Hench Supplements director lands bronze medal at body-building contest

The company director of a Rochdale fitness store has landed a bronze medal after a spur of the moment entry into a body-building contest at Middleton Arena on Sunday 30 July.

Mohammed 'Raj' Hussain, who runs Hench Supplements at Heybrook Mill on Hamer Lane, competed against 13 other athletes in the Pure Elite competition where he placed third in the men’s physique category.

Raj decided to enter the contest at the last minute, leaving himself only 17 days to prepare for the show, rather than the usual 12-16 weeks.

He said: “The average timeframe to prepare for a show would be from 12-16 weeks, considering the individual is in decent shape already. 

“I went into the show without hopes of placing; it was just to have a good end to my cutting phase before I begin bulking, and for some more stage experience.”

 

 

Raj, who is also co-owner of GYM313, explained his plan for this year was to focus on adding size to his frame before cutting down next year and competing, but due to personal reasons, stopped training and following his plan.

He said: “I couldn’t follow the plan to add size when my body fat percentage had skyrocketed, so I decided to cut back down on fat percentage before I could focus on adding size back on.

“I did this for a little while until I was happy but then realised there was a body-building show taking place in 17 days, so I spoke to my coach who then helped me to try get stage ready.

“The concept of getting lean and getting stage ready are two completely different things, it’s a lot more difficult emotionally and physically. Getting lean is easy but getting into a condition where you are stage ready is where true determination prevails.”

He added: “I was shaken by the result; I did not expect to place at all. Pure Elite announces up to five placements and out of so many athletes on the stage with us, I did not expect to place at all. 

“I was extremely happy and proud with the results.”

The contest was Raj’s second, having landed a second place at his first show in April 2022.
 

Read more: Hench Supplements director lives up to name after placing second in first body-building contestPublished: 08 April 2022