From the U of M to across North America
Competitive fitness model gets ready for next event
KERRI WOLOSZYN STAFF
University of Manitoba student Ainsley McSorley is a 22-year-old human ecology major with hopes of becoming a registered dietician. She also spends hours each day training as a competitive fitness model.
Fitness modelling is similar to beauty pageants or body-building in that a model can gain experience and exposure through shows and competitions. Different competitions often set out different criteria of what they are looking for. Two types of modelling, fitness and figure, are closely associated but each seeks to highlight different aspects of competitor’s bodies. Fitness modelling incorporates a swimsuit and routine round. Both of these areas look for the fitness level of the competitor but, unlike body-building, there is no posing and far less of a consideration for muscle size.
McSorley asserts that fitness modelling is about promoting a healthy lifestyle. “They’re looking for an athletic, toned look. You have to be fit, you have to be active and train hard. As opposed to beauty pageants where you just have to be slim and have a media appearance,” she said.
As someone who has been involved in organized sports since her youth, McSorley had trouble finding the time to put into a team while going to university and also working. She decided to take up fitness modelling as an athletic interest she could pursue on her own.
She began rigorous training eight months ago for her first show, the FAME World Tour Fitness Competition that took place in Winnipeg last June. In her first competition, she finished fourth.
McSorley’s training includes a regimen of strict dieting and training for eight to ten weeks before a competition. “I train about six days a week at the gym,” she said. “Right now I’m doing circuit-style training so it’s weight training with cardio and abs.”
McSorley competes for a Toronto-based company called FAME (fameworldtour.com). FAME promotes both body builders as well as fitness models. The company also puts on their own fitness competitions and expos. “They have all levels of fitness . . . Swimsuit and fitness modelling is kind of almost at the bottom of their competitions, like, less muscular and in those rounds we do evening wear, beach wear, and sports wear. So, it’s not like flexing, it’s not really muscular . . . they really keep the feminine side to it,” she said.
McSorley’s next competition will be at the upcoming FAME North American Championships on Nov. 4 and 5 in Miami, Florida. McSorley will be competing in both swimsuit and fitness model events.
For aspiring fitness competitors, she said that there is no one way to find out about becoming a fitness model and that such a pursuit requires extensive research. “For the most part it’s all just a learning experience.”
McSorley asserts that fitness modelling is a huge commitment and can often be exhausting. “You just have to be willing to completely devote your life to it. That has to be a first priority.”
With files from Romer Bautista
