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Clare Taubman (Hendy): WBFF Pro Figure Athlete Reveals Her Fitness Secrets

clare taubman

Clare Hendy (Tubman) is a WBFF Pro Figure Athlete and Manager/Personal Trainer at Lougars Gym.

Competition History:

2006 Ms. South Britain Champion UKBFF (Bodyfitness)

2006 UKBFF British Championships, 3rd (Bodyfitness)

2007 NPC Emerald cup (USA) 158cm, 5th (Figure)

2007 UKBFF British Championships, 2nd (Bodyfitness)

2008 IFBB Amateur World Championships (Spain) (Bodyfitness up to 158cm)

2008 UKBFF British Championships, 4th (Bodyfitness)

2009 IFBB Amateur World Championships (Italy) (Bodyfitness up to 158cm)

2009 IFBB Amateur World Cup (Madrid) (Bodyfitness)

*Pro status WBFF Pro Figure

2010 WBFF Pro Figure World Championships 4th (Figure)

Clare Taubman is an exceptionally talented WBFF Pro Figure Athlete in conversation with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are from Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. You have been into the sport of bodybuilding since you were just 14 years of age. You reached the pinnacle of success by winning many professional figure competitions including standing 4th when you represented the UK in the WBFF World Championships in Canada. Tell us about your journey that took you to the world of fitness and as a winner in Professional Figure competitions?

Ms. Clare Taubman: I started in track when I was in my teens and used weight training alongside my athletics. I quickly fell in love with the challenge of lifting weights and how it made me feel, as well as how it started to change my physique. I love feeling strong, it gives you an inner confidence that always stays with you. The IFBB figure category was launched back in 2003, and as soon as I saw this I wanted to give it a try. I was inspired at first glance by IFBB Olympia Chapion Monica Brant who had just made a switch from the “Fitness” category to the new “Figure” category.

I just decided to focus my training solely on weights and stopped competing in track, then entered my first show in 2006 (UKBFF South Coast Championships) and won. From here I went on to the British Championships (which I competed at 3 times) and then received invites to the IFBB world Championships during this time also. It was in 2010 when I received an invite and my Pro card to compete at my first professional figure competition in the WBFF World Pro Figure Championships in Canada, alongside my role model, and good friend the legendary Monica Brant where I came 4th.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar: How your experience and background of many years in bodybuilding and winner at Professional Figure competitions coupled has helped you in carving your present profession of being a fitness model and a fitness trainer?

Ms. Clare Taubman: For me training is part of who I am, I train and diet the way I do all year round as it is my lifestyle. Competing became an expression of that aspect of my life. I am at my happiest when I train, it is as much of a release mentally as it is physically and it is where I feel completely myself. Competing at world level has definitely helped shape me more as a person. It teaches you a lot about yourself, the dedication, sacrifice and determination you need to have to compete at such level then transcends across every aspect of your life, whether it is using that strength and mind set to build a successful business, help other achieve their goals, or even with family life.

My experience over the past 20 years has without doubt helped me become a more knowledgable trainer, in a way that courses can’t teach you. Fitness should be a lifestyle and consistency is key when you are trying to change your physique. There are many ups and downs, life can throw you many obstacles and it is how you chose to react to these that makes all the difference.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Share your exercise routine that you do to maintain such a bikini perfect physique?

Ms. Clare Taubman: I have built up enough muscle over the years so now it is a case of maintaining that muscle and shaping it to keep my physique nice and balanced. So I now train with weights 3 times a week. However if you are just starting out then I would recommend maybe 4 days a week maximum. More is not better with weight training as rest is vital to actually help your muscles grow.

As women we don’t naturally build muscle very easily due to our low testosterone, so don’t make a common mistake be afraid to lift heavy weights. This will not make you “bulky” it will only help you get a nice firm shapely toned body. I don’t do a lot of chest and arms any more as I find this easy to maintain, chest for women is not as important as other muscle aesthetically (just train chest enough to keep postural balance, and strength, and arms get used allot during other compound movements)

Sundays: Legs:
Olympic Bar Squats 3 x 10-20
Walking Lunges 3 x 20
Leg Press 3 x 20-30
Leg Extensions 2 x 10-15
Lying Leg Curls 2 x 12-20
Stiff Leg Deadlifts. 2 x 15-20

Tuesdays: Shoulders and Arms:
Seated Dumbbell Press 3 x 8-12
Dumbbell Lateral Raises 3 x 12-15
Rear Dealt Flyes 3 x 12-20
Dumbbell Front Raise 3 x 15-20
Tricep Dips 3 sets to failure
Lying French Press 2 x 10-12
Straight Bar Bicep Curls 2 x 8-15
Dumbbell Bicep Curls 2 x 10-20

Thursdays: Back and Chest (push-pull session)
Lat Pull Downs 3 x 10-12
Seated Rows 3 x 10-15
Deadlifts 3 x 8-12
1 Arm Dumbbell Rows 2 x 8-12
Incline Dumbbell Press 3 x 8-12
Pec Dec Flyes 2 x 15-20
Flat Bench Press in to Press Ups 2 sets to failure.

My Core I train on non-weight training days, A mixture of exercises to hit every angle.

My cardio sessions vary depending on how lean I am needing to be. About 12 weeks out from contest or a photoshoot I will gradually increase my cardio on a weekly basis depending nohow my body is looking. If I am “off season” I will probably do 2-3 sessions a week maximum, it is important to let your body rest and recover at times also.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your diet? Do you take a particular fixed regulated diet comprising of nutrients and vitamins to keep you in perfect health?

Ms. Clare Taubman: I eat the same foods all year, but my macros will change again depending on up and coming photoshoots or competitions. I don’t eat meat so protein wise I eat fish, egg whites, and now and again whey protein shakes. For carbohydrates I will eat gluten free oats, wholegrain rice and sweet potatoes. My fats come from hemp oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds, avocados and nut butters. As for vegetable I love all veg and salads so eat these a lot. I personally stay away from dairy as I find my figure looks better without it.

An example of my diet would be:

MEAL 1: 1/2 cup oats, 4 egg whites, Organic Peanut Butter.
MEAL 2: Sweet potato pancake, made with:100g sweet potato, 2 egg whites, 1/4 cup coconut flour and cinnamon. I use sugar free syrup.
MEAL 3: Fish with salad and 1/2 cup wholegrain rice
MEAL 4: 2 scoops whey protein, and apple and tablespoon peanut butter
MEAL 5: Fish and vegetable stir-fry
MEAL 6: Omelette or another protein shake.

I take a multi vitamin, CLA and Glucosamine sulphate all year round. I also use a good low carb whey protein shake.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What is your motivation to take a multi-faceted personality of a fitness model, professional figure competitor, personal trainer and nutritional expert ?

Ms. Clare Taubman: It may sound cheesy but I am my own motivation, I just love training, it is who I am, I love keeping in shape, and I am always striving to become better. I think you can never stop learning, and I will always experiment on myself so I fully understand how something works before I get a client to do it. I think it is this understanding that really makes a difference when you are training someone.

Clare Taubman on Women Fitness:

Womenfitness.net is a fantastic source of inspiration, motivation, and knowledge for all women wanting to learn more, and keep the passion to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hair to make them look so stunning?

Ms. Clare Taubman: I think as a woman you need to eat good essential fats (from avocado, coconut oils, nuts and seeds) this really helps with your hair and skin, and nails. It is important to start on the inside. I also drink at least 3-4 litres of water a day and have never drunk alcohol. For my skin I love to use Bio Oil and use this daily. Another great product is by Truself Organics, I use their Detoxifying Mask Kit Once A Week.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Fitness modelling is about bold photo shoots. What advice you wish to give to the women of today to be body confident in order to do such bold modeling?

Ms. Clare Taubman: I would say that it is easy to forget when looking through social media and magazines that these are people best photos, it can create a false body image. You will be surprised how good you can look and feel when you have a professional taking photos of you. They will pick your best angles, and remember you are in control of what images you can show to people. We all have different body shapes and different looks. Experiment with poses and positions that flatter your personal shape. Don’t try to copy anyone just be yourself, pick an outfit that reflects your own style and more importantly that you feel comfortable in. If you are acting natural and look comfortable on camera then this will show in your pictures and they will look fabulous. Don’t be afraid to experiment, take a few selfies so you can see what works and what does not. Lastly just have fun, enjoy the experience!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding professional figure competitor girls who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to ladder of success in field of professional figure competitions?

Ms. Clare Taubman: Firstly train for the right reasons, train because it makes you happy and feel good for yourself. Always strive to be the best version of YOU. Then if you want to take it further and compete, do your research. Maybe find a trainer who understands how to train you for a show and has solid knowledge of competition nutrition plans. If you decide you want to do it yourself, then read as much as you can. There are may federations out there, so do some home work on what categories each federation has, and how the women look in these different classes, each class will progressively get more muscular and slightly more lean. If you can maybe go along to a show first and see how it is run.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us how you felt before and after standing second at the UK Professional Figure Championships?

Ms. Clare Taubman: I can look back now and feel proud of myself, however at the time I was disappointed as I always aim to win. I am still and always have been so competitive, I don’t think that will ever change. However, not winning only helps motivate me to do better.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Elaborate about your training and nutrition DVD, which is aimed not only at competitors but also anyone wanting to sculpt amazing legs and glutes and to receive honest information about diet myths?

Ms. Clare Taubman: Women are obsessed with getting a great pair of legs, after all shapely firm legs look great. All I can say is it takes dedication, and consistency. Both with weight training, cardio, and a good nutrition plan. Forget about quick fixes, there are no magic pills or liquid diets that can get you the body you want. Keep it simple, lift heavy enough weights, intensely to stimulate a change in the muscle (“if it does not challenge you, it does not change you”) Get enough protein, complex carbohydrates, and good fats in to recover, and be consistent.

By the time you have started over and over again on fad diets you could have been almost there if you had done what has been proven for years. There is a lot of information out there, try different exercises and you will soon learn what feels good and works for you. If you need more help maybe hire a trainer to learn from, then go it alone once you feel more confident. Women for years have bought in to this “cardio only” lifestyle, yet no matter how small women get they think they are fat?! This is because they are getting “skinny fat” they shrink but fail to get toned, hence why they still feel overweight. Weight training is the key. We want curves, just toned curves! Get on the weights and see your body change!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us more about your endeavor “Lougars Gym”?

Ms. Clare Taubman: Lougars Gym is owned by My Husband Dr Ian Hendy, also a Pro Natural Bodybuilder. In fact Ian has just won the INBF World Masters Natural Bodybuilding Championships and is a new WNBF Pro bodybuilder. Lougar’s Gym is one of the most unique gyms in Portsmouth, with an amazing history dating back to 1982. Originally owned by Bob Woolger, the gym hosted such Bodybuilding legends as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Platz, Lee Haney, Rich Gaspari, Dorian Yates, Dexter Jackson and even the current Mr Olympia, Phil Heath! Dr Ian Hendy has owned the gym for the past 23 years. The gym is so unique, we have a wonderful motivational and inspiring atmosphere.

Myself and Ian love what we do, training people, and helping them to get the best out of themselves is what makes the long days all worth while. We have so much energy and passion that it is infectious to those around us. We pride ourselves on having over 50 years experience between us, and have amazing members and clients, both in the gym and online. It does not feel like work, it is a great place to be! We are also both now Judges with the UKDFBA a new and up and coming natural federation in the UK, along side this we run competition workshops, which we aim to become more mainstream and help any one of any level wishing to make a change to their lifestyles. We also have a Lougar’s Gym team competing every year at various fitness and bodybuilding shows in the UK and abroad which offers a great support system to those who compete. Our gym is for everyone, we don’t only train athletes, in fact we train many beginners and people from every aspect of life.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your biggest influence and motivation in your path to success ?

Ms. Clare Taubman: Initially it was Monica Brant, and Cory Everson they both epitomised to me what a female physique should be. Then I met Ian (My now Husband). Ian has inspired, and motivated me to become the best I can be, in every aspect of my life. From his dedication to bodybuilding to his academic achievement of getting his PhD.

Over the past two years (due to injury) I have taken time off stage and been on the other side of competing. I helped support Ian win the British and World Championships and realise his dream in becoming a Pro Natural Bodybuilder. We are each others biggest supporters and have both lived this lifestyle since we were 13/14 years old. Ian has supported me through the hardest two years of training and ups and downs due to my injury, and I know he will support my come back to stage in the future. Watching Ian win the World Championships only inspires and fuels me further to do the same!

Ms. Namita Nayyar: Tell us about a memorable experience you still remember about one of the fitness competitions that you wish to share?

Ms. Clare Taubman: This one is easy, it was standing on stage at the WBFF Pro world figure championships next to my idol Monica Brant. She was lovely, in fact all the girls were, we had such fun backstage, and to see Monica Win was amazing! I couldn’t think of a more deserving winner.

Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Clare Taubman: Womenfitness.net is a fantastic source of inspiration, motivation, and knowledge for all women wanting to learn more, and keep the passion to lead a healthier lifestyle. Education is key, so never stop reading and experimenting. Remember keep consistent, keep motivated, and keep up to date on the latest training and nutrition advice online, more importantly womensfitness.net will help you enjoy your fitness journey!

To know more about Clare Taubman (Hendy) check out: http://www.lougars.co.uk/

Women Fitness Team thanks Clare Taubman (Hendy) for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her.

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