Statuesque Muscle: Strapping Shelly Howard poses during a shoot in Cleveland. She's coming soon to the studio!
It’s been several years since the last time Shelly Howard competed in a fitness show, but it appears as though the versatile 39-year-old — who has tried everything from bodybuilding to obstacle course events since she began training over ten years ago — might be poised to don a new pair of athletic shoes, practice some flips and strength holds, and polish off a fresh routine for a fitness return in 2010.
The 5-foot-7 personal trainer and mom first sampled fitness while living in Okinawa, Japan with her husband, a United States Marine. Shelly did well in the physique rounds but against women with more gymnastics skills struggled in the routine rounds. She moved on to figure in 2002.
Shelly placed well in national-level shows recently — fourth at the Jr USAs and sixth at Nationals last year — but hasn’t quite reached her goal.
Concrete Bicep: A flex and smile from pretty Shelly.
Last month at the North Americans, where our cameras caught up with her for a photoshoot, she was achingly close to winning the Masters class — and a pro card — but had to settle instead for third.
Still, Shelly remains optimistic, writing confidently on her excellent blog — drama and palpable tension unfold there as she traces the weeks leading up to a show, mingling insight with emotion — that this is the best shape she has ever been in.
And looking at her pictures, it’s easy to agree that Shelly’s hard work and tireless dedication have paid off splendidly. Who knows? Come next year, the second time around in fitness could be the charm.
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