Erica Criscione is a bodybuilder and fitness model we recently ran across. She has a phenomenal and very unique look that helps set her apart from the crowd. Our interview with Erica:
Can you provide a little background – age/height/weight/contest history?
I am 31 years old. I am short LOL I stand only at 5’4″. Off season weight 150lbs /on season weight 125lbs. I have competed in the Illinois State Bodybuilding competition placing second in my weight class.
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Have you always been athletic? What got you started in weightlifting and the fitness industry?
Well I am currently working for a college that I have been with for the past 6 years. I work as a Sr. Admissions Officer where I help with potential students into our college (it is solely on a recommendation process through me). Not only do I work full-time for the college but I am also attending the college in getting my BS degree in Criminal Justice finishing this August with it! After I receive my degree, I am looking into the probation field working with juveniles and I cannot wait to get this opportunity as this is a long lived dream of mine.
I grew up in a town called Vernon Hills. I lived there till I reached 8th grade and then we moved to Lake Zurich. I have always been athletic yes. When I was in High School, I played basketball and Volleyball. I never really liked basketball much but Volleyball I stayed in throughout high school. Now outside of high school, I was also a competitive Horse back Rider for many many years.
When I met my husband he was always into bodybuilding and Power lifting. When I gained a lot of weight and weighed more than I have ever in my entire life I started to get depressed and wanting to find something to help me get into better shape. My husband started looking on-line at female bodybuilders (as he knew a lot about the industry and the bodybuilders in it). He had found a picture of a female bodybuilder and wanted me to see her. My husband said that I can look just like her as we are the same body type such as height and body structure. Well that is when I got serious. My husband got into contacting the female bodybuilder. She stated she would be competing in a competition in our state and that we should meet her. When that day arrived, we finally met her. We got to talking and she saw that I was serious into getting involved with bodybuilding so she was so kind and had us meet her trainer. So basically from there it is history and here I am now looking, feeling my best ever and doing what I love!
How many days a week do you train? What kind of exercises do you do? Cardio program?
I am usually in the gym training 4-5 days a week. I am always weight training so that is the exercises I am ALWAYS doing. My cardio program is awesome as well. Now when I am on off season I am not doing much cardio as this is when I am in my bulking stage. When I do cardio it is always Low Intensity. Low intensity cardio is the most effective training at getting you fitter and also finding your base levels of fitness if you are just starting off. This is also a great way to be used as a good fat loss tool if you use it at least 4 times a week but also in conjunction with a well balanced diet. I have also started to use the HIIT training method as well which is another AWESOME way to loss the fat.
What’s your diet like? Are you strict or easy? Favorite supplements?
OMG the diet is insane LOL! I actually have to say that most of the time when I am ready to get back onto my on season, I am looking forward to my diet. My diet is very very strict as there is no carbs at all in the diet until you are able to eat your once a week cheat meal. So really the diet consists of Chicken, Lean red meats, Green beans, Salad, Natural Peanut Butter, Peanuts, Protein shakes, and lots and lots of Eggs LOL! My favorite supplement is protein shakes. I love those TONS!! I can drink them all the time.
What other goals do you have for your career?
As I mentioned earlier, my career goals that I am seeking is to get into the Probation Officer field.
Where do you get your drive? What motivates you?
I get my drive mostly from me but what really motivates me is when I see the results in the mirror everyday. I also do go and watch some of the bodybuilding competitions locally, this too also gives me the drive and motivation to keep weight lifting.
Favorite music, movies, Actors/actresses?
WOW this is hard because I like all different types of music. I do however really love to listen to Ambient music. This I find very relaxing and also makes my day feel more stress-free.
My favorite actor without any hesitation is Ryan Reynolds!!
Most and least favorite body parts to train?
My arms and back are my favorite body parts to train! The least LOL well I have to say my Legs…I hate training legs but I always keep saying that I need to no matter what or I will look really weird with a bigger upper body and then having chicken legs. That to me is a turn off!
Married, single, kids, pets, hobbies?
I am married to a WONDERFUL man. I wouldn’t be where and who I am today if it wasn’t for him. We do not have children together but I do have two great Step-kids from him. We have a zoo in our house LOL. We have 2 cats and 2 dogs which they are my children and I love each and everyone dearly. My hobbies is bodybuilding for sure.
First thing you thought about when you woke up this morning?
Man is it the weekend yet? I really don’t want to go to work today!
In your specific case, how much of your body do you attribute to training and nutrition versus genetics?
Hmmm wow interesting question. I am really not sure what type of genetics I have. I know that being on the heavier side does run in my family genes. So to be honest I would have to say that I attribute a lot of training and nutrition to my everyday training and dieting.
Tell us your feelings on femininity versus muscularity…
Well what I can see is that us women do however experience pressure from within the body building industry which is all about defining the acceptable size and appearance of women bodybuilders bodies. I am one who really isn’t wanting to get huge and way to muscular but most go through that balancing act where they want to try and attain a body that is muscular but also not too muscular at the same time (as I). I do see that we women do come face to face with complex layers of social pressure not only from within but also outside the body building industry. What I am also seeing is that when women compete in the body building shows, these judges are looking for a mixture of muscularity and femininity as well which most of these girls have to have both. Really these women actually have a hard time figuring that out.
You have a “day job”, and you also perform for various websites. Some of your materials and activities could be considered pretty edgy. Do you celebrate that side of your personality, or is it more like a part-time job?
I celebrate that side of me daily. I am not shy or ashamed of who I am. My whole thing is, if you find it offensive of what I do or how I look, then don’t look. I am a very open minded, down to earth person, Outgoing, and I make friends very easily because of my personality.
With your look, you really stand out as a fitness model. Have you ever considered starting your own website?
I actually do have my own website. It is currently in the process of being updated and newer and better things will be added to it. As of now the old one is still up and running.
Any shout outs to friends, trainers, supporters?
Yes of course! I want to say Thank you to my husband Rick for getting me to where I am today. Thank you Melissa D. for being a great friend and introducing me to the world of bodybuilding and helping me getting started into my new life of fitness. Thank you Dave P. for helping me with my diet and showing me the right direction I needed to take. Thank you to all my friends and also my many fans out there. You all are what makes me get in the gym everyday and training my best!
Who else would like to see profiled on our website?
My two best friends: Debbie Bramwell and Gail Auerbach.
