TRAINER and bodybuilder Kade Kendall has achieved outstanding results with two of his female clients and a first place prize with one of his male clients. He spoke to GABRIELLE ROWLEY about just what it takes to be in peak physical condition.

WITH the social media craze for fitness and well conditioned bodies still sweeping the globe, competitors from the Furness peninsula have been working hard to compete in the English Lakes Classic Bodybuilding Championships. 

After winning the North West bodybuilding championships last year, Kade Kendall, 29, of Plymouth Street, Walney, has set up his own personal training business to pass on his skills and experiences to other people and set them on the path to competition glory. 

Mr Kendall said: "I am incredibly proud of all my clients who worked hard to enter the English Lakes Classic Bodybuilding Championships this year and we had some great results. We had Chelsea Crowe who came second in the Miss Toned Physique category, Antonia Wilson who came second in the Bikini category and Nathan Pye who won the Men's Physique class, all three are from Barrow.

"Nathan was actually my first ever client and this competition is the first that I have ever trained clients for so I'm over the moon with those results."

If you're wondering just what it takes to achieve results like these then Mr Kendall kindly took us through the grueling 16-week process. He said: "Competitors need to do 30-45 minutes of cardio every morning. It doesn't have to be running, it just needs to get your heart-rate up, something like the stair-master or cross trainer is perfect.

"Next you complete at least 60-70 minutes of weight training and then in the evening you do another 30-45 minutes of cardio. The cardio must be done seven days a week, weight training six days a week. 

"In between training, competitors must eat six to seven nutritional meals who help then gain muscle. I tailor these meals to each individual and they all contain healthy carbs like sweet potato, healthy proteins like eggs or turkey and sometimes healthy fats like in fish or nuts."

For anybody curious about the seriously intense dark tan sported by all fitness contestants, Mr Kendall also explained the rigorous application process for that too, he said: "We use a product called Dream Tan. It's not an ordinary fake tan, it is specially for bodybuilding competitions. We apply two coats the night before and then slap on a cream version of the Dream Tan with a paint roller just before they go on stage. It's supposed to make the contestants look more like bronze statues and highlight their definition under the stage lights."

Celebrities such as Chloe Madeley and Jodie Marsh have been leading the charge for a 'strong not skinny' trend among young women, promoting a muscular physique rather than the formerly popular size zero figure. With fantastic performances from Chelsea Crowe and Antonia Wilson in the English Lakes Classic it is clear to see that the trend has caught on in Cumbria. 

Mr Kendall said: "The girls worked so hard. The classes were pretty different. Chelsea competed in Miss Toned Physique and she was judged on her condition and how defined her muscles were. She also had to get down to less than 10 per cent body fat so she was all muscle (average women have between 20-30 per cent body fat) and did a personal routine to music to show off her best muscle group.

"Antonia competed in the Bikini category. The bikini girls are judged for their more generic 'good bodies'. She still had to have serious definition and walk the T-shaped catwalk with confidence." 

The winner of the Miss Toned Physique class came all the way from Leeds and Miss Crowe, 24, was delighted with what she achieved. She said: "I've always enjoyed going to the gym and I got the idea of competing in the back of my mind and I just wanted to be able to achieve it. It's not easy though! Especially with a six-year-old daughter and work, but you just have to make time and I'm lucky enough to have the right support from friends and family to help out.

"I never expected to be placed so I was overwhelmed when they called my name out second. I cried when I saw my friends. It's a great experience I would recommend to any girl. My advice would be always remember why you started and never give up. Believe in yourself."

Mr Kendall runs his personal training courses from Ironwerx Gym, James Freel Court, Barrow, and promises clients he can help them get 'The Unit Body'.

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