By Rebecca Drew
MEET the super fit British Army Lance corporal who first broke four powerlifting records when he was just 15-years-old and can now squat almost 30-stone in weight and has his sights set on taking part in his first bodybuilding competition in June this year.
Growing up, Will Andrews (22) from Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, UK, was always in to sports and first started working out at the gym when he was 13, competing in powerlifting since he was 15. Continuing with the competitive sport, Will has already broke the army junior squat record with an impressive 185kg.
He is now in training for his first bodybuilding competition, training in the gym for an hour and a half each day before starting work in the army at eight in the morning consistently for four years now. Before, Will weighed 11st 11lb and he’s now 10st 7lbs. Will discussed how he first got into fitness and the benefits of bodybuilding.
“I was always into my sports, my parents were very supportive but not too keen on the idea of me bodybuilding however after some bargaining they agreed to let me enter my first powerlifting competition,” said Will.
“I have been competing in the sport with the army up until this year. However, the goal of competing in natural bodybuilding has always been in the back of my mind and this is the perfect year for me to dedicate my training and efforts towards that goal.
“My first competition will be in June this year so I’m still a while out so physically I’m feeling great and very motivated.
“After years of strength training I feel I have given myself a great foundation to build upon.
“Bodybuilding gives you discipline and self-control. There are some great benefits, in myself I feel the fittest and strongest I’ve ever been.
“However, there is an added pressure on your day to day life, meal prepping and avoiding binges are just a few of them.”
Will joined the army when he was 17 and was deployed to Iraq when he was 20 and is currently still serving. He talked about his bodybuilding struggles and shared his advice to others.
“My biggest hurdle was diet and nutrition, I’ve never really taken it to seriously until this year,” he added.
“There are times you do get hungry especially when you’re trying to lose weight. Being in the army is already quite a demanding job without the added pressures of dieting and training.
“The army’s pretty big on powerlifting so it helped get me noticed. However, going on an unavoidable boot run does add an additional pressure onto your body.
“I will always encourage and help anyone who I can in the gym I’m no expert however, my top advice would be to find a respected coach, don’t believe everything you read in magazines or the internet.
“The biggest factor for progression in both bodybuilding and power lifting is time and consistency.”
For more information see www.instagram.com/willandrews65
