Not your average grandmother: 39-year-old gran is prize-winning body builder and TV fitness expert who trains with Jodie Marsh

By Toni Jones

PUBLISHED: 12:06 EST, 15 November 2012 | UPDATED: 14:15 EST, 15 November 2012

When women become grandmothers they are generally expected to start taking it easy and to spend their time baking, reading and enjoying the down time they have earned.

But Carmen Knights is not your average grandmother

Instead of bingo and knitting this glamorous gran spends her free time boxing and lifting weights. In fact, since joining a gym nine years ago the 39-year-old blonde has become a full time personal trainer, taken the top prize at the British Finals and even trained Jodie Marsh for the American competition she won on this year's bodybuilding documentary Brawn in the USA.

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Since joining a gym nine years ago glamorous grandmother Carmen Knights has become a full time personal trainer, taken the top prize at the British Finals and even trained Jodie Marsh

Carmen, who is single and lives in St Alban's helped transform model Jodie's body and even travelled to America with her as part of the fascinating programme.

Carmen, who became a Pro in 2005 after winning the British Finals. says: 'Becoming a Pro opened many doors and led to guest spots, seminars, competing abroad, appearing on the Active Channel and becoming a personal trainer to a real mix of people who are all keen to improve their fitness and physique.

'Training Jodie was an experience I really enjoyed. This industry is male dominated and it was so rewarding to spend time with another dedicated female athlete.

'The three weeks we spent in America on the ‘Brawn In The USA’ show really changed my life on both a personal and professional level.'

When she's not in the gym shaping her own or clients' bodies  Carmen likes to spend time spoiling her two grandchildren.

She says: 'I am 39-years-young: a mum with two grown up children who I love dearly and two gorgeous little granddaughters who have brought so much joy to my life over the last few months.

'I regularly babysit and love taking my adventurous and mischievous  little granddaughter to the local toddler’s group.

'Being a grandmother is just one of the things that helps keep me motivated nowadays. I refuse to be a stereotypical grandma sitting in a rocking chair with tea and biscuits!

'I don’t think I’ve quite peaked and am not ready to throw in the towel yet. I am aiming to do a few more shows before I hang up my suits.'

Before she discovered her love of training Carmen found it difficult to carve a career doing anything else, moving from job to job as she brought up her young family.

She says: 'Nine years ago I just went to the gym with a male friend and basically copied what he did. I’d only been a couple of times, and lifted a few weights when it was suggested that I should consider training for a competition.

VIDEO: Carmen flexes her delts & pecs:

Carmen (left) helped transform model Jodie's body (right) and even travelled to America with her as part of bodybuilding documentary  Brawn in the USA

Carmen says: 'My diet varies across the season but my typical 'off season' diet comprises the 6 meals listed below, which include various LA Muscle products which help me achieve the bodybuilder 'ripped' look.'

'I knew nothing about competing and had never even seen a show but after a lot of persuading and, just a few months after that first visit to the gym, I was hooked. I competed in my first show in September 2003. Amazingly I placed 2nd.

'It was obvious to others that I had the potential to do well but convincing myself was a huge hurdle that only I could overcome. I went on to compete several more times and with every competition I became a little more confident and the self belief improved, although the nerves have never quite disappeared.'

Today mother-of-two is a full time personal trainer and appears several times a week on TV fitness channel Active Channel as an expert and is filming her own show which will be broadcast next year.

She says: 'My professional aim in life is to train and encourage my clients to achieve their own personal goals so I was absolutely delighted when I was offered my own show.

'The thought that anyone out there watching the programme might also benefit from my training tips and workouts and improve their own fitness really excites me.'

It's hard to believe this glamorous women is a grandmother of two

• Carmen features on The Active Channel SKY 281