For Marius Wessels (50) a dream is about to come true.<\/p>\n
Wessels, a competitive bodybuilder since 1991 and co-owner of Unique Physique gym, in Primrose, has qualified to compete in the Arnold Classic Africa 2016.<\/p>
The competition takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, from May 27 to 29.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo date, qualifying for the Arnold Classic has been my biggest and most rewarding experience,\u201d Wessels said.<\/p>
\u201cIt is a life-long dream come true as for me, as well as for all bodybuilders. The name Arnold is what bodybuilding is all about.<\/p>\n
\u201cStanding at his competition and competing in his show is a true honour.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is the first time the competition has come to the African continent and athletes and spectators can look forward to a complete multi-sport programme involving more than 43 sporting disciplines, exhibitions and championships, as well as a fitness expo dedicated to healthy lifestyles.<\/p>\n
Arnold Schwarzenegger will be present at the event.<\/p>\n
Wessels told the GCN that the honour to compete had to be earned through blood, sweat and tears.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a soul-searching journey and now my dream has become a reality,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Wessels started his preparation for the competition in January, last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI entered the Millennium Gold Plate competition and placed second during the competition. I identified my weak points and set out to correct them over the next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cA huge part of my preparation and a very difficult part to achieve was to pack on some lean muscle.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 49, gaining muscle mass doesn\u2019t come easily.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wessels said he started out by increasing his protein and good carbohydrate intake, as well as finding a good balance between supplementation and food.<\/p>\n
He ate mainly chicken, fish, lean red meat and a lot of egg whites \u2013 up to 12 a day, along with clean low GI carbs, sweet potatoes, brown rice and mixed vegetables.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ate six meals a day and allowed myself one small cheat meal over weekends,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy training was also adjusted accordingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cLower repetitions, higher weights and more rest between training days.<\/p>\n
\u201cI work out for between an hour to two hours per workout, depending on the muscle group I am training and I do this four times a week, resting on a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n
The hard work brought with it its own set of challenges \u2013 some injuries, balancing work and training, and making time for his clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a personal trainer I am up at 3am and my day ends at 9pm,\u201d Wessels said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I stuck to my plans and over the year managed to lift my stage weight from 77kg to 87kg. In the process I brought my weak points up to standard as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wessels recently competed in the Millennium Gold Plate 2016 competition and placed a very close second, which gave him qualification for the Arnold Classic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to say a special word of thanks to all who supported me on my journey, especially my beautiful wife, Hayley, as living with a competitive bodybuilder is not easy,” he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is my rock and inspiration.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks also go to Unique Physique for supplying me with the right equipment and atmosphere to build a world-class physique, and my training partners Logan Wessels and Charles Wagner.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo all who supported me and to my sponsors, Geoff Larney, Chris da Silva (owner of Presley\u2019s Night Club) and my friends and family for making it possible for me to compete in the competition: I thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n
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