Interview with Bodybuilder Christy Resendes
Christy Resendes
January is like Black Friday for health clubs, a time when memberships soar and gyms fill up with assorted neophytes eager to launch half-baked New Year’s fitness resolutions. Most come and go, a lucky few get hooked, and dedicated lifters can only chuckle until this annual parade inevitably fizzles out by Valentine’s Day.
Longtime bodybuilder Christy Resendes, who shared a few thoughts with me recently, is one of the lucky ones whose passion never fizzled once it started. She credits her mom as an important role model. “What inspired me to compete was seeing my mother compete in her first bodybuilding show,” Christy said on competing as a teenager in 1993. “When I got on stage the first time I felt excited, nervous, and accomplished. Win or lose I am always happy that I did what I set my mind to doing.”
Today, the 34-year-old is a mom herself as well as an accomplished personal trainer and popular fitness model. Of course, she’s been to many contests since that initial one and I asked about some she remembers best.
Christy's Stats: Age: 34, Height: 5'5", Weight: 155, Hometown: New Bedford, Massachusetts.
“I have so many great memories and met many great people in my contest history and grateful to have all those experiences,” she said. “One of my fondest memories and favorite venues is the Arnold Classic. Competing in the Arnold Classic and placing 5th, that whole experience was amazing. I felt like I accomplished my goal and being on the expo stage was awesome!!”
By now, Christy says she’s learned enough about the industry, both on stage and off, to fill a book. “I was a regional judge for the NPC and that also helped me to understand things from a judging standpoint,” she said. “Learning about the different organizations and their inner structures, watching them change with the trends, I have learned that sticking to your diet, great color on stage, and great stage presentation are key for doing well in competition.”
A more hot button topic, with women’s bodybuilding numbers in decline, I asked Christy to give her take on the future of the sport. “The feeling that I get is that female bodybuilding isn’t going to survive in the NPC,” she said. “The reasons that I have heard range from it not being profitable, to it’s the organization trying to taper drug usage by females athletes.”
Meanwhile, although not competing in the show this year, Christy will indeed be in attendance when the Arnold kicks off soon. If history is any indication, she’ll probably end up in an arm wrestling match or two before finishing her trek through Columbus.
Quotables: "My most satisfying accomplishments are being able to help and educate individuals to not only reach their goals but how to maintain them. I would like to thank my family, friends, and fans. Also, my clothing sponsor Rosalinda Fashion and you and Kriv Studios for giving me such a great opportunity to be a part of your site."
“I love arm wrestling,” she said. “I am actually considering competing in more events. My first arm wrestling competition in 2010 was one of my most memorable because it was the first time I ever lost to a girl. I entered into this competition not knowing any strategies, never having used an arm wrestling table, and not knowing any rules. That day I learned a very important lesson, being good at arm wrestling has a lot to do with technique.”
Besides arm wrestling, Christy has also competed in various strong woman events. “I have a competitive nature and enjoy a challenge,” she says. But it’s her bodybuilding look that has gotten her the most attention from people of all ages.
Christy recalled a story detailing the reaction from one of her youngest fans. “One of my favorite comments came from a little girl maybe around 8 years old. The little girl, her parents, and I were in an elevator, when she asked me how I got my body to look so different. I told her from weightlifting, and I said that I was a bodybuilder. Then the elevator came to her stop and as she was leaving she looked at her parents and told them she wanted to be a bodybuilder. That stuck with me and makes me smile every time I think about it.”
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