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
Alex Liska
Figure Competitor and Fitness Model
Meet personal trainer Alex Liska who just recently captured a solid 4th place showing at the IDFA Canadian Classics. From a disappointing showing in the fitness model category at FAME, Alex has found her true calling in the Figure category where her extra muscle is applauded.
First how did you get the moniker of FLEX?
I got that nickname because when I walk around you can’t tell that I have any muscle at all. I just look like your average female who spends their time on the treadmill lol But when I flex all my muscles and veins start popping up, so the staff members at my gym began calling me FLEX.
Competition History:
Well the first time I ever competed was in the fitness model category at FAME on June 10th and I came in a dismal 20th place, because I had too much muscle and I was NOT SKINNY and BIG BUSTED with BLOND HAIR like the other competitors.
That’s when I decided to switch to figure and I knew in three weeks the Canadian Classics were coming up, at that point I thought why not? How bad could it possible be? So on a whim I decided to enter the competition in the novice tall figure class. Everything was just last minute, and I was doing this strictly for fun. I never thought I would have ended up with a 4th place showing.
The Stats:
I’m about 5’6 1/2 , my weight varies from anywhere from 138-145 offseason and 125-130 prior to any show.
What do you do for a living?
I work for Moneris Solutions as a financial agent at a technical support desk. I’m also a personal trainer at Goodlife,
and also do nutritional consultations.
Why do you compete?
I have always has soooo many doubts about everything when it comes to my physique, and I have always had lack
of confidence. I never thought I would be good enough to stand up on stage even though I trained so hard. I would
do things half way and then never finish, I would start training for a show and midway I would back out. After turning
twenty years old, I had my breaking point and I decided to put my knowledge and skills to the test. After a
disappointing finish at FAME, I decided to not give up and just try again at the IFDA show which turned out extremely
well for me with a top 4 placing.
What word of advice would you give to an inspiring competitor?
I say do it for fun. You train religiously all year round, so you deserve to showcase your hard work on stage and
feel proud of your accomplishments. Do not do a show expecting to place high, because you never know what
the judges are looking for. Instead just enjoy your time and most importantly have fun. Make the most of your
time backstage because there are tons of friendly competitors, make some friends out of the whole experience.
What was your most memorable moment while competing?
Well that would definitely have to be the IDFA show when they announced the top 5. I had just woken up from my nap
backstage so I was half asleep and my class had to step on stage for them to announce the top 5. I was expecting to
come in 7th or 8th because I did not do any extensive dieting as I had just decided to do the show the day before, so
when they announced my number and I found out I had come in 4th I was super proud. I had to pinch myself to make
sure I wasn’t dreaming lol That show gave me the motivation to turn competing into my new lifestyle!
Describe the first time you stepped on stage?
The first time I ever stepped on stage was at the FAME show. I was extremely tired because I did not sleep at all the
night before and I was dehydrated and no absolutely no strength at all.
What does your training routine consist of?
I love compound movements using a strict tempo and heavy weights. My favorite exercise is the stiff legged dead lift
and barbell squat, I love going super heavy on these but I maintain my form throughout the movement. I don’t have a
strict regime per se, I try and do my major body parts on separate days. My reps and sets would usually be 4 sets per
exercise and my reps ranging in the 8-15 range. I only train my abdominals only once or twice weekly. I try and engage
my core intensely in all my workouts.
Are you a fan of HIT or LI Cardio?
I like a mixture of both. In the morning I do 20 minutes of high intensity cardio on an empty stomach and in the
afternoon after doing 1 ½ hours of weight training I do low intensity cardio for about 15-25 minutes. I believe the key
to burning fat is to always taking advantage of an empty stomach and performing cardio.
What would you like to say those women out there who avoid weight training because they believe they will somehow turn into a mass monster?
It’s funny you should ask. Almost every woman that I know avoid weight training because they don’t want to “bulk” up.
Basically, I just give them a friendly reminder that muscle burns fat, and cardio is great for your heart but it takes a toll
on your muscles, so you shouldn’t over do it! The more weight training you do the more your muscles want to grow
and in order for them to grow they begin to eat away at your bodyfat and in turn they help speed up your metabolism.
You have to feed the muscle to burn the fat!! Stimulate the muscle and feed it so it burns more fat!!
What type of diet do you believe in?
I consume whole foods and whole foods only. I will not consume anything that has been processed or that is man made,
with the exception of protein shakes. I like eggs, avocados, steak, salmon, tuna, almonds, walnuts, yams, chicken,
berries and etc… I try and get at least 6-7 meals a day or 3-4 big meals with a few snacks.
What did it take to develop such an aesthetically pleasing physique?
First, thank you for your compliment. I believe it takes three things to develop an aesthetically pleasing physique and
that is hard work, dedication, and strong will power. Weight training + Cardio + Clean eating + Sleep= Great Physique
What is your favorite body part to train?
Definitely hamstrings!! I love stiff legged heavy deads. It’s a total body workout as long as you don’t use lifting straps.
It’s the perfect exercise, it works forearms, rear delts, core, lower back, hams, calves, and the list goes on!! I love
training legs because it just feels so good.
Post competition the first thing you want to eat is?
There are five must haves eggs, cheesecake, calamari, diet coke, and a big bowl of cherries.
The one thing that you love and hate about competing?
I absolutely hate the politics involved in the sport and contest prep there is nothing I dread more than the dehydration.
I love the satisfaction of showcasing my hard work on the stage and meeting new people backstage.
What does the future have in store for FLEX?
I hope to get into some physique modeling, and I plan on competing in the upcoming WBFF show, the IDFA again on
November 4th and whatever fitness events that may come my way. My goal is to maintain a ultra tight physique year
round just incase of any modeling work that may come my way.
If you weren’t in the fitness industry, what would you be doing?
I would be a chef!! I love to cook!!
What is your favorite cheat meal?
Eggs!!! And of course cheesecake!! There is nothing that I enjoy more than a carton of eggs, fried in olive oil with
rye roast and a nice thick tall slice of cherry or blueberry cheesecake.
What are your favorite movies and music?
I really enjoyed the movie Apocalypto directed by Mel Gibson. I like listening to Madonna and Janet Jackson, anything
from the 80’s will help me have a better workout!
What was one of the goofiest things you have ever done?
At my old telemarketing job, about 3 years ago there was a very perverted guy that always made derogatory
comments to me. One day when he went on his break I stuck toothpicks in his chair and when he came back and sat
down on them they punctured his rear end!! LOL I got in trouble but it taught him not to be a pervert.
If you won the lottery you would?
Where do I begin? I would open my own gym/restaurant. I would travel all around the world backpacking, open up more
animal shelters, and buy myself a larger fridge accompanied with an endless supply of eggs, cheese, avocados, and
seafood!! Yummmm
What do you enjoy doing in your down time?
Bikeriding, boxing, powerlifting, eating, surfing the net, cooking and talking on the phone.
What is one of the wildest things you have ever done?
LOL I can’t really think of anything other than hanging off the chip up bar and doing crunches.
What are some of your pet peeves?
I absolutely hate liars!! I hate people that can’t tell the truth. There is nothing worst than lying! I also don’t like
people that waste food, food is precious and so are left overs, NEVER throw away something that could be eaten! LOL
Your idea of the perfect getaway would be?
I would love to travel to the amazon rainforest and go on a private boat tour and explore the beautiful paradise, eat all
sorts of wild fruit and feel really primitive.
I’d just like say one thing, and that is to thank HYPEMUSCLE for giving me the opportunity to express my views on fitness.