• Chris Gurunlian
  I always wanted to compete. After stepping on stage for the very first time, I fell in love with the sport and I have been competing ever since.
• Alex Liska
  Do it for fun.You train super hard all year round so you deserve to showcase your hard work on stage and feel proud! Don't do a show expecting to place high cause you never know what the judges are looking for, so just try your best and have a great ti

Watch out for this personal trainer who will be hitting the stage in september 15th in saskatoon, Saskatchewan for the canadian nationals, you can also catch a glance at Nadia at the BC provincials august 19th where she will sharing the guest posing spotlight with IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Gunter Schlierkamp. Most notable competitions Nadia had competed in were achieving 1st place in the BC provincials back in "92" and capturing 4th place at the "04" Canadian Nationals  as a middle weight.  Nadia is on a mission at this years Canadian Nationals.

The Stats

Height: 5'1"
 
contest weight:
120-125 lbs.

Off season:
150-155lbs.

Chest: 40
Quads:28
Arms: 15 ½
Calves: 15 ½

Why Compete?

I have always been athletic, I have been involved in several competitive sports over the years such as soccer, swimming and cross country mountain biking. I caught my first glimpse of what the future would eventually hold for me upon seeing my uncle bench pressing 500 lbs, and the muscular, shapely, physiques at the local Gold's Gym in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I became a long-term admirer of bodybuilding.

I was never able to forget the images of muscular bodies, the left quite the impression on me. In 2001, I decided to dedicate my spare time to the art of physical perfection.  I committed myself to becoming ultra-competitive as a bodybuilder. I spent all of my time in the gym striving to develop a competitive physique. The next natural step was to get up on stage and showcase my hard work.

What word of advice would you give to any inspiring competitor?

 Train hard & smart - proper training with maximum intensity will result in rapid gains without injury. Be patient, Rome wasn't built in a day and your body won't be either. Stay focused & positive - set yourself goals and work to achieve them. Consistency, dedication and determination - genetics play a big role, but due diligence with training, nutrition and rest will help to surpass plateaus. Rest , lack of sleep can result in laziness, poor workouts, and disorganization which can result in missed meals and general fatigue. Rest and lots of it is good for well being and especially for your body.

What was your most memorable moment while competing?
 My most memorable moment while competing is forever engrained in my memory bank….my first place finish at my first competition …the unexpected outcome is what set the wheels in motion for where I'm at today. I didn't have any expectations going in to my first competition and to come out of it victorious was a great feeling.

 Describe the first time ever you stepped on stage. 
 The first time I ever stepped on stage, I was incredibly nervous…in fact, I felt sick to my stomach. I was nervous about getting up on stage, nervous about posing correctly and most of all, I was so nervous I thought I was going to faint.

 What does your training routine look like?

 I follow the same training routine year round. I always start with multiple warm-up sets of ten reps followed by three heavy working sets of ten reps. The only difference between my off-season and pre-contest training is that I lose a bit of strength while prepping for a competition.

Sunday - Chest & calves
Monday - Back
Tuesday - off
Wednesday - Legs
Thursday - Shoulders & abs
Friday - Bi's & Tri's

What do you advocate HIT or Low Intensity Cardio?

Personally, I prefer low intensity cardio…although, if I had a choice, I wouldn't do any at all,  low intensity cardio works well for me and my body type…it has been extremely effective for fat burning and muscle preservation.

What would you like to say to those women out there who avoid weight training like the plague in fear they may get too bulky.

If I had to explain to a woman why she shouldn’t be afraid of weight training, I would try to clearly explain that unless she were to make a concentrated effort to get bulky, she never will. Dumbbells alone will not make a person bulky however, copious amounts of time in the gym with high intensity training compounded with a serious nutrition program will. In general, most women don't eat enough to grow. I wish it were that easy to add mass.

  What's your approach to dieting?

My pre-contest diet plan is extremely strict. It's composed of several meals/day. I eliminate fats from diet except for those that occur naturally in protein sources that I consume. I typically follow a timed plan where I eat precisely every two hours. I measure or weigh every meal to ensure that I don't exceed my daily food (carb/protein) intake, and I compensate with vegetables.

What does it take to develop an aesthetically pleasing physique such as yours?
 To develop an aesthetically pleasing physique, one must focus on developing weak body parts and not over-developing strong body part to ensure your body is well proportioned. Strict technique, full range of motion and contracting the muscle are all important factors which contribute to a balanced physique.

 What would you say is your favorite bodypart to train?

My favorite body part to train is 'chest'. One of the reasons I probably enjoy it is because I'm good at it. I have short arms which are optimal for bench press so I'm able to move large amounts of weight. I like how training chest makes me feel, not only does my chest get pumped, but my whole upper body does too. I enjoy the 'pump' I get when I train chest.

 After a contest the first thing you want to eat is?

 After a contest, the first thing I usually eat is pasta. I'm Italian and my little nonna (Italian for grandma) makes some of the BEST home made pasta….immediately after a show, it's the first thing I think of…

 The one thing you hate and love about competing?

The one thing I hate about competing is how it affects my life during pre-contest mode, I seldom ever have time to visit with friends or family. Thank goodness they are all very understanding. The one thing I love about competing is watching my body change…it's fascinating to make dietary adjustments and observe the results.

What does the future have in store for Nadia Nardi?

 I'm currently preparing to compete at the Canadian Nationals in September. In the not too distant future, I'm hoping to compete as a pro.

If you weren’t in the fitness or bodybuilding  industry what would you be doing?

If I wasn't a competitive bodybuilder, I would be competing in a different sport.. I'm a competitor by nature and I enjoy staying fit.

 What is you favorite cheat food/meal?

 One of my most favorite things to eat on a 'cheat' day is penny candy! I have always loved little sweets. However, one of my most favorite cheat foods/meals would have to be baked goods like pastry/bread/pasta/cake.

What are your favorite Movies?

 A few of my favorite movies are Braveheart, Mississippi Burning, Gladiator, Pretty Woman.

 What was one of the goofiest things you have ever done?

 It's impossible to name even one simple goofy thing that I have done because, there are many of them. I'm kind of goofy all of the time. I have a quirky sense of humour and I love practical jokes and pranks.

 If you won the lottery, you would…

 If I were to win the lottery, I would retire from work so that I would have more FREE time to train and sleep as I needed to. I would certainly travel and I'd make it a point to attend the pro shows.

 What do you enjoying doing for leisure?

 If and when I do have leisure time, I usually spend it in the kitchen cooking. I love food! Aside from that, I try and spend some of my free time at the beach during the summer months.

What is one of the wildest things you have ever done?

One of the wildest things I have ever done was 'bungy jumping' - it was one of the most frightening yet exhilarating experiences I have ever felt.

 What are your pet peeves

 A few of my pet peeves are poor manners, typical things like chewing with your mouth open, spitting, or burping. Another pet peeve of mine is getting stuck in traffic.

Your idea of the perfect getaway.

 My idea of the perfect getaway would be to travel to an exceptionally warm, sunny location that had a beach. Ideally, I would stay in an ocean front hotel that offered various forms of local cuisine. I would prefer not to share the beach with anyone so that I could listen to the waves crashing on the beach. I envision a tranquil place to relax and unwind.

To contact Nadia via email femininenadia@hotmail.com or check out her site at nadianardimembers.com