GAYLORD — Six local athletes have put themselves through the most intense training one can have, all in hopes of succeeding at the upcoming 45th Parallel Bodybuilding and Figure Championships.

For most of the six, it is the first time training for a show. For all, it is a life-changing experience.

“Without a doubt it is the toughest thing you could ever imagine — times ten,” said Gaylord’s Angelina Buskirk, who is training for the first time.

The six have trained at The Rock Gym in Gaylord for months in advance of the April 12 competition to be held at Gaylord High School’s Gornick Auditorium.

The age range of the Gaylord competitors varies. Jamie Lambert is a high school senior at Gaylord High School while the others — Dan Bunker, Theresa Dunn, Andy Janssens and Bonnie Mitchell — range from young adult to adult.

All have had to adhere to a strict training and diet regimen that has taken the forefront in their lives during the training period.

“That’s the hardest part, because you end up taking it home,” Bunker said. “It affects you all day long.”

Some of the competitors will participate in a meet in Traverse City this weekend before the Gaylord competition, which is the first of its kind in the Otsego County area.

Darrell Lynn of the Rock is a big reason for bringing the show to this area. A bodybuilder and trainer himself, Lynn helped organize the show, along with training some of the competitors. Successful bodybuilder Della Lambert is also helping to train, along with her husband, Jerry.

For Jamie Lambert, it is an exciting opportunity to train with her father.

“It is really exciting,” she said. “He really helps me out a lot.”

While competitors must workout sometimes two or three times a day, regulating diet is perhaps the most grueling part of training. Everything, even the amount of water you drink is controlled.

Buskirk said she misses peanut butter while Bunker said he misses having mayonnaise with tuna.

“It is very difficult because you must be so disciplined,” Dunn said. “But competing is a big reward.”

For competitors, it is the reward of being in total shape and competing with others cut from the same cloth.

Around 60 bodybuilders are expected to converge upon Gaylord for the April 12 show, which has prejudging at 10:30 a.m. and finals starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available, with proceeds benefiting local athletic organizations.

A key to the show is that it is completely drug free, with competitors undergoing illegal enhancing drugs prior to the show.

It will be an experience of a lifetime for the local competitors.

“I do it because I want to take my athleticism to a new level and so that I can promote a healthy lifestyle to others,” Buskirk said.

NOTES: The 45th Parallel Bodybuilding and Figure championships is sponsored by Wal Mart, Dunn’s Business Solutions, Forest Resource Services, Paxton Resources, Otsego Memorial Hospital, Century 21 Dunn and Associates, Great Lakes Diving and Salvage, Aspen Physical Therapy, Chevron, Stampede Saloon, Gaylord Ford Lincoln Mercury, Image North, Center City Gym, Nelson Funeral Home, Little Caesars, Independent Bank, L&R Rain Makers, Wiz Wash, Eagle Enterprise Trucking, Gaylord Eagles Club, Albie’s, J&N Construction, BP, Organization of Competitive Bodybuilders, Advance and Dan Zehr Painting and Decorating.

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