MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. - Grant Roper's passion for physical fitness has turned into a labor of love.
Roper, a 2010 Black Hawk alumnus, has worked as a personal trainer for Anytime Fitness for 2 1⁄2 years. After getting talked in to competing in a body building competition, Roper finished first place in the men's physique division at the American Natural Bodybuilding Federation Natural Crystal Coast Championships July 27 in Morehead City, N.C.
"I didn't expect it," Roper said, of winning the first competition he entered. "I was very surprised. I just did it for the experience and all of a sudden, boom!"
With the title, Roper received his pro card and he is planning on entering various bodybuilding competitions including in the Midwest so family and friends can see him compete. Roper, who lives in Jacksonville, N.C., is in the process of finishing his duty with the National Guard, which expires December 2014. Roper's wife, Eleanor, is a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune.
"I'm treating (bodybuilding) as a hobby and it can also be a money source," Roper said.
Since winning the title in July, Roper has received a lot of messages from clients seeking advice on Facebook.
Roper said he would like to start an independent personal training center. He was a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Monroe for 1 1⁄2 years. Prior to that, Roper was a football player and wrestler at Black Hawk High School.
Even with all of his fitness experience, Roper said the competitions have been great learning experiences.
"I have learned a lot more from these competitions than I did in school and books about fitness," he said.
To prepare for his first bodybuilding competition, Roper followed a regimented diet and workout schedule. He followed a diet by eating foods high in protein, but low in carbohydrates and fat.
"I ate a lot of sweet potatoes, salmon, salads and veggies," he said.
In the gym, he completed weight lifting by using super sets where he started with heavy weights and went to lighter weights. He also did the reverse in training. However, the big key he said was drinking only water.
The bodybuilders are required to be natural. They are required to be drug free for six years. Each participant is given a poly test, and every winner a urine test.
Roper said the challenge now will be maintaining that professional standard.
"It helped having a goal in front of me," Roper said. "When you have a goal it makes things easier and keeps you motivated."
Roper, a 2010 Black Hawk alumnus, has worked as a personal trainer for Anytime Fitness for 2 1⁄2 years. After getting talked in to competing in a body building competition, Roper finished first place in the men's physique division at the American Natural Bodybuilding Federation Natural Crystal Coast Championships July 27 in Morehead City, N.C.
"I didn't expect it," Roper said, of winning the first competition he entered. "I was very surprised. I just did it for the experience and all of a sudden, boom!"
With the title, Roper received his pro card and he is planning on entering various bodybuilding competitions including in the Midwest so family and friends can see him compete. Roper, who lives in Jacksonville, N.C., is in the process of finishing his duty with the National Guard, which expires December 2014. Roper's wife, Eleanor, is a Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune.
"I'm treating (bodybuilding) as a hobby and it can also be a money source," Roper said.
Since winning the title in July, Roper has received a lot of messages from clients seeking advice on Facebook.
Roper said he would like to start an independent personal training center. He was a personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Monroe for 1 1⁄2 years. Prior to that, Roper was a football player and wrestler at Black Hawk High School.
Even with all of his fitness experience, Roper said the competitions have been great learning experiences.
"I have learned a lot more from these competitions than I did in school and books about fitness," he said.
To prepare for his first bodybuilding competition, Roper followed a regimented diet and workout schedule. He followed a diet by eating foods high in protein, but low in carbohydrates and fat.
"I ate a lot of sweet potatoes, salmon, salads and veggies," he said.
In the gym, he completed weight lifting by using super sets where he started with heavy weights and went to lighter weights. He also did the reverse in training. However, the big key he said was drinking only water.
The bodybuilders are required to be natural. They are required to be drug free for six years. Each participant is given a poly test, and every winner a urine test.
Roper said the challenge now will be maintaining that professional standard.
"It helped having a goal in front of me," Roper said. "When you have a goal it makes things easier and keeps you motivated."
