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IFBB Pro Zara Pineda-Boorder Interview with CBB
CBB Handle: fitnessbyzara
Age: 34
Height:5'1 1/2
Hometown:Hamilton, Ontario
Currently Residing:Toronto, Ontario
Website: new one coming soon, older content can be found at www.fitnessbyzara.com
Have you always been an active person - did you play sports in your youth?
I danced for several years, played soccer, ran track (hurdles in high school) And even went to circus school for 6 months.
What made you get into figure/bikini competition?
I saw other people in my gym dong competitions and they were all guys..so, I wanted to do one because I wanted to be the girl competitor of the bunch.
Have you competed in other categories as well?
I did fitness, figure and bikini throughout my competitive years.
How has the sport impacted your life?
When I'm not competing, I like to enjoy time with family and friends, and travel. I'm currently filming a project(s) for my new website, and fitness industry reps from the magz are doing interviews and photos with me now that I've come into the Pro League so that is becoming more and more integrated into my daily life. But I have a wide range of interests so far from the fitness industry and that keeps me grounded with in the sport itself.
Who do you look up to in the industry and who has helped you along the way?
I mainly looked to the American fitness Industry as the leaders in promoting the sport and watched many of the female athletes from the time they were competing at the NPC level to now. I use them for my inspiration. I have a good idea of what I want to look like on stage and in photos so I work with people that can help me put my vision together. What I learned from my days in competing in figure, has translated well into my own techniques for training myself for the Bikini wins I've had over the last year. I don't doubt that the industry (who you know) could help, but I've found more inspiration in things outside the industry, that have helped my psyche so much more than any one person (well known or not) in the industry, would ever have been able to.
You switched from competing in figure to bikini. What was the reason for the switch?
I felt more comfortable on stage with the Bikini Division. I'm not one for strict rules when it comes to presenting yourself at your best on stage and Bikini lets me have more fun.
You’ve competed in both Canada and the US as an amateur. How was your experience in both countries?
I liked the openness and reception I got from the American crowd in Cleveland. Even the judges seemed to smile more at me than at Canadian shows. Things backstage were pretty much the same though - Busy, a bit crazy and long.
Some don’t believe bikini should be an IFBB category. What would you like to say to this?
Everyone has an opinion, and mine is just as valid as the next person's...but how many people will be inspired by what I say about Bikini's validation in the sport, over someone else's view. I guess it's up to the people to decide how they feel about it and act on their words to support it or not. Others people's opinions are just that, and it doesn't matter when I'm doing what I do on the stage.
Favourite foods for dieting? For cheating?
For dieting, I love my Organic Sirloin Burger, with onions and jalapenos and Dijon mustard, with steamed broccoli drizzled with hemp oil and sea salt. Yummy.
Cheat food fave is any chocolate somethings and cinibons with extra icing and good ole fashion milkshakes with real whipped cream.
Are there any sports supplements that you cannot live without?
I love hemp oil, bee pollen, New Zealand iso-whey protein powder.
Are you sponsored by a company? If so, who?
I'm not currently sponsored by a company.
What is a typical day for you when prepping for a show?
Wake, eat, cardio, posing/walking practice, eat, nap, train clients in between, eat nap, train weights, 2nd cardio, eat, sleep.
How do you balance your training - (for you do you have to devote more time to gymnastics or weights and how may hrs a week) - how is the training regimen split up for a fitness competitor?
I devote lots of time to my presentation. i do this part of my training everyday for at least 30mins. I train full body 4x/week and cardio 7 days a week, so my life's balance revolves around that schedule first, when I'm competing.
What do you find the most difficult about this sport?
The last week prep before a contest.
Do you have any tips or advice to give to ladies who are thinking of trying out the sport?
Go for it if it's something you've been thinking about doing, is my advice. Watching your physique change as you stick 100% to the diet and training is the most empowering thing you can do for yourself.
When will we next see you on stage?
Detroit Pro Show Sept 17-18th, after this show, I'll do the Olympia if I qualify in the top 3. And then any other shows until my birthday at the end of November, then I'll take a break.
Can you provide us a workout routine for a week?
My favorite, but oh so painful leg depletion workout. To be performed after 45mins of cardio. 10 exercises, 10 sets of 10reps (10 second rest between sets) drop set if needed to failure. eg. exercises include: seated hamstring curl, walking sumo lunges, sumo squats, single-leg deadlift, leg extensions, roundhouse high kicks, stepups - (100 reps each leg) ...so, gather your 10 leg exercises, do the workout, stretch for at least 20mins after, then sit in the wet sauna and drink your distilled water...lol..
What do you eat for any given day?
Any given day, my diet is filled with as much organic foods as possible from, meat, poultry, and eggs;nuts, hemp oil, wildcaught fish, kale, broccoli, bananas, blueberries, jalapenos, and almonds, and coffee and tea.
For current contest history, please check out the Zara Pineda-Boorder Profile
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