When it comes to building his body, Warren’s Mike Aprile is a natural.
Aprile, at the age of 46, is training for his first men’s physique show competition for 100 percent natural athletes in November.
“Being a natural athlete at 46 was important to me as many men my age take performance enhancing drugs and testosterone replacement therapy in untested competitions,” Aprile said. “Since this will be my first show and I’m already nervous enough, I just wanted it to be an even playing field knowing everyone was also a one hundred percent natural athlete.”
Aprile works out at Crunch Fitness on South Avenue in Garwood. He expects to compete in the masters and novice divisions, and possibly the open division, at the Bloomfield competition, hosted by the National Gym Association.
“Men’s physique competitions are somewhat different then men’s body building competitions,” Aprile said. “One of the differences is that you have to wear knee-length board shorts, while in body building you wear a Speedo. You must pose in front of judges for pre-judging in the early afternoon, then in front of the judges and an audience later in the evening. …
Judges will weigh more on overall stage presence and personality in men’s physique than in bodybuilding.”
Personality counts, but so does diet, exercise and technique. Enter professional trainer Robb Capponeto from South Jersey.
“Coach Robb gets my diet right and teaches me how to pose on stage in front of the judges while trying to build my confidence up and fat levels down,” Aprile said.
“I have never been on a stage in my life and that aspect of it is probably the scariest part for me.”
This lifestyle change introduced Aprile and his wife, Donna, to what they call meal prepping.
“We basically prepare two days’ worth of meals at a time, which consists of about 12 containers of food that have to be consumed every two-and-a-half hours, six times a day,” Aprile said. “You are basically eating chicken/fish, green veggies, sweet potatoes, egg whites and oats for 12 to 13 weeks without anything else entering your body. Add a full gallon of water every day and trust me, you’re ready for a rubber room.”
Still, Aprile wouldn’t have it any other way.
“My first child, Gianna, was born in February of 1999 and after six months of paying gym dues and not going even once, I canceled my membership at 27 years old,” Aprile said. “I always planned on getting back to the gym and revisit my ‘Glory Days’ but life got in the way.”
Now Aprile is back, smarter and fitter than ever.
“I’ve learned it’s never too late to accomplish anything,” he said. “If you put one hundred percent of your heart and effort into it, your body will follow.”
The National Gym Association was established in 1979. The organization says it is dedicated to the natural athlete and to teaching and training individuals to become the most professional certified personal fitness trainers in the world. Call 9954-344-8410 fr more information.
No judgments is the mantra of Crunch Fitness. It means room for everyone, regardless of shape, size, age, race, gender or fitness level, the company says. Call 908-789-0900 for more information.
above) Mike Aprile of Warren demonstrates the three basic poses on the amateur level: the front, side and back poses.
(courtesy photos)
