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Michelle Ivers
Michelle Ivers Profile by genex by gene x hwang - May 2000


When you look at the national level of competition in women's bodybuilding in the U.S., there are several veteran competitors who have been consistent top level finishers, but have yet to break into the pro ranks. One of the most popular, with good reason, is Californian Michelle Ivers.

(c) 2000 Michelle Ivers Having taken the national stage since the 1989 NPC USAs, it's hard to find anyone with longer tenure. Of course, the flip side of that could be discouraging to many athletes - competing so long, but not having become a pro.

However, Ivers is not your typical megalomaniac athlete who has a sense of over-entitlement. She's quite the opposite actually and her down-to-earth demeanor helps make her one of the more popular competitors.

But it's not just her attitude, it's her physique as well that's an outstanding attribute of Ivers'.

That's from the 15 years she's put into the sport of bodybuilding.

"I was always athletic in high school and college, and was always body conscious since I was very young. (I'm Italian and we tend to be heavy if I did'nt watch it.) I was coaxed by this gal I worked with at a mall that had a Fitness center to join and I joined first just to get back in shape," Ivers says.

"There was this couple Tom and Sally Simms at the time I started in 1985 who were the hot ticket as a mixed pairs couple at the National level. They saw that I had muscle and were the ones that talked me into my first show, the Santa Cruz Classic (I did'nt even make the top five and the night show!)

"I do it for the love of staying competitive and of course it's a great way to stay in shape. Also I like feeling I am a little different then the average person!" adds Ivers with a laugh.

And Ivers is different in a great way from other women. However, female bodybuilders have had to fight for everything they have, and Ivers wants to help people understand the truth about them.

(c) genex9.com "My goal is to have people be aware that a female bodybuilder is just another type of athlete that is to be respected for what we do. I want to stay competitive as long as I can. Why not?!"

And competitive she has been, having most recently placed second at the NPC Nationals in 1999, just one placing away from that elusive pro card. But she keep plugging away, regardless of what others might say.

"People that I encounter, be it a relative or a friend, have been supportive in what I have been doing. At my last class reunion I amazed people, I always felt in high school I was plain and dumpy. I will be having my 25th reunion this summer - boy people will really be surprised now for sure!!!"

And hopefully that will be the last time they see her as Michelle Ivers the amateur. Training really hard this offseason, Ivers is primed to compete at the 2000 NPC Nationals in New York City.

"Off-season I stay pretty much the same weight and reps as I do getting ready for a show. I go as heavy as I can. I do only one bodypart per day and abs in between. I do my quad work seperately from my hamstrings so I work out 6 days a week.

"I do a half hour of cardio a day. Mostly stationary bike (because I can read while I ride) and walk outdoor with a friend around the shorelined trails around the Monterey Peninsula," explains Ivers.

"I try to stay as heavy as I can go. For example, I usually use 80 lb. dumbells doing a flat bench press, and I use very strick form. I hardly ever cheat a movement."

And judging from her physique, her strict form is definitely paying dividends. With some of the most memorable arms (and especially her forearms and biceps), Ivers always is improving her already impressive physique.

Some of the weights she uses during her training include 230 lbs. on the flat bench, 325 lb. squats, shoulder presses with 60 lb. dumbells, 405 lb. deadlifts, and bicep curls with a 70 lb. barbell for reps.

All that work has resulted in biceps just over 16 inches, 25 inch quads, and calves that stretch the tape at 14½ inches.

"I love feeling strong. I love the thought that I'm above the norm of what a female should be in strength and of course in the look of having a lot of muscle. It always is advantageous to be strong when a situation arises when I would be needed to help in moving or lifting something heavy," she adds.

And lifting things heavy isn't the only activity Ivers takes part in, although bodybuilding itself is a full time career.

"I love to watch baseball and go to the games with my son and fiancé Joe. My son Kyle right now is playing baseball and I love to practice with him when I can. I used to play tennis competitively and would love to get back into it one of these days." Perhaps that's where her legendary forearms came into play?

The tennis racket is on hold at least for now.

"I will be doing the Nationals this November to hopefully turn pro after 15 years in the sport. I would love to do the Ms. International next year, and keep on competing as long as they continue to keep the sport going.

"We as the female athletes — as long as we have the passion to do it — we are the ones to keep it alive!" adds Ivers.

"The one thing I would like to add is that I want to go down as one of the bodybuilders that persevered and stayed with a sport that has been shunned from day one.

"I want to help the sport of bodybuilding stay alive and try to educate the public by staying in the fitness field and emphasizing that muscle is a neccessity for better health and wellness.

"I also would want to be remembered in the sport as being one of the most down-to-earth and real people in the sport. I am a well-rounded individual with a family and a good head on my shoulders."

And that is by no means an understement. Keep any eye out for Ivers on November 10-11, 2000 in New York City and see if she picks up her well-deserved pro card!


Additional Resources:

  • Michelle Ivers' Personal Web Site
  • Send Michelle E-Mail



    Send comments, critiques, inquiries, etc. to genex@genex9.com
    Text and Images © 2000 gene x hwang - All rights reserved.
    Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


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    female muscle, shawna walker, larissa reis, michelle jin, wrestling, tracey toth, kira neuman, female bodybuilding, cindy phillips, britt miller, casey daugherty, lyris capelle, jill brooks, olga guryev, olga guryeva, kristy hawkins, cheryl faust, lindsey cope, lindsay cope, veronica miller