was born in São Paulo on September 6, in 1977. I had a childhood rich in motor experiences where I practiced ballet and other sports for more than ten years.
In 1994 I moved to Florianópolis, an island in the south of Brazil, mainly to run away from the violence and the chaos of São Paulo, but also because I liked to surf. So, the harmony between tanning and tranquility was perfect.
I started weight training ten years ago to gain weight since I was very slim. But with time I got a taste for the sport. So, after attending college for Physical Education and acquiring the technical knowledge, my training became more serious and complex. The transition between casual and competitive training was only a consequence of this process.
It was not easy in the beginning since I always prepared myself without help. I have never had a coach and I made a lot of mistakes until finding the proper way. However, the competitive environment, the relationship with other athletes, as well as my personal experiences, facilitated my technical development and gave me a better knowledge of my true potential.
You don’t have to be a weightlifter to benefit from strength training. In fact, many studies show that even average people should incorporate strength training into their regular gym routine. Regular strength training is credited with helping even average people maintain healthy bones, prevent injuries, speed up their metabolism, and just look healthy.
I was lucky enough to have a former top strongman, Tom Magee, as my coach, and through his recommendation, and the recommendation of my good friend Olympic athlete Gea Schlong, I was able to secure one of the two positions given to the US, against 12 other US girls! The power lifting I’ve done for my own satisfaction in the pilates for the past 6 years led me to being a contender!I feel that fans of the Strongman competitions will NOT be disappointed by the WSW 2001. We were a very well matched group, and the competitions were fierce! I also hope that everyone will enjoy watching my big victory in the car squat competition, where I completed 15 reps within our 1 minute time limit! I nearly doubled the reps of the girl who took second place – I was in the middle of rep 16 when the whistle blew…
Loretta Lynn McGrath was born and raised in the Bay Area of California, in the small town of Santa Rosa, that lies a little over an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. She has 2 older brothers and a older sister who all grew up with her. Loretta’s father was in the construction business and instilled the hard work and determination mentality that comes with construction, to all his children. In addition, he also taught them all how to lift properly and pushed them to do their best in any physical challenge.
With Loretta’s 2 older brothers and her older sister as her immediate sibling competition, it even put more pressure on her, to excel to the family environment. From an early age Loretta pushed herself and has seen results, such as an arm wrestling competition in 4th grade in which she beat every girl and boy up to the 6th, which is one of the small things that stood out in her mind that she always had success in.
Stats:
Measurements: 36DD-25-34
Height: 5′ 2″
Age: 27
Hair: Brunette
Contest Weight: 130 lb.
Off season weight: 150 lb.
Current Measurements at 138 lbs:
- Arms: 14”
- Calves: 15”
- Legs: 22”
- Chest/Back: 36DD
Eyes: Hazel
Shoe Size: 8.5
Ring Size: 8
Laurie Steele
Where and when were you born?
San Jose, CA 1970
What is your profession?
Fitness Model
Were you involved in sports or workout prior to bodybuilding and how did you get started with weight training?
I was always involved in sports in school, basketball, volleyball, track, gymnastics, cheerleading. I was a serious tomboy as a young girl, I had three older brothers whom I played basketball with and rode dirt bikes with.
Was it a goal for you to compete in bodybuilding competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body?
At first I had planned on competing, but decided to focus on the modeling aspect more.
Please tell me something about your training routine (ie: how many days per week / training split /cardio, etc.)
I train at least 5 days a week, usually an hour of weights and 30 minutes cardio. I hit each body part at least once a week. and legs sometimes twice.
What is your favorite exercise in the workout and which one you don’t like so much?
Legs and bum are my favorites to train. My least favorite would be chest ans tri’s.
Which body part is your best in your opinion?
I feel my arse and traps are strong and respond very fast, compared to my other body parts.
If you don’t mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)?
36D
28
36
Muscles 15.5
Legs 24
Rebecca Rush is a exercise model and figure competitor from Ohio. Although standing at only about 5′2″, Rebecca packs a whole lot of punch. Her exotic looks, shapely arms and defined calves are her trademarks. One of the remarkable things about Rebecca is that she just began serious weight training in 2002. It usually takes much longer to get a body as sleek and defined as hers. She must be a miracle of perfection.
Bodybuilding has become a very popular sport over the past few decades. A bodybuilder trains with heavy workout to increase strength and to build large hairy arms for posing competitions or cosmetic purposes. While some body builders do so for competition purposes, still others simply like the look they can create for their own motivation.
Bodybuilders also learn how to perform poses that accentuate the display of different gym groups for purposes of being rated by competition judges.
Various training methods are used by bodybuilders to get results, including training techniques like Positions of Flexion (POF), Static Contraction Training (SCT), High Intensity Training (HIT), Superslow Training, Hyper Contraction and Plyometrics.
Tara says “I was so excited for the Nationals, because it was the first ever Figure Nationals. I felt I was on point with my training and diet and was very happy with my physique. I was confident that I was doing very well that night. After pre-judging, I got a lot of positive feedback. And not just from my friends and family.
When I was called for 4th place, I was very disappointed. I was more upset because when I asked why I took 4th, I was told I was a little too “hard”, but the girl who took 1st in the short class was very hard herself, so I was upset at the inconsistency of the judging.”
