Date: Fri 14-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: TOMW

Illustration: I

Quick Words:

Brian-Bernstein-Weightlifter

Full Text:

Brian Bernstein (Weightlifter) Feature

B Y T.W YATT

When Brian Bernstein played football at Newtown High School he did so with a

passion that went unparalleled. He wanted, more than anything, to play college

football but his size held him back.

After helping Newtown to a state championship in 1990, Bernstein went off to

Springfield College where he defied his doubters by playing two seasons with

the jayvee football team there. When his size disadvantage (5-foot-9

linebacker) proved too great, and he was never afforded a shot at a varsity

job, Brian Bernstein re-channeled his passion.

" I wasn't getting a chance to play, no matter what I did, " he said. " I

wasn't fast enough to play safety, and wasn't big enough to play linebacker. I

was caught in between. If I could work hard and just get a chance that would

be one thing. But that chance was never going to come. "

So instead, Bernstein dedicated his time and effort to body building. He began

working out with 1983 Mr Universe Jeff King - who incidentally was at

Springfield College to work on a degree in Physical Therapy - and entered his

first show in his junior year there.

Since then, Bernstein has earned his degree in Health and Fitness, graduated

in the top ten percent of his class, and is employed as a personal trainer at

World Gym in Trumbull.

Last week Brian competed in two area body building shows. In the first, he

placed fourth in his division and in the second, on Sunday, June 2, he placed

second - qualifying him to compete for the title of Mr USA.

" My goal was to qualify and I did that, " he said. " That qualified me for

three years. I'll probably do another show next year and then focus on the Mr

USA's. I need to be bigger to compete with the men there. "

At a competition, each participant gets painted up with a tan-like dye and

oiled up with Pam cooking spray to accent his body's details under the bright

stage lights.

They next go through three stages of judging - a symmetry round (to see how

well proportioned the body is), a round of mandatory poses (to be compared

with others), and a one-to-two minute posing round, set to music, in front of

a roaring crowd as well as the judges.

" It's a lot like getting ready to play a big game, " Brian said. " It takes a

lot of commitment, as far as training, and if you didn't get yourself prepared

ahead of time there's nothing you can do about it once you're out there. I

don't really get nervous for it. I get fired up. I miss the contact of

football, but the feeling, and the applause, is very much the same. "

More than anything, Brian is proud of the way in which he is accomplishing his

fitness goals - naturally. In a sport where drug abuse, such as steroids and

diuretics, is a common as stripes on a zebra, Bernstein would never dream of

touching the stuff.

Demon Wear

While working on an internship as a strength and conditioning coach at Western

Michigan University this year, Bernstein came up with an idea to start his own

clothing line that he calls Demon Wear.

The figurative Demon that Bernstein dreamed up is that little distraction,

that annoying voice inside of everybody that tells them to quit or give up.

His tee shirts picture a hooded demon on the left breast with a massive upper

body and a barbell over his head. On the back the shirt asks, " Where will you

be when the Demon comes? "

" It's a motivational thing I came up with, " Brian explained. " A lot of

people have problems and distractions that keep them from attaining their

goals. That's the Demon. When I'm working with an athlete I'll tell him I see

the Demon coming for him and it makes him want to go harder, to push for that

extra rep. "

That's what my clothing line will be about. Right now I have shirts and I'll

be coming out with more later.

Bernstein currently sells his line at the World Gym in Trumbull, and hopes to

market it at World Gyms all over the state. Eventually he'll try to get it

into magazines as well.

Brian is also hoping to get into modelling, and is circulating his photo

around at the big agencies down in the city. But for now he gets his

satisfaction in helping others.

At World Gym, Bernstein works with nearly 20 clients in personal training and

weight management.

" It's a good feeling to know that you can help people turn their lives

around, " he said, " and make them feel good about themselves. "

Brian Bernstein also offers home personal training for people who can't get

out to the gym. He can be reached at 426-6171.