Hugo Rivera

Background

Hugo A. Rivera, a University of South Florida graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and also a Trainer Certification from the ISSA, was born December 5, 1974 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. As an overweight child he experienced at an early age the feelings of insecurity that come along with obesity as well as the scorn and ridicule from the people around him.

After going anorexic at the age of 13 and losing a total of 70 pounds in less than a year, he was taken to a nutritionist by his concerned parents in an effort to stop the anorexic cycle. This nutritionist mentioned one thing that would change Hugo's outlook on dieting forever: "Eating food will not make you fat; only abusing the quantities of the bad foods will." After listening to that statement, Hugo decided to kick the anorexic habit and to dedicate his life to studying the effects of foods on the human physiology.

By the age of fifteen Hugo's interest in how food affects the shape and the form of your body naturally led to an interest in the area of exercise, something that led him to become an avid natural bodybuilder.

Discovering early on that there wasn't much realistic or practical bodybuilding or fitness advice, he went on to start recording what worked and what didn't for him. After much trial and error, he started finding principles that he noticed worked on any healthy human being. The best part of it all was his discovery on the fact that there was no necessity to stay all day at the gym in order to get results!

Upset at the fact that not many people in the industry cared about trainees actually reaching their goals, he decided to create a web site and start conducting personal training during his college years in an effort to spread all of the knowledge that he had acquired.

Fourteen years later Hugo holds a Statewide Natural Bodybuilding Title (Mr. Typhoon Bay) and also a 4th Place in the Nationwide NPC Team Universe (the natural bodybuilder's highest and most competitive contest). Hugo is now considered an expert in the industry and he has dedicated much of his time to helping normal people achieve their dream figures by sharing sensible and practical knowledge that he has found over the years to work even on the most stubborn metabolisms.

Articles

  • How to Get Six Pack Abs: The Ultimate Ab Workout

    This ab workout is composed of seven abdominal exercises carefully chosen to hit both the upper and lower ab muscles. Use them to get a ripped core!

  • Best Back-Building Principles & Routines!

    In this article, I discuss back training and the principles that I've used to design good back training routines for myself and many others. By using this information, I guarantee you that you too will get a wide and thick looking back. Read on!

  • Everything You Need To Know About Different Protein Supplements!

    Because of hectic schedules it is impossible to eat the six perfectly balanced daily meals required to get in shape. Protein supplements can be used as fast foods. They are easy to prepare and most of the formulas taste good.

  • Teenage Bodybuilding: A Program For Greater Performance & Success!

    Bodybuilding is an activity that not only can be used for bigger musculature and less fat, but also for increased performance in sports. Use this detailed training program to improve your performance!

  • Bodybuilding Training And Dieting For Improved Performance In Baseball!

    Bodybuilding is an activity that not only can be used for bigger musculature and less fat, but also for increased performance in sports. In this case … baseball. Use this detailed strength training program to improve your game!

  • Body Re-Engineering Transformation Guide: Workout Charts

    This section shows you how to follow and fill up the workout charts. After these examples, you will find the journal sheets that provide your specific workout routines.

  • Hardgainers And Their Nutritional Requirements!

    The popular definition of a hardgainer is a person that works out hard with weights but has a hard time putting on muscle. Breakthrough and put on muscle with this effective, very detailed weight gain diet! See examples for both men & women.

  • Women's Bodybuilding Myths: Resistance Program Included!

    The myths about women's weight training and female bodybuilding do not ever seem to go away. My goal with this article is to share the real facts about girls and the weight room. Bonus Resistance Program included.

  • Can You Lose Fat And Gain Muscle At The Same Time? Learn The Truth!

    Alternating calorie intake with a periodized routine and cardio program are keys for great muscle gain and fat loss. Want both? Try this detailed diet and periodization program.

  • Testosterone Levels And Testosterone Boosting Supplementation

    Learn more about testosterone and why it is so important to our bodies, especially the bodybuilder. Below I list some of the maladies and top natural supplements to boost testosterone levels. Learn more and try them out!

  • Bulking Up Rules For The Natural Bodybuilder!

    In order for a bulk up phase to be effective, it needs to be executed properly. This article will provide a detailed plan on bulking up in the off season; plans included are for beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Check it out!

  • Cardiovascular Exercise Basics

    In order for aerobic exercise to be effective, it needs to be performed within the fat burning zone. Read right here to get some of the best fat burning cardio activities.

  • The Top 10 Rules Of Lifting Safety!

    Avoiding injury by following these 10 tips should give you many years of injury free exercise. Beginners would do well to read this.

  • Hugo's Rules For Getting Lean In 8 Weeks, Part 1.

    Summer is the time when the temperature is just right to hit the beach and show off. It is time to hit full gear to get the winter fat off. Read below to learn how you can start cutting.

  • Big Arms Q And A!

    Next to abs, arm questions seem to be the second most frequently asked ones. In this Q&A, I hope to Answer the most commonly asked inquiries on how to get guns for arms.

  • Abs Q&A!

    Since the Bodybuilding.com staff and I get so many questions on how to get abdominals, we decided to put together an Abdominals Q&A section. Read below to learn more about some basic tips that will help you get better abs.

  • Ab Training Routines: Bodybuilding And Figure!

    We will start by presenting a beginner abdominals routine. At this level, only one routine is presented that can be applied to both bodybuilders and figure competitors alike.

  • ABSculpting 101: Part 1

    In this series of articles, best selling fitness author and National NPC bodybuilding competitor Hugo Rivera and fitness expert, IFBB Figure Professional, Marcy Porter join forces to finally provide an answers to get great abs...

  • Prescription For Fat Loss!

    One thing that I notice is that people are really confused about the way to get rid of their body fat. Infomercials that appear on T.V. as well as articles written in magazines have less than up to date information. Here are the 7 rules of fat loss.

  • Home Gym Equipment Training Routines!

    This week we will discuss how you can set up different routines by using the minimum equipment of a bench with a good leg extension/leg curl attachment and a pair of adjustable dumbbells.