Newman mum pumps iron

In coming months, a Newman resident will travel to Melbourne and Perth to compete in bodybuilding competitions.

Personal trainer Megan Chandler has already spent weeks preparing to take part in the physique category of the FITX Amateur Championships and the O'Mara Classic and International Federation of Bodybuilding World Champs Qualifier.

Eight weeks out from her first competition, the mother-of-three was confident she had overcome the metabolic damage she suffered during preparation for her first competition 18 months ago.

"Unfortunately at the very beginning I had a pretty bad coach - in this industry it is quite easy to fall into the hands of untrustworthy creatures," she said.

"I got metabolic damage, which is when your calories are too low … that damaged my body quite a bit so from that comp to this comp … I've been trying to fix my metabolism.

"Now I'm dealing with a nutritionist from the USA … and with this comp prep my body is responding better and reacting better, I'm doing it the right way this time."

Each day after taking care of her children, Chandler trains, lifting weights five times a week and doing cardio exercise three times.

But she wasn't always a bodybuilder and first became involved in the sport through a friend.

"Before I competed, I had never really lifted weights, I was more a group fitness runner," Chandler said.

"Then it started to become a bit more popular and I had a friend that was doing a different division and I thought it would be a good idea.

"My body is quite well built muscle-wise and I love lifting heavy things and using my strength."

Although a little nervous about returning to competition, Chandler is grateful for the support of her family.

"My husband is very, very supportive and always has been. In something like this you always have to have a very supportive network around you, otherwise it just doesn't work."

Heading off to Perth later this month to have a bikini especially made to fit her highly toned physique, Chandler dreams of becoming a professional bodybuilder.

"I love it, I live and breathe it, I have big dreams and big goals … so hopefully this is just the beginning," she said.