Name: Grant

City: Boston

Q: Standing barbell curls are the best bicep builder, but what would you suggest using a straight bar or EZ-bar?

“They both work well but with the EZ-bar you can work the bicep better. You can use both the inner part of the bar and outer part so you get a better contraction because you’re naturally able to turn your pinky fingers in which you can’t really do with a straight bar.”

Name: Bobby H.

City: Louisville

Q: I saw a posing routine of yours and you looked amazing. What are some of your measurements? Your waist looked superb, unlike many of the other bodybuilders today.

“My biceps are 21.5 inches, chest is 56 inches, waist is 28 inches on contest day, quads are 31 inches and calves are 18.5 inches.”

Name: Cory C.

City: Lenoir, NC

Q: What are you doing to increase your definition for the up and coming Arnolds and Mr. Olympia?

“I’m dieting longer now and keeping the carbohydrates lower for a longer period of time. I’m also switching up my protein from turkey to fish.”

Name: Clyde C.

Q: How do you compare yourself with Dexter Jackson?

“I can only compare myself to Melvin Anthony. As far as competition between him and I – it’s a chess match. He has strong points like condition, where I have the balance, shape, symmetry and I’m improving on my condition. With that said, it’ll be tough for him to move into that winner circle without a fight. I’m going there to win.”

Name: Mr. Big

City: Amarillo

Q: I have one question; I have been in a debate on how long to work a mass phase, any advice? Good luck and god bless.

“I can only compare myself to Melvin Anthony. As far as competition between him and I – it’s a chess match. He has strong points like condition, where I have the balance, shape, symmetry and I’m improving on my condition. With that said, it’ll be tough for him to move into that winner circle without a fight. I’m going there to win.”

Q: What was your initial reaction when you heard the line-up for this year’s Olympia?

“I pretty much knew who was going to be in it. There were a few surprises, but that makes no difference to me.”

Q: Do you think Jay will repeat his Olympia win in 2007? If not, where do you think he’ll place and why?

“I don’t know really. That’s up to him. There are going to be a lot of guys going after him so it won’t be easy for him. Trying to win it back to back is tough because there are new variables involved such as guys like myself who are getting better. It’s going to be difficult because guys are upping their games.”

Q: Who do you predict will be in the Olympia top three?

“Top three? Not too sure really. I think the top four will include Jay and myself. Dexter Jackson is always going to be a threat and other than that I don’t really care. [Laughs]. I think that guys are going to up their ante and be at their best.”

Q: What do you plan to bring to the Olympia stage that is different from 2007?

“Fullness with sharp condition. I’m going to have added another five pounds of muscle, which is going to make me look 20 pounds heavier. I’m already at 280 pounds right now, so we’ll have to see what happens.”

Q: What makes Melvin Anthony a force to be reckoned with on the 2007 Olympia stage?

“I think that me having better conditioning and size is going to give everyone problems.”

Q: If you could say something to your competition this year, what would it be?

“Bring it!”

Q: How do you feel Team MuscleTech supports you as an athlete heading into the Olympia?

“I think that Team MuscleTech has been very supportive with no added pressure. Everybody keeps it stress-free for me. Team MuscleTech was very supportive of my injury, which was a plus for me. I did not have pressure to do a show too early. That gave me an advantage to put back on all the muscle that I had lost and Team MuscleTech is going to reap the benefits of seeing me kick some butt at the Olympia.”

Q. Melvin, how has your off-season training gone this year and are there any notable improvements you’ve made? If so, what are they?

“I was injured coming into this year, but I’ve been able to come back really quickly. I’ve put on another 10 or 12 pounds of solid muscle already this year, which puts me at about 280 pounds with a bodyfat of around five-and-a-half to six percent. I’m doing pretty well right now.

The only change I’ve made this year is that I ate cleaner in my off-season. I had to rebuild the muscle that I had lost, so my calories had to be high. I’ve put it all back on plus another 10 or 12 pounds to get ready for my pre-contest training.”

Q. What are your goals for the Mr. Olympia and what kind of showing are you shooting for in terms of placing?

“I’m trying to win! I’m not trying to go in and just place. I think everyone, no matter what they say, is going in with the intent to win. If I go in to win and end up in the top three I’ll be happy that I will have knocked some cats out of the way, but I’m going straight for the big prize.”

Q. Are you taking any different supplements, and if so, which ones and what kind of results have you gotten from them?

“The only thing different that I’ve done is double up my dose of LEUKIC. I was taking six a day and I started taking 12 a day in December. I really needed to regroup and put back on the muscle that I had lost and LEUKIC was just what I needed.”

Q. Who is your main competition and how do you plan on bettering them on stage?

“Everybody is my competition. Whoever gets put in front of me, I have to beat. You never know what kind of look the judges are going to want. Last year I gave Dexter all he could handle. I’ll have another chance to take a few hits at Jay, Ronnie and Victor. I’ll be going at them this time with a different physique because I’ll be much bigger this time.”

Q. Do you think Jay Cutler will repeat as the Mr. Olympia?

“Yes, but it’s up to him to make or break. He’s the king right now but it’s in his court to win or lose. My job is to pressure him.”

Q. What does the Mr. Olympia mean to you?

“Mr. Olympia is about being an icon and a good representative of the sport. Being a good role model and continuing to make the sport better. I think every Mr. Olympia needs to try and make the sport better. Ronnie is going to try and come in and put a damper on everyone’s parade and he will always be a factor in the show. I see it as an evolving process where the former Mr. Olympia’s and our new Mr. Olympia have all brought something different to the sport. Ronnie had his eight titles and now Jay is bringing his package to the stage. Jay’s character is going to show at every contest, win or lose. Everybody is always watching.”

Q. What can Melvin fans expect to see on stage?

“I’m used to playing the ‘condition’ game but the fans now are going to see a Melvin Anthony with more size and dense, hard ripped muscle. I was bigger last year and the fans got a taste of it, but this year will be even better. We’ll see how I do this time coming in from 280 pounds, so it should be interesting.”