Vital Stats
Name: Tino Rinderknecht
Email: bodyculture007@g...
Location: El Paso, Canary Islands, Spain
Age: 34
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 246 lbs off, 220 lbs contest
Years Bodybuilding: 18
How did your bodybuilding journey begin?
My father sent me to judo classes at age 4 and I really liked it, so I kept with the sport until age 17. At age 12, I became a member of a local swimming team, and I started playing tennis at age 13. In August 1996, at age 17, I had my first contact with the iron.
I was always one of the smallest and skinniest guys in class and looked younger than I was, so my classmates started bullying me in high school. I never fought anyone, but I had to find a way to make my peers leave me alone, so I decided to change my physical appearance. In 1997, after one year of training, I left my other activities behind and decided to focus on the gym.
After one year of training, I wasn't sure what to do from there, so I kept focusing on building larger muscles so classmates would stop bullying me. I tried martial arts again, but it didn't work because it was too time-consuming.
In 2004, I moved to the Canary Islands in Spain and was fed the idea to compete by my friends. I competed a year later in 2005 in Madrid, Spain, fell in love with the sport, and still compete to this day.
What workout regimen delivered the best results?
I always train heavy but never go overboard and do 45 minutes of cardio after every workout. Here's my last off-season plan.
How did your passion for bodybuilding emerge?
Bodybuilding is a constant battle with yourself to get better and smarter. It's easy to fall prey to stagnation, but you can't progress in this state. Change won't happen as quickly as you wish, but with patience and hard work, you will eventually get there.
What or who motivated you to be a bodybuilder?
I didn't admire anyone when I first started bodybuilding. I wanted to get big so people at school would stop bullying me. When I stepped on stage in Madrid in 2005, I wanted to keep going and get bigger. Speaking to pros at big events and competitions motivates me to keep pushing. They're awesome competitors and amazing people.
Where did you go for inspiration?
I get inspiration from my workout partner who used to compete. We met by chance and he took me under his wing. The gym owner said I was lucky because my workout partner never trained with anyone before me.
I never feel unmotivated, but there are days when I don't want to go to the gym because I feel tired and exhausted. Ironically, these are the days when I have my best workouts.
What are your future bodybuilding plans?
I want to develop a bigger and better physique. I haven't competed for five years, but if everything goes according to plan, I will be back on stage in 2014.
What is the most important bodybuilding tip?
Be patient. Success requires years of dedication.
Don't be ignorant. Be open-minded and willing to try new things.
Educate yourself and be willing to learn.
Who is your favorite bodybuilder?
Kai Greene and Phil Heath are my favorites. Kai approaches the mental aspect of the sport gracefully and Phil proves that winning the Olympia requires more than genetics.
How did bodybuilding.com help you reach your goals?
The huge exercise database, nutrition, and training help me find new ideas to use in my training and diet regimens.
Tino's Top 5 Gym Tracks
- "Fight 'Em With Your Rock" by Taking Dawn
- "Kickstart My Heart" by Motley Crue
- "Empty Hollow" by Rage
- "Heart's On Fire" by John Cafferty
- "Bottoms Up" by Nickelback
Contest History
- 2005 - Desafio Ultimate Stack - DNP
- 2005 - Regional Championship - 3rd Place 85 kg
- 2007 - Regional Championship - 1st Place 85+ kg
- 2008 - Canary Championship - 2nd Place 85+ kg
- 2009 - Canary Championship - 5th Place 85+ kg