After a serious back injury five years ago, advanced fitness trainer Monique Long thought her chances of entering a bodybuilding competition were slim.

Then she heard that a new type of fitness competition, called Miami Pro, was coming to the UK — and jumped at the chance to compete.

She challenged herself to get ready for the April 6 event and ended up winning first place in the ‘Fitness Model Over 35s’ category and second place for ‘Ms Bikini Over 35s’.

Different from typical bodybuilding events, Miami Pro is a natural fitness modelling contest open to professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to get recognised in the industry. Winners are offered great prizes and sponsorship deals and can even get modelling contracts within international media.

Ms Long, 40, saw it as “a good starting point” in her quest to get back into top form for competing.

“I didn’t plan to win,” she said. “I wanted to get into the best shape I could so I could be in a position to be recognised for being prepped for this type of show.

“But at the end of the day I’m grateful that I was at a good enough standard to win.

“It’s kind of a surreal experience because you actually have to put your body through a lot of stress to get to that point, but it’s a great feeling when you realise it’s all been worth it.”

Ms Long started getting ready for the event, with the help of UK trainer Kimberly Anne Jones, last October.

Just prior to that a friend of hers was competing in a similar show and Ms Long decided to come along to see what it was all about. She was intrigued by what she saw.

“I came from a bodybuilding background, but didn’t know about this kind of fitness event because it’s quite new and had come over from the US,” she explained. “Since it was introduced these competitions have taken off like wildfire.

“It’s a lot more relaxed and less intense than your Bodybuilding Federations can be.

“It’s also more focused on the more glamorous side of fitness, which appealed to me because I enjoy being fit and training hard. I also like having that muscular look but also looking feminine.”

The Bermudian born athlete has always excelled in sports and enjoyed playing netball in her teenage years.

She worked as an administrative dietitian for many years in Bermuda, before moving to the UK ten years ago.

Ms Long happened to be preparing for her first competition with the UK Bodybuilding Federation five years ago, when she seriously injured her back and had to pull out of competing.

She wasn’t sure if her body could handle that kind of intense training again, but the recent Miami Pro show gave her the push she needed to get back into peak condition.

“I was terrified before going into the show, but it was a good starting point for me just to get my feet wet again and experience this type of scene.

“The great thing is I felt comfortable doing it, so the next step will be entering the more prestigious World Beauty Fitness and Fashion (WBFF) which comes up from Canada.”

If the experience has taught her anything, it’s that she is stronger than she realised.

She said it was exciting to get a taste of what these competitions are like and hopes her recent wins will open other doors.

“For me it’s not about winning or prestige,” she said. “For me it’s about how far I can push myself with my own personal endurance and strength. It’s about having something to focus on and challenging myself to see if I can handle going to the next level,” she said.

“If I get anything else out of it then that’s just a blessing.”

Ms Long believes such competitions allow people to break away from a mundane gym routine and set their sights on a new fitness goal.

They also give people the chance to travel and meet wonderful people from around the world, she explained.

“There are a lot of benefits to these fitness modelling contests, it just depends on what you want,” she said. “I’m hoping it might open other doors and result in new business for me as a personal trainer.”