BY
KEITH LACEY
Sunday is Aleisha Hart's favourite day of the week because
that's the only day she doesn't spend hours at gym working
out.
"Sunday is my day of rest and I really look forward to it,"
said Hart, who has been rising quickly through the ranks in
Figure and Fitness competitions across Ontario.
You couldn't blame Hart for wanting a day off because her
schedule is hectic to say the least.
When she's not training and raising her four-year-old son, Hart
also holds down a full-time job as an advertising account
manager.
Hart used to model swim wear at different competitions, but
says she was looking for a more athletic pursuit and believes
she's found it in figure and fitness competitions.
All her hard work paid off last summer when Hart placed first
in a Natural Ontario provincial qualifier shortly after winning
the title at another competition in Sudbury. Last July,
competing against the top competitors in the province, Hart
finished third at the Ontario championships in London.
Unlike female bodybuilding, figure competitions are based less
on massive muscle development and more on having body symmetry,
a nice feminine look and athleticism, said Hart, 29.
"The judges are looking for muscle separation, balance, poise
and they definitely want to see femininity," said Hart.
"They still want to see muscle and definition, but it's much different than bodybuilding."
Competitors use quarter turns to show the judges their bodies
from different angles, she said.
Hart says she's risen in her new sport so quickly because of
her strong athletic history.
"I've played sports most of my life," she said. "I was involved
in martial arts with my dad at a very young age and then I got
into gymnastics and I was a competitive gymnast for several
years.
"I'm competitive by nature and I'm always looking for a
challenge and these figure competitions were exactly what I was
looking for as I get a little older. It's a very challenging
sport, you have to stay in great shape and it takes a lot of
dedication."
Hart joined the Ontario Physique Association more than two
years ago and got in touch with personal trainer Laura
Bennetti, a former Miss Olympia competitor from Toronto, who
has put her on a rigid and tough training schedule.
Her training schedule consists of two cardiovascular workouts -
one in the morning before she goes to work and another after
work - each for 45 to 50 minutes in duration.
She then does weight training five or six days a week. These
sessions usually last around one hour, she said.
"Because I'm a small person, I have to maintain my muscle size
and that means starting to train hard and watch my diet for
about five months before I have competitions planned," she
said. "It's a very tough schedule, but I really do enjoy it.
It's a big part of my life right now."
Starting at the end of May and continuing until the end of
June, Hart plans on competing in four different competitions,
including Miss South Central Ontario, Canadian Body Building
Federation National World Qualifying event, Miss Fitness
Universe in Miami on June 23 and then the Canadian Figure
Championships in Edmonton the last weekend in June.
Working full-time, spending dozens of hours in the gym training
and then taking care of her son makes for a busy life, but it's
nothing she can't handle, said Hart.
"It's called planning and having an agenda," said Hart. "You
have to plan things ahead and be dedicated, but that's never
been a problem."
Because she remains on a strict diet almost year-round, Hart
says she plans her personal meals three weeks in advance. She
eats a lot of chicken and fish and says she doesn't miss eating
junk food so many other people her age tend to enjoy.
"You have to look forward and be dedicated and just set strong
goals to do well in this sport and that does mean some
sacrifices," she said. "I cook my meals three weeks in advance
and then freeze them, so I don't have to spend a lot of my time
in the kitchen when I get home from a tough day at the office
and want to spend some time with my son."
Hart has ambitious goals and says if she keeps improving, she
might be able to win a national championship in her height
class in the foreseeable future.
"Right now, I just want to get better every single day and see
where that takes me," she said. "There are a lot of talented
women out there in this competition, so I can only concentrate
on myself and trying to get better. I just want to keep
improving.
"I've only been in the sport two years and have come a long way
and I think I can do a lot better at these four competitions I
have planned in May and June."
Being on stage and having hundreds of people cheering you on is
always a thrill, said Hart.
"It's a great feeling to be on stage and have people applauding
you...knowing all the hard work you've put in the gym over
several months," she said.
