Clay Ryan shaping up well with bodybuilding wins

Ryan competes in the male fitness model class, which is aimed at displaying a lean, toned physique rather than the traditional raw muscle of other bodybuilding competitions.

Taking on both the novice and open rounds of the Clash at the Coast in Batemans Bay, Ryan says he has taken control of his exercise and diet routines to prosper in his efforts. 

“I feel I have reached a point where I know my body better than anyone else,” Ryan said. 

“So my preparation was a bit different this time doing it myself, but I think I improved on the condition I was in at nationals.”

Ryan is chasing his pro card and said he was absorbing as much experience as he could on the journey, with a welcome boost from the two wins. 

“I was going to have a year off,” Ryan says with a laugh. “But during the off-season I hit a goal of gaining some clean weight.

“So I decided to go after it and chase my next goal of reaching a pro card. 

“I want to earn my pro card and become an ICN pro fitness model.”

The card would qualify him to compete in any of 50 ICN-affiliated countries at the top level of the industry.

However, he’s still a relative newcomer to the sport in just his ninth competition, but said the improvement was palpable. 

“You definitely grow in confidence and stage presence each time you’re up there,” he said. 

He said even seasoned competitors still had a weakness, but a key to competition was recognising those areas and masking them as best you could. 

“You hide that in a pose that shows off only your strengths,” he said. “And I think I’m posing better than the last time I competed.”

One of the key factors was a positive atmosphere in the gym, where Ryan trains almost seven-days-a-week. 

“You’ve got to train in a positive place where you can get your head right,” he said.

“So I want to help Shaun and the crew at United Fitness for their continued support and help.”

Ryan said he had picked up a supplement sponsorship after his appearance at the nationals that had help him shape up for this year. 

There is a pro qualifier coming up in Sydney in two weeks so Ryan said he was working hard to maintain his conditioning. 

“It’s only early in the season and there always new guys coming through, but I hope I’m getting better and just want to keep hitting goals,” he said. 

There is also a competition in Canberra next weekend Ryan is considering entering, while a number of Bega competitors will take on the women’s event. A spokeswoman said about nine ladies were competing and looking forward to it.