FIVE body builders from Mandurah have done extremely well in the 2008 Australian Natural Physique competition and 2008 International Federation of Body Builders WA championships.
Greg Mcleod entered the International Federation of Body Building competition in the first timer’s category and came in first place.
He then went on to compete in the overall championship and came fourth.
John Mischewski entered the Natural Physique competition in the novice category and came fourth.
It was also John’s first time entering a body building competition.
Gavin Joyce entered the competition for the first time and competed in the Natural Physique novice category and came first in a class of 12.
He qualified for the overall competition and came second and will now head to Queensland to compete for the national title.
Leonie Mischewski is a seasoned body builder and entered into the miss figure fitness intermediate category for the Natural Physique competition.
She came first in her class and then came first in the overall competition for the state and will also be flying to Queensland to compete in the national championship.
First timer Ashley Dhu entered into the junior men’s category for the Natural Physique competition.
He competed against a tough line-up of 14 people and was placed fourth.
He also entered the International Federation of Body Building competition in the junior men’s category and placed fourth.
The competitors were required to be critiqued on their physical appearance while they performed symmetrical poses, compulsorily poses and relaxed poses.
They then had to perform a 60-second routine of poses to music.
The five competitors began their intense training regime for the competition 14 weeks ago.
Greg stressed the importance of sticking to the strict diet while training.
“If you ‘cheat’ as we call it and have a beer or eat some chocolate while on the diet the sugar and carbohydrates will lessen the cut of the muscle,” he said.
“It basically makes you look flat on stage and not as lean.”
The body builders were given nutrient advice and supplements from Antony Romeo of Mandurah Bodyworks who advised them of things they could do to make their muscles look more prominent.
“You’ve got to make sure you eat a lot of carbohydrates but not too many, the right amount of protein and drink the right amount of water,” Greg said.
“Then leading up to event there’s a very strict way you have to eat.
“You need to lower the carbohydrates you eat and restrict a certain amount of water you drink so you lose the film of water beneath skin.
“This makes the muscles more prominent.”
Contestants then did what is known as ‘Carb-loading’ the day before which is said to fill the muscle and make it push out under the skin.
They also had to do “immense weight training” in the gym to prepare their figure.
While the competitors were honing their figures they were assisted by Shane Kelly of Ancient Approach Traditional Chinese Medicine, who helped then with acupuncture and massage while they were training.
“Because the training is so hard it’s extremely taxing on body,” Greg said.
“We might slightly strain our muscle and Shane would work on the area which was strained to help it repair a lot quicker.”
Greg decided to become involved in the competition after many years of working out at the gym.
He will be competing in another competition in April.
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