All about physique
ADAMS TWP — Staying fit and healthy has been a big part of Bill Smolensky’s life for years.
Now the 32-year-old Adams Township resident is getting recognized for it.
Smolensky recently competed in the National Physique Committee (NPC) Natural Pennsylvania Championships at the Carnegie Music Hall in Homestead. He won his division for men’s physique and the overall title for all classes.
He has won his division and the overall title at NPC meets multiple times in past competitions.
“For men’s physique, they go by height when they determine the classes,” Smolensky said. “I competed in the B class, which is for men 5-foot-10 through six feet.”
Smolensky stands 5-11 and weighs 165 pounds. He first began participating in NPC competitions in 2014 and won his division for the fifth time in seven events.
He has been involved in weight training since age 14, when he was a student at Pine-Richland High School. While a college student at Mercyhurst North East in 2004, Smolensky was featured in Muscle and Fitness magazine.
While he goes to the gym often when he’s not training for an event, Smolensky puts himself through a rigorous four-week training program leading into every competition.
“I’ll hit the gym six days a week, for 90 minutes to two hours, do an hour of fast cardio on the treadmill, take on a strict diet to lower body fat,” he said.
Smolensky eats six meals per day — including plenty of lean fish and egg whites — during that period.
When he’s not training, he hits the gym and works on “body splits” during the course of the week.
“One day I’ll work on my legs, another day my back, then my chest ... It’s mainly just keeping everything toned,” Smolensky said.
When it comes to competing?
“I love it,” Smolensky said. “I’ve trained so long for so many years, that to finally use my body to compete against others is exciting. It’s an adrenaline rush.”
Bodybuilding is about being the biggest in the competition. Men’s physique is about being proportionate and athletic.
Smolensky has never competed outside of the Pittsburgh area.
“This is a great area to do this sort of thing because NPC has major events in Pittsburgh,” Smolensky said. “There’s no need to travel far.”
The NPC Pittsburgh meet will be held at Soldiers and Sailors Hall in May. Smolensky will likely skip that one and will next compete at the North American Championships in Pittsburgh toward the end of next summer.
He plans to add muscle mass between now and then.
“That’s why I won’t enter a competition until then,” Smolensky said. “That four-week training period results in dropping weight and I want to gain five to 10 pounds of muscle over the next year.
“It will be 100 percent good weight. There will be competitors from North America, Canada and Mexico at the (North American) championships. Win there and you can get your pro card. That’s what I’m going for next.”
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