Gibsons woman Kari Krystalovich won the International Natural Bodybuilding Federation (INBF) on July 4, in the figure division. This guarantees her a spot in the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) next year.
“I love it. The discipline and how far you have to push yourself,” Krystalovich said. “I’ve never pushed myself that far before. You inspire so many people, it’s motivating for me to know that I motivate so many people.”
There are four divisions for women: bikini, figure, physique and bodybuilding.
Women are judged on muscular symmetry in the figure division. Judges are looking to see that one side isn’t more developed than the other. Competitors are also judged on their stage presence; they have to do a walk plus four quarter-turn poses.
“I’ve been training for a year for this competition,” Krystalovich said.
Krystalovich’s training regimen involves lots of weights, specific amounts of cardio and maintaining a specialized diet. While she prepares for the competition, Krystalovich is building muscle mass, and her diet consists of a lot of protein and complex carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice and yams with lots of vegetables.
Closer to the competition Krystalovich cuts down on the carbs, and eats more proteins and vegetables. This helps her trim down her body fat.
“It’s a little bit of a science,” she said.
Krystalovich does most of her training at Sluggers Family Gym in Gibsons. Closer to the show she trained with her coach J.P. Cross one day a week in Coquitlam.
Cross initially encouraged Krystalovich to compete three years ago, although he wasn’t her coach at the time. Krystalovich trained herself for her first two years, then hired Cross in the last eight weeks of her training before her recent victory.
“I’ve always been in the gym, since I was 15,” Krystalovich said. “I did varsity track and field and all sorts of sports growing up. I’ve always watched [bodybuilding] growing up, on TV.”
Krystalovich called INBF the most heavily tested body building organization in Canada.
“You have to take a polygraph test in order to compete. You have to be seven years clean – they have a really large banned substance list,” Krystalovich said. “It’s a really strict organization, which is good. It’s a really fair playing field.”
Krystalovich won a WNBF pro card. This allows her to compete in the world level next year where cash prizes are awarded.
