Halim Bin Ismail

Fellow readers, let us put our hands together and give a warm welcome to our next guest. He has made headlines in the local bodybuilding community – be it controversial or not. But he sure does pack some hard dense muscle to his frame and give his competitors a run for their money! Let me present to you, Halim Bin Ismail!!!

Profile 

Name: Halim Bin Ismail

DOB: 3^rd November 1974

Marital status: Married

Occupation: Freelance Personal Trainer

Height: 1.65cm

Weight: 83kg (Off-season) 65 kg (contest)

Hometown: Singapore

Gym: Fitness Quest (Fengshan CC)

Team (if any): NIL

Achievements:

2^nd place@ 47^th National Bodybuilding 2009, 2^ND place 2010 Muscle Explosion below 1.7 Metre, 3^rd place Muscle War 2012, 3^RD place 2012 South East Asia Bodybuilding Championship Myanmar.

Interview with Halim Bin Ismail

TRB:  Welcome to The Reading Bodybuilder my dear friend. Feel free to share with us your experiences & honest opinions as we go along yeah. So let’s begin with the first question. At what age and year did you start training?

Halim: At about the age of 20, I started training when I was serving my National service but it wasn’t consistent.

TRB: How was life like for you before you started training?

Halim: Life was not as interesting as it is right now of course. It was like, eat and work, eat and work.

 

TRB: So, how did you end up becoming a bodybuilder and when was it that you decide to turn competitive?

Halim: I started training for fun back in 2004, and I was spotted and encouraged by many to give a try in a competition, but, I never had the courage to do so. In 2006, I met Mr Ghani Abdul Kadir from Malaysia.  I did not know who he was at first. After that, I learnt that he was a multiple title holder in Malaysia and other countries. He was the one who took me in and I trained under him. I learnt a lot from him even though it was a short stint.

TRB: I’ve seen your wife & kids coming all the way down to support you at some of your contests. Tell us how is it like to juggle both your family and bodybuilding?  Did you have to make any sacrifices along the way? Any regrets about your decisions?

Halim: Yes, my families are very supportive to what I am doing. It was not easy, to juggle between family and bodybuilding because sometimes I will have to count myself out for outings and even holidays. No, I never have any regrets for the things that I chose to do. Because I love this sport so much.

 

TRB: You’ve competed in contests all year-round, back-to-back. Aren’t you worried that you may get burnt out? 

Halim: Yes I do have worries, but at the same time I learnt to know and read my body better.

TRB: This year, you went from 3^rd place in our local Muscle War contest to 3^rd place in the SEA championships for your category. I’ve seen your pictures & I must say that your condition was spot on. How did you get into that condition & what was your reaction after getting the bronze medal for Singapore?

Halim: Thank you. I immediately started back my season the very next day, after I was called up by Datuk Paul Chua. My preparation was actually about 4 weeks only for the SEA Championship, 18-01-2012 to 21-02-2012. It was tough as I am not that young anymore. Of course I was shocked; I never expect to bring anything for Singapore. My intention was to gain experience. But at the same time I have proved, age is just a number.

TRB:Now this may get personal, but I hope you will share with us your thoughts & opinions. For the recent HometeamNS Bodybuilding championships, you’ve placed 6^th in the open category. Some of us felt that you shouldn’t have competed since you may have been burnt out by your previous contests. So what is your reaction to all that?   

Halim: Yes, I do expect this question. But as I have mentioned earlier, I am doing this because of the love that I have for this sport. And for the placing, for me, it is just a number. I am not ashamed by it. And of course, for those who think I will bring 100% condition for HometeamNS, they are wrong. I would not want my body to be read easily. Look at the difference between Muscle War and South East Asia. I am aware that no one actually expected me to bring in that physique in just 4 weeks.  I do have a major target for 2012. And for those who by now had ruled me out. I can only say thank you, the pressure is out of me. There is always another place and another time.

TRB: Well I’m sure you’ll be motivated to do even better for your next contest! Now let’s move away from Bodybuilding for awhile. Tell us, what are your other hobbies asides from training at the gym? 

Halim: Karaoke? Hehee!!

TRB: Haha! Singing is a good way to de-stress right? Alright, how about sharing with us your thoughts about the current rivalries that have been going on in our bodybuilding scene for the past few months. 

Halim: Rivalries that gears the individual to be better should be promoted, but any rivalry that brings others down is of course, something that should be avoided. We are just a small bodybuilding community here in Singapore.

TRB: I take my hat off to you bro! Now, you’re known to be a man who’s never afraid to speak out his mind.Is there anything in your mind that you may want to share with us?

Halim: Yes I am very outspoken. That is a fact which I am born with. For all of us to stay united no matter which gym we are from. I have seen bodybuilding communities from other countries where they are so united. They cheer for each other, no matter who is on stage, but the scene here is so different. Some of us only cheer for their loved ones and hardly clap for an unknown bodybuilder. As I don’t see that there is anything wrong in cheering for someone who has put in tremendous effort and courage to be on stage. It’s so much different from what I’ve experienced in other countries. I am sorry if my opinions are offensive.

TRB: Any shout-outs to your friends, family or loved ones? 

Halim: Thank you to my loved ones, family and friends for all the supports that have been given to me all these while! And also not to forget my critics! Thanks too! You have actually made me better! Cheers!

My dear friend Halim Bin Ismail, you have shown us all your utmost dedication to this sport. We at The Reading Bodybuilder would like to wish you all the best for your future endeavours and do make our nation proud!  That’s all the time we have. Do stay tune for more updates, and who knows, you may be featured next!

Best wishes, 

Zee (27.3.2012)