Four aspiring bodybuilders have returned home from a weekend of competing with a host of trophies and awards.

Athletes from a gym in Barrow travelled to Southport at the weekend to attend this year’s National Amateur Body-Builders' Association (NABBA) North West competition.

It was a ‘big weekend’ for members of the Transformation Unit 247 as four up-and-coming bodybuilders hit the stage on Sunday.

Head coach and owner of the Transformation Unit 247 Kade Kendall, who boasts a collection of his own impressive bodybuilding titles, said three of his competitors made it through to the next stage.

Dan Hall, from Ulverston, competed at NABBA North East in Wakefield on Saturday May 11 as well as the North West event at the weekend. He claimed first place in Under 23s category both times and achieved an invite to the British Finals.

After taking the Under 23s win, Dan was moved up to the Novice Class, which saw him go up against bodybuilders of all ages. Despite competing against men who had been in the sport longer and had more experience, Dan came away with another win.

Radek Bemler placed first in the Under 18s class and claimed his invite to the British Finals before moving up to the First Timer’s event which he also won.

The only female competitor entering from the Transformation Unit this year was Ellie Crabtree, who placed second in the Novice Toned Figure category and was awarded an invite to the British Finals.  

Kade said he was very pleased for Ellie, who has worked extremely hard, shedding six stone since she started her fitness journey, which she began after losing her dad.

Jake Haughin entered as a First Timer and though he failed to place, Kade said he was sure to be back ‘bigger and stronger’.

Adding to a great result, Kade was ‘made up’ when his gym on Forge Close was presented with NABBA’s ‘Best Gym’ award.

Overall, Kade revealed the team walked away with five trophies and three invites to the NABBA British Finals.

Kade said: “Being awarded best gym was a very proud moment for me, The gym is excelling, and its great to keep bodybuilding going in the town.

“It’s been another really good year with some fantastic results. We have an exciting couple of weeks ahead.”

On Friday May 31, Kade, Dan, Ellie and Radek will travel down to Bradford to prepare for the next stage of the competition.

All three aspiring bodybuilders will showcase their hard work at the NABBA British finals on Saturday June 1, where they have to opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Austria.