Hazel Adames: Hi Alvin, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us.
Alvin Small: Hello Hazel, that's no problem I feel quite honoured to have been asked to an interview for MuscleTalk...
HA: To start from the beginning, how old were you when you started training and how old are you now?
AS: I started weight training when I was around 16, 17. I didn't take it serious though just enjoyed pushing the weights and getting stronger. I didn't start taking it serious until 2005. My age now is 39, still got a fair bit of growing in me yet.
HA: Where abouts are you from and where do you train currently?
AS: I was born and bred in Nottingham and inspired by the likes of Linkie Wilson, Owen Neil, Shawn Davis the list goes on, all local lads who in there time were the cream of British bodybuilding, two top gyms in Nottingham; Garth's Gym and Winners Gym who currently sponsor me.
HA: What made you decide to start working out?
AS: I started working out after a hamstring injury whilst representing Nottingham at a high level.
HA: At which sport did you represent Nottingham?
AS: I represented Nottingham in track and field, my speciality was the 100meters.
HA: You have had an extensive and very successful career so far, at what point did you realise you wanted to start competitive bodybuilding and can you list your competition to date please?
AS: Looking back over the past three years, it has been all good up to now. The point at which I decided to compete was in 2005 after visiting a show in Mansfield as a spectator and being hassled by mobs of people asking me if I was there to compete, after that show I thought I'd give it a go the following year.
Competition Career:
2006 East of England qualifier 1st place inters over 80 kilo
2006 British Championships Nottingham 1st place inters over 80 kilo
2007 British Championships 3rd place over 100 kilo
2007 Stars of Tomorrow 2008 qualifier 3rd place
2008 British Championships 1st place over 100 kilo
2009 Arnold Classic 5th place super heavy weight
2009 British Championships 2nd place super heavy weight
2010 Arnold Classic???? Super heavy weight
HA: What's your marital status and does your partner support you in your training?
AS: My partners name is Debra, she's probably the most amazing, fantastic person I've ever had the honour of knowing. I can say that if it wasn't for her selfless attitude and supporting nature I would not be were I am today-fact!
HA: What's your current occupation?
AS: I currently work for a large manufacturing company based in Nottingham.
HA: Do you have a sponsor?
AS: Yes! I'm sponsored by EAS, they've been fantastically supportive since I've been with them. I've also made some fantastic gains whilst using there products, such as ‘Muscle Armour' keeps me injury free all year round leaving me free to concentrate on adding mass.
HA: What is a typical day's diet like, and which supplements do you use?
AS: My daily diet is quite basic Hazel, I have nine solid meals daily of cod and potatoes. It's plain and boring to eat fish 8 times a day for 6 months but I find fish easier to eat than chicken or turkey. Every morning at 5.40 I have breakfast consisting of: 15 egg whites, 1 banana, 25g raisins, glutamine, 160g oats and cinnamon.
Bedtime: Peanut butter, Casilan and whey.
HA: How tall are you and what is your off-season and competition weight?
AS: I'm 5.11, and my off season weight is 22stone 7pounds but the past 9 months I've kept my weight at 21. 7 stone due to competitions.
HA: How do you alter your nutrition when you have a competition coming up?
AS: My diet honestly doesn't alter too drastically pre show, if anything I just get more consistent with my meals and times, plus all my meals are from solid sources, even breakfast.
HA: How often do you train and do you have a training schedule?
AS: I've always trained 6 days a week twice on every alternate Friday and Saturday, I realised quite early on that I'd be going up against guys who worked in the fitness industry either gym owners of fitness instructors, I have a nine to five job so I work on a tight schedule every day so everything needs to be in its place in order for me to be productive in the gym.
HA: Do you ever have problems with motivation for training?
AS: No!! I've always trained on my own and have got good results. I'm motivated by the idea of winning titles and beating my opponents, in order to achieve this motivation isn't a subject of discussion its there end of story.
HA: Which Bodybuilders inspire you?
AS: I've ever only been inspired by one bodybuilder ever, don't get me wrong I admire a hell of a lot of guys out there, but the only one that has every inspired me to really push my boundaries was Flex Wheeler.
HA: How did you find the British Finals being held over two days?
AS: Well to be honest I was looking forward to the new changes, as I had a glimpse into how things run and how I would cope over two days from doing the Arnold Classic earlier in the year. I personally think it's a good move for the UKBFF; its success was proof enough.
HA: Do you think more than one IFBB pro card should be given out by the UKBFF each year to the men?
AS: "Yes and No". Yes because the UK could loose potential World Class Champs if you have a strong line up. And no because it makes the fight for the Pro card fiercer when there is only one opportunity to achieve a pro card.
HA: James got his information wrong and you are NOT retiring! What are your plans for next year?
AS: Yes!! Lol…. Plans for next year, compete at the Arnold in March which I'm currently prepping for with the help of Big H, Harold Marillier, fingers crossed we'll bring an even better package than my last outing.
HA: Do you have any useful tips to share with MuscleTalk members?
AS: Yes, remember the basics and be consistent with every aspect of your training that's rest consistently eating consistently, training consistently
HA: Many thanks for taking the time to be interviewed and on behalf of all the MuscleTalk members, I'd like to wish you all the best in your future competitions, especially the upcoming Arnold Classic!
AS: Thanks Hazel, it's been great!