Bolingbrook's Natural Bodybuilding Contest Keeps Residents Motivated

Beauty was as much on display as brawn over the weekend as men and women from all over Illinois and surrounding states converged on Bolingbrook to compete in the 2011 Amateur Bodybuilding Association’s Natural Illinois Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships.

The full-day event is the brainchild of John Hansen, a 2009 inductee into the Fitness Hall of Fame who worked his way to the top of the professional bodybuilding circuit in 1998, capturing the title of Mr. Natural Universe.

Although Hansen relocated from Illinois to Florida last year, he makes the trek to Bolingbrook to sustain the event he founded in 2007. 

"The contests keep growing in competitors and audience attendance," Hansen said. "I will be back at the beautiful Bolingbrook High School on Aug. 6 for the Natural North America Championships. Both of these shows will be pro-qualifiers for the first time, so they should be bigger."

Cassandra and Kevin Govan, owners of the Bolingbrook-based personal training facility 2Xtreme Fitness, are also loyal supporters. The couple arrived at the crack of dawn to help dole out information to the estimated 100 anxious competitors who patiently sat, crouched and lined the walls of the high school's auditorium patiently awaiting further instruction.

Saturday evening the BHS auditorium was stuffed to the klieg lights with cheering men, women and children. As predicted, the impressive spectacle was well attended as a host of well-toned, perfectly tanned and strategically oiled competitors practiced poses while waiting their turn in the spotlight.

Sisters Kristin White, 29, and Kimberly Sheppard, 31, made the trek from central Illinois for their first competition. Both are moms and were there to support a friend.

"It was so exciting that we decided to get a trainer and get in shape so we could compete," White said. "And here we are a year later."

The primary reasons the contest continues to grow in popularity is its multi-use platform featuring something for everyone. Hard core body-builders are given an opportunity to earn a professional card. Card-holders are then able to compete in sanctioned national and international competitions.

Amateurs are extended a chance to illustrate their hard work.

Art Miller, a local fitness enthusiast these  types of shows are the No. 1 reason his workouts are meaningful. 

"It gives you short- and long-term goals to work toward," he said.

Hansen said he remains active in the bodybuilding arena to help others experience the natural high of being physically fit.

"Its all about the challenge of becoming better than ever," he said. "The total discipline and commitment required to succeed, the feeling of satisfaction from lifting heavy weights with focused concentration and looking different than most of the ‘average’ people in the world."

The catch, so to speak, is that competitors must use all organic nutritional aids to achieve their desired look. Testing is rampant and steroid use can mean disqualification.

Competitors are assigned a numeric score by a panel of seven judges. The top and lowest score are discarded with the five remaining scores used to create an average.

Traditionally, bodybuilders strike menacing poses and are rated against industry standards encompassing physique size, symmetry and muscle definition. All others are given the chance to display their bodies in various fitness rounds.

Categories to be judged include novice men bodybuilding, model search, open women’s bodybuilding, bikini diva, fitness, figure and open men’s bodybuilding. Additional sub-categories separated contestants by height or age. 

Matthew McClure, a 28-year-old professional tennis teacher, said he competes because he was inspired by Hansen.

"I’m from Downers Grove, and John trained at the same gym I go to," McClure said. "He was very approachable and he started giving me tips on lifting. I’m here because I’m very competitive and like to constantly challenge myself. I’m just a novice but who knows, tonight I may get my pro card."