by Leigh Penman
The competitive season is well underway now and one of the major events on the women’s calendar – The Tampa Pro – is fast approaching. So, with that in mind I thought it was time to catch up with one of the front runners, Tina Chandler, and find out a little bit more about this relative newcomer and her meteoric rise to pro status…
First of all, I believe you have a gymnastic background…how did you get interested in gymnastics and what level did you reach?
“Yes, I do have a gymnastics background. It was my ‘everything’ when I was a little girl! For some reason, I always dreamt of being a gymnast from as far back as I can remember – even when my family lived on a farm in Louisiana. I think I must have seen it on TV and felt deep down that I could do that too! Turned out that I was right!
“When we moved to Texas (I was 7yrs old) my mother found a way to enroll me into beginner classes. Within a year, I was competing and progressed very quickly over a 5 yr period. At 13, I had to make a choice to move to Colorado with my coach to train for the ’92 Olympics or call it quits. I called it quits due to the fact that I couldn’t bear the responsibility of the cost on my family. Up until then, that was the hardest decision I had ever had to make and I was very sad for a long time. It was always very emotional to watch the Olympics after that.”
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So when did the progression to bodybuilding begin and what triggered your interest?
“When I was 13 and had just quit gymnastics, I immediately looked for the best way to maintain the conditioning I had worked so hard for while being a gymnast. I was fully aware of my muscularity and did not want to lose it! That was when I started weightlifting. I just liked being in shape. I looked up to all the greats, like Lenda Murray and Cory Everson who were in the magazines at that time and learned a lot from reading about them and their training techniques I knew I could do it if I wanted to, but I guess my priorities were more in school and athletics. Everyone around me always encouraged me to compete, but it wasn’t until later that I finally gave in and put some effort into seeing what I was actually capable of. I was 30 when I finally did my first show.”
It only took you three short years to get your pro card in what is after all a highly competitive division, what do you attribute your rapid success to?
“I would be silly not to attribute my success to the background of physical conditioning and personal discipline I gained from gymnastics. I also believe a good amount of symmetry was developed because of it as well. The rest, I think, was up to me and my knowledge of the body and training methods. Most of all though my rapid success can simply be attributed to the fact that I wanted it and went after it with nothing to get in my way. I am not one to half-do anything. In this sport (and in life) you simply should not hold back or let anything get in your way!”
Now you had some shoulder problems not that long ago, what exactly happened?
“I can’t remember exactly what happened that my shoulder began to give me problems. All I do remember is that, for some reason, I was unable to do any kind of presses overhead. It’s not like I had injured myself while doing something on the weights or lifting too heavy. Sometimes it can be an impingement from too much tension or who knows! All I can say is that I just did the exercises that didn’t bother that particular area and carried on. I have always been very cautious and meticulous about form and preventing injuries while working out. So far, I have a great track record! You might add that to one of the reasons for my success too…I have not had to take time off or anything due to injury, thank goodness!’
Can you give us an idea of a workout you were doing at that time and how it differs from your regular routine?
“My regular routine would normally consist of some compound movement, such as overhead DB Press or a Clean and Press. I was unable to incorporate those. I stayed with single movement isolations, such as DB Side Laterals or DB Front Laterals, etc…”
You are also a massage therapist…how do you think bodybuilders can benefit from regular massage?
“I think it is just as necessary as it is to doing the workouts and eating the way we do! Massage therapy helps all systems in the body detoxify and calms the nervous system. All the lactic acid that builds up from the anaerobic activity is what causes soreness. Massage helps ‘flush’ that out of our tissues. Our bodies and spines also become very compressed while lifting and building stronger muscles. Massage helps create space again where our bodies have contracted and, in turn, allows our joints to move freely the way they were meant to! I could even attribute my shoulder problem to a very tight neck, which is VERY common! I can easily say that 9 out of 10 shoulder issues are coming from the neck! Also, for those who don’t stretch as often as they SHOULD (you know who you are!)…at least massage will help with some of that too. Another ‘huge’ benefit from massage is added SIZE! Bodybuilders can benefit greatly in terms of growth because of the rapid recovery and physical ‘space’ it creates for your muscles to grow in to.”
When it comes to your diet you have said that you keep your ‘cheat day’ in there right up until 1 week before a show…what is a cheat day for you?
“Well, I will say that pizza is a common denominator for most of them. Last year, I was having a clean egg white breakfast then a bagel and cream cheese and some kind of protein, then a ½ pizza, then probably some turkey and rice cakes with almond butter and then a pasta dinner or something like that. The cheat day really works for me. It seems to actually help me get leaner, faster. It’s rather easy too, that’s why I am able to stay in shape year round and just diet a little harder for the shows.”
In terms of your regular diet what macro nutrient ratios do you favor?
“I would say it is probably 50 % protein, 25% carbs, 25% fat”
So you are looking at the Tampa Pro this year, I have to ask though, how do you feel about the fact that Women’s Bodybuilding is being omitted from this year’s NY Pro?
“Yes, I am looking at doing the Tampa Pro this year! I think it is terrible we have been omitted from the NY show!! I think it’s a blatant atrocity! And very unnecessary!”
What are your thoughts on the recent editions to the women’s contests….bikini and more recently physique?
“I am a huge advocate of fitness for EVERYONE in every walk of life. The way I view these extra divisions is just a way for more women to be involved in a fitness lifestyle. At first, it seemed that bikini just totally undermined the seriousness of what we go through, but I know that eventually every one of those girls will come to respect the process as they get more competitive…which they WILL!! And it is because they will all become more competitive and want to improve that I think physique is just fine too. It’s the nature of any athlete to want to be BETTER. No matter what level they enter, they WILL want to be better and eventually move up to the next division of muscularity, which is where the bodybuilders are!”
You have expressed, and I am sure many others will agree, that women should receive the same level of compensation that men do in the sport. What do you think it will take for this to happen?
“I am not exactly sure what it will take to get us there. I am certain that all of us women need to be as out-going and attentive in public as we can. The more appeal we have, the better. It is a wide misconception that our ‘look’ is not favored. That is certainly NOT the reaction I get everywhere! Most people, including women, want to build toned bodies and learn from us. We have just as much to offer as the guys do and we work for it! It is time we worked for more equal payouts. I have a feeling that there is no one in the higher ranks (who decides where the money goes) that is representing the women where it counts. It just feels to me that the final decision is up to someone with the freedom to do as they please, instead of an organization that has ‘checks and balances’, so that things are done fairly. I do not understand why it is so uneven!”
Finally what can we expect to see from Tina Chandler come the Tampa Pro this year?
“Hopefully, the best I have been yet! A little thicker and a lot drier. I am definitely looking forward to a great year!”
Leigh Penman
