Chris Zangari

Chirs started weight training at 15 years old. The second generation Nautilus machines were all the rage in 1982. He worked those machines for nine months. The Nautilus facility also had some bars and dumbbells that few people used. Chris figured it was time to join a weight lifting/ bodybuilding gym now that he was 5 feet 8 inches, 170 pounds with 15 inch arms and a 185 lbs bench press.

Chris joined World Gym East in Connecticut in 1983 which was owed by Mike Katz and others. At the time this gym was loaded with high level bodybuilders as well as professional wrestlers and strength athletes. The atmosphere was great. Everyone was trying to get bigger and stronger. The gym sponsored the Northeastern America Bodybuilding Championships every June. This was a national qualifier for the NPC which was a new organization in 1983. The number of competitors was high. Usually 70 to 90. There was only Men's Open, three weight classes, Masters, Teens and High School. Chris entered the High School division in 1983 and placed eleventh out of fourteen. He got crushed. However, it was great motivation. He has been competing ever since.

Since then Chris has won six Overall Natural titles in four organizations, NPC, AAU, OCB & BLNPA. He currently competes in the IFPA and NGA in the professional divisions. The competition is high at the professional events which makes him feel like its 1983 and he's a beginner again, working his way up. 

Like many natural professionals, Chris has a family and professional life outside of competition. He has been married for sixteen years to Dana, and they have children ages 14, 9, 3 and 1.  Chris has also been an attorney in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts for the last 13 years. 

 Chris always enjoys meeting other competitors whose lives outside of competition match or exceed their competitive achievements.  He's met excellent competitors who are physicians, engineers, educators, professors and scientists who also manage demanding careers and family life.  These individuals are inspirational and motivational for him.  Chris can appreciate the sacrifices they make to pursue their bodybuilding goals.  They must possess true passion for the sport to balance all the elements of their lives so successfully.

One word that comes to mind in describing Chris's physique..... classic! He's one of those competitors that stands out on stage. Blessed with great genetics and extremely polished posing, he's really fun to watch.

I competed in the 2006 OCB Cape Cod Natural when Chris won his IFPA Pro card, and was at his first IFPA show, the 2007 Gaspari Nutrition Pro Classic. I was amazed at how easy he made it look going from the amateur level to the Pro level. I was also amazed at the improvements he made in just a years time. Chris added a great deal of thickness to his physique and was extremely impressive placing in the top 5.

He always meets you with a smile and is as genuine as they come. I'll never forget Chris and his family at the 2007 Yorton Cup. I'm guessing his wife Dana was 8+ months pregnant and they had all their kids in tow. There was absolutely no question what was most important to him that weekend.... and it wasn't his placing in the show.

You won't find anyone who knows Chris that doesn't like him. He's yet another example of how great the OCB / IFPA family is.

2007 IFPA Yorton Cup