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09

Jul 2022

Last Updated: 08/07/2022

Harrogate chef aims to become Ms Universe

by John Plummer

| 09 Jul, 2022
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Bettys chef Lauren Kenworthy has her sights set on becoming Ms Universe after winning a British bodybuilding title last month.

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During the week, Lauren Kenworthy works as a chef at Bettys in Harrogate.

At the weekend she glams up in high heels and bikinis to compete in bodybuilding competitions.

She's rather good at it too — so far this year she's won four national titles and now has her eye on becoming Ms Universe.

Ms Kenworthy started going to the gym to increase her strength for mixed martial arts.

But Harrogate's bodybuilding barber Dave Steca noticed her potential and persuaded her to compete. She's been hooked ever since. She said:

"My first show was in 2016. I came fourth out of five but absolutely loved the experience.  This, coupled with some reoccurring injuries from MMA, pushed me to make the switch to bodybuilding."


Ms Kenworthy has won a string of titles since, but her highlight to date was winning the NABBA Ms Britain at St George's Hall in Bradford last month.

Bodybuilder Lauren Kenworthy

Female bodybuilding competitions have evolved to include various categories for women depending on the level of muscularity they aspire to.

Ms Kenworthy competed in the athletic figure category at the British finals, which is more about shape and balance than pure size.

Her next competition will be in September but the NABBA Universe in November is her main goal this year.

She is coached by professional bodybuilder Wendy McCready who looks after her training and diet. She said:

"I train five days a week and do daily fasted cardio.
"My training style is heavy and to failure, focusing on two-to-three body parts each session. I'm always looking to progress my strength.
"I eat six times a day, all typically lean meat or eggs and vegetables plus a carb source, which can be either rice, oats or potatoes. This is supplemented with shakes either side of my workout."


Ms Kenworthy, who trains at Coach Gym on Hornbeam Park, can leg press 320 kg at a body weight of 62kg, or 136 lbs. She said:

"My ambitions are to become a professional body builder and I would also like to start coaching."