An upcoming issue in Inside Fitness Magazine will have a familiar face for those into fitness in Yorkton.
Alicia Simoneau will be featured in a photo shoot in the publication.
“Inside Fitness Magazine had a model search in 2013 and I ended up taking a shot at it since it was only one week after the Provincial Championships so I was in shape for it,” said Simoneau. “To my huge surprise I won and I had a two-page feature inside their July 2013 issue.”
Each year the publication does a special edition to kick things off.
“Inside Fitness has an annual issue each January that they call the Hot & Fit 100 in which the top 100 fitness women from across Canada are featured in that issue,” said Simoneau. “Female athletes and fitness models have the entire year to enter, and at the end of the year 100 out of the thousands of entries are chosen by the magazine. I was entered into the 2013 issue by my photographer, Glen Grant out of Toronto, and I made the top-100 for that year and was featured in the January 2014 Hot & Fit 100 issue. It was an amazing year for my fitness career that is for sure, as I also opened the doors to the Pumphouse Athletic Club in Yorkton that same year!
“After the National Championships this past summer, I went to Toronto for a photoshoot with Fitness and Physique photographer, Glen Grant. Again, Glen entered my photo in the Hot & Fit 100 this year, and again I made it.”
Making the issue again was great, said Simoneau.
“I am always surprised,” she said. “I compete for the self-satisfaction that I get, not for any recognition. I like to compete against the athlete that I was the year before. Making the top 100 for the second time, was a huge honour and very humbling.” =
But, was there any concerns about possible ‘sexism’ in an era where some are concerned with that aspect of women’s sport?
“You know, I never worry about that,” said Simoneau. “I am an average, small town Saskatchewan girl. I am big into hunting and outdoors. I rarely wear makeup and I hate getting dolled up. I love fitness modelling, but it’s not what I am on a day to day basis. I am never concerned with what someone else might think of me, or what might be said about me. I do what I want and what makes me happy.”
What about the reaction of family and friends, or even strangers recognizing her and thinking her ‘hot’?
“My family and friends are always so supportive,” offered Simoneau. “It means so much to me to have such a strong support system. My members at the Pumphouse Athletic Club have been amazing these past two-years. I have hundreds of members that support me and encourage me and that definitely helps push me to be my best. When I know they are all watching me and rooting for me, well that just kicks my motivation into high gear.”
Originally from Mistatim, a small town about three hours straight north of Yorkton, Simoneau moved to Yorkton in 2007 after spending 11-years in Saskatoon.
“I graduated from the U of S with a four-year Bachelor Degree, and afterwards worked in Social Work and Corrections,” she explained. “I worked many years towards my goal of sitting on the parole board, and the day I finally was to begin training for this, was the day I just picked up and moved to Yorkton.
“I had only been in Yorkton once before in my life as a kid. I didn’t have a place to live and I didn’t have a plan – all I knew was that I wanted to pursue owning my own business in the fitness industry, and from my research, Yorkton was a perfect spot.
“I started out with opening a sports nutrition store, renting space in the old Heiser’s Health and Fitness, which burned down in 2010. After that, I spent the next three years working on building the Pumphouse Athletic Club, opening the doors in 2013, a dream I had since I was 14-years-old.”
With her interest from a business perspective fitness training was a natural simultaneous path.
“I have always been athletic, always played sports and took my training seriously,” said Simoneau. “I used to follow the pro bodybuilders as a teenager. I loved reading articles about Arnold Schwarzenegger, and female athletes like Monica Brant. I was amazed by their physiques and I respected the hard work and dedication.
“I knew I wanted to do that, train hard and stand on stage and compete. In the sport of bodybuilding, your biggest competition is yourself — I love that. You just have to focus on being the best you that you have ever been, and then you’ve won, no matter where you place on stage. It’s also a sport that takes years. It takes a long time to build a physique worthy of the national stage and its hard work. I love that too.”
Simoneau explained, in the sport of bodybuilding there are several different categories.
First, there is the Bikini Division – this is judged on an overall whole package – beach body, healthy skin and hair, an overall soft and beautiful appearance.
Next is the Figure Division – which is what I do. This category is judged for an athletic and muscular appearance but still feminine. Beauty and poise, confidence and an overall balanced physique. Over muscularity and over leanness are marked down. Posing on stage is a little more relaxed and gentle.
Next is Women’s Physique – this is more muscle, more leanness and vascularity. Posing is feminine but more along the lines of what you expect from bodybuilders.
Then there is bodybuilding. This is all about the muscle, shape, conditioning and overall package.
“I have been competing in Figure for 10-years,” said Simoneau. “My first show was in 2006 and I have stepped on stage six times since then, most recently this past summer when I competed in Halifax at the Canadian Bodybuilding Federation’s National Championships representing Saskatchewan. Many girls end up switching categories, it is common.
“I will always stay in the Figure Division; I like the balance of femininity and muscularity that this division offers. I love being strong and I love lifting heavy weights. I love to train for this division – I love how it gives me the opportunity to show others, especially other women that you can achieve whatever it is you want if you set your mind to it.”
Simoneau stays dedicated to her training regime.
“I typically work out five-six days a week, always taking one full rest day,” she said. “I only spend 45-minutes per workout. Contrary to what many believe, I don’t spend countless hours in the gym at one time, and I also do very little cardio.”
