Bodybuilding is a metaphor in motion—physically demanding and psychologically revealing. It’s self-transformation in its rawest form, where the human body expands, contracts, suffers, recovers, and, ultimately, emerges stronger and more defined. In many respects, it mirrors the patterns of life. Although some admire the muscle-bound form as the epitome of fitness, it’s often shadowed by scepticism about the extreme measures involved, such as strict dieting, dehydration before competitions, and intense cycles of bulking and cutting. There’s also a noticeable difference in how male and female bodybuilders are culturally perceived: men might be teased for appearing ‘over-the-top’, while women often face polarised opinions, being seen as symbols of empowerment or dismissed as ‘too masculine’.
Nothing, however, quite compares to the strength and liberation found in companionship, pushing through challenges together, while striving toward shared and personal goals. Such is the story of Eva Chow and Rex Chan, whose paths crossed in the gym when Chan offered a helpful tip on Chow’s push-up technique. Who knew a gym-floor correction could turn into a solid connection?
Chow began her fitness journey through yoga, a practice she was deeply passionate about. It wasn’t until Chan introduced her to resistance-based workouts that she began to see the different benefits between yoga and weight training. Drawn to the idea of building her physique, she gradually shifted her focus toward bodybuilding. “Rex guided me through my workouts, and we naturally started spending more time together,” Chow says. “I’ve always felt comfortable in the gym because he was there to support me. I never felt intimidated by the equipment or the people around me.”
Sure, most people try to squeeze in workouts after work or whenever they can, but Chow went all in. Fitness became her calling. She made the unconventional decision to resign from her corporate auditing role and devote herself entirely to it. “I left my previous job to pursue something that truly excites me. The reason I chose fitness is because I love the transformations and how life-changing this industry can be,” she shares. “Even though the pay was half of what I used to earn, I decided to take the risk because I believe in Rex. That’s how we started our own fitness studio, Furious Bootcamp.”
Working out together was familiar territory, but starting a business side by side was a different test, especially during the height of the pandemic. Yet, the couple stayed determined. They used the lockdown to learn everything they could about bodybuilding and the fitness industry, taking courses and researching the business side of it. Today, Furious Bootcamp stands as one of the busiest gym studios in Cheras.
With Chow’s bubbly and infectious energy, Chan’s composed strength stands in quiet contrast. Behind his sculpted frame lies a story of emotional strain, persistence, and hard-fought self-acceptance. Chan wasn’t particularly strong academically growing up, but everything shifted when he discovered an interest in fitness and bodybuilding. From that moment on, he committed to training and never looked back. He understood early on that bodybuilding results don’t come overnight. “It takes years of consistency,” he reflects. Eager to grow beyond hands-on experience, Chan enrolled in a master’s programme in the field.
Public perception often reduces bodybuilding to discussions about enhancers. Although such practices exist, what many overlook is the tireless effort that goes into every rep, meal, and routine. Chan knows this all too well. His success, marked by multiple awards, came from years of commitment, not shortcuts. And that’s what he wishes more people understood. “People often don’t see the time and hard work that go into this. Instead, they say things like, ‘You’re on steroids, that’s why you’re progressing,’,” he says. “But in reality, steroids might account for just five per cent of the result. The other 95 per cent comes from consistent effort, discipline, and sacrifice. It just becomes easier for people to judge than to understand the process.”
Even during his off-season, Chan doesn’t slow down and continues to train regularly. “I still want to push my limits,” he says. “There’s still a long way to go. I don’t think I’ve reached my potential yet, and there are so many others who are way ahead of me. To get there, I must put in the work, even on weekends and during my free time.”
While training is serious business, so is enjoying the process—including good food. The couple doesn’t shy away from carbs, be it rice, noodles, or bread. For Chan, however, discovering his love for desserts came as a surprise. These days, he might indulge in three to four slices of cake, which is quite ironic considering he wasn’t fond of sweets growing up.
Although both have competed internationally in their respective categories, one dream still sits on the horizon. “To earn professional status (or a pro card), you need to win the overall category,” Chan explains. “That card qualifies you as a professional bodybuilder. The next goal for both of us is to earn that pro status at the Olympia stage. We’ve already won our classes at the amateur level, so we’re now focused on aiming higher and going beyond that.”
Photography by Anna-Rina
