Gun show

Robert “Trey” Smith III just brought home to Soddy-Daisy the trophy many consider “the Heisman of collegiate bodybuilding.”

From more than 200 competitors, Smith was chosen the 2010 National Collegiate Bodybuilding Overall Men’s Champion last month in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“Last year I went to collegiate nationals and got second in the heavyweight class,” the 25-year-old said. “I came back this year and won my class and the overall (against winners of each weight class) to win the whole show.”

It’s the culmination of seven years of training Smith said he began after a foot injury sidelined his high school football career.

When Smith goes into posedown, muscles on top of muscles explode from his 21-inch biceps and 30-inch quads. He carries 305 pounds on a 6-foot, 1-inch frame that consists of less than 10 percent body fat.

“Judges look for overall symmetry and conditioning. All the body parts should flow together, not huge legs with a smaller upper body,” he said.

Smith said his last local competition for the season will be Saturday at the National Physique Committee-sanctioned Tennessee State Qualifier, to be held in Memorial Auditorium. Next summer, he plans to begin qualifying to turn pro.

TRAINING PLAN

Bodybuilders spend the eight-month off-season building muscle and about 14-16 weeks during competition season attempting to cut body fat without loss of muscle mass.

Smith says he created his own training plan by recording notes over seven years.

“I wrote down what worked and what didn’t. It’s been a long time in the making, but now I’ve got a pretty good idea what works for my body,” he said.

The biochemistry major at UTC, who plans to become a chemical engineer, said his major has taught him a lot about how the body works.

“Bodybuilders have been stereotyped; people think we’re dumb,” he said chuckling. “But to be a good bodybuilder you’ve got to know a lot about chemistry and the body.”

Dr. Tom Rybolt, one of Smith’s UTC professors, said courses such as organic chemistry and biochemistry study chemical reactions that occur in living systems, including reactions in human cells.

“That chemistry and physiology helps him understand what’s going on in his body,” Rybolt said.

DIET

Smith starts each day with a half-cup of plain oatmeal sweetened by a tablespoon of cinnamon. He gulps down 10 egg whites and a tablespoon of olive oil.

About two hours later, the bodybuilder will eat 6 ounces of grilled chicken and a 4-ounce sweet potato — again washed down with a tablespoon of olive oil.

By day’s end, Smith said he’ll have repeated this meal four more times, once every two hours, while also consuming two gallons of water.

His 3,200 daily caloric intake runs up a weekly grocery tab of $300 to $400, not including the four supplements and daily multivitamins he ingests. During the off-season, he ups his daily calorie intake to 6,000-8,000. In addition to food expense, each competition has an entry fee, usually $100, added to travel and two-night hotel charges.

WORKOUTS

Smith said during the off-season he does 30 minutes of cardio three times a week and works out with weights four to five times a week.

While in competition, he does an hour of cardio each morning, trains in the afternoon with weights and does another hour of cardio before bed.

“On a difficulty scale of one to 10, his workout is a 12,” said Trent Mynatt of the Hixson Sports Barn. “It’s high weight, high rep, very focused. He comes in here with a plan and knows exactly what he’s going to do.”

While he can bench press 500 pounds without pushing himself, Smith said he rarely does that in order to prevent injury.

“In bodybuilding, strength has nothing to do with it, it’s all based on how you look,” the bodybuilder explained.

“I don’t max out on the bench press because I don’t want to tear something. I can sit down with 225 on the bench press, do that for 30 or 40 reps and get a really good workout and build my chest up.”

Smith said his legs are the most difficult area to work because of his height.

“I have more of a frame to fill out,” he explained.

SACRIFICES VS. BENEFITS

With his sport demanding his attention year-round, Smith said a social life is “nonexistent.”

“My girlfriend is so understanding. She and my parents have really supported me. You’ve got to have someone really understanding backing you because it’s almost like a selfishness.

“We rarely go out. If I’m going to be out longer than two or three hours, I have to pack food and take it with me. When you’re not in school, you’re either training, preparing food, eating or sleeping.”

Jerry Daniels of Ooltewah, Mister America 1965, describes the strict work ethic that must be followed.

“It’s every day, all day. It consumes everything you do: what you eat, what foods are good for you, how much sleep you get. In between, you’re working out or planning your next workout. It’s basically your life,” Daniels said.

But now that Smith has won this national qualifier, he says he’ll take the next step and compete in the Junior USA competition next summer in Texas. A top-five showing there signals he is ready to move on to compete for a pro card.

“You can get sponsorships, make endorsements, when you turn pro,” he said. “I’m not really in bodybuilding for the money, I’ll have my education to fall back on. But not many people can say they turned pro. That would be awesome.”

IF YOU GO

* What: National Physique Committee Tennessee State Championship.

* When: Saturday; 9:30 a.m. pre-judging starts, 6:30 p.m. finals.

* Where: Memorial Auditorium.

* Admission: $10 pre-judging, $25 and $35 finals.

* For more information: 642-TIXS.