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I thought
the huge shoulders looked familiar when I went to train at the
Environment Gym the other day, and on closer inspection it was the
shoulders and slick back hair of Mark Reed.
Mark, won the NABBA Wellington comp and then placed 2nd
at the NABBA Nationals in the open physique class last year. He's
on a stopover in Akl before heading back to Fiji where he
lives. So I though it would be interesting to
find out what its like to train in Fiji, so here is the
result. left: Lisa with Mark |
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| Mark's been training since
he was 18 (he's now 35 just incase you're wondering). He's been
living and training in the Gold Coast for the last 3 years. In 2008
coupled with competing at the NZ NABBA Nationals comp, he won the
QLD NABBA comp and placed 2nd at NABBA Nationals
Aus. But it doesn't look like Mark will get on stage this year " I don't want to compete year after year. I want to come in different and make improvements. I want to come on and people say ‘yeah mate you've changed". Was he happy about his Nationals placing? " At the Nationals I couldn't have done anymore. Last year conditioning could've been better and Nathan bet me on condition. I'm disappointed because I wanted to win, but I know I can improve".
However working and training in Fiji could prove challenging for Mark. " Its hard to get fresh food in fiji and its so hot when working up there (he works in a packaging processing plant). But the positive is that we can go out to reefs and islands and its wicked like that. Try to make the most of it, not ideal for bodybuilding but I'm in my own space and do my own thing. I like the fact I haven't got all the clutter of Akl like buildings, social issues so when you're up there there's less hassels in life." Mark said So are many Fijians getting into weight training and bodybuilding? Mark said there is actually a lot of interest but the problem is there's not many gyms in fiji. " The first gym I went to was like a 1960s old school hall. Had wooden dusty floors, no fans, wires frayed, old weights and not enough weights for me up there. But then I found this other place which was bit more modern at a resort called ‘fantasy island' which has better equipment and I've brought in some other equipment so its not too bad. My brother trains with me so he helps to spot." He added. The other problem Mark said was that Fiji is a very 3rd world country where the average wage is under $2 a day. " The price of food is expensive, slightly higher than in NZ and Aus, so these guys are limited on their budget to buy good food. To buy amount of food or supplements you need when dieting makes things very expensive." "You can buy chicken breast there but its tough, chicken is hard enough to eat at best of times but the Fijian chicken is hard. So I'm trying to get fresh water bass from Australia sent up. I'd love to help the Fijians with bodybuilding but at the end of the day, these guys can't really afford food for the week. It comes down to food and they can't afford to eat well." Mark said |
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While Mark finds getting food a challenge, he still manages to find 8 meals to eat each day! " At the moment I'm eating 5 meals and 3 shakes a day. Some days it might be 7 depending on what's happening that day. With each meal I aim to eat 50g of protein. Morning oats, morning tea mixed veges with chicken or steak. Rice for lunch with protein. Trying to eat more fats before and after training. Normal meal for dinner like salad or pasta with whatever meat.". Mark also gets supplements sent up from Akl. | ||||||
The first thing you notice about Mark is his huge shoulders but he says he doesn't work them anymore than his other bodyparts. " I do a lot of heavy presses for my chest and shoulders but my arms look relatively small so this year I'm trying to get my arms and legs up." He trains 5 days a week and usually has Tues and Sun off. Currently Mark's doing arms and legs twice a week in an effort to bring them up and get more balance in his frame. His current weight is 115kg and competed at 98kg at the Nationals. Mark has no plans to compete this year but leaves us with this famous parting words " I'll be back!". Thanks Mark, don't forget to put on the sunblock. Lisa, Go Figure 10 Mar 09 |
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today's active figures!
Thursday, May 17,
2012
