The biography, life, and accomplishments of Tamer Barakat
Tamer Barakat is an Egyptian American professional International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA)/Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) natural bodybuilder born on January 15, 1971. He’s the reigning Natural Olympia Classic Physique Masters champion. Despite a 40-60 lbs weight disadvantage, Barakat also placed 2nd in Men’s Bodybuilding Grand Masters and made the top five of the Men’s Bodybuilding Open division at Natural Olympia.
Moreover, Tamer Barakat is the first Vegan to sign a multi-media contract with Generation Iron and Iron Man Magazine.
Below is a complete breakdown of Tamer Barakat’s profile, stats, biography, training, and diet regimen.
| Full Name: Tamer Barakat | ||
| Weight | Height | Date Of Birth |
| 140-160 lbs | 5’4″ | 01/15/1971 |
| Division | Era | Nationality |
| Classic Physique, Bodybuilding | 2010 | Egyptian American |
Biography
Tamer Barakat was born and raised in Egypt on January 15, 1971. Barakat was drawn to sports from a young age. The first sport Barakat played was football (soccer), and by the time he was a teenager, Barakat was competing at the national level in judo. As part of Barakat’s judo training, he lifted weights. Tamer Barakat fell in love with weightlifting and the transformation his body made in the gym.
In Barakat’s late teens, he started bodybuilding and loved the camaraderie of the sport. From 19-21, Barakat competed and won national-level amateur competitions. Since Tamer Barakat was a natural (no doping), he was discouraged at 21 once he realized he couldn’t compete with fair competition. Although, he continued to train since he loved being in the gym.
Barakat relocated to the USA at the age of 27 for work. However, it wasn’t until age 49 that Barakat found the INBA PNBA and natural bodybuilding. Ironically, Barakat thought his time competing in bodybuilding was done, but it was just the beginning. Tamer Barakat stated:
“I always wondered why I stayed consistent with my training and nutrition for that long, for almost 30 years since my last comp at the age of 21, now I know why!”
Competition History
- 2020 Muscle Beach:
- Classic Physique and Bodybuilding (earned pro cards) – 1st
- 2020 Natural Olympia:
- Classic Physique Masters – 1st
- Classic Physique Open – 3rd
- 2021 Iron Man Magazine International:
- Bodybuilding Masters – 1st
- Classic Physique Open – 1st
- 2021 Wolfpack Classic:
- Bodybuilding Grand Masters – 1st
- 2021 World Cup:
- Bodybuilding Open – 1st
- Classic Physique Open – 2nd
- 2021 Natural Olympia:
- Classic Physique Masters – 1st
- Bodybuilding Grand Masters – 2nd
- Classic Physique Open – 4th
- Bodybuilding Open – 5th
Workout Plan
Tamer Barkat is a firm believer that you should switch up your routine and add variety to your movements for continuous progress. Therefore, he changes his workout every 4-6 weeks.
Barakat does a five-day split routine during the off-season – one muscle group per day. Additionally, he’ll do a 12-cycle strength training, hypertrophy (size), and pump training cycle – split into four weeks. The first four weeks are focused on heavyweight in the 3-6 rep range. Then, Barakat uses moderate weight in the next phase and increases the reps to 8-12 reps. In the last four weeks of Barakat’s 12-week cycle, he’ll reduce the weight and ramp up the sets to 12-15 reps, including supersets and drop sets. To help recover, he’ll do a de-load week, then repeat the 12-week cycle – with new/modified exercises.
As the season approaches, Barakat will switch to a push/pull/leg split five days a week. And he’ll switch up those movements every six weeks for continued muscle growth.
Tamer Barakat also likes to incorporate Olympic lifting movements such as the clean and jerk and snatches during his off-season training 1-2x per week. He believes this will trigger a higher neuroendocrine response and help him gain more strength.
Below is a clip of Barakat performing the power cleans and snatches on social media.
What Are Tamer Barakat’s Favorite Exercises?
- Squat: Considered the king of all exercises and target your quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
- Deadlift: Another compound lift some deem to be the king of all exercise. The deadlift targets your glutes, hamstrings, and back.
- Curl: This isolation movement works your biceps.
Nutrition
Tamer Barakat is a vegan. According to Barakat:
“I am Vegan for the animals, so everything is plant-based. I mostly eat the same thing daily, whether it’s in or off-season, the difference is the quantity of food. I get most of my protein from my Vegan protein supplement, usually, mix it with oatmeal and/or drink it as a shake, rest of my meals are typically a mix of rice/quinoa, mushrooms, salad, and seitan/tofu/tempeh….etc [sic]”
Personal Life
When Tamer Barakat isn’t prepping for shows, he loves spending time with his family – wife, two teenagers, three dogs, and two cats. They enjoy traveling and quality time at home. Barakat also likes to read, paint, and relax after a strenuous day of work and training.