FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The second-oldest contestant to win the state bodybuilding championship, and the first from Fairhope, is a local professional trainer and a lifelong “health nut.”

“When I was in high school, I saw a bodybuilding magazine and became a gym rat,” said Mike Phelps, 45, who beat out nearly 90 competitors to win the top title last month at the 2011 National Physique Committee Alabama State Championships in Homewood. “I competed in the heavyweight class. I had to win that first then beat all the other weight class winners.”

The NPC is the governing body for the amateur organization that feeds the professional International Federation of Bodybuilding, says Morris Pruett, the NPC district chairman for Alabama.

“Mike Phelps is the overall state champion,” said Pruett, adding that the title carries the informal designation of “Mr. Alabama,” but noted that term has been copyrighted by another.

The Aug. 27 competition judged the contestants on their muscle and body fat appearance and other physique characteristics.

“There have been a couple of people win their weight classes from Fairhope,” said Phelps, who is three years younger than the oldest to ever win overall in a contest dominated by those at least a decade younger. “But no one (from Fairhope) has ever won the entire show.”

Although serious about bodybuilding for a quarter-century, Phelps was in the commercial insurance business until five years ago.

Since then, he’s been a professional trainer, currently dividing his time between Personal Training and Fitness Inc. in Mobile and Babb Fitness in Fairhope. For the past 12 years, he has competed in bodybuilding competitions, including the Alabama State Championships.

“No trainer is better at eliminating body fat than a bodybuilder, because we are very skilled at stripping the fat yet keeping the muscle,” he said. “Most trainers just try to get people to lose weight, which could mean muscle weight. I am always looking for clients who want to transform their physique.”