Fitness model focuses on promoting the sport

It didn’t take Ainsley McSorley long to shape together an impressive resume in the world of fitness modelling.

In just over a year, the Island Lakes resident went from wannabe to winning first place in the pro division at the FAME North American Championships in Miami, Fla.

Now, she has turned her attention to promoting the sport to entice other fitness fanatics to follow in her footsteps.

“I am helping promote FAME because it is fairly new to Winnipeg. I have been generating a lot of interest although some people have been hesitant about competing,” McSorley said.

The idea of being judged in front of an audience in nothing but a bathing suit and footwear was intimidating to McSorley in the beginning.

“My first show was the first time I ever got on stage and I thought I would be a nervous wreck, but as soon as I stepped on the stage it was an adrenaline rush and I just loved it,” McSorley said.

Fitness modelling has filled the void that was left when McSorley graduated high school and no longer competed in organized sports. Initially, she viewed the chance as a great way to get into shape.

“I kind of felt lost not playing sports, but then I saw an ad in a fitness magazine emphasizing a new category for fitness models where they are less muscular and there are less routines,” McSorley said.

She competes in a category that emphasizes a fit, toned, athletic look as opposed to a muscular look.

When McSorley competes on stage there are three points she has to hit on the stage and is judged based on her confidence, poise on stage, style of walk and general impression.

“Models are asked to fill out a bio sheet prior to the show and then when it is their turn an MC has all that information and talks about you when you’re doing your points on stage. For fitness models there are two rounds,” McSorley said.

Now that McSorley has attained pro status there are only two shows she competes in a year, not enough for her to considerate it a full-time opportunity.

FAME’s president Jeff Kippel says that for most models it is just as much what you put into the sport as what you takeout of it.

“It really depends on what the goal or objectives for the models are. Some want to make it into magazines or grace their covers. Others are doing it to overcome personal issues or trying to achieve the goal of getting into shape,” Kippel said.

The next FAME show to be hosted by McSorley will be on May 24 at Blush Ultraclub. It’s a pro qualifier, which means it will give models the opportunity to compete in several FAME pro competitions later in the year.

Interested parties are encouraged to fill out an application at www.fameworldtour.com.