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Tina Smith

by genex hwang - November 2000



Natural bodybuilding is a sport that is taking off as the general health and fitness industries grow. Tina Smith is on the forefront of that growing sport, and is working to educate and promote it so that it continues to grow and is not hindered by perceptions (and the fact) that much of the bodybuilding people see, is in fact, not truly natural.

(c) Tina Smith 2000 "I am extremely impassioned about representing Natural bodybuilding. As a lifetime drug-free athlete, and an educator, I have a lot of strong feelings about the NPC and other organizations which are apathetic about the use of steroids. I absolutely love the sport of bodybuilding, yet I get so frustrated with the hopeless cult-like status that is associated with it due to the hypocrisy that pervades our sport," adds Smith.

"The outrageous usage of performance enhancing substances in bodybuilding will never allow us as a whole to be acknowledged on the same level as other athletes. Realizing that the essence of competition involves moral participation, rather than who can get away with cheating, is what needs to happen for our sport. My stance is strong on this issue, but I will not continue the same apathy, and I will do whatever is possible to promote change."

Smith's passion began several years ago when she was first introduced to weight training during high school. On the tennis team, she served as captain and a new coach who had spent 20 years coaching football, decided to have the team lift weights.

"That's when it started, and I've loved being in the gym ever since. I was always turned off about bodybuilding though because of the masculine women, and the drug issues," she adds. So it was destined to be natural bodybuilding for Smith.

"In 1996, a friend told me about "natural" contests, and showed me the Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness magazine. I did my first show that summer, and won the Novice class. I competed in one other show, and then entered a pro-qualifier for the WNBF as the contest location was close to my home. I won the overall in that show (1997 NGA Pacific Coast Natural), and have competed in four WNBF contests since then.

"I'm definitely still a rookie, but am very comfortable with the promoters and competitors in the WNBF. I know I have a ways to go in terms of my physique, but if I improve each time, then my personal goals have been achieved.

(c) 2000 Tina Smith "To me, bodybuilding is a healthy lifestyle. I do it, and preach it everyday of my life. I also promote a natural bodybuilding contest here in Sacramento, and my husband and I spend a great deal of time speaking to high school health and physical education classes about the dangers of drugs, and the importance of exercise and good nutrition. If kids know about these issues, and understand our integrity, then I think we really can help to make a change."

And those changes are readily apparent in Smith's impressive physique. However, it's also hours spent in the gym lifting that really gets the results.

"I always train as heavy as possible. I use periodization techniques (changing rep ranges) to gain strength. I know I'm strong, especially for my size, yet I don't try to prove things to anyone, and am always wary of injuries. Thankfully, (knock on wood), I don't really have any except an unstable shoulder from gymnastics many years ago."

Some of the weights that Smith trains with include:

  • Decline Bench: 175 lbs. for 3-4 reps, or 70 lb. dumbbells for 3-5 reps
  • Shoulder Press: 50 lb. dumbbells for 4-5 reps
  • Sqauts: 185 lbs for 3-4 reps
  • "Spider Curls" for biceps (hang arm off the straight side of a preacher bench): 25 lb. dumbells
  • Deadlifts: 225 lbs. for 2-3 reps

"I like to be strong, I feel confident, and mainly good about myself because I look healthy," adds Smith.

With the natural bodybuilding scene still in a emerging state, role models are less abundant, but Smith found two in the form of Nancy Andrews and Dave "Texas Shredder" Goodin. Both been very successful in the WNBF, and have both been World Champions.

"They are contest promoters as I am, are lifetime natural athletes as I am, and have a good perspective of the sport in terms of striving for their own personal best, and having a good balance between bodybuilding and life. Nancy has amazing genetic gifts for building muscle, and though she can't share those gifts, she is always very supportive, and she always shares information with me in effort to help me become a better bodybuilder.

(c) 2000 Tina Smith "We immediately became friends at my first show when (in clothes), we were mistaken for one another as we look very similar. Dave has also been very supportive to both me, and my husband. He has competed for over 20 years, and readily gives us advice about what has taken him years of trial and error to figure out. In too many sports there seems to be a cut-throat kind of competitiveness, and I don't see that in the WNBF."

So the family-like atmosphere that surrounds the WNBF is one thing that has helped it grow. But Smith also has interests outside of the Federation to grow the sport of natural bodybuilding.

"I am driven to inform people that bodybuilding (naturally) can be a very positive part of anyone's lifestyle. The thing about this sport which is unconventional is really the rampant use of drugs! All of the natural bodybuilders workout, eat right, and enjoy life everyday, as do most of the regular people you see in gyms. Come contest time, we add more cardio, and drop the calories a bit, but we're still very normal. Most people would love to look like we do, and anyone who could step inside my body would love to feel the way I do. The health benefits of weight training and proper diet are fantastic.

"I always tell people that they can achieve a healthy and muscular physique with work and dedication. I also tell them to put away the muscle magazines full of lies, misconceptions, and pictures of freaks that are made from drugs, not the training and diet that I speak about," add Smith rather emphatically.

That's the same passion that she carries with her every day as she strives to set an example for the rest of the non-bodybuilding as well as bodybuilding world.

For the short term, 2001 looks to be a busy year for Smith.

"My husband is entering several pro-qualifiers in 2001. We hope to compete together in the WNBF for a few contests. We have prepared for shows at the same time, and like to have the same focus together. We really want to compete together, and get lots and lots of pictures together that we can cherish forever, and freak out our grandchildren with someday! I absolutely love to work out, and know that exercise will always be a big part of my life even when I no longer compete.

"I have always been athletic, and never skinny, so most people aren't terribly surprised that I'm a bodybuilder. When they see me in contest shape, they can be pretty amazed. Then again, a woman walking around very tan, muscular, and having only 7% bodyfat is really amazing anyway!

That's quite true, and if Smith has her way, there will be a lot more women like that walking around.

(c) 2000 Tina Smith "I think natural bodybuilding is growing exponentially at this time. With more promoters such as myself providing events for athletes, and educating the public about this side of the sport, we are getting the word out that you don't need to take drugs, and look like a monster in order to be a bodybuilder. As I've said, Bob and I spend a lot of time talking to kids about the sport, the dangers of performance enhancing drugs, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. By educating people to have integrity about their personal choices, and to train and eat the right way, they will be encouraged by results, and less likely to look for the quick-fix, or magic pill.

"In that our first two INBF contests here in California have had over 60 competitors, and an audience of 700, I know we're making a difference. Even the roid-boys in our audience have said, 'Hey, these guys are good.' We have also talked to several former drug users who have said 'I wish you had been around back when I first wanted to compete. You're doing things the right way, and I wish I wouldn't have gone down the road I did.'

"Our events are interesting to the general population who may come to see someone they know in the show, or want to attend the health fair that we run with the contest, or they may be thinking, 'Maybe I could do that.'

And in reality, most can, and Smith hopes that they will continue to come to the sport that has for such a long time had an element of negativity about it, but seems to be making a turn for the better.


Additional Resources:
  • E-mail Tina
  • International Natural Bodybuilding Federation
  • Genetitec - a new supplement company with excellent products, friends of mine
  • Swine MWD - exercise belts, wrist wraps, t-shirts, beautiful models, also a friend of mine
  • MZSport.com - a site for women athletes, by a Canadian WNBF Pro

  • Click the thumbs to enlarge pictures of this model

           

           

           
           

           

           

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