Dead lifting 165 pounds is nothing out of the ordinary for Ava Connolly, though it’s not something many might expect from this 5-foot-2-inch sophomore. She hits the gym like many other students on campus. However, she does so for an unexpected reason: Connolly is motivated by her bodybuilding career.
“So many people are like, ‘That’s crazy,’”she said. However, for Connolly, bodybuilding has been a seamless lifestyle transition, and for that she is grateful.
In May, Connolly will compete in the bikini division of the National Physique Committee competition. During the competition, Connolly will wear a two-piece swimsuit and high heels. According to the NPC competition website, bikini division competitors will be judged on presentation — competitors will walk onstage alone and perform their “model walk.”
Some of the things Connolly said the judges look for include skin complexion, tone, confidence and body symmetry.
Another UO student, Lee Blachly, a fifth-year senior, also competes in the NPC competitions. He started lifting when he was 18 and competed in his first NPC competition at 20. He competes in the body building division but hopes to also compete in the men’s physique division in the future.
“I would love to go do a pro show some day for men’s physique,” Blachly said. ”Modeling gigs come from that.”
Blachly described the competition in a phone interview as a “freak show” backstage.
“Backstage, everyone is tan, oiled up. It’s fun to be a part of,” he said.
The competition is 16 weeks away and both Connolly and Blachly have started their training. Connolly is at the Student Recreation Center six days a week lifting weights for an hour at a time. She supplements her weight lifting with cardio two to three times a week. “I am like the only girl who weight lifts consistently in the rec which is kinda sad,” she said in a phone interview.
Connolly also has a strict diet that she follows. “From now on I have to be really serious. I can’t veer off my schedule,” Connolly said.
Blachly started his diet a month ago.
“The hardest part is having to eat constantly so I don’t lose weight,” Blachly said. “It gets expensive, too.”
Connolly was previously in UO ROTC and has run multiple half-marathons, so this intense training is nothing new for her.
However, she said, “I was by no means born with any special genetics.”
Blachly enjoys competing for fun. It keeps him focused and allows him to succeed in other aspects of his life due to the strict schedule. “If anyone is going to be successful you have to enjoy the training and dieting,” Blachly said.
Connolly would love to qualify for nationals in 2014 and get sponsored by a major company such as Muscle Pharm or Quest Nutrition.
“I’ll do a couple more shows before I go to nationals. After that, I’m not sure. Becoming pro is extremely difficult and a full-time job,” she said.