycled higher complex carb days which are very nice. I’m like everyone else though, I crave the usual: pizza, sushi, pancakes, and anything fried! I have a huge sweet tooth, so there are some specifics that I must have waiting for me after every show: Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream, bread pudding, and as much peanut butter as I want! You can tell when I have been dieting for a while because all I watch is The Food Network and fantasize!

WP: There’s amazing willpower right there! I would not be able to watch the Food Network while dieting; it would drive me crazy! Tell me about your family! I hear you’re a role model to a very special little girl.

AB: My beautiful daughter, Alexa. She’s ten and starts 5th grade tomorrow! I couldn’t ask for a more amazing kid. We have the best relationship and I believe we always will. She is definitely my biggest fan and every trophy is for her. I live every day to support her and make her proud of me. Every dad wants to be their kid’s hero, and I hope I always am. I love you, Lexi!

WP: You are definitely a tremendous role model for her. What does your family think about you competing and your fitness lifestyle?

AB: My family is very supportive. They come to my shows when they can. They’re all glad that I choose to compete “natural” in a sport that is synonymous with performance enhancing drugs. Although my Mom still thinks it’s very hard on my body, she can’t deny that I’m the healthiest person she knows!

WP: I hear you’ve done some fitness modeling. Can you tell me photographers you’ve worked with? Anyone you’d like to work with in the future?

AB: I have, and I would definitely like to do more in the future. I have done some swimwear stuff, various print work for MuscleTech, and some gym shoots. I’ve worked with photographers like Chris Kiker and Donald Sherman and would love to be shot by pros in the industry like Jason Ellis or Per Bernal. I would really be interested in working with a sports clothing line like Nike or Puma, or even high end fashion like Ralph Lauren or Hugo Boss. I enjoy dressing up, as well as down!

WP: Do you have any future projects in the works?

AB: I’m looking forward to a poolside Vegas shoot with my sweetie the day after the USA’s; she’s a bikini/figure competitor so that should look hot! Anyone else that wants to do work, get a hold of me and let’s make it happen.

WP: Shooting with your girl; what a fitness power couple! What is your goal for your fitness career? Where would you like to see yourself?

AB: I have achieved so many goals so far like turning pro, getting a major sponsorship, etc., but I still have a lot to accomplish before I’m satisfied. I would really like to compete in some of the shows over in Europe and represent the U.S. My main goal above all would just be to continue being a positive influence and inspiration to everyone I meet, my family, and my children.

WP: Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

AB: In ten years, I will be defending my Mr. Natural Olympia Title, still a top sponsored athlete, guest posing/ speaking on the weekends all over the world, and having a blast running my business with my best friend and beautiful family by my side. You can quote me on that!

WP: Great goals and great confidence! What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start working out?

AB: Do it! Go easy on yourself in the beginning; you can always add more later. Learn as much as you can and never stop learning. Get to know your body; what works for someone else may or may not work best for you. Most importantly, you can’t out-train bad nutrition! So eat well!

WP: What do you believe has been your stepping stone that has gotten you to where you are today?

AB: It may sound cheesy, but just believing in yourself and following your dreams. I’ve always done what I’ve wanted to do, but first I had to believe that I could and that I was good enough. Then, it’s just a matter of taking one step after another and making it happens.

WP: What is one thing you want people to know about you?

AB: That I’m not a (insert word that needed editing)! As bodybuilders, we get judged a lot and assumptions are made before we even get to open our mouths or shake your hand. So, keep in mind that it’s not the car I drive or even the “big gun” I hang out the window that defines me. It’s my huge heart, soft spoken gentle nature, and willingness to do anything for the ones I love. That is what I want to be known for.

WP: It’s nice to hear a bodybuilder share their softer side. Who are some of your idols? Who do you admire most in the fitness industry?

AB: Because of my past, my idols and the ones I admire most are the people in the Service Industry (Firefighters, EMT, and Law Enforcement) who risk their lives to help others. And, every brave, young Marine overseas just doing his job that wants to come home and see his family again. All of you are in my prayers, and are so appreciated. In the industry, I admire Jay Cutler for his charisma and business savvy, and Mark Dugdale for his passion and being an amazing father and husband.

WP: We appreciate that! Do you have any shout outs? Anyone you’d like to thank?

AB: Sure! First of all, I’d like to thank my daughter, Alexa, for being the brightest light in my life and my biggest inspiration. My parents for bringing me into this world and giving me the most love and support a kid could ask for. My best friend, Billy Hughes, for always being there. “The Team”, MuscleTech, Chris Call at Anytime Fitness, and every workout partner that ever pushed me just a little bit harder. You are all awesome!

WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you, Ace! You are such an inspiration! I wish you the best of luck in your upcoming competitions and all of your future fitness endeavors!

AB: Thank you, guys. It has been an honor!