By: Julia Hawkes

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Blachly begins his workout with some arm workouts.

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Blachly practices his poses performed during competitions.

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Blachly keeps Incredible Hulk in his workout bag for inspiration.

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Blachly continues his workout with more heavy lifting.

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Blachly hydrates after finishing his workout.

 

With veins bulging and teeth grinding, Lee Blachly pushes up 304 pounds of pure metal. Although he has the action figure of the Incredible Hulk to inspire his workouts in his duffle bag, he is not superhuman; he is a bodybuilder.

Blachly, 23, began bodybuilding five years ago. At 20 years old he competed in his first National Physique Committee (NPC) competition. With negative responses from close family however, Blachly took time off from lifting, fearing the bodybuilder lifestyle was not for him.

“I psyched myself out about [my first competition] because I didn’t know why I was doing it. I felt like I was being really vein with standing in front of the mirror and posing all the time.”

Without the strict schedule of bodybuilding however, Blachly found himself struggling with school and work. After a year and a half, he joined a new gym and began getting back into a regular weight lifting routine.

“My proudest accomplishment was realizing the reason I do this is for myself… I am here because I like lifting heavy weights.”

Blachly was an active child growing up. Motivated by his parents, he began gymnastics at the age of four and within a year was competing in his first gymnastics competition. After thirteen years of being a gymnast, Blachly searched for a new way to stay active and keep busy. That is when he began lifting. Within a year he was encouraged to start competing in body building competitions.  With the help of a trainer, Blachly transformed his lean gymnast body into the physique of a national bodybuilding competitor.

His diet in preparation for competitions include breakfast packed with protein and four meals spaced throughout the day consisting of a clean combination of protein, carbs, and vegetables. Following his workouts he also drinks a protein shake composed of eggs, protein powder, and milk. Along with his eating regime during training, Blachly works out six times a week for an hour and a half each time.

Blachly is a natural competitor meaning he does not use performance-enhancing drugs. However, he does not compete in strictly natural competitions.

His next competition, The Iron Man, will take place May 19th. Blachly hopes to compete professionally and to one day own a fitness facility of his own.

“Bodybuilding isn’t just about moving weight, it’s a full lifestyle to achieve the greatest aesthetics possible.”