UNIVERSAL NUTRITION PRESENTS THE ABC By: Brenda Kelly
The Animal Barbell Club (ABC) has the fastest growing Bodybuilding and Powerlifting events with chapters all around the country and now even the world!
(bob bonham, owner of Strong & Shapely Gym)
The base of this hardcore industry meet on The Universal Nutrition website at: www.AnimalPak.com in the forums. These men and women share not only a love of the sport; they live it to the max. They go to events at local gyms to meet each other and train together in an energetic atmosphere for a few hours.
On March 22, it was a HUGE day at Strong and Shapely Gym owned by Bob Bonham in East Rutherford, NJ for the North New Jersey Animal Club. People came from all over the Tri-State area to experience a true animal workout.
CLICK HERE to see the photos!
Everyone arrived, checked in with gym manger Nicole and Universal Rep. Alex and immediately went off for an animal-style workout in the amazing and famous gym. Hosting the event was Vinnie Galanti who shared nutrition tips and the basics of Bodybuilding in a seminar after the workout.
Vinnie also had a dinner planned for after the event, however a huge tomato pie was there at the gym just to keep the animals properly fed in between.
The record amount of members for one of these events was 49 in South Jersey and about the same amount turned up at this year’s ABBC event at the Arnold Classic. This record was shattered at the Strong and Shapely event with over 72 people!
Some well known industry names showed up to support the Strong and Shapely event including Muscular Development Columnist Gregg Valentino, 2007 National Champion Evan Centopani, up and coming National Competitors PJ Bruan and Super Heavyweight Competitor Al Fortney, Muscle Mag photographer Tony Monchinski, Beautifit owner Kenny Kassel and Fitness Model and writer Brenda Kelly.
Strong and Shapely owner Bob Bonham had this to say:
Universal over the years has been very good to my gym and me. Sponsoring shows, doing shoots here, etc. One of their print ads used in major magazines for months even had a huge plug for my gym in it!
I was very happy to host the event and make every thing perfect that day – as well as shattering the record worldwide!
To contact Strong and Shapely Gym Email: SSGym01@aol.com or go to: www.strong-and-shapely.com.
The comments from the attendees on the website forum after the event were all very motivating.
Had a great time. Had to keep asking Ant, who’s that? Who’s that? Some big fellas were there. Very big gym with a lot of equipment. It was great meeting ones from the board, putting screen names to faces. Looking forward to the Philly gathering.
I wish I would have gotten more pics but as others said the gym was SO big (25,000 sq. feet) that everyone was spread out.
Very cool gym, great equipment. Bob Bonham is an awesome guy and we really appreciate his hospitality. Props to Vinny for organizing this and Jer for helping out. Great day, Gregg Valentino was there (got a pic with him), P.J. Braun was there training and a few other really big dudes.
I wish I could have stayed to eat.
The Jersey gathering was awesome. I wanted to thank Joey D for a hell of a workout and all the advice. The gym was great and the food afterwards really hit the spot. Also following Vinny to the Crows Nest was very scenic…
Had a great time meeting everyone yesterday seeing other animals training hard. Hit legs yesterday and with everyone there I had more motivation to get an awesome workout in. I can’t wait for the next session. Strong and Shapely is a terrific gym need more of them across New Jersey
It was a real good time at Strong and Shapely- One of the BEST gyms EVER!!!!I got to see my old buddy’s Bob Bonham and Kenny Kassel…Jo and I had a great work out- Thanks Big Ant for taking us-YOU ROCK!!!!-It was nice connecting with all the other Animal people–I am starting to remember all the names….Over all a GREAT day with some wonderful people-LIFE IS GOOD!!!!
If you do not live in the US, here are the countries that currently hold ABC events:
International
Australia (Brisbane): Carpe Diem P.T
Australia (Fremantle): coordinator status pending
Australia (Newscastle RAAF): coordinator status pending
Canada (Calgary): coordinator status pending
Canada (Manitoba): coordinator status pending
Canada (Ontario): Stiff
England: Toni69
Holland: coordinator status pending
Korea: coordinator status pending
Phillippines: coordinator status pending
Scotland: coordinator status pending
Sweden (Gothenburg): coordinator status pending
Sweden (Stockholm): coordinator status pending
Wales: coordinator status pending
Military
Baumholder (Germany): coordinator status pending
D-Block (Iraq): apilot
Camp Ali Al Salem (Kuwait): GRUNT
Sicily (Italy): BigCountry021
For The USA Animal Barbell Club event information in your area log onto: www.AnimalPak.com. Go to the Livin’ section in the forum, introduce yourself and make contact.
Most of all keep lifting!
Take care of yourself. You deserve it.
Love,
Brenda Kelly