Cover Story – IPL Men’s Athletic Pro, Alex Sigala!
“I’m excited! I am expecting to step on stage at the 3rd Annual IPL Arizona Champion-ship next May for my Pro Debut!”
Alejandro was spot on at the 2017 2nd Annual IPL Arizona Championship in Mesa, AZ.
First, Sigala dominated in Men’s Athletic Novice, scoring an incredible 228 points out of a max of 240, and taking 1st place. Then, it was on to the Open.
In the Open it was even more of the same. Sigala brings the complete package to this division. Nice round, full muscularity. Razor-sharp conditioning. Balance and proportion in the symmetry department. And swag for days, when it comes to posing and presentation.
In the Open Sigala landed an insane 233 points, the highest point total of all athletes in the entire show, taking 1st place and earning his IPL Men’s Athletic Pro Card in the process. Shout out to Zack Smith (2nd) and Nick Torgerson (3rd) who pushed Alejandro Sigala hard, and rounded out the top three.
AND, just a month after he crushed it in Arizona, Alejandro Sigala landed on the front cover of NATURALMAG.
There are many who are quite certain that, considering what Sigala brings to Men’s Athletic, he is sure to give IPL Pros like Pat Vega, Andrew Kang, Jason Lubag, and Pro Champions Zyrian Apurillo and Angel Aulet a run for the money.
"…I was excited to see how my physique would be on show day…I had been working on a few things…”
BEN YOSEF: Congrats on your win back in May! You killed it! How are you feeling about what you brought to the IPL stage at that show?
ALEX SIGALA: First things first. I want to thank you, Ben, for your vision with the IPL! Thank you to the IPL for the incredible show! May was amazing! Thank you!!!
Tough competition, with some amazing athletes each bringing something to the table. I was mentally focused and ready to hit the IPL stage. Physically, I was excited to see how my physique would be on show day against the others.
I had been working on a few things to improve over time. Still have lots of work to do, but excited to see what’s to come, mentally and physically.
"Exercises include Deadlifts, Rows, Lat Pull Downs, Pull Ups, Close Grip Pull Downs, Standing T-Bar.”
BEN: That’s awesome, man. Well, you definitely brought it. And thank you for being a part of the show! It is an honor to have you in the league and in the IPL Pros!
You are bringing a pretty sick physique to the stage. And, you are really strong from the back, which is an area where a lot of guys are lacking. What is your back training like?
ALEX: Thank you! Planning on continuing to work and grow my back. Currently working back 1-2 times a week, varying on recovery time. Stretching has been a major key, which I know is overlooked at times.
Massages have helped tremendously as well. In regards to training, my workouts consist of 4-5 exercises with sets of 4-5 and repetitions of 15-20. I tend to fluctuate back and forth with also implementing a higher weight training day that includes sets of 5 and higher weight for reps of 5. Exercises include Deadlifts, Rows, Lat Pull Downs , Pull Ups, Close Grip Pull Downs, Standing T-Bar.
"…be comfortable and having fun while on stage. How someone breathes and how well their conditioning is, is also a big part.”
BEN: On stage At the AZ Championship you dominated in Posing and Presentation, scoring 39 points (out of a max of 40) in the Posing/Presentation round as well as 38 points on your Walk at Finals. Those are pretty sick scores. There is a video of Finals from your class on the IPL YouTube channel that captured much of this. How did you get so good at posing? And what tips can you give the guys out there?
ALEX: I Appreciate that tremendously! I was quite surprised with my scores! My posing started working with my mentor, Vince Cline. He taught me to get things started. Viewing past shows and observing what would work best with my physique. Practice Practice Practice, and also learning how to be comfortable and having fun while on stage. How someone breathes and how well their conditioning is, is also a big part.
It is extremely important to be focusing on the right muscle groups and overall package the judges are looking for, I’d say is one of the biggest keys.
BEN: Your toughest competition at that contest was 2nd place finisher Zack Smith. And not far behind him was Nick Torgerson in 3rd. Zack appeared to be even more hungry after loosing to you and seeing you land on the cover of NATURALMAG shortly after. [laughs] Zack would go on to completely nail it five months later at the IPL Grand Prix, placing 1st in Men’s Athletic Open and winning his Pro Card. What’s your take on Zack?
ALEX: Yes! May was incredible! The whole line up was filled with unbelievable talent. Zack is definitely a hard worker, and definitely deserved his Pro Card! It’s very exciting to be on stage with like-minded individuals and working towards the same goal.
I’m excited for not only his future, but for all the Pros on stage this upcoming year! It’s going to be one for the books!
BEN: I would love to see you battle with Zack again, especially considering the improvements he has made and continues to make. But, then of course I would imagine that you are just going to get better as well. [laughs] That leads me to my next question. When can we expect to see you back on the IPL stage?
ALEX: I’m excited! I am expecting to step on stage at the 3rd Annual IPL Arizona Championship next May for my Pro Debut!
BEN: That’s awesome, man! Well I look forward to that! With AZ-based Pros like Zyrian and Zack, as well as a few other guys who will be traveling in, this will surely be the most stacked Pro Men’s Athletic lineup up to date!
ALEX: I’m very excited as well. Thank you! NMI
About the interviewer:
Ben Yosef
Ben is the Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of NATURALMAG and the President & Founder of the International Physique League.
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