Alina Popa

Alina Popa aspired to have a healthy body and a physique like the women in the fitness competitions. She tried track and field and aerobics as a teenager before stumbling across bodybuilding at a gym in her town. She was only 19 when she encounters a young woman preparing for the National Junior Championships. This meeting inspired Popa to begin lifting; at twenty one years old she was approached by a trainer who suggested that she prepare to compete.

In 2003, upon reaching a weight of 125 pounds (57 kg), Alina Popa began competing in the heavyweight bracket, representing her country until 2005. In 2006, she relocated to Switzerland, close to Zurich, and has competed for her adopted country ever since. She received her IFBB pro card in 2008 after winning the overall and heavyweight at the 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna.

In 2000, Popa placed second in a Regional Cup Competition as well as third in the National Championships. In 2006, she began living and competing in Switzerland and went on to receive her pro card in 2008 when she won first in her class as a heavyweight as well as overall at the 2008 IFBB Worlds Santa Susanna. In 2010, she took eighth in the Ms. International competition and third the following year. Popa placed fourth in 2011 at the Ms. Olympia competition. In 2012, she placed both third and fourth at the international and the Ms. Olympia competitions and in 2013 she placed second place at the Ms. Olympia where she was a crowd favorite. 2014 Ms. Olympia competitions, she finished second behind Iris Kyle. To date, this is her highest placing. Alina’s attendance, thus far, has found her placing within in the top six. Her trainer is bodybuilder Dylan Armbrust, owner of Armbrust PRO Gym and husband of professional bodybuilder Heather Armbrust.