Hazel Adames: Hi Louise, firstly congratulations on winning your class at the UKBFF finals last year and thanks for agreeing to take part in this interview for us!
Louise Rogers: Thanks very much Hazel! And thank you for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed for MT.
HA: How old were you when you started training and how old are you now?
LR: I originally started weight training when I was around 21 years old. I'm now 26. Although before I started weight training I was involved with other activities. I used to do athletics at school, and I went on to be an aerobics/cardio fanatic for a few years; before finding my niche in bodybuilding.
HA: What made you decide to start working out?
LR: I was essentially introduced to weight training by a former gym colleague. I did some powerlifting before switching to bodybuilding specifically. I found that my body responded quickly to weight training and I enjoyed the results. I also found the training so much more enjoyable than anything I've done before.
HA: Where abouts are you from and where do you train currently?
LR: I am originally from Dorset although I now live in Hampshire. I normally train at either Fitness First or Foundation Fitness in Sandhurst. I often train my larger muscle groups at the Sandhurst gym as it has a great deal of plate loaded kit, and excellent leg training kit!
HA: At what point did you realise you wanted to start competitive bodybuilding and what was your first competition?
LR: I originally decided that I would like to try competing in 2007 and I went to visit Kimberley Anne Jones at Skyline to see whether she thought I would be ready to do it. To be honest I wanted to gain an expert opinion as I wasn't sure what I would be letting myself in for, in terms of competing and the process. Kimberley actually wanted me to compete at the Stars of Tomorrow show that year, however I caught the flu during my competition prep and to be honest I was so nervous I decided to pick a slightly later (and more local) show. I opted for the southern UKBFF qualifier in Portsmouth. I felt more comfortable with that choice as I had slightly longer to prepare and it was my own regional qualifier for where I used to live.
HA: Can you give a brief run down of your competition career please?
LR: It's brief! UKBFF Portsmouth Southern Qualifier – Body Fitness 1st
UKBFF British Championships 2008 – Body Fitness 1st
HA: What is your day job and do you find it easy to fit in the pre competition preparation around your job?
LR: I am a recruitment consultant but my partner owns the company so he is totally flexible! I am also just finishing my degree, Social Sciences based, about two months to go.
HA: What is your training routine and what is your favourite body part to train?
LR: My current training routine has actually changed just recently. I'm weight training over 4 days as opposed to my normal 6 days per week. I'm training with a moderate weight, although keeping my leg training fairly light. Admittedly I prefer heavy weight training but I've gained enough size for my class so I can't keep training as heavy as I'd like anymore. My favourite body part to train is quads. I've grown to really enjoy it – although it wasn't always like that. I used to enjoy back training more than anything else.
HA: What do you consider to be your weakest body part and what exercises do you include to try to improve it?
I guess the area I am working to improve is my glutes. They turned out well in the end for the British although I don't want to leave it to chance for the Worlds. I'm currently doing a variety of exercises more regularly to improve them, including lunges, variations of kick backs... all sorts to be honest.
HA: Do you do cardio all year round, what kind of cardio work do you do?
LR: Well I don't have a huge love of cardio to be honest with you... But I do cardio 4-5 days per week, but I limit how much I do. Not more than 20 minutes per session. I actually enjoy running outside, or using my cross trainer I have at home. I'm not a big fan of doing cardio in the gym, as I find boredom soon sets in! Although when I am in the gym I do quite enjoy using the stair master and the arc trainer.
HA: How do you alter your nutrition when you have a competition coming up and which supplements do you use?
LR: I keep my diet generally the same all year round as I prefer to eat clean in the off season. However, when preparing to compete I divide my meals up more throughout the day and I reduce all my portion sizes. I consume no carbs in the evening, and gradually remove fats, milk based products, simple sugars etc from my diet. I keep my diet very basic and repetitive.
HA: Do you find sticking to your pre-comp diet easy?
LR: Actually yes, although when I first competed at the qualifier I found it horrendous because I'd never done anything like it before. It wasn't because I felt hungry, I just felt tired all the time. However when I started dieting for the British I almost seemed more prepared, and I knew what to expect. I was also more rigorous with my diet and my prep was carried out like a military operation ha-ha! To be honest I'm quite rigid and literal when it comes to dieting. I just get on with it and never deviate!
HA: What are competition goals now?
LR: My goal this year is to win my pro card at the IFBB World Championships.
HA: Who inspires you in and out of the bodybuilding world?
LR: My partner inspires me to be the best I can be. He has ultimate faith in me! As does Kimberley Anne Jones; she has been wonderful support to me and like my partner she is a very positive influence. They have both been so positive throughout my competitions and I really appreciate their support. I have also been inspired by past competitors – having been impressed by their achievements. When I was first in the fitness industry I remember seeing Monica Brant for the first time and I just thought she was flawless. I also like the physiques of Gina Aliotti and Malika Zitouni. They're both awesome.
HA: You are obviously successful at Body Fitness, would you consider changing class to physique or anything else?
LR: I wouldn't consider physique as I'm more than happy with the Body Fitness /figure look. I enjoy the fitness classes but I'm about as flexible as brick!
HA: Other than training and living the lifestyle of a competitive bodybuilder, What else do you like to do in your spare time? Do you get much time to relax?
LR: I guess the majority of my time is taken up by training, but it's also my greatest hobby so I always enjoy my training. However I do like going out with friends, or going out with my partner. I enjoy clubbing, going to restaurants, cinema, reading, writing, studying, travelling... and playing with my puppy! Oh I do like the odd Indian meal too!
HA: Have you done or been asked to do any fitness modelling?
LR: I've been asked about it and I have some projects coming up later this year!
HA: How do people outside of bodybuilding circles react to you as a female bodybuilder and your bodybuilding lifestyle?
LR: To be honest it's not something I broadcast. My friends know I compete and some are more interested than others. My mother took no real notice until she saw me featured in magazines. I think it helped her understand more about the competitions and the actual sport as I'm not sure she really understood it at all before. My sister and her husband seem to find it quite entertaining, although my sister dislikes seeing me ultra lean (even though she is about a size 0!). My friends in the gym find it very exciting and they're all very supportive.
HA: Many thanks for taking the time to be interviewed and on behalf of all the MuscleTalk members, I'd like to wish you all the best for the World Championships. See you on MT!!