Mikola has two years before she has to compete in the Canadian
finals but will take to the stage this September.
There are four stages to body building in Canada. They are local,
regional, provincial, and then nationals. Finishing in the top
three at a level moves you onto the next stage where you have
two years to try your luck and skill.
Maria takes weightlifting very seriously and therefore follows
a regiment of training to keep her body in shape.
"My training routine is pretty well constant. You have
to keep a very balanced diet. Everything has to be taken in
moderation. I am out lifting as heavy as I can four days a week and doing cardio
between three and seven days a week."
The key in the lifting is a heavy as she can -- and that is
a lot. She can bench press 220 pounds, squat 275 pounds, and
dead lift 315 pounds.
"Id love to do power-lifting at a certain point in my career.
That would be really amazing," she admits.
Maria also thanks her lifting partner Dave Bonnema, his wife,
Barb, and Cam Davies of Ironworks Gym who continues to help
her build her legs. Last but not least, she thanks her mother
for all of the support she has given.
Professionally, Maria has been a personal trainer since November
of last year. She moves all over Sarnia training people on how
to lead a healthier life.She's yet to train any other body builders
and admits that keeping herself on track in that discipline
is hard enough for now. Always welcoming new clients, eventually,
she would like to personal train body builders.
If she can keep up her training and progress, Mikola hopes that
she can someday compete in a World Championship or even go pro.
On the lighter side of things she has another dream. "Being
in a body building magazine would be the ultimate," she
says. "Hopefully I will get a shot at that someday."
For those who haven't witnessed a bodybuilding competition,
it is pretty straightforward. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the
sport professionally renowned when he rose through the ranks
as a young man. (Maria hopes to turn professional one day.)
There are a series of mandatory poses followed by a one-minute
routine in which a panel of judges grades the contestant. Judges
can also request people to come back out so they may see the
contestant again to make a final judgment.
"It is all about presentation in this sport. You have to
find a routine and stick to it if it works."
Maria has been doing just fine to her N'sync theme song, so
it seems, and won't be needing to switch over to the Backstreet
Boys anytime soon.
She also points out that there are a lot of similarities between
gymnastics and bodybuilding.
"Form is very important in each sport to prevent injury.
Once you get older and more mature, it starts to help you as
well, even though you can compete for many more years in bodybuilding than gymnastics.
It really is all about the presentation."
Despite all of the sacrifice involved with her sport, Maria
says she is going to keep on going for as long as she can.
"There are people competing well into their 60's and I
hope I can make it that far."
But for now, she will enjoy being young -- and take some time
out of her life to windsurf and enjoy a three-scoop waffle cone
once in awhile.
JULY
16, 2003
Maria Mikola displays her awards from the Canadian Natural
Bodybuilding World Qualifier last week.
A bodybuilding natural
Sarnia’s Maria Mikola returned from last
weekend’s Canadian Natural Bodybuilding World Championships
Qualifier in Hamilton with a trio of awards and, possibly,
a chance to represent Canada at the Worlds in Spetember.
Competing in the Master’s age category for her first time,
Mikola, who recently turned 35, also participated in an unusual weight class
for her: heavyweight. “I weighed in at 126 pounds, which
was half-a-pound over the limit for middleweight,” Mikola explains. I
had the option of dropping down. They gave me half an hour to lose the
half pound but my nutritionist (Barry Everingham) and I assessed the competition
and decided to stick with heavyweight.”
Mikola finished third in the weight-class (out of 10 competitors)
and second (out of nine) among the separately judged Master’s competitors. She
was also named the top poser out of all 35 competitors at the meet. Her
posing routine incorporates some of her gymnastics training which impresses
judges and fans. “A lot of people have this impression that bodybuilders
are all bulky and not very flexible and that’s just not the case,” she
states. “Even though I’m muscular, I’m very flexible.”
The prevalence of steroids among competitive bodybuilders (it
is all but acknowledged on the pro circuit and quite common among amateurs)
concerns Mikola. Being a “natural” bodybuilder is very important
to her, though she still enters “non-tested” events.
“I’ve had people suggest that I’m on something,
too. Hell-o,” she answers with her distinctive, high-pitched giggle. “With
my voice? I don’t think so. I’m not taking the easy
way. I work my butt off in the gym. I could go that route but it’s
a dangerous game. I want to live to a ripe, old age. I’m
taking my body to its limits, but I’m doing it naturally.”
Mikola will need to have one of the top-two heavyweight
finishers decline their invitation (or fail a drug test) to attend the Worlds
in Spain, Spet. 26-28.
“I hope I get that call, but if I don’t I’ll
go to the Canadians in Saskatchewan on Spet. 20 (an untested event) instead.”
Mikola, a personal fitness trainer, adds she appreciates
the support of her clients and their understanding when she has to rearrange
her schedule for training.
She also thanks her supporters Cam Davies, Dave and Barb
Bonnema and Maria Rocca, as well as her mother
Maria Mikola
of Sarnia recently returned from the Canadian Body Building
competition in Hamilton where she won a “Best Poser” award
for her routine. She has qualified to compete in the
Canadian championships in Saskatoon. She’s shown
here working out at Ironworks Gym in Point Edward.
Maria
Mikola qualifies for Canadian event
WINS
BEST POSER AWARD
AT
HAMILTON BODYBUILDING
By
John Lawton for the Observer
Bill
Bonney’s first words to Maria Mikola were, “I
want you in the next show. You are perfect.”
The Grand Rapids, Mich., trainer saw something in the former
gymnast. Soon Mikola was training for all sorts of local
shows. She was hooked and determined to do well.
She returned to Sarnia and joined Ironworks Gym in Point Edward.
Recently, she entered the Canadian Body Building Competition
held in Hamilton, Ont. The event, which included 115
men and women from across Canada, was tough and routines were
demanding, however Mikola won a “Best Poser” award
for her routine in bodybuilding.
She was also awarded the blue ribbon for the Masters Division
for over 35 year old women from across Canada.
These victories have given her a berth in the Canadian Championships
to be held in Saskatoon, Sask. In the event an athlete
is unable to make the World Championships in Spain this fall,
her second place standing will give her the opportunity to
qualify for the World Championships as well.
Mikola gives credit to Natalie Cavagnetto and Barry Everingham
for her recent success.
Top level competition requires nutritional advice that gives
a body builder the edge. No person should even consider
training without consulting a nutritionist first,” said
the fit and trim Mikola.
Mikola knows about nutrition. She is the owner of M-squared
Fitness and Nutrition (Sarnia). She says, “There
are many myths about diets. Read the labels carefully. Low-fat
foods may mean high carbohydrates. Young body builders
need to be educated and informed. Don’t be afraid
to ask questions and seek a reputable trainer and gym.”
Mikola works out several days a week and looks forward to the
Saskatoon event.
“I think I have a good shot at winning for my division. It is a
major competition and I’m ready and have never been so healthy in my
entire life.”
All of Sarnia-Lambton wishes her well
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