THE IVORY LATINO

 by WNBF Pro Jeff Alberts

photos provided by Alberto Nunez

video by WNBF Pro Jeff Alberts

WNBF Pro natural bodybuilder, Alberto Nunez, has accomplished so much in the sport of natural bodybuilding since he took the stage a short time ago.  From Hayward, California (but he says he left his heart in San Francisco) and at the age of 26, Alberto has already won three natural pro cards in three different natural bodybuilding organizations. Alberto is definitely not your typical bodybuilder, he not only works hard to improve his own physique, but he strives to give back to the sport by sharing his knowledge and experiences with other athletes. Alberto is willing to lend a helping hand to other competitive athletes at many of the natural shows in the Northern California area. He works extremely hard backstage by making sure the athletes are properly tanned and oiled for the contest stage. At 5'-9" and weighing in between 155-160 shredded pounds on stage, he takes the contest stage with excellent symmetry and proportions. Alberto also sets the standard when it comes to conditioning and many natural bodybuilders strive to attain the same level of conditioning in which Alberto achieves. Alberto is not only a great natural bodybuilder, but he is a great all around individual! We interviewed Alberto Nunez, a.k.a., "The Ivory Latino" and here is what he had to say.  

3DMJ: How long have you been training?

Alberto Nunez: At 16 years of age, I started to mess around with weights. All through middle school and high school I felt as if I was going to, some sort of fashion show. The income in my household was somewhat limited, so I decided that if I was not able to buy clothes as nice as the rest of the kids, I am going to try to look better than them regardless. It took me about a week or so to find a more internal motivational source. I simply enjoyed the challenge, 10 years now and going strong.

3DMJ: What gym do you train at?

Alberto Nunez: Just about every 24 hour fitness in the East Bay.

3DMJ: List your contest highlights in your career.

Alberto Nunez: My first contest! Winning my first contest and then winning my WNBF Pro Card at the WNBF Capital City show.

Alberto winning the 2008 Capital City Natural Overall & earning his WNBF Pro Card.

3DMJ: You won three pro qualifiers in 2008, with the PNBA, NGA and the WNBF, what do you attribute most to the success of those victories? 

Alberto Nunez: First and foremost, my support system, starting with my mother, she is my example, she taught me what it was to work hard and do things with integrity. My family and friends of course. Specifically Todd  and Eric who both believed in me long before I did. My training partner, Levi, who loved me more than I will ever understand and pushed me to pursue a 2008 season, after a less than stellar one the prior year. Layne Norton, who was the architect behind all this. He took care of my nutrition and cardio protocol.

 A victory hug from his mother after his first victory. She taught him to work hard and do things with integrity. 

3DMJ: How did you get started in natural bodybuilding?

Alberto Nunez: Again Layne Norton was a big factor in this. It was great to watch him go from a young amateur bodybuilder, to a Natural Pro. He was instrumental in me choosing my current path and making it known that you do have a choice. I have nothing against bodybuilders that compete in federations that don’t test, but I would never be able to compete against the best there, unless I was willing to do certain things, that from a drug standpoint I am just not willing to do. 

3DMJ: Who are your influences in the sport of natural bodybuilding?

Alberto Nunez: Not a bodybuilder, but growing up I really looked up to Jerry Rice. He was a great player, a very talented player, but his work ethic is what separated him from the rest. When I started weight training I did my best to bring that attitude to my own training. I didn’t want to keep up with others, I wanted to lead the pack. As far as physiques that motivate me to be my best, Ben Goins, for the very reasons I mentioned above, he sets the standard and others follow. Jim Cordova for his “wow” factor, I really want to have that one day. Jeff Rodriguez for his physique and demeanor. Layne Norton and Eric Helms for their work ethic and relentless drive to be the best.

3DMJ: Describe your training style.

Alberto Nunez: While I vary my training a good amount, I do think periodization is key. Most of my progress has been made through routines that involve higher frequency with some periodization that focuses on getting stronger. Focusing on adding weight to the bar through specific loading schemes and usually hitting body parts twice a week has been the most effective protocol.

Hitting a heavy set of one arm dumbbell rows.

3DMJ: Describe your training split.

Alberto Nunez: My favorite split has to be the Lower, Push, Pull, Rest and repeat. Focusing on increasing weight on 2-3 different compounds.

3DMJ: Describe your nutrition when training for a competition.

Alberto Nunez: Foods don’t ever change too much. Quesadillas, Pop-Tarts, and some of my favorite cereals are still staples. The total calories change, and protein is upped a bit. Training is very similar to the offseason protocol, as cliché as it sounds, whatever helps you gain, will help you retain.

3DMJ: Describe your nutrition when you are in your off season.

Alberto Nunez: Very similar to my contest prep dieting, only I will work “gray area” foods in, and loosely monitor my intake. Treats are worked in at a sensible rate and although the caloric intake can be very generous at times, I try to make more healthier choices than not.

3DMJ: Do you do any cardio leading up to a contest?

Alberto Nunez: Cardio is also a key component, I find that 3-5 sessions a week work best. Split pretty evenly between HIIT cardio and LISS cardio. I enjoy hitting the track when doing my intervals since I used to run track, it makes me feel like an athlete again. Usually about 10-12 intervals does the trick. For my LISS cardio, I enjoy walking outdoors and these sessions are about 30-35 minutes long.

Alberto's nutrition and cardio plan deliver the ultimate conditioning!

3DMJ: Do you do any cardio in the off season?

Alberto Nunez: That is one thing I have done differently this offseason. I have been doing some form of cardiovascular work. I love kettlebells, HIIT, some good old tire flipping. I try to get at least one medium/high intensity session in a week. It doesn’t serve the purposes of aiding in fat loss, but more so for health reasons. Being in better cardiovascular shape has actually helped improve the quality of my weight training.

3DMJ: What types of supplements do you use and why?

Alberto Nunez: I have whey protein handy almost all the time now, but for convenience sake mostly. I also use BCAA’s when dieting, but that is pretty much it. I have never been too much into supplements. I recall getting my first good job when I was 19 and being excited about how I was going to be able to buy all the good food I wanted. Frankly I would get excited about buying groceries, in the same manner others get excited about having some extra GNC money.

3DMJ: In your pro debut in 2008 at the WNBF Mid America Natural Championships you placed 11^th. What did you learn from your pro debut that will improve you for your future competitions?

Alberto Nunez: I learned that I can’t just simply show up to these shows. If there is any chink in your armor, pros will capitalize. You must leave nothing to chance. I posed poorly and needed to make some adjustments with my peak. I need to take advantage of the fact that I can likely be ready for shows early and need to increase my food intake aggressively in the later parts of my diet. This is a must or I will flatten out beyond a 7 to 9 day repair. I will also have my best friend and fellow natural bodybuilder Eric Helms and your expert eye helping me with my posing the whole way. I think my prolonged offseason will help me in filling up the gaps in my physique.

3DMJ: You have tremendous quadriceps that have both size and separations. What does your routine look like for quad training?

Alberto Nunez: Most of my quadriceps development came from squatting heavy and often. Different from the more conventional training, the lower end rep range is what worked best for me. Usually in the 3-5 rep range. 

Serious leg development from all angles.

I would go through phases were I would squat up to 2 times a week. Sometimes these bouts consisted of up to 10 working sets of 3’s and 5’s. Very brutal and very taxing. The workload on other days of course is lowered a bit to accommodate such phases in my training.

Alberto's quads have size and tremendous separation!

 3DMJ: Another area you possess that has excellent development is your back, what exercises do you feel are the best for your back and why?

Alberto Nunez: I love deadlifts and Rack Pulls. Those alone will change the appearance of your back, but I think they must be cycled in and out because they are VERY taxing. Not just on your nervous system, but structural wear and tear.

Alberto has great upper and lower back muscle development.

Heavy bent-over rows are great too, these are my favorite kind of row. I am also partial of higher rep Dumbbell Rows because they require less trunk stabilization and you can fatigue your back in a higher rep range, which works well for back muscles which are red, slow-twitch fiber dominant.

Alberto's well developed back was built with good old fashioned deadlifts and heavy bent rows.

 3DMJ: You are currently training for the 2011 contest season, this is a three year absence away from the contest stage.Why did you decide to take such a long break from your previous contests back in 2008?

Alberto Nunez: I really want to make sure next time I compete, I am “that guy.” I believe I can be a top level pro right now, but I am really aiming for the impossible next time. I am also in a position where I can make many improvements during the next few years. For the first time I ever, I have actually taken my offseason nutrition a bit more seriously. You do run the risk of losing focus, or perhaps getting in cruise control, but I think living vicariously through clients and friends hitting the stage really makes all the difference. In a sport that requires patience, I am glad I am finally developing some. I want 2011 to be reminiscent of 2008, but of course on a much bigger stage.

A shot from 2008 in shredded condition. Imagine Alberto in 2011, it will definitely be worth the wait! 

3DMJ: You have also entered some power lifting meets; tell us about some of your best lifts and highlights from those events.

Alberto Nunez: I am aiming to do my first one in two years, February of next year. I really enjoy using muscles for their original intentions, moving things! My best total ever was 1,275 were I hit 315 bench, 460 squat, 500 deadlift, but my biggest thrill came during my first meet. A lifter who will remain nameless, had competed in an INBA show I did earlier that year, and won the overall. He ended up failing his drug test and banned from ever doing INBA shows again. This meet was held at his home gym, and he proudly displayed his trophies and plaques (the very ones he cheated to win) in the gym entrance. So we get there and he welcomes me and my friend with warm words. Mostly about how no other guy was going to catch him on deadlifts. Day of the meet arrives and we both go for 510 pounds on our final lift. He goes and gets it to his knees, but no further than that. With my friends cheering me on I walk up to the very same 510 pounds he just missed moments ago and it goes up without any trouble at all. Outside I was cool and collective, inside I was jumping out of my singlet!

Watch Alberto Nunez hit a 510 lb. deadlift! Video provided by Alberto Nunez.

3DMJ: What are your goals in the sport of natural bodybuilding and power lifting?

Alberto Nunez: I would love to win a few pro shows and be a threat to win one every time I hit the stage. I don’t ever want to be considered and underdog, I want to be that guy you can never count to come in “off.” Always in the top running. Off the stage I want to help contribute to the growth of natural bodybuilding, which is making some big strides of late. It is my passion and it has changed my life for the better. Giving back is always high on my list. The powerlifting goal is to enjoy myself and to one day achieve elite status, meaning 1396 raw total. I better start working on my bench press!

3DMJ: On bodybuilding.com you have a forum thread "Alberto's I Got WNBF PRO Stuff to do. No Crying!", that inspires so many and as of October 27, 2009 you have over 291,000 views. When you started the thread did you envision it would have grown the way it has to inspire and help so many individuals? What was the main reason for starting the thread?

Alberto Nunez: I had no clue it would gain that much popularity. Just as I had done with any other log, its main purpose was to help me monitor my own progress and help me stay honest. It quickly became evident that I had a following and this would be a great way to not only share my journey, but also any knowledge I have acquired throughout the years. I think it is really picking up speed now, because people can relate. I started posting on those forums as just another member and it really drills the fact that through hard work and perseverance you can accomplish your goals. The members of this community also help me a great deal.  Their passion and love for this sport really inspire me! Not to mention many knowledgeable members frequently post there, so it’s a great place to get your questions answered.

3DMJ: You have helped athletes with their contest preparation and they have gone on to have strong showings in their competitions. How do you go about getting each athlete to be inspired and achieve their absolute best on contest day?

Alberto Nunez: The motivation part, they usually take care of themselves. I feel that the best motivation comes from within and usually the athletes that tend to do the best in this sport are the ones who are really motivated. Second is their trust in me and when I have both of those qualities, that is when you get something special. From there it is just a matter of finding out what is the optimal way of getting this athlete in shape. While the prescription might differ from person to person, the common ground is that they all demonstrate tremendous work ethic. 

3DMJ: If you could give advice to up and coming natural athletes what would it be?

Alberto Nunez: Be patient, this sport has its moments of frustrations. How much you enjoy and get out of this sport is correlated to how you handle the rough patches. Be it the final reps on a set of squats, a placing that didn’t go the way you wanted. Take it as challenge, a chance to improve, push through and enjoy the journey, it is the best part of all this.

Alberto Nunez: I would like to take the time to thank and remember Levi Chitwood, who is my strength and inspiration when it comes to bodybuilding. While he is no longer with us anymore, he inspires me to not only be the best bodybuilder I can be, but to love and be generous to others the way he was always was towards me. Always in my thoughts, and never forgotten.

Alberto and Levi

Thank you Alberto Nunez for the inspiration and taking the time to share yourself with other athletes.

Watch WNBF Pro - Alberto Nunez, in action during an offseason training session captured on October 31, 2009.

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