Henry Daily Herald

Photo by Elaine Rackley: Doug Clark, and his wife, Kim, are personal trainers and bodybuilders from Morrow, who operate a gym in McDonough.

Matt Henry competed in the Supernatural Body and Figure Championship, Saturday, in Lilburn. It was his first bodybuilding competition.

The 35-year-old Stockbridge firefighter won first place in the men’s novice middleweight class.

Morrow personal trainers, Doug Clark, and his wife, Kim, helped guide Henry to success through the Pro Fitness of Georgia gym they own in McDonough.

Recently, the couple worked with a Hapeville woman, who has arthritis in her hip.

“She is working to build the muscle in her legs,” said Kim. “She does need to lose weight, but, right now, we are working to help her prepare for hip surgery. After the surgery, we will instruct her in therapeutic exercising during her recovery, then we will focus on her weight loss.”

The two examples point to what Doug and Kim Clark hope to accomplish –– provide the necessary information and resources to those working to rebuild their muscles and bodies.

Firefighter Henry is one patron who has realized success. He trained for eight months with Doug Clark before he won his title. “He [Doug] is very motivating, and he is educated in the process,” said Henry. “He knows how to get you where you need to be, not just for competitions. I had to call him up, to help me to stick to a diet for the competition.

“Since I have competed,” Henry said, “I’ve enjoyed the rush from competing, and I am looking forward to the next competition in March.”

“We provide fitness programs personally designed for the individual,” said Doug, 47. “We personalize their diet and nutrition plans. We teach proper forms and techniques when exercising.”

The Clarks said they are certified fitness instructors, and also have certifications as specialists in exercise therapy.

“With [the new certifications] we do post-physical therapy,” said Doug. “We work with people that suffer from chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain syndrome, arthritis, and different types of cancers. We take the ‘dis’ out of disability.”

The Clarks said that, when working with those with health issues, they do so in conjunction with medical professionals.

“Once they learn and understand how nutrition and fitness go hand in hand, they continue to achieve their goals on their own,” added Doug.

The Clarks believe some of their own personal accomplishments attest to what they can do.

Doug Clark recently won two United States Presidential awards, the Active Lifestyle Award, and the Physical Fitness Award.

In April, Kim Clark, 50, won first place in the National Physique Committee Atlanta Bodybuilding Competition. She competed in the heavyweight division –– 140 pounds and over. It was her first time competing.