Pretorian and ‘Mother of Bodybuilding’ takes the sport to next level

A local woman with a passion for bodybuilding has achieved great success.

October 6, 2017

Danielle Garrett 2 minutes read

A 59-year-old mother and entrepreneur from Pretoria has reached new heights in the world of competitive bodybuilding by being the first ever South African woman over the age of 50 to achieve a professional status. She also owns and manages the popular Fabuloss Physiques Private training studio in Brooklyn Pretoria.

Alet Lemmer started her career in the sport of bodybuilding after she gave birth to her first son, and entered her first competition nine months postpartum.

ALSO READ: Gymnastics is more than just a sport to Lotter

“Back then, there were only two categories you could take part in, bikini and bodybuilding categories. I eventually walked away with a national title, unknowingly pregnant with my second son. Afterwards, I took some time to focus on my family, but always kept up with my exercise regimen,” Lemmer explains.

At age 42 Lemmer got back into the game when the industry expanded with more categories to compete in.

She took this opportunity to participate and won first prize in the World Physique Federation (WPF) competition in France in 2006.

“After achieving one of my biggest goals, I decided to physically take some time off from the sport but quickly got involved with the competitions and personally with the training and development of the athletes,” she explains.

ALSO READ: Singer gives IsiNdebele flavour to jazz

In 2012 she was elected president of the World Fitness Federation (WFF), which gave her an opportunity to guide and support athletes on tours around the world, participating in international competitions.

In July Lemmer was chosen to fill the honorary position of WFF international vice president, giving her full authority to expand and develop the existing structures of bodybuilding and fitness throughout Africa.

Lemmer credits her success and astonishing achievements to hard work and the power of prayer.

“None of this would have been possible without the people I surround myself with and finally the grace of God that assists me in living out my passion, helping athletes achieve their full potential and doing what I’m meant to be doing at the end of the day,” she says.

“To understand what this sport is all about, you have to appreciate that world-class athletes with immense self-discipline compete to show what the right motivation and restraint can do to the body, it is incredibly empowering and rewarding. It is the only sport in the world where the athlete has to endure extreme hunger, thirst and fatigue while competing to look their absolute best.”

If you would like to learn more about this sport, why not attend the National Amateur Bodybuilding Association of SA (NABBA/WFF) national championship competition, taking place on Saturday 7 October at the ZK Matthews Hall at Unisa at 10:00. Tickets are available at the door at R250 and R50 for preschool children.

ALSO READ: Singer finds right path in Pta