From lockdown weights to 'bodybuilding Olympics'

A woman who only began lifting weights in lockdown has qualified for an elite competition in Las Vegas she described as the "Olympics of bodybuilding".

Sophie Gregory, from Eastern Green in Coventry, will be competing in the fitness category at Olympia in September, a professional competition which launched the acting career of former winner Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Gregory, a former GB youth gymnast, qualified after placing second in a show in Reno, Nevada, then first in the Toronto Pro competition in Canada.

She puts her success down to genetics, her gymnastics background and her "relentless work ethic".

The mum-of-one, 34, started weight training in 2021, and began to compete the following year.

She said judges told her she needed to go away and "grow some legs and learn to pose".

So she took two years off to train and "ate a lot, put on about 12kg".

When her mum died last February, she decided to honour her memory by entering the fitness category of bodybuilding competitions.

The fitness division requires athletes to both achieve a honed physique, and perform a two minute routine.

"You've got to look really toned and buff," Gregory explained. "You've also got to do a two minute gymnastics performance."

Her performances, which have achieved perfect scores, include high kicks, straddle jumps, strength moves and flips.

While she described herself as "genetically gifted", she also credited her coach at Team Pro Coach for helping her achieve in eight months what took most competitors years.

"Doing gymnastics from such a young age, I do have a very good base line in terms of muscle," she said.

"I've got a relentless work ethic. I train 28 hours a week. Whatever my coach tells me to do I just go in, I get it done, regardless of how I feel.

"Once you start following through on the commitments you've made to yourself, that's when the confidence is really built."

Gregory described her 13-year son as her "why", and said he was "screaming" support for her from the side lines.

"Whenever I'm having a tough day, all I have to do is draw my strength from being a mum to him and being able to show him that anything is possible in this life if you continue to work hard," she said.

Her goal is "to go and win" at Olympia, though she would be happy with "at least top three, because that means I don't have to requalify next year".

She also wants to get into the 2027 Arnold Sports Festival, which will be staged in both Ohio and Birmingham.

"I have to do a competition at elite level on my home turf. It just has to be done," Gregory added.

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