Mindi to the max: IFBB fitness pro Mindi O'Brien proves that a hard woman is good to find

Flex, July, 2009 by Shawn Perine

LIKE MOST KIDS WHOSE PARENTS ENROLL THEM IN GYMNASTICS CLASS, Canada's Mindi O'Brien reveled in the opportunity to leap, flip and pounce to her heart's content. The native Ontarian would continue competing in gymnastics on a provincial level from the age of seven to 22. Unlike most kids whose parents enroll them in gymnastics class, O'Brien found a way to segue her passion for pikes into adulthood--as a pro fitness competitor.

Name: Mindi O'Brien

Age: 35

Height: 5'4"

Weight: 132-135 pounds (offseason);

124-126 pounds (contest)

Current residence: St. Catharines, Ontario

Latest contest: Fitness International, 10th

Career highlights: 2008 Fitness Olympia, 7th; 2008 Atlantic City Pro, 2nd; 2006 Europa Super Show, 2nd; 2004 Southwest USA Pro Cup winner

MINDI'S

PRECONTEST WORKOUT SPLIT

DAY1          Shoulders and calves

DAY 2         Back and abs

DAY 3

  5 AM        Practice fitness routine

  Evening     Chest and calves

DAY 4         Legs

DAY 5         Arms and abs

DAYS 6 AND 7  Outdoor activity (e.g., hiking)
              and train for fitness routine

NOTES: O'Brien does various types of cardio five or six mornings per
week; she does weight training and more cardio in the afternoons.

MINDI'S

ARM ROUTINES

EXERCISE                         SETS  REPS

BICEPS

Standing alternating              l *   8-12
dumbbell curls                    4    15-20

Rope hammer cable curls           3     8-12

EZ-bar preacher curls             3     812
(close grip)

Incline dumbbell curls            1    12-15

TRICEPS

Cable pushdowns                   1*   15-20

                                   4    8-12

Close-grip bench presss            3    8-15

EZ-bar tying triceps extensions    3    8-15

Reverse grip cable pushdowns       3    8-15

* Warm-up

"I like getting a good sweat going. I love the feel of the weights in the gym. It's a challenge and when I overcome it, I feel a real sense of accomplishment."

"Many people think my biceps are a lot bigger than they actually are. They're only 13.5", but because I have small joints and full muscle bellies, they appear larger."

"The heaviest dumbbells I've ever curled were 55s, but I don't always train heavy. Some days, I work more on shaping exercises with moderate or light weights."

"You have to be patient in this sport. It's all about the daily grind. Being there day in and day out is the only way to get anywhere. Rome wasn't built in a day."

NOW AT FLEXONLINE

Want more Mindi? Check out our bonus gallery from our exclusive LA. photo shoot at flexonline.com.

BY SHAWN PERINE

SENIOR WRITER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAVEL YTHJALL