Cape High to host bodybuilding and figure competition; Local man participating

[Guest guest]

Cape High to host bodybuilding and figure competition; Local man

participating

http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/news/articles.asp?

articleID=21113

Cape Coral High School will host the Calvin Choy's 2008 NPC Royal

Palm Classic Bodybuilding & Figure Championships on Saturday.

One of the contestants, Picarelli, said he has had a gym

membership for most of his life.

He will join other bodybuilders, including four local trainers, in

the competition starting with pre-judging at 10 a.m. and concluding

with finals at 7 p.m.

" I've been doing it all my life. I've always had a gym membership, "

he said.

Picarelli was in the automotive industry but decided to move to

Florida and begin working full-time as a physical trainer. Currently

he works at Ada's Natural & Organic Food Supermarket in Cape Coral,

which unlike the Fort Myers location features a gym connected to the

health food supermarket.

" That store is slightly bigger with a gym and aerobics, " said

Picarelli.

Within the gym he has the reputation of being the personal trainer

who is willing to take the more difficult clients such as the

physically handicapped or morbidly obese.

" It's not what I specialize in but I have a soft spot for that,

that's how I got into training, " he said.

When Picarelli's son turned 11 he was diagnosed with a disease named

Charcot-Marie-Tooth or CMT, a progressive nerve disorder similar to

multiple sclerosis.

" The only treatment is to keep as physically fit as possible so I

started to train him when he was 11, " said Picarelli.

His son, now 33, became a trainer himself and is now a chiropractor

in Arizona.

On Saturday the bodybuilding championships will showcase muscularity

and flexibility in a series of poses, he explained. It has divisions

for men, women and teenagers.

Also, a number of professional bodybuilders will make an appearance

including IFBB professional Darrem and his son, Renel, as

well as local national level competitor Lloyd Dollar.

In preparation for competitions Picarelli said he trains in the gym

for two hours a day, six days a week, and he adheres to a strict diet

with no fats and very little carbohydrates. His training includes

weight lifting, cardiovascular exercises and posing practice.

Tickets for the event are $35 for VIP seating and $25 for general

seating. Sponsors include Nutrishop Superstores, World Gym Fitness

Centers and Max Muscle.

For more information, tickets or entry forms, contact Calvin Choy at

699-4416.