Lancashire brothers go from bonny babies to top bodybuilders

Three brothers have gone from bonny babies to bodybuilding beefcakes.
Dedicated trio: Brothers James, Tom and Chris Poyner (left to right), as babies and nowDedicated trio: Brothers James, Tom and Chris Poyner (left to right), as babies and now
Dedicated trio: Brothers James, Tom and Chris Poyner (left to right), as babies and now

And proud mum Janet Poyner is full of praise for her trio – who have all attained success in the world of natural bodybuilding, which means contestants cannot take any steroid-like substances.

Sons Tom, 24, Chris, 26, and James, 27, became interested in the hobby in their teenage years, and are now leading lights in the natural bodybuilding world.

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Janet, 52, said: “They have all done really well. Two of them are presently on the British Natural Bodybuilding Federation website advertising its next event at the moment.

“It is a hobby for them – they all have jobs, and I don’t think they would want to do it full time. But I’m so proud of them. They are so disciplined and it takes so much determination.

“It is all natural. They have proved it can be done naturally. They are polygraphed and urine tested at all events to make sure there is no steroid-taking.”

All three have won bodybuilding events – Chris won in Preston in 2013, before taking a national title.

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He has since been to a natural bodybuilding world event in Miami – something James is set to do this year after winning an event in Manchester.

Not to be outdone, Tom topped the field in an event in Perth.

Youngest brother Tom, a doctor who now works at Whiston Hospital, was the first to take an interest in the pastime when he was around 14, and his brothers soon followed suit.

The trio went to Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School in St Annes, and St Bede’s in Lytham.

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Chris and Tom went on to Cardinal Newman College in Preston, while James went to Lytham St Annes High School for A Level studies.

Eldest brother James is an analyst for Sainsbury’s, and middle brother Chris works in the financial sector.

The hobby has helped the brothers stay firm friends, said Janet, who lives in Lytham. “It is a good brotherly thing. They help to support each other at all of the meetings and it is still a hobby for them.

“When they were at home they co-ordinated their protein shakes and cooking chicken and rice every few hours.

“Thankfully they are so disciplined they just got on with it.”