Tracy Beckham

By Gene X Hwang

June 2006 - While the fountain of youth is mythical, there are many things you can do that can keep you looking young, and Tracy Beckham is the perfect example of how weight training can keep one looking youthful and healthy.

While many bodybuilders may go to extremes and live extreme lifestyles, Beckham prefers to get a good balance while also being able to create and maintain a top National level bodybuilding physique.

"I started lifting weights in 1985 in an all female gym just to get into better shape. Like most women, I was bottom heavy compared to my upper body and wanted to balance out my shape.

"Lifting weights did that for me with amazing results and quickly. I joined Gold’s Gym in Canada in early 1986; hired Mr. Canada to train me and won my first show that same year," she says of her start in the sport.

"Cory Everson and Lenda Murray were my two main role models since I’ve been reading Shape and Muscle and Fitness back in 1985. I love bodybuilding and lifting weights as it gives you the ability to sculpt the body, stay fit and firm. To me the body is a piece of artwork and beauty – bodybuilding is that to me."

Anyone who has seen Beckham in person whether it be on stage at a contest or in the offseason can certainly attest to what a piece of art Beckham's physique is. With the changes in womens bodybuilding over the years and the evolution of the physiques, Beckham still sports a classic look that is competitive today.

"My ultimate goal is to turn pro. Since winning the Masters National Light Heavyweight Division in 2004 I realized that turning Pro was more attainable than I ever realized," she says.

At 5'6½" she weighs 139 on stage and in the off-season weighs 143-145 lbs. She's usually within 10 lbs. from contest weight in the off-season and she doesn't believe you need to put on 25-30 lbs. in the off-season to gain muscle size as many girls do.

"In the off-season I train five days a week - one body part each day - keeping the weights fairly heavy. I never have been one for a lot of cardio in the off-season, but may do cardio three days a week for 20-30 minutes each time."

With regards to going heavy Beckham adds that "I do love to train as heavy as I can, but form and safety are always a priority."

All that training has definitely paid off and being a personal trainer, your outward appearance is key to attracting clients (as well as attention in general!).

"The first comment I get from women is that they love my arms!! The men in the gym will come up to me and ask my advice about training and dieting and how they can get their arms as big as mine! The responses I get are always positive from both men and women as I feel I try to keep my femininity and shape along with being muscular.

"All of my friends and clients are very supportive of my bodybuilding career. My parents had a hard time with it when I started back in 1986 as they felt bodybuilding wasn't what a woman should be doing. But now my parents are very proud of my achievements. My friends and clients are amazed mainly by the amount of discipline I have when it comes to dieting – they say 'I'd eat dirt if it helped me win!'"

In the gym, Beckham posts lifts such as bench pressing 160 lbs., 35 lb. DB curls, leg extensions with 110-120 lbs. for 8-10 reps and wide grip lat pulldowns with 130 lbs. for six reps.

"I think I look stronger than I really am. Looking strong and/or being strong have its benefits in that it gives me confidence within myself and no one messes with me!"

Being a National level competitor already, Beckham is taking 2006 off to add size and get ready for the shows in 2007.

"In 2007 I plan on competing again in the Masters National Body Building Championships and the USA’s as I’m going after that pro card," she says.

Outside of training, Beckham enjoys eating out and listening to hip hop. She also does a lot of the normal things people do such as movies, dinner, discussing politics, and watching UFC.

"Most people ask me how long I have been training and competing; and when I tell them 20 years, you can see people trying to do the math and figure out my age. When I tell them I am 44 years old they are very surprised!

"Bodybuilding is a great sport and lifestyle – it keeps you looking young – body and mind."

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Tracy Beckham Stats

Birthdate: November 11, 1961

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Residence: California, USA

Height: 5’ 6 ½”
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Green
Years Training: 20
Years Competing: 20
Athletic Background: Through school I played Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Gymnastics, Figure Skating, and Track Team.
Favorite Music: Hip Hop

Contest Weight: 139 Lbs.
Off-Season Weight: maximum 145 Lbs. I usually stay within 10 Lbs. of contest weight in the off-season. My diet is fairly clean throughout the year.

Pets: 1 Cat - Saber

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Car: Mercedes Benz

Favorite TV Show: American Idol & UFC (Ultimate Fighting)

Favorite Cheat Food: Cheesecake

Occupation: Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist - Owner of Tracy Beckham's Unique Physiques - specializing in In-Home training; NPC Bodybuilding/Figure/Fitness Judge

Hobbies/Interests: I love to listen to hip-hop music, dancing; enjoy great restaurants; traveling; fishing and most of all I love the bodybuilding lifestyle and training hard.

COMPETITION HISTORY
1986 - 1st Middleweight - Alberta Bodybuilding championships
1986 - 6th Middleweight - Western Canadian championships
1987 - one of four members on the Canadian Team competing in the IFBB Hawaiian International championships - 4th Heavyweight
1996 - 1st Middleweight and Overall - Derby Bodybuilding championships
1996 - 2nd Heavyweight - Battle of the Champions
1999 - 2nd Heavyweight - Kentucky Bodybuilding championships
2002 - 1st Masters Division & 2nd Heavyweight - Kentucky Bodybuilding championships
2003 - 1st Middleweight, 1st Masters and Overall - Caveman Classics Bodybuilding championships
2004 - 10th Light Heavyweight - Jr. Nationals
2004 - 1st Light Heavyweight - Master Nationals Champion - over 35
2005 - 4th Light Heavyweight - Master Nationals
2005 - 5th Light Heavyweight - North American championships

Website: www.tracybeckham.com

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