SALISBURY — Bodybuilding has come a long way since strongman-turned-professional muscle displayer Eugen Sandow first flexed his way into prominence, helping mold a pre-depression era society America into a biceps-loving, spring-pulley-stretching nation that eventually celebrated Sandow's bulky hamhogs and bodybuilding's rise in popularity in the Oscar-winning 1936 film "The Great Ziegfeld."

And though the Grecian ideals of physical perfection remain intact, they have undoubtedly evolved far beyond what the barrel-chested Sandow, who died at 58 from a stroke after lifting his stuck car from a mud bank, ever could have imagined.

Anabolic steroids are now a staple in competitive bodybuilding, and the use of the drug, which has made its way deep into school sports at an alarmingly early level and can be attributed to serious heart defects, is loved and used so widely due to its rapid ability to create mild-mannered poindexters into breastplate pounding, tribal-inked behemoths — in under one year.

Not everyone falls for the charm of quick gains however. Not everyone is in it for the aesthetic appeal.

Salisbury resident Brent Lake, 33, owner of Rowley based Lake Training Center and the 2008 Yankee Classic Men's Open overall champion, can humbly admit that he is all natural.

Chronically weight-lifting since he was 12-years-old and in the eighth grade, Lake's initial drive was devised around his desire to add extra strength to his hockey game. However, it was a power-lifting uncle who gave him the tools — plates and bars, a squat rack, and free weights — to create the figure he would eventually boast.

But lifting was only part of Lake's passion. Helping people reach their goals through exercise and diet was the other.

A genuine journeyman of physical training, ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) certified Lake has helped men and women all throughout the North Shore of Massachusetts — with past jobs at Gold's Gym in Salisbury, the Hamilton Athletic Club, the Manchester-by-the-Sea Athletic Club, and the North Shore Athletic Club. Lake and his wife even made their way over to San Diego, Calif. to train the bold and the beautiful in La Jolla — a clientele including the likes of Junior Seau's ex-wife.

Once Lake's wife became pregnant with their first child, the pair decided to move back to the eastern seaboard to be closer with relatives, and after working at two gyms for a while, Lake came to the conclusion that opening his own gym — a facility specialized in group personal training of up to six people that focuses on strength increase and fat loss — would be more beneficial for himself, his family, and his clients.

Still, though, all of his time in the gym and a naturally gifted physique presented Lake with a tremendous build, and while working out at the Fitness Factory, a few chance words of encouragement gave Lake the confidence to enter his first natural bodybuilding competition. It wasn't successful, but his physique was enough to impress a trainer who offered Lake a more grounded training regimen.

Not long after, Lake entered and won the New England Bodybuilding Championship's junior division for men under 23, and placed second in the Men's Open.

With the right genes and the perfect amount of will, Lake became a legitimate bodybuilder. And realistically, all it would take for Lake to break into the big time would be to pump a few cycles into his bloodstream, and reap all of the welcome money prizes and photo shots that would be to follow.

"I just don't feel like it's worth it," said Lake, who enjoys pizza and ice cream when he's not on his strict brown rice, eggs, chicken, and steak varied diet. "There are too many down-sides to your personal health, but really it's a personal thing. It's a personal journey for anybody to enter a bodybuilding show, but I've just always wanted to be true to myself.

"I don't have a problem with anybody doing or wanting to do steroids, but entering a 'natural' bodybuilding competition? That's a different story," said Lake, who explains that the top three aspects of bodybuilding are, from last to first, cardiovascular, weight training, and nutrition.

In regards to his most recent accomplishments (a 12-person Tall Class win, and an Overall victory that is judged on the combination of posture, symmetry, muscularity, and leanness) and his prime overall first place in a Men's Open, Lake is modest and very happy with his efforts, his trainer's help, and the backbone of his friends and family.

"It's been 10 years since I started this, and I'm extremely pleased with the work I've put in. It's very exciting to finally attain my goal. I've been working hard for it," explained Lake, who prepares to "shred" his body through careful dehydration techniques three days before the contest. "All of that strict dieting was well worth it in the end."

A veteran in bodybuilding, and personal training expert, Salisbury resident Tony Page was instrumental in helping his friend reach his goal.

"Brent is very disciplined," stated Page. "It's a very tough diet regimen that he was on, brutal really, and not once did he complain.

"He's got great genetics and had fine-tuned symmetry to his footing, and because he's been training for so long, his muscles are very mature, and he completely dominated that show," said Page, who explained that they had started to train at 14 weeks. "You could see muscle in him that no one was even close to showing. I am very proud of how hard he worked."

Lake's younger sister Jennifer can remember when he first started to lift, and is more than delighted with how far her brother has traveled.

"Brent's always been athletic. He played hockey at Triton and sports just seemed to be the gateway for his love of weight training," explained Jennifer. "It's just awesome. He's excellent at what he does, and I'm psyched for him. He's put so much effort into this and it's just incredible to be seeing it pay off.

"Words can't express how glad I am for Brent. He's a great dad, a wonderful husband, and I'm very proud of him."

The Lake File

Name: Brent Lake Jr.

Age: 33

Height: 5'9"

Contest weight: 175 pounds

Normal weight: 195 pounds

Hero: Father, Brent Lake Sr.

Favorite exercise: Dead lift (max: 470 pounds)