Physical attraction -- Rob and Vanda say, "The couple that lifts together stays together!"

Bodybuilding couple Rob Reinaldo and Vanda Pessoa at their Broadway home. Picture: Alan Storer/Peterborough ET

By Carly Lewthwaite
August 15, 2011

WHEN Rob Reinaldo and his partner Vanda Pessoa go shopping, there are no arguments as to who carries the bags to the car! Carly Lewthwaite discovered the strict diets, routines and gruelling training regimes behind Peterborough’s strongest couple.

A highly restrictive diet, three workouts a day and intensive training might not sound like most people’s idea of fun, but for one Peterborough couple it’s a normal day!

Standing at an impressive 5ft 11ins tall and weighing in at 19 stone, Rob cuts an impressive figure. The city’s very own strongman, a fitness instructor and personal trainer, has been training since 1998 and started competing professionally when he moved to the city from Portugal in 2004.
He said: “Before I came to England I took part in a few competitions in Portugal but I didn’t have a lot of motivation or encouragement to go professional.

“After I moved to England I was in my local gym and the man behind the counter (who I later realised was the manager) commented that I had a really good physique and said that I should compete professionally.”

Since then he has gone on to be crowned British Champion not once but four times, in the heavyweight or super heavyweight categories.

He’s also won or taken impressive successive placements at more than 34 competitions, from Mr Universe and Mr England to the NAC World Championships.

The rounds of training and weights might not sound like fun, but Rob has found his perfect partner in Vanda (29), also a bodybuilder who has set her sights on the biggest accolade in the women’s competing world - Miss Olympia.

She said: “I have been bodybuilding for 11 years and when I first met Rob he was already into his training.”

Weighing in at 17 stone, Vanda, also from Portugal, says it is easy to maintain their lifestyle. “It isn’t a problem for us because we both do the same things.

“The other parents at the school are really good about it and have even asked me for diet advice!”

Rob added that despite this, it can be difficult when one is dieting for a competition and the other can eat what they like, adding that his favourite ‘off training’ treat is a cheeseburger!

He said: “There can be times when I want to go out and eat anything that moves, but I know that my strict diet pays off in the end.”

When in training for a show Rob will be eating six meals a day between his three training sessions which include a 45-minute cardio vascular workout at 4am, weight-training at 2pm and another cardio session at 8pm.

For those who aren’t familiar with the muscle-bound world of bodybuilding, you might be surprised to hear that competitors are tested on their looks, rather than their strength.

Rob explained: “There are three rounds where the judges look at your overall physique, the symmetry of your muscles and how defined they are.”
The day before a show Rob dries himself out, which means that he stops his fluid intake. Not only does this help decrease his weight by up to half a stone, it also helps to add definition to his already impressive muscles.

The couple have an eight-year-old son, Gui, who is a great motivator when it comes to training.

Rob said: “He loves it and often comes along to the gym with me and counts the weights and how many reps I do. He is very proud of me and says that I can lift up cars and trees!

“He is a very active child and loves his football and karate, but I don’t encourage him to do weights. If it was something that he really wanted to do in the future then I would be happy to support and advise him.”

Not surprisingly, Rob’s favourite film to date is Gladiator, where he would fit right in with the rippling, muscle-bound warriors!

Refreshingly, Rob is a keen all-round sportsman outside of his job as a personal trainer and the bodybuilding.

He said: “I love swimming and also play football once a month. People get the wrong impression that you are just a big strong man but I am healthy, agile and very flexible as well.

“It is important that you put your health first and your body second or you’ll end up burning out or making yourself ill. I have a good diet and look after myself.”

One thing that saddens Rob is how some people view bodybuilders. “I have been working in the gym and heard people comment negatively on the way I look, which I feel is unfair because they don’t know the person behind it.
“When most people think about bodybuilding they think about steroids. Sadly these are very easy to get hold of and use and people can become obsessed with them. Yes, they can help a little, but to do well in the long run and go far it is simply down to hard work, training and discipline.”

Rob added that he has no plans to slow down. “I just want to carry on for as long as I can, I would be happy to take part in the over 70s categories. I have a friend who is in his 50s who competes and he has beaten me before!”

If you would like to find out more about Rob, you can visit his website at ROBREINALDO.COM - Home.

From Physical attraction - Features - Peterborough Evening Telegraph