Delavan bodybuilder aims for state title

Date: 26-02-2007 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States

 DELAVAN-"I'll go to the gas stations, and some guys will say, 'Nice guns,'" Jennifer Rasmussen said.

That's what happens when you've got vein-popping biceps attached to a chiseled, 140-pound, 5-foot-6-inch frame.

Rasmussen wants more ripples and better "cut" muscles than any woman in the state.

The 37-year-old from Delavan is training for the Wisconsin Natural Bodybuilding Championship, a competition where she's placed third and fourth the last two times she's competed.

Rasmussen started training for bodybuilding about four years ago with personal trainer Mike Ward at Delavan Fitness Center and Rocky's Gym.

She trains about five days a week, following a strict weight-lifting program and diet to maximize her muscle definition.
"It's much more intense, much more structured, more disciplined" than a workout designed to get someone into shape, Rasmussen said. "(Ward) has it set up in order to gain strength and later on to get cut up. Basically, it's more regimented."

Her diet requires counting every calorie and tallying every gram of fat, protein and carbohydrate.

"It is tough. I enjoy it, though," she said. "I enjoy the discipline of the diet. I like the structure and the discipline (of the workout)."

Rasmussen met Ward while working out at the fitness center. She overheard the one-time bodybuilder and powerlifter talking to someone else about bodybuilding competitions. The conversation renewed a dream she had in high school, so she introduced herself.

"I thought right away she had the natural physique to put the (muscle) weight on," Ward said. "You have to go by your own heart if you want it or if you don't want it. She was the one that has that kind of ability in the gym."

Ward said his student is reaching her peak and suspects she'll become a professional bodybuilder within a year. If Rasmussen wins at the state championship this April, she will be invited to the pro circuit.

Getting over the nervousness of being on stage with other determined competitors has been one of the biggest challenges, Rasmussen said.

"It's kind of nerve-racking. It's like all the eyes are on you," she said. "I can't imagine winning. I think it would be such a high."

Posing for five judges is no easy task. Muscles have to be clenched every moment. Even when you're standing and "relaxing," muscles still are contracted, Rasmussen said.

"It's just like going to the beach for the first time and everyone has their eyes on you," Rasmussen said. "You can't help but compare yourself to the other people there, but you need to focus on yourself."

Judges look at the symmetry, definition, proportion and tone of muscles.

"It takes years of training, a lot of discipline and a lot of diet," Ward said. "You can't maintain your (competition) shape for more than a week or two. You have to pinpoint that week to peak and be the most cut so everything falls into place."

For Rasmussen, things are falling into place, and she feels confident. She wants to one day turn pro and become a certified personal trainer herself.

"It's fun. I wouldn't do it if I didn't think it was fun," she said.

"The more you do it, the more comfortable you are with it."