A former Army commando from Builth Wells who took up bodybuilding as “therapy” after leaving the services won through to the finals of a national competition at his first attempt.

But Chris West decided to turn down the chance to take part in the United Kingdom Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s national competition after he was runner-up in the 85kg event at the UKBFF West Midlands Championships in Coventry.

Chris chose not to go to the British national finals in Nottingham on Sunday, September 23, saying he would rather aim for the nationals in two years’ time when he had had more time to train.

Chris said: “I thought I’d go for the nationals when I’m feeling 100% about it rather than doing a half-hearted attempt now. I know that in two years I’ll be leaner and stronger and bigger. While this year I think I would have had a decent chance of winning, I know that in two years I’ll have a really good chance.

“I don’t want to attempt it until I am completely happy. I’ll be able to get my pro-card then as well.”

The 30-year-old fitness fanatic said he was shocked to learn that he had qualified as he had been disappointed by his performance in the West Midlands championships.

As well as being critical of how he looked after seeing the post-competition photos, the ex-serviceman said he got a cramp in his left calf during his routine.

He said: “It’s actually amazing, I was hoping I would qualify but I wasn’t sure. I was really self-critical of myself, especially with the pictures.”

Chris, who is engaged to fiancee Jamie-Lee Morris, said he became interested in bodybuilding after he left the forces and decided to compete in December last year.

The ex-serviceman was a Commando EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) for the Royal Engineers and completed two tours in Afghanistan and one in Iraq. During that time he said he was part of the anti-piracy team on the Indian Ocean and he was a close protection bodyguard in Iraq.

He said: “I’m ex-forces, and I got into it as it something to focus on. Some people like to drink or go out or whatever, I like to do this – it’s like a therapy for me.

“It’s not as much about vanity, although a bit of that is involved. The biggest part for me is the mental well-being that comes from it as well as the physical health and getting stronger.

“What I normally say to my partner is that I feel like a piece of jumbled up cloth, and this helps to iron the creases out – as I said, my therapy.”

The BT Open Route telephone engineer, who has posted his progress on Instagram, says he has lost 15kg since starting his training regime despite bulking his muscle mass.

The strongman eats 1,600 calories a day and allows himself only 20 grammes of carbohydrates – the equivalent of one slice of bread.

He also said that he burns between 4,000kcal and 5,000kcal a day with his “high intensity” training programme.

“I do strength training, weight training, and what’s known as hit training which stands for high intensity training.”

Speaking about the exercise programme, Chris said: “I get up at 4.30 every morning and I do an hour of cardio before I get ready for work.

“After work I do an hour of weights and then another hour of cardio. It is a lot, but it’s what you’ve got to do when you want to be and look the best.”

Since competing in Coventry, Chris has been offered a full-time job as a personal trainer at Nick’s Gym in Llandrindod Wells.

Nick Newton, who owns the gym, is also sponsoring Chris as a competing bodybuilder.

Chris is also receiving help from nutritionist Luke Davies who has advised the bodybuilder about his diet and general health as well as fitness.

Speaking about his new job, Chris said: “I can’t wait to get started. I want people to come forward so I can use my experience, not just with fitness but also in general from my past career, to help them achieve the results they want.

“It’ll be good to train people to the same sort of physical standard that I have reached.”

The bodybuilder emphasised that without the help from Nick and Luke as well as support from Jamie-Lee, who he is due to marry in Hereford next August, he would not have been able to achieve his goals.