Gary Bouton, Jeff Manier, Jordan Clark and Mike Phillips prepare for championship.
Story Published:
Sep 30, 2007 at 12:35 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 30, 2007 at 12:35 PM CST
Four Cookeville bodybuilders are pumping iron in preparation for competing in this year’s Tennessee Bodybuilding Championships to be held Aug. 18 at MTSU.
Mike Phillips, Jeff Manier, Gary Bouton, and Jordan Clark—all in various stages of development as bodybuilders have been practicing two-four hours per day in preparation for the event.
Phillips, 35, is a 9 year veteran who credits his ex-wife for inspiring his start in the sport. "When my ex-wife and I separated, she told me I was overweight. That's when I decided to begin weight training," Phillips said. His 2-3 hours per day, six-days a week training schedule is common practice for bodybuilding.
Phillips’ record includes first-place finishes in Knoxville and Tennessee Bodybuilding Championships (2000).
Jeff Manier, 29, became interested in weight training through his older brothers some 16 years ago. In preparation for the upcoming event, Manier said he has been working out 5 days a week for the past 6 months.
Manier's record includes first-place finishes in the 2001 and 2002 Greater Knoxville Classic, the 2002 East Tenn. Volunteer Classic (juniors), and the 2003 East Tenn. Championships.
Gary Bouton, 29, has been a bodybuilder for 15 years and includes among his achievements a second-place finish in the 2005 Greater Knoxville Classic.
Bouton started training for the upcoming 2007 event some four weeks ago and noted that the toughest part of training is the dieting.
Jordan Clark, 27, will be entering his first competition as a participant in the Aug. 11 Greater Knoxville Classic. He trains six days a week, two hours per day.
"The training never stops," he said.
All four train at Racquet Master in Cookeville.
