|
We look forward to having Big
Al part of the Muscle Mafia
family. Big Al is starting to spread the word over in Europe
that Muscle Mafia
is coming and get ready. Our first Strongman athlete, Alastair
is a rising star on the Strongman scene. Just 34 years old, Big
Al is one of Scotland premier athletes and strongmen. We wish
Big Al all the luck in 2006 and we'll see you soon in the WSM. |
|
|
I am
Alastair
Christie, 34 years old, I'm married to my lovely wife Nikki
and we have a beautiful daughter, Rachael, who is 11 and a
handsome son, Blair, who is 6. They are my number one supporters.
We live in the small
village of Stanley, situated in the beautiful area of Perthshire
in 'Bonnie' Scotland.
I have been weight
training seriously for the past 10 years, competing in
Powerlifting, Highland Games and Strongman and have represented
Scotland in all three sports at International competition.
Although I have been training/competing seriously since 1996, the
path to my strength career started a few years prior to this.
In January 1992, at the age of 20, I applied to
become a Prison Officer with the Scottish Prison Service. I passed
the entrance exam and medical in March 1992, but was informed to
lose weight and improve my fitness before the next stage of the
recruiting process. I weighed 17 stone 6 pounds (244 pounds). |
|
|
|
The 'improve my fitness aspect' didn't worry me too much as I had
been involved in a few sport/fitness activities in my life up to
that point, what did bother me was the ' lose' weight part,
because to lose weight you have to cut down on eating food and
I LOVE EATING FOOD!
I decided to follow a well-known Scottish slimming group diet
plan, started jogging, cycling and light weight training. In May
1992 I successfully passed an interview board and a second medical
but, was told to lose more weight. I weighed 15 stones 3 pounds
(213 pounds).
In October 1992 I took up appointment in my current occupation of
Prison Officer at H.M. Prison Perth. I weighed 13 stones 2 pounds
(184 pounds). I didn't have to lose any more weight. Thank
goodness.
I maintained this weight up until 1995,when, after watching the
World's Strongest Man on TV. during the Christmas holidays, I
decided that I wanted to be big and strong. |
|
|
After increasing my calorie intake, reducing cardio and taking up
powerlifting training, I won my first powerlifting competition, The
Scottish Open Powerlifting Championship, in the 125kg weight class. I
weighed 17 stone 7 pounds (245 pounds). The competition was sanctioned
by the Scottish Powerlifting Association (S.P.A.) an affiliate of the
British Weightlifters' Association (B.W.L.A.). I competed with S.P.A./B.W.L.A
from 1996-2000,winning numerous titles and representing Scotland
several times in International competition. I am still a subscribing
member of the S.P.A./B.W.L.A and look forward to winning many more
titles in their competitions in the future.
I began competing in the Highland Games Heavy Events with the Scottish
Games Association (S.G.A.) in 1999. In 2000 I represented Scotland at
an International Highland Games Heavy Events Championship in Holland.
I still compete in S.G.A. Highland Games at local regional level.
2000 saw me add to my powerlifting titles when I started to compete in
British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (B.D.F.P.A) and World Drug
Free Powerlifting Federation (W.D.F.P.F.) sanctioned competitions
between 2000-2002. In 2001 I was the 145kg weight class Unequipped RAW"
Scottish Champion & Record Holder, British Champion & Record Holder,
European Champion & Record Holder and World Champion Runner-up. I also
held the World Deadlift Record. I am still a subscribing member of the
B.D.F.P.A./W.D.F.P.F. and look forward to winning many more titles in
their competitions in the future, especially the World Championships.
I became a member of the International Federation of Strength Athletes
(I.F.S.A.) and competed in my first Scotland's Strongest Man (S.S.M.)
Championship in 2002,I placed low in the competition, failing to
qualify for the 2002 Britain's Strongest Man (B.S.M.) Championship.
The remainder of 2002 saw me compete and place high in various
Strongman competitions throughout Scotland.
I trained hard on the events over the winter and it paid off, I
finished in 6th place in the 2003 S.S.M. Championship which qualified
me for the 2003 B.S.M. Championship. I was now competing at the
highest level of strongman in Britain. I gave it my all but, it wasn't
enough to secure a position in the top placings. I was invited to
compete in France in the 2003 I.F.S.A. France's Strongest Man
Championship, I took 4th place. The remainder of the year saw me doing
various competitions and exhibitions.
In 2004 I placed 5th in the S.S.M.
Championship which qualified me for the 2004 B.S.M. Championship.
The level of competition at the 2004 B.S.M. was higher than that
of the previous year. Unfortunately,
I didn't secure a position in the top placings, I gave it my all
again that year, but it wasn't enough.
During 2005 I eased
off from Strongman competition, because of a back injury and
Thyroid trouble and concentrated on Highland Games Heavy Events
with my highest placing being 3rd at Dundonald Highland Games in
Ayrshire, Scotland.
I am back in full Strongman training and
currently preparing for a Qualifier for the 2006 Britain's
Strongest Man Championship, so hopefully
it will be 3rd time lucky for me at this years B.S.M
Since beginning my Strongman career in 2002 I have done very little in
the way of specific gym work, training mostly on the events with the
odd squat or deadlift thrown in here and there. I am also limited to
how often I train due to my work shift pattern. It's mentally
exhausting balancing training, competing and family life around my
shift pattern. I have to listen to what my body tells me so that I
don't overtrain, I've picked up a few injuries (small tears in various
muscles) as a result of training when I should have been resting.
These were rectified by rest & physio.
My diet consists of all food groups (including protein shakes) divided
into various combinations over 6-7 meals. I drink about 5-6 cups of
coffee a day and also try to consume 5-7 litres of water a day to keep
me hydrated. I enjoy the occasional Chocolate bar and like to have a
Chinese meal a couple of times a month. When I'm hungry I eat, when
I'm not I don't. I drink alcohol on 3 or 4 occasions during a year,
the rest of the time I drink soft drinks. When I'm not working,
training or competing I like to relax and spend time with my wife,
daughter and son, we also like to socialize with our friends and
relatives.
My aims in regards to my Strongman career would be to become
Scotland's Strongest Man, Britain's Strongest Man and ultimately
World's Strongest Man.
|
|
|
|
|
|
