Morristown bodybuilder comes home a winner

Date: 31-08-2006 Posted by: Anabolic Info TeamUnited States

Chris Lentino is far from being obsessed with the way he looks or how much he can press. He views bodybuilding as an exercise in building character and well-being. The muscle, strength and 3.5 percent body fat is an added bonus that comes with the territory.

Lentino ran cross country and track in high school, and took up weight training in college, while pursuing a degree in graphic design. Completely engulfed in the joy of intense, gut-wrenching weight training sessions, his passion led him to earn multiple training certifications, and local and state level bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions.

He has competed in International Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping natural bodybuilders everywhere embrace the true spirit of drug-free athletics; USA Powerlifting, "America's Choice for Natural Strength Sport"; and the National Physique Committee.

Humble and centered, Lentino's pleasant demeanor belies his physical accomplishments. On Aug. 5, the 5-foot-6, 195-pound powerhouse, who can squat with 585 pounds, took first place in three categories of the National Physique Committee sanctioned 2006 Muscle Beach Bodybuilding & Fitness Championships: Novice Men's Light-heavyweight; Novice Men's Overall Winner; Open Men's Light-heavyweight.

Of the event he says, "Everyone was in great condition and gave me a run for my money. Everyone was very open, encouraging, and friendly. I really had a great time and it truly reinforced why I love the sport so much."

Event promoters Karen and Mark Steinfield of Gold's Gym in Point Pleasant recommend the Muscle Beach competition as a great start for bodybuilders and figure competitors looking to climb the ladder to the national level.

A full-time personal trainer at Parisi Sports in Morris Plains, Lentino often trains 12 clients in a row with little time to meet his quota of 4,500-5,000 daily calories. So how does he do it? With the same focus and discipline that his five-day-a-week (three days on, one day off, two days on, one day off) training regimen requires.

He cooks meals in advance on his days off so he has nourishing foods available for his eight to 12 meals a day. While in training he filled multiple shaker bottles with pre-measured, specific amounts of whey protein powder, maltodextrin and ground oatmeal to satisfy his nutrition requirements for as many meals as he would need while in client training sessions.

Past victories include first place in the Junior Division of the 2003 USAPL New Jersey State Championships; first place in the Junior Division of the 2003 USAPL Heavy Metal Classic; and first place in the Novice Division of the 2003 INBF Warrior Challenge. Lentino has appeared in Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness magazine as well as articles in numerous newspapers.