Jonathan Delarosa

Full name: Jonathan Delarosa

Date of birth: May 29, 1984

Height: 5’7”

Off-season weight: 240

Contest weight: 197

Current residence: Scarsdale, New York

Years training: 12

Occupation: Elevator mechanic

Marital status: Single

How did you get into bodybuilding? I was injured playing football in high school and lost a lot of size and strength due to inactivity. I found bodybuilding mainly as a way to get back the weight I had lost. Once my body started to change, I knew I wanted to keep doing it and try to make that my new sport.

Who inspired you when you were starting out? My father and my uncle both trained, and they would leave bodybuilding magazines lying around the house. I used to look in awe at all the physiques in those magazines and be inspired to have muscles like that one day myself. I dreamed about being onstage and competing with the best. William Delarosa, my dad, just started competing himself four years ago. We actually competed together at the ’07 Eastern USA. Preparing together and keeping each other motivated to be our best was an amazing experience that not many sons ever get to share with their pop. For that I’m truly grateful.

Top titles: ’09 NPC Atlantic States, heavyweight, 1st; ’09 NPC Junior Nationals, light heavyweight, 1st, and overall

Favorite bodypart to train: Back

Favorite exercise: Deadlifts. I’ve never tried to see what my maximum single is, but I can handle 495 for six reps pretty much anytime.

Least favorite exercise: Calf raises

Best bodypart: Legs

Most challenging body-parts: Chest and shoulders

Obstacles overcome: Back in 2001, I was playing high school football when I was tackled and landed on a rock. I broke my coccyx bone at the base of the spine and also had a bulging disk. Because I didn’t seek immediate medical treatment, I got an infection called a pilonidal cyst, which required an operation to remove. I was confined to bed for four months. Thankfully, it healed and doesn’t cause any pain today, though I’m still very cautious.

Do you have a philosophy you try to live by? What does not kill us makes us stronger.

How do you stay motivated? Wanting to be the best in the sport, the best I can be and knowing I can always improve.

How would you describe your training style? Methodical. I don’t just pop into the gym and do whatever. I put a lot of thought and consideration into designing my workouts so they are as effective as possible.

Training split: Monday: back; Tuesday: chest; Wednesday: legs; Thursday: off; Friday: shoulders; Saturday: biceps and triceps; Sunday: off

Favorite clean meal: Steak and sweet potatoes

Favorite cheat meal: New York City pizza!

What is your favorite Muscle Asylum Project supplement, and why? I love the NO product Plasmacore. It gives me tons of energy for my workouts, and the pumps I get are out of this world.

Goals in the sport: Turn pro, compete with the best in the world and be a great representative for the sport of bodybuilding. IM