Who is Dexter Jackson?
Dexter Jackson, also known as The Blad#e, is an IFBB professional bodybuilder and the 2008 champion. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Mister Olympia
Short Career of Dexter Jackson
Dexter Jackson, who was well-known for the amazing conditioning he displayed on stage each year and who dominated the sport for more than three decades, holds the record for the most titles won by a bodybuilder in professional history with nine Arnold Classic victories.
“I knew I would disprove my teachers’ claims that I would never amount to anything. Nothing made me more eager to work hard than to demonstrate my greatness rather than merely my ability to be something decent.
Body Measurements of Dexter Jackson
| Full Name: | Dexter Jackson |
| YEAR OF BIRTH: | 1969 |
| ERA: | 1990, 2000, 2010 |
| PROFESSION: | IFBB Professional Bodybuilder |
| NATIONALITY: | American |
| ALIAS: | The Blade |
| HEIGHT: | 5’5″ (165cm) |
| WEIGHT: | 215-225lbs(93.0 – 102.1kg) |
Accomplishments
Competitions
- 1992 NPC Southern States, Lightweight, 3rd
- 1995 NPC USA Championships, Light-Heavyweight, 1st
- Also, 1996 NPC Nationals, Light-Heavyweight, 6th
- 1998 North American Championships, Light-HeavyWeight, 1st, and Overall
- 1999 Arnold Classic, 7th
- Also, 1999 Grand Prix England, 4th
- 1999 Night of Champions, 3rd
- 1999 Mr. Olympia, 9th
- Also, the 1999 World Pro Championships, 4th
- 2000 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2000 Grand Prix Hungary, 2nd
- Also, 2000 Ironman Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2000 Night of Champions, 8th
- 2000 Mr. Olympia, 9th
- Also, 2000 Toronto Pro Invitational, 2nd
- 2001 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2001 Grand Prix Australia, 3rd
- Also, 2001 Grand Prix England, 4th
- 2001 Grand Prix Hungary, 3rd
- Also, 2001 Night of Champions, 2nd
- 2001 Mr. Olympia, 8th
- Also, 2001 Toronto Pro Invitational, 2nd
- 2002 Arnold Classic, 3rd
- Also, 2002 Grand Prix Australia, 2nd
- 2002 Grand Prix Austria, 2nd
- Also, 2002 Grand Prix England, 1st
- 2002 Grand Prix Holland, 3rd
- 2002 Mr. Olympia, 4th
- Also, 2002 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2002 Show of Strength Pro Championship, 6th
- 2003 Arnold Classic, 4th
- Also, 2003 Maximum Pro Invitational, 3rd
- 2003 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
- 2003 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 3rd
- Also, 2003 Show of Strength Pro Championship, 1st
- 2004 Arnold Classic, 3rd
- 2004 Grand Prix Australia, 1st
- Also, the 2004 Ironman Pro Invitational, 1st
- 2004 Mr. Olympia, 4th
- 2004 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 1st
- Also, the 2005 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2005 San Francisco Pro Invitational, 2nd
- 2006 Arnold Classic, 1st
- Also, in 2006 Mr. Olympia, 4th
- 2007 Arnold Classic, 2nd
- 2007 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 1st
- Also, in 2007 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
- 2008 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix VIII, 1st
- Also, the 2008 IFBB New Zealand Grand Prix, 1st
- 2008 IFBB Russian Grand Prix, 1st
- 2008 Mr. Olympia, 1st
- 2009 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
- Also, the 2010 Arnold Classic, 4th
- 2010 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 2nd
- 2010 Mr. Olympia, 4th
- Also, 2011 Flex Pro, 2nd
- 2011 Mr. Olympia, 6th
- 2011 FIBO Pro, 1st
- Also, 2011 Pro Masters World Champion, 1st
- 2012 Arnold Classic, 5th
- 2012 Mr. Olympia, 4th
- Also, 2012 IFBB Masters Olympia, 1st
- 2013 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2013 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, 1st
- Also, in 2013 Mr. Olympia, 5th
- 2013 EVLS Prague Pro, 2nd
- 2013 Tijuana Pro, 1st
- Also, in 2014 Mr. Olympia, 5th
- 2014 Arnold Classic Europe, 3rd
- 2014 Dubai Pro, 1st
- Also, 2014 Prague Pro, 2nd
- 2015 Arnold Classic, 1st
- 2015 Arnold Classic Australia, 1st
- Also, 2015 Arnold Classic Europe, 1st
- 2015 Mr. Olympia, 2nd
- 2015 Prague Pro, 1st
- Also, 2016 New York Pro, 1st
- 2016 Arnold Classic South Africa, 1st [1]
- 2016 Mr. Olympia, 3rd
- Also, 2016 Arnold Classic Europe, 1st
- 2016 Kuwait Pro, 2nd
- Also, 2016 Prague Pro, 3rd
- 2016 Mr. Olympia Europe, 1st
Biography
Young Years
On November 25th, 1969, Dexter Jackson was born in Jacksonville, Florida.
Since he was the most active of the family’s six children, his desire for physical activity began to emerge early in childhood. He would frequently participate in a variety of sports.
Dexter began playing football as soon as he joined high school, where he excelled as a running back. He was able to run a 4.20 in the forty-meter sprint at one point, which was among the nation’s top times.
In addition to football, Jackson also engaged in other pursuits at the time, including gymnastics and break dance. In addition, Dexter held a fourth-degree black belt in karate.
Jackson had intended to attend college after graduating from high school, but when his fiancée got pregnant, he decided to stay home to care for his baby.
He allegedly then relocated to an apartment with his girlfriend and began working as a cook, according to Dexter.
Bodybuilding Research
Dexter grew up with an excellent body thanks to his athletic background and genetics, which several of his friends quickly noticed and recommended he might consider competing in a nearby show.
Jackson gave it some thinking and concurred. To get ready for the contest, he started dieting and exercising.
At the age of 20, Dexter took the stage for the first time after only three weeks of practice and promptly won the competition.
At that point, Dexter began to see his potential in the field and the level of success he was capable of achieving with more time spent working out and dieting.
First-place awards
Jackson claimed that after winning his first regional competition, he fell in love with bodybuilding and began training more rigorously than ever before to one day compete on a professional level.
Soon after he began to achieve outstanding results in numerous regional competitions, he entered his first National Physique competition, the 1992 NPC Southern States Championship, where he placed third.
Jackson took three years off from performing following the competition to devote himself totally to dieting and training so that he could eventually perform at his very best and obtain the Pro card.
Developing Professionally
Dexter returned in 1995, and after three years of arduous training and self-discipline, he stepped onto the stage once more, winning the Light-Heavyweight division of the 1995 NPC USA Championships.
He had already set his sights on obtaining a Pro card and joining the prestigious IFBB Pro league at that point.
He began by finishing sixth in the Light-Heavyweight division in the 1996 NPC Nationals, surprising everyone by winning both the division and overall at the 1998 North American Championships, where he ultimately received his Pro card.
Professional Life
Dexter claimed that after winning the Pro card, everything got simpler. Finally, he was able to compete in the most renowned events.
After the 1998 contests, he worked hard and followed a strict diet in preparation for his first professional competition, the 1999 Arnold Classic, where he finished in a respectable seventh place.
Jackson competed in 4 additional events that year, the first of which was the Grand Prix England, where he finished in fourth place.
His winning streak continued when he finished third, ninth, and fourth respectively in the 1999 Night of Champions, Mr. Olympia, and World Pro Championships.
Formula One England
Dexter participated in 18 competitions from 1999 to 2002. He had remarkable results, finishing in second place in a number of them, but lacked the good fortune to lift the trophy for the winning positions.
His bad luck, however, quickly came to an end as he finished second at the 2002 Grand Prix Australia and then, after months of hard work and a strict diet, Dexter won the 2002 Grand Prix England.
Following the victory, Dexter racked up more amazing accomplishments, finishing third at the 2003 Mr. Olympia and taking home the 2003 Show-Strength Pro Championship.
Mr. Olympia
Jackson dominated the bodybuilding industry for the following few years by taking home multiple Arnold Classic titles, one of the sport’s most renowned contests.
2005, 2006, and 2008 Arnold Classic winners also won the 2004 San Francisco Pro Invitational, the 2007 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix, the 2008 IFBB Australian Pro Grand Prix VIII, and the 2008 IFBB Russian Grand Prix. He also won several other competitions.
It wasn’t long before the Olympia competition time arrived, and after eight tries, Dexter finally won his first Mr. Olympia title in 2008 by defeating the reigning champion, Jay Cutler.
Without a doubt, this was the pinnacle of Dexter’s professional life. He was further inspired by this to work harder the following year and defend his crown.
Future Contests
He finished third at Mr. Olympia to kick off 2009 after failing to earn first place in the tournament that followed.
Jackson’s attempts to defend the championship were overshadowed that year by Jay Cutler, who made a spectacular return and was arguably in the greatest shape of his life.
Dexter continued to pursue further victories despite his enormous success by capturing the 2011 FIBO Pro and the 2011 Pro Masters World Champion right away.
By 2016, Dexter had won so many contests that he had amassed 28 IFBB professional bodybuilding titles, making him the bodybuilder with the most of them.
He also holds the record for the most Arnold Classic victories with five, as well as the most Mr. Olympia appearances (17). Finally, at the age of 46, he is the second-oldest bodybuilder to ever win an open IFBB Pro competition.
A world-class Bodybuilder
Jackson said that he had no immediate interest in retiring and that he intended to keep competing when asked about his retirement intentions.
Jackson has demonstrated throughout his career that he is among the best bodybuilders to ever take the stage, not just at the IFBB and FIBO but also at the Olympia.
Training
Training Philosophy for Beginners
Since he strongly believes in compound motions, especially for novices, Jackson usually strives to keep his workout philosophy as straightforward as possible.
To correctly improve the physique, he claimed that the most crucial thing to do at first is to concentrate on complex exercises like the barbell bench press or squats.
Dexter did add that adding isolated exercises to every workout is a terrific method to further shape the muscles, though. He frequently enjoys performing leg extensions and squats in succession.
Exercise Routine
- Day 1: Quads
Leg Extensions: 4 sets of 20-30 reps
Squats: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Hack Squats: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Leg Extensions: 3 sets of 10 reps
- Day 2: Chest & Calves
Barbell Bench Press: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Incline Dumbbell Press: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Dumbbell Flyes: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Standing Calf Raises: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Seated Calf Raises: 4 sets of 10-15 reps
- Day 3: Back
Lat Pull-downs: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
T-Bar Rows: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Barbell Dead-lifts: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Seated Cable Rows: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
- Day 4: Shoulders & Hams
Dumbbell Press: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Incline Lying Side Laterals: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Rear Delt Raises: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Seated Leg Curls: 5 sets of 10 reps
Super-set: Lying Leg Curls: 4 sets of 10 reps
Stiff-Legged Deadlift: 4 sets of 10 reps
- Day 5: Biceps & Triceps
EZ-Bar Curls: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Hammer Curls: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Preacher Curls: 4 sets of 8-10 reps
Tri-Set: Triceps Push-downs: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Dips: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
Rope Push-downs: 3 sets of 8-10 reps
- Day 6: Ab & Cardio Routine:
Crunches: 3 sets of 50 reps
Knee-ups: 3 sets of 40 reps
Cable Crunches: 3 sets of 30 reps
- Day 7: Off (Rest)
Nutrition
Dieting
Dexter Jackson always consumes a healthy diet that is high in calories, whether it be during the off-season or competing stages.
To recover the body’s lost calories and essential nutrients, he also permits himself occasional cheat meals.
Jackson, however, rarely falters while he’s getting ready for a tournament since he thinks that a rigorous, clean diet is indispensable.
He often consumes white or brown rice, sweet potatoes, and lean meats like steak and chicken as sources of protein, as well as almonds for healthy fats.
Menu Plan
Dexter’s diet at his prime included the following foods:
- Meal 1 – 7 ounces steak or chicken, 2 whole eggs, 4 one-ounce packets of grits
- Meal 2 – 8 ounces chicken or cod, two cups white rice
- Post-workout – BCAA powder in Gatorade
- Meal 3 – 8 ounces chicken or cod, two cups white rice
- Also, Meal 4 – 8 ounces chicken or cod, two cups white rice
- Meal 5 – 10 ounces of chicken, large green salad
Jackson would frequently drink a whey protein smoothie in between meals.
Supplementation
Dexter always favored keeping things simple when it comes to supplements, but he still emphasizes the value of healthy nutrition and supplements. He claims that every detail counts, especially for rivals.
Whey protein, creatine, BCAAs, and a fat burner were some of the supplements he would take while preparing for competitions.
Influences and Idols
In his prime, Dexter frequently spoke of how successful IFBB pro bodybuilder Flex Wheeler served as his source of motivation and inspiration.
What Dexter Jackson Can Teach Us?
Dexter Jackson demonstrated that age is just a number and should not be used as an excuse to give up during his 30-year dominance in the bodybuilding world.
He is a role model for anyone who wants to start accomplishing significant goals but feels that their age limits them.
So keep challenging yourself so that one day you too will have a body of brilliance like Dexter.