Competitive bodybuilding is taking shape on the Coast.
Last November, Coast Reporter introduced readers to Katie Duncan, a local bodybuilding competitor who had just returned with great results from her first professional competition.
Duncan, along with her trainer and friend Charlene SanJenko and fitness trainer Ben Smith, expressed a desire at that time to launch a competitors' club at Coast of Sunshine Fitness to give other athletes on the Coast a chance to train and compete in bodybuilding events.
Their dream is now a reality as Creators, a competitors' club, has been born.
Duncan's outlook on her sport has changed since her first competition. She's currently training for the provincial championships in August.
"I'm working on putting a little more size on my shoulders and arms in order to balance things out with my strong legs," said Duncan. "I'm keeping in shape by teaching spinning classes at CS Fitness as well as helping with the current seminar series and the competitors' club.
"We wanted to start a group to inspire, motivate and support athletes, beginner to advanced, and give them some direction on their way to the competitive stage. We also see the value in camaraderie, teamwork and accountability."So far, seven committed members have signed up in the club.
"We'll be representing the Sunshine Coast at five different shows throughout 2006 in Vancouver, Kelowna and Nanaimo, with somewhere between seven and 10 athletes," Duncan said. "There's definitely an interest here on the Coast. It's just a matter of educating people about this type of competition and helping them to understand what it takes to compete."
Duncan said anyone who is committed with a competitive spirit can join.
"You must be training for a particular show as that encourages an important mindset. However, if you decide at the last minute to not walk on stage, we'll respect that," she said.
The club meets twice per week, once for a casual info session about some aspect of competing and once for a group workout, usually early Saturday mornings.
"We want to host our very own naturals show in the spring of 2008," added SanJenko. "It will be a drug-tested event, with athletes invited from across the Coast, Powell River, the Island and Vancouver. We need a minimum of 50 competitors to run a successful show."
SanJenko said it will take time to build the program and build up to that event, which is the reason why they are starting now to get the word out about the club.
To launch things off, they're running a physique transformation contest without the actual show.
The 12-week contest starts April 15 and runs until June 23.
All participants pay an entry fee and submit before and after photos and measurements as well as a 250-word essay detailing their experience of the contest. Top prize is $500 cash as well as numerous goodies in the prize pot. The contest is open to members of all gyms across the Coast, including Powell River, as well as people who train at home or perhaps have never trained before in their life.
SanJenko said marketing materials, contest rules and entry forms will be delivered to all local gyms and health food stores. They will also be available via email at [email protected].
A panel of judges will be created with one judge invited from each gym that enters participants, as well as a couple of guest judges.
The contest is open to men and women including a juniors' and a couples' category as well as a special new moms' division from 18 to 60-plus.
"We'll have numerous categories to ensure it is fair," SanJenko said. "We're going to work hard to put together some incredible prizes. And even if you don't win a prize, chances are you'll end up in the best shape of your life. We hope to encourage a minimum of 30 entrants - our goal is 50. We hope to double that goal next year and have 100 entrants in 2007. Then we'll be ready with competitors for the stage in the spring of 2008. That's the plan. And we're pumped, literally."
