Written by Ben Cox – Local bodybuilding enthusiast Keven Parsons is preparing to compete in the Ronnie Coleman Classic competition this Saturday at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

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36 year old Parsons, who works locally at 3M, has been training for competitions like the Ronnie Coleman Classic for the last year at Brownwood Fitness Center under BFC trainer Roy Stone.

“It takes a lot of dedication and effort, especially as a competition gets closer, to keep working towards your goals” says Stone. “It has been even harder for Kevin since he works for 3M having to train around shift work and remain dedicated to that work ethic.”

“I got into this after my mom passed away as a way to deal with everything that was going on. I started working out more than I had been and thought ‘I could do this’ so I am,” says Parsons, who goes by KP.

There are several classifications in bodybuilding, Parsons will be competing this weekend in the Men’s Physique classification, which primarily focuses on the upper body. Judging criteria looks at two things, Muscularity and Body Condition, as well as stage presence and personality. 

Contestants enter the stage barefoot, wearing board shorts. Proper shape and symmetry of muscularity as well as overall condition play into the Body Condition portion of the results, and a successful display of a contestants personality is a key factor in the Stage Presence aspect.

Stone said “There are four positions each competitor has to hit, and they have under 20 seconds to show each position,” using a variety of poses to do so.

Parsons won 1st in his division last fall when he took part in his first competition. He has competed in several events since then, and has been working towards the Ronnie Coleman event for a few months, which is one of the largest competitions in the state. He has been a member at Brownwood Fitness for around three years.

Parsons says he has to make a decision about which direction he plans to head with bodybuilding. He has a chance to compete in a National competition which could lead to becoming a professional, or he could follow another route and work up to it. “It’s become a lot more than I evert thought,” says Parsons. “I never thought I’d ever become that (a professional).”

Brownwood Fitness Center is located downtown at 104 Center Avenue, and is owned by Jodie and Shane Easley. Members have access to the gym 24/7, but classes and other instruction are available during regular business hours. More information about the gym can be found on their website.

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