Eiren Gauley, Super Heavyweight bodybuilder, Milos Sarcev IFBB pro/trainer and Ben Mullen, personal trainer
This is the big one for North America—held March 1st to the 4th in Columbus, Ohio at the Greater Columbus Convention Centre.
It’s one of 5 events, held worldwide and it all begins in Columbus, Ohio and ends in Barcelona, with stops in Melbourne, Australia; São Paulo, Brazil; and Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Arnold Sports Festival, Columbus attracts over 200,000 sports and fitness fans every year and
more than 1,000 health and fitness Expo booths showcasing top brand nutritional supplements, equipment and sportswear.
Believe me, it was more crowded that Union Station during rush hour.
And of course Arnold Schwarzenegger was there too.
The 4 days included IFBB pro league and amateur events in men’s open bodybuilding, fitness, figure,
women’s physique and bikini, and pro wheelchair.
There was even strength and combat sports events and these guys are huge (400 lb plus).
One of the highlights of the week was meeting IFBB pro and world class trainer Milos Sarcev, who
my trainer Ben Mullen says is one of the best in the business.
But let’s get back to business; it’s a long, tough road to get to the Arnolds.
Contest prep starts 16 weeks out: dieting (6-7 meals per day) supplementing and cutting; morning workouts (cardio, core and posing); evening workouts (1-2 hrs); and taking one day off a week to rest.
It’s all good until I’m 10 days out—the most difficult time.
Now I’ve got to deplete all glycogen from all muscle groups.
Then comes “Peak Week” where it’s a constant balancing act of adding more carbohydrates, manipulating water intake and finally “priming the body” for the main event.
It takes a lot of discipline, perseverance and determination to be ready to step out on the main stage
and compete with some of the best amateur athletes in the world.
I placed 2nd in the Super Heavyweight Division, Amateur, however the contestant that won also took the Overall Body Building Award and received his IFBB pro card.
Can’t wait ’til the Amateur Olympia in Las Vegas this September.
