Mike Katz Bodybuilder

Michael Katz was born in Connecticut on November 14, 1944. Mike went on to graduate from Southern Connecticut State College in 1966. He then worked as a gym teacher while he was training as an amateur. Katz explains that he started bodybuilding because he was Jewish and wore glasses, so he was picked on and was forced to defend himself.

In college Mike had a very successful career in college football playing in the NFL league and then going on to play for New York Jets. His football career ended with a serious knee operation done in 1968 that prevented him from competing as a footballer for the Jets, who won the Super Bowl team of the year when he had that knee operation.

Standing 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) tall and competing at 240lbs (109 kg) with an off-season weight of between 250-260lbs (113-118 kg). Mike continued to compete until 1981. Although he never won any big titles, except the IFBB Mr. World in 1972, he placed in the top four in many top bodybuilding competitions.

From placing 2nd at the Mr. Olympia in 1976 he continued to compete and placed 4th at the NBA Natural Mr. America Professional championships in 1980. Although he officially retired after losing to the strongman Cooper Hayman at the National Strongman Competition in the same year, he did compete again once more as a bodybuilder a year later.

He placed 15th at the 1981 Mr. Olympia and did not compete again. Mike Katz had a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in physical education. He also had a pre-doctorate in both supervision and administration, he retired from teaching at Hamden High School in 1999 where he was a teacher for 33 years.

Mike Katz Workout

Mike would plan out his year of training in phases of four months each:

Phase One

Workout four days a week, training each muscle group twice during the week.

Phase Two

Workout five days a week, for the first 4 days he did the same as phase one, then on the fifth day he trains any lagging body parts for a third time in that week.

Phase Three

For pre contest training he would use the double split routine training six days a week, working each muscle three times each week.

Katz would do 8 to 10 reps in the off season and 10 to 15 reps before a contest.

He would do 20 to 30 sets for each body part.

Mike Katz Diet

His nutrition inspiration for bodybuilding came from Rheo Blair who taught him the basics on how to grow muscle on a long-term basis. It was learning from the experts that made him so successful.

Mike followed a high protein low carbohydrate diet like most of the bodybuilders of his day, he's eat up to four pounds of meat a day, along with whole eggs. Every third day he's have a small carb up on pasta, oatmeal or fruit.

For supplements he had a protein shake twice a day make from Blair's Protein, he also took desiccated liver tablets and amino acids between meals.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, supplement or exercise program. Individuals differ in response to supplements and so will results.