Four years is a long time to away from the stage – enough time that, just simply getting back into contest shape is an accomplishment all on it’s own. But Glenese Markes wasn’t going to stop there.
Markes, who last competed in figure in 2008, originally was looking to make her return in the Women’s Physique division. After seeing some of the early IFBB contests, however, she decided she needed to take it one step further and make her comeback in Women’s Bodybuilding – but didn’t make the decision until the morning of the Steve Stone New York Mets.
“I was still too muscular, a little conditioned,” says Markes, who put on 10 pounds of muscle from her days as a figure competitor. “So the morning of the of the show we decided, ‘Let’s just do bodybuilding’. I was backstage trying to learn the poses, because they are a little different from physique. I was a little nervous because I was rushed.”
It didn’t make a difference, as Markes stood out from the rest to run away with the overall title in Women’s Bodybuilding.
“I didn’t want to get much bigger for bodybuilding,” Markes says, “but I feel good about it and it actually opened my eyes a little bit based on the responses and feedback I’ve gotten.”
AGE: 33
HEIGHT: 5’3
CONTEST WEIGHT: 126 pounds
LIVES: Brooklyn, New York
CONTEST HISTORY: 2012: Steve Stone New York Metropolitans, Middleweight and Overall winner; 2008: Eastern USA 3rd Class A (Figure); Team Universe 8th Class B; Arnold Amatuer 2nd Class B; 2007: Team Universe, 16th Class A (Figure); 2007: Southern USA; Kim Klein Classic, 2nd Class A (Figure); Team Universe 16th Class A (Figure)
ATHLETIC BACKGROUND: “I played tennis, swam, ran track and field and also played what they called netball.”
OCCUPATION: Post Producer and Fitness Consultant. “I’m responsible for overseeing the process of getting footage developed into digital form and seeing the color process go down and get it ready for editorial. “
PHYSIQUE ROLE MODELS/INFLUENCES: Lenda Murray, Bev Francis
BEST BODYPART: Back
FAVORITE EXERCISE: Squats. “I can do up to 315 for about 6-8 reps.”
WHAT’S NEXT: “I would love to get a pro card this year, I’m going for it 100 percent. Haven’t decided yet but I’m thinking the Team Universe of the USAs.”
3-5 YEAR GOAL: “I want to compete at the Olympia. It’s a goal of mine to really take it to the top. I just want to thrive and do my best and be recognized for it. Hopefully down the line be another Iris Kyle – maybe not at level but at somee degree show what I’m about, as small as I am but muscular at the same time.”
