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Cosmo is a 14 year old body builder who takes after his dad who is also a body builder and his trainer.
Flexing his pecs and admiring his glowing stage tan, Cosmo Taylor begins his posing practice.
He recently competed in his very first bodybuilding show against an impressive line-up of
muscular physiques from all over the UK.
But unlike his fellow competitors, Cosmo leaves the house every morning with his school lunch-box and a kiss on the cheek from his mother - because he's only 14 years old.
Cosmo says: 'My dad's a bodybuilder and he's always been my inspiration. Ever since I was a little boy, all I've wanted to do is step on stage.
'Dad has encouraged me every step of the way- he's my coach, my gym buddy and my training partner.
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'My sister comes to the gym with us too - she's a competitive power lifter and has even won gold medals - I'm really lucky to have such a good support network around me.
'Next year all three of us will all be competing in the same season - mum will help to prep our food and will be there to support us at our shows.
'The gym is my life - I love lifting and I love the buzz I get when I hit a personal best or see growth in my muscles. At the moment, I weigh 73kg, but eventually I want to hit around 90-95kg.'
I worry about him though,he's only 14 and i think this might come back to haunt him in later years.If you tax your body so much at such a young age,doing heavy weights,it might tell on his joints and growth in future.I hope they are pacing him appropriately'
Cosmo competed in the Silver City Classic Bodybuilding show in Aberdeen on November 9.
The competition was his very first, and was a 'test' to determine whether bodybuilding is the sport he wishes to pursue long-term.
While some parents may think Cosmo is too young to train as a bodybuilder, his mother Florence and father Andrew believe he has everything it takes to be a star in the sport, and prepare his meals accordingly.
Florence says: 'Cosmo is on a very strict diet to ensure he is the best he can be come competition time.
'Bodybuilding is a very unforgiving sport, and every muscle in Cosmo's body must be developed to demonstrate size, symmetry and condition.
'He currently eats four meals a day, consisting mainly of lean meat, brown rice, sweet potato and oats.
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'Cosmo snacks on chicken and salad throughout the day at school, and whenever he can he will come home for lunch so he can have a hot meal too.
'Andrew (his father and coach) gives him one cheat day a week - which means he's allowed to eat whatever he wants - after all, he is only 14 and still growing, and we have to recognize that.
Cosmo says: 'I can bench press more than my own body weight but it's not all about how much you can lift.
'Bodybuilding is not all about size and strength- it's an aesthetic sport so you have to train all your muscle groups to complement each other correctly.
'For example, it's no good having a huge chest if you have no arms- that'd just look weird.
'My favourite muscle groups to train are arms because I tend to see quick progress in those areas, and my worst is back- I need to work on that some more.
'It can take years and years to build a good physique, and there's always room for improvement- there is no 'perfect' body- plus, it's a very subjective sport and you never know what the judges might be looking for.
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| Cosmo poses with his 16 year old sister who is a prize winner power lifter |