Culture - Athletes
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Personal File

Dexter "The Blade" Jackson was born November 25, 1969 in Jacksonville, FL. This father of four grew up playing several sports including football, track and baseball and was also a 4th-degree black-belt. Dexter got into bodybuilding in 1990 when he saw what kind of progress his brother Darrell was making. Convinced by his friends to compete in his first show with only seven months of training under his belt, he placed first in his class and was the first person ever to win the overall as a Bantamweight in the state of Florida. In 1998, he won the overall at the North American's, setting him on a path for what was to be the beginning of a very successful bodybuilding career. Dexter's motto is "Never say never". As a three-time winner at the Arnold Classic, and with thirty-eight top five finishes in his pro bodybuilding career, he plans to be back next year with even more muscularity and his signature shredded conditioning – proving once again why they call him "The Blade."

Favorites

Favorite

Answer

Body part(s):

  • Chest

Body part to train:

  • Chest

Exercise(s):

  • Anything chest

Cheat food(s):

  • Pizza

Movie(s):

  • Training Day

TV show(s):

  • Martin, Sanford and Son, Original Star Trek

Actor(s):

  • Denzel Washington, Robert Di Niro, Al Pacino

Sport(s):

  • Football and Basketball

Music to train to:

  • R. Kelly

Hobbies:

  • Collecting Jordan shoes and DVDs
Competitions

Year

Competition Name

Place

2008

  • Romanian Grand Prix1st Place
  • Mr. Olympia1st Place
  • New Zealand Elite Pro1st Place
  • Grand Prix Australia1st Place
  • Arnold Classic 1st Place

2007

  • Mr. Olympia 3rd Place
  • Grand Prix Australia1st Place
  • Arnold Classic 2nd Place

2006

  • Mr. Olympia 4th Place

    Coming within a few points of a top three finish, Dexter proved that he can battle with the best in the biggest show on earth.

  • Arnold Classic 1st Place

    Repeating his performance from 2005, Dexter joined Jay Cutler as one of only a few pros to win prestigious back to back Arnold Classic titles.

2005

  • Arnold Classic 1st Place

    Finally winning the Arnold Classic after coming so close in 2004, Dexter became the man to beat.

  • San Francisco Pro2nd Place

2004

  • Arnold Classic 3rd Place
  • Grand Prix Australia 1st Place
  • Ironman Pro Invitational 1st Place
  • Mr. Olympia 4th Place
  • San Francisco Pro1st Place

2003

  • GNC Show of Strength Pro Championships 1st Place

    The Blade landed his first victory in a major show which placed him in the top tier of pro bodybuilders.

  • Arnold Classic 4th Place
  • Grand Prix Italy 3rd Place
  • Mr. Olympia 3rd Place
  • San Francisco Pro3rd Place

2002

  • Arnold Classic 3rd Place
  • Grand Prix Australia 2nd Place
  • Grand Prix Austria 2nd Place
  • Grand Prix England 1st Place
  • Grand Prix Holland 3rd Place
  • Mr. Olympia 4th Place
  • San Francisco Pro3rd Place
  • Show of Strength Pro Championships 6th Place

2001

  • Arnold Classic 5th Place
  • Grand Prix Australia 3rd Place
  • Grand Prix England 4th Place
  • Grand Prix Hungary 3rd Place
  • Mr. Olympia 8th Place
  • Night of Champions 2nd Place
  • Toronto Pro Invitational 2nd Place

2000

  • Arnold Classic 5th Place
  • Grand Prix Hungary 2nd Place
  • Ironman Pro Invitational 3rd Place
  • Night of Champions 2nd Place
  • Toronto Pro Invitational 2nd Place

1999

  • Arnold Classic 7th Place

    Dexter debuted on the largest stage in bodybuilding next to the Olympia, with a respectable seventh place finish.

  • Night of Champions 3rd Place

    Dexter placed third in a very competitive field and qualified for his first trip to the Olympia.

  • Mr. Olympia 9th Place

    With his first visit to the big show, Dexter placed in the top ten in his very fist Olympia.

  • Grand Prix England 4th Place
Training

Muscle

Exercise

Weight & Reps

Shoulders

  • Behind-the-Neck Military Press (Smith Machine)
  • Set 1 245 lbs. x 10 reps
  • Set 2 265 lbs. x 6-8 reps
  • Set 3 275 lbs. x 6-8 reps
  • Set 4 315 lbs. x 4-6 reps
  • Side Laterals
  • Set 1 50 lbs. x 10 reps
  • Set 2 55 lbs. x 8-10 reps
  • Set 3 55 lbs. x 8-10 reps

Arms

  • Biceps
  • Barbell Curls
  • Preacher curls with ez-bar
  • Single Arm dumbell Curls
  • Triceps
  • Tri-set superset
  • Pushdowns with bar4 sets
  • Dips or machine dips4 sets
  • Pushdowns with rope4 sets

Legs

  • Squats
  • Set 1 405 lbs. x 10 reps
  • Set 2 455 lbs. x 10 reps
  • Set 3 495 lbs. x 10 reps
  • Set 4 495 lbs. x 8-10 reps
  • Hack Squats
  • Set 1 4 plates a side x 8-10 reps
  • Set 2 5 plates a side x 8-10 reps
  • Set 3 6 plates a side x 8-10 reps
  • Leg Extensions
  • Set 1 250 lbs. x 30 reps (Drop sets)
  • Set 2 250 lbs. x 30 reps (Drop sets)
  • Set 3 250 lbs. x 30 reps (Drop sets)
  • Leg Curls
  • Set 1 70 lbs. x 7 reps per leg, 130 lbs. x 7-10 reps w/ both
  • Set 2 70 lbs. x 7 reps per leg, 130 lbs. x 7-10 reps w/ both
  • Set 3 70 lbs. x 7 reps per leg, 130 lbs. x 7-10 reps w/ both
  • Set 4 70 lbs. x 7 reps per leg, 130 lbs. x 7-10 reps w/ both

Print Dexter's Training Routine  

Nutrition
  • Off-Season Meal Plan
  • Pre-Contest Meal Plan

Meal 1

Meal 2

  • 12 oz. of steak
  • 2 cups of rice

Pre-workout supplements

Meal 3

  • Two 6 oz. chicken breasts
  • Pasta

Meal 4

Meal 1

Meal 2

  • 8-10 oz. of chicken
  • 1 cup of rice

Pre-workout supplements

Post-workout supplements

Meal 3

  • 8-10 oz. of chicken or fish
  • 1 cup of rice

Meal 4

Print Dexter's Pre-contest Meal Plan   Print Dexter's Off-season Meal Plan  

Downloads
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Dexter Jackson

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Dexter Jackson

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