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13/09/2007 11:05 AM - (SA) Werlou sets new SA body-building record 140907
"I'm the type of guy who goes flat-out in everything I do, and I don't like losing," the 25-year-old personal trainer from Strand told DistrictMail last week. So when he decided to quit rugby and take up body-building, he gave it his all. What makes Werlou's story even more special is the fact that he suffers from ADHD (attention deficiency and/or hyperactivity disorder) and despite leaving school (Strand High) in Grade 10 and going through a pretty rough patch afterwards, managed to get his life back on track. When he was 19, he decided to go back to school and completed matric at the Mills Street Art School in Strand and afterwards qualified as personal trainer through the Exercise Teachers Academy (ETA). Werlou recently moved back to Somerset West after living in Stellenbosch for three years. He is currently an instructor at the V-Plate studio in Strand. "Up until last year I still played rugby for the Stellenbosch Rugby Academy, but sustaining three injuries after each other (hamstring and ankle) made me realise my joints were too stiff for the sport. "I've always been interested in body-building and so I decided to prepare for my first show, the Shameen Classic, which was held at Parow High School on March 31 this year." He won gold in the heavyweight division and silver in the Novice/Light category. Next up was the Muscle Mania show in Parow on July 21 and weighing in at 93,5 kg, Werlou won the heavyweight division. He went on to win the heavyweight title at the SA Novice Champs and was chosen to represent Western Province at the South African Championships during the Western Province Body-building Champs. The SA Champs was held in Randburg from August 29 to September 1 and this time Werlou walked away the middleweight champion. Although he won, Werlou was not chosen for the SA team because his posing still needs a bit of work, but he hopes to stand on the world stage next year. Werlou says it is also his dream to one day start a rehabilitation centre with sport facilities for youngsters involved with drugs, with the help of his girlfriend, Yvandi Lubbe. "By getting the children involved in sport, they will get a sense of belonging once again. "Children who are troubled, are often not understood by others, but usually they are strong individuals who have the ability to become champions," he says. But for the time being, he wants to prepare for the next body-building season by bulking up and building some extra quality muscle. Body-building is hard work and during the "in-season" Werlou spends about three hours in the gym, each day doing mostly cardiovascular exercises. He also needs to follow a special diet and eats six to seven meals a day which include 200 - 300 g of protein. Various supplements also have to be taken to keep the body in top shape, which is very expensive. "During the 'off-season' the aim is to increase your size and carbohydrates and protein shakes are added to the diet," says Werlou. During this period he spends about two hours in the gym every day, mostly working with weights to increase his muscle size. Although he does most of the hard work keeping his body in shape, Werlou says he owes his success to many people, especially his family, who supported him all the way. "I also met some very nice people of the IFBB (International Federation of Body Building), including Gavin and Bev Conlon, Shameen Adams, Deon, Johan and Mary, who helped me by giving advice on posing, nutrition etcetera." Although his sister, Lou-Vern, was his first sponsor, his support group has grown since then, thanks to the efforts of Peter Walker. Among the people and businesses he would like to thank are Perfect Health in Stellenbosch, Body Elite, Al Forno Pizzeria, Oompie Buoy and Lollo Visagie, The Tavern, Bar Code, Wesbank, Novel Motors (Paarl), Strand High School Arende Bond, Lizzy Kruger and Tjaart Kruger. Individuals or businesses who would like to sponsor Werlou, may deposit their donations into his father, Louis van Tonder's cheque account at Helderberg FNB, branch code 271344, account number 621 4897 4670, or phone Yvandi Lubbe on 073 166 1209 for further information.
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