Building a unique physique

Dedication, determination and discipline are all qualities this woman has to pursue her passion.

Amy Manzanares has spent the last 14 years transforming her body from year to year to compete in body-building competitions, which are sponsored by the National Physique Committee.

When Manzanares isn't busy competing she works at the Green River High School media center. Prior to that, she was a sign-language interpreter. She also is the GRHS assistant track coach.

For Manzanares, being active is always something she's done. When she was in high school, she participated in volleyball, cheerleading, dance and track. When she went to college, she continued dancing.

"After college, I was looking for another avenue to pursue competition in," Manzanares said.

She looked at all the various levels offered by the NPC competitions, and at first decided to pursue fitness. However, she was then seriously injured in a car accident and after a long rehabilitation process, she didn't think the fitness portion of the competition would be something she could pursue. Fitness is about flexibility and dancing, Manzanares said.

She looked at the figure category of competition and determined it would be less strenuous on her body. When women are judged in the figure category, the judges are looking at muscularity, condition, symmetry and balance and presentation. As for the individual presentation, Manzanares has to complete certain poses, including front, back and model pose, to make sure her muscles are shown correctly. All of this is done in a small and sparkly bikini.

She then must complete quarter turn poses in the group judging.

"Posing can make or break your physique on stage," she said.

Manzanares can still recall the first competition she competed in after her rehabilitation in 2016.

"It was my first time on the stage," Manzanares said. "I was just so excited to get up there."

She said the shows were small back then, with only about 20 people attending the entire show. Now a show can have 200-400 competitors. As the sport grew, so did the categories. Manzanares said the women's competition even has a bikini category, which she tried once, but didn't like.

"They are trying to mainstream it," she said.

As for the figure category, Manzanares described it as "a beauty pageant with muscles."

Preparation

To obtain the lean physique this competition is known for, Manzanares follows a strict regimen of diet, weightlifting, training and cardio. After competing and preparing for these competitions for so long, Manzanares knows how long it will take her to get her body ready. On average, it takes her 24-26 weeks.

"It depends how out of shape you are," she said.

She said the level of training also depends on how serious someone is about competing in the event. For some, it's just something they want to do so they can check it off of her bucket list, for others, like her, it's a passion they take seriously.

"I like the challenge," Manzanares said. "All that work for 2 minutes on stage."

The path to her success is paved with difficult decisions. Manzanares said she has to stay disciplined and say no to things like cookies, other sweets and going out with friends so she can prepare for the competitions. She eats healthy and most of her diet includes, chicken breasts, vegetables, egg whites, cod, rice and oats.

As for her training, she works out three times a day, seven days a week. She completes an hour of cardio in the mornings, has an afternoon training session and then works out in the evening.

Manzanares is now preparing for her next competition, which is scheduled to take place July 18 in Pittsburg. This competition is a national show and only the top two qualifiers from each national-qualifying event attend nationals. If Manzanares wins in her category, she would become a professional and then she could compete to earn money.

"If you're super serious, that's the goal," she said. "At nationals everybody looks good. I don't ever get nervous because I've done the work."

Competition accomplishments

2006 NPC Mile High Figure: second place

2007 NPC Natural Colorado figure: third place

2008 NPC Mile High Figure: fifth place

2010 NPC TopForm Classic: top 10

2010 NPC Mile High Bikini: ninth place

2010 Bodybuilding.com Amateur Athlete of the Week (July)

2011 NPC Mile High Figure: first place

2012 NPC Colorado State Figure: first place 

2012 OXYGEN Magazine Success Story (November Issue)

2013 NPC Colorado State Figure Masters: (35-39) second place, Figure class A: second place

2014 NPC USA Figure class B: 14th place

2014 NPC Rocky Mountain Figure Masters: (35-39) first place, Figure class A: first place

2015 NPC Junior Nationals Figure B: fifth place

2016 NPC Yellowstone Classic: second place, Figure Masters: (35-39), Class A: fourth place

2017 NPC Rocky Mountain Figure Masters: (35-39) first place, Masters Overall, Class A 2nd Open

2019 NPC Northern Colorado Figure Masters: (40-44) first place, Masters Overall, Class A: first place, Overall Figure