While many dread conditioning class because of its reputation for extreme workouts, some students, including senior Scott Yantis, thrive on the challenge. After football season ended, Yantis decided he needed another way to stay fit.

“I have always loved weightlifting because of sports,” Yantis said. “When football ended and I finished sports, I knew I needed another way to stay in shape, so I chose body-building; it was already something I enjoyed.”

Yantis’ interest led him to enter competitions and pursue the sport of body-building, even with the requirements.

“In body building competitions you are judged on three thing: symetry, how evenly proportioned your muscles are; overall size, how large you are; and conditioning, how fit you are,” Yantis said. “Because of these three requirements, competitions take a lot of patience and hard work.”

Yantis says the rules and rigors of the competition require a strict diet as well.

“In the process of preparing for the competitions, there are two different phases that a potential competitor must complete,” Yantis said. “The cut phase, where the competitor must lose all body fat, and the mass phase, where it is replaced with muscle. I am in the cut phase right now and it calls for a very strict diet.”

While many believe bodybuilding consists of no more than guzzling protein pills and sweating through endless workouts, the “cut” phase spans months of controlled weight loss.

“I have set myself on a tight two-month diet in order to lose most of my body fat,” Yantis said. “I eat only vegetables, fruit, lean beef, chicken, supplements and nuts. It is extremely hard for me to stay disciplined because working at a pizza parlor does not help my hunger and appetite.”

With his diet, workouts and fitness research, Yantis says he dedicates a large portion of his time to the sport. While his passion drives him to work harder, the intensity and cost of the hobby means it is not fit for everyone.

“My mom is very supportive of my passion and love of the sport,” Yantis said. “And though the many supplements and vitamins I take every day can cost up to $300 a month, my job supports this necessity.”

Having a personal trainer also adds to the costs, so Yantis compensates for this expense by doing large amounts of research on the Internet.

“Instead of having a trainer, I research everything and get advice from fellow athletes,” Yantis said. “[Football] coach [Bonner] Cunnings has been my greatest mentor and semi-trainer throughout this whole process. We give each other workout tips and help each other get better and stronger.”

Though weightlifting can require a large amount of discipline and time commitment, Yantis says its benefits are practical.

“Weightlifting has taught me a lot about life,” Yantis said. “It has taught me how to be disciplined with my schedule and diet. It has also taught me how to stay fit.”

In addition to off-season and competition lifting, Yantis enjoys football and volleyball.

“I love sports inside and outside of school,” Yantis said. “That is one of the main reasons I decided to try weightlifting and competition bodybuilding.”

In order to prepare for an upcoming competition, Yantis works out nearly every day and mentally prepares himself.

“My competition [Fresno Classic], is on April 18 and I really hope to do well,” Yantis said. “I have put a lot of hard work into this competition and I really hope it pays off.”

In addition to participating in conditioning fifth period, Yantis works out every day at the gym.

“Because of my experience in conditioning class and four years of JV and varsity football, the transition to working out every day twice a day was not a huge change,” Yantis said. “I walk at steep incline and high speed in the morning for an hour and I do my lifting workouts for an hour in the evenings after work.”

For more information on weightlifting, e-mail Bonner Cunnings.