Gemma’s incredible body transformation sees her lift NI toned figure trophy

Gemma’s incredible body transformation sees her lift NI toned figure trophy

29 April 2015

FOR Gemma Toner, lifting her first weights was like falling in love. So passionate did she become about her new-found sport that she has dedicated the past 18 months to becoming the best in her field.

Undertaking a gruelling training regime under the watchful eye of a personal trainer, Gemma’s body has been transformed, shedding body fat to attain award-winning muscle definition and definition.

Gemma’s hard work paid off at the weekend when she she took home the winning trophy at the National Amateur Body Builders Association (NABBA) Northern Ireland area show at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

As part of her prize, which includes free access to a fitness instructor training course, Gemma has now qualified for the British finals, which will be held in Southport on June 6.

A qualified physiotherapist from Ballylucas outside Downpatrick, 22 year-old Gemma says her interest in physiology and anatomy has probably added to her fascination with bodybuilding.

Introduced so recently to the sport, she says it became so engrossing that she gave up her lifelong involvement in Gaelic football so she could properly focus her time on weight training.

“I have always been fit enough and did PE at school for A-level,” she says. “I always played Gaelic football but then I started going to the gym and fell in love with it.

“I am focused 100% on this, I would not have time for football.

“I really enjoy training by myself and it was amazing to see the transformation in my body. Even a few weeks makes a difference.”

Although Gemma says there are more women taking part in the sport every year, she says the pool of female participants locally is still quite small.

“It is so rewarding to see the results that more women are becoming involved,” she said.

“My body shape has massively changed, even since my last competition. The definition and reduction in body fat is noticeable as my focus has been on putting on muscle and stripping fat.

“It is exciting and I am very focused.”

Gemma says she has allowed herself a few days break after winning the Northern Ireland finals and will now get back to her coach to prepare for the next five weeks after which she will travel to Southport for her biggest competition to date.