Who is Matt Christianer?
From a young age, Matt Christianer developed a desire for an active way of life. Throughout his time in high school, he began playing competitive sports, such as basketball and cross country, and track running.
But one day, Matt Christianer wished to advance in his quest for fitness. At the age of 15, Matt moved from Ohio to Arizona and was immediately blown away by a neighbor’s remarkable physique.
Since then, Matt has been working to have a fantastic physique, exactly like his neighbor Bill.
When Matt became 17 years old, though, his dreams of becoming a bodybuilder abruptly came to an end after sustaining severe injuries in a vehicle accident that nearly claimed his life.
Matt fought back to heal from his wounds despite this. Matt was able to rekindle his passion for fitness with the help of his close pals. He was able to get a terrific body as a result of the technique.
He began competing on the bodybuilding stage at the age of 26. He made history by becoming the first-ever IFBB Men’s Physique Pro competitor in 2011 and has since cemented his place in history.
Here is his account:
Body Measurements of Matt Christianer
| Full Name: | Matt Christianer | |||
| HEIGHT: | 5’9″ (175cm) | |||
| WEIGHT: | 155 – 165lbs (70.3 – 74.8kg) | |||
| NATIONALITY: | American | |||
| PROFESSION: | IFBB Professional Bodybuilder, Personal Trainer, Sponsored Athlete | |||
| ERA: | 2010 | |||
Accomplishments
Career Accomplishments
- IFBB Professional Men’s Bodybuilder
- Individual Trainer
- Featured Athlete
Competition Outcomes
2015
- Dennis James Classic (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 6th place
2014
- Felicia Romero Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 8th place
- Europa Phoenix (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 9th place
- Mr. Olympia (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 16th place
- Dallas Pro and Wheelchair Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 5th place
- Grand Prix (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 4th place
2013
- Titans Grand Prix (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 2nd place
- Mr. Olympia (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 13th place
- Pro Grand Prix (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 1st place
2012
- Orange County Muscle Classic Pro (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 1st place
- Pro Grand Prix (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 8th place
- Governors Cup (IFBB): Men’s Physique – 1st place
2011
- Junior USA Championships (NPC): Men’s Physique Class A – 1st place – Earned Pro Card
- Natural Western Regional: Men’s Physique Class A – 2nd Place
2010
- USA National Championship – Competed as a Middleweight
2009
- Arizona Western Regional (NPC): Novice Middleweight – 1st place, 1st place Open Middleweight
Biography
Matt’s Early Years
When Matt was a senior in high school, he first discovered his love for competitive sports. He was born in October 1983, and his love of sports included basketball, cross country, and track running.
These activities laid the ideal groundwork for his pursuit of health.
With his parents, Matt moved from Ohio to Arizona when he was 15 years old. Shortly after relocating there, Matt was astounded by Bill, one of his neighbors,’ remarkable body. Because of this, Matt made the decision that he wanted to emulate Bill’s fantastic physique.
Bill quickly secured Matt a position working beside him in a nearby gym. But in addition to hopping from one exercise equipment to another and neglecting his diet, Matt initially hampered his development in the gym.
Bill started to pay attention at this time and started pointing Matt in the right direction.
Bill then taught Matt the basics of weight training and Matt started gaining lean muscle mass very fast. As a result, Matt’s fitness knowledge quickly advanced.
However, Matt’s days at the gym abruptly came to an end after a while, putting a stop to his aspirations of becoming a bodybuilder.
Major Auto Accident
Matt suffered major injuries, including a broken hip, broken thighbone, and head trauma, in a car accident when he was 17 years old.
Matt had to spend a lot of time in the hospital getting better as a result. When reflecting on this tragic incident, Matt said:
“When I was 17, I was in a vehicle accident that almost killed me. Three and a half times, my pals and I rolled a 1979 Chevrolet. I wasn’t buckled up, so I was thrown around and had head injuries, a shattered hip, and a broken femur. It was one of those times in life when you recall the feeling as well as the actual incident.
After the collision, Matt was horrified to see the extent of his injuries when he looked in the mirror. The severity of the car incident he was in, though, made him feel extraordinarily fortunate to be alive.
In order to speed up his rehabilitation during this time, Matt was compelled to spend many months living in a wheelchair. Matt didn’t want to let this deter him, though, from achieving his fitness objectives.
Matt went back to the gym he had previously worked at only a few weeks following his accident.
Matt was able to resume weight training with the help of his close pals in the gym. Matt, though, was left dissatisfied. Before the accident, he worked extremely hard, but it was all for nothing.
Matt had to spend several months in a wheelchair, so his fitness levels were completely reset. Despite this, Matt maintained his motivation with the goal of continuing where he left off.
Reaching The Stage Of Bodybuilding
Matt made significant success with his workouts in the gym after continuing to push himself to improve his fitness levels, adding a significant amount of muscle in the process.
Matt was able to begin gaining strength just over a year after his accident, despite needing two leg surgeries to heal the damage he suffered.
At this moment, Matt decided that he wanted to compete in the Men’s Physique bodybuilding division.
To catch up with the rest of his body, Matt’s legs needed some “catch-up” work. He had to temporarily put his aspirations of becoming a bodybuilder on hold as a result.
By the time he was 26 years old, Matt had developed a lean, proportioned, and well-defined body. This gave him the opportunity to begin preparing for his debut on the bodybuilding scene.
For his debut competition, Matt competed in the 2009 NPC Arizona Western Regional and took first place.
Matt has established himself in the Men’s Physique bodybuilding division ever since his first victory on the bodybuilding stage.
The finest moment of Matt’s competitive bodybuilding career came in 2011 when he became the first-ever professional Men’s Physique competitor in the IFBB. This was his peak.
After participating in numerous events as a Men’s Physique Pro bodybuilder, Matt’s fitness career changed course. After 2015, Matt took a break from competing on the bodybuilding scene to concentrate on his personal training business.
Since he started working as a personal trainer, Matt has been assisting individuals in reaching their maximum physical potential. Now, Matt wants to help others develop self-confidence so they may achieve all of their fitness objectives, just as he did.
Training
Matt’s active lifestyle extends beyond the weightlifting gym. He frequently participates in CrossFit workouts with one of his buddies because he enjoys a constant challenge, which allows him to maintain his strong and shredded physique.
His favorite muscle to train is his legs, according to his typical workout schedule. As a result, he dedicates two training sessions per week to maintaining a proportionate and in shape body.
Matt finds it difficult to train his legs because of the injuries he sustained earlier in life. Despite this, he finds strengthening his legs to be both difficult and enjoyable.
Additionally, whether training indoors or outside, Matt prefers the cardio technique known as HIIT (high intensity interval training). When it’s sunny out, he enjoys going on runs, hikes, or playing volleyball on the beach.
Compound movements like the squat, deadlift, and chest press are a few of Matt’s favorite exercises. Matt Christianer regularly builds lean muscle by compound lifting high weights with a small range of repetitions.
The following is a list of some of the workouts Matt does for each muscle group:
Matt’s Regular Workouts
Legs
- Leg Press
- Hack Squat
- Hamstring Curls
- Quad Extensions
- Straight Leg Deadlifts
- Super Wide Plie Squat
- Walking Lunges
- Glute Kick Backs
- Abductor
Chest
- Incline Barbell Press
- Cable Fly High
- Flat Dumbbell Press
- Low Cables (Scoops)
- Seated Chest Press Sideways on Machine for Mid and Upper Chest
- Flying Dumbbell Pullover
Back
- Wide Pull Ups
- Wide Lat Pulldowns
- Standing One Arm Cable Rows Light
- Wide Pull-Throughs
- Hyper Extensions No Weight
- Shrugs Very Light Weight
Biceps and Triceps
- Bicep Seated Incline Curl
- Standing Hammer
- Cable Spider Curl for Peak
- Tricep 12-20 (Light 3-4 Sets)
- Reverse Skullcrushers
- Rope Extensions
- Cable (No Handle) Extensions
Shoulders
- Behind the Head Military Press
- Rear Delt Dumbbell Flyes
- One Arm Barbell Laterals
- Front Raise (Drive the Bus)
- Upright Row Smith Machine
Nutrition
Due to his busy schedule, Matt is frequently on the go, whether he’s competing or coaching his clients. He makes his meals four to five days in advance, which allows him to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy level of body fat.
Matt used to follow dieting phases like “bulking” and “cutting” before realizing it wasn’t an eating strategy that suited him. Now, Matt’s goal is to maintain a body fat level of less than 6% year-round.
Matt mostly eats fresh fruit and vegetables, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to maintain his slim physique.
Matt Christianer is always prepared thanks to his stringent nutritional guidelines, whether he needs to attend a last-minute photo session or compete on the bodybuilding stage with little lead time.
Matt often follows a balanced eating schedule that looks somewhat like this:
Lean Nutrition Plan By Matt
- 5 Egg Whites, 1 Whole Egg, 1/2 Cup of Oats, and 1/2 a Cup of Berries or 1/2 a Grapefruit
- 4 oz of Lean Meat, 1/2 Cup of Quinoa, 1/2 cup of Green Vegetables
- 1/2 a Sweet Potato, 4 oz of White Fish, 1/2 Cup of Green Vegetables
- 1.5 Cups of Green Vegetables, 4 oz of White Fish, 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- 4 oz of White Fish, 1.5 Cups of Green Vegetables, 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- 4 oz of White Fish, 1.5 Cups of Green Vegetables, 1/2 an Avocado
Influences And Idols
In the beginning of his fitness career, Matt imitated the diet and exercise regimen of one of his bodybuilding heroes, fitness legend Frank Zane. He was able to lay the groundwork for his great physique early on as a result.
Additionally, Matt expresses gratitude to Bill, a former neighbor, for his successes in the weight room throughout his late adolescence. Matt was able to develop a wealth of knowledge and a passion for fitness from a young age thanks to Bill’s inspiration.
The fitness modeling industry’s Clark Bartram, James Ellis, and Rachel Elizabeth Murray are some of Matt’s biggest influences. Matt is extremely impressed by their fitness accomplishments.
Because of their impact on him, Matt aspires to emulate them in order to motivate people everywhere, just like his heroes.
What Matt Christianer Can Teach Us?
If there is one lesson we can learn from Matt Christianer’s story, it is that he was able to recover from his injuries very quickly thanks to his love of fitness.
He was inspired by those around him in the gym and did everything in his power to develop a fantastic physique.
Matt struggled to be successful in his fitness career. He had to put in a lot of effort to get over his obstacles, but eventually, he was able to succeed on the bodybuilding stage.
Matt was able to establish himself in his bodybuilding career and go down in history as the first Men’s Physique professional bodybuilder in the IFBB because of his intense desire to succeed in the fitness industry.
Follow Matt’s lead if you want to develop a great physique of your own. You could overcome obstacles and reach success by adopting the same mindset as them.