The fastest-growing sport in Manitoba
Enter the competitive world of bodybuilding and fitness
RACHEL WALTON STAFF
The majority of the population would consider the gym a place where one can work off the frustrations of the day, burn the calories from a late drinking night, or even just a place to socialize. In all, in many people’s eyes, it is an optional addition made in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle.
For those who are competing in the 2007 Provincial Bodybuilding Fitness and Figure Competition on Saturday, June 23, the gym has been a way of life — a religion. Most competitors have been in the gym for about three to four times a week, training intensely with heavy weights and pushing their bodies to the limit.
Debbie Karpenko, chief judging official, explains that the physique is assessed “as to its level of overall muscle tone, achieved through athletic endeavours.” This means that bodies cannot be considered too muscular or too lean, or they will be marked down. The muscle groups should in fact “ have a round, firm appearance with a small amount of body fat.”
What this means is that intense training at the gym is only half the battle in achieving a competition-worthy physique. Dieting at least four months before competition is often the norm in order to ensure a body that can adequately display the muscles that one has built. This particular part of the preparation process is often considered to be the one that is both the most challenging and the most important. A competitor can have all the perfect muscle tone in the world, but it is useless if it is covered under layers of fatty tissue. This means extremely restricted eating habits right before a competition. Protein bars become a staple of most athletes’ diets.
In Manitoba, two contests each year serve as qualifying shows for the national competition. These are the Novice (provincial) and the Provincials (national). A competitor must place in the Provincials in order to be eligible to compete at Nationals and the next World Qualifier while representing Manitoba.
There are specifically four categories at the upcoming Provincials: men’s bodybuilding, women’s bodybuilding, fitness and figure. Each has their own judging criteria and succeeding in one category definitely does not guarantee success in another.
In bodybuilding, for both males and females, the judges take into consideration proportion, symmetry, muscularity, definition, and overall presentation. Overall presentation includes skin tone and stage presence. As a result, a heavy coat of self-tanner and bronzer is usually applied before competition to hide any tiny imperfections in the skin.
The Figure and Fitness categories are geared towards females with less muscle development. In a fitness competition, not only the physique is judged. There is also an athletic performance round that is done to music. While the routine should not exceed 90 seconds, it is an intense display of high energy, flexibility, and showmanship. Janie Keith-Goodman, fitness competitor, highly recommends a choreographer if a competitor has no prior dance or gymnastics training.
Keith-Goodman also encourages women not to be deterred by the common misconceptions of women’s fitness. One should not be afraid of becoming “too muscular” or think that they need breast implants in order to thrive in the fitness world.
“You must present yourself in the best possible way for you — not based on how other girls look! You want to stand out in the crowd, not blend in!” she says.
This brings about a very important overall point. The growing interest in bodybuilding and fitness means that more people are becoming concerned with health. These competitors can be considered role-models for a healthy lifestyle. Achieving a competition-worthy body is not impossible for the average person! A fancy gym pass is not necessary to win, only incredible willpower and extreme dedication. Tom Heffner, president of the Manitoba Amateur Bodybuilding Association, got his start at the local YMCA.
Many of the competitors in the upcoming June 23 competition have trained in the dusky basement known as the “Gritty Grotto” right here on campus.
The upcoming Provincials take place at Pantages Playhouse Theatre, and the event is hosted by Khari Jones.
