Laura Zambon (pictured) is a happy friendly face, and School Learning Support Officer at Hay Public School.

She has recently competed in her second amateur lifting competition. Her trainer residing in Adelaide, Laura made the trip over to South Australia to compete in a powerlifting competition at a gym called 618 Barbell.

“I figured I would just take a trip over, sign up and see how I went,” Laura said.

Laura currently competes in the novice competitions, meaning they aren’t sanctioned and anyone can have a go.

“Not everything went to plan,” Laura said, chuckling.

“There had been gastro going around the school, and I wasn’t feeling the best the day of the competition, but I still had a go.

“I was really pleased with how I went though; I attained a personal best on the last deadlift.

“The deadlift is my favourite, and I really enjoy the competitions, the vibe.

“Everyone gets right into it; they are really fun.”

Laura is looking forward to going back later in the year, and is constantly looking to improve.

Fitness has been an interest and enjoyment of Laura’s for many years.

She will be heading back in September to have another go.

There is a lot of gym training which goes into preparation for the competitions.

Laura says she increases the weight and strenuosity of her workouts as the competition draws closer.

“It gives you an idea of what you want to do on the day, and you go from low to high, giving it the most effort on the last try,” she said.

In any competition, there are three tries of each different category; squats, bench press, and Laura’s favourite the deadlift.

It is Laura’s second competition, only having entered her first competition last year.

There aren’t a lot of preparations to do diet wise, if anything she increases the amount of protein she consumes daily.

She gets her protein from whole foods wherever possible, including a lot of chicken, meats and cheeses.

Laura doesn’t mind protein water, and prefers certain flavours including Diamond Labs Peach. She also has a lot of risottos.

When she was younger, Laura was an avid netball player, but after injuring her shoulder she then turned to the gym and never looked back.

The gym can be a place which puts many off and makes them feel intimidated, but Laura says it is a friendly place.

“Everyone is welcoming and helpful, and it is a good place to be,” she said.

“The hardest thing is getting there, once you are there it is good.

“Just have a crack and get into it, waiting for motivation means you might be waiting a while.

“Making a routine out of it, deciding what you are going to do and why you are going to do it.

“That is what has worked for me.”