Published: July 18, 2008 11:03 pm            

BODYBUILDING: Falls' Primareno flexes at states

Primerano has become a prominent name in the iron game.

Last month, Rick Primerano of Niagara Falls placed third at the Rochester Bodybuilding Championships, following up his brother Ron’s second-place finish last year at the event that used to be known as the New York State Championships.

“It’s regarded as the most competitive amateur show in New York state,” Rick Primerano said this week. “This show was stacked. Everyone was in shape.”

The Rochester event also introduced a bench press competition this year, in which Ron Primerano, 26, took second place overall. Their father, Frank, 48, won the masters division, and half-brother, Gus Nienburg, 17, was the teenage champion.

And two local athletes cooperatively trained by Ron and Rick Primerano at Summit Fitness won titles at prestigious bodybuilding events in the spring. Colleen Palmeri of took first place at the National Physique Committee national qualifying event in Pittsburgh, while Rick Riley was Mr. Buffalo in the novice and middleweight divisions.

For Rick Primerano, 25, placing in Rochester is the pinnacle of his athletic career so far.

A 2001 graduate of Niagara Falls High School, Primerano played football, basketball and ran the 100 meters for the Wolverines. He went on to play football at Alfred University.

“Bodybuilding is by far the hardest sport I’ve ever done,” he said. “Hands down. It’s not the physical, it’s the mental stress of the diet.”

Primerano, who has gained about 50 pounds of muscle since he was a 190-pound tailback at Alfred, said the key to his success was maintaining body fat percentages below 8 percent year round, which meant he didn’t have to shed as much fat in the weeks leading up to the show.

For that, he thanks girlfriend Jill Fiocco, who prepared his meals, kept him company during cardio sessions and helped him keep a positive attitude.

“I also can’t thank my brother enough,” he said.

About 18 months ago, Primerano left his job as a customs broker at FedEx to join his brother in the fitness industry. He now has more than 50 clients, and begins his 10-hour days at Summit Fitness at 5:30 a.m.

“It doesn’t feel like work,” Primerano said, adding that competing helps him do his job.

“In this business, it’s very important to practice what you preach. If they see you could diet down, that gives them the inspiration to work harder at their diet and training regimen.”

Contact reporter Jonah Bronstein at 282-2311, ext. 2258.

        

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