Kristin Abhold competed in Physique A placing 6th in a very solid division. Kristin is definitely someone to keep an eye on as she progresses through the ranks.
Let's start with your stats.
5' 2" tall; offseason weight, 123 lbs; stage weight, 113 lbs; age 26.
What's your athletic background?
I was a three-sport athlete in high school: cross country, basketball, and fastpitch. I also played soccer from 5-years-old to 16. After high school, I started doing distance running. I completed two full-marathons, two half-marathons, a Tough Mudder obstacle race, and various 10k and 5k relay races. After about two years of running, I needed something else, so I switched to bodybuilding.
How did you get started lifting weights and training?
I started weightlifting when I was 15. It was offered as a class at my high school. After that first semester I was hooked! I ended up taking weightlifting as a class every semester until I graduated and even earned some awards for lifting. I continued to lift to supplement my running and eventually switched over to competing.
How old were you when you did your first show?
I was 24.
What inspired you to start competing?
Honestly my first inspirations were Erin Stern, Nicole Wilkins and Dana Linn Bailey. I loved that all three were athletes to begin with and then started competing because they needed to fulfill that competitive drive. I felt the same way. I also had a lot of people start asking me if I was a competitor about a year before I actually decided to start. That was motivating too!
What do you think is the strongest part of your physique?
I think my shoulders and my biceps are the strongest parts of my physique. Coincidentally they are also a couple of my favorite training days.
What are your goals as a competitor?
Ultimately I want to earn my pro card as a physique competitor and then continue to do shows and travel to expos. I’ve been inspired by so many athletes and I would love the opportunity to inspire the next generation.
I'm sure you get noticed in public because of your physique. What is the strangest question someone has asked you or the strangest incident you've experienced?
I get approached or stared at constantly it seems - sometimes not in a positive way. A few weeks before Emerald Cup I was approached mid-workout by another gym member. It was an elderly man I've seen several times before. He came up and told me that he could tell that I had been training hard and that I looked fantastic. I replied with a "thank you" and a smile. That's when he told me that I was starting to look like a guy. I was a little thrown off by the compliment and then the insult right afterwards so I simply said "ok" and went back to my workout.
Do you enjoy performing onstage?
The stage is actually what terrifies me. If I could just do the training and the diet and stand in line with the other competitors without going on stage, I would love it. But, I also love pushing myself to face my fear and continue to compete. Each show I feel more confident and have more fun onstage.
What is your profession?
I am a personal trainer at Axiom Fitness in Boise, ID.
What's one thing about you that people would be surprised to find out?
I think the fact that I was a distance runner throws people off. I went from only weighing about 103 lbs as a runner to about 116 lbs as a figure competitor in about a year. I started hitting the weights more, doing less cardio and eating a ton. I feel so much more confident in myself now than I ever did as a runner.
Anything else we should know about you or that you would like to add?
I love to wear crazy bright colors and make my gym outfits match - and I'm talking down to my headband, socks and shoes, and shaker bottle. It's fun for me to get creative with my outfits since I have to wear a uniform to work. So, if you see a lot of my pictures on social media talking about matching, that's why!
Where can we see more of you?
Instagram: kleigh_abhold
Facebook: www.facebook.com/abholdphysique
Snapchat: kleigh8715
